He was still processing everything that had happened that day, barely believing that he had actually left the village, unsure of what the future held.
It was then that he heard an extremely subtle sound, something few people would have noticed. He remembered Keoran's advice that he should never lower his guard, not even inside an inn, because cities are not automatically safe.
Already gathering mana in the palm of his hand, Turan opened the door — and found Lena, who asked whether he was already asleep. She said she had thought he might be cold, and that she had come to keep him warm.
Turan did not immediately understand what that meant, and asked her directly.
Lena replied that it was exactly what it sounded like.
He said he did not want anything like that, and she commented that she could tell as much from his expression. He looked like a Buddha, she said.
Turan remembered another piece of Keoran's advice — to be careful with maids and prostitutes, since many could carry diseases, or even pose a danger depending on the situation.
After firmly dismissing Lena, he reflected that living in the city was not easy. Even small things like information and conversation came at a cost here, which made the whole environment colder and more calculating.
Shortly afterward he heard voices out in the corridor and realized it was Medan with his group. Some of them were questioning why their leader had considered recruiting Turan, saying that he did not seem very useful.
Medan replied that the boy reminded him of himself when he was young, and that when he saw the weapon he used, he had become concerned. He thought that if the boy stayed with them, he might survive longer.
The others mocked him for that, saying he was too soft.
Hearing it, Turan realized that despite everything, the city was not completely heartless.
The next morning he went to the city hall and told the official that he wanted to hunt monsters. He remembered what Keoran had said, that the world would not be kind to him unless he showed strength — such as by revealing himself as a mage.
The clerk showed him a document, making it clear that he could not take it away, only read it and hand it back. The target was a monster described as a crow with blade-like wings. He explained that if Turan managed to kill it, he was to bring the corpse back and disperse its mana. Otherwise the body could turn into a spectre. He also warned him that abandoning a monster's corpse could lead to execution under the city's laws.
Turan already knew that very well, and had no intention of making such a mistake.
He also asked why knights did not do this kind of work, and the official replied that they did not have the time for it. Their role was to maintain public order, while hunting monsters outside the city was left to people like him.
After Turan left, the clerk remarked that another corpse would show up soon.
And that was exactly what happened — except that before long, Turan returned carrying the body of the blade-winged crow.
The staff were surprised at how quickly he had come back, and even more surprised to see that the wings were intact. When he asked about the reward, one of the officials quickly brought out a bag of coins.
Even so, Turan did not leave. He asked whether there were more monsters available, which surprised everyone. They asked whether he really still had the energy to keep hunting.
Some time later he was at the inn, eating the most expensive items on the menu, which Lena had brought him. She commented that she had never imagined someone like him could defeat thirty monsters in three days, and that he must have earned a great deal of money.
Turan replied that money was not his only goal. What he truly sought was the monsters' mana.
He had realized that thanks to the hunts he had become much stronger. His mana had increased several times over since he met Keoran. Still, he felt there was a limit, a kind of barrier he would not be able to cross just by hunting weak monsters.
While he ate, Lena remarked that despite being so thin, he ate very well, and the owner said he was glad Turan liked the food.
Turan stood up, satisfied, and was soon approached by some members of Medan's group, who began provoking him. Why was he eating alone? Since he was making money, surely he could help the others.
Turan did not let it slide. He responded with a direct slap, saying that if they wanted charity, he could hand it out like that. Then he dodged another attack and knocked that man down as well. When the first tried to react again, his strike was blocked, and he took another hit.
Lena tried to intervene, asking them to stop fighting.
Later Medan personally went to apologize to Turan. He said that he had already reprimanded his men and that it would not happen again. He explained that the group had been short on money lately, and had grown envious at seeing the boy's success. Then he ordered every one of them to apologize, and they obeyed.
Turan asked whether their situation was really that bad.
Medan replied that he would not call it desperate, but that they were limited, and that in about three days they might not even be able to afford their stay.
Turan handed him a bag of money, saying it was payment for the kindness he had shown in worrying about him.
Medan was puzzled, and asked how he knew about that, but Turan replied that it did not matter much, and that in the end nothing is free. With that money, he wanted information.
Excited, Medan said that was right up his alley, and that Turan could ask as much as he wanted.
The next morning Turan was out on what would likely be his last hunt in that city. Medan had given him information about the next city, so it was time to leave. In the end he realized he had received far more than he had expected. Medan had truly been a good person. He was not as experienced as Keoran, but that made him more genuine, and kinder.
As he walked through the forest, Turan caught a strange smell.