I stayed the night in Arden.Once the sun shined, I immediately headed on my way to leave this huge city.
Two guards were at the gate—different ones this time. As I passed them, the scent of coffee hit my nose. They were holding cups.So even coffee exists here, huh?
I nodded to them as I finally left the city. Alright… now I need two weeks to head back to Edrin… that's so annoying.
I bought enough food yesterday, which means I'm good.
While walking on the road through the Free Lands, where not even a tree was in sight, the cold air bit at me while the sun's warmth brushed my skin. Then I heard steps behind me… getting closer… and closer.
I turned around, hand ready to pull my sword from the inventory.It was a familiar face.
"Wait—Ario!" he shouted from afar.
As he spoke, the image of the Silencer instantly flashed through my head. I see… that's why the voice was familiar. And this boy—I've seen him before many times in the Specials Guild. Always sitting alone… always staring at me from afar.
He got closer and closer. Black hair, very dark eyes… and many knives strapped to his waist.
"Yo, Ario. I know you don't know me bu—"
"I know you, dude… or should I say Silencer? What do you want?"
"Whaaat, really now?" His voice dropped, disappointed. "I can't believe you recognized me… Well, I wasn't trying hard enough to hide it anyway, haha…"
I just looked at him, silent.
"Ehm… listen. First of all, sorry for trying to kill you that day. You know I had a mission… it was just business. Anyway, I'm not here just to apologize. May I have a moment with you?"
I nodded. We sat down next to the dirt road, on the grass.
"I'm listening."
"Yes, so… I'll tell you everything that happened, and then you decide what you want, alright? So… I was sent by my people—the Silencers—to take out a man who supposedly had one of the Twelve Birthstones. He was supposed to have booked that motel room for some more days… but when I got there, well—you know the rest.
When I returned to my group, they apparently kicked me out… because I failed to catch that man. And not just that—they even sent someone to inform the Wardens about me being in Edrin. So, to simplify the story for you… I got betrayed by my own family. These bastards threw me out just because I failed once. I had never failed before. Never. But anyway…"
He paused, then looked straight at me.
"What I actually want to ask is… Can you help me take my revenge?"
Revenge?He just dumped so much information on me… Twelve Birthstones… I still know almost nothing about this world. And this guy? He seems like the type who'll spill everything once he trusts someone. I need him… to know more.
"How can I trust you?" I said calmly.
He fidgeted with his fingers, then smirked proudly.
"Well… let's be friends. The best way to gain trust is by being friends, right? So let me start." He stood up, pride all over his face. "I'm Larkin Subano. 18 years old, by the way."
I stood up too. "I'm Ario. Also 18."
"Yeah, I know a lot about you, Ario."
I frowned.
"No, I don't mean it in a weird way! It's just… I was spying on you lately in the guild… so yeah."
Does this dude think spying is normal? Weirdo… Anyway, how did he..
"Listen, Larkin. I have one last question before giving you my trust."Of course, I wasn't going to give him even a little trust. He's just another pawn.
"Yes, ask whatever you want, Ario."
"How did you get here so fast? I mean, how did you reach Arden in just a day? Are you as fast as that Warden Commander?"
"No way! I'm not even close to that fast. That commander is a monster… or something."
He then pulled out a blue stone from his pocket.
"Look, this is a teleportation stone. You can use it once a day."
Teleportation… this could be very useful.
"It's normal you don't know about it, Ario. Only Silencers have these stones. Normally, if you're kicked out, they take all your stuff… but they couldn't get mine, haha. I'm not that weak, you know."
Damn, he talks so much… Still, I need him.
"So, Larkin… can you use it on both of us? To get back to Edrin?"
"Yeah, sure. Get closer to me."
He raised his hand, gripping the blue stone.The stone glowed brighter and brighter until a blue light surrounded us.
When I opened my eyes, the light faded… and the gates of Edrin stood before me.
"See, Ario?—"
We split ways then. He told me to meet him tomorrow in the Specials Guild, which I agreed to.
I went directly to the guild and told Vino, Evin, and Van everything that happened, or well close to everything. After that, I headed back to the motel.
I looked out the window of my room. It's still day. I can't sleep now — I'll do some workout. I can't lose these muscles after all.I worked out for three hours straight until one of the motel staff brought me a meal. I washed myself and sat down to eat.
Even after training so long, I don't feel tired at all. My strength has improved SO FAST.
It's like cheating in a game.
Anyways… now I have four pawns to use. With that, I can finally start my plan.