Asking Around

Mistveil, a city that finds itself covered in fog and mist every once in a while.

The intervals when the city is going to be covered by it are not known. 

The residents of this place, including the higher-ups who work with the King himself, tried everything in their power to hire intellectuals who could find the secret behind it.

Its existence.

Its timing.

Its benefits.

Its disadvantages.

Some could be found and some couldn't.

"Hrmmm, well the benefit of the fog is that the monsters from Skyleaves next to us won't dare get close to the city." A passerby says.

***

"Well, thinking about how much destruction the city suffered when the Celestial Eclipse happened, the fog appeared to be both useful and annoying. We have difficulties seeing far during constructions, whereas, on the other hand, we know we can work without any worry of monsters attacking." A teenager who seemed to know written language said, using wind to swirl some of the fog on his hand, making it seem like a snowball.

***

"Mgh? Meh, this fog's pretty neat ain't it young man, you can easily trip people and run away after and not get caught." A drunk man said as he grinned to himself, chugging down another few gulps of beer.

And then, throughout all these replies, there was Cole who had successfully infiltrated into the city.

"If you can trip people and not get caught, then that means that a lot of products are being stolen huh?"

"Eh? Nay, nay– People made sure to lock themselves up in their houses. Those who want to do commerce open their own shops with their products inside. Stalls are nonexistent during the Haare Time."

"Haare?"

"What we call the cloud, fog, or smog, whatever ya want."

"Ah, I see." Cole nodded, "Thank you, sir, it is my first time here. I've been in travels ever since the Celestial Eclipse, so coming here was a must." Cole smiled earnestly, managing to make the drunk guy in the early evening fully drop his guard.

"Oho? Your new abilities must be turnin' out quite useful eh?"

"Ahaha, kind of."

"Even being modest, huh? You seem like a good kid, but your hair color is telling me you've overused your powers to the limit."

"Oh? I see. Well, there were just a few moments where I almost died during my adventuring, so I take it it's natural now."

"Ohh, I see, well, good luck youngin, go beat some more monsters' ass!"

"No need to tell me, sir, I've already planned on becoming the strongest."

'Literally the strongest of this Kingdom, if not more. Even without the aid of mana directly.' He held a smirk.

"Goodbye, sir, thank you for taking your time." Cole nodded his head once as he proceeded to move through the streets of the foggy city.

***

"Hmm, maybe this Haare Time is just in its beginning stages this time, I can see quite a bit into the distance."

'That aside, though, I must purchase necessary equipment for myself and Lyra back in the village of Blightbringers. I also need to get a coat for myself.'

Cole squinted as he scanned his snow-white threads.

"So that's why that Leader and the rest of her party expected me to have huge powers but hid them. Although they weren't wrong at the end of the day, I annihilated quite a few fellows in the Castle itself."

Fwoop~

Cole whipped his air slightly in the air, and– 

"Kirreo~"

Kaia was on his shoulder already.

'She's truly fast. Much faster than me.'

"Kaia, I want you to scan the city for hallways that seem to contain thugs or bandits, or whatever. We must get some money after all.

"Kraw~" With a cute and high-pitched croak, Kaia soared through the sky, fully willing to do what Cole asked of her.

Cole's eyes narrowed as he watched Kaia, a tiny emerald streak against the hazy backdrop of Mistveil. 

He scanned the streets, the half-light of the lanterns every few meters filtering through the thinning fog and casting long, distorted shadows. 

'This could make a good scene for a horror book in a world without magic powers.' He thought as his lips twisted into a determined smirk. 

Money was essential, a means to purchase products needed for himself in this forsaken world so he could pass by with a little more ease.

He adjusted the feather blade strapped to his back, its familiar lightweight somehow comforting presence in the unbeknown city.

His senses, slightly honed from the near-death experiences, tingled softly as he walked, searching and scanning the walls one after another.

"No poster has been made about me." 

***

"Huh? A bandit who rebelled against the King? As if anyone dares to do that when the world has become such a place. They would easily be captured by the Regal Sentinels."

"Hm, Regal Sentinels, huh?" 

"Yes, the strongest Knights of the Kingdom, only Seven of them but as you know, not a single of us After-Awakeners can hold a candle to them."

"True enough…"

***

Cole recalled that conversation as he trotted along the streets.

'The King decided to keep it a secret, huh? But surely, word has traveled between the officials and knights distributed here throughout a four-day time–' 

His gaze caught a glimpse of movement down a narrow alleyway, a flash of crimson contrasting with the damp cobblestones. 

Curiosity piqued, he slipped into the shadows, his footsteps silent on the slick stones. 

The alley was shrouded in a deeper gloom, the fog clinging to the walls like wispy tendrils. A guttural growl echoed off the bricks, the metallic tang of blood mixing with the scent of fear.

He rounded a corner, instantly halting to see what was going on. 

Two hulking figures, their faces obscured by dark hoods, were roughing up a slender man clad in simple cloth.

'This is… perfect." Cole thought to himself as a smirk began to etch on his face.

One of the thugs held a glint of silver against the man's throat, a crude dagger reflecting the fading light. The other, his frame thick with muscle, was raining blows on the victim's ribs, a certain strike specifically punctuated by a sickening crack.

"Hehe!" 

With a blur of movement, Cole launched himself from the shadows. 

His first target was the one with the dagger, a swift kick to the knee and quickly after sending the knife spinning through the air. Before the hooded figure could react, Cole brought his elbow down in a brutal arc, connecting with the man's temple with a satisfying sound.

"Doesn't feel so good, does it!?"

"What? Huh? Who the fuck are you!?"

The other thug, momentarily stunned, roared in rage and charged. 

Cole jumped away, easily pulling the Feather Blade stored on the back of his hood.

He parried a clumsy swing with the feather blade, the edge singing along the thug's arm, drawing a deep gash. 

"Kgh!" A well-placed knee to the chest sent the brute staggering back, his eyes wide with confusion.

The victim of the two men, bruised and bleeding, scrambled to his feet, his eyes widening in astonishment as he witnessed his unlikely savior. 

Cole met his gaze, a reassuring smile playing on his lips. 

'Play the cool guy.'

"Get to safety, I'll deal with them for now," he whispered, his voice low and dangerous.

The man nodded, his eyes filled with gratitude, and melted back into the dark fog.

Cole turned his attention back to the downed thugs, a chilling glint in his blue-white eyes.

"Now, owe me your money before I drill this feather into yall's brains"