Nate moved through the city, his steps steady, his posture relaxed yet purposeful. The white robe with red patterns along the edges draped over his fra, making him appear as if he belonged among the city's elites. The fabric was smooth, far finer than what he had been wearing earlier. It fit him well, and most importantly, it allowed him to blend in.
anwhile, back in the alleyway where he had last been, a small crowd had gathered. Whispers filled the air as people pointed at the scene before them—a bruised and battered young man lay sprawled on the dusty ground naked. His chest rose and fell weakly, his face swollen beyond recognition. Blood had dried on his lips, and his right eye was nearly shut from the swelling.
The two guards that had been accompanying him were unconscious beside him, their weapons nowhere to be found.
The young man barely seed aware of his surroundings. He simply lay there, his mouth moving as he mumbled incoherent words, his gaze fixed on the sky.
"He was attacked," soone muttered.
"By who?" another asked.
"No one saw…"
"I heard a shout earlier."
"Did you see what happened?"
"No, by the ti I ca, they were already like this."
Gasps and murmurs spread through the gathered crowd, but no one dared to speak too loudly. Whoever had done this had disappeared without a trace, and considering the state of the noble and his guards, it was clear that whoever attacked them was not soone to be trifled with.
But Nate—the culprit—didn't spare a single thought for what he had done.
As he moved through the city, he barely acknowledged the people around him. He wasn't interested in the nobility, the rchants, or the elaborate displays of wealth. His mind was focused on one thing—finding the beasts Sera had ntioned.
He needed those crystals.
He walked further, observing his surroundings. This part of the city was far more structured than the slums. The streets were wider, paved with smooth stone, and lined with neatly arranged buildings. There were guards patrolling at every turn, their eyes scanning the people with disciplined caution.
Nate's gaze shifted as he spotted an old man sitting on a stone bench near a well, his back slightly hunched, a walking staff resting beside him. His hair was white, his beard long, and his eyes, though tired, still held a sharpness that suggested experience.
Nate approached him. "Excuse ."
The old man glanced up, his wrinkled face impassive. "What is it, young man?"
"I heard that this city keeps beasts. Where can I find them?"
The old man's brow furrowed slightly. "You must be new here." Stay updated with My Virtual Library Empire
Nate remained silent, waiting for him to continue.
"If you had co a day earlier, you would have t one yourself." The old man shook his head. "But yesterday evening, soone set them free from the cages, and they ran wild in the city. Dozens of people died."
Nate's expression remained calm, but internally, he was surprised. Soone set them free?
"Who would do such a thing?" he asked.
The old man let out a sigh. "No one knows. So say it was an accident. Others think it was intentional. But whatever the reason, the damage was done. The streets ran red with blood last night. The hunters managed to kill most of them, but so escaped beyond the city walls."
Nate remained quiet for a mont. This was unexpected. He had co here expecting to find these creatures contained, but now they were gone. That ant getting his hands on a crystal would be much harder.
Still, he wasn't going to give up that easily.
"Thank you for answering my question," Nate said. He turned to leave, but before he could take a step, the old man spoke again.
"If you truly wish to see one," he said, "join the hunters."
Nate turned back to him, raising an eyebrow.
"They're short on n," the old man continued. "The king has ordered them to go out and capture more beasts." He paused, stroking his beard. "For what reason, I do not know."
Nate narrowed his eyes slightly.
It was strange. If these beasts were as dangerous as people claid, why were they being kept within the city walls in the first place? And now, even after the destruction they had caused, the king still wanted more?
Sothing didn't add up.
But Nate had no interest in politics or the king's motives. He wasn't here to unravel the mysteries of Ket-Ra—he was here to find a way to regain his power.
He shook the thoughts from his mind. It didn't matter why the king wanted the beasts. What mattered was that the hunters would be looking for them—and that ant they would lead him straight to what he needed.
Nate turned back to the old man. "Where can I find them before they leave?"
----
Nate stood among the gathered crowd, tall and composed, his gaze fixed on the center of the makeshift fighting ring where two n were locked in combat. The dust around them stirred with each violent movent, the air thick with anticipation as the onlookers cheered, jeered, and placed their bets.
He had been here for a while now, watching as one fighter after another fell, the hunters having devised this contest to select the last remaining mber for their group. The rules were simple—fight, win, and earn a spot among the hunters.
Unfortunately for Nate, he had arrived too late to participate. Now, all that remained was the final match, the last battle to determine the victor.
In the center of the ring, a massive man stood tall, his chest bare, revealing thick, scarred muscles, but despite having fought multiple opponents, he appeared almost untouched. His latest opponent, a younger man, was slumped at his feet, groaning in pain.
The crowd erupted into applause, voices rging in a chaotic mix of admiration and relief.
"He won without breaking a sweat!" soone shouted.
"He took them all down so easily. No one stands a chance!"
The towering man rolled his shoulders, cracking his knuckles, his expression smug as he basked in the attention. His confidence was justified—none of his opponents had been able to put up much of a fight against him.
A young woman, one of the hunters, stepped forward. She carried a bow on her back, a quiver of arrows strapped to her hip. Her stance was firm, and her sharp, assessing eyes scanned the big man before she nodded.
"Congratulations," she said, her voice carrying authority. "You've won the right to join the hunters. Welco."
Just as she was about to finish, a single word cut through the noise.
"Wait."
The air seed to still as all eyes turned toward the source of the voice—Nate.
A wave of murmurs rippled through the crowd. The young woman, the big man, and even the spectators looked at him with varying expressions of confusion and curiosity.
The massive fighter narrowed his eyes. "What did you just say?"
Nate remained calm, his expression unreadable as he repeated, "Will I be able to join the hunters if I defeat him?"
For a mont, there was stunned silence. Then, all at once, the crowd exploded into laughter.
"This kid is crazy!" soone hollered.
"He must've hit his head on a rock."
A woman, her voice dripping with amusent, called out, "Pretty boy, co live with instead. I'll give you anything you want. That man will kill you"
Another woman, older and more seasoned, laughed, "Co marry my daughter! You're fearless, but weak."
"What a waste of a good face," a younger girl sighed dramatically.
Nate almost laughed himself. These people were so different from the ones in the future—they were far too direct, speaking without hesitation or concern for how their words might be received. It was almost refreshing.
The young huntress with the bow regarded Nate strangely, as if trying to decide whether he was serious or simply insane. After a brief pause, she stepped back and gestured toward the ring.
"The stage is yours."
The crowd erupted once more, voices overlapping in excitent.
Nate stepped forward, his movents unhurried, his expression composed.
The massive fighter turned to fully face him, his lips curling into a grin as he clapped his hands together with a loud smack, the sound echoing in the air. His knuckles cracked, his muscles flexing as he let out a low chuckle.
"You've got so nerve," he said, his deep voice laced with amusent. "I'll crush your annoying face."
Nate simply looked at him, his expression unreadable.
The big man stood in place, arms crossed over his thick chest, his expression expectant. His sharp eyes scanned Nate up and down, waiting for sothing. But Nate didn't move. He simply stood there, calm and uninterested.
After a mont of silence, Nate tilted his head slightly. "What are you waiting for?"
The massive fighter let out a deep chuckle and then jabbed a finger toward Nate's robe. "I'm waiting for you to remove your clothes."
A murmur passed through the crowd as people exchanged confused glances.
Nate raised an eyebrow. "Why?"
The big man grinned, flashing his yellowed teeth. "I don't want to hear any excuses after I tear you apart. You might as well remove that fancy robe now before I rip it to shreds."
For a mont, Nate just stared at him. Then, a small smile crept onto his lips.
"I don't need to remove my clothes."
The crowd erupted into laughter again, so pointing at Nate while others whispered among themselves.
"He's insane!"
"Maybe he really doesn't know who he's up against."
"Poor guy. That robe's gonna be drenched in his own blood."
The big man's grin faltered for a mont before twisting into a scowl. His face turned red with anger as he clenched his fists.
"You arrogant little—" he growled, his muscles tensing. Then, with a roar, he charged forward, his heavy footsteps shaking the ground as he barreled toward Nate like a raging bull.
The crowd gasped, so stepping back instinctively as the enormous man rushed forward with deadly force.
Nate, however, remained completely still.
***
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