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The disheveled, ragged Langli Baitiao finally saw the towering city walls in the distance.

"Finally arrived—Northwind Fortress."

Tears of relief streamed down his face.

The past few months had been a struggle, yet he hadn’t died even once. First, he was knocked out by a hill giant tribe on the edge of Storm Highlands and taken as stored food. Just as he was about to be roasted, he used his rogue’s nimble fingers to untie himself and escaped using Blur.

But after leaving the dragon’s lair, he entered the tiger’s den; a group of orc bandits stripped him of all his gear, took him as a slave, and forced him to work in the mines for over a month before he finally escaped to Northwind Fortress.

Remembering these unbearable experiences, Langli Baitiao gritted his teeth.

"This time in Northwind Fortress, I’m definitely going to make a name for myself!"

At the city gates, dozens of guards patrolled, wearing emblems of eagles crossed with swords on their chests—symbols of the city guard of Northwind Fortress, the Order of the Eagle Shield, upholding the laws of the Lackman Duchy. The city was in a state of war readiness, and every person entering was subject to questioning.

People bustled through, from merchants driving carts to hurried travelers.

Langli Baitiao quickly lowered his hood and followed the crowd, hoping to slip through.

But a spear blocked his path.

"Halt!"

"Five silver coins, and you may enter."

Langli Baitiao froze in place. He had no money; the orcs had stripped him of everything. Even his cloak was something he snatched from a passing merchant caravan, and he was utterly penniless.

Thinking quickly, he flashed a fawning smile:

"Sir, my money was stolen outside the city. I need to go back—"

The guard frowned, his spear tip pointed at Langli Baitiao’s nose, and barked, "How do we know you’re not a real resident? Don’t try to sneak through!"

Langli Baitiao’s smile faded, and he reluctantly turned away, only to be stopped again.

"Halt!"

"Sir, is there something else?"

"Who said you could leave? What if you’re a spy?"

Langli Baitiao was nearly in tears.

Was there no justice? They wouldn’t let him in, nor would they let him leave—what was he supposed to do?

He thought about risking it by activating Blur and escaping. But after all he had gone through to get here, using Blur would solidify him as a spy. If he got skewered and had to respawn, his arduous journey would be wasted.

He imagined the jeers from his haters, like "Lang Beast is back" and "Welcome home, Lang Beast," echoing in his mind.

Determined, Langli Baitiao gritted his teeth, thinking to himself:

"Then I’ll just stay here! Even if they arrest me, at least I’ll be inside the city!"

For once, he decided not to act recklessly!

Langli Baitiao began chatting idly with the guards.

"Sir, it’s a fine day today."

"Have you eaten?"

"That uniform looks impressive on you!"

The guards ignored him, continuing to check other vagrants trying to slip through, causing more people to gather around Langli Baitiao.

Soon, another team of guards arrived.

The vagrants were handed over to this new team and were finally led into Northwind Fortress.

The city was bustling with activity, yet the vagrants were escorted down a secluded alley.

Langli Baitiao felt confused and asked,

"Where are we going?"

"Why won’t you say anything?"

The lead guard captain didn’t respond, treating him as if he were already dead.

As the group ventured deeper, the atmosphere grew eerie. Langli Baitiao finally spotted a large stone building up ahead, with a battered, faded wooden sign that read “Vagrant Shelter.”

Surrounded by dark forests with no one else around, except for the guards and the vagrants.

"Not another sweatshop, is it?"

Langli Baitiao shuddered.

He followed the vagrants into this so-called "shelter."

Around him were rusted iron cages, stained with dried, dark blood and traces of urine and excrement. The air reeked of blood and metal.

Langli Baitiao was led deeper underground and locked in an iron cage.

"Where is this place?"

"Damn."

In the darkness, the torches flickered.

He looked around and saw pale, emaciated humans confined in the cages.

They were all clad in rags, their skeletal bodies filthy and curled or sprawled within the cages. Some cages held over ten people, filling the space with faint sounds.

They didn’t resemble humans; they looked more like livestock awaiting slaughter—or perhaps that was exactly what they were.

Langli Baitiao hesitated and asked in a whisper,

"Hey, do you know what this place is?"

"Do you know how to get out of here?"

Naturally, he received no answer.

The emaciated "humans" turned their heads toward him in unison, their eyes glowing red in the darkness, looking at him as though he were food.

"Damn, if you don’t want to answer, don’t look at me like that."

Langli Baitiao was startled.

"Food."

"Blood."

"I want blood!"

"I want to drain you dry—"

"Bang! Bang! Bang!"

The "humans" clutched the iron bars, pressing their faces against the cages, leaving red marks.

They paid no mind, their gaunt faces twisted and crazed, like desert travelers finding an oasis, filled with primal greed and desire.

Seeing those hungry, crazed eyes, Langli Baitiao frowned slightly:

"Are they vampires?"

"I didn’t expect this kind of thing here. Could it mean—"

"Click, click, click."

Footsteps echoed rhythmically from the end of the corridor, growing closer.

The bloodthirsty slaves immediately quieted down, trembling as if they’d encountered a predator.

"What a revolting bunch."

A cold female voice echoed.

A pale-skinned noblewoman in an elaborate gown walked over, her face exquisitely beautiful, and her expression filled with undisguised disdain for the "beasts" around her.

"Lady Alexia, it’s him."

The attendant beside her pointed at Langli Baitiao, speaking respectfully.

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