-CHAPTER 5-

We got to a city called Dusk and Dawn. It has a beautiful view of the first light and the best view of light out. At night the stars emerge, and the lights of Dusk and Dawn slowly brighten the city. The people of Dusk and Dawn light lanterns and many turn on sparklers, some even do fireworks. Every single day is like a celebration. There are many foods, clothing, jewelry, and toy stands. The streets are filled families having fun. There are a few entertainers showing magic tricks to the little kids although it contains using mana, but it's a magical moment for them. The party never ends, and they are usually pretty fun. Like now, even when it's already the middle of the day people are still having fun. It's almost crazy.

"This is a nice city." I looked around the city and many people look so beautiful, many kids are running in the streets laughing and giggling, and many kids with their parents having fun. It almost feels nostalgic.

I can't help but feel happy.

"Is this your first time here?" Konan asked.

"Yeah. Although it feels like I've been here before. How about you? Do you come here frequently?" I asked him as we walked through the city.

"I normally come here at night, but I have been meaning to check on the people here."

Check on them?

"Most of the people here are non-mana users and because of that, many people come to take over the city." Konan continued.

"I protect this place because I was the one who created this city."

I beg your pardon.

"When you're immortal you get bored." Konan chuckled.

"Wow, you had a lot of time on your hands." I smiled.

"You don't even know the half of it."

We looked at each other and laughed.

It's been a while since I've laughed freely like this.

"You know, it's my first time coming to a city, other than my home, where I don't have to watch out for my neck. So, just walking through the street of this city lets me relax."

I just kind of wish the others can experience this as well.

"You are welcome to come to the city whenever you please. You can even bring your family and I'll give you a place to stay if you do." Konan smiled.

"You can't take back what you said."

"I always keep my word." Konan placed his hand on his chest as a sign of sincerity.

I took a deep breath and looked at the sky.

Konan is a nice guy, unfortunately I have a job to do.

"Look, this is the best restaurant around, so order what you want." Konan pulled me towards a rather big restaurant.

Lots of people eating the food. As I walked by the smell of food entered my nose.

The smell is amazing.

"Okay, oh and can you go and get me a few bags of candy?" I asked.

Konan looked confused.

"Just go, look there's a stand right there. I'll pay for it." I smiled and headed inside the restaurant.

20 minutes later.

"Here you go 60 pounds of raw meat and a map, just like you asked. Although, I don't understand why you want raw meat in the first place. Tsk tsk tsk, kids these days." The owner of the restaurant handed me a wagon with the raw meat and handed me a bowl of chicken noodle soup.

"Here take this. You need the strength to carry that." The owner said.

"Thanks, also can you give him some food as well, I don't want him eating off mine." I pointed at Konan who was looking at the next stand, deciding what candies to get.

"Sure thing, here you go."

"Thanks. Here is the payment." I gave him two small bags filled with gold and silver coins and left the restaurant.

"This is too much."

"Keep it."

"Hey, Konan you got everything?" I looked at Konan who was still filling up the bags with candy.

"Yeah, but why do you need so much candy?" He asked.

"It's a debt I have to pay." I handed a small bag of coins to the owner of the stand.

"Alright, let's go."

"Young lady, this is a little over the price."

"No worries." I smiled at the owner.

I grabbed the candies from Konan's hand and placed them on top of the wagon.

"Why did you give them more than what you got?" Konan asked.

"I just have so much money that I don't know what to do with it." I yawned.

"Alright let's go, from this map, it's a 2-day trip to Narron, so we need to get walking." I spoke as I was looking at the map.

"Why are you eager to get there, I don't mind having the trip extended for longer." Konan asked.

Should I just tell him? That I need to get home; that I have family to get to.

"What are you waiting for?"

I looked at Konan who was already walking ahead of me.

Hah. This fool.

***

On the outskirts of the city of Dusk and Dawn.

We bumped into a few bandits but unfortunately, they messed with the wrong people, we kept seeing a few more bandits, but they weren't hard to defeat. But because of these bandits, I noticed that Konan kept his guard up. I could tell because he would stop at the most subtle sound. Also, he wasn't answering my questions properly.

"Hey, so when are you going to ask them?" I looked at him.

"Yes, it's nice." He answered.

Son of a bitch.

I turned around and noticed a subtle change in the air.

"Hey, I can sense your fear. Come out, there is no point in hiding." I grinned.

I looked at Konan.

"You are full of surprises, kitten." he smirked.

"So, is that person the reason you had your guard up?"

"Yeah, she's been following us since the restaurant." He said gritting his teeth as he walked towards the shop.

Hm. How come I couldn't sense them until now?

"Hey, wait for me." I followed Konan into the shop.

I entered and saw many things that I thought were cool. There were many crystals hanging from the ceiling, many elixirs showcased on the counters, many talismans on the walls. In the back of the shop, you can see a dark room at the far end.

"Are you in here?" Konan spoke loud enough to be heard.

I kept looking around and saw a counter filled with maps. Some of the maps are missing a few pieces. One map caught my attention. It was a map of Narron.

There's an actual layout of Narron? I've never heard of there being a map of Narron before.

"Ack! Don't hurt me!" I heard a scream from the dark room. I looked around and noticed that Konan wasn't around.

"Shit." I ran into the room and saw that an old lady was in Konan's grasp.

"Hey! Let her go!" I shouted.

I looked at the old lady and noticed she was holding a knife fill with blood. I looked around trying to see where the blood came from.

She's fucked.

The blood came from Konan.