The first snow of winter had fallen three days ago. Now, the city of Felnia was draped in a thin white blanket. The yard behind Cranewold Bar had become slightly slippery from the layer of ice that had formed.
James stood in clothes lent to him by Frey, his hands feeling the old fabric that was starting to thin from work and training. His breath turned to white vapor in the freezing air.
Two weeks of intense training with Ann had changed his body noticeably. His legs were more agile, his muscles stronger from the slight increase in weight. He could run alongside Ann for longer without getting winded, and his breathing remained steady even after strenuous exercise.
Every morning, Ann would lead James on a run around the yard and through the streets of the safe zone. She taught him to control his pace and breathing with discipline.
James remembered the first day when he could barely keep up with her. Now, he could match her pace for half the training session without losing his balance, even on the snow-slick ground.
Some days, Brack would appear in the training yard to teach Ann. He focused on complex movements, evasions that were almost like a dance, sudden changes in direction, and the use of some power that James still didn't understand.
Ann's silver aura would intensify when Brack instructed her to move at a faster rhythm. James would watch from a corner of the yard, hands tucked into his cloak for warmth, his eyes fixed on their every move.
Brack never gave him direct advice, but James was never forbidden from watching either. He absorbed Brack's every word, the way he taught Ann to "feel the wind" or "listen to her body's voice." He tried to memorize and apply it to his own training.
At Cranewold Bar, James's life was beginning to find a rhythm. He grew accustomed to carrying beer kegs, washing glasses, and taking orders from drunk customers.
The smell of woodsmoke and oil from the kitchen became a part of his daily routine. His bond with Frey deepened each day. Frey would often tell him stories about the city and offer small pieces of advice, like how to avoid thugs in the alleys or which shops sold good items for cheap.
James noticed that Frey continued to work hard to send money to his sick mother and young sister. Frey's dedication reminded James of himself in his old world.
The days when he had worked hard for a goal larger than himself.
Elen remained the pillar of the family. Even though she was a Felhart by marriage, the Cranewold blood still ran in her veins. She looked after everyone in the bar with a calm and steady presence.
James could feel Elen's concerned gaze when he worked too hard, or when he returned from training with his clothes damp from the snow. She would often hand him a dry towel or a bowl of hot soup without saying much. Even Brack seemed to soften when his sister was around.
As for Varena, she remained as quiet as ever. James didn't interact with her much outside of work. Sometimes, he would feel Varena staring at him with a mysterious gaze, as if trying to read something within him.
James felt a certain coldness in that gaze but chose to ignore it. He had enough to focus on already.
Today was the 15th day exactly since James started working at Cranewold Bar. In the afternoon, the bar was quieter than usual. Most customers had not yet arrived. James stood behind the counter, wiping the last glass.
Brack walked in from the kitchen. In his thick hand, he held a small cloth pouch that jingled when he placed it on the counter.
"Here's your half-month's pay," Brack said, his tone gruff as usual, but his eyes weren't cold. "Seventy-five copper coins from me, plus thirty in tips. One hundred and five total. All there."
James took the cloth pouch, feeling the weight of the coins, cold from the winter air. He counted in his head.
10 silver coins, 5 copper coins.
The feeling of earning money on his own made his heart swell. In his old world, he had worked hard for a salary, but this was the first time in this world that he held the fruits of his own labor in his hands.
"Thank you," James said, looking at Brack sincerely. "I'll work even harder."
Brack gave a small nod before heading back to the kitchen. "Just don't break any more glasses," he said without looking back, but James could detect a small smile in his voice.
Frey emerged from a corner of the bar, his hair slightly messy from the morning's work. "Ready, James? We're going to the market with Ann today." He grinned widely, his eyes shining with excitement. "With the snow falling, the market is sure to be lively."
Ann followed him out, her clothes thicker to ward off the cold, her braid swinging slightly as she slung a cloth bag over her shoulder. "Don't be slow," she said, her eyes playful. "I don't want to stand around waiting for you in the snow for too long."
The three of them left the bar, heading towards the market in the heart of Felnia. The stone-paved streets were damp from the melting snow. The shouts of merchants echoed amidst the bustling crowd.
As they walked, Frey pointed to a fruit stall and turned to speak. "You know, James, one silver coin can buy you a good meal or ten loaves of bread. If it's beer, you can get two or three glasses. But if you go to Old Man Thomas's shop over there, you might only get one glass." He laughed.
James nodded, feeling the pouch of coins in his pocket. He thought of the clothes Frey had lent him over the past two weeks.
They were tight and old, but they had gotten him through work and training. "I need to buy a new outfit," he said, looking at Frey before speaking. "Thanks for lending me the clothes, Frey. I know you don't have much yourself."
Frey waved his hand. "It's nothing. I get it. When I first started working here, I had nothing either," he smiled.
Ann, who was walking ahead, turned to look at them. "Speaking of strange things, yesterday I heard some hunters at the bar talking. Said a merchant disappeared in an alley near the east wall." She frowned. "They said the footprints they found weren't human. There were claw marks embedded deep in the dirt."
James paused slightly, his gaze sharpening. "What kind of footprints? Were they demons?"
Frey shook his head. "I heard the same thing. Some say it was just a wolf, but I don't think so." He lowered his voice. "Three days ago, a young boy who went out to gather firewood outside the wall never came back. The villagers said they found a rotten smell in the forest, but no one dared to go look."
"The Hunter's Association has probably dealt with it," Ann said, her voice steady but laced with concern. "But if it really is a demon, it shouldn't be getting this close to the city… right?"
James was silent, his heart beating a little faster. He thought of Alvia and the Minotaur Demon. The sense of danger hidden in this world made him more cautious. "Grant might know something about this," he said. "But he's gone to the capital, hasn't he?"
"Yes," Ann nodded. "Father reported the matter of Alvia to the local association and was sent to the capital to inform the main association. I don't think he'll be back anytime soon."
The three continued until they reached a clothing shop at a corner of the market. It was a small shop that smelled of leather and newly dyed cloth. Clothes were hung on wooden racks and laid out on old wooden tables. James looked at a set of simple clothes that looked sturdy but cheap.
Five silver coins, he calculated in his head. If he bought this outfit, he'd have little left for anything else.
Ann stood beside him, her eyes scanning the clothes on the table. "Are you just getting one set?" she asked, her voice curious. "This kind of outfit isn't suitable for training in the snow or working in the bar."
James gave a small smile. "I don't have that much money, Ann. This will do."
Ann looked at him steadily for a moment before turning to pick out two thicker sets.
A woolen set with tight stitching for training, and two durable cloth sets for working in the bar.
She paid the shop owner twenty-five silver coins from her own pouch. "Elen sent this," she said, her gaze softening. "Mother said you've been working and training hard. Plus, you need to change clothes often in this weather."
James was taken aback. A warm feeling spread through his chest. He knew Elen was fond of him, but for Ann to choose three outfits for him showed a kindness greater than he had expected. "Thanks, Ann. And thank Elen for me, too," he said with a sincere voice. "I'll pay you back."
Seeing this, Frey gave a warm and genuine smile. He patted James's shoulder lightly. "That's just how Lady Elen is," he said. "She's always kind to everyone who works hard. Consider this confirmation that you're one of us now." Then he turned to Ann with a broader smile. "Alright! Since you've got a new outfit, we have to celebrate! Let's go get some hot bread. My treat!"
The three continued through the market. Frey's laughter echoed as he told a joke about a drunk hunter who got lost in the snow. Ann walked beside James, her eyes holding a warm expression as she looked at the crowd. The market was full of life.
Merchants shouted for customers, children ran and played in the snow, and the smell of freshly baked bread wafted through the air. James felt something that had been long lost.
Humanity. The warmth of a true friendship in this cruel world.
In his heart, the Void-Born Apex Bloodline remained silent, but James knew he was moving forward, one step at a time.