Ethan stood there for a few seconds after the two demons left.Thinking.Replaying everything.A noble from Blackwater City.Collapsed during a banquet.Unknown cause.And they urgently needed a healer.His fingers tapped lightly against his arm as his mind moved quickly.“…If that’s really connected to Karpeta…”He stared toward the upper district.“…then this is perfect.”Because suddenly—Everything lined up.If he helped them…If he saved the noble…Then Karpeta would owe him.And not just a small favor.A serious one.Ethan’s thoughts sharpened.And Karpeta clearly had connections.She wasn’t some random bystander.She knew the gate.She knew the system.She wasn’t scared of elite guards.She was the daughter of a noble of Blackwater city.Which meant she had influence.Influence that might reach places Ethan couldn’t.Including—The Demon Gate.Or even beyond.Back to the human world.Ethan exhaled slowly.“…Yeah.”This could actually work.If his healing power worked on demons

The guards exchanged another glance. For a moment, none of them spoke. Then one of them chuckled. And another joined. Soon a few of the guards were laughing openly. “Oh, this is rich,” one said, shaking his head. “You?” another added, pointing lightly at Ethan. “A healer who just appeared at the gate?” A third guard smirked. “Did you lose your way from the market?” A fourth guard leaned lazily on his spear. “Maybe he’s selling herbs.” “Or miracle water,” another said. “Don’t forget the famous cure-all tea.” More laughter followed. Ethan remained calm. The first guard waved a dismissive hand. “Look, kid. This isn’t some street clinic.” “We have royal physicians inside,” another said proudly. “Some of the best healers in the capital.” “And they didn’t spend twenty years studying so some random boy could walk in and replace them,” a guard added. One of the younger guards squinted at Ethan. “How old are you anyway?” “Doesn’t matter,” another replied. “He’s clearly to

“I’m not lying.” “Everyone says that.” A man from the crowd spoke up suddenly. “What if he really can help?” The guards turned. “Then he should’ve brought proof,” one replied immediately. “Or a recommendation.” “Or literally anything that makes sense.” Another guard nodded toward Ethan. “You walked here alone?” “Yes.” “No escort.” “No.” “No message from a noble.” “No.” “No letter.” “No.” The guard spread his hands. “And we’re supposed to just… open the gate?” Ethan didn’t answer. A few seconds passed again. One of the younger guards shifted his weight. “You know,” he said slowly, “if this was a gamble, you’re losing.” Another guard added, “Badly.” A woman in the crowd murmured, “He doesn’t look like he’s joking though.” “Exactly,” someone else replied. “That’s what makes it awkward.” One guard rubbed his forehead. “This is getting ridiculous.” Another pointed lightly at Ethan. “You’re still waiting for inspiration or something?” “No.” “Then why are yo

The guard stepped closer.Another one reached out as if ready to shove Ethan aside.“Move,” he said flatly.A few people in the crowd leaned forward.Some expecting a scuffle.Some expecting Ethan to finally give up.A merchant whispered, “Here it comes.”“Yeah,” someone else murmured. “He waited too long.”“Watch,” another voice said. “They’re about to drag him.”A servant nearby slowed slightly. “Is this really necessary?” he muttered under his breath.One of the guards glanced back at the crowd. “Mind your business.”“Just saying,” the servant replied quickly, moving along again.The guard who had reached out flexed his fingers. “Last warning.”“You’ve had plenty,” another guard added.Someone in the crowd whispered, “He should just move now.”“He’s not going to,” another person replied quietly.“How do you know?”“Look at him.”A messenger shifted nervously. “I don’t like this.”“Why not?”“Because nobody stands that still unless something’s wrong.”“Or unless they’re stubborn,” s

“Could it be some curse or illness we don’t know?”“Or maybe the boy knows something we don’t,” another whispered.“Magic!” a young guard suddenly exclaimed, wide-eyed. “The boy can use magic! That’s why Ramos collapsed!”“Don’t be ridiculous!” the official snapped, but his voice lacked conviction.“I saw it,” Ethan said quietly, his gaze fixed on Ramos. “It’s coming from him… the horns. Something inside broke the moment he touched me.”The murmuring grew louder.“I told him not to move!” Ethan said again, almost pleading now. “I warned him!”A guard shook his head. “It can’t be. Ramos is healthy. Nothing inside should make him collapse.”“But it did!” another person cried. “Right after he touched the boy!”“Maybe it’s a fainting spell,” a servant suggested.“No,” Ethan said firmly. “It’s not that. Something inside his horns… it’s dying. He’s bleeding from within. I could see it.”The guards exchanged uneasy glances.“What exactly did you see?” one of them asked cautiously.Ethan swal