The tunnel did not end suddenly. It stretched long, silent, suffocating. Roma ran until his lungs burned, until his legs trembled, until even fear dulled under exhaustion. Riz's unconscious body weighed heavily on his back, each step reminding him that this wasn't over. Behind them there were no footsteps, no pursuit, but that didn't mean safety. "…Keep going," Roma muttered. "I am going," Arun replied, equally exhausted.
At last, a faint light appeared ahead.
They stepped out.
Fresh air hit them like a shock. Roma staggered slightly as he emerged from the hidden exit concealed among rocks and wild grass. The sky stretched wide above them, pale blue with drifting clouds, so calm it felt unreal after everything they had just endured. Riz shifted faintly on his back. Alive. That was enough.
They didn't stop. They followed the path downhill, then along a dirt road that slowly widened. The wilderness gave way to signs of life—footprints, cart tracks, scattered huts. Then they saw it.
A massive walled city stood in the distance, its stone walls rising high and thick, weathered by years yet still imposing. Guard towers lined the perimeter, banners fluttering lazily in the wind. Inside, the city spread in layered density, rooftops packed tightly together, narrow streets winding like veins. Tall pagoda-like structures rose near the center, elegant and commanding, while a river cut through the city, crossed by arched bridges. Outside the walls, farmland stretched endlessly in neat rows, peaceful and orderly.
Roma stared at it. "…People actually live normally here?" Arun glanced at him. "That's what cities are for." "…Feels fake."
They entered through the main gate, and the difference struck instantly. Noise. Life. Movement. Merchants shouted, children ran, carts rolled past, people argued and laughed as if the world beyond the walls didn't exist. No one looked at them twice. No one cared.
Roma exhaled slowly. "…We made it."
First priority—Riz.
They asked around and were directed to a local physician. The clinic was small but clean, filled with the faint smell of herbs. An elderly man examined Riz carefully, hands steady, expression neutral. "…Severe internal damage," he muttered, "but not fatal." Roma nearly collapsed in relief. "He'll live?" Arun asked. "He'll live," the doctor confirmed. "But he needs rest. And medicine."
Roma didn't hesitate. He reached into the spatial pouch and opened it properly for the first time. Inside, space expanded far beyond its size, shelves and containers neatly arranged, even a small pile of coins stored within. Roma's eyes widened. Jackpot. He quickly took out money and paid the doctor without hesitation. For once, spending felt right.
After treatment, Riz was stabilized, bandaged, given medicine. Still unconscious, but breathing steadily.
Next—shelter.
They found a small inn nearby. Nothing fancy, just a slightly worn wooden structure. Cheap. Perfect.
"One room," Roma said immediately. Arun glanced at him. "We can afford two." Roma shook his head. "Waste of money." "…You have a spatial pouch." "Exactly why we shouldn't waste money."
They got one room. Simple. Two beds, a small table, one window. Roma carefully placed Riz on one bed, then collapsed onto the other.
Silence.
For the first time in what felt like forever, there was no fighting, no killing, no immediate fear of death. Roma stared at the ceiling. "…We're alive." Arun sat quietly nearby. "…We are."
Hours passed.
Then Riz moved.
His fingers twitched. His breathing shifted. Slowly, his eyes opened. Confusion lingered for a moment, then memory returned.
"…Brother…"
He sat up suddenly, ignoring the pain that followed. His eyes darted around. "…Where is he?"
Silence.
Riz looked at Roma, then Arun, then back again. "…Where is he?"
No one answered.
"…Where is Dharan?"
Roma sat up slowly. "…He—"
"WHY DID YOU LEAVE HIM?!"
The shout exploded through the room. Riz's eyes turned red instantly. "You said you'd help! You said—!" His voice broke. "You just ran?!"
Roma froze. Arun stayed silent.
"You could have done something!" Riz continued, voice shaking violently. "You could have helped him! You just left him there to die!"
Roma clenched his fists but didn't argue, didn't defend himself.
Riz laughed bitterly. "…Cowards."
Then his voice collapsed. "…Cowards…" Tears fell as he turned away, shoulders trembling. "…He was alone…"
Silence filled the room.
Roma knew it he was coward, he was weak, actually he himself was very much frustrated. Why do all protagonist seem to be Gods, can do anything, whatever they wish happens, luck helps them, they become strong quickly, what about him, 23-year-old bandit, its ok but he is still not strong. He was still not brave but he has something now, something very much important, he has a purpose now and he will do anything for that purpose not just empty words. He will become strong from now on stand on the pinnacle, its not daydream, he is confident and he has the gift of system.
Roma watched, waiting, not interrupting. Minutes passed. Riz's crying slowed, then faded. He sat there quietly, head lowered, eyes empty.
"…He knew," Riz said softly.
Roma looked at him.
"He knew he was going to die," Riz continued. "He knew… and still…" His voice trembled again. "…Still sent me away."
Silence.
Riz wiped his face roughly. "…Idiot." But there was no anger left in it, only grief. Then he went quiet.
Roma exhaled slowly. "…He didn't die for nothing."
Riz didn't respond.
"He spent years planning that," Roma continued. "Not for himself." A pause. "…For you."
Riz's fingers tightened slightly.
"He couldn't escape," Roma said. "But you could." Still no response. "So he made sure you would."
Silence.
Roma leaned forward slightly. "…If you go back now, if you throw that away… then what was the point?"
Riz's breathing grew heavier.
"…He sacrificed everything," Roma said quietly. "For your freedom."
A long silence followed.
"…I know."
Riz's voice was low.
"…I know…"
He didn't cry this time. He just sat there, still.
Roma nodded slightly, then after a moment spoke again. "…Join us."
Riz looked up.
"The Association."
A pause.
"We don't have much," Roma continued. "No power. No backing." A small smile appeared. "…Barely even a proper plan." Arun glanced at him. "…That's true." Roma ignored him. "But we have one thing."
He leaned back slightly. "…A purpose."
Riz didn't interrupt.
"We save people like you," Roma said. "People like Dharan." Silence. "We don't take jobs that are wrong. We don't kill for money. We don't follow clans that use people."
His voice grew steadier. "We choose what's right."
A pause.
"And we survive."
Riz stared at him. "…You couldn't even fight," he said quietly.
Roma nodded immediately. "Correct."
"…You ran."
"Yes."
"…You're weak."
"Also correct."
Riz blinked. "…Then why—"
"Because I'm alive."
The answer came instantly.
Roma leaned forward. "And so are you."
Silence.
"That's enough for now," Roma said.
A long pause followed. Riz looked down, then at his hands, then at nothing.
"…What do I have to do?"
Roma's eyes sharpened slightly. "Say it."
Riz frowned. "…What line?"
Roma pointed at him. "Say you'll join."
Riz stared at him for a few seconds, then said quietly, "…Yes, I will join your group."
Silence.
Roma froze. Then inside him, something shifted. The system reacted.
Roma smiled. "…Welcome."
Arun nodded proudly.
Riz didn't respond, but for the first time, he didn't look lost.
[System Notification]
Member Added: Riz
Loyalty Increased: +5
Current Loyalty: 5/100
Roma's breath hitched slightly.
Then—
[Ability Copied]
New Skill Obtained: Doctor
Roma blinked.
…Doctor skill?
He slowly looked at Riz.
Then at Arun.
"…Welcome."
Arun nodded proudly.
Riz didn't respond, but for the first time, he didn't look lost.
Outside, the city continued as always—alive, unaware. Inside the small room, a group had formed. Not strong, not powerful, but something had begun.
To be continued… 🔥