Chapter 11 – The Commoner City

Smoke in the distance led them to a small commoner city. Wooden buildings, market stalls, and villagers going about their lives.

Kairo observed the hierarchy: nobles glowed with sigils, commoners had basic magic, slaves were ignored.

“Look at these fools,” Kairo muttered. “Same shit, different city.”

A scuffle broke out at a market stall. Mira froze, and Kairo noticed a scrawny boy with bright eyes getting shoved.

“Hey! Back off, n***a!” Kairo yelled. He jumped into the fray, fending off three petty thieves with precision and anger.

The boy ran up afterward. “Thanks… I’m Haru. I didn’t think anyone would care.”

Kairo sighed. “Don’t thank me yet. You stay alive, that’s enough for now.”