The bell above the door jingled as Ethan entered the small restaurant. The late hour meant only a few patrons remained, hunched over their steaming bowls under the moonlight that filtered through the windows.

Lin spotted him immediately, a smile brightening her tired features. “Welcome! “

“Thanks,” Ethan replied with a smile, choosing a corner table with a clear view of both exits.

After exchanging a few pleasant talks. She brought him the soup he always ordered without asking.

…

As the last customers filtered out, Lin collected his empty bowl. Ethan slipped 100 Star coins onto the table—far more than the meal cost.

“Excuse me,” he said as she turned to leave. “Could I speak with your father?”

Her eyes widened slightly. “My father? I… sure.”

She disappeared into the kitchen, returning moments later with an older man. His hands bore the calluses of someone who’d worked hard his entire life, but his eyes remained kind despite the obvious fatigue.

“My daughter says you wanted to talk? Was the food not to your taste? I could make you another one,” The man wiped his hands on his apron.

“No, no. The food was great, but I just wanted to ask you for a favour.”

“Oh?”

“I need a place to stay. One or two days at most. I’ll pay one Low-Iron core per day.”

The father’s eyebrows shot up. A Low-Iron core wasn’t little by any means, the rate he was giving them was the price of Inns.

“I can’t go to an inn,” Ethan added before the man could speak. “It’s complicated.”

Understanding flickered across the older man’s features. In District Three, “complicated” usually meant trouble with authority or debt collectors.

“Our home is small,” he said hesitantly. “Just rooms above the restaurant. My daughter takes the bedroom, I sleep in the living space.”

“I won’t be trouble,” Ethan promised. “Just need somewhere to lay low, no matter how small it is,”

The man rubbed his chin. “I’m sorry, it’s quite difficult.”

“Two Low-Iron cores per day,” Ethan countered. “I won’t stay long.”

Lin, who had been pretending to clean nearby tables, nudged her father’s arm. “Don’t worry, Dad. Accept it.” Her whisper carried a surprising conviction.

Her father glanced between them, clearly torn between caution and compassion.

“Alright, son.” The old man sighed, decision made. “You can stay. And don’t worry about payment—it’s okay. The place is quite small, I can’t take money for it.”

Ethan stared at him, genuinely shocked by the generosity. In both his lives, kindness without expectation had been rare.

“Thank you,” he said simply, the words inadequate for what they were risking.

Lin’s father nodded. “You can take the couch in the storage room. It’s clean, but not exactly comfortable.”

“It’s okay. You’ve been generous enough.”

The old man smiled. “Lin, show him the storage room while I finish closing.”

Lin led Ethan through the kitchen to a small door at the back. “Sorry for the tight space,” she said, unlocking it with a worn key. “We don’t usually have guests.”

The storage room was small but meticulously organized. Bags of rice and flour stacked neatly against one wall, jars of preserved vegetables along another. In the corner sat a worn couch, clearly old but clean.

“It’s perfect,” Ethan said, meaning it. After sleeping in military barracks and forest clearings, this felt luxurious.

Lin fidgeted with her apron. “Can I ask you something?”

“Sure.”

“You’re in trouble, aren’t you? Like, serious trouble.”

Ethan considered lying, then decided against it. “Yes.”

Lin’s eyes widened, but she didn’t back away.

“But don’t worry,” he continued quickly. “I’ll only stay here to sleep. The rest of the time, I’ll be out.”

He glanced at the back door he’d already spotted—scout habits died hard. Perfect escape route.

“If anyone comes looking for me, just say you haven’t seen me. I’ll slip out this exit before they can check.” Ethan gestured toward the door. “Nobody saw me enter. They’ll just be asking around, not conducting serious searches here.”

Ethan’s plan was simple.

Hunt in the forest during the night and come back to sleep before dawn.

Before she left, she gave Ethan spare keys to the storage room so he is able to enter and leave.

Ethan checked his equipment.

‘I currently have two weapons, Han Wei’s short sword and Ray’s bow. Both should prove useful, especially Han Wei’s sword.’

Through the thin walls, Ethan heard Lin and her father speaking in hushed tones. Worry colored their voices, but no regret about helping him.

Meanwhile…

Across District Three, Captain Morrison stood at attention as two soldiers in pristine uniforms approached.

Though they shared his Peak-Iron rank, Morrison’s posture and expression betrayed his subordinate position. The insignias on their shoulders told everything—direct subordinates to General Han himself.

“Captain Morrison?” The taller one assessed him with cold eyes.

“Yes, sir.”

“We’re searching for one of your scouts.” The soldier produced a sketch—Ethan’s face rendered with uncanny accuracy. “Ethan Brandon. Assigned to your wall guard rotation.”

Morrison’s brow furrowed. “Brandon? What’s he done?”

“That’s not your business.”

“Your role is to report him once spotted and assist in his capture.” The taller soldier leaned closer. “Do not engage alone. He’s dangerous. Understood?”

“Yes, sir.” Morrison nodded mechanically. “What about his patrol duties?”

The two soldiers scoffed.

“Do you think he will come back? Find another person to take his spot. He is too busy hiding like a rat.”

After the two soldiers left, Morrison stood there for a moment.

“Ethan…Just what have you done?” He muttered before relaying the news to all the soldiers.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep