The next morning, Aiden awoke in the luxurious bed of the Glory Inn. The soft mattress and silk sheets reminded him of the ones back at the Venti mansion in Dermon City. He stretched lazily, savoring the comfort for a moment before forcing himself out of bed. After freshening up, he donned a simple yet elegant tunic and trousers, fitting for the day's outing.
Descending the stairs, he found Chloe and Clara already waiting for him in the lobby. Chloe wore a sleeveless red top that accentuated her growing bust, paired with form-fitting black pants that highlighted her athletic figure. Clara, on the other hand, was more reserved, wearing a white robe that covered her from head to toe, though even that could not completely hide her curvaceous body. Now that Aiden was alone with them, he found himself increasingly drawn to their presence. He couldn't deny that they were both incredibly attractive, and he was certainly enjoying their company more than he had anticipated.
After a hearty breakfast, they decided to explore the city. As they walked through the streets of Gremlin City, Aiden took in the vibrant atmosphere. The marketplace was bustling with activity, with vendors selling all sorts of goods—mostly potions, weapons, and dungeon materials. It was a sight far removed from the simpler markets of Dermon City, which primarily sold daily necessities. Here, the economy revolved around the dungeon, and it was evident in the variety of items being offered.
As they strolled, Aiden noticed that several passersby were casting them strange looks. While Chloe and Clara seemed completely unfazed, he couldn't shake the feeling that he was being observed like an animal in a zoo. Before he could voice his concern, Chloe leaned in slightly and whispered, "Don't mind them. It's the same in every city. People always have something to stare at when nobles pass through."
He sighed, deciding to follow her advice and ignore the onlookers. Soon, they arrived at the city square, where a large circular platform stood at its center, guarded by a group of heavily armored soldiers. The intricate markings and runes etched into the platform's surface immediately caught Aiden's interest.
Clara, noticing his curiosity, smiled and said, "Do you see this circle, Aiden?"
He nodded, unable to take his eyes off it.
"It's a teleportation circle," she explained. "It connects directly to the capital. Most of the important cities in the kingdom are linked through similar circles."
Aiden's eyes widened in shock. He had read about teleportation magic, but he hadn't expected entire cities to be connected like this. More surprisingly, he saw commoners using it, paying the stationed guards before stepping onto the platform and vanishing in a flash of light. It wasn't just a luxury for the nobility—it was a widely accessible means of transportation.
It didn't take long for him to realize the implications. "So that's how we're getting to the capital," he murmured, understanding now why Chloe and Clara had been so vague about their travel plans.
"Exactly," Chloe confirmed with a smirk. "But before we leave, we have a dungeon to explore."
Aiden turned to her with a curious expression. "Why didn't Dermon City have one of these?"
Clara was the one to answer. "All border cities have teleportation circles, but Dermon City isn't at the border of any major region. It's surrounded by deep forests and mountains, making travel there naturally difficult."
"Besides," Chloe added, "Mom refused to install one, even when the elders in the family insisted."
Aiden frowned. "Why would she refuse something so useful?"
Clara shrugged. "No one knows. She just remained adamant about it."
Aiden thought about it for a moment before the answer clicked in his mind. Aunt Fiona was a war survivor. Though teleportation circles were convenient, they also posed a significant risk. If an enemy were to gain control of one, they could launch a surprise attack. Given Dermon City's isolation, it made sense that she wouldn't want to connect it to the larger network.
After observing the teleportation circle for a while, Aiden asked, "Where's the dungeon?"
"We're heading there now," Chloe replied. With that, they resumed their walk towards the eastern part of the city, where the dungeon entrance was located.
As they made their way through the crowded streets, Aiden suddenly felt a prickling sensation at the back of his neck. Years of training—and his recent battles—had honed his instincts to detect when he was being watched. A quick scan of his surroundings confirmed his suspicion: multiple figures were tailing them.
One of them felt eerily familiar.
Focusing his senses, Aiden pinpointed a hooded figure lurking among the crowd. He recognized the same presence as the assassins he had fought before—the "Numbers." He nearly let out a sigh, unsure whether to laugh or cry at the irony of encountering them again.
Ever since gaining the shard, his perception had sharpened considerably. He could almost predict the movements of those following him, as if their presence was outlined in his mind. However, there was another individual among the pursuers whom he did not recognize. That put him on edge.
He maintained a casual demeanor but remained vigilant, continuing toward the dungeon while keeping track of their followers.
Finally, they arrived at the dungeon's entrance, a massive gate standing roughly five meters tall and ten meters wide. The structure was fortified with strong, man-made walls to prevent any unforeseen accidents. Guards patrolled the area diligently, managing the strict entry and exit regulations. Even knights stood watch, a testament to the importance of maintaining order around the dungeon.
The sight of the dungeon filled Aiden with excitement. Though he had fought monsters before, this would be his first time inside a structured dungeon. However, with unknown enemies trailing them, he knew he couldn't afford to let his guard down.