I was in a deep sleep, letting my body rest properly after the constant spars I had with Liza. It was normal in my dream, I was sitting at the corner while writing down informations regarding Dungeon Fantasy while adding strategies of how to deal with it.
I remember how back then, it's always like this. I did nothing more than let myself deep dive into the game, trying to ignore everything in that world. I turn to see a crowd of students talking happily about the games.
I would like to nothing more but to join them, discussing things regarding the game, and maybe invite them to play together. But, my cowardice and anxiety held me back, I want to speak, but no words come out.
I hate my past self for not trying, just choked on air and stop trying. If I open my mouth to speak, will I ever be able to befriend them? I could only watch as they bond happily together, while here I am, sitting in here alone.
Suddenly, something weird happen, and I definitely remember that this definitely never happen in my memory. Something start to poke my right cheek multiple times. I turn before blinking in confusion, seeing Liza's smiling face while holding out a finger.
I was so confused at the situation before the whole area turns white.
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I groan as I open my eyes, before covering my eyes with my paws due to the sunlight. I turn my head to my left and open my eyes, before blinking. I think I'm still dreaming as Liza staring at me while extending her right index finger.
"Huh....?" What in the tarnation is this shit? This random moment start to get weirder and weirder. "What are you....doing?"
".....I never try to touch Kobold's fur." I can only gave her a deadpan stare. Did she did this because of mere curiousity?
"You.....could just ask." I mutter before getting up and put the blanket away from me. "And didn't.....you feel it....when I hug you....back then?"
"I don't want to sound rude." Liza said before rubbing her head. "And....I don't remember the feeling...."
"Doesn't.....touching others....without asking count....as rude?" I raise my point as Liza looks flustered.
"Uh..." Liza said before looking at the ground.
"Forgive Miss Elizabeth, Sir Darren. Her curiousity sometimes overtook her rational thoughts." Eric said as he prepares the pan in the camping fire. "She has done this with every new plants grow on her castle's garden or when the new recruits are non-humans that she never saw in the kingdom."
"Huh...." I said while raising my eyebrow.
"Sorry...." Liza mutter. I sigh before petting her head. She was startled before smiling.
"Come on....let's eat...." I said before walking towards the campfire. "Sorry that I overslept...."
"No worries. You spar with milady too many times last night. You need your rest, so I volunteer to hunt animals myself." Eric said while smiling. "I have to say, to see you fight her like that. No one in my squad has ever able to beat Miss Elizabeth, despite how good they are."
"Uh..." I can't help but flustered, because I don't know what to say.
"And I think it's a good thing, because this means that Miss Elizabeth have room to grow." Eric said before cutting down a cow. I was a bit confused of how a cow can be found around here, but I ain't questioning it. I grab a dagger and help Eric to chop down the cow.
"I....wasn't that good...." I said, trying to downplay the situation.
"You underestimating yourself, sir Darren." Eric said. "You need to understand, despite how she loses to a group of bandit, it's more because of her lack of experience. Especially since the bandit seems to get their hands on Antium and shatters her magic barrier."
".....I thought....you're unconscious?" I asked.
"I barely awake, unable to do anything but helplessly watch Miss Elizabeth trying to protect me. And I went unconscious when the barrier broke by the arrow." Eric said while sulkingly cuts the meat, while the blood remains in it. As he try to place the blood-soaked meat, I accidentally drop my dagger as I grab the meat and squish the meat to drain the blood.
"Don't eat it....while the blood....remain in the flesh....or it'll smell." I said as Eric stares at him before going to the corner while depressingly drawing circles on the ground. Really, Eric?
"Come here.....so I can teach-!" My ears twitch before looking around at the tree. I place the meat on the plate before slowly moving my feet near the dagger I accidentally drop, kicking it upward and into my paw.
"Eric..." I said, trying to gain the knight's attention. "Incomings...." As I said that, am arrow suddenly launch towards Liza. I rush towards it and parry it with my dagger.
I open my ears and use my nose to smell an unknown sound or scent. I smell dried blood from the tree and a groan sound you always hear when you draw a bow.
"Liza, the third tree....." I whisper at her. As she heard that, magic circle starts to appear and light bullet fly towards the said direction. I grin as I hear the loud pained yell. Suddenly, I smell another dried blood from the tree behind Eric.
"Eric, behind you." As I said that, Eric grab his sword, coat it with aura, and stabs through the tree. As he pull out the sword, a loud thud heard from the back.
"Thank you." Eric said as his face turns serious. Suddenly, I felt a powerful pulse and shiver crawls on my spine as Eric frowned.
"I can't sense them." Eric said before looking at me. "Possibly an Antium armor or something similar."
Great, they have a way to hid their aura or mana. I grip my dagger tight, open wide my ears and grit my teeth. To think they start attacking us right now.
To be continued