As unbelievable as it might sound, our foe-to-be could summon an eldritch truck. I couldn’t help but marvel at the absurdity of it all. When I wrote the concept of the Elsewhere Cult years ago, inspired by isekai tropes, I’d thought, What’s a more terrifying god than an eldritch truck? It was meant to be a twisted blend of the mundane and the horrific, something that would linger in the imagination. Back then, I thought the idea was dope. Now? Not so much. Facing the reality of it was another matter entirely.
Selena stood up from her chair, stretching before brushing the crumbs off her lap. “I’m heading to my room to work on my drones. I’ll have them track our quarry. With Leora’s skills, we should be able to catch up to them once I’ve pinpointed their trail. In the meantime, you two snoop around town and find out what our quarry did here in Mornlit. Couldn’t hurt to dig up more leads. I’ll call you back via the tarot card once I’ve got something solid.”
Outside the World Wall, mundane methods of communication like phones or radios were useless. Wave interference, likely caused by the overwhelming presence of dungeons and cryptids, made it impossible. Thankfully, Selena had one of my enchanted tarot cards, which allowed for secure telepathic communication.
“Copy that,” I said, rising from my seat. “Let’s go, Leora.”
Leora beamed, grabbing my arm. “Woohoo~ a date!”
Selena groaned, rolling her eyes. “You two are enjoying this too much. Husband and wife, my ass… You’re acting like you’re still in the honeymoon phase.”
I smirked. “That’s a nice idea. Maybe Leon could use a younger brother or sister.”
Leora jabbed me in the ribs, her face turning crimson. “Shut it. Labor hurts, in case you’ve forgotten.”
I chuckled, rubbing my side. “I’ll just develop a technique to share the pain. Problem solved.”
Selena let out an exasperated sigh, rubbing her temples. “You sicko lovebirds, get out of my sight!”
Her tone was sharp, but I caught the faintest hint of a smirk tugging at her lips as she waved us off.
“Okay, okay, we’re going,” I said, holding my hands up in mock surrender. Leora and I exchanged amused glances as we left Selena for her work.
As we stepped out into the bustling streets of Mornlit, I couldn’t help but feel a twinge of guilt. “You think we’re at fault this time?” I asked Leora, keeping my voice low.
She laughed softly, lacing her fingers with mine. “Definitely. But it’s part of our charm, isn’t it?”
I couldn’t argue with that.
“Any ideas where to start?” I asked as we strolled down the cobblestone streets of Mornlit Village. The midday sun filtered through a haze of clouds, casting a muted glow over the bustling market square ahead.
Leora tilted her head, thinking. “If they’re planning an excursion deeper into the forbidden regions, they’d need a lot of supplies. Since they didn’t come from the Walled City, they would have to buy most of what they need here. That means bulk purchases—and that kind of money tends to attract attention.”
I nodded, considering the possibilities. “We could hit the locals and try our luck, see if anyone remembers seeing them. Or maybe we could visit the mayor’s office and request an interview. Official channels might yield something useful.”
Leora frowned slightly, her pace slowing. “That’ll be tough. Believe me, people here in the Outer Wall value their privacy more than anything. They hate snitches, and asking the wrong questions could get us stonewalled—or worse.”
She wasn’t wrong. The culture outside the World Wall was fiercely independent, shaped by the harshness of life beyond its protection. Trust wasn’t easily earned, and outsiders poking around could be seen as a threat.
“Well,” I said, adjusting my jacket, “if we’re not asking directly, maybe we can get creative. The markets are as good a place as any to start. Big purchases leave trails, and merchants love to gossip, even out here.”
Leora grinned. “Sounds like a plan. Let’s see if we can dig something up.”
We made our way toward the market, the chatter of vendors and customers growing louder as we approached. Stalls lined the square, overflowing with goods—fresh produce, handmade tools, weapons, and all manner of provisions. The air was thick with the scent of grilled meats and spiced stews, mingling with the earthy aroma of leather and wood.
I scanned the crowd, my eyes narrowing on a large stall near the center of the square. It was stocked with crates of preserved food, water barrels, and other essentials—exactly the kind of supplies an expedition into the forbidden regions would need.
“Over there,” I said, nodding toward the stall.
Leora followed my gaze. “Looks promising. Let’s see if the vendor’s willing to talk.”
We approached the stall, and the merchant, a stout man with a thick beard and a wide-brimmed hat, greeted us with a practiced smile.If you encounter this story on Amazon, note that it''s taken without permission from the author. Report it.
“Looking to stock up, travelers? I’ve got the best preserved rations this side of the Wall. Guaranteed to last you through any expedition.”
I returned his smile, keeping my tone casual. “Impressive setup you’ve got here. Actually, we’re just passing through, but I couldn’t help but notice your stall. You must get all kinds of customers.”
He chuckled, leaning against the counter. “That I do. Hunters, adventurers, traders—you name it. Everyone needs supplies, especially if they’re heading out into the wilds.”
“Speaking of which,” Leora chimed in, her voice smooth and disarming, “we’re curious about a group we heard might’ve come through recently. Big spenders, prepping for a deep excursion. Ring any bells?”
The merchant’s smile faltered, his eyes narrowing slightly. “Why do you ask?”
“Professional curiosity,” I said quickly. “We’re hunters ourselves, and we might be crossing paths with them out there. Thought it wouldn’t hurt to know who else is in the area.”
He studied us for a moment, then shrugged. “Maybe I’ve seen them. A group like that isn’t easy to miss. But information’s not free, you know. Out here, everything’s got a price.”
I pulled out a small pouch of gold coins and set it on the counter with a soft clink. “Consider this an investment in our safety—and yours. If we know who we’re dealing with, we’re less likely to cause trouble for anyone else.”
The merchant eyed the pouch, then nodded. “Fair enough. A group like you described passed through a couple of days ago. Bought enough supplies to last them weeks, maybe longer. Paid in gold, no haggling. They didn’t stick around long, though. Headed north toward the forest.”
“Did they say anything about their plans?” Leora asked.
He shook his head. “Didn’t talk much, and I didn’t ask. Like I said, people out here value their privacy.”
I thanked him, slipping the pouch back into my pocket. As we walked away, I turned to Leora. “Looks like we’ve got a direction to start with. North toward the forest.”
She nodded, her expression thoughtful. “Let’s regroup with Selena and see if her drones have picked up anything. The more information we have, the better prepared we’ll be.”
With a lead in hand and the afternoon sun casting long shadows over the village, we made our way back to the inn, ready to take the next step in our hunt.
Someone bumped into me hard, almost knocking me off balance. Ragged clothes, panicked steps, and the unmistakable energy of someone in a hurry. I steadied myself, thanks to Leora grabbing my arm.
“What’s that about?” she asked, her sharp eyes following the retreating figure.
“Pickpocket,” I replied, already fishing through my belongings to confirm what had been taken.
“Should we go after him?” Leora’s tone was calm, almost amused. “Kind of amateurish for a pickpocket if you ask me.”
“It’s not a him,” I corrected, pulling out the wallet I’d nabbed from the would-be thief before they could make their escape.
Leora raised an eyebrow. “You lifted their wallet while they were trying to steal yours? Impressive.”
“Nah, I’m gettings sloppy,” I shrugged and opened the wallet, my gaze landing on the Hunter’s License tucked inside. The photo caught my attention immediately: red hair, brown eyes with a hint of gold, and a youthful face that couldn’t have been more than 18, maybe 17. She looked far too young to be a hunter in this generation, but then again, the world was vast and unpredictable.
Leora leaned in to get a look. “Do you know her?”
“Surprisingly, I do,” I said, holding up the license so she could see the name: Ayla Grayson.
Leora tilted her head. “Ayla Grayson… sounds familiar.”
“She was... let’s just say a former student of mine, though not officially,” I explained. “Back when I was doing an undercover stint, I mentored her for a bit. She had raw talent, but she was reckless, always getting into trouble. Disappeared before she could finish her training.”
“And now she’s pickpocketing hunters in Mornlit Village,” Leora said, crossing her arms. “Sounds like she hasn’t exactly turned her life around.”
“Apparently not.” I slipped the license back into the wallet and tucked it into my pocket. “Let’s go find her. I’d rather return this directly than let her get caught up in something worse.”
Leora smirked. “Lead the way, mentor.”
We moved through the bustling market, scanning the crowd for any sign of Ayla. Her ragged appearance and striking red hair made her easy to spot. She had stopped a short distance away, leaning against a fruit vendor’s stall, her eyes darting nervously as if she expected someone to be chasing her.
“There,” I said, nodding in her direction.
Leora followed my gaze. “What’s the plan? Confront her, or are we going subtle?”
“Subtle,” I said. “Let’s not make a scene.”
We approached carefully, weaving through the crowd until we were close enough for me to speak without raising my voice. “Ayla.”
She spun around, her eyes wide with alarm. For a moment, she looked ready to bolt, but then recognition flickered across her face. “You?”
I gave her a small smile. “Long time no see.”
Her gaze darted to Leora, then back to me. “What are you doing here?”
“I could ask you the same thing,” I said. “Last I saw you, you were running out on your training. Now I find you picking pockets in Mornlit Village. Care to explain?”
Her jaw tightened. “I don’t owe you an explanation.”
“Maybe not,” I said, holding up her wallet, “but you left this behind. Figured you might want it back.”
She snatched the wallet from my hand, her movements quick and defensive. “Thanks,” she muttered, stuffing it into her bag.
Leora watched her with a raised eyebrow. “You’re a hunter, right? What’s a licensed hunter doing running around like this?”
“That’s none of your business,” Ayla shot back, her tone sharp.
“It becomes our business when you try to steal from us,” I said. “If you’re in trouble, we can help. But you have to be honest with us.”
Ayla hesitated, her eyes narrowing as she studied me. “Help? Why would you want to help me?”
“Because I know you,” I said simply. “You might have made some bad decisions, but you’re not a bad person. And if you’re in over your head, it’s better to have allies than to go it alone.”
She looked away, her shoulders tense. “I don’t need your help.”
Leora sighed. “You’re stubborn. I like that. But he’s right. If you’re in trouble, you’re not going to get out of it by running around and stealing from hunters.”
Ayla glared at her. “I didn’t ask for your opinion.”
Leora raised her hands in mock surrender. “Fair enough.”
I reached into my pocket and pulled out one of my tarot cards, holding it out to Ayla. “Take this. If you change your mind, use it to contact me. No strings attached.”
She stared at the card for a moment before snatching it from my hand. “Fine. But don’t expect me to call.”
“Wouldn’t dream of it,” I said, slipping my hands into my pockets. “Stay safe, Ayla.”
She didn’t respond, turning and disappearing into the crowd.
Leora watched her go, then looked at me. “Think she’ll use it?”
I shrugged. “I hope so. But knowing her, she’ll probably try to handle things on her own until it’s almost too late.”
Leora smirked. “Sounds familiar.”
I couldn’t argue with that.