Four years had passed. Time seemed to race forward without mercy. During that span, I spent every single moment training—becoming stronger, tougher, more prepared to face this cruel world.
But now, after years of knowing nothing but swords and sweat, I had finally arrived at the place where everything would truly begin.
"All passengers disembarking at Ortkli City, this is your stop!"
The conductor's shout echoed through the carriage. A long whistle from the steam train pierced the air, signaling the first stop of my journey. White smoke billowed from the chimney, rising high into the sky. The screech of metal, the slowing of iron wheels on rails, and the distinct scent of oil mixed with coal filled my nose.
I took a deep breath and rose from my seat.
"This is it..." I muttered quietly, gazing out the window before walking toward the carriage door.
As my foot touched the platform for the first time, a wave of hot wind brushed against my face. The sky above was gray—not from clouds, but from the constant plumes of smoke rising from factory chimneys. The sound of metal striking metal, the grinding of heavy machinery, and voices shouting orders at one another formed a symphony unique to an industrial city.
I stepped forward, my eyes scanning the surroundings.
"Master Gamiel said… this is where it all begins."
In front of me stretched the city of Ortkli. A city that never sleeps, where day and night are nearly indistinguishable thanks to the glow of gas lanterns and the blaze of factory furnaces that never go out. Towering buildings loomed, built in a style of iron and red brick. Steam rails crisscrossed the streets above, connecting one district to another.
In the distance, workers covered in oil and sweat hauled large crates and metal rods into massive workshops. Children darted through narrow alleys, while street vendors shouted out to sell steaming hot food from sizzling iron pans.
I crossed my arms, feeling the pulse of this city in every gust of wind and the ceaseless clanging of machinery.
"Yeah... this is definitely an industrial city."
But beyond all of this, I knew—Ortkli was more than just a city of factories and laborers. Something larger was hidden beneath its veil of smoke—something I had to uncover.
I took a deep breath and started walking.
"Before I board the next train to my next destination... I better learn what I can about this city first."
Hiori walked slowly along the cobbled streets, weaving through the narrow alleys of the city, shrouded in smoke and the echoing clash of metal. The air was heavy with the scent of oil, coal, and molten metal burning in massive factories. The sky above was eternally gray, veiled by rising steam and gas.
But amid the roar of engines and the ringing of steel, one place thrived in its own rhythm—the city market.
Shouts of merchants calling out their wares mingled with the steady footsteps of customers moving back and forth. The aroma of spices, baked bread, and frying oil blended into the haze of industry. Hiori paused, her eyes scanning the vibrant scene before her.
"So crowded…" she murmured.
She let her steps guide her to one of the stalls—a small stand selling simple-looking yet enticing pastries. Behind the wooden table stacked with glass jars full of biscuits, a cheerful middle-aged woman greeted her with a warm smile.
"Hello, dear! Looking to buy some sweets?" the vendor's voice rang out, lively and welcoming, a stark contrast to the grim atmosphere of the city.
Hiori hesitated for a moment, then pointed to a few pastries with her usual stoic expression.
"Uh, yeah… I'll take five of those cookies and two of the dried rolls."
Her tone remained cold and flat as always.
"Alright! Just a moment, dear!" The woman swiftly gathered Hiori's order, her hands moving deftly as she wrapped the pastries in oil paper, already yellowed from long use.
As the woman busied herself with the task, Hiori bit her lip slightly, hesitating before finally asking,
"Ma'am… um… could you tell me about this city?"
The woman paused for a moment, looking at Hiori with mild surprise before offering a warm smile.
"Of course, sweetheart. Ortkli is the industrial heart of this region. But… don't let yourself only see what's on the surface."
Hiori furrowed her brows slightly. "What do you mean?"
The woman chuckled softly. "This city might seem like nothing more than factories and people working endlessly. But if you know where to look, Ortkli holds more stories than you can imagine." She leaned in a little closer and whispered,
"Stories about people disappearing without a trace… and whispers of an underground rebellion."
A chill ran down Hiori's spine. This city was more than just machines and industry. There was something hiding beneath the smoke and the thunder of iron.
"An underground rebellion? What do you mean?"
Though her voice remained cold, a flicker of curiosity appeared in her eyes.
The vendor gave her a meaningful look, then glanced left and right as if making sure no one was eavesdropping. With a quick motion, she handed the bag of cookies into Hiori's hands, then leaned in closer.
"Dear, in this city, steam engines aren't the only things operating in the dark..."
Her voice dropped to a hush, nearly a whisper.
Hiori leaned in, ears sharpening.
"You see the smoke that covers the sky?" The woman pointed upward.
"That's not just from the factories… but also from those who vanish without a trace. Those who dared to resist."
Hiori frowned. "Resist who?"
The woman gave a faint smile. "Who else but those who hold the chains and the whips?"
Hiori was beginning to understand. "The people in this city… they're enslaved?"
The woman didn't answer right away. She merely let out a long sigh and began tidying up her stall, as if their conversation had never happened. But just before Hiori could press further, the woman whispered,
"If you want to know more… come to the underground district at sunset. Look for the sign of the gear soaked in oil."
Then, with a bright smile that betrayed nothing of their earlier exchange, she handed over the rest of the pastries as if all was perfectly normal.
Hiori gripped the paper bag a little tighter. A rebellion? Disappearances? This city held more than just factories and smoke.
"Hm… Alright, thanks," Hiori said with a small nod, accepting the bag and walking away. But her mind remained tangled in the woman's words. They echoed in her head like the turning gears in the city's endless machines.
"The gear soaked in oil…" she murmured, gazing up at the smoke-filled sky of Ortkli. "Is that some kind of symbol for the ones who run this place? Or maybe… a warning?"
She walked through the crowded market alleys, the vendors' shouts fading into background noise. Around her, laborers trudged with heavy steps, their faces blackened with soot and exhaustion. The thick smoke hung in the air, burning her eyes and making it hard to breathe.
Hiori began watching more carefully. There was something off about this city—not just the gloom in the air, but the way people behaved. They spoke in hushed tones, their eyes constantly shifting, as if afraid of being watched.
Then she saw it.
On one of the crumbling stone walls, among faded propaganda posters proclaiming "Progress and Prosperity," there was a mark.
A gear, crudely painted in deep black. And beneath it, a streak of dark red—oil, perhaps… or something far more sinister?
Hiori stepped closer, examining the wall more carefully. Just beneath the symbol, there were faint scratches—tiny writing, barely visible.
"When the third bell tolls, find the iron door behind the old ruins."
A chill ran down her spine.
"So it's not just a symbol… it's an invitation."
She drew in a deep breath, sensing a subtle pulse of tension rising within her. It seemed her time in Ortkli was about to get far more interesting than she had expected.
Letting out a long sigh, Hiori swept her gaze across the city shrouded in smoke and haze. "This is going to get messy…" she muttered to herself. She had only just begun to uncover the city's mysteries, but now… something urgent was happening.
In a flash, she felt something slip from her grasp.
Her bag of food.
"What—?"
In the span of a heartbeat, the biscuits and bread she'd just bought had vanished from her hands. The air around her still vibrated faintly, as if a shadow had just passed through at incredible speed.
"So fast…" Hiori murmured, but instead of panicking, her eyes sharpened.
She immediately scanned the area—crowded streets, people walking by, oblivious to the minor disturbance. But one thing stood out.
Amid the crowd, someone was moving far too quickly.
A small child in ragged clothes, thin and nimble, darted between adults with practiced ease. In his hand, he clutched a paper bag she recognized all too well.
Hiori narrowed her eyes.
"It has to be him…"
Without hesitation, she sprang into action.
With light steps, she jumped onto a stack of crates by the roadside and sprinted along their tops. She moved along the edge of the buildings with precision, her eyes locked on the child weaving through the narrow alley.
The kid was fast, but Hiori had dealt with far trickier situations.
When he turned into a smaller side street, Hiori leapt down from above, landing silently right in front of him.
"Stop."
The boy froze, his eyes widening at the sudden appearance. But instead of fear, a mischievous grin spread across his face.
"If you can catch me, you can have your food back!"
Without another word, he bolted.
Hiori snorted. "Interesting."
She gave chase, determined to prove she wasn't someone to be trifled with.
Picking up speed, she fixed her gaze on the fleeing thief weaving through the crowd.
"Damn…" she muttered.
The streets were packed—too many bodies blocking her path. If she pushed her way through, she'd lose sight of him. But Hiori wasn't ordinary.
Without hesitation, she vaulted toward a nearby wall, her hands gripping a window ledge as she launched herself upward with practiced ease.
The cold wind hit her face as she landed on the rooftop, now with a clear view of the path below.
Down below, the boy kept running—small, nimble, weaving between merchants and carts lined up along the street.
Hiori smirked. "You're not getting away from me."
At full speed, she sprinted across the rooftops, her feet landing silently from one tile to the next. Steam from the chimneys drifted into the air, casting a fog that made her seem like a shadow gliding over the city.
The boy still hadn't noticed he was being tailed from above.
"Almost…"
As he turned into a narrow alley, Hiori took her chance. She leapt from the rooftop, her body soaring briefly through the air before landing on a stack of crates, dampening the sound.
The boy was still running—but Hiori had already calculated everything.
With one swift move, she jumped forward, twisting mid-air and—
Thud!
In an instant, Hiori landed right in front of the boy, blocking his path with a sharp, unwavering gaze.
"Game's over."
The boy skidded to a halt, eyes wide in surprise. But instead of surrendering, he grinned cheekily.
"Hah! I'm not done yet!"
Without hesitation, he turned and tried to bolt in the opposite direction.
Hiori let out a short sigh. "Stubborn kid…"
She braced herself for one final move, making sure this time there would be no room for escape.
Annoyed by the chase, Hiori exhaled sharply.
"Huh… What a hassle."
With a flick of her hand, she snapped her fingers.
"Scorching Chain."
In an instant, a blazing chain ignited from thin air, surging toward the boy with lightning speed. It coiled through the air before latching tightly around his legs.
"Aghhh!" the boy cried out, crashing to the ground with a loud thud, his eyes wide with fear.
Hiori stared at him with a flat expression. "Relax, relax… It's not hot."
The boy stopped screaming and glanced at the chain wrapped around him. The flames danced along its length, but they didn't burn his skin.
"Oh… hehe…" He chuckled nervously, clearly embarrassed by his overreaction.
Hiori let out a long sigh, placing one hand on her hip. "Seriously… you're way too dramatic for a petty thief."
The boy grinned despite still being trapped. "Well, I didn't expect to get caught this fast… but I'm not giving up!"
He tried to wriggle free, but the fiery chain only tightened, locking him in place.
Hiori crouched down, her gaze sharp. "Listen, I don't care that you stole food. I just want to know—why? Do you actually need it, or are you just messing around?"
The boy fell silent, his mischievous expression shifting into something more serious… more somber. There was something he was hiding—something bigger than just stealing a bag of food.
Hiori narrowed her eyes. "Hmm… You're hiding something, aren't you?"
Suddenly, the sound of hurried footsteps echoed through the alley.
The boy looked up in panic. "Crap… They're coming!"
Hiori's senses sharpened instantly. "They? Who do you mean?"
The boy bit his lip. "You don't wanna know… But trust me, if you stay here, we're both in serious trouble."
Hiori let out another sigh, heavier this time. "Ugh… I just got to this city, and I'm already getting dragged into someone else's mess. Great."
But instead of backing off, she drew her sword with a casual motion.
"Alright then, show me who's chasing you. I want to see what kind of trouble you've stirred up."
The sound of footsteps grew louder in the narrow alley as more figures emerged from the shadows of the worn-down buildings. Their eyes were sharp, filled with malicious intent.
"Hey, Felix! What the hell did you do?!" one of the large men barked at the boy.
Felix—the kid who had stolen Hiori's food—swallowed hard, his face pale. "Uh… I can explain…"
However, the thugs' eyes quickly turned toward Hiori. One of them—a lanky man with a scar across his cheek—narrowed his gaze.
"Huh? A girl? What's someone like you doing here? This isn't a place for your kind, you know!"
Hiori simply crossed her arms, her expression still flat. "So… you led me straight into their den?" Her piercing stare shifted to Felix.
Felix shook his head frantically. "What!? No! You've got it all wrong! I was actually trying to—"
Before the boy could finish his sentence, the large man from earlier grinned wide, revealing yellowed teeth.
"Felix… good job. Bringing a girl here? You know the rules, right?" He stepped forward, eyes gleaming with greed. "She'll make a fine new slave for us!"
In an instant, the thugs lunged toward Hiori with vile eagerness.
Felix's eyes widened in panic. "Wait! This isn't what I meant!"
But before any of them could lay a hand on her, Hiori sighed.
"Hah… Utter fools."
In the blink of an eye, the air around her began to tremble. The temperature spiked sharply.
"Scorching Chain: Conflagration Grip."
From her palm, blazing chains erupted, surging forth like ravenous serpents hunting for prey.
CRACK!
The chain lashed the ground, causing a small explosion. The thugs instinctively jumped back, their confident expressions instantly replaced with alarm.
The scarred man cursed. "What the hell is this?!"
Hiori's gaze turned icy. "You want to play rough? Fine. But don't blame me when you end up as charcoal."
Felix could only stare, mouth half open. "Oh… my god…"
And just like that, the fight began.
"You bitch!!"
The thugs charged like a pack of starving wolves, their eyes burning with rage, fists clenched and ready to tear her apart.
CLANK!!
Hiori blocked the first blow with her sword. Sparks flew from the clash of metal. A burly thug swung a rusty dagger at her, but Hiori dodged effortlessly, then delivered a swift kick to his gut, sending him flying backward.
"You're all so slow," she muttered, her voice calm and flat—as if this were no real battle, just a warm-up.
Another man tried to strike her from behind, but Hiori had already anticipated it. With a swift spin, she slashed her sword through the air—FWOOSH!—a burst of flame scorched the man's arm.
"ARGHH!! DAMN YOU!!"
Still, they didn't back down. Three more thugs charged at once—one with a chain, one wielding an iron mace, and the last with a long knife.
"Hahaha! Cornered now, aren't you?! GET HER!!"
Hiori sighed. "You guys really love shouting, don't you?"
Just as the chain came flying at her, Hiori snatched it mid-air, spun it rapidly, and yanked its wielder straight toward her. With one fluid motion, she kicked the man square in the chin—CRACK!—his body slammed into the wall and dropped.
The iron mace came swinging from the right—Hiori ducked, narrowly avoiding a blow that could've crushed her skull. She slipped behind the attacker and slashed her sword with lightning speed. SHHRT! A clean slice across his back dropped him to the ground, groaning in pain.
Only the knife-wielding thug remained. His face turned pale. His hands trembled.
Hiori gave him a sharp stare and stepped forward.
"Still want to try your luck?"
The man didn't answer. Within seconds, he spun around and bolted, disappearing down the alley.
Felix, who had been watching with his mouth agape, finally managed to speak. "Y-You're a monster or something… aren't you?!"
Hiori simply shrugged, sheathing her sword. "I just wanted my food back. But I guess I got a bit of entertainment too."
Felix swallowed hard. He wasn't sure whether to feel relieved… or terrified.
Hiori turned her sharp gaze toward Felix, her eyes cutting through him like blades down to the bone.
"Alright, kid... Felix, right? Now tell me—why did you steal my food?"
Her voice was ice-cold, piercing through the air like frozen wind. Felix gulped, his body trembling. He took a step back, but her piercing stare held him in place.
"Umm… So, here's the thing…"
Felix tried to force a smile, but it quickly faded. His expression turned somber. His gray eyes dimmed, shoulders slumping—as if all the courage that had pushed him to steal earlier had completely drained away.
"I… I didn't have a choice…" he said softly, almost in a whisper.
Hiori remained silent, waiting.
Felix let out a heavy sigh and lowered his head. "I wasn't stealing for myself… I took that food for them."
He lifted his chin and looked off into the distance, toward the shadowy alleys behind the market.
"Who are 'they'?" Hiori asked, her tone still flat but her eyes narrowing slightly.
Felix hesitated for a moment before finally speaking. "The other kids… They're starving. We're all abandoned, homeless, with no one…"
He clenched his fists, struggling to hold back his emotions.
"This city… Ortkli… To outsiders, it might just be an industrial city full of progress. But for us street kids, it's a place where we have to survive under the shadows of the powerful. Those with money and influence don't care about us. And those who control this city…"
Felix ground his teeth.
"The ones with the oily gear-shaped insignias… They won't let us live if they find out we still exist."
Hiori stared at him for a long moment. A cold wind blew between them, carrying the distant rumble of machines from the city center.
"So… you stole from me to feed the other kids?"
Felix nodded slowly.
Hiori sighed deeply. "Hah… Why do I have to get involved in a mess like this?" she said aloud, but inside, something stirred.
She looked at Felix once more, this time without intimidation, but with a hint of curiosity.
"Take me to them."
Felix's eyes widened, his face instantly filled with shock.
"Uh… Are you sure? I mean…" His voice was barely a whisper, as if he couldn't believe what he had just heard.
Hiori just stared at him without expression, her eyes sharp like a blade piercing doubt. The night wind blew, tossing her slightly disheveled hair from the earlier fight.
"Of course I'm sure. Lead the way." Her voice was firm, leaving no room for argument.
Felix blinked several times before nodding quickly. "Alright, but you have to promise… Don't tell anyone."
Hiori snorted. "I don't have time for tattling. Now, move."
Felix stood nervously, glancing left and right before starting to walk. His steps were quick and cautious, slipping between narrow alleys filled with shadows.
Hiori followed silently. The cobblestone street beneath them was damp from steam condensing off the giant iron pipes jutting from the walls of old buildings. Oil lamps hanging above flickered dimly, casting a gloomy light that made the atmosphere even more suspicious.
"They're not far from here," Felix whispered without looking back.
Hiori remained quiet, focusing only on the sound of footsteps and the distant hum of machines.
After several minutes winding through ever-narrower, twisting alleys, Felix finally stopped in front of a half-broken wooden door, hidden between two dilapidated buildings.
She knocked on the door in a specific pattern—two quick taps, one slow tap, then three more taps.
Silence.
Then, the sound of scraping came from behind the door, followed by a soft voice, "Code?"
Felix swallowed hard and replied, "The spinning wheel doesn't always crush."
The door creaked open, revealing a small figure standing in the doorway. Their sunken, wary eyes stared suspiciously at Hiori.
"Who's that?"
Felix glanced at Hiori, then said in a low but confident voice,
"Someone who might be able to help us."
Hiori's expression froze for a moment. Her eyes widened—not from fear, but from disbelief she could barely hide. The dim oil lamp light illuminated her face, now filled with shock.
Before her, ragged children sat leaning against the cold, damp brick wall. Their eyes were hollow, as if life had drained from them. Some were too exhausted even to lift their heads.
"What… is this?" Hiori's voice was softer than usual, as if the air in the room weighed heavier. Her gaze swept across the cramped, filthy space.
She took a deep breath before asking, "Where are your parents?"
No one answered immediately. Only piercing silence, until a small girl with tangled hair lowered her head and whispered hoarsely,
"Our parents…" Her voice cracked, almost like a stifled sob. "They were made slaves by the Oily Gear Company…"
Hiori stared sharply. "What do you mean, made slaves?"
Felix clenched his fists, his eyes full of anger and sorrow. "They… they were kidnapped!"
As if those words reopened old wounds, the other children who had been silent began to sob. Some hugged themselves, trying to warm their bodies growing colder in the dark room.
Hiori felt a weight pressing on her chest. Not pity… but a burning anger slowly igniting inside her.
"Tch… damn bastards." Her teeth ground together, and her fists clenched tightly.
She bent down, looking directly at Felix. "Who's responsible for all this?"
Felix met her gaze, his eyes—full of rage and despair—now burning with new hope.
"The company leader… he's the mastermind. And he won't stop until there's none of us left."
Hiori sighed deeply, letting the smell of oil and rusted iron fill her lungs. She looked up, gazing at the sky barely visible through the thick smoke and steam rising from the massive industrial chimneys. The fading sunlight was just faint streaks between the heavy fog, as if witnessing how filthy the world below had become.
"When night falls…" Hiori said softly but with firm resolve. The night wind stirred her loose hair. "I will destroy that company… just wait."
Felix and the other children looked at her with a mixture of shock and hope. They wanted to believe, but in the corners of their hearts, shadows of fear still lingered.
Felix swallowed nervously. "Are you serious…? But they have armed guards, mercenaries, and—"
"And what?" Hiori cut him off, her eyes sharp as blades. "They think high walls and hired soldiers will keep people enslaved forever?"
She lowered her gaze, looking Felix straight in the eyes. "I've seen hell worse than this, kid. I'm not afraid."
The air around them grew heavier. Flickering lantern light from afar reflected in Hiori's eyes, radiating something almost like fire.
She took another breath and turned. "Tonight… I will be their nightmare."