CHAPTER 89: LATE-NIGHT MYTH HUNTERS

After the conversation, all three of them left the alley, stepping into the dimly lit streets of Iridielle, the city bathed in the silver glow of moonlight. Their footsteps echoed softly against cobblestones still warm from the afternoon sun, shadows dancing with each flicker of the streetlamps. They followed Aveline, who took the lead with confident strides—chin slightly raised, cloak billowing behind her like she belonged in the very night itself.

Marcus, walking a pace behind, glanced around the quiet city streets. The warm yellow light seeping through shuttered windows cast faint silhouettes of residents settling down for the night. Stillness lingered, but there was a strange sort of magic in the air—like the city hadn’t quite gone to sleep yet.

"Where are we going?" Marcus asked, his voice low, his eyes scanning the surroundings—stone walls, flickering lamps, ivy curling around wrought iron fences.

’Did this happen in the game...?’ he wondered, eyes narrowing slightly.

’If so, I’m having a hard time remembering...’

’And the partial memory sync hasn’t popped up for a while now...’

Still, he didn’t feel alarmed. Not yet.

’But it’s fine, not like we’re in trouble.’

"We’re heading to Yurien River," Aveline replied briskly, glancing over her shoulder. "I heard that’s where the myth was most circulated."

Just as she finished speaking, a soft chime echoed in Marcus’s mind—an almost crystalline ring like wind over glass.

[Memory Sync Activated (Partial): Yurien River, the largest river of Iridielle City, Capital of the Holy Kingdom of Huron.]

His eyes widened slightly, lips parting just enough for a silent breath to escape.

’Iridielle... was that even mentioned in the game?’ he thought, surprised. The name "Iridielle" settled into his mind like a puzzle piece finding its place.

’And based on what happened so far, I guess the memory sync only activates when it’s something the original owner of this body knew before...’

Curious, Marcus decided to test a theory. He narrowed his eyes and focused, drawing up a mental image of the river itself—flowing waters, local history, anything he could remember or invoke.

[Memory Sync Activated (Partial): Yurien River, named after the great goddess Yurien that once descended millennia ago to save humanity from the great calamity.]

A small smirk tugged at the edge of his lips.

’That’s nifty...’ he mused, mentally archiving the knowledge.

’As for the EXP and rune creations I gathered... I’ll use them later, when the situation arises. Better to keep trump cards hidden until necessary.’

Lifting his head again, Marcus noticed Cynthia and Aveline ahead of him, now deep in conversation. Their voices were low and steady, filled with that cautious excitement of two people learning to trust each other in the quiet hours of the night. Somehow, while he was lost in thought, the two had started getting along better—bonding, perhaps, over shared curiosity or just mutual exasperation with him.

Noticing Marcus catching up, Cynthia turned her head slightly, a sly glint in her eyes.

"Done with daydreaming...?" she teased, her tone light.

"Honestly, you’re a handful," Aveline added with a shrug, though there was no real irritation in her voice—just that familiar sibling exhaustion she wore like armor.

They turned back to each other, resuming their chatter, leaving Marcus momentarily to his thoughts again.

Eventually, the trio arrived at the city’s entrance to the great river—a narrow path flanked by twin brick bakeries, both shuttered for the night. A short iron gate barred the direct path to the riverside, but the gentle roar of flowing water was unmistakable. Moonlight spilled over the rooftops and onto the cobbled path like liquid silver.

"That reminds me... we didn’t eat anything for dinner," Cynthia murmured, taking a deep inhale as the faint aroma of flour and yeast lingered in the air, a phantom scent from hours before.

"I guess with the adrenaline gone, we’re just starting to notice," Marcus said, letting out a small laugh that echoed off the closed doors.

Aveline shot them both a flat look, arms crossed.

"You wanted to join forces with me in investigating, yet the two of you didn’t even eat yet?" she asked, tapping her boot lightly against the stone with an exaggerated sigh.

"We can’t have that now, can we?" she muttered, spinning on her heel and turning away from the river gate.

"Where are you going, sis?" Marcus asked, brow raised.

"Finding somewhere you two can eat... what if that myth turns out to be a powerful beast? Can’t fight it with an empty stomach," she said bluntly, brushing a strand of hair back with the elegance of someone who clearly thought she was the only adult in the group.

"Besides, the river’s not going anywhere. But if we do find that myth, you’ll want food in your belly to fully enjoy it."

Cynthia’s eyes lit up, and she jogged forward, catching up to Aveline and giving her a playful pat on the back. "Really? You’ll do that for us!?"

She said it with such bright-eyed gratitude that even Aveline seemed slightly taken aback before muttering, "Don’t make it weird."

Marcus simply watched them, amusement curling in his chest.

’I said before that I was getting more sadistic... but I’m actually getting nicer now...’

He rubbed the back of his neck, a small chuckle leaving his lips.

’Nicer than when I entered this world... not sure if that’s a good thing or bad thing.’

He took a few steps to follow them—but suddenly stopped.

A sharp jolt ran through his spine. His instincts—those duller now than they once were—flared for a brief second like a forgotten alarm clock suddenly ringing after years of silence.

Danger.

Watching.

His body turned before his thoughts could catch up. Eyes narrowing, muscles tightening, he scanned the narrow street behind them—alleyways cloaked in darkness, windows shut tight, the wind carrying a chilling whisper.

But there was nothing.

Only moonlight.

Only silence.

Only the faint creak of distant shutters shifting in the wind.

His fingers twitched as if itching for a blade.

From ahead, Cynthia and Aveline paused, both noticing the sudden shift in his demeanor.

"Did you see a ghost?" Aveline called out, half-mocking, though her eyes flicked around cautiously.

Marcus stayed quiet for a beat, then smiled—too relaxed, too casual.

’I should keep this to myself for now... my instincts aren’t what they used to be...’

’Probably being paranoid. But even if someone was following us... I know a perfect way to get them off our trail.’

He waved a hand.

"It’s nothing, I’m just starving here!" he called, jogging up to meet them again, his tone intentionally exaggerated.

With that, the three of them abandoned myth-hunting—for now—and walked into the warm-lit night in search of a late meal, laughter and conversation slowly returning.

But behind them, the wind whispered once more.

And something watched.