Author's Note: Hello and welcome back to reading my amazing book again! Some personal problems have happened during the past few days but, everything is alright now so, here are the chapters! Also, it seems like Alex has run into the very last person he would expect to find in the wilderness alone so early in the morning. Anyway, next chapter coming out later with the next batch coming out next week on Monday. Enjoy!
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"I... I didn't kill them."
Huh?
What is that supposed to mean? Does that mean someone helped this girl out or something? Well, I checked her immediate surroundings earlier and there was no trace of footprints at all or any identifiable means in which these Snatchers were killed. Actually, how did I not notice earlier that their bodies are in pristine condition?
This is a very awkward and mysterious situation. One where I really want to have answers but, safety comes first. I need to get the girl out of here before something bad happens. Besides, I have already basically finished my quest so, I just need to collect these bodies and get out of here. Of course, I'll give her half of the pay.
"So, you really didn't?"
"Yes..."
"Um, this is not a good place to talk right now. How about we go back to the city then you can tell me all about what happened?"
"Okay."
"Alright, grab my hand."
I grab the girl's hand and start walking with her towards the area Calido said we should go. Despite his odd addiction to training and fighting, he is very good with knowing the locations of places and has a very good sense of direction so, I very rarely get lost when I am going on these quests.
The both of us walked in complete silence as we walked all of the way back to the city. Still, the question remains? Why would she be all alone in the forest by herself? Oh well. I mean, I'll get my answer soon enough so, I should just wait for her answer. If the answer is interesting then, I think I'll be able to have a new topic to contemplate about when I am alone.
I tried to stay as silent as possible to make sure that I don't unintentionally scare the kid. After all, I would be pretty creeped out when a person I have never met before started bringing me somewhere and talked to me a lot for some reason. Breaching privacy is something that one should never break when they are talking to someone for the very first time.
Besides, this girl is around my age so, I might be able to relate with her. It was a bit lonely to think that I wouldn't be able to see any of my friends or family for a very long time. I even cried for a few hours before so, this should be good to ease my loneliness. But for now, I should remain as the strong adventurer who helped her out.
"Um, mister, you look familiar."
"I do. How do I look familiar to you? I don't believe we have met yet."
Oh?
I didn't think that she met me before while I used this form. Not in any way that I know of. Wait, does this mean that... no, it couldn't be?! Does this mean that my reputation has already preceded me!? No, don't think conceited thoughts! She probably just saw me enter the Guild a bunch of times but, I think my presence would have been pretty forgettable if not for the mysterious circumstances in which I presented myself to the public.
"You... you're the man everyone is talking about, right? A-arcane Phantom, is it?"
"Hey, you know about me. That is nice to know. How about you? What is your name?"
"Oh, I'm Shu."
"Just Shu?"
"Yes. I am still a low-ranked adventurer after all."
"What rank?"
"I was Low Class in Rank E the last time I checked, Mister."
An unbelievably low rank?!
For someone who is out here!? Why did she go here if her rank is that low?! Aren't there safety precautions or whatever that prohibit a person with a rank to low to accept missions that are highly-ranked!? And again, my questions are filling my head to the brim.
"So, why were you out here?"
"You would like to know the answer to that, wouldn't you? I came here because... it is sort of like a daily routine I do everyday."
"A routine? For what?"
"To... to make sure that I don't kill anyone. And, to practice using my ability better."
Alright, stop giving me more questions already!? This is making my head spin so, I might as well get as much answers as possible while the both of us are still walking. I don't think we will be allowed to have some time alone later as this is a topic you don't usually talk about in public.
"Okay, let's start from the beginning. You came here to isolate yourself so no one dies and so that you can practice your ability. If you don't mind me asking, what is your ability and why did you say earlier that you didn't kill those Snatchers earlier?"
...
"I'm sorry but, I can't tell you why I am able to kill people as it is personal. I CAN tell you what my ability is though."
The results are good so far.
I thought she was a bit too open with sharing things that I would consider to be secrets. It shows that her killing 'ability' is not her actual ability. This also means that, whatever her true ability is, she thinks it is easier for her to divulge such information? Well, a human mind is one of the things that takes many years to actually understand so, alright.
"What is it?"
"I... I don't really know the specifics but, I think I can see into random scenes from the past and the future. But, they usually occur at the start and end of the day while sometimes happening in between those times as well."
Oh my Death God.
Did I hear that correctly? An ability that sees not just the past but the future as well?! This... this girl has an undeniably stronger ability than I do. Why do the gods allow people to have such strong abilities? And why do I bump (figuratively and literally) right into them?!
"Wow. That is quite the ability. Have you seen anything?"
"Oh... I saw the deaths of the people I was living with. They died because of a disease they caught. They were nice people who, unfortunately, got stung by a random Giga Scorpius around these parts. I... of course, was... the only one... left."
Um.
How did the mood change this fast? This is bad. Reminding children of a past trauma is something an adult should never do! I, I need to diffuse the situation right now!
"Oh... I'm sorry for asking."
"No, that is alright. I should be the one who's sorry for suddenly telling you something personal. Also, their deaths was a few days ago so, I was only reliving those memories. I think that was the reason why those monsters died even though they were still 5 meters away from me."
"I am sorry for your loss."
"Don't worry about it. I just need to get some money and start feeding myself. After all, I can't rely on others to help me when I should be taking care of myself already, especially at my age."
...
"How old are you, Shu?"
"I'm 10 years old right now. My birthday is the 8th Day of the 12th Month so, I will be turning 11 years old soon. How about you, Mister?"
"Oh, well, I'm 25 years old and, what a coincidence. My birthday is the 1st Day of the 9th Month so, we will both be celebrating our birthdays soon."
That really was a surprise. Shu is the same age as me. She is only a few months younger than me as well by 3 months. And, her guardians have also died so, she'll be lonely for some time. I should at least act like an adult and be concerned for her safety, though she has nothing to do with me.
She may be uninvolved with all of my actions but, a chance encounter with a girl I have bumped into before who has the ability to see events from both the past and the future is definitely not a coincidence. It lines up all too well so, I might as well use this chance to gain her trust and maybe gain some allies along the way.
"Do you have any friends?"
"I have one. Her name is Chroma and she is younger than me but, she is much braver than me. According to what she said before, she used to be someone who was indecisive and cowardly but had someone who helped her out. So, I wish that... sorry. I've been talking way too much to someone I've met for the very first time."
"No worries."
Hey, at least you have a friend you can rely on. Right before I knew it, we have reached the outskirts of the forest and I can hear the sound of the familiar river that led me to this city in the first place. So, we're almost there. Now, what do I do with this kid?
Well, my compassionate side is telling me to let little Shu live with me for the time being. On the other hand, my rational side is telling me that it is too dangerous to involve such a young girl with her whole future ahead of her and a powerful ability to come and be involved with me.
(I think you should let her live with us.)
Suddenly, Calido came out of my pocket and said those words to me.
(She could prove to be useful in our journey. Plus, we can just exclude her from activities that are way too dangerous, right? She has a friend she can stay with so, just leave her with them.)
(That isn't the greatest argument and I think that many things can happen but,... I'll let her stay with us.)
(Thanks for listening to me.)
"Huh? A red lizard? Was that lizard in your pocket this whole time?"
"Yeah, he was. His name is Calido. I just thought about it and, I think you can live with me."
"Really?! I... I won't be a problem to you at all, right?"
"Of course not. Wait, are you registered with the Guild?"
"Yes, as the assistant of the adventurers who I said died."
"Then, you want to party up with me? You can live with me for free and I only ask you to behave yourself and to not get into anymore dangerous situations. Not a bad deal, right?"
"... Thank you. I... think I'll accept your offer. I will work as hard as I can and do all of the chores!"
"Then, it is nice to meet you, Shu. I am Alexander, the Arcane Phantom. I look forward to all of the time we will spend together."