Chapter 15: The Snoopers
The road wound through low hills, covered in grasses that ranged from pale green to dry gold. The sky was clear, an almost cruel blue, with no clouds to offer respite from the sun — but the cold wind of the driest season blew constantly, raising whirlwinds of ochre dust that marked the horizon.
Eren walked ahead, his worn coat flapping in the gusts of wind. The machete at his belt knocked against his leg with each step, setting a metronomic rhythm that blended with the sound of boots sinking into the hard earth.
Behind him, Nyssa dragged her heavy cloak, trying not to make too much noise. Kaela followed with a smile of a bored predator, her gaze burning with that uniquely golden light.
He paused for a moment, letting the wind toss his hair back, and thought to himself:
Next town...
The system flashed a notification.
[Next Destination: Barovik]
[Major regional trade center.]
[Population: ~12,000.]
Barovik. Good market to sell loot. Fewer patrols, lower tax. More chaos.
Satisfied, he took a deep breath and opened the status visor:
[Affinity Status]