Chapter 44 - 43 - Red Eyes in the Alley
Not long after that, Mira woke up. Though she still looked weak and a little dazed, the young girl immediately got up when Riven asked her to leave. They didn’t want to stay there any longer. Even if the medical bills were paid in full, Riven still felt uneasy "owing" space in such a luxurious place.
They walked down the main road of Dorthlam City, their footsteps blending with the buzz of city life. Dorthlam was a fairly large city, quite bustling—street vendors shouted out their goods, the sound of horses pulling carts echoed, and the clinking of metal from the blacksmith’s forge filled the air. The warm midday sun hit their skin, adding to the sense of a fast-moving and colorful life.
However, Riven felt like a stranger. His steps were steady, but his thoughts were far behind.
This journey... had been reckless. Dangerous. He had set off with nothing but a sliver of hope and a dose of courage after hearing a rumor. It wasn’t an exaggeration to say he was alive only thanks to luck.
But even though most of his belongings were lost—his weapons, gear, even the loot—none of it was wasted. He found Crysthalis. That alone was enough to pay for everything he’d lost.
And... he met Anna.
That woman didn’t just save their lives. She trained both of them, him and Mira, to become Lawbearers. Even though she also brought danger with her.
But without her... without Anna...
Riven and Mira would’ve been dead, devoured by that beast wave. Their story would’ve ended right there.
The image of Anna’s face appeared in his mind. That sharp gaze. Her rare but unforgettable smile. Her blood-red hair falling freely at night.
And then—without him realizing it—another image followed. Anna’s bare figure, bathing in the lake under the moonlight. The moment flashed so vividly in his head that he slapped his own cheek hard.