Shock, prominent and plentiful, plagued the faces of most of the individuals present. It felt like they couldn't believe their eyes or ears simply because what should have followed Blindfold's attack was silence, death.
Instead, it was the chilling sound of Aldric's threat. This wasn't just unexpected; it was impossible because everyone there knew, heard stories even, of the "Sightless Blade"—a title they say was not given for the fact he was blind, but because none of his victims saw his blade before they died.
Yet, Aldric seemed to have done so, reacted to it even, and effortlessly at that.
"If you are that certain," Aldric continued, his voice breaking a stunned silence, "then swing your blade, and I'll act in kind."
Aldric's voice didn't falter once, a confidence and calculated declaration of strength enough to make the gold-haired girl finally bat an eye. He had thought he'd need to go further, but from Blindfold's mutter and the shock on the faces of the rest, he realized he'd done enough—simply avoiding death from Blindfold's blade was all he needed to cancel out being seen as the weakest link.
"It seems I was reckless," Blindfold sheathed his blade. "We should do better to find who truly is the drawback to us." He walked away, his voice lacking its usual calm edge; it held a tang of disappointment, uncertainty even, in perhaps more than anything else—himself.
"Yes, we should," Aldric didn't bother to spare him a glance still, his eyes fixated on the flame before him, its warmth felt just a bit more comforting now.
'Status'
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[Aldric Voss]
[Savior of Nothing]
======
Markings: [The Remainder] [A False Existence]
Affinity: [Null]
Rank: [Warrior(0)]
Xai Energy (XE) Reserve: 10/10
Returns: (1/7)
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Everyone who thought it was right, Aldric reacting to Blindfold's attack was blatantly impossible, and for that reason, Aldric had died to it the first time. And after returning the second time, although having no solid recollection of it, Aldric could distinguish the faint memories. He knew there was a reason he feared Blindfold in particular—he knew to be cautious.
Then, as the crackling flames mixed with the eerie sounds of the forest and Aldric glanced at the gold-haired girl, only then did he fully realize the core memory—that on the eighth tap of the girl's finger on her sheath, he would lose his head. So his decision was made—he'd threaten his killer on the seventh.
That's how Aldric had reacted to blindfolds imperceptible blade, simply by knowing when it would swing.
'Barely an hour in and I've already used a respawn,'
Aldric grumbled internally as his eyes scanned around him, keenly observing the faces of everyone. He realized if he wanted to survive this trial, he'd need allies. He had preached to guilds countless times about how teamwork is more important than individual strength, and that is because he's incapable of anything alone. As weak as he is, his strength relies solely on his ability to use others.
'So who'd be the perfect ally?'
The easiest choice for Aldric was the elf. Aside from the fact that she was hot as hell, she also seemed to have assisted him during Robes' accusations for some reason. Of course, the possibility that it was simply out of the goodness of her heart lingered. However, Aldric had developed a habit of concluding that people do things for personal motives rather than good.
Perhaps it was a trap—all of it—her supposed kindness, her beauty, and the body of a goddess, all just a means to lure unfortunate victims like Aldric into trusting her. It sounded absurd, but Aldric knew all too well its possibility.
She could still be an ally, but Aldric needed to observe her more.
His gaze shifted over to the next person, Muscles. All brawn, no brains, or at least he did a good job of making others think that's what he was. Regardless of the truth, it meant he was either too stupid or too cunning for Aldric to team up with.
Blindfold and Robes were out of the question; he could tell quite easily that they both eagerly waited for one slip-up, one crack in the shell, to eliminate who they believed was the weakest amongst them. And if Aldric were to stick with either of them, although they might believe him now, the truth would eventually come to light, and they would waste no time in ending his life.
With everyone else crossed out, that left only the two other girls—purple eyes and gold hair.
Aldric shifted his gaze from the flames to purple eyes who sat close to a tree at the far left side, and as he did, his face stiffened and his body froze.
"What, is there something on my face?" she jeered, raising an eyebrow as she caught Aldric's glance.
"No," Aldric muttered, unable to take his eyes off the creature he gazed into the eye of, hugging the tree in a terrifying manner. "There's something behind you."