Despite the sheer number of powerful warriors standing before him, Stick didn’t falter. His voice was steady, even as his hands trembled.

  “We need him to save our friends!”

  Leonhard’s sharp eyes studied him, unreadable. “And who would that be?”

  Stick inhaled deeply, willing his voice to stay firm. “Carnifex has enslaved hundreds, maybe thousands. They live in inhumane conditions. That’s not living—it’s barely surviving. I know because I was one of them.”

  A flicker of something passed through Leonhard’s gaze. “You were enslaved?”

  Stick pointed to Big Man. “We both were. We were exploited, beaten, starved. I only escaped because they found out I’m a Player. The others weren’t so lucky. They were NPCs. They stayed slaves.” He clenched his fists. “And now, all they can do is wait. They’re waiting for someone to save them. For Lord Alastair to save them.”

  Leonhard’s gaze bore into him. “So, you’re friends with those NPCs?” Her tone was curious, not mocking. “That’s why you illegally entered the North Strip?”

  Stick swallowed but nodded. “Yeah, but…” He hesitated, searching for the right words. “Please try to understand. We need to help them! If you have the slightest idea where he is, we need to know. His grandchildren are in danger!”

  Sir Morrigan shifted uncomfortably, as if he wanted to speak but held his tongue, waiting for his leader’s reaction.

  Leonhard’s expression remained unreadable. “That’s your plan?”

  “What?” Stick blinked in confusion.

  “You think a Level 40 NPC is enough to save them?” Her voice was cold, disappointed. “You trespassed on neutral ground with a Carnifex member and a chained slave, nearly caused an endgame raid to turn deadly for my guild—who are neutral to your conflict—so you could ask us where an NPC is?”

  The weight of everyone’s gaze pressed down on him. Stick squared his shoulders. “He’s the greatest mage there is.”

  “For an NPC, maybe. But the Playerbase has evolved past that,” Leonhard countered. “If you think that’s all it takes to challenge Carnifex, then you’re either insane or a fool.”

  “Then come with us!” Stick pleaded. “I saw how strong you are!”

  Dexter scoffed. “Do you have any idea how fragile the ceasefire is? If B4 marches into Carnifex territory, it’s war. Countless lives will be lost.”

  “But—”

  “You should count yourself lucky we’re ignoring this transgression,” Leonhard said, pointing at Hirohiro. “You’re too underleveled—and too stupid—to be Eastern spies.”

  “Stick, they’re right,” Hirohiro urged. “Let’s just go.”

  He hated how powerless he felt. “No!”

  Hirohiro grabbed his sleeve. “Stick, please.”

  Stick shook him off. “I said no!”

  Dexter exhaled sharply. “Listen, kid. You survived the Mutant. You didn’t start a goddamn war. You’re getting off easy. Count your blessings and leave.”

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  “I’m not leaving!” Stick squared his shoulders. “Not once did you deny knowing where Lord Alastair is. You know something.”

  Sir Morrigan sighed heavily.

  “If there’s something—anything—please tell us!” Stick begged.

  Dexter lost his temper. “Listen here, you little—”

  Big Man immediately stepped between them, fists raised. “We’re not leaving until you tell us what you know.”

  Dexter scoffed. “A Level 10 Berserker NPC is hardly an obstacle.”

  A spell began forming on his staff, but Sir Morrigan grabbed Dexter’s wrist.

  “What’s your problem?” Dexter snapped.

  Dexter hesitated, meeting the knight’s gaze. He didn’t need to answer.

  After a moment, Dexter exhaled, loosening his stance. “You’re right.”

  Big Man, too, stepped back.

  Stick seized the moment. “Fine. If you won’t help us, just tell us what you know, and we’ll leave.”

  Leonhard’s gaze was calculating. “And then what? You think you can take down Carnifex alone?”

  “Someone has to if you won’t,” Stick shot back.

  Dexter muttered under his breath, “This punk.”

  Sir Morrigan let out a quiet huff, almost amused.

  Leonhard studied Stick. “There’s more to this than you understand.”

  Stick’s eyes flicked to the masked warriors of B4. “I can tell. Your entire guild hides behind masks.”

  Some of them shifted uncomfortably.

  Leonhard hesitated. “It’s complicated.”

  Stick’s jaw tightened. “No. You’re scared.”

  Leonhard’s expression darkened.

  “They have an army,” Stick continued. “A navy. They’re ruthless, efficient. It’s terrifying. I’m scared too. People died, you know?”

  Silence. The truth weighed heavy.

  After a long pause, Leonhard asked, “Then how about you cross west? It’s safer for you there.”

  Dexter stiffened. “Maria, what are you doing?”

  Leonhard remained firm. “We can make an exception this once. He’s Level 2.”

  “If anyone finds out, Carnifex will come for us,” Dexter warned. “And you know Xuang. He’d use this to wipe us out.”

  “The alternative is letting them get locked up again.” She studied Big Man’s and Stick’s scars.

  Hirohiro whispered, “This is a once-in-a-lifetime chance.”

  “No!” Stick’s voice rose. “I told you, I’m done running!”

  Leonhard turned to him, intrigued. “Excuse me?”

  “Tell me what you know about Lord Blitz so I can leave,” Stick demanded. “I have a quest to complete.”

  Leonhard’s composure cracked. “A quest? At Level 2?”

  Her gaze scanned him again. Her lips moved, silent. Stick thought he read the word Unbound.

  She took a breath, regaining her composure. “Lord Blitz…”

  Stick’s pulse hammered. Yeah? What about him?

  Leonhard exhaled. “We can’t tell you where he is.”

  “What?”

  “No, seriously—we can’t,” Dexter said.

  Stick’s patience snapped. “Are you fucking with me?”

  “He’s alive,” Sir Morrigan said softly. “That much we can tell you.”

  Stick’s shoulders relaxed. “Thank the Gods…”

  Dexter chuckled dryly. “The Gods?”

  “Then why can’t you tell us?” Hirohiro asked.

  Leonhard crossed her arms. “It’s a guild secret. For his sake. No outsiders, sorry.”

  Stick exhaled.

  “At least we know,” he muttered. “Can you at least relay a message?”

  Leonhard hesitated. “Depends on the message.”

  “Tell him the twins are okay,” Stick said. “But the Baron plans to take them out before their next birthday.”

  Leonhard’s jaw tightened. “That’s…” She shook her head. “Okay. I’ll tell him.”

  “Thank you.”

  “We should go now.” Hirohiro carefully chimed in.

  “Yes,” Dexter agreed. “We have wounded to take care of.”

  The B4 members turned north. Hirohiro and PP headed south.

  Stick lingered. “One more thing.”

  Leonhard turned back. “What is it?”

  “Tell him that Sir Moore fought to the end.”

  Sir Morrigan stiffened, his expression clouding. He turned away, his head bowed. Dexter laid a hand on his shoulder.

  Leonhard nodded. “Understood. Anything else?”

  Stick shook his head. “No.”

  Leonhard studied him. “Your name is Arslan?”

  “Yeah. I picked it myself.”

  “You picked it?”

  “Well,” Stick lowered his gaze. “I don’t remember anything from before the game. But the others told me about the Great Hero. And I…”

  It felt stupid to admit it in front of such a strong warrior. He felt like an excitable child.

  “You wanted to be like him?” she asked.

  Stick blushed. “Uh, y-yeah…”

  She took some time to answer.

  “Me too.”

  Stick raised his head again. He saw Leonhard smile for the first time. He smiled back.

  From the distance, Hirohiro called, “Stick, move it!”

  Dexter’s voice rang out. “Maria, are you coming?”

  Leonhard and Stick exchanged a knowing look.

  “Goodbye,” Stick said.

  “Until we meet again.”

  And with that, they parted ways.

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