Nile's hands balled into fists as he listened, his rage bubbling beneath the surface. Frost… dead? He refused to believe it. Without thinking, Nile took a step forward, but Veena's hand on his shoulder held him back.
The boy's voice rang out, breaking the tense silence. "You're wrong," he said firmly, his voice steady despite the quiver in his tone. "Frost hasn't fallen. He willingly released his mark from the Market Pillar because our new master is coming to take over this shop."
The old man's eyes narrowed in confusion. "New master?"
The boy turned his gaze to Nile, freezing him in place. "Master Nile is here now. He's the rightful owner of this shop, and you won't take anything from him."
The old man's greedy calculations faltered for a moment, only to be replaced by fury. "You think some brat can claim ownership of this place? Frost is gone, and without his imprint, this shop is mine!"
Nile took a deep breath, his hesitation fading as his resolve hardened. "If this shop is mine," he said, stepping forward, "then you have no right to be here. Leave now, or you'll regret it."
The guards shifted uneasily. While the old man's greed fueled his confidence, the boy's mention of a new master and Nile's calm defiance hinted at something more. And Frost's name, even in absence, still carried weight.
The room bristled with tension as everyone awaited the next move.
The tension in the shop was at its peak when the door creaked open again, and a calm yet commanding voice cut through the air.
"All this commotion so early in the morning? What's going on here?"
Everyone turned to see a man in his early twenties step into the shop. His tall, athletic frame and sharp features instantly drew attention, but it was the aura of confidence he carried that sent a wave of unease through the old fat man and his guards.
The young man's outfit marked him as an adventurer—a worn but sturdy cloak draped over his shoulders, and his leather armor bore the emblem of the Adventurer's Association. His presence exuded an unmistakable power, one that hinted at his formidable skills and experience.
The old fat man and his guards stiffened immediately, their faces paling as recognition dawned on them. This was no ordinary adventurer.
He wasn't just a grade 4 adventurer—one of the highest ranks attainable in the Adventurer's Association—but he was also the youngest in both the town and the city associated with it. His reputation preceded him, and even the most reckless dared not provoke him.
The worker boy and girl, however, visibly relaxed at his arrival. "Good morning, sir!" they greeted in unison, their voices tinged with relief.
The boy continued, "Your stones are ready, fully recharged." He gestured toward a small pouch on the counter.
The girl, however, took a different tone. Pouting, she crossed her arms and pointed at the fat man. "But before that, can you believe this scene? This old man's been causing trouble since morning, threatening us and everything!"
Her tone carried the familiarity of someone talking to a close friend—or even more.
The adventurer's sharp gaze swept over the room, lingering on the trembling fat man. His brows furrowed as he took in the situation. "Trouble, huh?" he asked, his voice calm but laced with a quiet menace.
The fat man's knees wobbled, and his guards looked away, suddenly very interested in the floor.
The boy, on the other hand, shot his sister an irritated look. "Could you stop whining like that? You're embarrassing yourself!"
The girl glared back, unfazed. "I'm just stating facts! What's your problem?"
Ignoring their sibling bickering, the adventurer's eyes shifted to the workers, then to Veena, who was now standing near Nile. His expression softened slightly as recognition flickered across his face.
"Veena?" he asked, his voice tinged with surprise.
Veena smiled warmly. "It's been a while," she said.
The man's confident demeanor faltered for a moment, and a faint flush crept up his neck. It was clear to everyone in the room—especially Veena—that he remembered her. She had been his childhood crush, a fact that hadn't gone unnoticed by others in their village, and one he had been teased about relentlessly.
Veena's smile widened as she introduced him to the group. "Nile, Jessica, this is Zane. He's from our village, though I don't think you've met before."
Nile nodded, sizing Zane up. He seemed strong—remarkably strong.
Zane's gaze shifted to Nile, and he smiled. "So, you're Veena's son? Nice to meet you."
Before the conversation could continue, the fat man's trembling voice interrupted. "I-I didn't mean to cause trouble, sir. I-I was just leaving…"
Zane's expression hardened as he looked back at the fat man. "Leaving? After threatening these two kids and causing a scene in someone else's shop?"
The girl's pout turned into a smug grin as she watched the fat man squirm.
Zane stepped forward, his tone dropping dangerously low. "I think you should apologize before you go."
The fat man's face turned white as a sheet, and he stammered out an apology to the workers, his guards following suit. Without waiting for further permission, they shuffled out of the shop, their tails between their legs.
The atmosphere lightened instantly, and the boy let out a relieved sigh. The girl, meanwhile, looked up at Zane with sparkling eyes. "Thank you, Zane! You're the best!"
Zane raised an eyebrow. "Yeah, yeah. Just stop causing trouble for your brother, will you?"
The girl pouted again but didn't argue.
As the tension settled, Nile couldn't help but be impressed by Zane's presence and the way he handled the situation. This man wasn't just powerful; he was someone worth admiring—and perhaps even learning from.
After the tension in the shop subsided, the boy and girl quickly began arranging a table with sweets and drinks, eager to serve their guests. Despite their earlier bickering, they worked together seamlessly, their movements efficient and practiced.
"Please, have a seat," the boy said, gesturing to the chairs they had set up around the table.
Everyone settled down, with Zane taking a seat directly across from Veena. The relaxed atmosphere allowed them to finally catch their breath and share a moment of levity.