Bahmos just stared at her, completely baffled.

  He asked, “Is that some trick?”

  Vernisha wondered how much stronger she had become after those level-ups.

  She grabbed him and pulled him toward herself swiftly, then tossed him into the air. His body felt like a heavy backpack as she lifted him. He didn’t go very high—maybe two meters at best—but she was still surprised when he didn’t scream. His fear was palpable, though. As she caught him, she buckled under the weight slightly.

  “Put me down!” he demanded.

  She complied, and he nearly dropped onto his backside. He used his hands to steady himself, scrambling to regain his footing.

  His chest heaved as he gasped for air, swallowing hard. “Since when have you been one of them?”

  “A week ago,” she lied.

  “Oh. That doesn’t sound too bad…”

  “Don’t worry. I wouldn’t have killed you in your sleep.”

  “I find that hard to believe, but thanks.”

  “I thought you weren’t afraid of vlandos, since you hire them," she said.

  “If a vlandos hates me, of course I’m going to be afraid.”

  “What do you need the money for?” he asked.

  “You already know, or at least have guessed.”

  “I can loan your mother—”

  “No.”

  He stared at her for a few moments, then said, “Too much debt is always a bad thing. Anyway, do you even have a monster?”

  “Yes.”

  “Your level?”

  “Currently, 10,” she replied, divided by two.

  “No way. I felt the strength you used to throw me. You’re maybe level four or six. But there’s no way you’re level ten.”

  “How would you know?”

  “I have a lot of experience with vlandos. Don’t bother lying, but... if you actually are level 10, I’ll hire you.”

  “But I have a monster.”

  “So do the people I do business with. Most likely stronger ones.”

  “I don’t have time for it. I’m strong enough.”

  “Level 10 or nothing.”

  “Where... would I meet you once I’m done?”

  “Back at that house of relief, most likely.”

  Damn it to hell. It annoyed Vernisha that she had to fight monsters—something she wanted to avoid as much as possible.

  She traced the wounds along her back where it had been torn apart. Her fingers trembled, and she bit down on her lip to stop herself from remembering how close she had come to dying.

  She left him behind, making her way to the streets, and approached a random person. “Where’s the nearest monster zone?” she asked.

  The old woman, leaning on her cane, turned toward her with mild surprise. “Oh dear child, why do you want to know? Shouldn't you be with your parents?”

  “I just want to know for a geography map assignment I was given by my teacher. I’m supposed to go around asking people questions and build a map of Terrafall based on the information I get.”

  “Oh... Hm. Then maybe the Great Monster Forest. It’s...” She pointed ahead. “A couple of miles into the Bellot Forest.”

  Asking random people didn’t seem like the best option anymore. Vernisha needed precise details to find the place with 99% accuracy instead of risking getting lost.

  She walked away. Maybe she should just hunt animals to level up.

  But monsters would obviously give her more experience. To reach level 10, she would need to take on powerful beasts in large quantities.

  Monsters far outclassed animals, and the last monster she had killed had only given her two level-ups. Animals like wild lizards would probably give her a tenth of a level at her current strength. Not bad, but not good enough.

  A few adventurers passed by, walking up and down the street. She could ask them about the monster zone and see if they’d be willing to team up.

  Except, it was illegal to enter monster zones without working for a defense government agency: Knights, Vanquishers, or Adventurers.

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  Out of the corner of her eye, something caught her attention.

  A child, much taller than Vernisha but still with a child’s face, was armored and walking alongside a much bigger adventurer.

  So adventurers didn’t need to be adults. That shouldn’t surprise her. Whatever, it didn’t change anything for her.

  Who could she get to help her out?

  She tried calling Lo'jul through the system, but got the same response. The bastard was asleep.

  Who else could she rely on?

  Oh... Ferzan. She had no idea where he was, but someone like him probably lived on an estate.

  Hopefully, he hadn’t left the city yet.

  She took a deep breath and made her way toward a likely place. She just had to hope it would be soon—not next week.

  And, of course, she had to hope he had a white-Knighting bone in his body.

  POV: Ferzan

  He stared into nothing, waiting for the lady to pick her earrings.

  He shouldn’t be here, but he was.

  It wasn’t like he even knew her. She was just persistent about him taking her out on a date.

  He didn’t want to be an asshole, so he went along with it.

  But now it felt like this was happening every damn moment he was in the city, and it was annoying.

  One of the workers at this jewelry shop had been staring at him anxiously for a while.

  He turned and waved at him. “How’s your day?”

  “G-good. And you? See anything you like for yourself?”

  He wasn’t the only one looking at him like he was royalty—basically, the entire shop was. He wouldn’t have been surprised if the shop owner was on his way.

  “I think this one’s perfect,” the lady said, holding up gold earrings shaped like two small swords, forming a ‘t’.

  “Looks nice on you,” he said before walking out, practically escaping.

  He had come to this city to get some caffeine since the stock at home was gone.

  He was honestly shocked when he checked the cabinets and the warehouse, which contained enough supplies to sustain them for years.

  Ferzan assumed his sister had been responsible for this; she was always experimenting and studying, after all.

  “Hey, Young Star!” A random construction worker waved at him. As his crew turned to face him, they all smiled and waved.

  “How’s your day?” one of them asked.

  It wasn’t unusual for them to try to get him to meet their daughters, regardless of age. Even those with only sons tried the same thing.

  “Young Star, can I have a painting with you for my daughter?”

  Ferzan smiled and waved back, muttering that he was busy as he speed-walked away.

  He used to hide his identity, but his grandmother absolutely hated it.

  He still remembered that dinner in Yellowbrim Country, the land of the Starlights. When she found out that he dyed his hair and wore a mask every time he left his father’s estate, she looked at him as though he had killed his sister in cold blood.

  His grandmother, a beautiful blonde woman who looked no older than thirty, sat at the end of the long black table. A plate of green ice cream, so cold it chilled the air around it, sat in front of her. She set down her spoon, filled with green, and said, “You will not hide from others. You will allow yourself to be seen, heard, loved, desired, and hated by all.”

  If it had been anyone else telling him something so absurd, he would have scoffed. That exception list was short: his grandfather, his parents, and his trainer.

  He had already gotten what he wanted. All that remained was to hit his level-up quota for the day.

  Ferzan started running, hoping to avoid anyone trying to stop him for greetings.

  When he reached the gates, he was surprised to see a brown-haired little girl standing there, seemingly waiting for someone. Or maybe waiting for him.

  She went from calmly looking around to locking eyes with him, sighing in relief.

  Ferzan wondered if she was lost.

  He walked up to her. “Waiting for someone?”

  “Yeah, you.”

  The pause that followed made no sense to him.

  Eh?

  “Oh, why’s that?” he asked.

  “Can we talk in private?”

  He placed a hand on her shoulder and spoke gently. “Did your parents tell you to do this? Or someone who’s taking care of you?”

  She looked confused, almost offended. “My mother doesn’t believe in child marriage, and I’m not being trafficked.”

  That was not what he expected.

  He pulled his hand back and assessed her more carefully. “So… what do you want?”

  “Private. Oh wait. I know something. I want to tell you something, but I need you to guarantee you won’t tell anyone.”

  “Yeah, sure.”

  She balled her hand into a fist, her voice suddenly firm. “Because if you do tell anyone, me and my family will be skinned alive, tortured, then killed.”

  That escalated quickly.

  Ferzan scanned the area. “Are they watching right now?”

  “I’m not sure.”

  He had wanted to finish his quota and be done for the day, but that was no longer an option.

  To make matters worse, she had come to him despite not seeming to know who he was.

  He assumed she recognized him because of his hair and eye color. He was from Starlight, after all. A Starworth.

  “Okay,” he said, lowering his voice. “Maybe you can just whisper it to me.”

  She met his eyes, and suddenly an alien sensation pressed into his mind.

  ‘Vernisha Holinestone is trying to connect to you.’

  Oh. “You are short for a—”

  “Don’t say that.”

  Vlandos. So that was the secret she was trying to keep.

  He accepted the connection.

  ‘You are short for a vlandos.’

  ‘Damn me for not getting the giant genes.’

  ‘Giant genes? You haven’t tried modifying your growth rates?’

  ‘No? Am I supposed to?’

  “Yes,” he said aloud, laughing lightly. “Basically. Ever seen a regular-height vlandos?”

  ‘I didn’t know there were regular-sized ones. Wait. Why would anyone get bigger if it would just out them as a vlandos? That doesn’t make sense. Are you messing with me?’

  He smiled despite himself. ‘Somewhat. It’s complicated. But let’s focus on the important stuff. Did you only want to tell me you’re a vlandos?’

  ‘It’s related to it. Basically, I want to level up so I can protect myself.’

  ‘That could be troublesome. Killing animals and leaving their carcasses is very illegal.’

  ‘Killing monsters should be fine then.’

  ‘Are you an adventurer?’

  ‘I mean this respectfully, and not sarcastically at all. What do you think?’

  ‘No.’ He already knew the answer. ‘That’s why you came to me?’

  ‘Yes.’

  The situation was becoming increasingly stressful.

  Ferzan studied her closely, his thoughts knotting together.

  ‘What about those who threaten you? I could just kill them. That would be easier.’

  She looked startled, as though the suggestion had struck her harder than expected.

  He wondered if it was because he was willing to put himself at risk.

  ‘I’m strong,’ he added. ‘Very strong. I wouldn’t be at risk.’

  ‘Oh. I… just want to learn to protect myself. I don’t want to grow up relying on others.’

  ‘But this is different. Your family’s life is at risk.’

  ‘You’re right,’ she admitted. ‘But what happens when you kill them, and their families and friends come after you, or me, for revenge, thinking I did something to provoke it?’

  She had a point.

  Ferzan clicked his tongue. “You must follow my rules, though.”

  ‘Telepathy, please,’ she said quickly. ‘I don’t want you to say something wrong. But thank you. And yes, I will do my best not to get you in trouble for your generosity.’

  ‘Of course,’ he replied.