The blonde haired girl clutched her head as pain surged through her.
Rune recognized it instantly.
It was the same pain he had felt when the goddess tried to speak his old name. The sensation of something being forced forward, only to be violently blocked.
The pain passed as suddenly as it came.
Once the girl regained her composure, she glanced around the room, her eyes landing on Rune. Then she turned and ran straight back out the door.
Silence settled over the shop.
The two shopkeepers looked at Rune, confusion plain on their faces, unsure of what had just happened or what to say.
Rune broke the silence first.
"I apologize for the commotion. But may I ask who that girl was?"
Elizabeth studied him for a long moment, weighing something unseen. Despite his reputation, despite what had just occurred with one of her valued clients, she seemed to come to a decision.
"Her name is Kathryn," she said. "She arrived in this world about five years ago. She hasn't joined any factions. She works alone."
William nodded. "She's a bit shy," he added. "But my wife loves her because of her skill."
Elizabeth huffed softly. "Isn't that right? I've never seen anyone better with a bow. Whenever I make a new design, I make her go out back and test it."
"If I'm being honest, I've never seen her miss. Even when the bow I give her is off somehow."
Rune bowed his head. "Thank you. And again, I apologize for the disruption. I'll bring back the cores when I get them. For both of you."
He stepped outside, the noise of the city washing over him as his thoughts turned inward.
Saved in the dungeon by arrows.
A memory of a past life with someone named Miri.
And now someone who looks just like her. Skilled with a bow. Blocked from a name tied to the past.
Rune stopped walking.
Slowly, he lifted his gaze to the sky above the city.
'Is she like me?'
'Someone who returned to this world after living here once?'
Rune let out a slow breath, shoulders sinking as the tension finally loosened.
"This world is one giant puzzle," he murmured. "And it keeps adding pieces."
He straightened, resolve settling in his eyes.
"If she's part of my path, then we'll meet again."
Around the corner, tucked deep within a narrow alley, Kathryn leaned against the stone wall, her body folded forward as she fought to steady herself.
'What was that?'
'Whatever he said… I couldn't hear it.'
The pain still echoed faintly through her head, a lingering ache that made her temples throb.
'Gods… that pain.'
She pressed her palm to the wall, breathing slowly.
'When I first saw him, something pulled at me.'
'I followed him without realizing it. All the way to the dungeon.'
Her fingers curled.
'When he was about to die, my arms moved on their own.'
'I didn't think. I didn't hesitate.'
She frowned, unsettled by the memory.
'I've only heard bad things about him.'
Her thoughts stalled, trailing off into something she couldn't quite name.
'So why, when I look at him, do I feel…'
*****
Back at the dungeon entrance, Rune stood still, watching a scene unfold.
The entrance itself loomed large. A massive opening carved into the mountainside, nearly thirty feet tall.
The surrounding rock was scarred and crystallized, its surface warped and glassy, as if it had been burned by an intense, ancient heat.
Six people stood before it.
Each wore the same burnt orange symbol, one Rune recognized instantly.
'Broken Crown.'
Rune let out a quiet sigh.
A man stepped forward ahead of the others. His long brown hair was slicked back neatly, his clothes far too fine for a dungeon crawl. He looked out of place, like someone who had never intended to dirty his hands.
"Alright," he said smoothly. "You all know what you need to do."
The five behind him shifted uneasily.
"We at the Crown took you in," he continued. "I took you in. Gave you a place to stay. Fed you. Provided armor and weapons."
His smile was thin.
"And now it's time to start paying off that debt."
He gestured toward the dark mouth of the dungeon.
"The Ledger has issued a bonus on crystal ore. They need it for a fortress push."
The five others exchanged nervous glances.
"That means you go in there," he said, voice calm, almost casual. "Kill a few spiders. Bring back the ore."
He paused, letting the words settle.
"And you get paid."
Another pause.
"By paid, I mean you get to pay off a portion of what you owe me."
"What you owe the Crown."
The man turned and walked away, leaving the five newcomers standing there, swallowed by the weight of the Crown's unspoken expectations.
"Chris…" one of them whispered. "How did we get into this mess? The spiders… they'll eat us."
"There's nothing we can do, Rosa," Chris replied quietly. "We got ourselves here by accepting all that generosity they pretended to give us. Now we pay for it."
Footsteps approached.
"Hey…"
Before Rune could say another word, Rosa jumped back.
"The Crazy Immo..."
"Yeah, yeah. I know the nickname," Rune cut in, raising a hand. "I'm not here to hurt you. Just to give some advice."
The group froze, unsure.
"The spiders are down the path on the right," Rune continued calmly. "The first room has three. They respawn daily, but that should be manageable for a group your size."
He paused, then added, more firmly.
"Do not go into the next chamber. There are twenty to thirty spiders in there. Some are ranged. It's certain death."
The five exchanged uneasy looks, clearly torn.
Chris stepped forward. "We've learned nothing is free in this world. What do you want in return for that advice?"
Rune smiled.
"Nothing. I promise." He shrugged. "Today and today only, information is free. I'll be taking the left path, so… good luck."
He turned and walked through the threshold of the dungeon.
Behind him, one of the others spoke in a hushed voice.
"Maybe he's one of those generous goblins. The kind that help those in need and punish the wicked…"
Rune brought his palm up to his face and just kept walking.