A Man Like None Other

Mia’s enthusiasm immediately dimmed, and her shoulders slumped in disappointment. After a moment, she turned to Jared, her expression more earnest. “Could you lend me some purple spirit coins?” she asked hesitantly. “I want to visit my brother… maybe slip some money to the guards so they’ll treat him better.”

“How much are you thinking?” Jared asked.

Mia hesitated for a moment, biting her lip before finally saying, “Five… Five purple spirit coins should be enough.”

“I’ll give you ten.” Without waiting for her response, he handed ten purple spirit coins her way.

Mia’s eyes lit up with excitement. “Thank you, Jared!” she exclaimed, her voice brimming with gratitude. With renewed energy, she led Jared toward the prison.

“The Beast City prison was located in the southwest corner of the city, far from any bustling streets or inhabited areas. Since flying was prohibited within the city, they had no choice but to traverse the distance on foot. After walking for over an hour, they finally arrived at their destination.

Jared surveyed the area, noting the eerie isolation of the prison. There were no buildings nearby, just an expanse of barren land. The prison itself was shrouded in an unnatural white mist, obscuring its structure and making it impossible to see what lay inside.”

She seemed well-acquainted with the surroundings. Leading Jared through the dense mist, they eventually reached the prison’s entrance.

“Halt!”

armor, standing an imposing eight feet tall. His broad shoulders and muscular build gave him the appearance of an unyielding fortress. He was holding a long sword. The guard’s face was rugged, and his presence alone exuded authority, but it was the faint aura surrounding him that caught Jared’s attention-it was unmistakably

figure. Are all the prison guards here at the

me!”

to Mia, a smirk curling at the corner of his lips, “Ah, it’s you. Back again to

Mia replied quickly, her hands fumbling as she pulled out ten purple spirit coins. She placed them into Ricky Gonzales’

coins, his expression unreadable for a moment before, to Mia’s

heart skipped a beat, and she stammered, “Captain Ricky, I… I only have this much. Please, could you show

than ever,” he growled. “If

word, Ricky turned on his heel,

have five more here. I really don’t have any more than this!” Mia quickly pulled out the last

moment, his gaze calculating. After a brief pause, he pocketed

the dark, winding corridors of the prison. Finally, they entered the prison’s inner courtyard. Jared’s eyes immediately locked onto a massive ancient tree standing tall in the middle of the yard. Its gnarled branches reached

Jared studied the tree carefully with his naked eye. The sheer magnitude of its presence suggested it had been standing for thousands of years, possibly tens

yourself,” Ricky said, his voice stern. “You’re aware of

voice resolute. “Understood, Captain Ricky. Don’t worry. I’ll be out