Chapter: Threads Beyond the Novel
Adrian Lewin's POV
---
I rode on Aero's back for several hours before finally reaching a city.
To be honest, the name of the city didn't matter.
I wasn't here for sightseeing, trade, or even rest.
I was here for one thing only—
Information.
---
Aero descended slowly, his massive wings cutting through the evening air with silent precision. I guided him toward a secluded area outside the city before dismounting. After giving him a simple instruction, I let him roam freely in the skies above.
With him gone, I made my way toward the city gates.
The guards barely spared me a glance.
Good.
The moment I entered, the familiar noise of a bustling city greeted me—vendors shouting, merchants negotiating, footsteps echoing over stone streets. It was nothing special.
Just another city.
Which made it perfect.
I headed straight toward the market.
If there was an Information Guild branch here, it wouldn't be openly advertised. It never was. Instead, it hid behind symbols—subtle, easily overlooked signs meant only for those who knew what to look for.
And I did.
I walked slowly, my eyes scanning each shop, each wall, each corner.
Then—
I found it.
A symbol etched faintly on the side of a modest dairy store.
A wall… with ears.
Found you.
I entered the store without hesitation.
The smell of milk and cheese filled the air, and behind the counter stood an ordinary-looking shop owner. He glanced at me briefly before returning to his work.
I approached him calmly.
"The wind reaches far and wide."
The man paused.
Just for a second.
Then he called out to someone in the back.
"Take him."
An employee emerged and gestured for me to follow.
Without a word, I did.
We passed through a narrow hallway, then down a staircase hidden behind a false wall. The air grew cooler, quieter.
Eventually, we reached a small room.
Dimly lit.
Secluded.
It had a few doors.
Employee took me inside one.
I stepped inside and took a seat.
The employee left.
---
Silence.
Then—
From the shadows, a man spoke.
I could see him clearly, of course.
Omniscient made sure of that.
"I want information," I said.
No need for unnecessary words.
"What kind?" the man asked.
"I want the names of cities near this region that are known for mana-infused dust or crystals. Along with their rough locations on a map."
Mana-infused dust.
A key material.
Used in runes.
Used in concealment devices.
Used in many things that mattered.
The man didn't respond immediately.
Instead, he began relaying the request.
Through some communication method hidden within the room.
---
Time passed.
Fifteen minutes.
Then he spoke again.
"One gold coin."
I placed the coin on the table without hesitation.
He handed me the information.
Simple.
Efficient.
As I left the room, I could already guess what someone might think.
Why so cheap?
The answer was obvious.
This wasn't rare information.
I could have found it in books.
It would have taken time—but it was accessible.
And I had only asked for a rough map.
Not detailed routes.
Not secret paths.
Nothing premium.
That lowered the price significantly.
Besides—
I didn't need precision.
I was strong enough to handle whatever came my way.
By the time I exited the building, evening had already settled.
The sky was dimming.
Night was approaching.
I wasn't in a hurry.
There was no reason to push myself unnecessarily.
So, I decided to stay the night.
---
I entered a nearby restaurant and ordered a meal.
The food was decent.
Not exceptional—but acceptable.
I had eaten better before.
Still, it wasn't bad.
As I ate, I listened.
Conversations flowed around me.
But none of them were interesting.
Just ordinary chatter.
After finishing, I headed to an expensive inn.
There was no reason to compromise on comfort.
I booked a room and went upstairs.
---
Inside, I spread out the information I had obtained.
Cities.
Locations.
Distances.
I studied them carefully.
Analyzing.
Planning.
An hour passed before I finally set everything aside.
I lay down on the bed.
And closed my eyes.
The next morning—
I left.
I selected the nearest city as my first destination.
After reuniting with Aero, I flew toward it.
Within a few hours, I arrived.
I didn't enter directly.
Instead, I let Aero remain in the sky while I teleported inside the city.
Then—
I began my search.
"Blitz"
I moved through the city at high speed, my senses extended.
Each building.
Each street.
Each corner.
I scanned everything.
But—
Nothing.
No sign.
No trace.
I didn't find the person I was looking for.
Yes.
You guessed it right.
I was searching for someone.
Still, I didn't rush.
There was no need.
I completed the search of the entire city before stopping.
Then I ate.
Rested.
And slept at an inn.
The next day—
I moved to another city.
Same process.
Same method.
Same result.
Nothing.
And so—
The search continued.
Day after day.
City after city.
Until—
The fourth day.
Dustmere.
The moment I entered the city, something felt… off.
Not obvious.
Not clear.
But present.
I began my search as usual.
Moving.
Scanning.
Observing.
Then—
I found it.
A house.
At first glance, nothing seemed unusual.
But my senses—
My Sixth Sense—
Detected something strange.
Sometimes, it told me two people were inside.
Other times—
It told me the house was empty.
Inconsistent.
Unstable.
That was a problem.
Two problems, actually.
First—
The person I was looking for was supposed to be alone.
But here—
I sensed two presences.
Second—
My Sixth Sense… was failing.
Not completely.
But enough to create doubt.
That meant one thing.
Something was interfering.
As I stood there, thinking—
A man approached the house.
He wore a robe.
A mask covered his face.
He knocked.
Then entered.
And the moment he stepped inside—
His presence became unstable as well.
Appearing.
Disappearing.
Repeating.
Then—
It vanished.
Completely.
I understood immediately.
He had been killed inside that house.
Which meant—
The two presences were still inside and the man wasn't a friend to them.
I made my decision.
I stepped forward.
And knocked.
At the same time, I activated everything.
Silently.
"Sixth Sense."
"Omniscient."
"Regeneration."
"Blitz."
I wasn't taking any risks.
A moment later—
The door opened.
The first thing I saw—
Was him....
The werewolf, Zareth.
Then—
My gaze shifted.
To the table.
A device.
Blinking.
I focused.
Nature Mana.
So that was it.
The reason my senses were unstable.
That device was interfering.
Nature Force was powerful—
But not absolute.
Anything that used Nature Mana could resist it.
To some extent.
And this—
Was clearly not ordinary.
Then—
My eyes moved further.
And landed on—
…Him.
Shit.
Karna.
Why is he here?
This wasn't in the novel.
This wasn't supposed to happen.
I wasn't ready for him.
if things went wrong I will be in trouble now.
While I was thinking—
Zareth spoke.
"Who are you?"
I looked at him.
Then replied calmly—
"How about I come inside first?"
I paused.
Then added—
"I think you would prefer that, Zareth."
He stiffened slightly.
Then glanced at Karna.
Karna gave a small nod.
Zareth stepped aside.
Opening the door.
I entered.
And took a seat.
"Now," Zareth said, "will you tell me who you are?"
I smiled.
And showed him my ring.
The number engraved on it—
12.
His eyes widened.
"The Monster Lord?"
This bastard…
Calm down.
I maintained my expression.
And nodded.
"And why are you here?" he asked.
"You're being hunted by the Empire," I said.
He nodded.
"And you need a place that can protect you from them."
"Yes," he replied. "And your point?"
I leaned back.
"You already know my point," I said. "But if you want me to say it clearly…"
I smiled slightly.
"I want you to come under me."
"I want you to become my subordinate."
His expression hardened.
"Is that a threat?"
I laughed lightly.
"No."
"It's an offer."
I leaned forward slightly.
"If you refuse, I'll leave."
"I won't even inform the Empire about your location."
Silence.
He thought.
Then asked—
"How did you find me?"
"Luck."
I lied. I knew the the characteristics of city he is in because he described it in novel. But I don't need to tell that.
He frowned.
"What kind of luck is this…?"
He muttered.
Then shook his head.
"Leaving that aside," he continued, "do you even know what I did?"
"Why the Empire is hunting me?"
I paused.
Then answered—
"You killed the Third Prince."
He grinned.
"Exactly."
Then his gaze sharpened.
"Can you really protect me from the Empire?"
"And what about the other Lords?"
"What if they force you to give me up?"
I replied calmly—
"A Lord has that authority."
"Others won't interfere."
"It's not a small matter," he said.
"I killed the Emperor's son."
I didn't hesitate.
"My offer still stands."
"Become my subordinate."
"And I will protect you."
He looked at Karna.
Karna shrugged.
Zareth smiled.
"Very well."
"I accept."
"I'll become your subordinate."
"In exchange for protection."
I smiled.
"Good."
Then I looked at Karna.
"And what is he doing here?"
Zareth answered—
"He's my friend."
…Friend?
That wasn't in the novel.
Why?
I asked—
"Then why isn't he helping you?"
"He has the influence."
Zareth replied—
"He can."
"But he won't."
I asked
"Why?"
Zareth replied
"Because he's neutral."
He continued—
"He's too powerful."
"If he takes a side, he'll be dragged into politics."
"And once that happens…"
"He loses his freedom."
I understood.
Karna was a Powerhouse.
Unaffiliated.
That gave him freedom.
The moment he interfered—
That freedom would disappear.
So even in the novel—
He hadn't helped.
I looked back at Zareth.
"Pack your things."
"Meet me at the north gate."
He nodded.
I stood up.
And walked out.
---
As I made my way through the city—
I thought back.
To the novel.
To that chapter.
"The Price of a Single Death"