The VIP section of the auction was definitely something. Ryuu and company arrived at the city all dressed up for the event. Not much as the nobles and merchants but their looks covered the lacking. 

But attending the VIP auction was still a waste. The things they sold were mostly not of Ryuu’s interest. But he did manage to buy some high-quality stones. 

It was all a peaceful waste of money until Q-tip flew out of Ryuu’s pocket. Then began the questioning of the crowd and attempts to buy the cotton fairy. Ryuu didn’t understand what was so special about Q-tip that these people wanted to pay that much. But anyhow, Q-tip wasn’t an object, so why did they think they could buy it?

That aside, Kai effectively rid of the crowd and they managed to escape the auction house. “Stay inside the pocket, will you? Or if you want to go with someone else hide in their pocket.” This wasn’t a suitable palace for any kind of forest fairy.
Q-tip hid back into the pocket looking pitiful.

“Let’s eat before going back, or is it ok if we don’t go back?” Ryuu asked as they walked through the crowd. He was reluctant to pay more for the place. 

“Whichever is fine.” Kai gave Ryuu the clearance to do as he pleased.

But things never go as planned. Ryuu knew this so well, yet he was baffled by the development.
‘What in the world is this?’

[System: It’s a notice posted on high-quality paper.]

He glared at the screen. Notice on a high-quality paper? And why was his name on it? 

Trouble found its way to them, to Ryuu. When they walked into an inn+restaurant, this was the first thing that caught his eye. He took the paper from there and left after barely eating. And they ended up going back to the high-priced place after all.

‘So why is there an arrest warrant under my name?’ 

Ryuu couldn’t fathom why there would be a wanted poster for an assassin. They were like hired help working under an association. Why would there be a warrant for an individual? They were criminals, yes. But they were like secondary criminals, why would anyone put a poster for someone like that? 

[System: Has your brain stopped functioning? Observe it carefully.]

‘What more is there to observe—’ The fact that Ryuu wasn’t raised to be an assassin showed once in a while. No matter how meticulously he was trained, there were meant to be gaps. Reading secret codes was Ryuu’s weakness. He could do the basics but was unlikely to read between the lines. 

‘Is it from GREY?’

[System: Yes.]

The summary of it was that, because he was involved in most of the high-profile murders in the kingdom, GREY wanted him to leave this place. This was their extreme way of conduct. 

That was the surface of the issue. ‘Now tell me what exactly the case is.’

[Mission Unlocked.]

‘There it is.’

[You have come a long way since the day you first woke up on this land. Although you were given a close-to-impossible mission, you have diligently worked toward it. Your name has been recognized as a high-class assassin. 

However, the real task is still impending.]

[You have finished the beginner tasks set in the Anruin Kingdom. Begin your journey towards the sanctuary. The next task awaits you on the way.] 

Leave the Anruin Kingdom. That’s what it meant. 

KS had a game map, 70% of which comprised the Anruin kingdom. The other 30% had directly accessible location points, hunting grounds, markets, and the sanctuary. So for Ryuu, it meant leaving the only place in the continent he was relatively familiar with. 

‘Aren’t there any direct access points?’

[The teleportation gate near the Sanctuary can send travelers directly in front of the door. This is not applicable to an assassin.]

‘That’s not what I meant. It was possible to reach the other corner of the continent automatically before, so—”

[I do not know what impression you’re under. But at the core, this is not a game.] 

Ryuu stared at the screen with a blank expression that slowly became agitated. 

“Then what is this? I have to see a system screen say, ‘This is not a game’?” This was perhaps the first time Ryuu reacted to the system's words out loud. Kai who was nearby glanced his way once before leaving the room. “What you’re saying is contradicting itself.”

[It was never a game, you were given a chance to walk in a different reality, and you took the chance. I’m merely a guide, in a form you find acceptable.]

Chose to? Did he? Ryuu didn’t remember making a choice but yet he couldn’t say that he didn’t. ‘Are you mocking me?’ 

[There is nothing to mock. It is natural to still be in a daze of it, but you will face Kyros, so the sooner you accept reality, the better.] 

“Stop it. I know what is what. Just tell me when to leave.” 

Ryuu knew not all was being said. But in the end, he was also a headless chicken running mindlessly toward a goal. How much was omitted from the information didn’t matter as long as he could fulfill his wish. 

That was his sole reason for surviving.

[You can leave as early as tomorrow, or right now.] 

‘That soon?’

[Yes. Missions can’t be delayed for too long.]

Grumbling, Ryuu began to look for Kai. The house was big enough to fit a whole school of students, so it took a while for him to find Kai, who was on the roof. 

“Why are you outside in the cold?” The night was colder out here because of the mountains. That was why Ryuu didn’t consider looking at the roof at first. But he climbed up the stairs when he thought of Kai’s nature.

“It’s no big deal. Do you need something?” 

“You saw the poster. I need to leave the kingdom. So I wanted to ask if you want to dissolve the contract now.” Ryuu wasn’t keen on dragging Kai all across the continent. 

“Why do I need to dissolve the contract?” Kai asked, “Are you thinking I don’t want to leave the kingdom? This is not my home anyway.” 

That wasn’t it. “I might end up ditching you midway because of my quest, so I don’t want to drag you around.” Ryuu would surely have to go alone in the foreseeable future. He couldn’t imagine dragging Kai halfway through the continent, Kai had no reason to follow him either. 

“I’m not a child. If I feel like it, I’ll resign on my own. You worry about yourself instead.” Kai’s tone was harsh but Ryuu didn’t mind it. This was Kai’s way of showing worry. Ryuu was more than happy to see him even the least bit worried. 

Ryuu shared the info about his escape before getting down from the roof and going to bed. Kai however remained outside, breathing in the cold air. “Why is he like this?” 

No one heard the question, leaving it unanswered in the cold, long night.