Chapter 18 – The Exchange
The man who stepped into the clearing didn't draw his weapon.
That was the first reason Kael didn't cut him down.
The second was his stance—relaxed, half-curious, like someone who'd seen enough fights to know when not to start one.
He glanced at the beast's corpse, then at Kael. "That's our tag on the leg. But you killed it clean. Nice strike."
Kael said nothing.
Two others emerged behind the first—a tall woman in partial plate, swords across her back, and a quiet man with a shortbow and the sort of gaze that measured threats in angles and exits.
The woman stepped forward. "We tracked that thing from the cliffs. You just got to it first."
Still no movement from Kael.
"You soloed a Tier-2?" she asked.
He nodded once.
She studied him. "Name?"
"Kael."
The quiet man's eyes narrowed slightly, but he said nothing. The younger one smirked.
"I'm Red," the talkative one said. "That's Vaen. She's Leira. You're not guilded?"
"No."
Leira raised a brow. "Freelance?"
"Something like that."
Red laughed. "You're a man of many words."
Leira ignored him. "Look, Kael. That core's worth gold. You're welcome to it. But if you're looking to sell, we've got buyers in Almaarad."
Kael tilted his head.
"Big city," she said. "Traders, adventurer guilds, a church—if you care. Easier to work there than in the woods."
Still no reaction.
"We've got room for one more. You want a ride?"
Kael looked down at the steaming corpse. Then at her. Then gave a slow nod.
They made camp by the river. Red handled the fire. Vaen cleaned gear in silence. Leira studied the stars as she cleaned her blades.
Kael sat apart, hood drawn low, watching the trees.
Leira approached quietly and handed him a waterskin. "You're good," she said. "Too clean for your rank."
Kael didn't take the bait.
She sat beside him anyway. "I don't care what brought you out here. I've seen worse. But if you're heading into Almaarad, you need to know—people notice sharp edges."
"I'm not here to be noticed," Kael said.
Leira smiled faintly. "Good."
The fire crackled between them, and for a time, they said nothing more.
In the dark, under his cloak, the sigils beneath Kael's skin pulsed softly.
The system waited.
[Race Evolution Available: Umbrakin]
Status: Locked
Remaining Condition: Destroy 2 Churches
"The shadow waits. It does not beg."
He closed the prompt.
Not yet.