"Head honcho!" Kirsta immediately called out the moment she spotted the old man walking into the tent.
Kim and Ciel remained there, confused as to who the individuals who had walked in could be, but from how traditional they were dressed, they had to be amongst the villagers.
"Krista… you understand the village's rule more than anyone… outsiders are not allowed to know about our secret. I merely allowed you to let them sleep here since you claimed to know this young man." The head honcho spoke, turning his gaze to Kim who instantly waved back.
The head honcho let out a heavy sigh, his gaze turning back to Krista. "They don't strike me as the trustworthy sort... perhaps disposing of them would be the safer choice."
"Dispose of them?" Kim's voice drifted from a distance, barely audible over Krista's determined rebuttal.
"No, Honcho! I assure you, they're good people," Krista exclaimed, her arms extended in pleading. "And I'll personally see to their well-being."
The head honcho scrutinized Kim with a furrowed brow, his eyes tracing a careful path from head to toe.
The head honcho took another glance at Kim, scanning him from head to toe.
{Notice: Deadly threat sensed, would you like me to offer necessary skills to get rid of the threat?}
'I'd rather you didn't.' Kim responded to his system.
Completing his scan of Kim, the old man moved his eyes towards Ciel, moving all the way from her hair and then he got to her chest only to get a look at her cleavage hanging out of her black dress.
"Oh good lord of heavens and earth... how is this…?" His voice trembled with disbelief as his eyes widened in shock, the color draining from his face. Almost instantly, blood began to drip from his nose, staining the pristine fabric of his shirt as he jerked backwards in surprise.
"Head Hancho!".
"Hancho!".
Their voices rang out in concern, a chorus of worry filling the air. The two villagers positioned behind the old man reacted swiftly, their arms outstretched to catch him before he could collapse. Meanwhile, Krista, her expression etched with concern, swiftly knelt beside him. With gentle hands, she retrieved a napkin and began to dab at his nose, her movements careful yet urgent, as if each touch held the power to mend his ailment.
"Ahhhh~, my eyes have been blessed." The old man uttered with a perverted grin, saliva trailing from the corner of his mouth like a sluggish stream.
"Snap out of it!" Krista's voice sliced through the air like a whip, her hands cupping his head as she shook it from side to side.
As Krista wrestled with the old man's distraction, Kim turned his attention to her, his expression contemplative. "Perhaps you are useful after all," he ventured.
"Awwwn, you're hurting my feelings master… are you suggesting I am no use but a sex drive to a creepy old man in charge of a hidden village?" Ciel retorted, her cheeks puffing with mock offense. Then, with a mischievous glint in her eye, she leaned toward Kim and playfully nipped at his ear, her laughter dancing on the edge of the conversation.
"Must you always do this…".
"Do what…".
"Ju..st get off…" Kim looked to the side, trying to avoid any eye contact whatsoever.
"Young woman… what.. is your name?" The old man's voice broke through the tension, his frail frame straining against the arms that held him as he craned his neck to catch a glimpse of Ciel.
"Hehe, well my name is Ciel, pervert," she retorted with a playful giggle.
"Ahhh, beautiful man," the old man mumbled, his gaze drifting upward to the ceiling, his cheeks flushed with a mix of confusion and fondness. "Both the random boy and Ciel can stay as long as they want".
A grin spread across Krista's face, her eyes sparkling with excitement as she turned to Kim. "See! The head Huncho said you can stay!" Her enthusiasm was palpable, infusing the tense atmosphere with a sense of relief.
"I can see that…" Kim responded with a weak chuckle.
"Come come come! Let me show you around the place!!!" Krista's energy was infectious as she dashed forward, seizing Kim's hand and effortlessly pushing Ciel aside.
Despite their surprise at Krista's strength, there was a hint of amusement in the air as Kim momentarily forgot that Krista was also a Hunter, just like him.
With Ciel now freed, Krista eagerly pulled Kim out of the tent, her face beaming with excitement as they raced off together.
Meanwhile, Ciel lingered at the back of the tent, her eyes briefly flashing with a subtle silver glow as she observed Krista and Kim departing. After a moment, she took a deep breath, her gaze returning to its usual state, and she trailed after them.
With the trio now out of sight, one of the villagers, still supporting the old man, spoke up.
"Are you sure about this Honcho?" the man asked, his voice tinged with uncertainty.
"I also don't think it's a good idea…" chimed in another villager.
"Is that so?" The head honcho slowly rose from his seat, his expression unreadable as he surveyed the remaining villagers.
The head honcho slowly rose from his seat, his gaze sweeping over the group of villagers with a sense of quiet authority.
"Trust in my decision," he said firmly, his voice carrying a tone that brooked no argument. "We cannot turn away those in need, especially not in these times of uncertainty."
The villagers exchanged uneasy glances, but none dared to challenge the head honcho's authority.
"Prepare a place for our guests," he commanded, his words leaving no room for debate. "And make sure they are comfortable. We may have unexpected allies in them."
With a collective nod, the villagers dispersed, some casting lingering glances at the tent where Krista, Kim, and Ciel had disappeared. The head honcho remained standing, his thoughts hidden behind a mask of determination, as he contemplated the implications of his decision.