The next morning, Sawyer left the inn earlier than usual. After yesterday's investigation, he had confirmed one thing: Kanada City's problems ran deeper than simple poverty. Someone was benefiting from the city's decline, and the only question was who.Unfortunately, answers wouldn't reveal themselves overnight. So for now, he decided to continue observing. Perhaps an opportunity would present itself.Beside him, Wang stretched lazily as they walked through the morning marketplace. Compared to other cities, the market felt lifeless. Most vendors sat behind their stalls with bored expressions, and few customers wandered the streets. Even bargaining sounded half-hearted.Chi shook his head. "This place gets sadder every day.""You're only saying that because nobody has tried selling you something useless today," Wang replied.Chi looked offended. "That happened once.""It happened seven times.""They were convincing."Wang groaned.Sawyer ignored the brothers' usual bickering, his atten

The reputation Sawyer had earned from saving the sick child spread much faster than he expected. By the next morning, several merchants greeted him by name, some nodded respectfully, and others openly pointed him out to their companions.The mysterious young healer had become one of the city's most discussed topics.Not everyone was pleased. Particularly one person.Inside a luxurious clinic located near the wealthy district, Healer Marcus's face remained dark as he reviewed his ledgers. Business had noticeably slowed over the past two days. It was nothing dramatic, but it was enough for him to notice. Several patients who would normally visit his clinic had gone elsewhere. Worse, they kept asking questions about Sawyer, his treatments, and his abilities.Marcus slammed the ledger shut. "Damn brat."A knock sounded at the door. Before Marcus could respond, a servant rushed inside, his face completely pale. "Healer Marcus!"Marcus frowned. "What is it?""The Vance family requests your

The morning after Elena Vance regained consciousness, the atmosphere inside the Vance Estate was completely different. Servants moved through the halls with smiles on their faces, and the tension that had suffocated the estate for days had disappeared. Even the guards stationed around the property seemed noticeably more relaxed.For the first time in weeks, Victor Vance could breathe again. His daughter was alive; that was all that mattered.Inside a spacious dining hall, Elena sat beside her father, slowly eating breakfast. Her complexion was still pale, but the improvement was obvious. Victor watched her almost too carefully every few moments, he would glance at her just to make sure she was truly awake.Elena finally sighed. "Father."Victor looked up immediately. "Are you feeling worse?""No.""Do you need another physician?""No.""More medicine?"Elena rubbed her forehead. "I'm fine."Victor relaxed slightly. Only slightly.Elena shook her head helplessly. "If you continue stari

The merchant gathering ended long after midnight, yet Sawyer couldn't stop thinking about the ring. The symbol, the secretive conversations, and the strange references to "special channels" and "midnight shipments"something was happening inside Kanada City.Something hidden. And the more he learned, the less he liked it.Unfortunately, answers wouldn't come easily. The people involved were cautious, very cautious. For now, all Sawyer could do was wait for another opportunity.That opportunity arrived sooner than expected.Three days later, the Vance Estate received an unexpected visitor. The moment the man entered the main hall, Sawyer could tell something was wrong. The merchant looked exhausted, his clothes wrinkled, and dark circles hung beneath his eyes. He had the appearance of someone who hadn't slept for days.Victor frowned immediately. "Harold."The merchant hurried forward. "Victor, I need your help."Victor gestured toward a chair. "Sit."Harold ignored it. "I don't have ti

Three days passed after the discovery at the abandoned waypoint. Three frustrating days. Three days of questions. And almost no answers.Sawyer had spent most of that time speaking with merchants throughout Kanada City. The results were disappointing. Whenever he asked ordinary questions, merchants spoke freely. They complained about taxes. They complained about declining business. They complained about missing shipments.But the moment Sawyer mentioned the symbol... Everything changed.People became nervous. Conversations ended. Eyes shifted toward nearby listeners. Some merchants simply walked away. Others pretended not to recognize the symbol at all.The reactions were so consistent that Sawyer became even more convinced he was moving in the right direction. People only feared subjects that mattered.One afternoon, Sawyer sat inside a small tea shop near the market district. Wang dropped heavily into the chair opposite him. "I'm tired."Chi nodded. "Me too."The younger brother had