The journey to the capital had been long, and Rui could feel the exhaustion from days of traveling beginning to catch up with him. The road from the Beast's Domain was dangerous, and the group had pushed forward as quickly as possible, avoiding any prolonged stops. The sun was setting as they neared a small village at the edge of the forest, the last place before they would enter the heart of the Central Continent. The villagers here lived simple lives, and the area was far from the chaos of the Beast's Domain, but still very much on the edge of civilization.
As the group approached the village, Fenrir gave the signal to make camp for the night. The journey had been taxing, and they needed rest before continuing to the capital the next morning. The small inn in the village, a humble structure made of stone and wood, was the perfect place to take shelter for the night. The building was rustic but warm, with a faint smell of firewood and roasting meats hanging in the air.
Rui didn't mind the simplicity. The Central Continent was vastly different from what he had known in the Eastern Lands, but there was a certain comfort in the quietness of the village. The streets were bustling with life, and the low murmur of voices from the townspeople drifted in from the open windows. But as soon as they entered the inn, all eyes were on them—on Fenrir and the emissaries, whose presence was undeniable.
Fenrir was well known throughout the continent, his reputation preceding him wherever he went. It wasn't just his strength, but the power and authority that radiated from him that demanded respect. His emissaries—elite warriors and powerful cultivators—were similarly feared and respected. But then there was Rui, standing quietly at the edge of their group, blending in with the shadows. Even though his silver eyes remained focused and calm, he could feel the weight of the gazes upon him.
The moment they walked into the inn, the villagers' whispers started. They exchanged glances, speaking in hushed tones, but Rui could hear them clearly enough. "That's Fenrir. And who's this?" one woman asked in a soft voice.
"I've never seen someone like him," a man replied, his eyes scanning Rui, trying to piece together what made him so different. "They say Fenrir's emissaries are unmatched in strength, but this boy... there's something strange about him."
Rui tried to ignore the gossip. It wasn't the first time he had heard such things, but now, in a foreign land, it felt like his presence carried more weight than ever before. He wasn't just a foreigner anymore—he was the subject of speculation, of curiosity.
"Stay close," Fenrir murmured to Rui as they approached a table in the far corner of the room. "They'll be watching you. Keep your head down."
Rui nodded, feeling the familiar weight of being an outsider. But he didn't mind. The journey was far from over, and he still had much to learn. Fenrir and the others seated themselves at the table, and soon enough, food and drink were brought to them. The innkeeper, a burly man with a thick beard, didn't ask questions, knowing who his guests were. He served them with a quick bow, disappearing back into the kitchen with a sense of deference.
As the meal was consumed in silence, Rui felt the tension building in the room. The stares were becoming more intense, and the whispers seemed to grow louder. It wasn't long before a young man, probably around Rui's age, stepped forward from the back of the inn. He was tall, with broad shoulders and an air of self-assurance that was hard to ignore. His clothes, though simple, were well-kept and clearly of good quality.
"Excuse me," the young man said, his voice carrying a slight challenge. "I couldn't help but notice you. The Eastern boy." He gave a respectful nod to Fenrir before focusing his attention back on Rui. "You've come a long way, haven't you?"
Rui looked up, meeting the young man's gaze. The curiosity in the air was palpable, but there was something more in this man's eyes—something that bordered on challenge. Rui didn't feel any malice, but it was clear that the man was sizing him up.
"I'm here to eat," Rui replied simply, his voice calm.
The young man smirked. "I'm sure you are, but there's something about you.
"I've heard the rumors," the young man continued, a smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth. "People are saying you've come all the way from the Eastern Lands, and you're strong. But strength here..." He paused, scanning Rui's features with something like amusement in his eyes. "It's different from what you're used to."
Rui's silver eyes flickered, and the young man continued. "How about you prove it? Let's have a match. Just a friendly test of strength."
A challenge. Rui was no stranger to them, but something in the air told him this wasn't just some idle boast. The young man's posture, the way he carried himself—it all screamed that he wasn't just looking for a fight for fun.
"I don't need to prove anything," Rui replied, his voice steady. He wasn't looking for trouble, and he wasn't here to make a spectacle of himself. But the young man didn't seem to take no for an answer.
"I think you do," the young man insisted. "I've trained for years to get where I am. And you—well, you've come from the East, haven't you? I'm sure you have your own reasons for being here, but I can't let a foreigner waltz in and claim to be stronger without seeing it for myself."
There was a pause. The room had grown eerily quiet, all eyes now on the two of them. Fenrir, though sitting back, had already noticed the change in the atmosphere. He was watching, but he wasn't going to intervene. This was Rui's decision.
The young man's eyes flickered with pride as he stood tall, extending his hand in a gesture of challenge. Rui studied him for a moment before responding. He didn't want to fight, but the insistence in the young man's demeanor left him with little choice.
With a sigh, Rui stood up, his eyes scanning the room as the whispers grew louder. He couldn't help but feel the weight of everyone's expectations. But he wouldn't back down.
"Alright," Rui said, stepping forward. "Let's see what you've got."