Chapter 23

Devil To Pay

I don’t remember much about those times at Level Three.

When I try to remember, I could only see it through a blurry window. However, I feel like it was only yesterday—the chilling air that bites at my wounds, the dark walls looming all around, and the wolf, his beautiful white stained with red, roaming through the dark maze. There was a girl atop of the wolf, and that girl, was me. That puny girl, feeble and bloodied, lay on the wolf’s back listlessly. She was the weak me from back then.

In that dark, dark world, amongst all the blood and violence, I held on to the only grip I had. I remember that feeling well—tightening my hands as I held on to the white wolf. We said nothing and spent most of our time in silence, but over time, I got used to the feel of his fur, to the rising and falling of his shoulders as he walked.

It was the fear, you see. That fear of death, it clouded my mind with dark questions. I knew I was just a burden, and there was no logical reason why Eretz would help me. At that time, my life was completely in his hands... erm, paws.

I was so sure he’d leave me behind at some point. Then it came over me, what he said a while ago;

( Why did the bird help you? )

That’s when I realized—Eretz thought there was some kind of reason for Hadda to help me. Truthfully, it was nothing more than a game. A bet, in fact, but Eretz didn’t need to know that.

Um... Eretz, you asked about the reason why Hadda helped me.

「 Aye, little lass. 」

I’m not really sure, but, uh... he said something about how I’m helping him too. He said I was... the key to, um... escaping this place.

「 Is that so? 」

Y‒Yes, that’s what he said, but I’m not really sure what he meant.

It was a lie, of course.

Maybe, if I could convince him that I’m important, he’d “keep” me for a while longer—was what I thought back then.

At that time, I was thinking that Eretz, like the others, was also just trying to find his way out of this accursed maze. I could never expect kindness out from anyone, but I could, however, expect him to act out of his self-interest.

Or at least, that’s what I believed back then.

As I travelled together with the wolf, my senses and my limbs grew numb. I was still bleeding from the injuries I received. Why I hadn’t run out of blood yet, I don’t know, but it was all I could take to just sit upright without provoking excruciating pains from my wounds.

When I realized it, we were already in a different section of the maze. The “dome”, as Thorne’s group called it.

It was their goal for a long time, thinking that it was some kind of structure at the centre of the maze where the exit is, or at least some hint to it. The truth is, it just looked like a dome from the outside. It was actually just a section of the maze where the walls are much higher. Coincidentally, it was also the place where I first woke up.

At some point, Eretz’ movement changed abruptly, like he was in a rush. The pace picked up, and he was suddenly running.

Eretz? Is it Eggsy?

「 The bird—I smell him. He is near. 」

Um... does he know? Hadda, I mean. Does he know it’s us?

「 ...Hold tight, little lass. 」

Then it hit me like a brick.

I found myself holding for dear life under the punishing pressure as Eretz sprinted through the corridors, faster than I could imagine. The walls blurred around us and the air became an unforgiving wind. I realized at that moment—the lifer never had any chance, not against this speed. And for some unfathomable reason, despite the mayhem of it all, I felt safer than I ever had. It made me think that no one could ever catch us.

After that, it was a game of hit-and-miss. Unlike the raven, Eretz didn’t know about the layout of the maze and was guided only by his sense of smell. He knew the direction he wanted to go, but not which path to take.

It took long enough before we finally got to what seemed like the correct path. We followed it, only to be stopped by a dead end.

「 He is just beyond thither. 」

Eh? Beyond this wall?

I couldn’t believe it. We were so close. After all that work, only to be separated by a wall.

Can he hear us from here?

It was just a thought.

Despite the height and thickness of the walls, I could hear the lifer on some occasions, even when a wall separated us. The watchers’ corridors inside the walls might be accountable to this. The walls aren’t as thick as they seem, and the spaces inside them may allow sound to pass through.

「 OY! Hear me, thou foolish bundle of feathers! 」

Eretz suddenly shouted, loud enough to make my ears ring.

「 Thou art thither, art thou not! Answer me! 」

With no answer, Eretz kept shouting,

「 thou fucking pigeon! Shalt I break this wall and chomp thee, should thou not answer me! 」

Still nothing. I saw this coming, considering the relationship of those two.

Um, Eretz, let me try...

「 ...And? What makes thou thinkest he would answer to thee? 」

I flinched in fear when Eretz looked back his shoulder at me. His glare has always had its way of making me shrink back in submission. I was still terribly afraid him at that time.

「 ...Pup, is that you? 」

A voice came from the wall. It was him.

「 What are you doing here? 」

There was no doubting it. I realized I was unconsciously tightening my grip when I heard that haughty voice, but there was no helping it. As soon as I heard him, I was washed with a feeling I couldn’t really recognize. All I know was that I wanted to see him.

「 Never mind that. Come hither, fly over the wall. 」

「 What do you mean, fly over the walls? That would be cheating, pup. 」

「 Quoth who, thou bawbling pigeon? 」

「 Quoth I, you flightless mammal. 」

Hadda...

I tried calling out to him. When I did, there was the sound of wings flapping and the next thing I know, there was a black raven standing in front of us.

「 Why are you here, brat? 」

Hadda...?

「 Why are you with him? 」

His red eyes glowed as he glared at us, and even though I couldn’t read his expression, I was suddenly... afraid. So afraid that I couldn’t breathe.

「 Lay off the lass, thou pest. She is hurt. 」

「 ...Hurt? 」

He broke his gaze, and the feeling disappeared. He bobbed his head up and down as he observed me and the wolf.

「 ...Did you change your fur, pup? 」

「 This is blood, thou daft. 」

「 Blood? Then, the brat too? What... happened? 」

I can’t remember what happened after that. Everything just went dark.

--- --- ---

When I came to, I was already laid down against the wall. I woke up to the feeling of something soft, and when I opened my eyes, Hadda was... “nuzzling” me with his beak, like he did long ago when he checked my muteness.

Hadda?

「 Oh, you’re awake. How are you feeling? 」

Urgh....

I don’t remember anything, but it seemed like I had lost my consciousness somewhere along the way.

「 Are you hurting? 」

Yes... the wounds, they’re not healing.

「 Of course. We’re at Level Three, after all. 」

As he said that, he looked over to the side. There, the wolf sat, his eyes glowed dimly as he silently watched.

Still drowsy, I closed my eyes again without a care for the world. My arms felt like stone, and I couldn’t even feel anything below my chest. My head was constantly spinning and cold sweat dribbled nonstop on my skin.

In the darkness, I felt a soft touch—a warmth that covered that protected me from the cold. I opened my eyes again, and there he was, covering my body with his large wings.

He was just there at my side, saying nothing and yet, as I stared back into his eyes, I knew he was trying to say something. I waited for him to start and all the while images of our time together blurred into my head. All the puzzles, all the times helped me, and most of all...

...the moment he left me.

That look he gave me when we finally found each other... it was as if he blamed me for being with the wolf. He blamed me, even though he was the one who left the first place.

...You left me.

I didn’t even bother hiding the contempt in my “voice”. He stayed silent in response, and that only made my spite grow. Perhaps that being the reason, tears were welling up in my eyes. To hate him to the point of tearing up—was what I thought back then.

Just as I was about to say more, Hadda finally opened his beak to speak, but what came out was not something I expected.

...No. Rather, it was something I already know.

「 You are dying. 」

=== === ===

=== === ===

I gaze down at her from above. Her blood-coloured eyes, devoid of emotions, pierces back at me. Her snow coloured hair touched the water as she looked up at me. This person... I don’t know her.

I touch the water, and the stranger inside the water did the same, joining our hands together from the other side.

Even after all this, after all I’ve been through, I still don’t know who she is. Who is she? What is her name? Why was she in Purgatory?

...Who are you?

There was only silence.

Of course, I never expected for my own reflection to actually reply. It’s just that... I thought that if I kept asking then, maybe, I could hear an answer from somewhere within me.

Who are you?

.........

Why are you here?

“Quack.”

.........

....Hi, Fanny.

I look at the giant, horse-sized bird who is staring at me. His little black eyes glimmered with curiosity as he watches my actions—that is, talking to myself.

You know, I had a bird friend, once.

“Quack?”

I don’t know, maybe you two were distant cousins or something.

“Quack.”

Anyway, let’s bring us up to speed.

These past couple of days, I’ve been riding north from the checkpoint, but honestly, I don’t know where I’m going. All I know was the guild saved us from the slavers at someplace to the north, and I haven’t been with the slavers for long when the guild rescued me. Which means, this Falreas place shouldn’t be too far away, but if I really want to get there, I’ll be needing a map.

My plan was to find that place and see if I can find anything useful, but just this morning, a cloud had appeared on the horizon.

*grumble*

...Yup.

A really dark cloud.

The rations the chief gave me only lasted a total of two days, and now I have nothing to eat. Thanks to the chief’s kindness, I have quite the sum of money. The problem is that there’s nothing to buy. Maybe if I get back to the main roads, I’ll be able to buy some food and perhaps a map from travelling merchants. It’s quite risky, but I’m already days away from Tarnlake, so... it’s worth a shot.

Let’s go, Fanny.

“Quack.”

--- --- ---

After that, we started riding east towards where I last left the road. The journey is bumpy as always, but I figure it’s much easier with thought transference. Unlike conventional horse riding, all I have to do is tell Fanny where to go, and he delivers.

Fanny, forward.

“Quack!”

Fanny, slow down.

“Quack.”

Just like that. Moreover, he actually seems a bit faster than normal horses. Probably nowhere near warhorses, but it’s still much faster than what his tiny legs should be physically capable of. Also, even though Fanny’s running is “jumpy”, his round, fluffy body acts as a cushion, so it’s not that rough. I could get used to this.

Fanny, go!

“Quack!”

Wha—

With that command, there’s a change in Fanny’s movement. He lowers his neck and situates his body lower, before suddenly jumping towards the front. With this position, my body takes the brunt of the charging air as Fanny’s jumping power transforms into forward thrust, moving leaps at a time. I hold on to the measly grip on the saddle’s pommel, using all I have to not get blown away.

Strangely enough, the feeling is somewhat nostalgic.

After a few seconds of that burst of speed, though, Fanny breaks his pace and I’m thrown from the sudden loss of momentum, landing gracefully a few strides to the front— rolling on the ground before hitting a tree painfully.

*crack*

Ow, ow, ow... damn it, Fanny!

“Quack.”

Are you... tired? A few seconds was all you could manage?

“Q‒Quack...”

So he could only maintain that speed for ten, maybe twenty seconds?

Can you continue?

“Quack... *shakes head* “

There’s blood on his feet, probably from the careless running earlier.

Your feet... you’re injured?

“Quack.”

Ah, well, it can’t be helped, I guess. Come here, I’ll clean it up for you.

We’ve been riding for a few hours, so it’s about time to get some rest, anyway. Problem is, I’m getting hungrier by the second. Water is no problem as I can just summon them, as long as the air isn’t too dry. Food is the issue here, and thinking that, my gaze automatically goes to Fanny. Or rather, his volume.

...Meat stock.

“Quack...?”

What kind of name is “Fanny”, anyway...?

“Quack.”

Ah, come to think of it, I still haven’t done that yet.

Identify.

“Quack?”

⌠n□□□Δ□⌡ ┤Vim Rate├

▐ │23│ │81%│

Σ⌠Δ□∞⌡ ┤Pull Rate├

▐ │10│/12

Name

▐ Fannas Gerrorias

Appellations

▐ Mount of Aedras Castaroth

Species

▐ Gallupteryx

Age

▐ 5 years old

Name

▐ Fannas Gerrorias

Titles

▐ Mount of Aedras Castaroth

Species

▐ Scurry

Age

▐ 5 years old

Gender

▐ Female

Mana Affinity

▐ ‒

Mana Pool

▐ │10│

Threat Level

▐ Category │F│

...Female?!

“Quack!”

Sorry, I didn’t know.

Anyway, “Fannas”, huh... so that’s where “Fanny” came from. What a fancy name. Also, “Mount of Aedras Castaroth”—is that the previous owner? The guy with the wolfsteel sword, or something... he died in the fire I made, I think.

...Have I heard that name somewhere? Hmm... probably just my feeling.

I’m sorry, Fanny. I think I killed your previous owner.

“Quack....”

Now that I’m your owner, I can name you whatever I want, right?

“Quack?”

Name

▐ Meatstock

Titles

▐ Mount of Fay

Species

▐ Scurry

Age

▐ 5 years old

Gender

▐ Female

Mana Affinity

▐ Beast – Earth

Mana Pool

▐ │10│

Threat Level

▐ Category │F│

“Quack?!”

What, you don’t like it? Fine.

Name

▐ Fanny

Titles

▐ Mount of Fay

Species

▐ Scurry

Age

▐ 5 years old

Gender

▐ Female

Mana Affinity

▐ Beast – Earth

Mana Pool

▐ │10│

Threat Level

▐ Category │F│

There, better?

“Quack...”

What, it’s exactly the same as before.

“Quack, quack!”

Yes, it is. Stop complaining.

--- --- ---

Evening came, and my stomach is still growling. One good thing is that we’re finally back on the road. Even so, there’s no one in sight. No one at all. Maybe this area just doesn’t have a lot of traffic.

It must be nice, Fanny, since you only eat grass.

“Quack?”

....I don’t like this. I’m tired, I’m hungry, and I feel like I’m being watched. I can’t see anyone, but yeah—someone is definitely stalking me. It could be the Church, it could be Lyrfanas, or... it could be someone else entirely.

Just as it’s getting darker, lanterns are getting lit in the distance. Some kind of village or a small town, maybe. Thank god, I’m already dying from the hunger. I mean, I could’ve survived through the next day, but feeling like this brings back memories that are... less than good.

If possible, I don’t want to feel hungry ever again. Then again, no one would. That just makes me normal, I suppose.

As I approach the village, I observe the buildings and the people. There’s only a few people on the roads, all of them most likely on their way home. Most of the buildings seem to be housings, with only one or two floors high, mostly with thatchings as roofs. How quaint. There’s a few buildings with third storeys too. A couple restaurants, and...

Nexy.

「 “Balbeard’s Traveller’s Inn” 」

「 “Bed and Breakfast” 」

A “traveller’s inn”. They even have stables for the horses. There’s also some kind of wagon on the outside, packed with a lot of crates and sacks. No one’s guarding it. Maybe, if I...

...No. Don’t be stupid, Fay. You’re already a fugitive. You have money, so just buy what you need and be on your way.

Be good, Fanny.

“Quack.”

After putting Fanny into the stable, I get off and walk into the inn.

Inside, the layout reminds me of a... tavern? Aside from the tables arranged tidily throughout the room, there are stools placed near the counter, behind which a barkeeper is serving drinks to some patrons. Most of the lighting is done by oil lamps and candles, but there also seems to be a couple of electric chandeliers. There are not that many people, probably half a dozen or so, all of them keeping to their own.

There isn’t really anyone worth noting except for the cloaked man that’s sitting alone on one of the stools. The reason for that is the longsword he has slung across his back—something I figured as an uncommon weapon of choice. Aside from the wolf-thing sword Latasha took, I don’t recall anyone having that kind of sword.

Anyway, enough looking at other people.

“Evening,”:

the barkeeper greeted with a grumpy face.

“Anything I can help you with?”

I take out my slate and start writing on it.

‒ Food and map ‒

“...What’s this? Can’t talk, lad?”

The barkeeper eyes me up with curious eyes, and I pull my hood tighter in response.

“You’re a shady one aren’t you? Getting a room, boy?”

*shakes head*

“Look, I’m not a vendor. You get a room, and I’ll serve you. Otherwise, buzz off. I don’t have anything for you shady bunch.”

Wha...?

After saying that, he goes to serve the other patrons. What a jerk.

*sigh*

After three days of riding, Fanny seems to be on her limit, and more importantly, my buttocks has been aching badly as well. That’s nothing a bed can’t fix, but I can’t shake off the feeling that someone’s been following me. Spending the night here would be an invitation to whoever is after me.

“...Troubles?”

Huh?

“Balbeard’s not known for his hospitality, you see. You can’t blame him, though. Can’t be too careful way out here in the fringes.”

Whoa, I didn’t expect for the guy with the longsword to speak to me. And since when has he been sitting next to me?

“I noticed you with that slate. Are you mute or something?”

Uh...

He looks like he’s in his middle ages, though he might be younger than he looks. I can’t tell much with all that hair covering his face. His brown hair has grown out to cover his ears, and that coupled with his unkempt facial hair makes him look like some kind of vagabond. He’s wearing travelling attires, no armour of any kind. Living on the road, maybe?

At any rate, he’s suspicious. I should leave.

“Wait. You see that wagon out there? That’s mine. I have food and maps if you want.”

‒ You’ll sell? ‒

“I might even give some for free. You see, I was in the middle of a long journey, but something came up and now all that stuff is just baggage to dispose of. I’m willing to give some to you. I only need a favour.”

Uh-oh. That can only spell trouble. No thanks, goodbye.

“Hey, I said wait. I’m not asking a lot, just information. News and rumours you came by.”

.......

“One dounce of food and a map. I’ll give that much to you. How about it?”

.......

‒ Fine ‒

“You came from the south, right? Did you pass Tarnlake, by any chance?”

‒ No ‒

“Really? That’s weird. Tarnlake’s the only hub for merchants around here. It’s rather odd if you didn’t pass by there.”

Is that so...? Crap.

“Well, to each their own. Anyway, I heard about some kind of accident there. They said a demon made an appearance in the middle of the city, but I find that hard to believe. I was wondering if you know anything about it. Is it true?”

Who knows?

I shrug at him, but instead he forms an unnerving smile in response.

“There’s also another version of the rumour. Want to hear it?”

His eyes lit dangerously as he continues,

“this version tells not of a demon, but a rogue individual that caused the chaos. It was a slave that the drifters rescued a few weeks prior. And this individual, if I remember correctly, his characteristics are... below average height, always wears a hood, and lastly, incapable of speaking.”

.......

...Ah. Fuck.

I made a mistake.

“What a coincidence, don’t you think, for someone with the exact description to be here, not twenty leagues north of Tarnlake.”

I glare back at the man’s threatening gaze, ready to fight to make my way out of here.

“Hey, now, I’m not a threat, just a curious observer is all.”

Oh, yeah?

This is bad. I can’t freely use my magic in a place like this. I should probably get out first, but an ambush might be waiting outside. Perhaps it’s safer inside where there’s people, but I don’t know if they even care about collaterals in the first place.

“You don’t believe me. That’s to be expected, I suppose, if you’re the least bit smart.”

...Maybe he’s telling the truth?

I don’t trust him, but if he’s with the church, well... I don’t think they’d hire anyone who looks like a beggar, but who am I to tell? Moreover, his appearance makes it seem like he’d been travelling a long time, and yet I’ve only made my spotlight days ago. But if he’s not after me, then what is he after?

‒ What do you want ‒

“You’re travelling north, aren’t you? It just so happens that I am too. I’d be delighted to have someone as interesting as you to... talk to.”

I scoff at him before standing up to leave.

“Also, you’re being followed. Pros, by the looks of it.”

I stop in my tracks and leer at him. He has this smug expression on his face, as if expecting me to be surprised. Well, guess what?

I can handle them.

“You’re thinking you can handle them. Well, you’re wrong. I know these people. They have a lot of assortments in their arsenal, the kind that specializes in hunting people like you. These people have been doing this for centuries. If you pride yourself in your magic, they pride themselves in taking it down. You won’t even see them coming.”

‒ Get to the point ‒

His vague smile turns into a knowing smirk before he answers,

“I can help.”

--- --- ---

“Alright, everything’s set,”

the man said as he walks out the inn with nothing but a knapsack and his longsword. I can’t believe he’s giving all that stuff for free.

“I’ve arranged everything with Balbeard. Now, you need to understand that this won’t shake them off, not by a long shot. At most, it’ll buy us a few hours, just enough to plan a counterattack.”

He throws me the knapsack after that. Catching it brought out some unpleasant creaks from my knees.

Ow... exactly how much is a “dounce”?

“There’s breads and mostly dried stuff. Nothing fancy, but I don’t suppose you were expecting. The map’s in there.”

Yeah, I see it.

So, then... the plan is—in exchange for everything in the vagabond’s wagon, the innkeeper will be “reserving” a room for me and provide us with a change of clothes. Both me and this man thinks that the pursuers will make their move late at night when I’m presumably asleep, but until then, they’ll be hiding outside the village and watch for people going in or out.

So I change my clothes, change my ride, and slip out of the village as a different person.

“Anyway, we should get going. The sooner we go, the more lead we’ll have. You go on and take my horse, I’ll take your scurry. Wait for me half a league north.”

Right...

I still don’t feel good about this. I don’t think he’s leading me into a trap, but he definitely wants something from me. I do need his help on shaking off my pursuers, though, and besides, I can drop him anytime once we’re out of the village

.

“His name’s Amor, that black one over there,”

he said, pointing at the black horse that was used to pull his wagon.

“Don’t worry. He’s a lovely little fellow,”

he finished with a wink before going back into the inn.

As per discussed, I approach his mount—a black warhorse two heads taller than me. Even the drifters didn’t have anything like this.

Err... chill?

The horse answers with a whinnying sound, one that sounded ominous. I hope this goes well...

I’m gonna climb you, okay?

I start by placing my foot in the stirrup, which is higher than my waist height, and then using the saddle’s pommel to pull myself up. I end up on my stomach atop the horse’s back.

.....

Alright, this is wrong.

Ugh....

With effort, I finally manage to pull my leg over to the off side. My feet don’t reach the stirrups and end up hanging free, but that’s okay. Hopefully I won’t need the reins either.

Go forward.

Amor starts walking forward, slowly and steadily.

Phew. Fortunately, he must’ve been disciplined by his owner, lest he wouldn’t have listened to me. So far so good.

--- --- ---

After waiting by the side of the road for a few minutes, Fanny’s figure finally appears, approaching from the direction of the village. On top of him is the vagabond guy.

“Hold, Fannas.”

“Quack.”

“Well, here we are, mysterious person,”

he said to me as he gets off Fanny’s back. I follow suit to exchange our rides.

“Don’t worry, I made sure not to be seen going out. But just in case, we should move immediately.”

Right.

I quickly hop on the scurry’s back and watch him make adjustments to Amor’s saddle.

Just before he manages to get on, I summon little fire pops on his horse’s feet, making Amor stand up on his hind legs in a fury, knocking the man off his back.

“Wha—“

Go now!

“Quack?!”

Fanny, go!

“Hey, wait!”

I heard him shout behind me as the scurry takes off. I don’t know who he is, or what his intentions, but he’s not someone I can trust. The reason? Because I didn’t tell him Fanny’s name.

*Phoomb!*

That’s... a flare! Someone at some place ahead just shot a flare! Shite, so it was a trap, after all.

As if signalled by the flare, I see figures appearing, riding on horseback. There’s two riders ahead, but what is that they’re holding...?

...Lances. They’re holding lances. Big ones.

Fanny, they’re going to spear us.

“Quack!”

Great, there’s more of them coming up on the sides. Two, three, four...

Damn it, they were waiting for me, and I just waltzed into their play. Now I’m completely surrounded.

Using magic on horseback is... can I even do it? There’ll be more factors to account for—dynamic aether columns, relative velocities, and a whole lot more of spatial plannings. Precision strike is a sure miss, so I’ll have to launch attacks with large blast yields, but that’s even riskier. With the enemies closing in, one wrong move will catch me in the danger zone.

No, I can’t do it. I’ll have to break their line and get out of the enclosure first, but how...?

......

If I’m surrounded from all sides, then the only way to go is forward, right?

Fanny, when I say jump, you jump. As high as you can.

“Quack?!”

This is a terrible bet, but I don’t have any choice. The moment Fanny jumps, I’ll use air magic for vertical propulsion to help. In the end, it’s left to Fanny’s own jumping power to decide.

Here they come. I’ll have to do this right, or both me and Fanny ends up as skewered meat.

“Quack!”

Not yet, just a bit more...

I see the tip of the spears moving in slow motion, one aiming for me, and another aiming for my mount.

They’re coming closer and closer, to the point where I can hear the clangings of the riders’ armours.

I imagine their breathing—their effort of trying to stay calm while having their eyes dead on their target—on me.

Their grips tighten, and their elbows twists. From that, I know it’s coming.

In perfect sync, the riders thrusts in their lances.

Jump now!

I hold on to Fanny tightly as her body vaults into the air, less than a moment before the lances reach us. At the same time, I make a strong funnel of air currents to carry us upwards and over the two riders.

Thanks to Fanny’s and their momentums, we land a fair distance behind them.

Keep running, Fanny!

The assailants are converging behind me. For now, I’ll just take it as good luck that they didn’t bring ranged weapons with them.

*Bang!*

Whoah!

Spoke too soon. That’s a pistol, and they seem to have crossbows as well.

But that doesn’t matter anymore. Now that I have the lead, I can bombard them with my magic. Let’s start with the firebulbs, shall we?

“Quack!”

What is it, Fanny?

“Quack, quack!”

Well, I have no choice, do I?

“Quack! Quack, quack—quack!”

They’ll kill us if I don’t!

It’s only a bit more before the firebulbs are all charged. Once I attack, they’ll break out, so I need to kill them all in one strike. They’re all gathered now. Shouldn’t be too hard.

Just a bit more...

(Our choices are what we leave when we die.)

Huh? Wha—just... shut up, Hadda!

(Everyone dies in the end, some with more regrets than others. Which would you be?)

Urrgh.... Fine!

“Quack.”

Fine, I won’t kill them!

Given their numbers, outrunning them is almost impossible. If I kill them all in cold-blood, whoever is behind this will just raise my threat level and send more people after me. But maybe if I spare them, they’ll see it as an act of mercy, and then they’ll.... reconsider?

If I do leave them alive, though, I shouldn’t show them too much of my power—minimize their profiling of me.

...Hah.

So I just have to, somehow, non-lethally incapacitate them without showing too much of my magic. Easy enough.

Rather, that was how it’s always been. No resources, no fancy magic, just my wit and instincts.That’s how it’s always been back then.

I already made up my mind when I started all this. I know there'll be devil to pay, but that moment I broke through Ichard's window, I was already prepared for the consequences.

Get ready, Fanny.

“Quack.”

We’re just getting started.

Advertisement A note from Derthian

Update on character list : added picture for one character (Luise).

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Chapter RSS About the author 3 Fictions 38 Posts 3 Threads Derthian Follow Author Friday, February 17, 2017 7:58:00 PM Duck Penguin

Bio: Quack.

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