I swept the last bit of dust from the counter and leaned the broom against the wall. The shop felt… quieter than I remembered.

It took some time to get it in shape enough not to look like it had been broken into or left alone for a long time.

Once it was all settled, I decided that it was time for us to head out and get our people back.

"Let's go. We should head to the duchess before it gets late."

I said, rolling my shoulders.

Fenrir nodded and followed me out.

The moment my foot touched the street, something tightened in my chest.

It wasn't pain-not exactly, more like a sudden hollowness, as if the world had thinned around me. My steps slowed. The noise of the street dulled. My breath came out heavier than it should have.

Then the system chimed.

[Low Faith Points Detected.]

[Anchor Stability: Unstable.]

[Warning: Prolonged depletion may result in loss of synchronization.]

I winced and stopped walking.

"…Right…Now what the hell is this?"

I muttered.

Fenrir turned to look at me, ears flicking.

"You're pale."

"I'm fine for now. But we need to take a detour first."

I said, though even I could hear the lack of conviction in my voice.

"To where?"

"The station."

"Alright."

Even if Fenrir did not understand what was going on with me, he quickly decided to agree with me and follow me.

Each step felt heavier than the last, like the world itself was pushing back. I hated this feeling-the reminder that no matter how much control I thought I had, I was still tethered to something fragile.

We reached the station not long after. The place was livelier than usual, people moving in and out, voices echoing beneath the high ceiling. And there it was, tucked neatly near the corner where I'd installed it months ago.

The claw machine.

Bright lights. Cheerful music. A ridiculous little thing that, somehow, kept me anchored to reality.

I quickly checked on the machine. Since I no longer needed the phone to operate it, I just put my hand on the machine and it responded.

The system responded instantly.

[Faith Points +20,456]

With faith points back in my system, my strength started to return and I felt normal once more.

I let out a slow breath I hadn't realized I was holding.

"…That's better."

[Status Stable.]

[Anchor Strength: Recovered.]

[Reminder: Faith Points are essential for continued existence.]

"Yes, yes. I get it."

I muttered.

Fenrir watched me closely.

"You're alright now?"

"Yeah. Let's go. No more delays."

I straightened.

We hadn't taken more than a few steps out of the station when something slammed into my shoulder.

"Oof-!"

The impact was light but sudden. Instinctively, I reached for my pocket.

Too late.

"Hey-"

Before I could even finish, Fenrir moved.

A blur of motion, a sharp growl, and the man who'd bumped into me was suddenly on the ground, pinned by a massive paw pressing against his chest.

"W-Wait-! I didn't do anything!"

The man cried, hands raised.

Fenrir bared his teeth. But his words sounded like growls to anyone that was not me.

"You attempted theft."

"I-I swear I didn't-!"

I checked my pocket. Empty.

"…You stole from me."

I said flatly.

The man's face went white. His eyes flicked between me and Fenrir, finally settling on the latter.

"T-that's a dog, right? A really big one?"

He stammered.

Fenrir leaned closer, eyes glowing faintly.

"Incorrect."

The man let out a strangled sound.

"P-Please! I'll give it back! I just- I was desperate!"

Fenrir didn't move.

"Theft is theft. You will answer for it."

"Wait,"

I said, holding up a hand.

Fenrir glanced at me but didn't release him.

The man trembled.

"Please, sir. I'll do anything. Just don't let the… the dog-"

"I'm not a dog,"

Fenrir said flatly.

That only made the man look more terrified. He could not understand Fenrir, but he did notice Fenrir's anger and agitation.

I sighed.

"Fenrir, ease up."

He hesitated, then lifted his paw slightly-just enough for the man to breathe, not enough to escape.

I stepped closer and looked down at him. He couldn't have been much older than me. Clothes worn. Eyes sunken. Desperation clinging to him like a second skin.

"You picked the wrong person."

I said calmly.

"I know! I know! I won't do it again, I swear!"

He cried.

Fenrir growled low.

"Words are easy."

Before things could escalate further, footsteps hurried toward us.

"What's going on here?"

The station master pushed through the small gathering of onlookers, his face creased with concern. Then his eyes landed on me.

His expression froze.

"…You."

I blinked.

"Hello."

For a moment, he just stared. Then his face broke into a wide grin.

"You're back! By the gods, I thought you'd vanished for good!"

He exclaimed.

Murmurs spread through the crowd.

"Is he someone important?"

"I don't know? But maybe he is a noble if the station master is so concerned."

The station master turned to the man on the ground.

"What happened?"

"Pickpocketing."

Fenrir answered bluntly.

The man whimpered.

The station master sighed and motioned for two guards.

"Take him in. We'll sort it out properly."

The man was hauled to his feet, still shaking. He cast one last terrified glance at Fenrir before being dragged away.

As the crowd began to disperse, the station master turned back to me, eyes shining.

"Shopkeeper, welcome back. I can't tell you how relieved I am to see you again."

He said.

"I wasn't gone that long."

I said awkwardly.

He laughed.

"Felt like ages. You should come in and have some tea. You must have a lot to tell."

I opened my mouth to refuse.

I had places to be. Kids to find. A duchess waiting. But then I saw the look on his face-genuine concern, mixed with something like gratitude.

"…Alright. Just a cup."

I said finally.

His smile widened.

"Excellent. Come, come."

Fenrir glanced at me.

"Are you sure?"

"We might as well spend some time here before we head out to get the kids,"

I said quietly.

He nodded once and followed as we headed inside the station.

The station master led us down the familiar hallway, his steps lighter than I remembered. The door to his office opened with a soft creak, and I immediately noticed the difference.

It was cleaner.

Not just tidier-new shelves lined the walls, papers neatly stacked instead of scattered, and a small heater hummed in the corner, giving the room a comfortable warmth.

Even the desk looked polished, the surface free of clutter except for a single ledger and a steaming kettle.

Fenrir glanced around once, ears flicking, then settled near the door.

"Please, sit. I'll have Officer Henry take care of the situation outside. That man won't be troubling anyone again."

The station master said, gesturing toward the chairs.

He moved quickly, pulling a small bell from his desk and ringing it once. A moment later, footsteps sounded in the hall.

"Contact Henry to take custody of the pickpocket. And make sure he's processed properly."

He said to the officer who appeared.

"Yes, sir."

The door closed again, leaving us in quiet.

The station master exhaled and turned back to me, a smile tugging at his lips.

"It's really good to see you again. The place hasn't been the same since you left."

"I wasn't gone that long."

I replied, taking the seat he offered.

He chuckled as he poured tea into two cups.

"You'd be surprised how noticeable an absence can be."

He handed me one, then sat across from me, studying my face carefully.

"So… what have you been doing all this time?"

I paused, fingers curling around the warm porcelain.

"Nothing much,"

I said evenly.

His brows lifted slightly.

"Nothing?"

"I handled a few personal matters. That's all."

The room went quiet.

The station master blinked, clearly caught off guard by the bluntness of my answer. His smile wavered for just a second before he laughed softly.

"Hah… well, I suppose that's your business. No need to be so guarded. I was only curious."

He said, waving a hand as if brushing the topic aside.

I didn't respond.

He took a sip of his tea, eyes flicking up to me again, then away. The tension lingered for a moment before he cleared his throat.

"Still, you must admit, disappearing without a word tends to make people worry. Especially someone like you."

He continued, forcing a lighter tone.

"Someone like me?"

I echoed.

"Well…Let's just say you leave an impression."

He hesitated, then smiled again.

I didn't press him. And he, thankfully, didn't press me either.

Another silence settled between us, this one more comfortable. Fenrir shifted slightly near the door but remained quiet, watching everything with sharp attention.

After a moment, the station master stood and set his cup down.

"Regardless…I'm glad you're back. Things have been… quieter without you."

He said.

I did not reply to those words and I had a feeling that the station master did not want me to either.

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