The city never truly slept.
Even as night fell over the Beastman capital, its streets were alive with movement. Merchants packed up their stalls, warriors returned from the hunt, and shadows lurked in the alleys, waiting for an opportunity.
Leon moved through the dimly lit roads silently, his senses sharp.
He wasn't imagining it.
Someone was following him.
The presence had been there since they entered the city—always distant, never too close. But too consistent to be a coincidence.
Jarek, Kaelen, and Rhun had gone their separate ways for the night, exhausted from their journey.
Leon, however, had no intention of resting.
Instead, he walked deeper into the quieter parts of the city—narrower streets, fewer people, fewer eyes.
And still, the presence followed.
Let's see how skilled you really are.
---
A Predator's Patience
Leon turned a corner into an empty alley.
Then—he stopped.
Silence.
The air felt still.
His stalker hesitated, barely for a second, but Leon caught it.
Experienced. But not perfect.
He turned his head slightly, keeping his expression neutral. "You've followed me for long enough. Why not show yourself?"
For a few heartbeats, there was nothing.
Then—a blur of movement.
A figure dropped from the rooftops, landing soundlessly.
They were cloaked in black, their face obscured by a hood. But Leon could see enough—a lean frame, fluid movement, and… golden embroidery on their sleeves.
The Holy Empire.
His eyes narrowed.
The figure didn't speak immediately. Instead, they studied him with equal caution.
Finally, a voice—low, controlled. Female.
"You should not have gone to those ruins."
Leon's smirk was sharp. "I do a lot of things I 'shouldn't' do."
The woman remained still. "Do you even understand what you've uncovered?"
Leon's gaze remained steady. "I understand enough."
Silence.
Then—a shift.
The tension in the air sharpened. A fight was coming.
Leon's muscles coiled.
The woman spoke again, this time with something colder in her tone.
"Then you understand… I can't let you walk away freely."
Leon's smile widened. Perfect.
---
Clash in the Shadows
The woman moved first.
Fast—unnaturally fast.
Leon dodged, shifting just in time as a dagger sliced through the air where his neck had been.
Close.
She followed up immediately, pressing forward with fluid, precise strikes.
Leon blocked the first, deflected the second, and barely evaded the third.
But she was good.
Too good.
This wasn't just some ordinary spy.
She was trained to kill.
Leon clicked his tongue. Fine. If she wanted to play, he'd play.
He twisted, shifting his footwork, and countered with a swift elbow strike.
She blocked—but barely. Her balance shifted, a moment of weakness.
Leon didn't let it go to waste.
He grabbed her wrist, twisted—
And she reacted.
With a sharp movement, she broke free, spinning back before flipping onto the opposite rooftop in one clean motion.
Leon let out a slow breath.
The woman's stance had changed slightly. More cautious now.
She wasn't expecting him to fight back so well.
Leon smiled. "I was hoping for more."
The woman exhaled softly. Then, to his surprise—she smirked.
"You're interesting."
Then—she vanished.
Leon didn't chase.
He didn't need to.
This wasn't the last time they'd meet.
And next time?
He'd be ready.
---
The Weight of Secrets
Leon returned to the inn, his mind racing.
The Holy Empire had agents in the city.
And they were watching him.
His time was running out.
Leon sat by the window, staring at the distant lights of the city.
There was no doubt now—he was stepping onto a path the Empire didn't want him to take.
But that only made it more exciting.
Because if they were trying to stop him…
That meant he was on the right track.
And Leon had never been the type to turn back.
---