Ishiki peeked out from the alley and waited until the cart's bulk obscured the guards' line of sight. He took a deep breath, centering himself.

Then he activated [Ghost Blade] once more and flowed between the passing humans to reach the cart within time.

He hopped onto the back of the crate, settling into a small gap between two crates of expensive wine.

The cart rolled up to the gate. Ishiki held his breath, and sat perfectly still. Though, the guards were mere humans and he didn't need to worry as they could not perceive him at all. But being extra careful has never hurt anyone.

The guards stopped the cart just mere meters from the doors. One of the four people pulling the cart brought out a pass from his pocket and passed it to the guard.

There was a muffled exchange of words. Then, the guard with big mustache—still looking irritable—poked his spear into the back of the cart, checking for stowaways.

The steel tip thrust into the space between the crates. It missed Ishiki's leg by a single inch.

Ishiki stared at the steel tip, unblinking.

"Clear," the guard grunted.

The cart lurched forward, the four humans groaned under the weight as they pulled it through the massive Obsidian Gates.

The wheels of the supply cart moved against the pristine white cobblestones. Producing a rhythmic, tortured sound that grated against the unnatural silence of the Secondary Ring.

Ishiki crouched in the narrow gap between the two crates, his body swaying with the motion. Through the slats of the wooden crate, he watched the backs of the men pulling the cart.

They didn't speak a single word to each other. They didn't even look around at the architectural marvels they were passing.

They just leaned forward, step after agonizing step, hauling luxury they would never taste to a destination they would never be welcomed in.

It was a painful truth... this world called NEXUS, had no kind of animals left. There were just humans and withering beasts. Well, the demons came in a different category... a smart and lethal one.

Essentially, human labor was needed to perform any kind of work in this world. And Aethelburg was surrounded by five regions of absolute death... The Crimson Canopy, Infinite sea, The Mountains of dread, The Dead man's Dessert and The Gluttonous meadows.

It was a place isolated from the rest of the world of NEXUS. Not by choice... but after the harrowing events that followed 'The Great Corruption'.

This was one of the most essential information Ishiki had learned after coming to the Capital of Aethelburg.

The cart hit a bump, and Ishiki winced, gripping the wood to steady himself. The cart was moving deeper into the residential district, past the high walls of the noble estates and towards the commercial plaza.

Ishiki closed his eyes and let his perception expand out of his body... he saw an area of around 500 meters in the shades of black and white around him.

As the cart slowed to navigate a sharp turn near a fountain, Ishiki saw his chance and then hopped off. One moment he was wedged between the crates, the next he was rolling onto the pavement.

He absorbed the impact with his shoulder, his body still wrapped in the monochrome veil of his skill. He slowly stood up, dusted off his knees, and exhaled.

Without delay, Ishiki stepped onto the sidewalk, merging seamlessly into the flow of pedestrians. He adjusted his coat and pulled the collar up, trying to look less of an outsider.

The Secondary Ring was... distinct.

It was simply wealthy and, oppressively so. The streets were wide avenues of white stone, lined with gas lamps made of polished brass. The buildings were grand Victorian structures, with their clean and intricate facades.

Every time he visited here, he felt a little distant.

People here walked with a slower, more arrogant gait. Men wore tailored suits and women adorned in dresses of fine silk.

Ishiki walked among them, but as he weaved through the crowd, a strange sensation washed over him.

There was nothing wrong actually, he could feel the warmth of the sun, smell the expensive perfumes and hear the soft laughter... but still, deep down—he felt detached. It was as if he were walking through a painting he wasn't part of.

To him, they didn't look like people. Strangely enough, he felt a profound, chilling isolation... as if he were the only living organism in a gallery of empty statues.

If they attacked him... all at once.

'I could kill them all, ' the dark thought surfaced, unbidden and cold. 'Everyone on this street. In less than a minute, if there are no variables-'

Ishiki stopped himself just there. What the hell was he thinking? He shook his head violently, pushing the darkness back down into the cage of his mind.

He navigated through the pristine streets and turned left at the Clock Tower, a monstrosity of brass and crystal.

Soon, he reached his today's destination. The second largest garden in the Secondary ring.

It was less of a park and more of a terrestrial paradise, as it looked to Ishiki.

Alien flora that belonged solely to the world of NEXUS, had been cultivated here—trees with bark like blue glass and flowers that hummed soft melodies when the wind blew. Even the grass here shimmered like crushed emeralds.

It was quiet, peaceful, marvelous and malevolent.

Ishiki stopped at the entrance, his heart doing a nervous little flip. He ran a hand through his hair, trying to tame the chaotic black spikes, though a few stubborn strands fell over his eyes anyway.

He slowly walked in and scanned the area, ignoring the young noble couples walking arm-in-arm and the elderly scholars debating on benches.

He headed toward the center, where the Weeping Silver Willow stood.

And then he saw her.

Yuki sat on a bench carved from a single block of white marble. And today, she wasn't wearing her usual combat gear. The armor was replaced by a simple white sundress that made her look deceptively fragile.

Her pink hair that were usually tied back for battle, cascaded down her back like a waterfall of cherry blossoms.

She sat perfectly still, with her hands resting in her lap and her expression was calm, distant, and utterly unapproachable.

She was looking straight and yet Ishiki could tell that, she wasn't admiring the view. She was staring blankly at the empty air about two feet in front of her face.

'Probably checking the system window.' he chuckled.

As he got within ten feet, Yuki blinked. The invisible interface vanished from her vision, and her focus snapped back to reality. She turned her head, her pink eyes locking onto his with the precision of a sniper.

Ishiki slowed his approach and halted just in front of her bench.

The corners of her lips twitched and a small smile played on her soft lips.

"You're late," she said softly.

Ishiki took a deep breath and shoved his hands into his coat pockets. He offered a crooked, tired grin.

"Its a miracle I am here," he replied, his voice low. "And... I think I made a mortal enemy out of a gatekeeper."

She didn't even blink at the joke. Instead, she stood up abruptly, smoothing out her dress with a sharp, efficient motion.

"Save the stories, Ishiki," she said, her tone clipped and urgent. "We don't have much time, let's get to the business quickly."

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