Chapter 29- Eccentric Swordsman (Part 2)
"You brat, what did you do to my daughter?!" The man asked as he pointed his sword at Asher again with a terrifying expression.
"Wait a second! I did nothing!" Asher lifted his hands and replied quickly.
"I know my cute Rain is gorgeous but that doesn't mean dirty bastards like you are allowed to touch her, eh!! I will slice you up and cook you for dinner!!"
'What is wrong with this guy?! He's too much like those dads in anime. What was their name again… Uh, right! A daughter-con!' Even though his life was being threatened, Asher couldn't stop his intrusive thoughts from taking over.
"What are you even doing?" Rain interjected angrily.
*BONK*
Then, the sound of a punch broke Asher's thoughts and made him look at the man again. This time, his sword was pushed away by force as he had to grab his head and rub it.
"W-Why did you do that, Rain?!" The man asked with teary eyes.
"Because you're embarrassing me! I have no such relationship with him. We barely met a few days ago. We struck a deal and so I need to finish my part and then everyone will go their separate ways. Also, he saved my life so show some gratitude for heaven's sake." The girl explained with an annoyed look.
"Oh… So that's what happened… Hahahah!" Chuckling awkwardly, the man looked at Asher, and then in a surprising act, he slammed his head on the ground in a bowing position.
"I'm really sorry!!!!!!" He yelled out loud.
"Huh?"
"I thought you were one of those lecherous bastards from the rich families of the settlement trying to get his hand on my daughter."
"It's ok. I wasn't offended. Just stand up, please." Asher replied with a complicated expression.
He had never dealt with someone this extreme before. A second ago, he was threatening him with a sword and now he was bowing down like no tomorrow. "It's normal to be protective of your daughter."
"Oh? Then, ahem, excuse my unsightly behavior." Coughing awkwardly, the man stood up and said with a grin. "My name is Rizou! Nice to meet you, Asher!"
'Rizou?' Asher's ears perked up when he heard that name as it sounded very familiar. 'Wait, Rizou… That Rizou?'
"Old man, don't tell me… You're 'Golden Lightning Rizou'?!!" He asked as his eyes widened in pure shock at the realization.
"Wait, you heard of my dad?" Rain asked in confusion.
"Of course! He is the strongest swordsman in the world!"
"Ahahahaha, how did an old nickname reach a young lad like you." Rizou chuckled awkwardly as he averted his eyes.
"I'm a huge fan, sir!" Asher replied with sparkling eyes.
In Zombie Highschool, Rizou was considered a legend by many people that died a long time ago in unknown circumstances. Especially the protagonist of the story who considered Rizou his idol and the role model he wanted to follow.
'But, didn't he die like years ago? How is he still alive when there are merely a few months of time before the start of the story? And more importantly… He is Rain's father?!' The more he thought about it, the more the situation got absurd.
"Hahahaha! I appreciate the spirit but I'm not the same man you think I am. Cough! Cough!" Suddenly, Rizou started coughing violently as he held his mouth.
"Father!" Rain's face frowned as she held his shoulder. "You really shouldn't have left the bed! What are you even doing!"
"Give me a break, Rain. I got bored of the bed. Staring at four walls becomes mind-numbing the longer you do it."
"So you decided to worsen your condition just so you can go outside?"
Dragging her father inside the house, Rain looked back at Asher and said. "Follow me."
"Sigh, what is even going on here?" Rubbing the back of his head, Asher walked after the two as he tried to deal with the huge dilemma he was in.
The interior of the house was quite organized and had a familiar feeling about it. It even had some simple decorations made out of wood here and there.
"Take a seat there while I deliver this nagging old man to his place." Rain said.
"I'm not that old!"
"Yes yes, let's go."
'To think that legendary Rizou would have such a personality. Well, I guess this makes him more approachable.' Looking around, Asher noticed something sitting on top of the fireplace. So, he stood up and walked there to check it curiously.
"Hmm, a picture?"
The picture was of two people, a man that had a relaxed smile on his face and a little girl sitting on his lap with a wide grin on her face as if she was having the time of her life. The two looked so close.
'Oh, that's a young Rain! She looks so adorable!' Even though it was merely an image, Asher could only smile slightly. An innocent Rain was something he didn't think would be possible to witness but he was glad he did see it.
"That picture was taken 10 years ago." A voice cut Asher's thoughts short and made him look back quickly.
"Oh, I'm sorry for prying into your private life." He quickly apologized when he realized how disrespectful it was to look around someone's house without their permission.
"No need. Actually, I should be the one apologizing for what my father did."
"You don't need to. I actually find him quite likable. He is a very energetic man."
"Too energetic for his own good. He never let his habit of roaming around and picking fights with everyone that pisses him off. He will kill himself one day because of it." Rain remarked with a sigh.
"Still, it's clear that he loves you dearly and would risk his health to protect you. That's very respectable in my opinion." As Asher said those words, his mind trailed to an old, unpleasant memory.
A man with a blurry face was shouting at him as Asher hid in his room. 'Why aren't you like your siblings? Why are you a failure?! Why can't you be successful like them?!' The man shouted at him.
"Asher?" Rain seemed to notice that change in his expression.
"Hmm? Uh, nothing. Well, what're you going to do now?"
"I will probably start preparing the cure as I have all the ingredients needed. Then, I will show you around the settlement and that should finish our dea-"
"Oi, Rizou! Show yourself!" Suddenly, a loud yell halted Rain's words.
Instantly, she bent down, signaling for Asher to hide too. The latter was confused but he didn't wait long before he quickly took a hiding in the corner near the fireplace. The next second, the door to the house was kicked open violently.