"Uhh, mister. Can I help you?" The boy shifted, he scratched his arms as he looked at the ground.

A smile tugged at his lips, tilting his head to the side

"Brat, give me back my money" he said.

The kids crimson eye sharpened, then a glint of something sharp lunged straight ah Zeres’ chest.

Zeres shifted to the side, just enough to avoid it.

’So he’s already at seeker-rank’ it was a great feat, expected from one destined to be one of the most dangerous characters.

"Shadow blink" the boy chanted, then his body produced a smoke before he disappeared.

Zeres smirked faintly, he tilted his head to the side—evading a thrown knife.

’It’s really a great help sometimes’ Zeres thought. Him being a vampire had also been a great help, his senses were superior to humans—he could even detect an enemy even if they’re hidden in stealth.

"You need more training" Zeres said flatly, then his hands sprang forward to grab the empty air.

"Wha—" the kid didn’t manage to complete his sentence as he hung suspended mid air, his stealth dispelled.

"Let me go! " he resisted, his legs flailing—but then he stopped.

"I’m sorry, I’ll give your money back! "

Zeres snorted, then he laughed "For someone who steals for living, you’re quite soft."

The kid sniffed, his gaze low on the ground. "I don’t have a choice" he mumbled, barely audible.

Zeres stared at the boy, his gaze softening. This kid was one of his favorites on the story, he wasn’t cruel by nature—but society made him so.

The silence between them continued, broken o ly by the laughter of people outside the narrow alley.

All of a sudden, a growling noise resounded. The kid touched his stomach immediately, his gaze avoiding Zeres.

"You’re hungry? " Zeres asked. His voice soft and a genuine smile on his face. It had always been his thoughts, that if he have to be a father—he’ll be a father figure for this unfortunate child.

"For free? " the kid looked up at him, his eyes glowing with faint hope.

"Yes. What’s your name? " Zeres extended his hand gently.

"Umm, I don’t have a name" the boy took his hands as he answered.

Zeres lips twitched, then he opened his mouth.

"Want me to give you one? "

The kid’s head stilled, then it look at him—his eyes narrowing. "What do you want? "

"Your Allegiance" Zeres replied, his gaze sending shivers to the boy’s spine.

"W-why? " he bit on his lips. As always, kindness wasn’t given without ulterior motive.

"You have potential, and I need that"

The kid’s head snapped at the robed man before him. He could feel that he meant it.

He kept glancing at the man beside him, confusion twisting inside his chest. ’Nothing made sense.’

’People didn’t simply help others.’

Every scrap of kindness he had ever received always carried chains behind it. Food meant debt. Shelter meant obedience. A smile usually came before a beating. He learned those lessons way too early for him to survive.

Yet this man—This strange man walking beside him had done nothing, he even offered to feed him despite knowing he was a thief.

It made him uneasy. His fingers curled tighter around the torn fabric on his sleeves as they walked through the narrow streets. He stole another glance at the man, only to quickly look away.

"Strong.’That was the only word he could think of".

Not just because he easily caught him from stealth, but because of the strange pressure around him. Calm yet intimidating, like standing near a sleeping beast.

He clenched his fists. ’He should run.’That thought echoed repeatedly inside his head.But his feet continued following behind the man.

’Potential,’ the man in robe had said he saw his potential.

No one had ever spoken that word towards him before. To others, he was only a thief. A rat surviving in the alleys. Someone filthy people avoided looking at.

But this man looked directly at him. He didn’t show any disgust, repulsion, but only a gentleness that made him wonder why.

He bit his lips quietly.’It felt strange.’ He knew what he was doing was foolish, so foolish it could get him killed. But a part of him also yearned to belong to something, someone.

When the man asked for his allegiance earlier, fear immediately rose inside him. But beneath that fear was something else he had long buried, crushed by the endless suffering he’d suffered

As he walked beside the tall man, hearing his calm footsteps beside him, Ryu quietly realized something.

’How could you possibly know me? ’ he wanted to scoffed, but the sudden acknowledgement from a person he didn’t even know prevented him.

The kid just stared at the man quietly, still walking beside him as they neared a gate, two men stood there; smoke on their mouth.

"Hey, is that your slave? Where’s the restrictions? " the man on the left blocked their way, a sleek spear rested in his shoulders.

"I won’t tolerate being interrogated" Zeres scowled, then he threw one pouch of coins towards the man.

"Aye, you can go" the man winked, a wide smile on his face as he whispered something on his comrade.

They both nodded before opening the gate.

"Now we’re out" the man’s voice became clearer, the kid lifted his head—the man had removed his robe. The man had a long white hair cascading down his back and a burning crimson eyes—he looked like a deity given form.

"Are you a woman? " the kid asked, he doubted the possibility, but the man’s face was too smooth for a man.

"I’m a man. And don’t ask that question here and there; even noble mens have smooth skin" the man smiled, his pale yet porcelain skin was too unfamiliar for him.

"Zeres, my name’s Zeres" the man ruffled his head, then he spoke in a gentle tone "And you’re name will be Ryu"

"Ryu? " he echoed, his eyes shining, then he smiled genuinely. "Yes brother Zeres! "

The sunlight made him stepped back as he covered his vision. When he opened it, his eyes widened—a nuzzling town greeted him. Peoples on decent clothes and kids younger than him enjoying their lives.

’Can I also live like that? ’