The job was done, the payment secured. Leon stood in the center of Magnolia's bustling streets, and for once… he wasn't stressing about anything. Job? Done. Wallet? Full
But beneath all that, something itched at the back of his mind.
That last creature—the big one. He'd killed it clean, no hesitation. The fight wasn't even close. But when he went to extract its shadow…
Failed.
Was there a limit?
A cap on how many shadows he could control at once?
He took a breath and stuffed the thought away. Later. He'd deal with it later.
Leon's first stop was to head into the heart of Magnolia, he moved past the crowds, eyes scanning for any signs of available apartments. He'd done some quick research, hearing about a few places from the guild members that might have some openings. But now, it was time to see for himself.
After asking a few locals, Leon was directed to a quieter street near the edge of the town, where the buildings were smaller, cozier, and less likely to be swarming with tourists. peaceful, residential area—perfect for someone like him.
It didn't take long before he spotted a notice board nailed to a crooked lamppost, one flyer in particular stood out among the cluttered mess of tattered papers and half-ripped advertisements.
"Apartment for Rent – Quiet, Clean, Affordable. Inquire at 14 Pine Hollow."
Leon studied the address for a moment, committing it to memory. It didn't ring any bells, but it was close enough to walk.
The building at 14 Pine Hollow was tucked between two others, its exterior a little weathered but far from run-down. Leon stood in front of the door for a beat longer than necessary, gaze trailing up to the modest sign above the entrance: "Maple Hearth Apartments."
Leon reached out and gave three firm raps on the door. Moments passed. He heard the shuffle of feet behind the door, followed by the unmistakable clatter of something being knocked over. Then, after a bit of grumbling, it opened.
The woman who answered looked to be in her late fifties, her silver-streaked hair pulled into a low bun, a pair of reading glasses dangling from a chain around her neck. She squinted at him, then leaned slightly forward like she didn't fully trust her eyesight.
"You here about the ad?" she asked, voice raspy but not unkind.
Leon nodded once.
She stepped aside with a small grunt. "Alright then. Come in. I'll show you the unit, but fair warning—I don't do refunds, and if you break it, you buy it."
Leon stepped inside, the door clicking shut behind him. This'll do. Not great, but it had a roof, walls, and didn't smell like sewage—so it was technically an upgrade.
She stopped at a door and motioned for him to step inside. "This is it," she said, like she was showing him the best room in the whole building.
Leon walked in and immediately gave the place the once-over. It wasn't much and it didn't smell like mildew, so that was a win.
It showed him a prime view of the alley—because who wouldn't want to wake up to that every morning? It wasn't luxurious, but at least it didn't look like it was about to collapse at any second. "It's... fine," Leon muttered to himself.
The woman shuffled over to the worn desk in the corner and grabbed a small ledger, flipping it open with a practiced motion. "So, rent's seventy thousand jewels a month," she said, her voice dry, like she'd said it a hundred times before. "That's the price, take it or leave it."
Leon leaned against the doorframe, and started to do the mental math.
He had fifty thousand from the job, plus another fifty thousand Makarov had lent him. The money was more than enough to cover the rent for a month, and there'd still be some left for food, a few supplies... and most importantly, new clothes. His current ones were hanging on by a thread—literally.
"Yeah, that's doable," he said.
The woman gave him a quick glance. "If you break anything, you're paying for it. And the rent's due in advance, so don't forget."
He pulled out his pouch and handed her seventy thousand jewels without hesitation. "No problem."
She counted the money, then tossed him a set of keys. "There. It's yours. Keep it clean."
Leon grabbed the keys and slid them into his pocket. A place of his own—finally. It wasn't perfect, but it'd do for now.
After settling his belongings, not like he had much. Leon stepped out of the apartment building,
He glanced down at his clothes—faded, torn in places, the cuffs fraying like they had a few years ago.
The first stop on his mental checklist? New clothes. He didn't need anything flashy, just to stop looking like a guy who had lived out of a bag for the last few weeks.
The clothing shop was tucked into a corner of the main street, its windows displaying neatly folded shirts and hanging jackets. Inside,
Leon didn't waste time. He picked out a few shirts, jeans, and a jacket. The fitting room felt too small for him, and for a moment, he could almost hear the voices of his old life whispering in the back of his mind.
He hadn't been the kind of guy to care about clothes—his past self wouldn't have even thought about it—but now, something inside him had shifted. After a quick stop in the fitting room, Leon nodded to himself. The clothes fit well, nothing too tight or too loose. Perfect for now.
As Leon turned to head back to the counter, he caught a glimpse of himself in the mirror. He stopped, staring at his reflection. His face looked different—sharper, more defined. His jawline was clearer, and his black hair fell messily over his forehead. The blue in his eyes stood out more than before, almost unnaturally bright against the rest of his features.
His skin, once pale and tired, now had a healthy glow, and his face looked leaner, stronger. He didn't look exhausted anymore. The change was clear. His body, once hidden beneath layers of fat, was now lean and toned. He absently tugged at the hem of his shirt, noticing the muscles on his arms—subtle, but there. It was like his body had slowly shed its old self, responding to the power of the Shadow Monarch, reshaping itself in ways he hadn't even realized.
Every day, Leon felt it—his movements more fluid, his body more controlled. He didn't have all the confidence to match the change yet, but it was there, undeniable. The man in the mirror was someone different. Someone stronger.
After paying for his new clothes, Leon stepped out of the shop and headed toward the market.
The market was bustling, and Leon wandered through the stalls, glancing at the different foods on display. He picked up a loaf of bread, some fresh meat, and a few apples.
As he moved through the aisles, Leon came across a small section of personal care items—soap, toothpaste, deodorant. He was taken aback. The bottles were neatly labeled, and the scents were more refined than he had expected for a world that seemed to lean toward the medieval side. The labels even looked modern. He picked up the essentials and couldn't help but smile slightly
He was surprised by the variety—he had expected to find a few basic items, but the selection was far more modern than he had anticipated. This wasn't just the usual medieval-style fare he'd been bracing himself for.
Leon made his way back to his apartment, the bags of food and essentials swinging gently in his hands. The day had been long, and though there was still much to figure out, he couldn't help but feel a small sense of accomplishment.
He pushed open the door, stepping inside. The apartment was still small, the walls a bit bare, but it was his. And that was more than he had a few days ago. As the door clicked shut behind him, he felt a quiet sense of peace settle in.
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