The female Traveling Merchant readily agreed to Chen Lin's proposal.
"Of course. I came here because of the Story Contest, and I'll stay until it ends. We can get in touch then."
With that, the female Traveling Merchant drifted away.
Watching her retreating figure, Chen Lin rubbed his chin.
He sensed something was amiss.
According to the information he had obtained last time, the Fairytale Town scenario had been sealed off for unknown reasons, making it very difficult for outsiders to enter.
Even the town's residents rarely left their own territory. The figures appearing on the streets were all puppets.
Yet this time, he had encountered The Little Match Girl and the female Traveling Merchant almost immediately after arriving. Could the seal on this place have been lifted, allowing people to come and go freely?
Chen Lin looked up at the enormous building shaped like a book. It floated silently, its doors tightly shut.
Before the Story Contest began, he had no permission to enter, so going inside to find Lord Xila was out of the question.
He glanced at the Fairytale Sprite statue standing beneath the theater, but found nothing there either.
After a moment's consideration, Chen Lin headed down the street.
Since his entry point had changed, the range permitted by his Road Guide would change as well. He intended to first determine how far he could move around this time.
Along the way, he would also check where the Story Cottages were located.
Chen Lin had traveled this road once before.
But last time, he had held an Invitation Letter, and the Story Contest had been underway, so he had not been restricted by his Road Guide.
This time should be different.
Sure enough, when he reached a crossroads, a Formless Barrier blocked his path.
He frowned.