Few minutes ago,

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  "That's the other side of the village," Jacha said. "It seems he's nowhere around."

  Jacha had walked straight to the other side of the village, found nothing related to Zoeske, and then returned.

  The local businesses were excited about the upcoming tournament visitors. A fruit shop owner near the cliff, where Jacha stood, winked at him. He looked directly at her, wondering what she probably meant.

  "Don't be a shy warrior," she said. "Come closer."

  Jacha hid his embarrassment, looked around to see if anyone was watching, and then walked to her with a straight face. "This is a fruit shop, right?" he asked.

  "Don't be silly," she said. "Oh god, I love the scar on your left eye. So, tell me, which fruit do you want?"

  "I want two coapples, but first, may I ask you something?" he said.

  "Sure, you can have anything you want from me," she said, licking her lips.

  Jacha maintained his composure as she tried to seduce him. He asked, "Did you see a kid walking alone today or in the past two days?"

  "Hmmm? You're the only 'chocolate' I've seen coming to this tournament," she answered.

  "He's white, and his hair is black," Jacha explained.

  "Black hair?" she said. "Almost everyone here has brown or gray-greenish hair. Are you sure he came here?"

  "Yes," Jacha said.

  A man nearby overheard their conversation. He interrupted, "I saw that boy you're searching for."

  Jacha and the fruit shop owner looked at him. He was leaning back in his chair, his legs stretched out on the table, his eyes closed and facing upward.

  "What's wrong with you?" she said. "Whenever someone comes to me, you have to interrupt us and talk nonsense."

  "Shut up. I'm the one who made this village rich," he said, losing his temper.

  "Rich?" she said with a laugh. "Don't make fun of yourself."

  "Did you actually see the kid?" Jacha asked.

  Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.

  "Don't believe him; he's crazy," she commented.

  "Y...yes," he said, suddenly looking terrified. "He was walking with the Owl Man."

  "Who's that?" Jacha questioned.

  "Are you sure?" she asked the man. "If he's right, you should hurry and find your kid."

  "There are rumors about the Owl Man. They say he sacrificed his own family to gain the legendary bird's eyes, the owl's eyes," the man said. "These eyes need to be fed with blood, and the kid might be one of his victims now."

  (Rumors?) Jacha thought. "Where can I find this man?" he asked.

  "Whoa! Are you kidding me? Who wants to know where he lives?" he said. "He probably lives somewhere in the forest."

  "I heard he does live in the forest," she commented.

  "Okay, I appreciate your help," Jacha said. He placed a few coins on the fruit owner's table and took the two coapples.

  Jacha returned to the Julius Arena, which wasn't far. As he approached, he saw Cerberus running and the crowd holding their breath. Meanwhile, Picky was running as fast as she could toward Enterno. The battle had reached its peak, and the intensity filled the air around the arena.

  At that moment, Picky anticipated two decisions from Enterno: he would either dodge her attack or attack Cerberus. However, Enterno knelt, grabbed a large chunk of the ground, and stood. It was too late for Picky to change her course, so he threw the chunk at her.

  She had no choice but to kick it. She focused her aura on her feet and kicked the piece. A pile of rocks flew around, and some hit Cerberus.

  (Oh no!) Picky thought.

  Enterno intentionally weakened the aura around his non-vital areas. He was hit by a few rocks.

  Cerberus suddenly froze, and Tiresias's, the middle head's, eyes glowed. Picky felt a crushing pressure on her shoulders, as if a mountain had fallen on her.

  "What's it like to be punished by your own ability?" Enterno said. "You attacked the judge, and I was damaged more than you were. That's totally unfair."

  Picky's aura locked up inside her. It was as if her aura had vanished, and she couldn't use it anymore.

  (I can't use my aura?) Picky thought. (Actually, it's the first time I've summoned Cerberus, but I never imagined I'd experience the negative side of his abilities first. At least I learned how it works.)

  She raised her hand and said, "I've lost."

  The crowd chanted as the battle ended with Enterno's victory. The announcer said, "T...that was a short and intense battle. Anyway, the winner is Enterno. Now, please leave the arena quickly. The next matches are.. Oh wait, please don’t forget to try our new menu first….."

  Behind the crowd, Saint stood in shock. (There's no way I can reach that level, ever in my life,) he thought.

  "My sister is dumb as usual," Nicky said. She was standing beside him. "She had many opportunities to win against that weird pervert."

  (He came for Nicky in the first place. I bet she's more terrifying than I thought,) Saint thought.

  "Did you see a ghost? Go do your job. I have to return for your baby now," Nicky said, her red eyes glowing with excitement.

  From a distance, Saint heard a familiar name being pronounced. Jacha, who had returned moments before, said, "I just checked a few stores there, and one of them saw Zoeske walking with someone dangerous, they said."

  (Zoeske? Is he here? Who are these people, and why are they searching for him?) Saint thought.

  "Do you have any idea where we might find him?" Pondra asked.

  "The forest," Jacha answered.