“What’s going on?”

The eyes of the men chasing the bruised woman shifted toward Ebenel. They soon waved their hands with annoyed expressions.

“Step aside. We have business with that woman.”

“She doesn’t seem to have any business with you.”

“What?”

“I said, just go.”

Her intuition was speaking. She shouldn’t hand this woman over to these men.

“That woman has already been sold for money.”

“Then I can’t move aside even more. On what right are you buying and selling people?”

“Obviously because that woman wants to…”

“No!”

At that moment, a desperate voice came from the woman who had been silent until now. Her head was still bowed, but her voice was full of choking emotion.

“The owner of the shop where I worked was trying to sell me, so I ran away secretly at night.”

‘So that’s what happened.’
Somehow knowing her body was full of injuries, Ebenel looked at the men with a cold gaze. Now that she knew the situation, she couldn’t simply step aside.

“You’d do well to hand over that woman before things get ugly.”

“Those should be my words. If you don’t leave now, you’ll be the ones facing an ugly situation.”

The moment the burly men approached threateningly, Ebenel swiftly drew the gun she had tucked away.

‘I didn’t think I’d have to use it so soon.’

Naturally, the unexpected weapon made them hesitate.

“This isn’t just for show. Move one more step and a bullet will pierce through your head.”

With an unwavering stance, Ebenel aimed the gun precisely at one man’s head, her finger resting on the trigger as if ready to pull it at any moment. Unlike the tense men, her voice was filled with composure.
“You seem skeptical. How about I test it on one of you?”

“You, you think we’d be scared because of this?”

“Then let’s test it on you.”

Ebenel pointed the gun at the man who spoke defiantly. Seeing the unusual gun she held, the three men exchanged worried glances.

As if wondering what would happen if she really pulled the trigger.

“My patience isn’t that long. If you don’t disappear from my sight in the count of three, I’ll really shoot. One.”

“……”

“Two.”

“Consider yourself lucky. We won’t let this go next time!”

Just as she was about to say ‘three’, the men hurriedly retreated, leaving only those words behind. Ebenel pulled the trigger while watching their retreating figures, but no bullets were fired.

“How foolish. There weren’t any bullets.”

The magazine had been empty since the time she received the gun from Scher. She had only used it as a bluff, and they fell for it. Of course, she had no intention of actually shooting, even if there had been bullets.
“Um…”

“Ah, are you alright? Can you stand?”

Ebenel belatedly became aware of the woman’s presence and extended her hand. Hesitant for a moment, the woman took her hand and slowly rose from her spot. Her long, tangled hair obscured her face, but she appeared to be of similar age to Ebenel.

“Thank you for helping me.”

“No problem. Ah, your name?”

“It’s Davian.”

“Are you hurt anywhere, Davian? Those guys are gone now, so you should be okay.”

Davian also gave a slight nod, as if relieved. She didn’t have any serious injuries, but her overall condition appeared poor, with bruises scattered here and there on her body.

‘What should I do? I can’t just leave her like this.’

Having heard the men’s conversation, it didn’t seem like Davian had anywhere particular to go, which troubled Ebenel.

She couldn’t offer any help, given that she didn’t have any money either.

‘Should I take her to His Majesty for now?’
While pondering what to do, a loud noise resembling something breaking echoed from deeper within the alley. When Ebenel turned her head toward the sound, she saw wisps of smoke rising between the buildings. A familiar sensation washed over her at that moment.

“This feeling is definitely…”

“Hm?”

Davian looked at her, unable to comprehend. Her face was hidden behind her robe, so her expression wasn’t visible.

Just then, Ebenel suddenly grabbed Davian’s hand and urgently pulled her in the opposite direction from where the noise had come.

“Run!”

“What?”

“No time to explain!”

As the two of them took a few steps, turning their backs, the ground shook with a deafening noise, and a stone wall was utterly shattered. When Ebenel glanced back, the dust had cleared to reveal an object coming into view.

A creature with three heads and reddish-brown fur stood there, evoking images of the mythical Cerberus.

“Everyone, get out of the way!”
At first, the people who didn’t know what was happening also discovered the monster upon hearing Ebenel’s warning. The street turned into chaos in an instant as the crowd, filled with screams of terror, tried to flee the scene en masse.

All Ebenel could do at that moment was to run desperately, shouting for others to evacuate.

‘If only I had bullets.’

Suddenly, caught up in the surging crowd, the two were separated, and Davian lost her balance and fell. By the time Ebenel pushed through the people and found Davian, the monster was already right in front of her.

‘It’s too late.’