5. Hidden Desires (1)

Serena and Violina stepped out from the back yard of the abandoned shop, their breaths still heavy after the fierce battle against the zombies.

The biting night air greeted their victory, as if acknowledging that they had successfully completed the quest. Yet, the moonlight peeking from behind the clouds added a subtle tension to the silent midnight atmosphere.

“Let’s head back, Serena. This dress—” Violina grimaced as she caught the scent of her own outfit, after crashing into a pile of garbage earlier. “—smells awful. Once we reach Hiddenama City, I have to change. I can't stand this stench any longer.”

She closed her eyes for a moment, shedding her fierce wolf form and returning to her elegant human appearance. Her beast form had brought them through the battle—but now it was time to rest.

Serena, who had been quietly listening to her friend’s complaints, simply smiled faintly.

She pulled out the other quest paper given by Nea from her skirt pocket, which was also marked by the remnants of battle. The hem of her dress was slightly torn, and stains of blood and dirt clung to the fabric.

“Hang in there, Violina. We need to find the teleportation portal altar first. I’ll check the map—it might not be too far,” Serena explained, unfolding the glowing map under the pale moonlight. Her blue eyes traced the faint symbols, searching for direction.

Violina, usually full of spirit, just huffed in reluctant agreement.

“Don’t tell me we have to walk far again. My coat’s already a mess,” she complained. But upon seeing the glowing blue symbol Serena pointed to, her expression shifted. “Oh... so it’s close, huh?”

Serena nodded, pointing her finger at a blue building symbol not far from their current location.

“Seems like it. There’s a portal altar we can use not too far from here,” Serena confirmed. “If we hurry, we might reach it before the cold gets worse.”

Violina sighed deeply, glancing up at the sky now clear of clouds. The road around them was equally deserted—no signs of police or lurking enemies.

The night breeze drifted gently, making Serena’s white hair and Violina’s brown strands flutter wildly in the air.

“Alright, let’s walk. It’s safe here anyway,” Violina murmured with a thin smile. “Besides, those police have already cleared out. They probably ran far away once we caused that little scene.”

“Yeah, I think we’re safe now,” Serena replied, rolling the map back up and slipping it into her dress pocket. “Let’s go.”

They began walking away from the silent backyard of the shop, their footsteps echoing softly on the gravel path.

The moonlight slowly lit the narrow trail before them, emphasizing the silence and chill that dominated the night.

There was no sound—except for the breeze that seemed to whisper mysterious voices from the darkness beyond.

“Serena, why did you zone out earlier when that NPC threw the quest paper at you? Even now, you still look distracted,” Violina asked, frowning.

Her gaze was probing, watching Serena’s downcast face, lost in thought since the battle ended.

Serena flinched at the question, as if snapped out of a trance that had haunted her since the fight. She paused for a moment, then slowly turned to Violina, her eyes heavy, as if she were holding back something unspoken.

“Sorry, Violina. I was spacing out,” she replied quietly, barely a whisper. “I was thinking... about my parents,” she added, her voice faint, making Violina pause mid-step.

Violina raised an eyebrow, confused, but still tried to understand what Serena was feeling.

“Your parents? You mean your adoptive parents in the magic world? Serena, you know they’re not dragons like you, right? And... in our old world, humans and monsters never truly got along. There were even rumors that the Game God only appeared because humans wanted to conquer the monster races,” Violina said in a calm yet serious tone, gently reminding Serena of their world’s harsh reality.

Serena nodded, though her eyes remained fixed on the path ahead, her thoughts distant. She bit her lip and closed her eyes for a moment, trying to calm the turmoil in her heart.

“Maybe they were just my adoptive parents, Violina,” Serena finally said, her voice trembling slightly. “But... they were the only ones who raised me. Before I was brought to this world, they were the ones who cared for me, protected me. How can I just forget them?”

Violina slowed her steps, her gaze softening as she looked at Serena. She could feel her friend’s pain.

“I understand how you feel, Serena. But… why haven’t you ever tried to find your real parents? You know, if you can return to the magical world, there might be a chance to meet them. There’s a city that’s home only to the dragonkind, right?”

Serena fell silent, her breaths heavy with the weight of a past she could never shake.

Her eyes stayed on the never-ending pavement, while Violina’s words echoed in her mind, chipping away at her defenses.

“I don’t know, Violina,” she murmured. “I don’t even know what my real parents look like. And… after that incident.” Her voice cracked, the pain of old wounds seeping into her words.

Violina, seeing the turmoil in her friend’s heart, offered a supportive smile and gently grasped Serena’s hand, giving her warmth in the coldness of the night.

“Don’t worry, Serena,” Violina said in a soothing voice. “I’ll help you find your real parents—if the monster races can eventually return to the magic world. The Hiddenama Guild and all the other monster guilds here in the human world are planning for it. Somehow, some way.”

Serena only gave a faint nod. Though Violina’s words brought a glimmer of hope, her heart remained cloaked in uncertainty. As they continued walking, Serena’s thoughts drifted back into the past—to memories of her time with her adoptive parents in the world of magic.

The images from that time began to paint themselves vividly in her mind:

The sky above the city of Alcaist was bright, filled with slowly drifting white clouds. A haven for travelers in the magical world. Warm sunlight pierced through tall, ancient buildings made of neatly layered red bricks and stone.

Each building wall bore the name “City of Alcaist” in bold, ornate lettering, giving the impression of a bustling hub for adventurers and demi-humans alike.

The city was alive with activity. People bustled through cobbled streets, some pulling carts laden with goods. Not just horses, but also large pigs and massive lizards took the place of draft animals in their world.

Serena, still a young girl back then, was mesmerized by the vibrant surroundings. Her wide eyes darted around in awe, soaking in every detail.

Shops lined the streets, selling everything from potion ingredients and weapons to adventuring tools. The distinct scent of herbal mixtures blended with the smoky odor of a blacksmith’s forge, filling the air.

“Serena, this is Alcaist City. It’s a city of demi-human adventurers. Don’t get lost while we’re walking around, okay?” said a young woman, firmly holding Serena’s right hand.

She was a human woman, her beautiful yet stern face lined with faint scales. Her gentle eyes always radiated warmth toward Serena.

“Yes, Mother,” Serena replied politely. But after a brief pause, she pouted like any defiant child. “But I wouldn’t get lost anyway! I can fly, remember?”

The woman stifled a laugh, smiling at the stubbornness of her adopted daughter.

Beside them stood a tall, muscular man—also human, his face bearing the same scalelike features. His voice was deep and commanding as he joined the conversation.

“Yes, I know you move fast that way. But you have to remember one thing: never reveal your dragon form in this city. This is a place for demi-humans, and some of them might be looking for you. So I’ll remind you again—be careful,” he said, eyes serious as he looked down at Serena.

Serena lowered her head. Her cloak covered almost all of her body, leaving only her lips visible. Her mouth twisted downward in a slight frown, betraying her frustration.

“Yes, Father. I know. I won’t use my dragon form,” she muttered begrudgingly, even though she understood the gravity behind the warning.

Her father—strong but wise—offered a faint smile. He gently adjusted Serena’s hood, making sure her long white hair remained hidden.

“I’m sorry, Serena. We’re fugitives. I just don’t want anything bad to happen to you,” he said softly, though his gaze carried deep concern and love he could no longer hide.

Serena gave a silent nod, feeling the weight of her family’s burden. It wasn’t easy being on the run in a bustling city like Alcaist.

“Father, Mother…” Serena looked up at them, her expression troubled, her small mouth quivering. “How long do we have to live like this? I’m tired of running from one city to the next.”

Her parents fell silent, their faces clouded with helplessness.

“I don’t know, Serena. I’m sorry,” her father answered quietly.

Her mother said nothing—her head bowed, eyes lost in a storm of uncertainty. Her right hand clutched tightly at a small leather pouch hanging at her hip.

Both of Serena’s adoptive parents wore similar cloaks, though theirs did not cover their faces. Small horns protruded from their foreheads, clearly visible.

As they stepped into the center of Alcaist’s market district, a new tension settled over them.

By instinct, Serena’s parents grew alert. Their eyes scanned the area carefully. The streets, usually brimming with merchants and adventurers, now held clusters of armored soldiers in red.

These soldiers were half-dragons, their tails swaying behind them, black horns jutting from the tops of their heads.

“Serena, keep your head down. Don’t let your face be seen,” her mother whispered urgently, her voice taut with anxiety.

They walked through the market with shallow breaths, doing their best not to attract attention.

Once they passed the soldiers’ patrol zone, they slipped into a plain-looking tavern at the corner. The wooden door creaked as it opened, and the rich aroma of roasted meat and ale rushed to greet them.

Inside, the atmosphere was far livelier and more diverse.

Most of the tavern’s patrons were monsters—many of them half-human—ranging in form, size, and species. The rest were humans.

Some were feasting on roasted meat from giant beasts, while others lifted hefty mugs of ale, laughing boisterously as they swapped tales of their adventures.

In the corner of the room stood a massive quest board, cluttered with papers containing missions and challenges, posted haphazardly by the busy servers weaving through the crowd.

Serena’s father approached the front counter with a steady stride, though the tension from earlier still lingered in his mind.

He made his way toward the woman working behind the counter—a strong-built figure with prominent muscles beneath her server’s attire. Though her hair was streaked with gray and her face showed signs of age, her posture was still impressively firm and energetic.

The woman, polishing a glass absentmindedly, glanced toward the guest approaching her.

“Excuse me, ma’am. I’d like to speak with Master Rufus,” Serena’s father said politely.

The woman raised an eyebrow, her sharp gaze locking onto his face.

“What do you want with my husband?” she asked with suspicion in her voice. Her eyes narrowed, as though gauging whether this guest was a threat.

Before the tension could rise any further, Serena’s mother stepped forward calmly, her face graced with a soft smile. She gave a small nod, introducing herself in a gentle, melodic voice.

“Madam Resyana, how have you been? Do you still remember me?” she asked warmly, though her tone carried a trace of nostalgia.

Madam Resyana paused, studying the woman before her.

Her face showed a flicker of confusion, as though her mind was digging through faint memories to place the figure standing in front of her. But once realization struck, her eyes widened in surprise.

“Biana? You’re Biana, aren’t you? But why does your face have scales now?” she exclaimed, her tone shifting from suspicion to disbelief.

Serena’s mother chuckled softly and nodded.

“Yes, ma’am. I am Biana. And this here is my husband. There’s a long story behind these changes, but we’re alright,” she said with a warm smile, hinting that explanations would come in time.

Madam Resyana stood frozen for a moment, clearly still processing the drastic transformation her old friend had undergone.

Without hesitation, she flipped the “BUSY” sign onto the counter, then hurried out from behind the bar and grabbed Biana’s hands with uncontained enthusiasm.

“Why didn’t you tell me you were coming? Oh my goodness! Come in, don’t just stand out here!” she said brightly, her previously stern face now glowing with genuine warmth.

“Thank you, Madam Resyana, but actually—we were hoping to speak with Master Rufus. There’s something important we need to discuss with him,” added Serena’s father with a respectful nod.

Madam Resyana nodded understandingly, then glanced at the small girl standing quietly behind her parents. Her gaze softened when it landed on the little girl, and Serena, noticing the look, gave a shy wave.

“Hello, Auntie. It’s been a while,” Serena greeted softly.

Without warning, Madam Resyana swept Serena up into a tight embrace, like an aunt reunited with a beloved niece.

“Oh, little Serena! You’ve grown so fast! Come, come inside—you all must be tired,” she said with a joyful laugh, lifting Serena into her arms and carrying her into the back room of the tavern.

Meanwhile, Serena’s mother and father followed close behind, stepping into a quieter room, far from the bustling noise of the bar. As soon as they entered, Madam Resyana shut the door behind them and turned to face Serena’s parents with a look of deep concern.

Serena, still lost in her thoughts, suddenly felt a tap on her left shoulder.

Violina nudged her hard enough to jolt her back to the present, causing Serena to shake her head, trying to dispel the lingering shadows of her past.

“Hey! Serena! Snap out of it already!” Violina grumbled, her usual scowl appearing the moment she saw Serena zoning out again.

Serena took a deep breath, trying to calm the chaos in her mind. “Sorry, Violina. What is it?”

Looking mildly irritated, Violina pointed ahead. “We’re almost there. Look! That intersection—it’s just like on the map. Now we just need to find the merchant NPC who sells portal stones. So quit spacing out.”

Serena followed Violina’s gesture, her gaze focusing on the quiet crossroads ahead.

The traffic light blinked yellow in an endless rhythm, casting a soft glow that contrasted with the surrounding darkness. The area felt desolate, like an abandoned city. The sidewalks were empty, and the only sound was the echo of their footsteps.

Off to the side of the road, not far from the intersection, stood a small kiosk. It looked simple—a metal box with two tables and a few chairs. There was no sign of life around it, save for an old man sitting quietly behind a tiny counter.

“That must be him—the merchant NPC,” Serena murmured, narrowing her eyes. “No way a normal human would be selling stuff in a place this deserted.”

Violina crossed her arms, her gaze fixed on the kiosk with careful observation. “Exactly. What kind of human would even think to sell stuff out here?”

Wasting no time, they quickened their pace toward the outlet. The night air grew colder and more piercing, but their steps were steady, their destination now in sight.

When they arrived, they found the old man sitting silently behind the kiosk. His wrinkled skin revealed his advanced age, but his eyes remained sharp, scanning his wares with quiet focus.

On his small table, the items on display were nothing extraordinary: sachets of instant coffee, cigarettes, and a few packaged snacks and drinks. There was no sign of any magical goods—but something in the old man’s gaze made Serena and Violina feel certain this was no ordinary vendor.

Violina greeted him politely, “Good evening, sir. We’re looking to buy something. Do you happen to sell teleportation portal stones?”

The old man slowly lifted his head, revealing a faint smile across his wrinkled lips.

Serena and Violina watched him closely, searching for any hints that he might not be human. But there was nothing unusual about his appearance. He looked like a perfectly ordinary elderly man—no monster traits, no magical aura.

He didn’t answer right away. His hand reached for a small cup of coffee that had long gone cold on the table.

After taking a slow sip, he set the cup down and finally replied in a raspy but calm voice, “Teleportation portal stones? I don’t know anything about that.”

Serena and Violina exchanged looks, doubt creeping into their expressions.

They both took a step back. Serena quickly pulled the folded map from her dress pocket, checking the coordinates for the merchant NPC who was supposed to sell the portal stones.

“There’s no way this is the wrong spot,” Serena muttered, clenching the map in her hand. “That old man has to be the one,” she added, pointing at the glowing blue basket symbol on the map.

She was sure she was at the right place. The intersection matched the location depicted on the map—she could see it clearly before her eyes.

Violina, still a bit skeptical, took a bold step forward. “Alright, maybe he just wants proof that we’re serious about buying the item.”

Serena narrowed her eyes, placing a finger on her chin as she tried to make sense of what was happening.

“You might be right. Maybe we need to prove we’re real monsters to buy the portal stone. The Hiddenama Scout Hunter who sold it to him might’ve given special conditions for buyers.”

With a face full of certainty, Violina stepped back toward the old man without hesitation. She focused her energy, transforming back into her werewolf form. A long, bushy brown tail appeared from beneath her skirt, followed by two wolf ears that emerged atop her head.

She reached up to her right ear, pulling out several gold coins she had hidden there.

Calmly, Violina placed three gold coins on the kiosk table.

The old man stared at the coins for a moment, then his faint smile grew wider. With practiced ease, he collected the coins and, without a word, swapped out the goods on display from underneath the table.

He placed several red potions on the counter, along with a few flat stones that shimmered faintly—clearly magical in nature.

The old man picked up one of the flat portal stones and two of the potions, then handed them to Violina with a slow but steady gesture.

“Thank you for your purchase,” he said in a raspy voice. “Is there anything else I can help you with?”

Violina accepted the items with a firm nod, while Serena, who had been standing silently behind, finally felt a sense of relief. They were indeed in the right place.

“No, sir. This is enough,” Violina replied, slipping the portal stone into her pocket. She turned to Serena, her expression a little brighter now that they had what they came for.

“Let’s go home. Where should we break the portal stone?” she asked lightly.

Serena nodded, though the smile on her face was faint. Her thoughts were still clouded by shadows of the past, but she tried to stay focused on the present moment.

“Let’s break it in the middle of the road,” she replied with a hint of humor. “If we do it here, we might accidentally teleport the old man’s kiosk to Hiddenama.”

Violina chuckled quietly, but just as they were about to walk away, the old man’s voice called out once more, stopping them in their tracks.

“Be careful out there, girls,” he said, his raspy tone now edged with gravity. “This place might seem quiet—but Human Hunters have been patrolling heavily since yesterday.”

Serena froze mid-step. A sudden wave of unease spread through her chest. She turned around, eyes locking onto the old man with a serious gaze, while Violina had already wandered into the middle of the road.

“Thank you for the warning, sir,” Serena said politely.

But the old man’s response wasn’t what she expected. His expression grew even more serious as he slowly shook his head.

“Don’t thank me later—be careful now,” he said quietly, but with firm clarity. “They’ve been watching you this whole time, child.”

A chill ran down Serena’s spine. She instantly turned her gaze in every direction, her eyes scanning the darkness that cloaked the area around the intersection.

Violina, who had already walked several meters ahead, stopped in her tracks and glanced back. She noticed Serena frozen in place, her posture tense.

“What’s wrong, Serena?” Violina asked, confusion lacing her voice.

Serena didn’t answer right away. Her expression had turned serious, her eyes sweeping across the dim surroundings, searching for any hidden signs of danger.

The atmosphere suddenly shifted, as if the night wind had ceased and only silence remained between them.

Then, out of nowhere, a sharp whistle pierced the quiet. The sound was high-pitched, shrill, and so close it seemed to vibrate through the very air around them.

Serena straightened her shoulders, while Violina spun around quickly, her eyes locking onto the row of old buildings lining the street.

“That whistle came from over there,” Violina said, pointing toward the shadowy row. Her wolf senses sharpened as she examined the darkness cloaking the crumbling structures. “But who the hell blows a whistle at night like this? Could it be... the Human Hunters?”

Serena exhaled slowly, a cold sense of dread crawling into her chest. “Violina,” she murmured, her voice slightly trembling, “I think you’re right. We’re being watched.”

Violina's face instantly tensed. Restlessness began to creep into her expression as she bit her lip, her mind racing for a solution.

“This is bad. We can’t use the teleport stone right now. If we open a portal here, they might follow us through it.”

Serena remained silent, knowing Violina was right. Behind the veil of night, danger was closing in. Their heartbeats pounded louder, syncing with the rising tension that clung to the air like a storm waiting to break.

Suddenly, from behind them, the old NPC merchant’s raspy voice rang out again.

“Thanks for the purchase,” he said calmly, despite the looming danger. “I must be going now—need to save my goods before they’re stolen.”

Serena and Violina turned around to see the old man standing in front of his tiny kiosk. Without another word, the man reached for the top of the metal structure—and in a blink, the entire kiosk shrank down, transforming into a suitcase-sized box.

He clicked it shut neatly, and without looking back or saying anything more, he sprinted with surprising speed toward the dark forest, vanishing into the shadows—leaving Serena and Violina alone on the dim, quiet street.