Gaya was immediately released and bolted from the Dragon of the East, clutching the bag across her shoulder with a racing heart before she vanished.

She considered the possibilities that the man wouldn't have known a dragon was inside the bag. There were none! He was far too sharp to let such a thing slip past him, and he wasn't remotely kind either.

So the fact that he'd released her was either because the chase meant little to him, or he was simply bored at the time. Maybe he was merciful enough to let her go. But Gaya refused to reach such a conclusion.

She made her way back to Vel'Rhameir, and after several hours of walking following a long-distance teleport, she reunited with Lucien, who had retrieved her steed and used it to escape as swiftly as possible.

Now, however, Lucien walked beside the steed with Gaya perched upon it. The Horned Stallion was utterly exhausted, so they had to maintain a steady pace.

As they traveled, Lucien encountered groups of people who glanced their way and offered greetings. Most were in their twenties and thirties—players, of course.

Seeing them reminded Lucien once again that this was a game. He desperately wanted to forget his harrowing experience from just hours ago, but such memories proved impossible to shake. Especially when he truly could have died.

He smiled whenever they greeted them. It helped distract him from his traumatic thoughts.

Eventually, he had to accept that the ordeal was over—finished. He had survived somehow. Now, the real problem was his current predicament.

Since their reunion, Gaya hadn't uttered a single word. He'd expected her to unleash a torrent of curses or explode with fury. Instead, she appeared remarkably calm and composed. Too calm, in fact, and it unnerved Lucien tremendously.

After several moments of intense deliberation, Lucien finally released a sigh and spoke.

"You know... your silence is absolutely killing me."

Gaya raised her brows and gazed at him with feigned innocence.

"Oh. How so?"

Lucien felt pain as if someone had driven a stake through his heart. Suddenly, words abandoned him entirely. Yet with what little he could muster, he responded.

"It's just... I expected you to nag or something. You seem awfully calm."

Gaya smiled with her eyes closed.

"Will you let me kill you then?"

Lucien's answer came lightning-fast.

"No!"

Gaya tilted her head.

"I thought so. Then why are you complaining? For a moment, I thought you were desperate to die."

Her eyes remained closed as she spoke, but Lucien couldn't shake the feeling that he was trapped beneath one crushing, merciless gaze.

He faced forward and shook his head.

"You know what... forget I ever said anything."

Gaya turned forward as well. They spent the remainder of their journey in silence, and at sunset, they found shelter for the night.

At dawn, they resumed their journey, and by morning they had reached Rhamira thanks to their increased pace.

Upon entering the city, they headed straight to the merchant guild, where Lady Varlyeth received them.

The first thing Lucien did was eat; afterward, he took a much-needed shower. He was given a room in the merchant guild, where he collapsed and slept for the entire day.

When he awakened, a blonde-haired woman sat in the chair facing his bed, legs crossed. She was gently stroking an obsidian dragon curled upon her thighs.

As he opened his eyes, it took time for awareness to return, but as soon as memories of the past four days crystallized, he slowly sat up and regarded her.

The two stared at each other for a long moment before Lucien finally spoke.

"I should have informed you before going out. It was the decent thing to do, considering we were companions. But you were busy, and I didn't want to disturb you. It was the Guild hall, so I never imagined there would be any danger. Plus, who would have thought they'd track me down within five hours?"

Gaya ceased stroking the dragon's head and stared ahead with a wicked glint in her eyes.

"The lady—was she a Player?"

Lucien nodded.

"I think so..."

Gaya's eyes sharpened like blades.

"I will find her. And I will kill her until she never returns."

Then she rose to her feet.

"The Guildmaster said he had something to give you. What would that be?"

Lucien gasped.

"Ah! That would most likely be the payment and identity card. I also received a quest from him, so we'll be departing soon."

Gaya studied him.

"Afterward, we should return little Valerie to the Magic Academy before heading out of the city."

Lucien nodded in agreement before both of them stepped out of the room together.

Lucien immediately made his way to the Adventurer's Guild, which lay several streets away from the merchant guild—three streets distant, in the heart of the Civitas Ward.

The moment Lucien entered the hall, Adrian, who was pouring drinks, lifted his head. He quickly abandoned the bottle and rushed toward Lucien.

"Oh, bless the gods, Cien! I was so worried about you."

Lucien regarded him with an amused smile. Meanwhile, the handsome bartender looked puzzled.

"What is... why are you smiling?"

Lucien shook his head.

"It's just endearing to see you worried about me. I haven't encountered many people who worry about me. You make the second person."

Adrian chuckled dryly.

"I'm sure your father and mother worry greatly about you every day, like mine do. Haha."

Lucien glanced away briefly, his eyes seeming distant for a moment before he widened his smile and shook his head slightly.

"I'm sure my father doesn't. As for my mother, well, she's not in a position to worry, actually."

Adrian looked at him with concern.

"Hm... is she sick?"

Lucien shook his head.

"She kind of hates us."

Adrian stared at Lucien with serious, bewildered eyes.

Suddenly Lucien burst out laughing and slapped his shoulder.

"Come on, I was merely teasing you! Why the grave face?"

Adrian exhaled with relief.

"I was beginning to get terrified for you, Cien. Really, your jokes are far too costly."

Lucien grinned widely.

"Thank goodness you're wealthy. Please take me to the Guildmaster."

"You've come for your identity card, right? Follow me."

The two chatted animatedly as they climbed the building's stairs.