The city looked the same.
The streets of Vailor were full, commerce active, the flow of adventurers constant. Nothing out of the ordinary at first glance.
But it didn't take long for me to notice.
The looks.
They weren't like before.
Some were too quick, turning away as soon as I noticed. Others lingered a bit longer, analyzing, as if confirming something.
And there were also the whispers.
Low.
But present.
"Did you notice?" Lyannis asked beside me, with a slight smile.
"Yes."
"Took you long enough."
"I was just ignoring it."
She let out a short laugh.
"You can't ignore it anymore."
Liriel walked on the other side, expression closed.
"They're talking too much."
"Let them talk," I said.
"It's not just talking," Vespera commented, without looking directly at anyone. "It's the tone."
Elara agreed.
"It's not admiration."
"Nor respect," Liriel added.
Scarlett was a bit behind.
Silent.
Observing.
She didn't say anything, but her posture already showed it.
She was uncomfortable.
Rai'kanna, on the other hand, seemed indifferent.
Or she was pretending well.
"If that's their problem, then they're weak," she said.
Lyannis smiled.
"I like that point of view."
We kept walking.
But the further we went through the main streets, the more evident it became.
A group of adventurers stopped talking when we passed.
Another disguised it.
A third didn't even try to hide it.
"It's him."
"Yeah, that one."
"With all of them…"
The voice dropped when they realized I had heard.
I stopped.
Not out of anger.
But for confirmation.
They went rigid.
No one said anything else.
I kept walking.
Without saying anything.
Behind me, I felt the tension rise.
Liriel was clearly annoyed.
"This is crossing the line."
"Not yet."
"How long are you going to wait?"
"Until it's necessary."
Elara glanced lightly at me.
"You already know what they're saying."
"Yes."
Lyannis answered for me.
"Of course he knows."
Rai'kanna crossed her arms.
"And he doesn't care."
"Correct."
Scarlett finally spoke.
Quietly.
"But this can grow."
I looked at her.
She avoided direct contact for a second, then held it.
"I'm not worried about them," I said. "I'm observing."
"Observing what?" Liriel asked.
"Who talks."
Silence.
Vespera understood first.
"You're sorting them."
"Yes."
"Interesting," she said.
Lyannis laughed softly.
"So this turned into a test?"
"Everything does."
We kept walking.
We entered a narrower street, less crowded.
The noise decreased.
But didn't disappear.
This time, it came clearer.
"He must be taking advantage."
"Obviously."
"Look at his group…"
"He's not even trying to hide it."
Liriel stopped.
This time, before me.
"Enough."
Her voice was firm.
I raised my hand slightly.
She looked.
I shook my head.
"Not yet."
She took a deep breath.
But stepped back.
Scarlett lightly clenched her hands.
Rai'kanna just watched.
As if waiting for something more interesting to happen.
Elara analyzed in silence.
Vespera kept her attention on the surroundings.
Lyannis… almost seemed amused.
"This is getting better than I expected," she said.
"It's not," Liriel replied.
"It is."
I kept walking.
Without hurry.
Without deviation.
The looks continued.
But now… more careful.
They noticed.
I was listening.
And that changed their behavior.
"It's going to explode at some point," Scarlett said.
"It will," I replied.
"Do you intend to do something?"
"Yes."
"When?"
"When they stop talking in hiding."
Lyannis smiled.
"Ah… so you want them to say it to your face."
"Yes."
Rai'kanna let out a slight laugh.
"That I want to see."
Liriel crossed her arms.
"I don't have that kind of patience."
"I know."
Elara spoke calmly.
"But it's more efficient this way."
Vespera agreed.
"Direct exposure."
Scarlett fell silent again.
But this time… different.
Less discomfort.
More attention.
More understanding.
We reached the guild entrance.
The movement there was heavier.
More adventurers.
More voices.
More… opportunities.
I stopped for a moment before entering.
Looked around.
Several familiar faces.
Some turned away.
Others pretended not to see.
But a few… held the gaze.
Memorized.
"You already chose," Liriel said.
"Yes."
"Who?"
"The ones who didn't look away."
Rai'kanna smiled.
"Then this will be interesting."
Lyannis tilted her head.
"You really turn everything into a game."
"It's not a game."
"Then what is it?"
"Pattern."
Vespera nodded.
"Makes sense."
Scarlett took a deep breath.
"So this will get worse before it gets better."
"Yes."
Elara added.
"But then it stabilizes."
I started walking again.
This time, entering the guild.
The sound increased.
Conversations.
Footsteps.
Metal.
Routine.
But now… different.
Heavier.
More charged.
More attentive.
I didn't need to look.
The voices were there.
Scattered.
Disguised.
But present.
And I knew.
This wouldn't stop on its own.
And it shouldn't.
Because this time…
I wouldn't ignore it.
The whispers had begun.
And soon…
they would need an answer.