Ryuen's quick footsteps echoed through the large stone corridor as he made his way toward the throne room.
His hair was damp, and the faint scent of the herbal oils and perfus Erina had used on him wavered in the air.
The moonlight filtered through the stained-glass windows on the ceiling, casting beautiful colors on the ground.
He dipped his hands into his pants pockets, his mind lingering on his conversation with Yuta.
The ntion of the Arbiter and the revelation of Yuta's skill still felt strange.
Yet he couldn't shake off the fact that it was perfect for him, considering his speech impedint.
It was almost as if the Arbiter granted abilities tailored to match a person's personality.
That thought brought Ryuen to his own ability—to devour and plunder skills.
When Ryuen reached the huge door of the throne room, he paused.
The heavy oak doors were slightly ajar, giving him a view of the scene within the room.
A soft, lodic voice reached his ears—calm yet authoritative, a voice that could command a large army.
He pushed the door open slowly, his gaze imdiately landing on a striking figure standing before the throne.
She was tall, and her outfit looked as if it were made from shimring vines.
The vines wrapped around her body, covering only the necessary parts and glowing softly in shades of teal and turquoise, as if alive.
The material hugged her figure, revealing and concealing just enough to make her appear both elegant and dangerous.
The ends of the vines moved gently, like feathers carried by a breeze.
The colors of her attire matched the glowing serpent-dragon behind her.
Her outfit didn't just resemble clothing; it seed like an extension of her being.
It showcased her figure perfectly—her slim, hourglass shape and pale white skin, adorned with tattoos that spiraled down her body in intricate patterns.
The dragon sensed his presence almost imdiately. Its glowing green eyes locked onto Ryuen, sizing him up.
"Ah," she said, her erald eyes narrowing slightly as she turned to face him. "So you're the one everyone has been talking about."
Ryuen straightened his posture, trying not to look unnerved by her piercing gaze. He caught the faintest flicker of disdain in her expression but chose to ignore it.
"And you are?" he asked calmly as he walked farther into the throne room.
She let out a soft laugh, folding her arms beneath her chest. "I don't owe you my na, newcor, but since you seem as clueless as you look, I'll humor you."
"I am Althea Shirogane, the Monarch's niece and daughter of the Queen of the Northern Tribe.
"I serve the king here as punishnt, apparently, and I am the current Triple-S-Class Beast Tar," she added, pausing to glance at Ryuen from head to toe.
"Not that I need any of those titles to outmatch a peasant like you."
Ryuen kept his face blank, though he silently vowed to make her pay for the insults.
"It's an honor to et you, Althea. I am Ryuen Tak—"
"I know," she interrupted, her voice sharp. "The princesses told you were actually talented. I fail to see why."
Ryuen smirked faintly. "You're blind, that's why. Besides, they're just exaggerating. I'm a re mortal."
Her brows arched, and she bit her bottom lip, clearly holding back a sharp retort.
She simply took a deep breath. "Where is the king?"
Ryuen shrugged. "He should be with the queen, but he's not in the palace."
"Walk with ."
"I'd rather not walk with soone with a sharp tongue like yours," Ryuen replied, turning on his heel to leave.
However—
"I have word for the king, sothing you might be interested in hearing. Also, you need to learn a little about this world," Althea said.
Her gaze softened, and a warm smile appeared on her lips.
"I happen to have a little ti before I retire to my room."
Ryuen paused and then nodded. "Alright."
---
Ryuen walked side by side with Althea, his eyes closed as they moved along the stone pathways surrounding the palace.
Her beast perched atop the palace, its piercing gaze scanning for anything out of the ordinary.
Althea stole glances at Ryuen, amusent flickering in her erald eyes. His courage and nonchalant attitude intrigued her.
She had expected him to show more respect after learning she was related to the monarch. Yet, he seed completely unfazed.
After a few minutes of silence, Althea finally spoke.
"There's a shift in the balance of the wildlands, seas, and deserts surrounding the cities in this world.
"Beasts ant to remain dormant are awakening—especially ones we thought were long gone."
Ryuen frowned. "And this concerns how?"
"Are you not aware of what's going on?"
Of course, Ryuen was aware, though he didn't fully understand it. From the royal siblings' reactions during the dungeon raid, he knew the beast they had encountered was unlike anything they had seen before.
"I am, but what does that have to do with ? I arrived in this wretched world three days ago."
"Because you are marked," Althea said bluntly, turning to face him.
She hoped to catch a glimpse of his srizing brown-and-gold eyes, but he kept them closed.
"Even if you don't know it yet, the beasts in all these regions can sense it. They'll co for you—just as they've started coming for the others."
Ryuen's frown deepened. "What do you an by 'marked'?"
Althea stopped walking, realizing they had reached the gazebo.
The structure was simple yet elegant, with walls made of bamboo tied together by vines that extended upward to form the roof.
Inside, a curved bench and a small table stood, perfect for a drink or a light al outside the palace.
She stepped into the gazebo, sat comfortably, and exhaled softly.
Ryuen followed suit, opening his eyes as he sat down, though he kept a safe distance from her.
"It's amusing how you don't understand what I an," she said with a faint smile, though it didn't reach her eyes.
"The Arbiter's influence is like air in this world. It remains, but it's fractured," she continued, her tone growing more serious.
"Those touched by it—or marked by it—are drawn into the chaos the Arbiter faces. You're not the first I've seen, and you won't be the last."
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