"Waaah!"
Nia picked up the skewer of Pisk, which had been set aside, and opened wide, wrinkles forming between brows, to take a big bite of the thickest part of the fish.
The crispy texture of the skin. Then, the rich flavor of the oil from the skin and the fat of the fish flesh enveloped the tongue, followed by the mild taste of the white meat, heightened by a sprinkle of salt that filled the mouth with a burst of sensation.
"Kraaah! Delicious!"
Nia mixed red pomegranate juice with dwarven fireliquor(火酒). The diluted, pale rose-colored liquor was swirled in the mouth, washing away the lingering grease from the bite.
A tingling sensation spread as the fireliquor's warmth coursed down the throat, heating the stomach. The hard wooden chair felt as soft as sitting on a plush fur cushion, and the fireliquor's energy spread from Nia's stomach throughout the entire body.
Lost in devouring the Pisk, Nia soon noticed only the bare bones remained on the skewer.
"Let's try sprinkling some of the dried fruit bits the Reru brought."
Using three fingers, Nia grabbed a handful of colorful dried fruit pieces from the plate and scattered them over the grilled Pisk.
As the dried fruit bits settled on the still-warm fish, an exotic fruit aroma enveloped Nia's nose. Drawn by the sweet scent, another bite was quickly taken. The taste of the grilled Pisk permeated the mouth, blending with the fruit's flavor, which teased the tongue and mingled with the fish's taste, creating a new sensation distinct from the earlier bite.
Paired perfectly with the cool pomegranate-mixed fireliquor, the second grilled Pisk was soon reduced to white bones on the plate.
Satisfied with the meal, Nia rose from the seat with a smile.
"Thanks for coming by. Come back again~"
Receiving the farewell from the Reru shopkeeper after settling the bill, Nia headed toward the alley.
"Mmm! Now there's enough energy to walk to Kisha's Sheep. But first, gotta stop by to tell the dwarf Dram about winning the match."
Patting a full stomach, Nia set off with light steps.
*****
Nia's footsteps were light. Like a minstrel singing while walking, Nia sometimes stepped high with knees raised or glided swiftly, skimming the ground, through an alley lined with carts of various sizes and shapes.
Stall owners beside or in front of the carts shouted to attract customers, while one merchant, silently smiling, held a small dagger in one hand and pointed to it with the other to show passersby.
Woof! Woof woof!!
At the sound of barking from a black-and-gray-furred dog guarding a stall in place of its absent owner, Nia paused and turned toward the noise.
"Where's the owner gone?"
Woof! Pant pant pant pant!
Lowering one knee to the ground, Nia stroked the dog's back.
The dog's tail wagged furiously—left, right, left, right—as eyes met Nia's.
"Khehe! What if I were a thief?"
The dog, now lying on its back to show its belly, wagged its tail even faster, delighted by Nia's scratches on its chest and stomach.
"Nia Calagon?! The arena gladiator Nia Calagon, right?"
A man's voice called from behind.
"Mmm?"
Nia turned, still petting the dog with both hands, to see who was calling.
"It is you! Not many red-scaled Droko carry a long two-handed sword. I saw the match with Doaju. Great fight!"
It was a cheerful-voiced man, dressed plainly with a dark gray cloak and short brown hair—a human.
One thing stood out: the hand extended for a handshake bore a strange beast tattoo and numerous scars from old wounds.
"You saw the match. Thanks."
Standing up, Nia grasped the man's hand, shaking it up and down.
"Yeah! Watched it up close. Honestly, I thought Doaju would win, but halfway through, when you were dodging those attacks—whoosh whoosh—I got this gut feeling, bam! Nia's gonna take it!"
The man clenched a fist, his tone brimming with enthusiasm as if reliving the moment.
"Still need more practice. Today was just lucky."
Nia responded humbly, touching the sword "180 Gold" at the waist.
"By the way, it hasn't been long since the match ended, but you've recovered fast? Your shoulder was…"
The man tilted his head, glancing at Nia's shoulder with a question.
"Got treated right away in the arena's healing bath. Something about mushroom slime, I think. Don't remember the name exactly."
"Ohh! Makes sense. Gotta have facilities like that, right? Everyone's banged up after a fight."
Woof! Woof! Woof!
The dog beside Nia barked loudly, as if joining the conversation. Understanding it as a plea for attention, Nia reached out to pet its head.
"Didn't catch your name."
One hand alternated between the dog's head and chin while continuing the conversation.
"Oh? Right… I'm Koolt, Koolt Bane."
Koolt introduced himself with a bright smile.
"So, Koolt, you came to the Grand Market to watch the arena?"
"Nah, the arena was just a stop before meeting some friends. I'm actually here to get something."
"Ohh. Did you find it?"
"Yeah, got it. The merchant wouldn't budge on the price, though. Haggled for nearly an hour, even bought extra stuff, but no deal."
Koolt's smile faded, lips turning downward, as he stepped closer to Nia.
The dog growled, wary of Koolt's approach, but Nia figured he was just one of those people animals didn't take to.
"So, the thing I got? This Aldeed bird feather."
Koolt pulled out a small, black feather with a blue sheen from his cloak.
"The poison in an Aldeed feather can knock out even a giant Mooloomook with its potent paralysis venom. Doesn't kill, just paralyzes—perfect for folks like us."
As Koolt finished, the feather was suddenly lodged in the back of Nia's right hand.
It happened in an instant. Nia's vision blurred.
The dog's fierce barking grew faint.
Arms and legs lost sensation.
"Hey~ Rondo~~, help me carry this~~"
Koolt's voice echoed… and as everything darkened and blurred, his fading voice was the last thing Nia heard.
*****
Far south of the Grand Market, beyond long stretches of grassy plains, a forest of evergreens stood, always vibrant with vivid green.
The Tolaca tree grove. Dozens of thick branches stretched wide and long, their broad leaves blocking the sun, casting the forest floor in darkness even at midday. The trunks of the Tolaca trees, where countless branches converged, stood majestic, like stone pillars atop a castle's foundation.
In the humid, windless air beneath the Tolaca trees, a group stood in the heart of the forest, cloaked in dark gray.
All five wore matching cloaks, some sitting on the protruding roots of the Tolaca trees, others leaning against their trunks.
"Target, Nia Calagon, delivered. Let's settle the deal first, then talk."
The short, brown-haired man—Koolt—spoke in a low voice, stepping forward into the clearing.
In the silent heart of the forest, even his soft voice carried clearly.
"Gwok! Here's the promised gold. Split into five pouches for easy sharing."
From under a moss-stained brown coat, a green-skinned Grong revealed five leather pouches dangling from webbed, rounded fingers and showed them to Koolt.
"Well, well, such consideration. Thanks."
Koolt walked toward the three Grong standing in the deep shade to his right.
"No need to count, right?"
"Of course."
At Koolt's words, the Grong slid the pouches' straps off its fingers, handing them to Koolt with its distinctive, rolling voice.
"So… Reru sister, your turn to deliver."
Koolt tossed the pouches one by one to the four companions standing a short distance away.
With a clink, each pouch reached their hands.
"Two medium-sized Night Stars. Should I toss 'em? I'm not as considerate as those frogs, so divvy them up yourselves."
From behind another Tolaca tree, a black-furred Reru appeared, yellow eyes glinting in the dark.
"What? No, I'll—oof!"
Before Koolt could finish, two glowing green orbs—Night Stars—flew from the Reru's hand toward him.
Frantically raising both hands, Koolt barely caught the small, pebble-sized Night Stars and let out a heavy sigh of relief.
"First time seeing these in person… Night Stars…"
Koolt opened a palm, gazing at the two small orbs glowing brightly.
Night Stars, gems that lit the dark. No oil, no heat, unshaken by wind. Koolt recalled their reputation for beauty and practicality, making them highly valuable.
"Hmm? Worried it's not enough? It's more than promised. Ask those frogs if you doubt it. They're creepy-looking but know their gems."
The Reru spoke to Koolt, its long tail swaying gently.
"Gwoook! Reru! Who're you calling creepy?!"
Another Grong, standing beside the first, puffed out its throat and shouted.
"Hey, hey, calm down. Since Reru sister says so, I won't bother checking."
Koolt tucked the Night Stars into his cloak, cleared his throat, and resumed the conversation between the Grong and Reru.