Leon stepped out of the bath, feeling both physically and mentally refreshed. The warm water had worked wonders on his body.
After getting dressed, Leon made his way back to the inn.
The innkeeper, a middle-aged man with graying hair and a friendly smile, looked up from polishing a mug as Leon approached the counter.
"Heya," Leon said, trying to keep the awkwardness out of his voice. "I'm headed to Magnolia, but I was wondering... how do I get there?"
The innkeeper raised an eyebrow, clearly used to travelers asking for directions. "Well, you've got a couple of options. You could take the train, but it's about a day's ride from here. The station's in the southern part of Hargeon, not too far."
Leon nodded, already anticipating the next part of the conversation. "And how much would that be?"
The innkeeper didn't answer right away, as if he could already tell where this was going. He gave Leon a sympathetic glance, a subtle shift in his posture. "The train's a few hundred jewels, depending on the class you pick."
Leon froze. A few hundred? That was... beyond his reach.
"Right," he muttered under his breath, running a hand through his hair. He had no idea what he was going to do now.
The innkeeper seemed to sense his frustration. He placed the mug down on the counter with a soft clink. "Well, if you're short on cash, there's always the old-fashioned way." He leaned in slightly, lowering his voice. "You can always walk. It's about a two-day journey north, but if you follow the main roads, it's not too bad. You can camp along the way or stop in some of the smaller towns. You won't get there as fast, but it's free."
Leon considered the option, weighing the pros and cons. The idea of walking for two days didn't exactly thrill him, but it was better than nothing.
"Alright," Leon said, trying to sound more confident than he felt. "I'll take the walk." He paused, feeling a little sheepish. "Thanks. I guess I'll just get my stuff and head out."
The innkeeper gave him a small nod. "You'll need to head north. Keep your eyes on the road, and be careful of the wild monsters. You know how it is around here."
Leon nodded back, a grateful smile tugging at his lips. "I'll be fine. Thanks again."
The innkeeper waved him off with a chuckle. "No problem, kid. Safe travels."
With a deep breath, Leon stepped out into the bustling streets of Hargeon, the sun already climbing high in the sky.
And so, with no money, no map, and only the faintest idea of what lay ahead, all he had to do was walk.
He took a quick glance at the few jewels still left in his pocket. I never thought I'd be this broke. He thought, his mind already turning practical.
He headed for the nearest market stall, his eyes scanning for something that could help him along the way. It didn't take long before he found what he was looking for.
A vendor with a small wooden cart selling bottles of water caught his eye. Leon approached, pulling out a couple of jewels from his pocket. "How much for a bottle?" he asked, his tone casual but firm.
"Two jewels," the vendor answered with a friendly smile, holding out a cold bottle.
Leon nodded, handing over the two jewels without hesitation. It was a simple purchase, but it felt like a small victory. Water. Something to keep him hydrated as he began his long trek to Magnolia. No guarantees on food, but at least he'd have something to drink.
Now, for food... He thought, glancing around the market for anything that caught his eye. Unfortunately, he has no money left to buy. That left him with one option. Hunt.
He knew the woods wouldn't be far. Wild animals, monsters, or whatever the locals called them—he'd deal with it like he always did after all he had the shadow at his disposal.
He slipped the bottle of water into his bag and started walking, leaving the market behind. The streets of Hargeon quickly faded as he made his way towards the road.
The further he walked, the quieter it got. The sounds of the town faded behind him, replaced by the occasional rustling of leaves and the chirping of birds. The road was empty now, with only the occasional traveler passing by in the opposite direction.
As he neared the forest, he noticed the trees getting denser. A flicker of motion caught his eye—a small animal darting through the underbrush. Leon's instincts kicked in immediately. He moved quietly, blending into the shadows, his steps silent as he crept toward his prey.
Leon crouched down, focusing. The shadows around him thickened, wrapping themselves around his body, blending into the environment. He wasn't just trying to sneak up on the animal—he was trying to get a feel for the shadows, to use them more effectively in ways he hadn't yet fully mastered.
The animal—a rabbit, he realized—was busy nibbling on the grass, unaware of the approaching danger. Leon let the shadows creep closer, ready to strike.
This should work, he thought, taking a deep breath.
With a sudden motion, he sent the shadows forward, wrapping them around the rabbit before it could escape. The creature struggled for a moment, but Leon quickly subdued it, pulling it towards him.
He exhaled, a slight sense of pride rising in his chest. He had food for the journey.
After a moment of catching his breath, Leon quickly dispatched the rabbit, using his powers to manipulate the shadows to clean and prepare it for cooking. It wasn't going to be a gourmet meal by any means, but he'd made do with what he had.
As the rabbit began to roast over the small fire he'd managed to start with some makeshift kindling, Leon leaned back, letting the heat of the flames warm his hands.
—
The smell of roasted rabbit still lingered faintly on his clothes as Leon continued his journey north. The sun had shifted further across the sky, signaling that noon was creeping closer, and his legs were already beginning to feel the strain of walking miles on uneven terrain.
That's when he heard it—the slow creak of wheels and the steady clop of hooves on the dirt road.
Leon turned toward the sound and spotted a small cart making its way down the road. It was drawn by a sturdy-looking brown horse and steered by a middle-aged man with a thick beard, sun-weathered skin, and a floppy hat that looked like it had seen better days. The cart was loaded with crates and barrels, tied down with thick rope and rattling with each bump in the road.
"Ho there!" the merchant called out as he spotted Leon trudging along. "You headed north?"
Leon raised a hand in greeting and nodded. "Yeah."
The merchant pulled the reins, bringing the cart to a slow stop. "Well, ain't that something. Not too many travelers walking this route solo. Dangerous stuff out here, kid."
"Yeah, I noticed," Leon said with a half-smile. "Had no choice, lost all my money so I couldn't take the train"
"Ahh. I understand." The merchant gave a low chuckle. "Name's Baro. I'm hauling these crates toward a town called Beran, just off the main route to Magnolia. Not quite where you're headed, but it'll cut your walking time down by a good bit, if you don't mind ridin' with a bunch of onions and salted meat."
Leon hesitated for only a second. He wasn't one to accept help easily, especially from strangers, but the idea of resting his legs and gaining even a little distance toward Magnolia was too tempting to pass up.
"I'll take that over walking all day," he said. "Thanks. I'm Leon."
Baro grinned and gestured to the back of the cart. "Hop in, Leon. Just don't crush the apples. They're the only things not trying to ferment in this heat."
Leon climbed aboard, carefully settling between a stack of crates and a sack that smelled suspiciously like potatoes gone rogue. The wooden boards creaked under him, but it was a welcome relief from walking.