After the chaos in the restaurant, I figured it was best to call it a night and head back to the inn.
Walking through the dimly lit streets of Levearûn, I had time to think—and observe. Despite its nickname, this place isn't pure chaos. It has a rhythm, a pulse… a twisted kind of order. But safe? No. Not by a long shot.
The town's real problem isn't just the lack of laws—it's the way power works here. Rules exist, sure, but they're more like guidelines set by faction leaders. And not everyone cares to follow them. With shady types on every corner and thugs ready to pounce, it's clear this place runs on survival instincts more than justice.
Some folks like Xin step up when things go sideways, but you can't expect someone like him to always be around when blades come out and people snap.
So yeah, not lawless—but definitely not lawful.
That's what life looks like in a town governed by anarchy.
At least, that's the picture I'm starting to paint. There's still so much I don't understand… but I'm getting there. And if I'm going to stay, I'll need to figure it out fast.
Also—note to self—Cherubim can't mimic physical strength. That's on me. Which is a problem, because I can't even remember the last time I threw a punch back on Earth. Pretty sure I'd pull a muscle just trying to jog.
Maybe Xin could train me?
…Would he even agree to that?
I was lost in thought when we turned into a side alley—only to be met by four teenage beastfolk blocking the path, snickering like they'd rehearsed this ambush in front of a mirror.
"Well, well, what do we have here? New face, huh? Hoody boy lookin' all clueless."
And here we go.
"Yeah, I'm new," I said calmly. "Do you need something?"
Without a word, all four pulled out rusty knives, tongues wagging like they were trying to win a crazy-face contest.
"Hand over your valuables if you don't wanna get cut!"
Seriously?
"I'd really prefer not to waste time on this. Move."
[Cherubim, run an assessment.]
[Scanning...]
[Results?]
[They're harmless. Just hungry kids.]
I sighed, long and deep.
The kid in front stepped closer, gray wolf ears twitching as he jabbed his little blade in the air. "Do you know who I am?! I'm Leo the Invincible! Leader of the most vicious fang faction in the south! You don't wanna do this the hard way!"
He was trying so hard to look scary I almost felt bad for not laughing.
Up close, I could see just how thin he was—face gaunt, eyes sunken. His clothes were barely holding together. The bones in his cheeks poked through skin like someone hit the poverty setting too hard.
They weren't acting like people ready to hurt anyone. They were just kids doing bad impressions of grown-up criminals.
I glanced at Rafaela. "Raf, step back for a moment, okay?"
She nodded without question and moved behind me.
The gang of four leaned in and whispered to each other like I'd just pulled a grenade.
Leo took the lead again. "So, uh… are you ready to give us your stuff, Mister?"
I sighed again, raised my hand, and lit it up with a good ol' blast of common fire magic—just enough to look terrifying. The flame roared around my palm, flickering high and wild.
"Here's your chance. If you're really set on robbing me... come and take it."
The reaction was instant.
All four dropped to their knees screaming, shaking like leaves in a storm.
Yep. Definitely overdid it.
But I didn't plan to hurt them. They were all younger than me, maybe barely in their teens. This place must've hit them hard.
I snuffed the flames and felt Rafaela's small hand slip into mine. She looked at the terrified kids with quiet eyes. No fear—just sadness. If I'd used Hephaestus instead of basic fire magic, they probably would've passed out cold.
"Let's go," I muttered.
We walked past their collapsed forms. Just as we were nearly through the alley, a loud stomach growl echoed behind us—loud enough to stop me mid-step.
Of course. That's what this really was.
I let out a long, grumbling sigh, turned around, and looked at them. They flinched like I was going to finish what the fire started.
Without a word, I reached into my bag and tossed a few coins their way. The moment they hit the ground, the kids scrambled like puppies, grabbing them with wide eyes and trembling hands.
"Go eat something," I said. "But don't expect kindness to be a habit."
As I turned away again, footsteps rushed behind me—and suddenly, Leo was on the ground, forehead pressed deep into the dirt.
A full-on Dogeza.
"Thank you so much, Mister!!" he cried, voice cracking.
I turned back, eyebrows raised.
His friends were behind him, silently crying. Not crocodile tears. Real, raw tears. The kind you shed when life hasn't given you a break in far too long.
"You don't need to go that far," I said, scratching my head. "A simple thank you would've been more than enough."
He lifted his head, wiping his face with the back of his hand.
And that's when I really saw it.
That look.
Not mischief, not malice.
Just… desperation.
Whatever those kids were going through, it was heavier than anything a fireball could fix.
All I could do was shake my head.
"Let's go, Rafaela."
We walked away from the alley and back into the broken beauty of Levearûn.
"Big bro Troy is very kind," Rafaela said, gazing up at me with that innocent little smile.
I shrugged. "Am I? I just… did what felt right."
Hardships. Hunger. Desperation. Crime.
This town had it all.
There are good people here, sure. But even they can't save everyone.
This is the life I ended up in—and whether I like it or not, I've got to figure out how to live with it