The alley was eerily quiet.
An uncomfortable, heavy silence pressed down on everything.
Too many black eyes watched from the shadows.
Malric Thorn stood completely surrounded.
Crows perched on power lines, trash bins, and metal railings. Dozens of dark figures stared at him, waiting for any movement, any reaction.
Malric let out a long sigh.
No.
I'm not starting another war with birds.
S.I.M.I.O. appeared in front of his eyes.
Correction.
Malric raised an eyebrow.
What?
Technically, the previous war was with pigeons.
Malric muttered under his breath.
You're not helping.
One of the crows hopped forward. Its eyes gleamed with sharp, unsettling intelligence. A clear, firm voice echoed directly inside Malric's mind.
Human.
Malric blinked, tension rising in his chest.
Yeah?
We have been observing you.
Malric sighed, growing more uncomfortable by the second.
That sounds incredibly creepy.
Another thought followed smoothly.
Your abilities caught our attention.
Malric glanced around, searching for any possible escape route.
My abilities?
Yes.
Pause.
Especially your remarkable talent for creating chaos with birds.
Malric dragged a hand down his face, feeling the absurdity reach new heights.
That wasn't intentional.
The same crow spoke again, its tone grave and serious.
That makes it even more impressive.
Behind the leader, several other crows made low sounds that sounded suspiciously like laughter, turning the tense atmosphere into something almost ridiculous.
Malric muttered.
This cannot be real.
A larger crow jumped forward and perched on a container directly in front of him. Its black eyes studied him with intense focus.
Human. We wish to form an alliance with you.
Malric stood frozen, feeling the madness had officially reached a new level.
…
No.
The crow tilted its head slightly, maintaining its serious demeanor.
No?
Malric crossed his arms, feeling like he was trapped in a game he didn't understand.
Whenever someone says "we want to cooperate," it usually means something bad is coming next.
The crow responded calmly.
Correct.
Malric sighed, accepting he was stuck in yet another bad joke.
I knew it.
The crow continued, its gaze fixed on him.
We share a common goal.
Malric frowned.
That sounds even worse.
The crow lifted its wings slightly.
To rule the world.
Malric froze.
…
Excuse me?
What?
Behind the leader, several crows burst into laughter — an oddly intelligent sound that echoed through the narrow alley.
Malric looked up at the sky, feeling this situation could not possibly be real.
This is definitely my fault.
S.I.M.I.O. appeared in front of him, as calm as ever.
Alliance proposal detected.
Malric muttered.
Don't tell me.
The screen displayed the details.
Alliance proposal detected. Faction: Crows.
Malric raised an eyebrow.
The System even negotiates with birds now?
Correct.
The screen continued.
If the user rejects the proposal: Probability of losing personal items: moderate.
Malric blinked.
What?
S.I.M.I.O. explained.
Crows are notorious for stealing shiny objects.
Malric frowned.
…
They may also steal: System coins, items, food, and dignity.
Malric sighed, feeling his life had become a never-ending series of comedic disasters.
I already lost the dignity part thanks to the pigeons.
If the user accepts the proposal: Crow Shop unlocked, Friendly relationship with the Crow faction, Improvement to Urban Lord skill.
Malric raised an eyebrow, finding the offer slightly tempting.
Crow Shop?
The lead crow tilted its head, its gaze persuasive.
We have resources.
Malric muttered.
That doesn't reassure me at all.
The screen kept going.
Possible relationship: Urban Alliance.
Malric looked at the crow, feeling his life had taken yet another bizarre turn.
So you want to rule the world.
Eventually, the crow replied calmly.
Malric raised a finger.
And what do I get out of it?
The crow answered immediately.
Information. Resources. And chaos.
Behind it, several crows laughed again, filling the alley with surreal energy.
Malric sighed.
This is the most absurd thing that has happened to me today.
S.I.M.I.O. replied.
That statement is statistically false.
Malric crossed his arms, his patience wearing thin.
Why me?
The lead crow responded.
Because normal humans cannot speak with us.
Pause.
And because you defeated a strong enemy using pigeons.
The crows laughed again. Malric couldn't help but blush with embarrassment.
I'm going to regret this.
S.I.M.I.O. displayed the options.
Accept alliance. Reject alliance.
Malric looked at the crows, then at the screen, and finally back at the crows.
He sighed deeply, feeling his fate was about to shift once again.
…
Fine.
He selected Accept.
The screen glowed brightly.
Relationship established. Faction: Crows. Status: Friendly.
Another notification appeared.
Crow Shop unlocked.
Malric raised an eyebrow.
That is actually interesting.
S.I.M.I.O. added.
Skill updated: Urban Lord. Now recognized by one of the most intelligent creatures in the urban ecosystem.
The lead crow tilted its head, seemingly satisfied.
Wise decision, human.
Malric muttered.
I hope so.
The crow spread its wings slightly.
We are now allies.
Malric sighed, feeling life never gave him a break.
Great. Allies with birds that want to rule the world.
S.I.M.I.O. responded calmly.
Notable progress.
Malric looked up at the sky, feeling his life had become a complete disaster.
My life is a disaster.
The lead crow let out another laugh, clearly entertained by the absurdity.
Relax, human.
Pause.
This has only just begun.
The crows kept watching him, but the tension had shifted. It was no longer a confrontation.
It was something worse.
An alliance.
Malric sighed, accepting the new reality.
I still can't believe I just accepted an alliance with birds.
S.I.M.I.O. replied.
Correction. Extremely intelligent birds.
Malric muttered.
That doesn't make it any better.
The lead crow hopped closer and perched on the edge of a container, staring at him intently.
Then it spoke once more in his mind.
Human.
Malric lifted his head, feeling the madness would never end.
Yes.
I must introduce myself.
Pause.
My name is…
A dramatic silence followed.
Princess.
Malric blinked, the absurdity hitting a new peak.
…
Princess?
Behind her, the other crows burst into laughter again.
Malric brought a hand to his face, feeling he had stepped into an even deeper mess.
This cannot be real.
S.I.M.I.O. responded.
Name registered.
Malric muttered.
Why does this kind of thing always happen to me?
Princess tilted her head.
It is a worthy name.
Malric sighed.
Sure. Very worthy.
Princess spread her wings slightly.
The alliance has been accepted.
But tonight is not the time for action.
Malric raised an eyebrow.
Then?
We will send one of our own.
Malric frowned.
A messenger?
An ally.
Pause.
It will be the first contact.
Malric crossed his arms, feeling he was stepping into unknown territory.
That sounds suspicious.
Princess continued.
We must solve one of your problems first.
Malric blinked, the situation becoming more intriguing.
Which one?
Princess tilted her head.
The pigeons.
The crows behind her laughed again.
Malric sighed.
Yeah. That is definitely a problem.
S.I.M.I.O. spoke immediately.
Confirmed.
The screen displayed a new notification.
Alliance benefit unlocked.
Malric raised an eyebrow.
That sounds promising.
New skill available: Corvid Intimidation.
Malric frowned.
What does that mean?
S.I.M.I.O. explained.
Pigeons naturally fear crows.
Malric smiled slightly, feeling a small ray of hope.
That actually sounds useful.
When active, pigeons will hesitate before attacking you.
Malric nodded.
I think I'm starting to see the benefits of this alliance.
Princess spoke again, her tone serious.
It is only the first step.
Malric crossed his arms.
I suppose it is.
Princess observed him for a few more seconds.
Then she spoke one final time.
Prepare yourself, human.
The game has only just begun.
Malric sighed, feeling the chaos was only starting to unfold.
Yeah. I've heard that before.
S.I.M.I.O. replied.
And you will keep hearing it.
The crows spread their wings. One by one, they took flight, disappearing into the night sky.
Malric stood alone in the alley, the weight of his new alliance settling over him.
My life is a disaster.
Princess turned in the air one last time, leaving Malric with the feeling that the worst was yet to come.
But there was also something strangely intriguing about it all.
With a deep breath, Malric muttered to himself.
This isn't over yet.