When Finn's group reached the town, they used their masks to cover their faces. Instead of walking like normal mortals, they hid behind shadows. They hopped and jumped from one roof to another. And it was only possible since the houses here were almost the same height.
They needed to find information about the Four Arc Shadows, who escaped from the Aysgarth Prison. Day already oriented Finn about the four prisoners, and they just had to gather information from the townspeople.
"This is where we separate," Day said. "After an hour of gathering information, we'll get back here at this inn and discuss what we've gathered." Finn raised his hand. "No need to raise your hand. Just speak your mind."
Kiel snorted. "Are you in grade school?"
Finn ignored him. "Can we not use a disguise while gathering information? I think it'll be more effective for me to ask around instead."
Day nodded. "It's up to you on how you'll do it. Just don't get caught and act like a normal mortal." He nodded. "Any more questions?"
When Finn shook his head, they dispersed. Finn went to the east side of the town and removed his disguise. If he wanted to gather more information, he wanted to do it by blending in with the crowd. He might meet new people that could be helpful to him in the future.
He didn't forget to buy things he needed such as food and clothes. This was a better disguise than the mask and hood. He'd rather act as one of the people rather than a thief hiding, ready to steal anytime.
"Thief! Stop him!"
The entire marketplace erupted in shouts due to the cries of their companion. Some attempted to restrain the thief, but he was too aggressive for a child. He ran swiftly, and almost everyone gave up chasing him.
The boy was about to turn into an alley when a firm grip stopped him. Startled, he tried to break free from the hold on his arm, but it was too strong.
"Let me go! Let me go!" the boy shouted.
Finn forcefully took the boy's hand, examined what he stole, and chuckled. "Apples?" He sighed and sat down, motioning for the boy to join him. "Let's trade, shall we? Better give these to your brothers rather than stolen ones." Then he handed the kid a plastic bag.
Before the boy could respond, Finn had already left. The boy opened the plastic bag Finn gave him and found a loaf of bread inside. His brow furrowed.
"How did he know I have siblings?" he wondered.
Finn, not wasting any more time, approached a vendor to inquire about the Four Arc Shadows.
"Do you see that mountain? If you go there, you'll likely learn about Arc, whatever that is."
"Thank you." He handed a silver coin for the information and left. "One silver for that information? Tsk."
He proceeded to ask other vendors about the mentioned group. However, they all pointed to Nokogiri Mountain, the lowest and least inhabited mountain in Flexure.
Almost all mountains in Izvor were populated, especially by those whose livelihoods involved hunting and logging. Some mountains, though, were avoided due to superstitions. There were also rumors that people who went there never returned.
Finn hesitated about going to the mountain. He didn't want to go there and never come back. There were many things he still wanted to do before he died. But he needed to find Arc Shadows, no matter what.
As he turned into an alley, Finn felt someone following him. When he slowed down, the presence also did. He carefully felt it until he noticed it stopped. The person seemed to vanish from the surroundings, like he knew Finn already noticed him.
He let out a sigh of relief. "Does someone know about me now?" he whispered to himself. He just started his training, and he couldn't believe someone was following him already. This wasn't a good sign. He needed to go back as soon as possible.
When he was about to leave, a strong push knocked him to the ground. He winced in surprise and tried to get away, but the atta.cker was too strong for him. His face pressed on the dirty ground as the woman pushed him, Finn's arm twisted behind his back.
"Who are you? And what are you doing here?" a female voice whispered behind his ear.
"I just passed by because I was following someone. I'm not a bad person," Finn replied, groaning a little due to the woman's grip that was tightening. He coughed when dirt entered his mouth upon speaking.
The woman released her grip on Finn's arm and stepped back. "The man in black... were you following him?" she asked.
Finn looked at the one who asked and saw a woman slightly smaller than him with long, flowing hair. Due to the darkness, he couldn't see her face clearly, but she appeared to be around his age.
"Why were you following him?" she asked again.
Finn fixed his clothes, and dusted them off before he picked up his things scattered around. "He looked suspicious, so I followed him." The woman didn't bother apologizing, and that pissed off Finn. He knew it showed in his voice.
"Oh."
"Are you okay?" a man suddenly appeared behind the woman. "You shouldn't have bolted alone like that. The man might be dangerous.
"I'm okay," the woman answered. "But the man is gone."
"Who could that be?"
"I don't know, but I have an idea."
The man turned his attention to Finn upon noticing he was listening to their conversation. "And who is this man?"
The woman shook her head. "I don't know either. He was following the man earlier. I thought he was an accomplice, but his presence was too weak compared to the one we were chasing."
Staring at Finn, the man squinted his eyes. He scanned Finn's body, suspicion arising upon seeing the mortal.
"I suspect he's one of the members of Arc Shadows," Finn stated, trying to avoid the man's suspicious looks.
The two exchanged glances. "Arc Shadows?" the woman asked.
"Prisoners who escaped Aysgarth. Do you know them?"
The man answered, "Yes. We're also looking for information about that group."
"I'm leaving. I have something else to do," Finn excused himself.
"Wait, I didn't ask your name earlier," the woman asked.
"Finn. And you?"
"I'm Sphere and he's Jikan."