Ethan could be seen exiting the building, his face etched with frustration and sadness.
* Moments earlier *
*Knock* *Knock*
"Ava, are you awake? Please open the door, it's me," Ethan called out to his sister as he knocked.
There was no response from within.
*Knock* *Knock*
Still, silence was his only answer.
A sense of unease settled in Ethan's chest. He jiggled the doorknob again, hoping Ava had just fallen into a deep sleep after her emotional night.
But the door remained locked from the inside, much to his dismay.
"Ava, I'm heading out. Please open the door. I just want to make sure you're okay." He inhaled deeply and called out louder, hoping this would compel her to open up.
After waiting with no response from Ava, Ethan let out a long sigh and prepared to turn away.
But just as he was about to walk away, he heard the faintest shuffle on the other side of the door. A flicker of hope ignited within him.
Ethan sighed with relief when he heard the clicking sound of Ava unlocking the door. Moments later, another click heralded the door opening.
As the door swung open, he caught sight of Ava standing there, her appearance disheveled. Her face, streaked with dried tears and evidence of a night spent crying, bore a stark contrast to her usually neat appearance.
Ethan's heart sank at the sight of her rough state.
"Hey, Ava, I just wanted to check on you, see how you're doing, see if you need anything at all," Ethan said, his concern evident in his voice.
Ava's expression turned into a deep frown, her eyes locking onto Ethan's with a fierce glare.
"I don't need anything from you! GO AWAY! I DON'T WANT TO SEE YOU!!!" she yelled, her anger palpable as she slammed the door in his face and locked it once again.
Ethan stood there, taken aback. This was not the reaction he had anticipated from Ava.
He was too shocked to react, and before he could process the situation, Ava had locked herself in again, and he could hear her soft sobs through the door.
'Darn it, is she really this mad?' Ethan couldn't help but wonder.
This was the angriest he had ever seen Ava; it was truly surprising.
'It seems I shouldn't have checked on her; my presence only made things worse,' he thought as he turned to leave, walking toward the door to exit the apartment.
But as he reached the door, he hesitated.
After a brief pause, he turned and moved back toward the bedroom door.
Standing there, he felt a slow churn in his chest, hesitating once more.
Finally, he raised his hand and knocked again.
*Knock* *Knock*
As expected, there was no response, nothing but the sound of Ava's sobs.
Ethan heard nothing from the other side of the door—no rustling, no indication that Ava would respond to his knocking.
"Okay, Ava. I'll be back later. Take care of yourself, and please eat something," he said with a heavy heart, recognizing Ava wouldn't open the door for him. His voice carried a weight of concern as he spoke into the silence.
With those words hanging in the air, Ethan turned and walked away. He made his way to the living room, where he approached the sofa. There, he placed his hands on the left side, pulling out a bundle of cash. It was the money he had painstakingly saved for Ava's tuition at Silverdale Academy.
Ethan carefully counted out 50E₮ from the stash. He slipped 30E₮ into his pocket and left 20E₮ on the table. Beneath the money, he placed a note that simply read
"Take care of yourself."
After arranging the cash and the note, Ethan turned and left the building, his face shadowed by sorrow.
Ava's reaction that morning was a clear sign she was deeply wounded by the events of the previous day. Even after past disagreements, Ava's anger would dissipate overnight, replaced by her usual warmth and affection. Yet this morning was different.
For the first time, Ava had yelled at him. Her cry of "GO AWAY! I DON'T WANT TO SEE YOU!!!" still echoed in his ears, underscored by the trace of her morning breath.
*Sigh*
'This is going to be a long day,' Ethan thought as he started walking toward the Second District, known for its vibrant early morning and nighttime street food scene.
The area teemed with hunters who often rose at dawn to either accept a mission from the Hunters Guild or embark on a personal hunt.
Many hunters, pressed for time, skipped making breakfast to maximize their day's potential. Others, like Ethan, lacked culinary skills, relying instead on street vendors for sustenance before a day's hunt and following their evening return. Lunch was a meal often missed, as the day was dedicated to the hunt with no time spared for eating.
It was barely 7 a.m., and the Third District was mostly empty, save for a few unawakened souls like Ethan hurrying toward the various Hunters Guild buildings. They were either fulfilling porter missions or seeking hunters in need of their services.
Ethan paid them no mind as he continued on his solitary path. He was a loner by nature, seldom engaging with others, so his solitary figure was a common sight.
Upon reaching the Second District around 8 a.m., the sun was already well into the sky, casting a fiery orange glow over the bustling streets below. The district was alive with activity, in stark contrast to the quiet of the Third District.
Ethan observed the throng of people clad in armor, weapons of all kinds strapped to their bodies—axes, firearms, swords, and more. They moved with an air of casual determination, some heading towards street vendors to buy their morning meal, while others settled in spots to enjoy their food and the lively atmosphere of the district.
Some impatient ones held their food in their hands eating it as they continued on their journey toward their destination.