Have you ever woken up and thought that things needed to change? That you couldn't afford to stay the same?
Me too. And just like many times before, I gave up on the idea almost instantly. I could make excuses, but the truth is, changing anything is hard. Thoughts, actions, habits—none of it comes easy.
They say the first step is the hardest. So think of it like a game of chance: roll the dice long enough, and maybe one day, it will work out. As long as you keep rolling on.
And today is that lucky day. I suppose.
Huff... huff...
I was surprised by my own strength. I must have improved a lot since coming here. Doing dozens of push-ups is nothing now.
About two months have passed, in this lifetime, to be exact. Not too long, but enough for something to change. My morning routine, to be exact.
And the cold morning air was better than expected. Not that cold, though. Seems like it won't snow here.
Click…
Out of nowhere, the door slowly opened.
"..!"
"Angela?"
I was bewildered. Angela stood there, stammering over her words.
"...Apologies."
"..."
And I had been wondering who kept opening my curtains every morning. To be fair, I usually woke up much later than everyone else. But I couldn't help it—demonbeast hunts often ran late into the night.
It was just that I woke up much earlier than normal today. To do some physical training.
"...Have you gotten breakfast yet?"
"...No."
It was a little awkward, but it was the first time I'd had breakfast with Angela. As usual, I did most of the talking. Time was short, and Angela hurried away. She is never short of work, huh?
Well, I also have work today. Unexpected of me, I know. So I need to get moving, too.
***
Walking through tight alleyways and crumbling stairs, I arrived at a peculiar bar. Knowing now that a gang operates here, the rundown exterior was probably meant to blend in.
I opened the door carefully. The bar was barely lit, as always. There weren't many people here this early in the morning, and those who were sat chatting over breakfast.
I casually walked up to the bar counter. Though his towering figure might seem intimidating, once you get to know him, he's much friendlier than you'd think.
"Good morning, Damon."
"Cain? You're unusually early today."
"Yeah..."
I sat down at the bar, not going to order anything, though.
"It's that time again, right? How is the demonbeast activity?"
"...Not looking very good."
Since meeting Eirlys here, I had been helping deliver her things from the bar to her place. Because of that, I got to know this 'gang' a bit better.
They are actually the opposite of a gang. Instead of harassing the locals, they act more like a vigilante group, helping clear out real thugs and demonbeasts. They also take on all kinds of chores and labor. And yet, they still call themselves a gang. The Black Wolf gang.
But lately, demonbeast activity had been rising. Hearing that, I offered to help. They're not from the Red Zone, so they're more like pests than anything. I see it as a form of training.
More than that, the people here are nice. So it just feels right to do at least this much for them.
Damon updated me on the demonbeast situation, and there was more to handle than I expected. Good thing I arrived early.
"Ah, good morning. You're early today."
Out of nowhere, Drakon sat down with a yawn.
"Breakfast. Just as usual."
Damon went into the kitchen with a nod. He wasn't just the gang's bartender, but also its only chef. Maybe that was the real reason he was second-in-command.
"Heard demonbeasts've been more active lately. Damn, what a hassle. Might have to give folks a heads-up. Don't want anyone caught off guard at midnight."
"Well, I'll try to clean them up somewhat today, so don't worry too much about that."
"Be careful, then."
"Yeah."
I should start now. The sooner I'm done, the more free time I will have. Just as I was heading out, Drakon spoke up.
"Also, Kyria is coming back tonight, so we are throwing a party for her. You coming?"
"Kyria? She is the adventurer you guys always talk about, right?"
"Of course! She's the pride and face of the gang. You won't see a bronze-ranked adventurer that young in a backwater place like this."
Every time I visited, they brought up her name, especially Drakon. He's unusually enthusiastic about her. But I guess knowing a high-ranking member of the Guild would make anyone proud.
"Sure, I'll come."
***
"Uh, now my clothes are a mess."
I'd been at it all day. Most of that time was spent tracking down those demonbeasts.
I should head back, or else I might be late.
"Young man… are you part of that gang?"
An old woman called out to me as I walked back.
"Not exactly. Do you need something?"
"Do you know of a young man named Drakon?"
"I do."
The old woman took out a small pouch and held it tightly.
"Can you give this to him? Send him my thanks, too. His help meant a lot to me."
"No problems, I can do that."
Even though he seemed rough, he was actually a pretty nice guy deep down. Always helping people whenever he could. I guess that's why things felt so peaceful around here.
Tap. Tap. Tap.
As I walked down the worn-out back alleys, I found myself thinking about power again.
Most of the demonbeasts here aren't much of a threat anymore, but I know better than to underestimate them. Their strength is unpredictable. Just remembering my near-death encounters with them sent a chill down my spine.
But now, it feels like I've hit a wall. I can't expect much more from simple physical training. Maybe it's because I'm not seeing any real improvement. Or maybe I'm just being too impatient.
In short, I feel lost.
Oh well, whatever, not like I'm planning to save the world anyway. I think I just need to be a bit more careful, and I'd be fine.
I slowly opened the bar's door.
"Haha! Is that so? Tell me more about it! How did you escape that monster?"
"You wouldn't believe it. I slid right between its legs to dodge the attack. Dirt and blood smeared all over my body, and the near-death sensation left me numb. I even had to check whether I'd lost a limb or two…"
The party was in full swing. I'd always thought the bar was too big for the gang, but now there was barely enough room for everyone.
"Hey, is that Cain? Over here!"
An unfamiliar voice called out amid the crowd. Someone waved at me from across the room. Reluctantly, with nowhere else to go, I headed over.
"You are Cain, right? Drakon told me to save a spot for you. Also, my name is Axios. Nice to meet you."
"Oh, nice to meet you, too."
I looked around the party.
"There are so many people here."
"We didn't just invite gang members, you know. Anyone in the hood can come and go as they please, as long as they don't make a scene. Though honestly, who'd even dare do that?"
"I see. Do you see Drakon? I'm looking for him."
"He said something came up, so he cannot attend. Man, what a shame. You looking for him?"
"Yeah. I'll find him later."
My gaze drifted toward the brown-haired girl at the center of the lively party, her ponytail swaying as she spoke.
"She's Kyria?"
"The star of today's party. You should hear the stories. No one here is as well-traveled as she is."
Axios then stood up and gave me his seat. And just like that, I found myself at the heart of the party, while he casually struck up a conversation with someone else, away from the crowd.
"And that's how I made my miraculous escape from that monster! The Outerlands really is a dangerous place, and I'd barely ventured past its entrance!"
Kyria continued her story enthusiastically. All eyes and ears were fixed on her.
A bronze-ranked adventurer. To be honest, I was interested in hearing about her travels, too.
And maybe a part of me wished I could be like her, someone with the courage to leave this place and see the world.
But it's easier said than done. There are barely any means of transportation here, so a long journey on foot is inevitable. And then there's the question of where to go, and why. I don't really have any reason to leave this place.
I want to get stronger, just to survive. But I cannot see myself wanting more than that.
No wonder Eirlys never took me seriously. Wait, actually, she did, just not in the previous life.
"Kyria, I heard there are countless kinds of demonbeasts there. Ones we've never seen before. Is that true?"
"Of course! Though I never encountered them myself, the other adventurers kept warning me about how dangerous they are. Now that I think about it, I've never actually seen a truly strong demonbeast before…"
The previously quiet crowd now chattered loudly among themselves.
"Aren't they just deformed beasts? Like some giant wolf or something?"
"You clearly don't know shit, idiot. Listen, demonbeasts are born from fear. The stronger they are, the more horrifying their forms become. They say even your worst nightmare wouldn't come close—"
"Ohhh, so that's how it is. But have you ever actually seen one?"
"Obviously not!"
"Then shut it, smartass!"
A strong demonbeast. I guess I had encountered one or two before, and I had no desire to ever meet one again.
"Seriously? With this many people around, not one of you has seen a truly terrifying demonbeast?"
"What about Drakon? I heard he deals with the demonbeasts around here."
"No idea. He's not here anyway. Wait, isn't someone else handling that stuff right now? I remember him complaining about it and quitting a long time ago."
"If I remember correctly… Cain, right?"
One head turned, then another. Before long, all eyes were on me.
Great. What am I supposed to say now?
"…I don't know. Don't look at me."
"Oh, come on! Don't be shy. You definitely know a thing or two."
"I've seen you running around killing demonbeasts like a madman. You and that mage are famous as hell around here."
Kyria suddenly leaned in until we were nearly face-to-face.
"Seriously? I've heard so much about you two from the people here, but I never thought I'd actually meet you! I'm Kyria, nice to meet you!"
"You too…"
"Tell me about the demonbeasts you've fought! The really interesting ones. I heard you worked a case with the famous hunter Theron recently, right?"
"..."
Yes, it is true. However, there was no exciting battle or dramatic moments. We just went there, cut down a demonbeast, and that's it. I suppose the worst-case scenario would sound more exciting… but talking about that feels wrong somehow.
"Sorry, but nothing really—" "So, what was it all about—"
-BANG!
The bar door burst open, and annoyed gazes immediately turned toward the entrance.
"Ay, never heard you guys were throwing a party. Mind if my buddies and I join?"
A bulky man swaggered toward us, his men trailing behind him. At first glance, they didn't look much different from the others here—bland, worn-out clothes and tired faces, save for their sinister smiles.
The party quickly parted into two sides. The tension made it seem like a fight would happen any second. Are they an opposing gang? Never knew they existed.
"We warned you. Your ragtag group of outsiders has no place in here, let alone the city."
Damon squinted his eyes, speaking in an unusually stern tone. Before the man could respond, Axios stepped forward.
"Why are you trying to cause such a ruckus now? Wasn't the territorial dispute already resolved? You... Right, sorry, what was your name again?"
"YOU!! It's Bren! You hear me!?"
His face instantly reddened with anger. Several of Bren's men came forward, forcing Axios to take a step back.
"Ugh, don't you dare talk down to me like that! We are Red Revival! Soon enough, I'll take over this tiny countryside and rise to the top!"
Shouts from his men quickly followed, trying to hype him up. Meanwhile, several people on our side could only let out tired sighs or grimace at the name.
"That's why this is a warning for your spineless Black Wolf gang. Hah! Trying to scare people with a name like that, yet I see no wolves here—only cowards who can't even keep a grip on this city. But I'll change that and rule it with an iron fi—"
"Move."
"?"
Out of nowhere, a haggard-looking man stood at the entrance, his tied-back black hair unkempt and his clothes ragged.
But his eyes.
Dark. Fierce. Razor-sharp.
Like a wolf's.
The entire bar fell silent.
His dull, sunken gaze swept across the room. Despite his appearance, he cut through the crowd in firm, steady steps. People stumbled aside to make way for him.
At last, he reached the counter, dropped into a seat, and slumped onto the bar.
People were puzzled, even more so, Bren and his men. They were stunned by his sudden appearance, unable to move. I could even see cold sweats, especially on Bren.
"Didn't I say move? Leave, now."
Until he spoke up once more. They fled instantly, pushing each other over. And just as suddenly they came, they ran away just as fast.
Still, no one spoke a word. Only after a long while did people begin chattering again.
"Is that… Lykos?"
I turned to Axios, and he seemed to have expected the question.
"Right. Our alcoholic leader, drunk beyond belief."
He let out a helpless sigh.
"Still, his fangs are never dull. That's for sure."
Axios glanced around the bar before shrugging.
"Anyway, the mood's ruined, so the party's probably ending soon. Better head back early. You live at the church, right? Heard they're strict about time there."
"…Yeah, better not stay out too late."
As I slowly approached the door, I glanced back one last time.
Looking at Lykos now, I was certain he had that same kind of presence as Theron.
He could use Aura too.
And I wanted to see it again with my own eyes.
The streets were awfully quiet. Not that they hadn't always been this way.
…
Man, now I want to wander off again.