The Humpborn took the first strike upon itself. The creature kicked its legs and jumped towards the boy. Ash prepared his charge, and the one in the air chose the boy's neck for the attack.

  Ashe was prepared. He was reading the monster's actions like an open book until now, and now even more so, when it became easier for him to observe the world. He took a step to the side and swung his sword lightly with one hand.

  That action inflicted a wound on the creature from neck to belly with the sharp tip. There was no power in his technique; it seemed that he didn't want to end the fight so early.

  There was also a second element hidden here. The boy may have wanted to strike hard at the monster, but this didn't affect his judgment. He understood the fragments better; Ashe knew that the Humpborn was just a creature created by the apocalypse and nothing more.

  On a personal level, he had nothing against it, and killing the monster also meant setting it free. Most monsters on the planet were once humans or animals. Beasts from the Scars were unknown entities.

  This process still happens to this day, and when an oath is broken, the result can often be a loss of control. Sometimes they simply can't stand the Mark of God, and the Covenants can be the cause of their demise.

  The animal began to bleed, fought back the pain, and lunged again toward the boy. Ashe could see fragments, wanting to grab onto them.

  He didn't take another step. He hit Humpborn with his silver sword right in the neck. Before its head could reach his. The monster, split in two, fell to the ground. Blood spattered the rocky surface, Ashe's already stained clothes, and his sword.

  However, the boy didn't care. He bowed before the animal and reached out to touch the fragments that had escaped from its body. They were drawn towards him and joined his hand.

  There was silence around. The monster, which was included in the category of Exarchs, was one of the weakest, but the reason for the boy's three-year agony. No one would mourn Humpborn, who died on the edge of the foggy forest.

  "May you rest in peace," Ashe, who was in front of him, whispered clearly. He took possession of the fragments and stood up.

  This creature, or at least a part of it, would continue to live in Ashe, like Shon. He wouldn't be the only one and certainly not the last. Given the boy's goal, he would have to perform such an action many times.

  The corpse completely disintegrated and disappeared from the living world. Traces of blood remained, which were the only signs of his death.

  The explosive force in Binder's wake didn't take hold. Ashe acquired skills that were more practical and defensive than murderous. Instead, he had the training that would replace his weakness with the use of a sword.

  Ashe walked through the foggy forest and didn't react to the unchanged numbers in his mind. 'It was too few.' He already knew that one Humpborn wouldn't give him anything. As if his appearance was part of the test or even the conclusion.

  Back in the forest and out of the fog, he finally returned to his path. 'I hope I don't have to take another detour,' he thought as he could already see the city from afar. He approached the walls but couldn't find a way in.

  Even if Ashe could climb on it, he would be considered an illegal intruder, and the guards wouldn't spare him. So he followed the wall until he found a gate.

  Fortunately, his decision was rewarded, and he found the entrance.

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  South Gate.

  It was written in large letters in the local language.

  He arrived and was about to enter. There were only guards at the door; it was obvious that people weren't coming in and out very often. In any case, the South Gate didn't have many visitors.

  That is why they were surprised to see the boy. Especially Ashe, whose condition wasn't very pleasing. He looked like a street dweller. The only thing he owned was a silver sword, and he didn't know how they would act.

  "Do you have any papers to prove your identity?" asked one of the three guards. One hand was on his tummy, scratching it. The other was on his face, which looked surprisingly well-groomed. Even his uniform was remarkable, clean, and shiny.

  Ashe stood before him, feeling even more out of place. Of course, he wouldn't show it and would try anything to get into the city, even if it meant climbing over the wall. "I don't have any papers, but if you advise me on how to get them, I will."

  The second officer approached. He also had grey hair like the boy but was two heads shorter. On the other hand, his hair and clothes looked clean. "The reason for your coming to the city?" He had a hoarse voice that was out of place for his appearance.

  "Is the beginning of a new life a good reason?" the boy asked and then continued on his own. "I'm moving here, and I'm not looking for trouble."

  The third guard didn't say anything. He just adjusted his glasses and nodded sheepishly.

  "Son, if you don't have an ID, you can get one when you register with the guild. We need to mark the people who are coming in, and we'll need some of your documents."

  After talking to Ezio, Ashe had already considered joining the guild. He would get missions, be able to access locations full of monsters, or even go to Scar with the other members.

  Although he didn't want to be under the organisation, at this stage and temporarily, it wouldn't be a bad move. "Then we'll do that. I was already going to join the guild."

  "Very well, we won't face any problems. Which guild do you have in mind?" The second one asked, looking for more information.

  "Zalindar guild," he replied, noticing the increased acknowledgement of the guards. The local government also ran its guild, which put fewer chains on its members; there was no obligation to fulfil, and you could basically do whatever you wanted.

  Talented members were selected and brought into the guild, or rather, into an organisation, where the rules were much stricter. Ashe didn't think about that. Especially not with the freedom he enjoyed in recent days.

  "Oh, great," said the short guard. "Gordon, go follow and help him. Write down his information and come back." Then he gave the command to the guy with glasses and handed Ashe over to him.

  The stone gate opened, and the boy went in.

  "Welcome to our humble city."

  He completely forgot to reply. As he looked around the streets, his attention was focused on the scene.

  The magnificent buildings caught his eye. The 5- to 10-story buildings were breathtaking to him. Ashe had never seen anything like them in Dreadvale. The structure was unusual, more refined, and individualistic as if each person's character was imprinted on it.

  The city was decorated with flowers. Gordon led the way and never stopped. The streets, coloured with plants, also determined the smell. Even in the forest, a similar pleasant scent was needed.

  Then there was the difference, which was the biggest and most important for the boy. People of different races could be seen on the streets. Their nationality was expressed only by their physical characteristics. It was mainly due to the colour of their hair.

  You couldn't perceive the abundance of one particular person. Everyone filled the streets equally, living in complete harmony. Dreadvale was usually light-coloured. Blonde, chestnut, or reddish. Ashe's altered appearance wasn't remarkable. If you could ignore his untidiness.

  And here there were even people with black, white, and grey hair. Many had no hair on their heads at all. 'Is this natural or is it the fashion here?' the boy wondered, because the only bald person he knew was Shon, and he shaved his head only because of the Mark.

  Binders were a different matter. You could notice people with Marks at every turn. You would often see them in groups, and they were always going somewhere. Their clothing and weapons were also diverse.

  As he walked through the city, the boy never got tired of looking. He had the feeling that he was in a perfect place, where everything was in order. People walked happily; it was peaceful, and no one felt in danger.

  Ashe's perspective would soon acquire new knowledge. In one of the alleys, the boy heard a peculiar noise. A loud shout from the crowd, which he couldn't distinguish at first. Gordon observed and wanted to examine it for a few seconds.

  Then an unforgettable sight unfolded before Ashe. Five people were held on the stage, kneeling and tied. In front of them were ropes intended for their necks. The people watched the spectacle with satisfaction as if they were attending a concert.

  No one expressed surprise or protest. Those sentenced to death were waiting for their time to come, and the city in this situation continued to live as usual.