The town square was quieter now. Most people had already gone inside the taverns or returned home for the evening. Lanterns hung along the streets, their warm light reflecting softly off the stone fountain in the center of the square.
Alex stood still, facing the tall man in the dark cloak. The stranger looked calm, almost relaxed, as if their meeting had been planned all along. Alex crossed his arms slightly.
"You said you were curious about me," he said. "That sounds a lot like you've been watching me."
The man smiled faintly.
"In a town like Riverwood, it's difficult not to notice unusual things."
"Like what?"
The stranger tilted his head slightly.
"For example… a beginner adventurer who defeats a Shadow Wolf Alpha on his second day."
Alex sighed quietly.
"People really need to stop talking about that."
The man chuckled.
"And today you eliminated a goblin group that included a Goblin Brute."
Alex's eyes narrowed slightly.
"How do you know that?"
The stranger didn't answer immediately. Instead, he slowly walked around the fountain, his boots making soft sounds against the stone ground.
"I have my ways of gathering information," he finally said.
That answer wasn't very reassuring. Alex kept watching him carefully.
"You still haven't told me your name."
The man stopped walking and looked back at him.
"That's fair."
He reached up and pulled back the hood of his cloak. Underneath was a calm, sharp-featured face with dark hair and steady gray eyes.
"My name is Kael."
Alex nodded slowly.
"Alex."
"I know."
Kael rested one hand on the edge of the fountain.
"Tell me something, Alex."
"What?"
"How long have you been an adventurer?"
Alex shrugged.
"A couple of days."
Kael studied him carefully.
"Interesting."
Alex frowned slightly.
"You keep saying that."
Kael smiled again, though this time it looked more thoughtful.
"Because most adventurers train for years before they can defeat monsters like the ones you've been hunting."
He paused for a moment.
"But you…"
His eyes sharpened slightly.
"You grow stronger extremely quickly."
Alex forced a casual shrug.
"Maybe I just learn fast."
"Maybe," Kael replied.
For a moment, neither of them spoke. The quiet sound of water flowing from the fountain filled the space between them. Then Kael spoke again.
"Have you ever heard of something called a system, Alex?"
The question hit Alex like a sudden shock. His heart skipped a beat. But he forced his face to remain calm.
"A system?" he repeated.
"Yeah."
Kael watched him closely.
"A mysterious power that grants abilities, levels, and skills."
Alex felt a cold chill run down his spine. That description was far too accurate. Still, he shook his head.
"Sounds like a story."
Kael didn't respond right away. Instead, he looked up at the night sky for a moment.
"Most people believe it's just a legend," he said quietly.
"A myth from ancient times."
Alex stayed silent.
Then Kael turned back toward him.
"But sometimes… legends are real."
The two of them stared at each other for a moment. Alex couldn't tell if Kael was testing him or simply guessing. Either way, revealing the truth would be extremely dangerous. So he shrugged again.
"Even if something like that existed, why would it matter?"
Kael's expression became serious.
"Because the last time the system appeared…"
He paused.
"…entire kingdoms went to war over it."
Alex felt his stomach tighten.
"That sounds… complicated."
"That's one way to describe it," Kael said calmly.
He stepped away from the fountain.
"Relax, Alex. I'm not here to cause trouble."
"Then why are you here?"
Kael smiled faintly.
"Because people who grow stronger quickly tend to attract attention."
He glanced briefly toward the dark forest beyond the town walls.
"And not all of that attention is friendly."
Alex thought about the message the system had shown earlier.
External Detection Risk: Rising
Maybe Kael wasn't completely wrong.
The man began walking away.
"Wait," Alex said.
Kael stopped.
"What is it?"
"You still haven't told me why you're really interested in me."
Kael looked back over his shoulder.
"For now…"
His faint smile returned.
"…let's just say I'm trying to decide whether you're a problem."
Then he disappeared into the dimly lit street. Alex remained standing beside the fountain.
His mind raced with questions. Kael clearly knew more than he should. And the fact that he had mentioned the system directly was even more worrying. Alex exhaled slowly.
"…Things are getting complicated."
Somewhere far away, powerful forces were already searching for the host of the forbidden system. And now, even in this small frontier town… The first suspicions had begun to appear.