The journey from the battlefield to the nearest city was long and quiet, a sharp contrast to the chaos they had just left behind. The merchant caravan, though smaller after the attack, continued forward at a steady pace. The only sound was the creak of the carts as their wheels scraped against the uneven road.

  Yuki sat in the front of the caravan along side the head merchant, simply staying quite and for once in a long time simply enjoying the feeling of the sun against her skin and the wind blowing her hair. The merchants and adventurers spoke little, each person lost in their own thoughts as they processed the events of the battle. Despite the ck of conversation, there was a change in the air—an unspoken awareness of Yuki's presence. It was clear that they respected her, and perhaps even feared her, but no one dared speak of it. Except for Kaelen who would look at her every now and then as they moved. He hadn't spoke of it but he still felt wary of the completely unknown powerhouse traveling with them.

  The sun had begun to dip behind the horizon when they reached the gates. The tall stone walls rose before them, their imposing stature a reminder of the city’s strength and the control it exerted over the surrounding nds. The gates, made of thick iron and wood, were reinforced with metal spikes, and guards stood watch atop the walls, their gazes sweeping over the approaching caravan. The city was a major hub for trade, its gates guarded rigorously by soldiers who had seen their fair share of conflict. It was here that Yuki hoped to find the answers she sought.

  The caravan came to a halt before the gates, and the merchant leader, a stout man with a balding head and a thick beard, dismounted from his cart. He made his way toward the front, where the guards stood waiting, their faces hard and scrutinizing. A pair of armored soldiers descended from the gatehouse and approached the caravan, their swords gleaming in the fading light.

  "State your business," one of the guards called out, his voice gruff and unyielding.

  The merchant leader cleared his throat, adjusting his tunic. "We are here for trade," he said, his tone polite but firm. "I have the proper permits. You can check them."

  The guard gnced over the merchant leader’s shoulder, eyeing the adventurers who had accompanied the caravan. Their guild cards were visible, and their weapons were sheathed but ready. The guards were accustomed to adventurers, but their presence still warranted caution. After a moment of silent inspection, the merchant leader handed over a thick parchment, sealed with a wax emblem.

  The guard took the parchment, his eyes scanning it quickly. After a moment, he nodded. "Your permit is in order. You may enter," he said, stepping aside to allow the caravan through. His gaze lingered for a moment longer on Yuki, and she could feel the weight of his stare. There was no recognition in his eyes—no understanding of what she was, what she could do. She was just another traveler, a mystery to be solved in time.

  As the caravan slowly passed through the gates, Yuki felt a subtle shift in the atmosphere. The guards’ sharp eyes followed her, but none of them spoke. She had already begun to realize that her presence here, in this city, would raise questions. Questions she did not have answers for, and questions that she would need to find answers to before long.

  Once inside the city, the noise of bustling commerce and lively chatter filled the air. Stalls lined the streets, selling everything from spices and fabrics to exotic goods and weapons. Merchants shouted to attract customers, their voices blending with the sound of horses’ hooves on cobblestone roads. The city, though rge, had an earthy charm, a blend of stone buildings and wooden structures, their rooftops lined with flowering vines.

  Yuki’s violet eyes scanned the city with quiet interest. It was a pce full of life, yet there was an undercurrent of tension. The conflict between the merchants and the bandits had been a reminder that not all was peaceful in this world. There was always something lurking beneath the surface, something hidden from the public eye. Yuki could feel it—a subtle pulse of unease, a whisper of danger on the wind.

  The caravan made its way through the winding streets toward a rge inn on the outskirts of the city. The inn was a cozy, two-story building with a wide veranda and a warm glow emanating from the windows. It was clear that this was the caravan’s destination, a pce where they could rest, recover, and prepare for the next leg of their journey.

  As the group entered the inn, the scent of roasted meats and freshly baked bread greeted them, a stark contrast to the harsh reality of the road. The merchant leader exchanged a few words with the innkeeper, and rooms were arranged for the group. Yuki was offered a room as well, but she declined, choosing instead to sit near the hearth in the common room. The warmth from the fire was comforting, but her thoughts remained distant. She knew she couldn’t afford to rex just yet.

  The adventurers, though tired, settled around the rge wooden table in the center of the room. Grun, the burly dwarf, leaned back in his chair, rubbing his shoulder with a groan. "That was a close one," he muttered, his voice gruff from exhaustion. "I thought we were done for, but that third ascension showed up just in time."

  Kaelen, who had been silent for much of the journey, nodded. "That… person," he began, his voice quiet, "I-i Really Don't Have A Good Feeling About Them."

  Kirork, a rather buff half-orc with keen green eyes, gnced at Kaelen. "You don’t think she’s a threat, do you?" she asked, her voice ced with caution.

  "I don’t know," Kaelen replied, his gaze distant. "But we can’t afford to ignore her. What are the changes we come across a third ascension? Much less one we don't even know."

  Grun snorted, raising his tankard. "She helped us. Doesn’t matter where she came from or what power she’s got. She’s on our side for now."

  Kirork's brow furrowed. "For now. But what happens when we reach the city? We don’t know anything about her. She could be an agent of another kingdom, or worse, maybe a cultist?"

  Yuki listened to the conversation, her mind heavy with the thoughts of her own purpose. The others were right to be wary. She, too, had no understanding of her pce here. Her past was a blur, and her arrival in this world had been marked by conflict. But unlike the adventurers, Yuki knew that the battles she had fought had not been an accident. She was saved by Something even know she still didn't know what it was. However she did at least have some hints.

  [K■■■■ Y■■■■■’s Favor] Condition: Achieved by earning K■■■■ Y■■■■■’s personal favor through an act that aligns with their enigmatic will. Effect: Boosts all attributes by +200% and amplifies the effectiveness of skills and abilities by +300% for the duration. Grants temporary access to unique abilities tied to K■■■■ Y■■■■■’s authority, allowing the user to override certain system limitations. Drawback: Each second of activation increases Soul Instability by +5%, with prolonged use (over 20 seconds) causing potential permanent soul damage and eroding fragments of the user's identity.

  [Follower of K■■■■ Y■■■■■]Suppresses divine magic and magical communication by 50% within 100 meters while creating an unsettling aura that weakens divine casters' focus and conviction. Additionally Followers of K■■■■ Y■■■■■ gain resistance to curses by 50%.

  Her Savoir this KY was a god likely an evil god from the reactions she got from the church of lumina though how much she trusted the words of fanatics for a wicked goddess she didn't know. For now, she would stay with the caravan. They were traveling to another city near the current city, and perhaps there, she would find answers. But she would have to tread carefully. The longer she stayed with the adventurers and merchants, the more questions would arise. Questions she wasn’t ready to answer.

  As the night wore on, the adventurers rexed slightly, though their wariness never fully dissipated. Yuki remained by the hearth, her eyes reflecting the flickering fmes. Her thoughts were a maze of confusion and uncertainty, but she knew one thing: this city, with its bustling streets and hidden dangers, would be a pivotal point in her journey. Whatever happened next, she would have to face it head-on.

  The following morning, the caravan resumed its journey through the city. The air was crisp, the sky clear. They were approaching the marketpce when a group of city guards approached, their armor gleaming in the morning light. At the head of the group was a tall, broad-shouldered man with a scar across his cheek. He moved with the confidence of someone accustomed to authority.

  Kaelen stepped forward, holding out his guild card. "We’re passing through, we are escorting these gentlemen to the Merchants District." he said pointing a hand towards the merchants they where escorting.

  The guard eyed him briefly before nodding, his gaze flicking toward Yuki. His expression remained neutral, but his eyes narrowed ever so slightly as he took in her presence. "And you, miss? Are you with them?" he asked, his voice ft.

  Yuki nodded, her face expressionless. "I am." She said nothing more, knowing the question was one of formality. She had learned by now that silence was often the best answer.

  The guard gave her a measured look before turning his attention back to Kaelen. "Very well. You may continue."

  With a final gnce, the guards stepped aside, allowing the caravan to pass through. As they moved deeper into the city, Yuki's mind wandered once more, this time to the question she had almost asked the guard. What was it about her that made people so wary? She would find the answers, in time. But for now, she was content to watch and wait.

  This world had many secrets, and Yuki intended to uncover them if she wished to leave it.