World Guardian: The Runaway NPC

Spash Splash---

In this desert, life finally rejuvenates me after arriving in this Oasis. Hastily, water came in contact with my palm with the dust coming off of my face, I couldn't help but smile from euphoria and rethink what am I doing here in the first place.

Still, what bugs me is my reflection in this water. . .

?

That very symbol floating above my head didn't fade no matter what I did or wherever I go.

Maybe this is one of the reason why I left the village.

Second reason is, ever since the "Locusts" arrived in our village, their presence alone suffocates me. Therefore I decided---no, we decided to run away from that cramped place.

They said its a beginner village or something? Where are those people is coming from, anyway? They just popped out of nowhere and decided on their own to wander in our village and doing their own things.

But honestly, that reason is only partial. . .Its not that I'm against their arrival but because of what they were doing!

They looking for every person even during nighttime and sleep time and asks for a mission or quests?

What the hell? Its irritating. . .

I know that monsters are spreading across the world and its threatening, but in our village, soldiers alone are enough to repel them away even without the help of those Locusts. We've been peacefully doing our own and can leave on our own, we don't need those people, so why are they insists on asking for a mission?

Especially...those Locusts keep on pestering us 24/7. Well, I don't especially know why. I just wish we won't bump into each other again and those so-called quests of theirs. Later did I realize, that is nothing but a fleeting dream of mine.

That's why, these people behind my back also tagged along with me right now. Some of them are already tired of those people while some whom we just met along the way. It was thanks to these latter that we are in this desert.

Looking again, All I could see is an ensless horizon filled with sand if you take this Oasis out of the picture.

I'm surprised we survived until this point especially my co-villagers who live their lives solitary in that village. . .

"Let's go? We shouldn't be in this desert before night time"

Noted by the man with dead-looking eye. He is one of many people whom we met today who said to come and go in this desert. Its not overacting to say that this was his and his companions backyard. If we didn't met this group of people, I'm sure we would have been dead by now before arriving in this Oasis to replenish our fatigue and satiety.

Taking out a piece of gourd from my side waist, I fill it in.

My co-villager is doing their own and done packing their things too, while at the back of the camel we accompanied---are the goods we are going trade for the living, since we don't know what future awaits for us after arriving in our destination, we prepared just in case. Well to be precise, its theirs---I honestly didn't or couldn't prepare anything other than this sole gourd and rusty looking knife from my waists, my current clothing and a backpack.

After all, I'm just but a runaway. . .

Anyway, I nodded after towards the man as we proceed thereafter. . .

While silently following this group, I look above the now dust colored sky, every bit of its air is searing in heat but it didn't stop me from walking firward and only cover the sunlight using my hand.

Yes, this same exact moment is what I remembered from the past. That a "Lost Witch" arrived in our village and made a prophecy like an insane woman bathed in the blazing sun.

It only lasted for not even a minute as she vanished out of thin air thereafter whilst creates commotion.

That very words of hers was implanted through my very core memory, so I remembered it as clear as day even at this moment. What terrifies me the most is, one of them actually happened.

"The Migrants of Unknown People"

Yes. Those Locusts I'm talking about are the unknown people who popped out of nowhere.

So I decided to leave on that village. . .

Another one of her divination as she is not only glaring as our eyes had met, but also pointed at me, saying---

"You are the tools of their growth as they destroy not just our village. . ."

She said. Maybe because of it why I still remembered that day. She is clearly looking at me that even those who witnessed it, turn their heads over towards me

So the moment those Locusts did not stop talking at me? her words struck my head. . .What if that is the beginning? What if what would happen will actually happen!?

So I decided. . .I have to run away. Enough not to find by any of them. Or so I really think that would be the case.

●○●○●○

Dusk arrived without my notice. . .I don't know when but the sun is slipping pasts behind the horizon as the forefront suddenly strides forward as we followed suit. Darkness along with bright stars are silently peeking above the sky. . .

Looking forward, the man from the last time goes awry as he started to get anxious, thanks to him it also affects some of my co-villager's mood as they started to panic. After all, monsters in this desert are all nocturnal. Especially the bigger ones, is what he said.

"We are almost at the border, we have to hurry!" The man with dead looking eye from the forefront try to calm himself while stating.

And at the carriage, his wife hugged their daughter, saying 'it was okay'.

Still, I feel the anxiousness spread through this group. . .not just me but also my co-villager is also affected. One of them walked beside mine and draw his rusty sword.

"I don't like this atmosphere"

"Yeah, same here" I replied

"What are we going to do?"

"Why ask me?"

From that last question of mine, our conversation ended fast. After then, he talked with others from our group one by one.

Unknowingly, I pulled out my gourd and pour a bit of water unto my mouth.

Good thing there are few former soldier from our group as they started their formation.

2 forward in front, 1 by each side and 2 from the back.

This time, everyone is ready to bypass and run for their lives if any form of unknown entity comes out of this desert.

Wheee whee whee----!

"N-n-now, run!"

Shouted from man in front; others followed suit, of course it's because of sand from 50 meters away started to surged and move towards us at full speed.

"I have a good news and bad news!"

The man with dead-looking eyes conveyed.

Of course not just me but the soldiers who formed did the same and looked at him.

"No monster will come thanks to that"

I see, so that's the good news then?

"Because that is at the very top predator in this desert"

I see, so you are saying that we can only get out this place by luck! damn!

Saying so, the Image of the monster simultaneously emerged during the time when a man give out his good and bad news.

It jumped over us with its 15 meter length body then dug underground from the front.

taken aback, everyone will know just looking at its pair of many legs and a trunk segment. . .that it is none other than---

"Am I see it wrong?! That's a Centipede??"

One of our people trembled as he run away for his life. Later that time, the Centipede popped up its head then munching his upper body. . .That's what happen if you didn't move according to formation, idiot.

I swear silently.

And yes, that's a Centipede alright, but with its pincer and Scorpion-like tail? I doubt it.

BOOM BOOM BOOM~

Making the sand wave after wave as if throwing a fit, the Centipede is playing at its prey. Yes, it's playing at us as it's splashing the sand from everywhere, by tunneling, making the forefront stop their track with nothing in mind but hopelessness.

"So, may I ask what are we gonna do with it?"

"Nothing. . .its an aberrant, it won't stop as long as its prey is moving"

"Then it won't attack us if we don't move?"

"No"

"The only way you mean, is to defeat it right here?"

"Or we all die"

"Heh, what a bummer"

As we converse, the man with dead-looking eye looked at me in confusion.

I know alright. . .you want to ask me why am I calm at this sight, right?

Heh, of course. . .for I too am a soldier from our village.

Hordes of wily Goblins are more scarier than this one. You won't believe me, but we fought them for 10 days and 11 nights in stalemate. Used every deceitful method possible to win over us but we prevail in the end!

Is what I wanted to say, but there is no time.

Phasing forward, the Soldier dragged their weapon, sword and/or axe to which creating a wave in swift and occupying the Centipede thereafter. Unlike the last time as if it was playing, They didn't let it dive.

"No way!" as the man said so who almost drop his jaw down.

Although rusty looking clothes, armors and weapons. The soldiers are doing well on their own.

"Lets go, its not the time to idle in amazement"

After picking up and returning his jaw back, I commanded the non-combatant to run and to never look behind.

As we exited from the said desert, we waited for a few more minutes and sure thing, the soldiers arrived without any casually while smiling and dragging the dead monsters from behind.

Wow, to think we already make money...