The day was already morning when the golden light pierced through the gaps of the leaves and touched my face. The cold air still embraced our small campsite, and the sound of the nearby river flowed gently as if waking me from a sleep that was far too short.
"Wake up quickly," Lyona's voice sounded clear, a bit sharp as usual.
I opened my eyes while rubbing my face. "Yeah… I'm up."
Lyona's white hair, tied back, shimmered softly under the morning light. That unusual hair color made her look different from anyone in the village. Maybe that was also the reason many people were wary of her—or rather, respected her.
As I got up and reached for the water pouch to wash my face, Lyona suddenly said, "I have a question for you."
I turned, confused. "What is it?"
She sat on a rock, arms crossed. "How old are you actually?"
I was silent for a few seconds. The question was simple, but it felt piercing. Memories from my old world appeared faintly. Dates? Years? The voices of my parents? Everything was blurry.
"I… maybe 18," I answered uncertainly. "As far as I know."
Lyona nodded slowly. "Then we're the same age. I'm also 18."
I blinked. "Seriously?"
She nodded again. Her white hair swayed lightly in the wind. "Yes. At least… that's the count given by the village elders. No one can be certain of someone's age after the mist devours some of the years."
I wanted to ask what she meant by "devoured by the mist," but Lyona was already standing.
"Pack up. Today we enter Verlyn. And I want to arrive before the gate gets crowded."
My stomach tightened. The first big city… and the place where I would register as an adventurer. A place where people's views of me might be worse than in the village.
We packed our things, extinguished the fire, then started walking toward the main road that descended toward the city.
---
Verlyn Gate
The closer we got, the more the city's bustle could be felt. The sound of cart wheels, merchants shouting, and the clashing of metal from training soldiers echoed loudly in the open air.
The city gate towered tall, made of gray stone with old symbols I didn't recognize. On both sides, guard towers stood firm, and soldiers in silver armor passed by with intimidating discipline.
Before entering the line, Lyona whispered sharply,
"Makoto, listen carefully. In Verlyn, mist-wanderers aren't liked. You must not use Flux at all. Don't get provoked, don't panic."
I swallowed. "Can they tell I'm a wanderer… just by looking?"
"They can," Lyona answered briefly. "Your movements, the scent of mist still clinging to your skin, the slight change in your eye color when Flux moves… all visible to trained eyes."
I felt nauseous hearing that.
But we continued forward.
The line was long, people carrying goods, weapons, and carts. Their gazes fell on Lyona first—her white hair made her easily recognizable. Some adventurers whispered,
"Lyona from the North… she returned."
But their gazes changed the moment they saw me beside her.
Wary. Cold. Evaluating.
An old woman even gripped her grandchild's hand tightly upon seeing me pass.
I could only bow my head.
The Flux inside my chest vibrated softly—a small instability that appeared whenever mental pressure increased.
Lyona glanced at me briefly. "Breathe. Set your rhythm. You've mastered your reflex; now control your mind."
I nodded even though my throat was dry.
---
Guard Inspection
When our turn came, two guards blocked the way. One of them stared at me sharply from behind his helmet.
"Name?" he asked.
"Makoto," I answered.
He raised a small crystal staff. The stone at its tip emitted a faint light when brought close to my chest and face.
The crystal reacted.
Not too bright, but… enough to make the guard's eyes narrow.
"Mist energy unstable. You're a wanderer, aren't you?" he said flatly.
I froze. Lyona immediately stepped forward.
"I am responsible for him. He is under my supervision."
"You sure?" asked the other guard. "Your white hair might make you special, but rules are rules."
Lyona stared straight into their eyes, her tone cold.
"We're heading to the guild. Any problems will be settled there."
The guard finally snorted. "Fine. But he will be monitored. Even a small problem—and he's out of the city."
I nodded quickly. "Understood."
The large gate opened for us.
And a new world stretched before us.
---
Verlyn—City of Two Sides
As soon as we entered, I was struck by the bustle unlike anything I had ever seen. Stone houses stood tightly packed, shops with hanging wooden signboards, the smell of baked bread mixing with the scent of oiled metal from workshops. The streets were crowded with people carrying weapons, maps, medicinal ingredients, even monster heads hung for sale.
But behind that liveliness…
Many eyes still stared at me with suspicion.
"Just ignore it," Lyona said without looking back. "Mist-wanderers are always considered ticking bombs. But remember… your reflex is your lifeline."
I only nodded.
We passed through the market when a large cart rushed too fast from the side.
"Hey! Move!" the driver shouted.
I hadn't even thought when my body moved on its own—stepping back quickly, turning my shoulder, then raising my hand. Flux appeared thinly, following the motion, like a faint protective layer.
The cart passed just inches from me.
I froze.
"That reflex again…"
Lyona smiled slightly. "That's your advantage. Your Flux is unstable… but your reflex response is extremely fast. It can become a great weapon if you train it."
For the first time since coming to this world, I felt… not entirely weak.
---
Toward the Verlyn Adventurer Guild
After crossing a large bridge toward the city center, the guild building came into view—grand, with a symbol of a sword and a circle of energy carved on the front wall.
Lyona stopped on the building's steps.
"Makoto," she said softly, "from here on… your life won't be like in the village. You're entering a world full of monsters, politics, and people who desire your power."
I took a deep breath. "I'm ready."
Lyona smiled slightly, her white hair blown by the wind.
"If so… let's go in."
And the guild doors opened.