NOVEL NEXT Chapter 6: Chapter 6
Zedd continued walking, his steps heavy and unyielding. He hadn't slept since the night before, and yet he kept moving, without pause or rest. How much distance had he covered? He didn't know—and, frankly, he didn't care. All that mattered was putting miles between himself and his past.
As he walked, a small village finally appeared on the horizon. "I've walked quite a distance," Zedd thought to himself. "Maybe I'll settle here for a while. There's no way the academy would think to look for me in a place like this."
He approached the village, only to be stopped at the entrance by two guards. One, a man in his mid-40s, handed Zedd a form. "Fill this out," the guard said, his tone firm. "Then you can enter."
Zedd glanced at the paper. The questions were simple enough
Name
Age
Occupation
What is your business in this village?
He didn't bother with a fake name. Zedd was well aware that names of S class fugitives like him are not disclosed to the public He wrote:
Name: Zedd
Age: 15
Occupation: Traveller
Business: Temporary stay
He handed the form back, and after a brief inspection, the guards allowed him through. As he walked past, one of them called out, "Don't cause any trouble. This village doesn't like newcomers."
Zedd nodded, replying simply, "Understood."
Dressed in simple clothes—his academy uniform discarded somewhere on the southern route to mislead anyone who might find it—he walked further into the village. A small backpack hung from his shoulder, holding everything he needed: two sets of clothes, his notes on synthetic tissue experiments, vials of chemicals, surgical tools, and samples of the very tissue he sought to perfect. And, of course, 500 gold coins, earned through countless low-risk B and C rank missions. The higher the rank, the greater the risk—but Zedd had always been careful, saving what he needed to start anew.
"I need to find a place to stay," he muttered to himself. It wasn't long before a "For Rent" sign caught his eye. It was a modest cabin—one room, about 10 by 12 feet. Two small square windows were positioned just below the roof, offering privacy from the outside world. "Perfect," Zedd thought.
He approached the owner—a man with a thick beard, a bushy mustache, and a bald head, leaning on a walking stick. The man eyed him carefully before asking, "What brings you to this village?"
"Just passing through," Zedd replied. "I'm interested in renting the cabin."
The man considered him for a moment. "Four silver coins at the start of every month."
Zedd agreed without hesitation and handed over the payment.
When he opened the cabin door, Zedd knew he was being ripped off. But he didn't care. The isolation was worth the price. Inside, there was a simple bed, two chairs, and a table. Nothing extravagant, but it was enough for him. He slumped onto the bed and let out a deep breath. "My new life starts here," he whispered to himself.