Ethan awoke with a start, his heart pounding as the remnants of a dream slipped away like smoke. He sat up in the small, cramped room, the faint light of dawn streaming through the shuttered window. For a moment, he stared at his gloved hands, feeling the hum of the system coursing beneath his skin.
"Time to get moving," he muttered, swinging his legs over the edge of the bed. He hadn't come to this town to linger—he needed answers.
After splashing his face with water from the washbasin, Ethan descended the creaking staircase. The common room was quieter than the night before, save for the barmaid sweeping the floor. She looked up as he approached.
"Slept well?" she asked, her tone neutral.
"Well enough," Ethan replied. "Thanks for the room."
She nodded, but her sharp gaze lingered on him for a moment too long. Ethan's nerves prickled. He tipped an imaginary hat and stepped outside into the crisp morning air.
The town was just beginning to wake. Merchants were setting up their stalls, farmers were hauling goods, and a few townsfolk were already bustling about. Ethan pulled the gloves tighter around his hands and began walking.
He needed information about the Guild, this world, and what role his system played in it. The vendor from yesterday had mentioned the Guild scouts searching the forest. If they were looking for something—or someone—he had to know why.
His first stop was a small shop near the edge of the market square, its wooden sign depicting an open book.
If this place sells knowledge, I'm buying, Ethan thought.
He stepped inside, a bell jingling as the door swung open. The interior was cluttered but cozy, with shelves of scrolls and worn books lining the walls. A thin, wiry man sat behind a counter, squinting at a ledger through a pair of round spectacles.
"Welcome," the man said without looking up. "Browsing or buying?"
"Depends on what you've got," Ethan replied.
The man glanced up, his eyes narrowing as they flicked to Ethan's gloves. "Ah. A traveler. What are you looking for?"
"Information," Ethan said. "Specifically about systems. And the Guild."
The man's expression turned guarded. "That's a dangerous topic."
"Dangerous for who?" Ethan countered, leaning on the counter.
The man sighed, setting his ledger aside. "For anyone who doesn't want the Guild breathing down their neck. But…" He glanced toward the door, then lowered his voice. "You're not with them, are you?"
Ethan shook his head. "No. Just trying to figure out what I've gotten myself into."
The man studied him for a moment before nodding. "Fine. But keep your voice down."
He motioned for Ethan to follow him to the back of the shop. There, among piles of scrolls and loose papers, the man began to speak.
"The Guild controls most of the systems users in this region. They recruit—or coerce—anyone with a system into their ranks. They claim it's for 'order and safety,' but the truth is they don't want anyone with power outside their control."
Ethan frowned. "What happens if someone refuses?"
"They don't refuse for long," the man said grimly. "The Guild's enforcers make sure of that."
Ethan's stomach sank. "And the glowing marks? Can they track someone through them?"
The man hesitated, then nodded. "They can sense the presence of systems—stronger systems glow brighter. If they're looking for someone, they'll find them eventually."
Ethan clenched his fists, feeling the leather gloves creak. "Is there a way to hide it?"
The man's brow furrowed in thought. "There are artifacts, rare ones, that can suppress a system's signature. But they're hard to come by—and expensive. There might be someone in the city of Eldrin who deals in that sort of thing."
"Eldrin," Ethan repeated. "How far is it?"
"About three days' travel north," the man said. "But be careful—Guild scouts patrol the roads."
Ethan nodded, his mind racing. "Thanks for the information. What do I owe you?"
The man waved him off. "Just keep your head down. And if anyone asks, you were never here."
Ethan stepped back into the bustling market square, his thoughts a whirlwind. He had a direction now—Eldrin. If he could find a way to suppress his system's glow, he might stand a chance of staying under the radar.
But as he moved through the crowd, his instincts screamed at him. He felt it again—the sensation of being watched.
He glanced around casually, scanning the crowd. At first, he saw nothing out of the ordinary. Then, his eyes locked onto a figure standing near a fruit stall, partially obscured by a hooded cloak.
The figure wasn't browsing the goods. They were watching him.
Ethan's pulse quickened. He turned down a side street, quickening his pace, and ducked into an alleyway.
A moment later, the figure followed.
They're not even trying to be subtle, Ethan thought, gripping his makeshift weapon—a sturdier stick he had picked up on his way into town.
As the figure stepped into the alley, Ethan whirled around, raising the stick defensively. "Alright," he said, his voice low. "Who are you, and why are you following me?"
The figure pulled back their hood, revealing a young woman with sharp features and piercing green eyes. She held up her hands in a gesture of peace.
"Relax," she said. "I'm not here to hurt you."
"Could've fooled me," Ethan replied, not lowering his guard.
The woman smirked. "You're new to this world, aren't you? Your system's glow is a dead giveaway. You're practically a walking beacon."
Ethan's heart skipped. "How do you know that?"
"Because I've seen others like you," she said, her tone serious now. "And if you don't want the Guild to find you, you're going to need help."
Ethan studied her warily. "And let me guess—you're offering?"
The woman shrugged. "Call it a mutual interest. The Guild and I aren't exactly on good terms."
Ethan hesitated, his instincts warring with his need for answers. Finally, he lowered the stick slightly. "Start talking."
The woman smiled faintly. "Good choice. My name's Lyra. Let's just say I know a thing or two about staying hidden—and I can teach you."