The old man, who had been browsing the weapon shop for a suitable sword, finally found one that felt light and comfortable enough for Rayen. He inspected it thoroughly, then walked over to the counter.
"How much for this?" he asked, holding the sword up.
The receptionist examined it briefly. "That'll be three silver coins."
The old man raised an eyebrow. "Are you trying to rob me? This sword isn't worth that much. I've got eighty-two years of experience swinging blades like this."
The receptionist looked again, slightly nervous. "Alright, then… how about two silver and six copper?"
A smirk formed on the old man's face as he handed over the coins and took the sword. "Now that's better."
He turned around, smiling. "Rayen, look what I got for you—your new swo—" His words stopped as he glanced around.
Rayen was nowhere to be seen.
His expression darkened. Closing his eyes, he focused. He could sense every life force in the city—dozens of signatures, all steady and normal. Tch. I forgot I used the Divine Lilies potion on Rayen's clothes… it's masking his strange elven presence completely.
Then something caught his attention. A flicker of life force—young, swift, and unlike the rest—moving fast and carrying another weaker presence along with it.
That speed... it's Rayen. But why is he running? And who's with him?
---
Rayen, on the other hand, was sprinting through the streets, the demon girl in his arms, while a furious mob chased behind.
"Wait, you little brat! Give that bitch back to us!" voices shouted from the crowd.
But he didn't stop—he only pushed himself to run faster. City of peace? My foot.
He darted into a building. The people inside tried to block his way, but he leapt over their heads, landing on the staircase rail and launching himself up to the rooftop.
Once there, he looked around. The crowd had gathered below and others were closing in behind him. Without hesitation, he jumped from the edge of the roof, channeling life force into his feet mid-air to propel himself forward. He soared across the gap and landed on the rooftop of another building.
---
The news of the demon girl's escape spread like wildfire. It reached the ears of the Temple's higher officials, and not long after, the message was delivered to the ruling king whose authority extended over the city of Mira.
Inside the throne room, the air was heavy. The room was long and wide, made of pale stone with red carpet lining the floor. Golden banners bearing the kingdom's crest hung on each side, and a row of guards stood still along the walls, their eyes forward.
At the far end, seated on a high, marble throne cushioned in deep blue velvet, was the king. He was a man in his late forties, broad-shouldered, with a trimmed beard and cold, unreadable eyes. A heavy, plain crown sat upon his short black hair. He wore a dark cloak over a simple yet regal outfit—nothing overly ornate.
The high priest burst through the tall doors of the throne room, panting heavily. "Your Majesty! There is... a big chaos going on—" His voice broke mid-sentence as he bent forward, coughing violently into his sleeve.
The king didn't move. His eyes watched the old man with cold patience.
The priest straightened himself, beads in one hand rattling slightly as he tried to steady his breath. His white robes, adorned with faded golden designs, shifted as he bowed low. The thick, round glasses on his nose nearly slipped off from the sweat.
"A demon girl, brought in for punishment, has escaped. The citizens are panicking, shouting about betrayal. And worse..." he paused, swallowing hard. "She was taken by a boy. A human boy."
The room fell into silence.
The king leaned forward, fingers tapping the armrest of his throne. "Did the temple not secure the stage properly?" His voice was calm, but heavy.
"We did... we believed she was too weak to resist. We didn't expect an outsider to interfere," the priest said, still catching his breath.
"Find the boy," the king said coldly. "And bring both of them to me. Alive."
---
Why does this feel like I'm some parkour guy being chased by actors I paid myself?!
Rayen thought as he leapt from a building onto a circus tent, then dropped down to the street below.
Meanwhile, the old man was chasing him too—but his pace was nowhere near as fast.
Tch. Old age is a damn handicap, he grumbled internally, his cane tapping furiously against the ground.
Rayen was lost in thought while running—until a soft voice broke through.
"Who... are you? Why... are you saving me?"
He looked down. The demon girl, who just moments ago had seemed unconscious, was now gazing up at him with wide, innocent eyes.
Rayen gave a small smile. "I'm Rayen Omiosen, a human. I'm saving you because I don't want the demon empire to go to war with the human empire."
I don't want them to hurt my old man.
The girl lowered her eyes, unable to meet his gaze. "I-I-I'm sorry... because of me… you…"
Tears rolled down her cheeks.
Rayen glanced at her, internally panicking.
This is the first time I've talked to a girl, and she's already crying… shit! Emotional damage. I'm a bad omen.
Suddenly, Rayen felt a strange pressure closing in. What's this?
He instinctively jumped back—just in time to dodge a blast of mana that tore through the ground in front of him, blowing apart the stone and sending dust into the air.
Looking up, his eyes widened. Five figures hovered above, all wearing long, dark military robes lined with unfamiliar patterns. On each of their chests gleamed a badge—three letters burned into the metal:
IAR.
Rayen froze. His legs trembled.
IAR…? That's—Inside Affairs Regiment. Each empire has one. They handle internal threats, spies, political enemies… even rogue citizens. I remember them from the game. They're even scarier here.
Panic tightened his chest.
I need to run. If they catch me, I'm finished.
The IAR officers landed smoothly on the ground before Rayen could make a move. Five in total—two women and three men. Their posture and presence radiating dominance.
The crowd that had been chasing Rayen came to a halt. Their expressions shifted—relieved, smug—as if their saviors had arrived.
One of the female officers, standing to the left, had fiery red hair and sharp brown eyes. She placed one hand on her hip.
"Who are you?" she asked, her tone calm but laced with warning.
Rayen glanced around. He was surrounded—people blocking his escape from the sides and back, and in front stood the IAR officers.
Tch... There's no way out. And they're not ordinary soldiers—they're cultivators. On a whole different level than me. I can't fight them… I'd be crushed in seconds.
Lost in his thoughts, he flinched as something touched his cheek.
It wasn't a strike. It wasn't a mana blast.
A... kiss?
The same red-haired officer, who had been standing a good distance away just moments ago, was now right beside him—so close he could feel her breath on his ear.
"How sweet," she whispered with a mocking smile. "A lover trying to save his love... But it'd be better if your love was me—or at least a human girl."
Rayen stepped back, his face twisting in discomfort. "What are you, a pedophile? Can't you see I'm just a kid?"
The woman smirked, unfazed by his reaction. "And can't you see that girl is a damn demon?" She tilted her head mockingly, her eyes narrowing. "Now I get it. That's why you're so eager to save her, huh? Did she use her succubus magic on you? Did that little slut turn you into her slave?"
Rayen's eyes widened.
What the hell is she talking about? Can't she see this girl's just a kid?
His fists clenched.
How can she talk like that—like she's a monster, not a child?
Then it hit him.
Right... I forgot. Demons and Humans are the greatest enemies. Logic doesn't matter. Age doesn't matter. If you're from another civilization, you're already guilty.
And after them, it's vampires. That's just how this world works.
---
The old man suddenly sensed it—Rayen's life force, surrounded, smothered by dozens of others.
His breath caught. Panic surged through him.
Rayen...
His hands trembled slightly as he gripped his cane.
Just wait, boy. Your old man is coming. I'm coming to get you out of there. I won't let those bastards lay a single finger on you.
He turned and shot forward, faster than any normal old man ever should.
---
The woman lunged at Rayen, her sharp nails gleaming midair, aimed straight for his throat.
But before she could reach him—
A crushing pressure slammed down from above.
She was yanked to the ground as if gravity itself had multiplied tenfold. Her body hit the stone with a heavy crack, eyes wide in confusion.
What's this? Rayen's thoughts raced. That pressure… it's like the whole air turned into stone.
The crowd gasped. Even the other IAR officers froze, their feet skidding as the weight of the air began to press against them too.
Rayen turned his head—
And saw a shadow walking calmly through the dust.