Before Daniel and Eva could step out the door, the sound of steady, heavy, synchronized footsteps broke the silence of the alley.

Eight armored figures with silver gear and masks calmly advanced from both ends of the alley. In the center of them, a man in a blue cloak with a long sword on his back walked toward them.

The encirclement was flawless.

"You two are under suspicion in a murder case. You'll need to come with us," the squad leader said firmly and formally.

"Murder?" Eva said in disbelief.

"Excuse me? Are you kidding?" Daniel frowned. They hadn't even fully stepped outside yet and now these people were saying they had to come with them?

What kind of ridiculous scenario was this?

"For more information, you'll need to come with us," the guard leader repeated.

"Don't you think this is stupid? We literally haven't even taken a step out the door and you're saying we're murder suspects? Do we look like idiots to you?"

"I understand the confusion." The man pulled out an emblem and showed it to them. Daniel had never seen it before, but the moment he laid eyes on it, a flood of information rushed into his head.

It was a strange feeling—having all that knowledge suddenly appear in his mind.

"No problem. We'll come," he said after reviewing the information. Then he looked at Eva, and she gave a small nod.

he also quickly glanced around. All members of the group were C-Rank Climbers with but the one in the blue cloak was a B-rank.

B-rank. An elite knight. From B rank upward, Awakened and Climbers receive titles.

B-rank: Elite titles — like Elite Mage, Elite Knight, Elite Swordsman, Elite Summoner…

A-rank: Grand titles — like Grand Mage, Grand Knight, Grand Swordsman, Grand Summoner…

S-rank: Divine title.

Above S-rank: Two different titles depending on the world. In his world, they were known as National-Level Awakened. In the Celestial Domain, they are called Heavenly, such as Heavenly Mage, Heavenly Knight, and so on.

And the man standing in front of him was an Elite Knight. Daniel had no chance against a group like this. Even with help from his Fallen, he would be crushed.

But… murder? Who had he killed? He didn't remember anything. His only real encounter in the city had been with those bandits.

And so, without any resistance, they were taken to the City Security Office.

Inside the interrogation room, the air was cold and smelled of metal. Eva had been taken to a separate room. Daniel was alone with the B-rank man.

The squad captain, with gray hair tied back and sharp brown eyes, stared directly at Daniel.

"Now tell me… where were you last night?"

"We just arrived in the city last night. Stayed at an inn that same night. What murder are you even talking about?"

"Last night, one of the city's most infamous bandit groups… was massacred. None survived," the Elite Knight said with a frown.

"Which group? The one led by that girl with pink hair?" Daniel raised an eyebrow.

"Yeah,them. Based on our information, you two were the last ones to interact with them while they were still alive."

"They tried to rob us. I just taught them a little lesson. But I'm sure no one died there," Daniel said in confusion.

"You better not lie. It'll cost you," the Elite Knight warned, his tone a bit harsher.

"They died? So what? Weren't they bandits? Why should you care?" Daniel raised his eyebrows slightly, his eyes turning colder.

"Because of the ongoing event, city security is our top priority," the Elite Knight paused briefly, then continued in the same indifferent tone.

Daniel locked eyes with him. The knight's stare was still cold, but there was a thin layer of worry behind it.

Worry about what? A few dead bandits shouldn't stress out a B-rank guard.

No… this was something else. Daniel thought maybe that group had stolen something valuable, and someone—or something—had wiped them all out to get it back.

That was the most logical explanation he could think of. Either that, or maybe one of those bandits actually mattered to this knight.

"Those bandits stole something important, didn't they?" Daniel asked playfully.

For just a second—a blink—the knight's eyes twitched. That one moment was enough.

Daniel knew he was right.

"You're mistaken. We're only concerned with the city's safety."

"Either way, that doesn't change anything. Besides…" Daniel placed his hands on the table and leaned forward slightly.

"You haven't even introduced yourself. Isn't mutual trust important during an interrogation?" He stared directly into the knight's cold eyes.

"Marxil Haron. Senior Captain of the City Guard and head of regional security." Marxil paused, then straightened his back with a short sigh.

"Nice to meet you. I don't think I need to introduce myself," Daniel smirked.

"Actually, you do. We don't have much data on you. You're an Otherworldly Climber, right?" Marxil asked without hesitation.

"Yeah." Daniel nodded.

"How long have you been in this world?"

"About three days, give or take."

"So, you're new…" Marxil shifted slightly in his seat.

Now that he thought about it, this kid really didn't have any reason to kill those bandits. More importantly, there was no evidence. All they had were the claims of some thugs saying the group last went to confront Daniel and his companion.

If I don't find something soon, the Duke's gonna skin me alive… Marxil sighed in frustration.

At that moment, the door opened. A female knight with silver armor and a gray cloak entered and saluted.

"Captain, the Grand Mage has examined the crime scene. According to the magical analysis, the time of death doesn't match. These two were at the inn during that window. They couldn't be the killers."

"Thanks. You're dismissed," Marxil nodded.

The knight bowed and left.

"Told you. Their deaths had nothing to do with me," Daniel said with a smug grin.

"In any case, you're free to go. But…" Marxil shot him a tired look.

"Until we find the real killers, you're not allowed to leave the city." He paused briefly.

"Excuse me? I have to head to the Central Plains." Daniel raised an eyebrow.

"You can go later," Marxil shrugged.

"No, that's way too late. You don't get it—"

"Oh… so your destination is the Black Swamp, huh?" Marxil narrowed his eyes. Even though he wasn't an Otherworldly Climber, he was familiar with their major events.

"Sorry, but as long as the case is open, no one's leaving the city. Especially not a suspicious Otherworldly Climber."

For a moment, a wave of rage surged inside Daniel. Like an explosion of madness. But… he pulled himself together quickly. Just took a deep breath.

"Sigh… looks like I have no choice."

The outside air, cool with a gentle breeze, brushed against his face. As he exited the Security Office, he saw Eva coming out of another door at the same time.

"You alright?" Their eyes met. Eva quickly walked over to him.

"I'm fine. You?" Daniel nodded.

"Yeah…" Eva paused for a second, then asked:

"So what now?"

"For now… we're grounded." Daniel gave a bitter smile.

"You mean we have to wait?"

"Of course not. Hmm… I've got an idea. We need to go somewhere…" Daniel glanced up at the sky, then turned around.