My SSS-Rank Kingdom-Building System

Next Day

Leon returned to the market alone, leaving Elys behind at the inn. He had no clear plan, only the vague task from the system to uncover a secret. What kind of secret, he didn't know. He figured the best way forward was to stay alert and take things as they came.

As he wandered between stalls, the familiar merchant from the previous day spotted him and called out, "Back again, eh? Find anything interesting yesterday?"

Leon turned toward the merchant, who stood next to a stall covered in fine silks. "Not really. Just looking around," he replied casually.

"Looking for something specific?" the merchant pressed, his sharp eyes narrowing.

"Not things. People," Leon said, keeping his tone neutral. "Looking for anyone who might be useful."

The merchant's grin widened as he leaned in. "Ah, I see. There are plenty of interesting folks here if you know where to look. Craftsmen, smugglers, maybe even a few folks with... special talents. You want names?"

Leon shook his head. "Just scouting for now."

"Fair enough," the merchant said with a knowing smile. "But don't take too long. The best ones get snapped up fast."

Leon shrugged, brushing off the comment. "I'll keep that in mind."

The merchant gestured to the market around them. "Come on, let me show you around. Maybe something—or someone—will catch your eye."

"Sure," Leon replied, letting the merchant lead the way.

The merchant weaved through the bustling market with ease, pointing out various stalls—some selling exotic herbs, others offering trinkets from distant lands. As they walked, Leon kept his eyes peeled, scanning the crowd for anything out of the ordinary. The market was alive with activity, but he didn't expect his answer to come so easily.

They stopped in front of a tavern.

Leon entered the tavern, the warmth of the fire and the murmur of conversation greeting him as the door creaked shut behind him. He found an empty table near the back, settling down to watch the scene unfold. The scent of roasting meat and ale filled the air, and a few patrons glanced at him before going back to their drinks.

He wasn't here for food or drink—he was here to observe, to take in the details. After a while, he began to notice the people around him: a pair of traders bickering over some goods, a group of rowdy men in the corner laughing too loud for the time of day.

And then, as he took a casual look around, he spotted —the woman in the cloak. She sat at a table by the wall, tucked away in a shadowy corner. Her presence was quiet, almost invisible, but there was something about her that drew his attention. 

Leon didn't approach her directly. Instead, he let his gaze linger from across the room, watching her carefully. She seemed calm, too calm for the energy around her, her face mostly hidden by the hood. There was a stillness to her.

A commotion broke out near the door, a loud, drunken laugh from a group of rough men who had just entered. They were large, brash, with dirty clothes and eyes that had seen too much of the world's worst. One of them, a particularly muscular man, noticed the woman in the corner and made his way over, swaggering toward her table with an arrogant grin.

"Hey, sweetheart," he slurred, pulling out a chair and sitting without asking. "You've been sittin' here all alone. Thought maybe you'd like some company."

The others followed, crowding around the woman, their voices rising as they made their advances. "Yeah, don't be shy. We're not all bad company, you know."

The woman didn't react, not at first. She simply kept her head down, eyes half-hidden beneath the folds of her cloak. Leon watched closely.

One of the men, a shorter but stocky figure, leaned over the table and reached for her arm. "Come on, now, don't be shy. You look like you could use some fun."

The woman's gaze flicked up, but her expression remained unreadable. She didn't speak. Her silence seemed to fuel the men's arrogance, as if they thought her quietness was submission.

Leon could feel the tension building. He knew how these situations usually played out in places like this, and he wasn't about to let it escalate further. But he also wasn't the type to make a scene unless it was absolutely necessary.

He waited.

The man on her right, the one who had first addressed her, leaned in closer, his breath reeking of alcohol. "You really gonna sit there all quiet like that?" he sneered, placing a hand on the edge of her cloak. "You don't want to make us ask again."

That was when she finally moved. Her hand shot out with surprising speed, grabbing his wrist in a tight, controlled grip. The man froze, surprised by her sudden strength.

Leon's eyes narrowed, watching the situation unfold. This woman wasn't helpless. Whatever she was hiding, she wasn't someone to be pushed around. He could see it now—the calmness wasn't submission, just avoiding the trouble.

The man let out a nervous laugh, clearly trying to save face. "Alright, alright," he muttered, pulling his hand away. "Just having a little fun." He looked back at his companions, clearly embarrassed but unwilling to back down.

Leon knew it wasn't over. These types of men didn't give up that easily. He shifted in his seat, eyeing the merchant who had shown him around earlier. The man was still nearby, talking with some customers, but his attention was always alert. Leon leaned forward slightly, catching his eye and giving him a subtle nod.

The merchant raised an eyebrow, as if understanding the unspoken message. He immediately turned toward the innkeeper, speaking quietly but with an authoritative tone. The innkeeper nodded, his face tightening in recognition. There was no need for loud commands when you had influence.

A few moments later, the innkeeper walked toward the rowdy group, his steps measured and calm. "Gentlemen," he said, his voice low but firm, "I'm afraid you'll have to take your business elsewhere. You've caused enough disruption." His gaze flicked toward the woman, an unspoken understanding passing between them.

The barbarians exchanged confused glances before one of them, the larger man, sneered. "What? You gonna throw us out?" His voice was laced with disbelief, but there was hesitation in his stance.

The innkeeper didn't flinch. "I'm not asking. Get moving."

The group hesitated for a moment, sizing up the situation. They knew better that to challenge the authority of the inn is like going against every Hunter and adventurer in the city, especially in a place where reputation meant everything. One by one, they stood and shuffled out, muttering under their breath, fully aware they couldn't afford to make an enemy of the inn.

Leon watched it unfold from his seat, his eyes flicking back to the woman. She hadn't moved, still seated quietly in her corner, her face hidden once more by the folds of her cloak. Leon wasn't sure if she had noticed the intervention or if she cared. Either way, he didn't plan on letting it go unnoticed.

The merchant returned to Leon's table, his expression unreadable. "Handled it," he said with a half-smile. "You've got quite the influence, don't you?" Leon asked, his voice low.

The merchant shrugged nonchalantly. "More like knowing the right people," he replied with a grin. "But don't get too cozy. These kinds of places are full of people looking to make trouble. Keep your eyes sharp."

Leon nodded, his gaze once again drifting to the woman. He'd seen enough to know there was more to her than met the eye. She was someone worth keeping an eye on.