The city didn't forget.
---
Even after the clash ended—
Even after the man walked away—
---
The tension remained.
---
Virella moved.
But not freely.
---
Something had changed.
---
"…Two of them…"
"…Did you feel that pressure…?"
"…That wasn't normal…"
---
Voices carried through streets and alleys.
Lower than before.
More cautious.
---
This was no longer curiosity.
---
It was awareness.
---
At the edge of the city—
Near the quiet stretch of docks—
Thalren walked.
---
Unhurried.
---
The black sheath rested at his side.
---
Still.
---
But the silence around it—
Felt different now.
---
It wasn't sleeping.
---
It was waiting.
---
His steps slowed slightly.
---
Not because of fatigue.
---
Because of thought.
---
The man from before.
---
His movements.
His presence.
---
Not weak.
---
Not careless.
---
Controlled.
---
Deliberate.
---
"…Stronger than the others."
---
A quiet conclusion.
---
Not spoken for anyone else.
---
Just acknowledged.
---
The sheath pulsed.
---
Once.
---
Faint.
---
Then still again.
---
Thalren's gaze shifted toward the sea.
---
The horizon stretched endlessly.
---
Calm.
---
Too calm.
---
"…Not yet…"
---
The words returned.
---
More familiar now.
---
Less distant.
---
But still unclear.
---
He didn't respond.
---
Didn't question.
---
Just accepted.
---
For now.
---
Behind him—
Movement.
---
Not loud.
---
Not rushed.
---
But intentional.
---
Thalren stopped.
---
He didn't turn immediately.
---
"…You're being watched."
---
The voice came from the side.
---
Not hidden.
---
Not hostile.
---
The hunters again.
---
Three of them.
---
Standing just outside direct view.
---
"…You again."
---
"…You don't make it hard."
---
A pause.
---
"…You stand out."
---
Silence.
---
Thalren turned slightly.
---
"…Then stop following me."
---
"…If we could, we would."
---
A brief pause.
---
"…But it's not just us anymore."
---
The air grew still.
---
"…Explain."
---
The leader stepped forward slightly.
---
His expression—
More serious than before.
---
"…The man you fought."
---
A pause.
---
"…He's not from this city."
---
"…I figured."
---
"…He's not a regular hunter either."
---
Silence.
---
"…Then what is he?"
---
The leader held his gaze.
---
"…A seeker."
---
The word lingered.
---
Unfamiliar.
---
"…Meaning?"
---
"…People who chase power."
---
A pause.
---
"…Rare weapons."
---
His eyes shifted to the sword.
---
"…Relics."
---
Silence.
---
"…They don't belong to any system."
---
"…No rules."
---
"…No limits."
---
A brief pause.
---
"…And no hesitation to kill."
---
The weight of those words settled.
---
Thalren didn't react.
---
"…Then he should have tried."
---
The second hunter frowned slightly.
---
"…You're not taking this seriously."
---
"…I am."
---
A pause.
---
"…I just don't care."
---
Silence.
---
The hunters exchanged a look.
---
"…That attitude—"
---
"…Will get tested," the leader finished.
---
A brief moment passed.
---
"…Not just by him."
---
The wind shifted.
---
"…Others will come."
---
"…Stronger ones."
---
A pause.
---
"…Ones who won't stop halfway."
---
Silence.
---
Thalren turned away slightly.
---
"…Then they'll fall."
---
The words were calm.
---
Certain.
---
Not arrogance.
---
Not pride.
---
Just a statement.
---
The hunters didn't reply immediately.
---
They watched him.
---
Carefully.
---
"…You really believe that."
---
"…No," the leader said quietly.
---
"…He's already decided it."
---
Silence.
---
Then—
A sudden shift.
---
The sheath pulsed.
---
Stronger than before.
---
Not subtle.
---
Sharp.
---
Thalren's eyes narrowed slightly.
---
"…Again."
---
This time—
The feeling didn't fade.
---
It grew.
---
Heavy.
---
Different from before.
---
Not distant.
---
Close.
---
Very close.
---
The hunters felt it too.
---
"…What is that…?"
---
The air thickened.
---
Pressure built—
---
Not from outside.
---
From him.
---
From the sword.
---
A low vibration spread through the ground.
---
Faint.
---
But real.
---
Thalren's hand moved to the sheath.
---
The moment he touched it—
---
🌊
---
Darkness.
---
But not the same as before.
---
This time—
It was unstable.
---
The water moved.
---
Slowly.
---
Restlessly.
---
Something was rising.
---
Closer than before.
---
The presence returned.
---
Heavier.
---
Clearer.
---
Not hidden.
---
Watching.
---
Directly.
---
"…Closer…"
---
The voice came again.
---
Stronger.
---
"…You're closer…"
---
The water shifted violently.
---
A massive shadow moved beneath him.
---
Not far now.
---
Not distant.
---
Near.
---
Very near.
---
Thalren stood still.
---
Unmoving.
---
Unshaken.
---
"…Then come."
---
Silence.
---
The presence stopped.
---
A pause.
---
Then—
The water calmed.
---
Slowly.
---
The shadow faded.
---
🌊
---
The world snapped back.
---
Virella.
---
The docks.
---
The hunters.
---
All still there.
---
But the air—
Had changed.
---
"…What was that…" one of them whispered.
---
No one answered.
---
Thalren removed his hand from the sheath.
---
The pulse faded.
---
Silence returned.
---
But it wasn't the same silence.
---
It felt…
Observed.
---
The leader looked at him.
---
Long.
---
Careful.
---
"…You didn't just take that sword."
---
A pause.
---
"…Something took notice of you."
---
Silence.
---
Thalren didn't deny it.
---
Didn't confirm it.
---
He simply turned.
---
"…Then I'll reach it."
---
A step forward.
---
"…Before it reaches me."
---
No hesitation.
---
No doubt.
---
He walked away.
---
The hunters didn't follow this time.
---
They didn't speak either.
---
They just watched.
---
"…This is getting worse," one muttered.
---
"…No," the leader replied quietly.
---
His eyes still on Thalren.
---
"…This is just beginning."
---
Far beyond the docks—
---
Beyond the visible sea—
---
Something stirred again.
---
Not fully awake.
---
But no longer sleeping.
---
And now—
It knew.
---
Exactly where to look.