The feeling refused to leave me.
No matter which street we turned into...
They were still there.
At first it was only one hooded figure.
Then another.
Then three.
Always far enough to avoid suspicion.
Always close enough to keep us within sight.
Professional.
Very professional.
"...They're still following."
I whispered.
Volt casually looked at a shop window.
Using its reflection instead of turning around.
"...Yeah."
"Three of them now."
Blaze quietly added,
"...Four."
I blinked.
"...There's another one?"
"He joined after we left the market."
My stomach tightened.
These weren't ordinary bounty hunters.
They knew exactly how to track someone without being noticed.
We turned another corner.
The footsteps behind us followed.
We crossed another street.
They followed again.
Even after entering a crowded shopping district...
They never lost us.
"...This is bad."
I muttered.
Volt nodded.
"We can't fight here."
"I know."
"If we start fighting..."
"...We'll create a scene."
"And the Empire will be here within minutes."
I looked around.
Empire soldiers patrolled almost every intersection.
Some were NPCs.
Others were actual players.
High-level ones.
One wrong move...
And half the city would know.
Even worse...
Many National-level Pros were still wandering around Helios Reach.
Some were probably stronger than the bounty hunters following us.
Getting their attention was the last thing we wanted.
"So what do we do?"
I asked quietly.
Volt didn't answer immediately.
Instead, he kept walking.
One street.
Then another.
Another turn.
Still...
The figures remained behind us.
"...Damn."
Even Volt sounded annoyed now.
Then...
His eyes suddenly lit up.
"I've got it."
"Huh?"
He smiled.
"Follow me."
Without another word, he changed direction.
Blaze and I immediately followed.
The bounty hunters did the same.
We passed through several unfamiliar streets.
The crowds slowly became thinner.
The buildings older.
Eventually Volt stopped in front of a strange-looking café.
Compared to every other establishment nearby...
This one looked surprisingly quiet.
No loud advertisements.
No Empire banners.
Just a simple wooden sign hanging above the entrance.
"...Here?"
I asked.
Volt nodded.
"Trust me."
He pushed the door open.
A small bell rang overhead.
We stepped inside.
The atmosphere changed instantly.
The noisy streets outside disappeared.
Soft music played quietly in the background.
Comfortable chairs.
Wooden tables.
Bookshelves lining the walls.
It felt...
Almost peaceful.
Volt casually picked a table near the corner.
"Sit."
I exchanged a confused glance with Blaze before sitting down.
Moments later...
A waitress approached us.
She wore a simple café uniform with an apron tied around her waist.
She smiled politely.
"What can I get for you?"
Volt didn't even open the menu.
"Anything."
"Three servings."
The waitress smiled.
"Coming right up."
As she walked away...
Something caught my attention.
"...Wait."
I stared after her.
"...She's not an NPC."
Volt smirked.
"Nope."
"A player."
I blinked.
"...Players work here?"
"They do."
"Interesting..."
Several minutes passed.
Five.
Then ten.
Still...
None of the bounty hunters entered.
I slowly exhaled.
"...I think we lost them."
Blaze calmly shook his head.
"...Don't get comfortable."
"They're still outside."
I instinctively looked toward the window.
Sure enough...
Several hooded figures stood across the street.
Watching.
Waiting.
But...
None of them dared step inside.
"...Why?"
I whispered.
Then...
I finally looked around the café properly.
And immediately froze.
"..."
"...Wait..."
At the table nearest the fireplace...
Sat an Empire officer wearing Commander insignia.
Across from him...
A National-level Pro was casually drinking coffee.
Neither seemed bothered by the other's presence.
At another table...
Two famous Cross Players discussed maps over lunch.
One of them wore armor I recognized from an old tournament.
Near the counter...
A player whose name frequently appeared on the world rankings quietly read a book.
None of them looked hostile.
None of them seemed interested in anyone else.
They simply...
Existed.
Sharing the same room.
I slowly leaned toward Volt.
"...Volt."
"Hm?"
"...Why are there so many monsters in one café?"
He laughed quietly.
"I was wondering when you'd notice."
He leaned back in his chair.
"This café..."
"...is owned by someone rather famous."
"A legendary player from the early days of SkyRealm."
"Back then..."
"Every strong player stopped here at least once."
"Over time..."
"It became an unwritten rule."
He took a sip of the coffee the waitress had just placed on the table.
"If you're looking for information..."
"Strong players."
"Veterans."
"Or even Empire officers..."
"...This is the place."
I looked around again.
"...So we willingly walked into a room full of powerful Imperial players?"
Volt grinned.
"...Pretty much."
I stared at him in disbelief.
"...You're insane."
He laughed.
"Maybe."
"But even bounty hunters know better."
I glanced outside once more.
The hooded figures still stood across the street.
Watching.
Waiting.
Yet not one of them crossed the road.
As if stepping inside this café...
Was breaking an unwritten law.
Beside me, Blaze quietly observed the room.
His eyes briefly lingered on several of the National-level players before calmly reaching for his cup.
"...Interesting."
He muttered.
"I don't think..."
"...this place is just a café."
For some reason...
I had the feeling he was right.