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Ryan was not the kind of person who would abandon someone—especially not a woman—on a dark street in a foreign empire. Even if Kira insisted, she could take care of herself, even if she puffed her chest out and declared her strength, and even if she didn't want to be treated like one of the "delicate young ladies" of Crown City…
He simply couldn't do it.
Kira, though dizzy and swaying, understood that much about him. Even in her muddled state, she could tell Ryan wasn't the type to leave someone drunk or vulnerable alone. But she was also a seasoned adventurer—battle-hardened, self-reliant, fiercely independent.
"Ryan Wayne…" she said, her tone wobbling only slightly with the liquor in her system. "Don't treat me like those dainty noble ladies you've run into before. I'm an adventurer. Same as you. I've faced monsters, bandits, starvation… and survived every damn one. So, please…" She poked his chest. "Just drop me somewhere else."
Ryan hesitated.
His conscience rebelled at the very idea of leaving her alone. But he also couldn't deny her words. Kira was strong. Capable. A grown woman who had seen more than her share of hardship.
"…Alright," he said at last with a sigh. "If that's what you want."
Kira smirked triumphantly, though her swaying made it clear she wouldn't last long on her own two feet.
They left the tavern together, the night breeze brushing over them as the streets grew quieter under the moon's glow.
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"Phew… I need to get some rest," Ryan muttered to himself after finally escorting Kira to the spot she demanded he leave her. She saluted him with a wobbly grin before stumbling away, waving lazily over her shoulder.
He could only shake his head.
"She's impossible," he sighed, equal parts amused and exasperated.
When he reached the inn where he had reserved a room, every muscle in his body screamed for sleep. He pushed open the door of his room, tossed his belongings on the floor, and dropped face-first onto the bed.
'To think this all happened the moment I arrived in this Empire…'
Exhaustion threatened to drag him under completely, but he forced himself up long enough to change into more comfortable clothes.
Just as he pulled his shirt over his head—
His ear began to itch.
He froze.
"…No. Not now. Please."
The itching grew sharper—almost like insect legs tapping his skin.
Ryan clenched his jaw.
'Great. Just great. ARGH.'
He tried ignoring it.
For ten seconds.
Twenty.
A minute.
Finally, it stopped.
Ryan exhaled in relief—
Then the vibration hit.
Hard.
He covered his face with both hands.
'Couldn't I get a break from this f*cking bastard?!'
He debated ignoring it again.
And honestly? If it were just about self-preservation, he would have.
But the man calling him—the one on the other end—wasn't someone Ryan could bring himself to abandon. Not entirely. Not yet.
No matter how loud, irritating, or maddening he was.
And no matter how much Ryan wanted to pretend he'd fallen asleep to avoid talking to him.
'If I don't answer now, I'll never hear the end of it.'
With the deep, suffering sigh of someone accepting their fate, Ryan reached up and touched the earring hidden beneath his hair.
The moment his fingers brushed it, the enchanted accessory shimmered into visibility—a delicate piece of metal etched with runes—before a bright golden magic circle spiraled outward around his ear.
A voice immediately exploded through it.
« …"GIVE ME ONE F*CKING REASON WHY YOU MADE ME WAIT MORE THAN TWO MINUTES, RYLANDER! FOR NEXUS' SAKE, IF YOU DON'T ANSWER RIGHT THIS SECOND, I SWEAR I'LL—" …»
Ryan flinched so hard his entire body jerked.
AHHH!! STOP YELLING IN MY EAR!!
He pressed a palm against his temple, face twisting with pain.
I want to remind this idiot that I'm wearing COMMUNICATION earrings! Shouting doesn't improve the sound quality!
Taking several deep breaths, he forced himself not to scream back.
"First of all," he said through clenched teeth, "I wasn't ignoring you on purpose. I was busy. VERY busy."
« …"BUSY?! BUSY DOING WHAT?!" … »
"Secondly—STOP SHOUTING. I'm wearing a communication earring, if you haven't noticed!"
« …"WHY YOU LITTLE—" … »
Ryan cut him off before the yelling escalated again.
"And third," he continued, arms crossed as he glared at the ceiling, "you were the one who sent me on this mission. You told me to find someone. That means disguises. Careful movement. NOT standing around chatting with you every few minutes!"
The voice sputtered with indignation.
Ryan rolled his eyes so hard it hurt.
I swear this man nags more than a hundred-year-old grandmother. And we're the SAME. AGE.
But beneath his irritation… was a small, reluctant softness. A sliver of pity.
Because Ryan—no, Rylander—knew the truth behind the man's temper. The desperation. The pressure. The weight he carried. The reason he was so volatile.
Even so…
dealing with him was exhausting.
« …"ARE YOU MOCKING ME RIGHT NOW? RYLANDER, IF YOU ARE—" … »
Ryan flopped onto his bed dramatically.
"Can you STOP screaming for ONE night? Just ONE?"
« …"DON'T YOU DARE GIVE ME ATTITUDE—!" … »
Ryan groaned loudly. "I'm too tired for your temper tantrums. Get to the point already."
« …"POINT? YOU—RYLANDER, I SWEAR WHEN YOU RETURN—" … »
Ryan rubbed his face.
Great. He's going to threaten me again. Fantastic.
Still, he needed to give a status update before the man spiraled even further.
"Anyway," he said firmly, interrupting the tirade, "I'll make this quick. Since you're already on the line, here's the update—you ASKED for. I'm currently in the Silveria Empire. I arrived yesterday."
Silence.
A dangerous silence.
Ryan could practically feel the man gritting his teeth from miles away.
Finally—
« …"Fine." … »
A sudden change.
Not calm.
But controlled.
The man's voice lowered—still sharp, still heavy with authority, but less explosive.
A tone Ryan recognized well.
He's serious now…
Ryan straightened slightly.
Before he could say anything more, the voice continued—
« …"Report. EVERYTHING." … »
Ryan closed his eyes.
Tomorrow morning, he had to meet Scarlette Overland.
He needed sleep.
He needed peace.
But of course… he would not get that tonight.
Not with this man calling him.
He braced himself.
And began to speak.
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