"Screaming, we ran towards him, but it was too late. The figure had vanished into the darkness with Dino over his shoulder."
"Was Dino dead at that time?"
Helmut asked calmly. James and Andro flinched at the question, while Asuka shrugged.
"Don't know, he wasn't moving. But there was no blood. Maybe he was just unconscious?"
A person can die without being stabbed; a broken neck or a severe shock can be fatal. Dino might already be dead.
The color drained from James and Andro's faces. It was just a moment, a mere instant of negligence, and Dino was captured. They hadn't noticed the assassin's approach.
Confronted with the reality of the assassin, their fear wasn't just vague anymore; it was tangible terror.
"Helmut, we're not going to just give up on Dino, are we?"
James asked anxiously.
"Not yet."
Helmut gathered his thoughts. It was unclear whether Dino was alive or dead.
But there was a way to find out. If the assailant had merely killed him on the spot, there would be no need for abduction. The fact that Dino was taken suggests a purpose. They would likely make another approach.
'But what about these guys, can they handle it?'
They were oblivious. Their sense of alertness was nearly nonexistent. In that short time, they couldn't even stick together.
But what could be done? Their targeting by the assassin was because of Helmut. Even if they were a nuisance, he'd try his best to protect them.
"Let's eat this first. We can talk after."
Helmut presented the water bottle and the rabbit. Despite the loss of appetite, they were hungry.
Asuka cooked the previously picked mushrooms and the rabbit. Everyone devoured the meal as if possessed. The tension had drained them of energy, and their stomachs demanded attention.
The amount was just enough for four. Not enough to fully satisfy the appetite of swordsmanship department students, but it was something. Having something to eat was a luxury.
"Now what do we do?"
"Are we going back tomorrow? What about Dino?"
James looked anxiously towards the dark forest. The stars in the sky couldn't penetrate the dense darkness.
Under normal circumstances, they would have been enjoying a barbecue party, but they were thrust into an extreme situation.
"If I leave to look for Dino, who knows who'll be next."
Helmut stated bluntly.
"We should stay here until dawn. Rest up. I'll keep watch."
He volunteered to stand guard for a simple reason: he couldn't trust them to stay alert. Staying awake for one night wouldn't significantly impact his condition.
"Okay."
Asuka agreed nonchalantly. He laid out his sleeping bag and lay down, followed hesitantly by the others.
Excluding Helmut, the three stayed close together, all keeping their swords within reach inside their sleeping bags.
Just a short distance away, Dino was abducted. The tension was palpable.
Despite Helmut's advice to rest, aside from Asuka, who quickly fell asleep, the others tossed and turned, unable to find peace. Losing a friend right before their eyes had shocked them. Until Dino's body was found, hoping he was alive seemed the best way to keep sane.
It was past midnight. Helmut, who had been dozing off in front of the fire, suddenly opened his eyes.
A sharp sound followed by an arrow landing in front of him. Thunk!
It was intentionally missed. A small sack was tied to the end of the arrow.
"What? What's happening?"
James and Andro startled awake. Helmut looked towards where the arrow came from.
'Fast movement. Did Pacho come himself?'
Despite his night vision, he couldn't pursue with the others here.
'It seems they'll tell us why they took Dino.'
Helmut untied the sack from the arrow.
"Damn, I was sleeping so well."
Asuka rubbed his eyes, rising belatedly.
Helmut pulled out a piece of paper from inside the sack. It had writing on it.
"If you want your friend, come alone to the big rock hill before dawn."
"Big rock hill? How are we supposed to know where that is?"
"We have a detailed map. It should be marked. Ah, here it is!"
Andro unfolded the map. Only one location fit the description. Helmut estimated the distance.
"About 15 minutes at full speed. Not too far."
"That distance in 15 minutes?"
"For me, yes."
James clammed up at Helmut's response. If he said so, what could they do? James awkwardly reached into the sack, feeling something squishy.
"Huh? There's something else inside."
Without thinking, he emptied the sack, and something fell out. He recoiled in horror.
"What? What is this!"
James shouted, taken aback by the sight.
A small, white lump had fallen to the ground. Recognizing what it was, James looked as if his soul had fled.
It was a blood-stained finger. The cleanly cut cross-section spoke of the cutter's skill. Helmut casually picked it up for inspection.
"A finger. Is this Dino's?"
"I don't know!"
"Isn't he your friend?"
"How am I supposed to recognize a severed finger!"
James yelled, clearly shocked. Discussing it further seemed to only distress him more.
Helmut tilted his head, thinking.
'I could recognize Asuka's fingers.'
But that was due to Helmut's keen observation and memory. Asuka took the finger to examine it closely.
"Looking at its condition, it hasn't been long since it was cut. The blood hasn't even clotted."
"Then Di, Dino is!"
"Alive, probably in pain from the finger cut. If only the finger's cut, he's lucky."
If they're inviting him to come if he wants his friend, it likely doesn't mean if he wants his friend's corpse.
Asuka grimaced, making a noise of disgust.
"Looking at this is making me sick."
He handed it to Andro, who reluctantly placed the finger back in the sack.
James rubbed his face with both hands, looking years older.
Asuka muttered nonchalantly.
"Someone like Professor Dwayne could easily reattach it."
"Fortunately. If he's alive, we can save him."
Helmut spoke hopefully. Dead was beyond his ability, but alive meant there was a way to save him.
Andro and James stared at Helmut, who was coolly planning their next move, as if he was a marvel.
'What a guy...'
They found it odd. Despite the terrifying situation and the difficulty of even sleeping, neither Andro nor James had lost their composure, thanks to Helmut's unnervingly calm presence. Yes, Asuka's indifference also played a part.
"What will you do?"
"I need to think."
Time was still on their side. Supposedly, Helmut should go alone as instructed, leaving the others behind.
The distance to the hill was significant.
Considering Pacho's direct involvement, could they handle it?
Helmut couldn't be sure. Asuka was competent, but not against a first-class mercenary. But combined with the other two, perhaps they could manage.
The problem was, the opponent was an assassin, not likely to engage in a straightforward 3-on-1 battle.
It was a dilemma. Save Dino, with uncertain chances of success, or ensure the safety of those currently alive.
Choosing the former could potentially save everyone. But it also risked losing everyone.
The latter choice guaranteed Dino's death.
'If only they gave me a clear answer.'
In such situations, the correct course of action wasn't always clear. Helmut postponed his decision.
"Let them sleep more. I'll wake them before dawn."
James and Andro knew their role was to be in the best condition possible. They obediently went back to sleep.
Asuka didn't follow suit. He leaned close to Helmut, his breath tickling. Helmut glared at him.
"Back off."
"Hey, whisper. They'll hear."
Asuka whispered. His eyes, unlike the others', looked well-rested.
Being able to fully relax when necessary was also a skill.
"What's your plan? Are you going to save Dino?"
"Still thinking. What to do."
"How about a vote? They'll say to go save Dino."
"What do you think?"
"I think the same."
Asuka said confidently. Helmut tilted his head.
Asuka was instinctive. He surely felt Pacho was stronger. Was he saying to go save a fellow student even if it put himself in danger?
To interpret it that way, Asuka wasn't that kind. He was selfish and shameless.
He was the type to suggest they escape together, regardless of the others.
Helmut eyed him suspiciously.
"He's strong. Since he's an assassin, don't expect him to fight head-on to be a weakness if there's a skill gap. You think you can handle it?"
"I want to fight him."
"Risking your life for pride?"
"No, actually, I had a good idea while laying down for 5 minutes before I fell asleep."
"And?"
"I bought some stuff while preparing for this outing. There's something that Pacho won't expect. It's..."
Asuka excitedly shared his plan. Helmut looked at him with newfound interest.
It was an innovative thought. Combat-wise, his brain worked quite well.
"If it works as you say, it'll be good, but can you make the opportunity? If it fails..."
"You said it takes you 15 minutes at full speed to the hill. If Dino's alive, and considering he's been injured, carrying him back will take you more than 20 minutes. I'll have to face the assassin and these two for almost 40 minutes. Worth a try."
"You're right. But a better option is to give up on Dino. I'm not sure you can pull it off since you lack real combat experience."
Helmut answered coldly.
"Hey, Helmut!"
Asuka raised his voice. Being so close, it was almost painful. Helmut frowned.
"Back off."
"I've already dragged you into my mess. The best I can do is bring as many of you back alive as possible. To do that, I might have to sacrifice one."