Human Kingdom – Fourth Street
Dark clouds still hung heavy over the sky, blotting out the sun. Snow drifted steadily through the air, melting as it touched the lantern-lit stones of the street.
The market along Fourth Street was open, yet eerily quiet. Only a handful of vendors stood at their stalls, rubbing their hands to fight off the cold. Their lamps glowed faintly in the fog, reflecting off the frost-covered ground.
Leon and Fruela walked through the dim street, their figures wrapped tightly in black cloaks. The snow gathered on their hoods and shoulders, their breaths visible in the freezing air.
Leon’s eyes constantly shifted upward, scanning every sign they passed.
’Fourth Street is about to end... Where’s that red sign? Did I miss it somewhere?’ he thought, frowning as he glanced back, but no such sign was in sight.
"Master," Fruela spoke softly, pointing ahead. "Look — a clothing shop."
Leon followed her gaze.
The sign above the shop’s door read:
[Darwin’s Clothing House — Only Nobles Allowed]
The board was a deep crimson red, glowing faintly under the lantern light. Just opposite to it was a narrow, shadowed alley — exactly as Rio had described.
A faint smile tugged at Leon’s lips. "Let’s go," he said.
He walked straight toward the shop but stopped short of the door. Instead, he turned left, peering into the dark alley.
There, crouched against the wall to shield himself from the falling snow, sat a man wrapped in rags. A worn blue cloth was spread before him, covered with small trinkets, cracked gems, and rusty charms.
"Master?" Fruela asked, puzzled as Leon ignored the shop entrance.
"I want to buy something from him first," Leon said quietly, striding toward the man.
The vendor looked up as they approached, his face pale and tired, but his eyes bright with forced cheer. "Ah, sir! You’ve found just the right place!" he said eagerly. "Today I’m selling rare artifacts — powerful charms that can make your every wish come true!"
Leon didn’t respond. His gaze dropped immediately to the fourth item from the right, on the last second row. Chapters fırst released on novel•fire.net
It was a broken pocket watch — its glass cracked, its hands frozen mid-tick.
’A broken watch?’ Leon thought, brow furrowing. ’That’s what Rio wanted me to buy?’
He didn’t hesitat and used his skill on it.
[Name: Ordanto’s Pocket Watch]
[Description: A broken pocket watch that once belonged to Ordanto Orfile, one of the greatest mechanics to ever live.
It is said Ordanto discovered something he was never meant to know. His final experiment — the one that took his life — left a fragment of his magic sealed within this watch.
When supplied with a large amount of mana, the watch’s hands will begin to move. Once both reach 12 o’clock, the button at the top will reset.
If the user presses that button, time itself will slowdown by tenfolds for five seconds.]
[Mana Cost: 1,000 mana per second of movement]
’Holy shit...’ Leon’s eyes widened slightly, though his face stayed composed. His mind raced as he immediately grabbed the watch off the cloth.
The vendor blinked, startled. "Ah—sir! Why that one? It’s broken! It won’t even tell you the right time. Why not buy this ring of luck instead? It’ll boost your fortune and—"
"How much for this?" Leon interrupted, his tone calm but his smile faintly sharp.
The man hesitated. "One... one copper coin," he said, shoulders slumping in disappointment.
"Good." Leon reached into his cloak, pulled out a coin, and tossed it lightly toward him.
The coin clattered onto the cloth. The vendor’s eyes went wide.
"W–Wait... this—this isn’t copper!" he stammered, staring down at the gold coin gleaming faintly in the snowlight. "Th–this is—"
"Keep the change," Leon said simply, slipping the watch into his pocket as he turned away and entered the shop.
The man stared at the gold coin for a moment, then looked up at Leon’s retreating figure. His hands trembled as he picked it up.
"I–I don’t have to starve anymore... I can feed my kids—YESSSS!" he shouted, tears filling his eyes. He gathered his belongings in a frenzy and ran out of the alley, laughing breathlessly.
A small bell above the door chimed softly as Leon and Fruela stepped inside. The shop’s air was warm, the faint scent of lavender hanging in the air. Shelves of folded silk and embroidered suits lined the walls.
A young woman near the counter turned quickly. "Hello, and welcome to the shop," she greeted, her tone polite but uncertain as she looked at the two cloaked figures.
Leon brushed the snow off his shoulders and walked calmly up to the counter. "I want some clothes," he said simply.
"Of course, sir," she replied, still smiling nervously. "But first, I’ll need to confirm your identity. Can you show me your current attire?"
"No," Leon said without hesitation. "But I can show you something else."
He reached into his inventory and dropped a small leather pouch onto the counter.
The girl blinked. Then, curiosity got the better of her. She untied the pouch and peeked inside — and froze.
Gold coins. A pouch full of them.
Her eyes widened, her posture stiffening instantly.
"Can I see the clothes now ? If you want, I can go somewhere else." Leon asked, a faint smile on his lips.
"N-N-NO! Please wait a moment, sir, I’ll— I’ll fetch the manager immediately!" she said quickly and ran to the back room.
Fruela frowned. "What’s wrong with her?"
Leon chuckled quietly. "She just seems a little nervous."
A door opened behind the counter, and an elderly man stepped out, impeccably dressed in a white suit with gold buttons. His silver hair were combed neatly, and a gentle smile touched his lips.
"I greet the gentleman and the lovely lady," he said warmly. "Claire has informed me of your request. I’ll personally assist you with your selection." He bowed slightly. "My name is Darwin, but with that much money, sir, you can call me whatever you wish."
Leon gave a faint smile. "Then tell me, Darwin — what kind of clothes would suit a man attending a Royal Party?"
Darwin blinked, caught off guard. "E–Excuse me?"
"What?" Leon asked, raising an eyebrow.
"When you said ’Royal Party,’" Darwin began cautiously, "by any chance, did you mean the Yearly Royal Celebration?"
"Yes," Leon replied flatly.
Darwin’s face went pale. "Oh my god..."
He swayed for a second — and then his body went limp.
He collapsed straight to the floor.
"Dad?! Dad, are you alright?" claire shouted, running in from the back carrying a cup of steaming water.
Fruela blinked, baffled. "What kind of shop is this? They’re doing everything except showing the clothes."