It is already quite late in the evening when I reached Twilight City. I dropped in an unpopulated forest far from the eyes of people and left the Gryphon there because the sight of Royal Gryphon can cause an uproar in the city. I was also wearing a disguise to avoid any commotion because of my status.
The last thing I want to happen is letting the King know that I detoured here.
I should say-- There is a lot of people still running on the streets this late. All the shops and facilities were also opened which was something that only occurred during festive days.
As much as Twilight City is known for its beautiful nights, I cannot see a sign of it. Everywhere I look, dazzling lights shine up the surroundings. It was lively like the middle of the day.
My first stop and last stop for this day would be an inn which stands out in the block. The long travel made me tired somewhat and the last time I ate was before departing. It was obvious that I wanted to sleep.
"Is there any room available?"
"We only have Luxury rooms left."
"I'll take that."
As the attendant, he leads the way to my room. While he guides me, I cannot help but notice the people who were walking outside the window.
Injured after injured, the next person was somehow more hurt than the previous one. There were many that were barely looking alive that I will not be surprised is any of them suddenly fell unconscious.
"Do those people realize that they need medication as soon as possible?"
I ask the receptionist who looked calm even after seeing all these people.
"Don't worry sir, they have no problem at all. Travellers are quite known for their invulnerability. I heard that even if they died, they return and act as if nothing happened. But most of the time, they have a sour mood when I met them again."
"That's interesting. I want to talk to one."
"I believe that it's not a good idea, sir."
"Why?"
"Besides that, almost all of them are difficult to talk to, it's impossible to have a conversation in the first place."
His answer made me more curious, but I'll have my answers tomorrow. For now, a good night rest is what I want.
I hopped over the king-sized bed. I did not even have a second of contemplation before falling asleep.
I cannot remember when I got hit by fatigue this hard. The possibility of having the answers to my questions may be the reason to do so that is why I felt somewhat relaxed when I have the time to rest.
*zZzZz*
…
"What did you read about the outside world?"
"…"
"I wished it were like what you read. Many would kill for the opportunity given to you. Why do you hate this place?"
…
"This is Utopia. Nothing is better than this. What do you find lacking?"
"…"
"Why did you do it, Walker?"
…
What a horrible dream.
I woke to gasp for breath while trying to recall what just happened. It seems so recent, but why do I feel like it was forever since I heard those voices. It is not like I wanted to hear or remember it, but now it just made my day begin in an awful note.
"Walker… A name I haven't heard for a while."
Nevertheless, I prepared myself to interact with the people so-called Travellers. Now that I have a clearer thought process, I can imagine already the conversation becoming tiring.
If they act like what that guy told me, it would be worse. If it were not for the fact, they are a strange and interesting group of people, I would never be here in the first place.
'They were barely any information about them in the books. Where do I even start?'
The most obvious would be going to the most populated places with Travellers. These were within the perimeter outside of the city. So I wore my black cloak and went out. When I arrived at the scene, The Travellers were busy hunting pests with groups that could be compared to the number of military in a city. Maybe I could grab one and interview them.
"Strike after tanks open up the front!"
"Don't let it get away. It's almost at its rage mode"
"Let's roll for who gets it."
Terms I never heard before keeps popping out when I eavesdrop the group of Travellers fighting with an ogre. I observed them for a while, their actions, their language, their behaviour, and their appearance hoping to engage with one flawlessly.
Among the tens of Travellers I saw fighting, none of them looks exceptional in combat. Many were clumsy in attacking and defending their ground.
This has resulted in many deaths that were avoidable a ten out of ten times. But they do not seem to mind it even after their companion die. Their immortality might be the reason why.
"Damn it! He called reinforcement."
A shrieking shout among one of the dying group caught my attention. They were quickly surrounded by forest snakes. From the looks of it, a wipeout is inevitable, so I went to help them in an attempt to get their good side.
"Hey! What the hell are you doing! Don't steal our prey!"
"I'm here to help."
"We don't need it. Get out before you steal our experience or else, we will bring you down."
"…"
'Was being angry really necessary when I was just trying to help? What is this experience they are talking about that they hated me for it? Why am I even trying?'
I tried to help another group who looks in trouble, but the same result happened. The gossip about Travellers must be true. They are hard to talk to.
And not only that, both people I met today have the most awful attitude.
Some of them might not be as awful as those people, but the damage has already been done. Those two people have dampened my spirits to the point that I want to be alone at the moment.
Maybe this place is not the best to talk to people. Fighting and all must have disturbed their inner peace. That must be it.
My excitement at meeting one has faded my reasoning in meeting with new people. Those rejections have poured water at my flame. Social interaction was never my strong point. I do not even know how to start a conversation.
But no matter how many excuses I made, in the end, I was unsuccessful in my trip this morning.
"Time to go back to the city plaza, I guess. Maybe I'll have a better chance of meeting one properly."