[ Galmar ]

“No. Eight villages were completely wiped out. It looks like yours received the least amount of damage.”

[ Eric ]

“We did take a good hit. We just recovered faster than expected.”

[ Galmar ]

“Is that so? I’m sorry to hear that.”

Our village wasn’t the only target for them. Connor and Baldy are dead so I can’t ask them. Right. What happened to Kyle? Tae was fighting him and somehow ended up on the island attacked by those monsters. Did he end the fight with Kyle and went to the island? Or Kyle dropped him while the monsters began to attack? For the past month, I didn’t even think once about it. Now when he is awake I have a chance to talk to him.

Didn’t want to just turn up to him with that question out of the bloom. We went to the inn to order something to eat and drink. It’ll be easier to talk after a few beers or even more for me since I have that stupidly amazing poison resistance. First I started a casual talk about building my house, Galmar’s trading, and ended it with how I fought against Connor.

[ Eric ]

“... and then he drowned. I’m amazing I know. How about you? How did your fight end?”

I know it would be a hard topic but didn’t expect it to be that hard. Even alcohol didn’t help to loosen up about it. Was it really that bad? Maybe pushing this topic wasn’t a good idea. He is not a warrior after all.

[ Eric ]

“If you don’t want to talk about it then it’s fine.” I said as I chug a beer. It was dripping down so Skyge took this opportunity and licked it off me. “At least tell me one thing. Is he alive or not?”

[ Tae ]

“... I’m not sure.”

[ Eric ]

“What do you mean?”

[ Tae ]

“Well… While we were fighting… We… We both fell into the water. I couldn’t find him so I went to the island to defend the villagers.”

[ Eric ]

“Okey. I understand. Hey! Skyge! What happened to you?!” I said as I watch Skyge barely walking on the table and falling into my food. “Hey! It’s not all for you!” Skyge started to lick my food and he was still ignoring me. “Stop it! Or you’re going to be on a bread diet for a week!”

[ Skyge ]

“No… Mster… ples…” Skyge tried to say but his tongue slip because he got drunk.

Tae’s face changed from gloomy to a smile and he burst into laughter. Confused, I looked at him and Skyge used that to his advantage and swallowed my whole stake. I looked at Skyge with my but he gave me sad puppy eyes. Seeing my reaction Tae began to laugh again.

[ Eric ]

“What’s so funny?!”

[ Tae ]

“I’m just glad you survived.”

[ Eric ]

“Uhh… Yeah. I feel the same way…”

We were drinking so long that Skyge fell asleep on my head and I didn’t even notice it. Next was Tae and I also didn’t notice it. I was still talking to him thinking he is awake. I was the last one to fall since alcohol was kicking in slower than it would thanks to poison resistance.

I woke up in the morning still a bit drunk when I heard people talking and gasping outside. I tried to get up from the table but I fell down. While on the ground I noticed something shining on Tae’s ankle. It was weird since his tattoo is on his forearm. What is it? Some group of people walked into the inn. Everyone went silent. I heard them slowly walking around.

[ Voice 1 ]

“Hey, boss. I found what we’re looking for.”

[ Voice 2 ]

“Check for the mark first.”

[ Voice 1 ]

“It’s there alright.”

[ Boss ]

“Okey. Take him boys!”

As the man said, someone began to drag Tae away. I grabbed Tae’s leg and was dragged with him. They noticed it when I hit the door with my head and they felt something stopping them from moving.

[ Voice 1 ]

“Umm. We have a small problem.” Said the man as he pointed at me.

[ Boss ]

“Just toss him away.”

The man grabbed my hand and tried to pull it away but I was grabbing him with almost full strength.

[ Voice 1 ]

“Just let go, man. We don’t want any problems here.”

[ Eric ]

“It’s my fwend… I wat le him g…” I said with my face on the floor.

[ Voice 1 ]

“What? I can’t understand you. Man, you’re drunk.”

The man also grabbed my head so I could speak.

[ Eric ]

“He’s my friend… I won’t let him go…”

[ Voice 1 ]

“What do we do?”

[ Voice 2 ]

“Just knock him down…”

I was kicked right in the face and lost consciousness for a bit. When I woke up I was sober again and they didn’t go far away. Now I could see them clearly. Two men in light armor and some dude with fancy clothing. One of the guys in light armor was dragging Tae.

[ Eric ]

“Let him fucking go!!!” I shouted as I jumped on one that dragged Tae.

We were fighting in the mud. The guy wasn’t strong or he didn’t even try. Then the second one joined and we rolled in the mud. I landed a few good hits but so did they.

[ Boss ]

“Stop it… I SAID FUCKING STOP!”

Chains appeared from the ground and prevented my movement as well as stopped them from hitting me. Then it realized them but not me I was still pinned to the ground.

[ Boss ]

“This man is our property. Are you trying to steal from us?”

[ Eric ]

“What do you mean steal?! He is a living human.”

[ Boss ]

“And a slave. Slave of our clan.”

[ Eric ]

“He is yours? I don’t see any documents!”

[ Boss ]

“The proof is right there. On his ankle. That’s the symbol of the Hakarl clan. It proves that he is our property.”

[ Eric ]

“Do I look like I care?!”

[ Boss ]

“Whether you care or not. You can do nothing about it. Just don’t catch a cold. It’ll go away in an hour.”

[ Eric ]

“Tae! TAE!!!” I screamed as I dragged him away.

No matter how hard I scream Tae didn’t wake up. I tried to get free of those chains but they didn’t even budge. It was a spell and a strong one at that.

[ Eric ]

“Skyge! Skyge! Can you hear me?! I need your help! Skyge?” I tried to communicate with Skyge telepathically but there was no response. He is probably still asleep after drinking.

I can’t lose him after all he did. After all my fucking effort to save him. I lost enough this year and there is no way I’m going to lose anything more! I promise that I’ll save you! I promise that I’ll save you Tae.

[ Loki ]

“Looks like I’ll have an interesting task for you and I’m certain that… You will like it…”