You'd be surprised to know the number of evasive skills you develop when you live in an abusive family.
'Old habits die hard.'
He thought as he sat up straight. His temples began to hammer at the sides with each and every passing beat. His ears were ringing. And his entire body was on pins and needles.
He'd have asked what happened had he had any company, however wary of them he might get. But such things were far beyond his current budget. So he did what he hated the most in his past life.
'[System Logs]'
He began reading the recorded log files of his system. He hated it. He hated it a lot. But it was very useful. In many ways than one. And his very own records seem to be written in a way that only relevant data is recorded.
He began to read through the records to the most recent events he could remember. Like using [Time] to see his progress.
[System Logs]
- [Time] {4:50:07 | 04/10/532}
- [Gaze Lv 5 ] {4:50:17 | 04/10/532}
- -10 MP {4:50:17 | 04/10/532}
- [Gaze Lv 5 ] {4:50:57 | 04/10/532}
- -10 MP {4:50:57 | 04/10/532}
- [Gaze Lv 5 ] {4:51:37 | 04/10/532}
- -10 MP {4:51:37 | 04/10/532}
- [Gaze Lv 5 ] +10 EXP {4:51:37 | 04/10/532}
- [Gaze Lv 5 -> Lv 6 ] {4:51:37 | 04/10/532}
- [Gaze (Heat) Unlocked! ] {4:51:37 | 04/10/532}
:
:
- [Scan Lv 1] {5:03:21 | 04/10/532}
- [Heal Lv 1] {5:03:30 | 04/10/532}
- -252 MP {5:03:30 | 04/10/532}
- +25.2 Gold {5:03:30 | 04/10/532}
- [Heal Lv 1] + 150 EXP {5:08:21 | 04/10/532}
- [Heal Lv 1 -> Lv 3 ] {5:08:21 | 04/10/532}
- [Scan Lv 1] {5:08:47 | 04/10/532}
- [Heal Lv 3] {5:08:50 | 04/10/532}
- [Warning!! MP reserves lower than required amount!!] {5:08:50 | 04/10/532}
- [Initiating emergency protocol! Converting available HP reserves to the required amount!!] {5:08:51 | 04/10/532}
- [Ding! 1.2 HP converted into the required amount!!] {5:08:51 | 04/10/532}
- -1550 MP {5:08:52 | 04/10/532}
- +155.0 Gold {5:08:52 | 04/10/532}
- [Ding! New Utility feature [Shop] Had been unlocked!! ] {5:08:53 | 04/10/532}
- [Warning!! MP reserves have been depleted!! Initiating an emergency shutdown!!] {5:08:53| 04/10/532}
[End of Summary]
'So... I ran out of mana. Right? Could've said so in English you know?' Kevin thought while contemplating what he read.
'Serves me right for playing saints.' He thought to himself again as he now shook his head while smiling bitte-
CRACKLE-CRACKLE-CRACKLE!!
That's when he finally took in his surroundings. A fire was burning away somewhere to his left. As he took a look at his legs, he found them covered in a rough clothing. Beneath him, where he was laying a moment a go, was a makeshift bed of grass and plants.
He gulped down and dared to look around him. Towards the fireplace. That's when he found three pairs of eyes looking at him. One with gratitude. Other in suspicion. And the last with wary.
"AAAAARRRRGHHH!"
He screamed in shock and jumped to his feet. With his eyes glued to the three figures before him, he began touching his hip for his trusty dagger he never got to use.
It was not there!!
He froze.
One of the three held the dagger up, showing him that he had it before tossing it behind him. Outside what seemed to be a cave of sorts.
And he was trapped inside.
%You won't be needing it. Would you?%
The man asked. His unkempt black hair, slightly covering his sharp eyes, and the rough stubble on his face gave him the appearance of a man who had seen better days—one who had long abandoned the idea of shaving in favor of brooding over past regrets.
He would have looked like an alcoholic homeless guy. If not for the black armor he was wearing underneath the robe.
Of course Kevin didn't understand what was being said. He just assumed a boxing stance.
%And what's with that pose?% The man asked again.
%Enough!%
One word is what it took from the smallest of the trio for the man's face to turn stoic and straighten his back. And making the third person stiffen up.
'Oh?'
Kevin raised his brows noticing their interaction. The one in charge was surprisingly the little girl whose life he just saved.
'What do they want?'
%I was informed by Kala here that you saved my life.%
She said pointing at the third armored person. The silent woman that was standing guardian at the entrance of the cave. Who turned and nodded in acknowledgement, before turning back to her guard duty.
'Is it my powers?'
%I want to give you my heartfelt gratitude for not only saving my life but also mending my body back to normal health!!% The girl beamed as she talked.
'Can they take them here? But she looks like she's trying to recruit me?'
The girl continued to talk with her sapphire blue eyes sparkling sincerely as she looked at the boy. Who happens to have a confused look on his face. With distant unfocused eyes that kept going from left to right. As if he was panicking.
%Do you perhaps...not understand what I'm saying?% She asked.
"..."
No reply.
Just shaking eyes.
And then...
"HAAAAAAA!?!?!?"
...he yelled incredulously. In what the girl thought would be the screams of a cornered beast. The girl didn't know what to do. There they finally had a healer among them and in such a dire situation as well. But what use it is if they couldn't communicate at all.
SIGH~ x2
"???"
She looked at the boy in surprise. And then smiled in understanding.
'You too, huh?'
%Its no use. It's obvious he's not getting what you are saying. Just leave him be. We're already vulnerable as it is. We don't need any more threats.% The man spoke again.
%Meaning?% The girl asked narrowing her eyes.
%He might not know what we're saying. He might be pretending not to know and is waiting for the opportune moment. Who knows?% He replied while shrugging.
%So?%
%So, if we can't be sure he's an ally...let's assume the otherwise and... You know. Unalive him.% Casually said the man, as if he was talking about some trivial matter like the weather.
Of course the girl was no stranger to matters of the sort. She was used to it. In fact, she was born into it. Schemes, plots and murder.
It's just that it was the first time she felt so good. Her body light and her mind clear. In the best of days she'd be suffering from a splitting headache. And her family could afford the best healers of their lands. They owned their lands! But now, and thanks to the mute strange stranger, she was feeling alright. Not powerful not over charged, just fine. Which was a first.
And she'll be damned if she let it be the last.
She turned back to the boy who, now, seems to be contemplating on something.
'It will work out. I'll make sure of it!' She assured herself, resolve shining bright from her eyes.