Edge of Exposure (Bonus)

I hesitated for a moment, carefully choosing my words. "I've been thinking a lot about our last conversation… about the old days. I was hoping you could remind me a bit more about those boys—Tomas, Luca, and Derek. It's been a while, and I can't quite place their faces anymore."

"But dear, didn't you go with them on a boys trip just recently?"

I panicked, but didn't let it show on my face. Instead, I sighed.

"I forgot to share, but it was just me and Darius. The others couldn't come so I thought I'd ask you about them."

Marla's eyes softened with nostalgia as she nodded. "Of course! They were always such a lively bunch, though a bit rough around the edges, as I mentioned before."

I nodded, encouraging her to continue. I needed more—details, anything that could help me recognize them when the time came.

Marla's face took on a thoughtful expression as she recalled the past.

"Tomas, for one, was always the tall, confident type—broad shoulders, dirty blonde hair that always seemed a bit unruly. He had a way of standing that made you think he owned the place, you know? A bit of a leader, that one."

Her words painted a picture in my mind—a picture of someone I needed to be wary of.

I nodded, letting her continue, my expression still carefully neutral.

"And then there was Luca. Not as tall as Tomas, but quick and sly. Black hair, always slicked back, and a face that could charm you one moment and then make you uneasy the next. He was the type to hang back and observe, but when he spoke, you listened."

My fists clenched at my sides, hidden beneath my cloak.

The more she spoke, the more my anger simmered beneath the surface, but I couldn't let it show.

Not now.

"And Derek," she continued, her voice softening. "He was the quiet one, but oh, was he a force to be reckoned with when riled up. Dark brown hair, tall, and built like an ox. Didn't say much, but he didn't need to—his presence alone was enough to keep others in check."

Her descriptions matched the personalities I had already begun to imagine.

Now, I had faces to go with the names—faces I would remember when the time came to confront them.

I nodded along with her words, forcing a smile as if sharing in her nostalgic recounting.

Inside, my thoughts churned with the new information with each detail sharpening my understanding of the threats I faced.

I couldn't afford to let this slip by—my opportunity to strike back would come soon, but only if I played this right.

"Marla, you've been really helpful," I said, my voice steady. "It's good to know how much they've grown since then. I should probably catch up with them sometime."

Her eyes lit up at my words, clearly pleased that I was showing interest in reconnecting with my "old friends."

"Oh, I'm sure they'd love that, Ethan. They've really come into their own since joining the guild, you know? They're not the same boys they used to be."

I forced another smile, one that I hoped looked genuine enough. "I'm looking forward to it," I replied, even as my mind screamed the opposite.

But before I could steer the conversation further, a sudden shift in the atmosphere caught my attention.

The casual bustle of the street seemed to still, replaced by an uneasy silence. My instincts flared to life, sensing danger before I even knew its source.

Turning my head slightly, I saw them—Tomas, Luca, and Derek—strolling down the street in our direction with hardened faces and their eyes scanning the area.

Panic surged in my chest, but I kept my composure, quickly realizing that if I stayed where I was, they would spot me in seconds.

Without missing a beat, I let my gaze drop, hoping they hadn't noticed me yet. Marla continued talking, blissfully unaware of the tension building in the air.

My mind raced, weighing my options. I couldn't afford a confrontation, not here, not now.

I wasn't ready—neither in strength nor in strategy.

I needed to move, and quickly.

"Marla, I think I should be going," I said, trying to keep my voice steady, masking the urgency. "I've got some things to take care of."

"Oh, of course, dear," she replied, smiling warmly. "Take care of yourself, and don't be a stranger, alright?"

I nodded, not trusting myself to say more.

With a quick, polite farewell, I turned on my heel and walked away, careful to keep my pace measured, casual.

But as soon as I was out of her line of sight, I activated my Quick Footwork skill.

[Skill Activated: Quick Footwork]

[Cost: -5 Mana Points]

The familiar surge of energy flowed through my legs, propelling me forward with a speed that made the world blur around me.

I slipped into an alley with my heart pounding in my chest as I moved swiftly, avoiding the open streets where they might see me.

Every instinct screamed at me to keep moving, to put as much distance between us as possible.

The narrow alleyways provided some cover, but I knew they wouldn't be enough if the bullies decided to search the area.

I couldn't risk being seen.

Not yet.

My mind raced, trying to map out the streets in my head, looking for an exit that would keep me out of their sight.

I slowed down slightly, just enough to listen for any sounds of pursuit. The skill was effective, but it wouldn't last forever. I needed to be smart about this.

As I reached the end of the alley, I paused, pressing my back against the cool stone wall, and cautiously peeked around the corner.

The street beyond was empty, but I could hear their voices, low and gruff, growing louder as they approached from the direction I had come.

A quick glance around revealed an old cart, half-filled with sacks of grain, parked near the entrance to another side street.

It wasn't much, but it was enough to provide some temporary cover.

I darted across the street and crouched behind the cart, holding my breath as their voices grew nearer.

I couldn't make out what they were saying, but the tone was enough to send a chill down my spine.

They were close—too close.