The cool morning air gently brushed the trees lining the dirt road between the orphanage and the town.
Hazuki walked along it at his usual half-asleep pace. His left hand was in his pocket, while his other lazily lifted as he yawned wide, eyes barely open.
Beside him, Ridan floated through the air like a relaxed skyfish—diving, looping, occasionally twirling just above Hazuki's head. He wasn't trying to bother him; if anything, the ghostly spirit looked… content. Free.
Hazuki didn't seem to care either.
He scratched his butt once, yawned again, and blinked ahead.
In the distance, just outside the Macia town gate, a large heap of monster corpses formed a grotesque hill.
Even from here, he could see a few guild workers—maybe two, maybe five—moving around the pile, measuring, writing, probably appraising.
He stared at it for a few more seconds.
"Ridan," Hazuki muttered.
The floating mist slowed, hovering mid-spin. "What?"
Hazuki scratched his side absently.
