## **Chapter 2 – South Gate**
Joseph was the first to wake up that morning. Pale sunlight filtered through the narrow window, softly illuminating the small room. The city of Drastoria was already awake outside — faint sounds of footsteps, distant voices, and the hum of life slowly rising with the sun.
Joseph quietly stepped out of bed and went to the bathroom. After washing his face and freshening up, he returned to the room, adjusting his coat as he glanced around. His eyes stopped on Arthur.
Arthur was still asleep, lying on his back, his expression tense even in rest — as if his mind refused to let go of whatever haunted him.
Joseph walked closer and gently placed a hand on Arthur's shoulder.
"Arthur," he said calmly, giving him a light shake.
"Wake up. It's morning."
Arthur stirred slightly but didn't respond at first. Joseph shook him again, a little firmer this time. After a moment, Arthur's eyes finally opened, unfocused and tired.
Joseph raised an eyebrow.
"You look exhausted. You usually wake up before me. Did you sleep late last night?"
Arthur sat up slowly, rubbing his eyes.
Joseph continued, his voice softer now,
"Were you thinking about Karaku again?"
There was a brief pause. Arthur didn't answer immediately. His gaze drifted toward the window before he finally nodded.
"…Yeah."
Joseph exhaled quietly and straightened up.
"Listen," he said calmly,
"stop thinking about all that for now. Whatever happened, it won't change overnight. Go freshen up. After that, I'll show you around Drastoria."
Arthur didn't argue. He got out of bed and walked straight toward the bathroom without saying a word.
When Arthur returned, dressed and more awake, he noticed Joseph was already fully ready — gear secured, expression composed, as if nothing troubled him.
Arthur broke the silence.
"Do you know when the raid announcement will be made?"
Joseph thought for a moment.
"I think about a week before the raid officially begins."
He then added, glancing at Arthur,
"Are you curious about Durk Karmish? What kind of person he is?"
Arthur nodded slowly.
"Yeah… but not just him. I want to know about everyone who's joining Greater Nobel."
Joseph studied Arthur's face carefully. There was curiosity there — but also unease.
They finished preparing and headed downstairs. Joseph locked the room before they left. The dining area was already busy. Adventurers, merchants, and travelers filled the space, their voices overlapping in low conversation.
They found an empty table near the corner and sat down. A young boy soon arrived, placing bread and warm soup in front of them.
Arthur thanked him quietly and began eating, but his eyes kept wandering.
Two men at a nearby table leaned closer to each other, lowering their voices.
"Did you hear?" one whispered.
"Outside South Gate…"
The other responded cautiously,
"I went to see it myself. From the marks… it looked like the work of a monster."
Arthur slowed his movements, listening.
The first man continued,
"Yeah. Everyone's saying the same thing. Whatever it was, it happened outside the city walls last night. I don't understand what someone — or something — was doing there."
Arthur barely tasted his food now. Joseph noticed the shift and listened as well. Around them, similar whispers echoed from other tables. Fear, curiosity, and uncertainty hung in the air.
When they finished eating, Joseph stood and went to speak with the hotel manager. Arthur remained seated, staring into his empty bowl, his thoughts drifting far away.
Joseph returned shortly after.
"Let's go."
Arthur looked up, pulled back into the present. Joseph could see the tension clearly now — clenched jaw, distant eyes.
"Take it easy," Joseph said.
"We'll head to South Gate first."
Arthur nodded silently.
The morning streets of Drastoria were alive. Merchants shouted from their stalls, metal clanged, carts rolled by, and the smell of food filled the air. From their hotel to South Gate, the walk took nearly thirty minutes.
As they walked, Joseph spoke again.
"What do you think? Natural… or unnatural?"
Arthur didn't hesitate.
"We'll know once we see it."
Along the road, people whispered in small groups. Every conversation seemed to circle back to the same topic — the incident near South Gate.
Joseph glanced at Arthur again. The tension hadn't faded.
Trying to lighten the mood, Joseph asked,
"How was your last mission?"
Arthur replied without much emotion,
"It wasn't that hard."
Joseph understood the signal. Arthur didn't want to talk. He respected that, and the rest of the walk passed in silence.
Suddenly—
Arthur collided with someone.
A girl stumbled backward, and her belongings scattered across the stone road. Arthur froze, snapped out of his thoughts.
"I'm sorry," Arthur said immediately, bending down.
Joseph rushed forward as well, helping gather the items.
"We're really sorry," he said, offering compensation.
The girl accepted it, clearly annoyed but not angry.
"Next time, watch where you're going," she said, then walked away.
Joseph turned to Arthur.
"What's wrong with you today?"
Arthur lowered his gaze.
"Sorry."
They continued walking. Nearby guards had observed the scene but, seeing no issue, returned to their posts.
Soon, South Gate came into view.
Tall stone walls loomed above them. Guards stood in formation, blocking ordinary citizens. Tension was thick in the air. People argued quietly, trying to pass, but the guards remained firm.
Arthur and Joseph approached one guard.
"You can't go further," the guard said.
"This area is restricted."
Joseph calmly presented his guild card. Arthur followed. The guard inspected both carefully, verifying names and guilds.
After a moment, he returned them.
"You may pass."
They stood before the gate. Heavy metal doors, stern gazes, and silence beyond.
They exchanged a brief glance — then stepped forward.
Inside, chaos lingered. Broken ground. Strange marks. A sense of wrongness in the air.
Arthur's breath caught.
Joseph whispered,
"Arthur… this looks like their work."
Arthur nodded slowly.
"I think so too."
Later, as they moved away from the gate, a group of priests passed them. One stopped.
"Who are you?" he asked sharply.
"You don't look like locals."
Arthur straightened himself.
"We're adventurers preparing for the upcoming raid. We need to pass through."
The priest studied them for a moment — then allowed them through.
Arthur and Joseph walked on, both knowing one thing clearly now.
Whatever had happened outside South Gate…
It was only the beginning.