"Like I said," the stranger replied coolly, "I know not what you're talking about."

Adrian's fists clenched in frustration. The man finished his drink in one swift gulp and attempted to stand, clearly intending to leave.

But Adrian wasn't about to let him go so easily.

He shot out his hand, grabbing the man by the arm and forcing him back into his seat. "We're not done here," Adrian growled in fury.

The man's response was immediate—his other hand lashed out, knocking Adrian's grip away. The sudden movement sent a shockwave through the room, exploding into violence immediately.

Adrian reacted instinctively, his fist swinging toward the man's face, but the stranger was quick, dodging the blow with a surprising agility for someone who had been sitting so still.

The man retaliated, driving a hard punch into Adrian's ribs.

Lilith, who had been watching the exchange with growing interest, leaned back in her chair, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "Finally, some fun," she murmured to herself, an eager grin spreading across her face.

The inn erupted into chaos as the fight broke out.

Adrian and the stranger traded blows, each strike echoing through the room. Patrons scrambled to get out of the way, tables and chairs crashing to the floor as the two men clashed.

Lilith laughed, thoroughly entertained by the spectacle. "Come on, Adrian!" she cheered, her voice rising above the din. "Show him what you're made of!"

Adrian gritted his teeth, focusing all his energy on the fight. He ducked under a wild swing from the stranger and countered with a punch to the man's stomach, causing him to double over in pain.

But the stranger wasn't finished yet—he grabbed a nearby bottle and smashed it over Adrian's shoulder, sending glass shards flying in all directions.

As the battle raged on, Lilith's attention was drawn to a man trying to slip out unnoticed amidst the commotion. He was moving with a purpose, unlike the other patrons who were either trying to avoid the fight or watch from a safe distance.

Her instincts flared, and she narrowed her eyes, focusing on the man.

Something wasn't right.

She closed her eyes for a brief moment, reaching out with her senses. Most of the people in the inn were radiating the same shallow desires—to drink, to relax, to be entertained.

But the man sneaking out had a different aura about him.

His desire was sharp, almost desperate.

The desire to escape.

Lilith's eyes snapped open, and she shot to her feet.

Without a second thought, she sprinted after the man, bursting out of the inn just in time to see him mounting a horse. The sound of hooves echoed in the alley as he spurred the animal into a gallop, racing away from the inn and into the night.

"Dammit," Lilith cursed under her breath, her hand instinctively reaching for the folded map in her pouch. She quickly unfolded it, her eyes scanning the parchment for the yellow dot.

Her heart sank as she saw it—it was on the move, heading away from the town at a rapid pace.

Realization hit her like a ton of bricks. Adrian had the wrong guy.

"Fuck," she muttered, hastily folding the map and rushing back inside the inn. She needed to stop Adrian before it was too late.

Inside, the brawl was still in full swing.

Adrian had the stranger pinned against a broken table; his fist raised for another punch. But Lilith's voice cut through the noise before he could land the blow.

"Adrian!" she shouted urgently.

Adrian hesitated, glancing over at her.

That split-second distraction was all the stranger needed—he twisted his body and managed to land a solid punch on Adrian's jaw, sending him staggering back.

Lilith winced but didn't let up. "Adrian, stop! That's not him. The real one is escaping."

Adrian froze, the words sinking in. He turned to Lilith, disbelief and confusion flashing across his face. "What?"

"The real one," Lilith repeated, pointing toward the door. "He's getting away. We have to go… now!"

Adrian didn't waste another second. His mind was racing as he shoved the dazed stranger aside. He glanced at the counter, where Brass was eyeing the chaos with amusement and concern. Adrian reached into his pouch without breaking stride and tossed a handful of coins toward Brass.

"Sorry for the damages, Brass. This should do," he said quickly before sprinting towards Lilith.

Brass caught the pouch effortlessly, his grin widening. "Good luck," he called after them.

The streets were quiet; the sounds of the town muffled under the blanket of night. In the distance, the silhouette of a lone rider was barely visible, disappearing into the horizon.

"We need our horse," Adrian said hurriedly.

Lilith nodded in agreement, and together, they raced toward the stables, their footsteps echoing in the empty streets. Their minds focused on catching up to their target before he got too far.

The stable was dark and quiet, except for a sleeping horse's occasional snort. Adrian wasted no time, quickly untying their horse and leading it out into the open.

He mounted the horse with practiced ease and extended a hand to Lilith, who grabbed it and swung herself up behind him.

Her arms wrapped around his waist as she leaned in close, her breath warm against his neck. "That way," she whispered, pointing toward the direction where the rider had disappeared.

Adrian urged the horse forward, its hooves striking the cobblestone with a rhythm that matched the rapid beat of his heart. They sped through the town, the wind whipping against their faces as they chased the distant figure.

The night stretched on as they rode hard, pushing the horse to its limits. Occasionally, Adrian would check the map, the glow of the yellow dot serving as their only guide in the dark.

Despite their best efforts, the rider remained just out of reach, always a step ahead, a shadow slipping through their fingers.

Lilith leaned closer, her voice soft but urgent. "We're barely keeping up with him. He's a single rider—he has the advantage."

Adrian gritted his teeth, frustration gnawing at him. They had been riding for hours, and despite their speed, they couldn't close the gap. "We'll catch him," he said, more to convince himself than her.

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