"Did you see where the giant monster went?" one of the officers asked, his sharp gaze locking onto Gray like a predator's, scrutinizing every single change of his expression.
Gray, trying to maintain a calm facade, handed over his guard token as proof of identity. "No, I didn't encounter anything unusual," he lied smoothly, his voice even.
He expected his token to smooth things over, granting him a hassle-free return to the city. But the officers didn't budge; their suspicious stares lingered like an unrelenting storm.
'Bastards,' Gray cursed silently, the comers of his mouth twitching. 'I'm part of the military too. Is this how they treat one of their own?'
One of the officers, a grizzled veteran with a scar running down his cheek, narrowed his eyes. "Did you encounter anyone from Fire Salamander City?" His tone was cold and cutting, as if testing Gray's loyalty.
