The moment I stepped out of the room and closed the door behind me, I felt that familiar emptiness return… no, not the strange kind of emptiness—this was something entirely different… the emptiness of my stomach.
My stomach let out a quiet growl, but it was clear enough to say: "It's time to eat."
I exhaled softly and muttered:
"Yeah… let's take a break from the tension, at least until the battle in there clears its smoke."
I reached the large wooden door, pushed it gently, and stepped inside.
The cook greeted me with a simple smile.
"Welcome."
I smiled back and nodded lightly.
The scent of food filled the place in a way that brought calm—a mix of warm soup, light spices, and fresh bread, as if it were trying to comfort me after everything that had just happened.
I glanced toward the long wooden table and saw Zairos and Sirion sitting quietly, eating in a silence that suited them perfectly.
I walked over, pulled a chair, and sat beside them.
Zairos raised his eyes slightly and said:
"You joined us at the right time."
Sirion replied in his usual calm voice:
"The food is rarely bad here."
I said, preparing to take my first bite:
"Well… that's exactly what I need right now."
Moments later, the cook placed a bowl of warm soup in front of me, as if it had been made specifically for this moment.
Steam rose gently from it, as though inviting me to feel its warmth.
I began eating in silence, and the first spoonful carried enough flavor to make one forget whatever had happened just minutes ago.
As I ate, I broke the silence between us and said:
"Hey, I have a question…"
Sirion didn't lift his eyes from his plate. He simply said:
"Go ahead."
I stirred the soup slightly as I asked:
"When did you two arrive in this world?"
Zairos answered directly:
"Four months ago."
Sirion added without hesitation:
"And me, five."
I nodded slowly, then continued:
"Then… do you know anything about the capital? I mean the one that Noble Valis mentioned?"
This time, Sirion lifted his head and looked at me with interest for the first time since the conversation began.
"No… do you know something about it?"
I raised an eyebrow and said lightly:
"If I did, I wouldn't be asking, right?"
Zairos chuckled softly.
"I've heard some rumors."
Sirion and I both looked at him at the same time.
He continued:
"Some say the capital lies to the east. It takes about ten days by carriage… fifteen if you walk."
Then after a brief pause, he added:
"Its name is Storn… or at least, that's what I heard."
Sirion placed his fork aside.
"Do you know exactly where it is?"
Zairos shrugged.
"No. It's all just talk I've heard at the inn or the market. No one I've met has actually been there."
He paused, thinking, then continued:
"But most people talk about it like it's another world… they say it's incredibly clean, nothing like the villages we live in. There are massive shops, luxurious food, people from high classes… everything is different there."
I murmured while staring into my soup:
"Does it have a government?"
Zairos hesitated, then shook his head.
"I haven't heard anything certain about that… but if there's a prison, then there must be some kind of system running it. Maybe a government… or a security authority? I don't know."
A brief silence settled between us. Only the sound of spoons remained, as if continuing the conversation in our place.
…
After I finished eating, I gently set the spoon beside the bowl and wiped my mouth with the edge of my sleeve.
I looked at Zairos and Sirion and gave them a small nod of farewell, then turned to the cook and said with a smile:
"Thank you. The food was great."
The man nodded back with a satisfied expression.
I left the kitchen quietly, breathing in the warm air filled with the scent of soup and spices.
There was nothing in particular for me to do afterward.
No work. No training. Not even curiosity pushing me toward anything.
That strange emptiness returned… as if the day itself had decided to be unusually simple.
I stood in the hallway for a moment, looking up at the wooden ceiling, listening to the faint sound of wind from above.
Then I decided to head to the third floor.
I didn't know why—but it felt like the only place left untouched by the day.
I climbed the stairs slowly, each step creaking softly beneath my feet.
When I reached the top, I opened the door to the third floor.
A gentle breeze greeted me—slightly cool, but refreshing, as if carrying a hint of freedom.
I breathed it in quietly… until a familiar voice came from behind me:
"What are you doing here?"
I turned to see Marcus standing behind the door, a friendly look mixed with curiosity on his face.
I answered softly:
"Nothing in particular… I just felt like there was nothing left to do downstairs, so I came up here."
He nodded briefly, then said:
"Want to join us?"
I raised an eyebrow.
"Join you?"
He gestured behind him with his thumb.
I looked and saw Knox and Cairo sitting on the ground, talking casually.
Their atmosphere was completely informal—something like a "fighter's break."
Marcus added with a smile:
"We were just about to start a game of 'Truth or Dare'… looks like you came at the perfect time."
I didn't think much before replying:
"I'll join."
We walked toward them.
Knox sat cross-legged, while Cairo leaned lazily on his right arm.
Cairo spoke the moment he saw me approaching:
"I've been seeing you around a lot lately…"
I gave him a sideways glance and replied with light sarcasm:
"Not like I want that."
He chuckled, and Knox added, his eyes gleaming:
"So, you're joining us?"
I nodded.
"Yeah, the game sounds fun."
We all sat on the ground in a slightly uneven circle, but close enough to face each other.
Knox took the lead and said calmly:
"Alright… since everyone's here, I'll explain the rules."
He paused briefly to make sure everyone was listening, then continued in a slightly formal tone:
"The game is simple. We start with a random person. They pick someone and ask: 'Truth or Dare?' The person chooses… either tell the truth or complete the dare—no matter what it is."
He raised a finger as if giving a subtle warning.
"No lying. No refusing a dare after choosing it. Backing out means… punishment."
Cairo smiled and said:
"I think Knox is more excited about the punishments than the game itself."
Marcus laughed.
"As usual."
I smiled faintly as I watched them, then asked:
"So… who's starting?"