Kaiser woke up later than usual that morning, sunlight already streaming in through the cracks in the window. With no pressing plans for the day, he went through his usual routine before heading down to the dining hall for breakfast. This time, unlike the noisy scene yesterday, the room was quiet and empty, the stillness of the morning settling in naturally.
Only Ethan stood behind the counter, his gaze fixed on the window with a troubled expression. His face was shadowed with a hint of worry that he didn't bother to mask. The normally cheerful boy seemed lost in thought, his brow furrowed as if wrestling with something troubling.
It wasn't hard to guess.
"What happened this time?" Kai asked, breaking Ethan's reverie.
Ethan jumped slightly, startled by the sudden question. He gave a polite wave to Ariella and Cia, acknowledging their presence first before turning his attention back to Kai, as if to say that they were his priority. Staining Kai's mood.
'This brat.'
"Good morning, Miss Ariella, Miss Cia," he greeted them, his voice softer and more respectful.
"Sorry for not noticing you right away. I just have a lot on my mind today."
He shifted uncomfortably, his expression turning even more serious as he seemed to replay something unpleasant in his head. His voice lowered to a somber tone as he continued, "… Earlier, the Hunters reported that something horrible happened last night, again. One of their patrolling members ran into the creature and called for backup—more like screamed for it. But by the time the others arrived, he was already gone."
Kaiser's eyes narrowed slightly, a mix of concern and curiosity surfacing. He hesitated before asking, "Did they see what kind of creature it was?"
Ethan's voice was grim, the worry evident in his eyes as he nodded. "Yes, but not very clearly. They said it ran away so fast that they only caught a glimpse of its black skin. Just a blur in the dark, really... I don't know if you wanna know this, but I think you should."
He frowned, then nodded. "Go on."
The kid leaned in closer, dropping his voice to a near-whisper as if sharing a forbidden secret. "When they examined Mr. Bara's body… they found it hollow. The inside was completely eaten out. There was barely anything left of him."
Kaiser felt a chill run down his spine. He took a slow, deep breath, absorbing the gravity of the situation. The idea of a creature that could not only strike quickly but also consume its prey from within was more horrifying than he'd anticipated. This wasn't just a beast; it was a calculated predator, and judging by its successful attack and swift escape even under the hunters' watch, patrolling the area, it might possess a disturbing level of intelligence beyond a feral beasts should possess.
When Miss Lina brought their breakfast—bread with soup and a side of meat—Kaiser barely looked at it. His appetite had vanished, replaced by a heavy sense of unease. Even the usually comforting aroma of freshly baked bread and warm broth couldn't pierce the cloud of dread that had settled over him. He noticed that both Miss Lina and Ethan seemed more distracted than usual, their hands trembling slightly as they went about their tasks.
He sighed.
The fact that it struck again despite the patrols this time means it won't stop easily, more villagers would potentially be victimized by that harrowing creature. Especially the way it devoured was frightening.
Fortunately, the Hunters are there to protect them... If they could, that is. By now, he heard that those guys are searching like crazy to eradicate the threat, motivated to avenge their fallen comrade.
"Thank goodness I'm not a Hunter, I wouldn't want to come face-to-face with that thing." Was his honest opinion.
He wasn't a hero, and he won't pretend to be one. The idea of going toe-to-toe with some monstrous creature didn't fill him with resolve or bravery; it filled him with dread. Sure, he had immortality, but he wasn't about to test whether it would save him from being hollowed out like the dead hunter. The missing villager was probably gone, not even the corpse remains. Moreover, does his immortality even covered eaten parts? Kai didn't want to find out, he loved his limbs too much. He might not die, though, but the thought of being consumed alive was something even his resilience couldn't steel him against.
Kaiser's thoughts churned in circles, a mix of fear, frustration, and the cold reality that he wasn't cut out to be the kind of hero who would willingly throw himself into danger. He was just an ordinary guy from Earth, and in moments like these, his human instincts to prioritize survival over heroics seemed painfully clear.
Nevertheless, he had to prioritize their safety until the migration caravan arrived.
'Four more days... Time is so slow.'
Until then, he had to protect their peaceful life, maintain a low profile and just live their daily lives.
Kaiser, Cia, and Ariella spent hours in their room once again, tirelessly trying to unlock their hidden abilities. Despite all their combined efforts, they met with nothing but frustration. Kaiser's and Cia's brainstorming and experimentation led to dead ends, their ideas drained to the point of near-exhaustion. Meanwhile, Ariella, reclining comfortably on the bed, seemed to be the only one enjoying herself, giggling at their antics while playing a game on Kaiser's smartphone.
'Good for her,' Kai thought wearily, casting a glance at the goddess, who was clearly getting more entertainment out of their struggle than they were. She's draining what little remains of his phone battery, too!
At this point, he was beginning to doubt the existence of the so-called abilities players were supposed to have. Maybe the whole thing was a myth, or perhaps the two of them were special cases with overly complicated abilities that weren't easy to uncover. With a sigh, Kaiser got up and caught a whiff of his own scent, grimacing.
"Damn, I stink.... Guess it's time for a bath."
Cia, looking equally exhausted, gave a nod and slowly rose to her feet, preparing to head out. Ariella, however, ducked under the blanket like a mischievous child, unwilling to leave the comfort of the bed.
Kaiser raised an eyebrow and shook his head. "Ariella, don't think I'll let you off just because you don't want to. Get up," he said, giving her a gentle nudge with his foot.
Ariella stayed stubbornly curled up, refusing to budge. Kai tried a different tactic.
"Really now, we're going to leave you behind," he teased. But she didn't fall for his bluff, not anymore, knowing all too well that he could never actually abandon her. He didn't know whether to laugh or cry just how fast she learn.
After a few moments, Kaiser grinned playfully.
"The hard way it is, then," he declared.
Ariella's laughter filled the room as Kaiser launched a tickling attack, breaking her resolve and forcing her to emerge from her hiding spot. They eventually managed to get her on her feet, and together they headed out.
As they descended the stairs, the dining hall was bustling with activity. Tired villagers, some of them hunters, were unwinding after a long day's work. The room was alive with a mix of boisterous laughter and loud chatter. But amid the usual banter, Kaiser also heard the distinct undercurrent of anger and sorrow. Some of the hunters wore hard expressions, their spirits dampened by the loss of their comrade and the frustration of not being able to find the culprit responsible.
Kai usually avoided bringing the girls down to the bathing room during these busy evening hours, preferring to steer clear of the drunken crowds. But today, they had lost track of time while experimenting, leaving them no choice.
'Let's just get this over with and sleep,' he thought to himself, trying to ignore the piercing stares they received as they walked across the room. The gazes from the men were full of envy and disdain, some even making crude comments that were just loud enough for Kai to hear.
"What's a kid like him doing with two beauties like that? Doesn't even deserve one of 'em," someone slurred.
"Bet he doesn't know what to do with a goddess and a pretty blind girl, huh?" another chuckled in a lewd tone.
Kai's jaw tightened, but he kept his expression neutral.
'Annoying bastards,' he thought, forcing himself to stay calm. He knew better than to engage with them—words do no real harm, and starting a fight with a group of drunken men would only lead to unnecessary trouble.
Emotions are meant to be controlled, Kai was forced to learn that on Earth to avoid troubles he can't handle. Letting your emotions drive you would only make problems bigger and cloud your judgement. Others may afford the consequences, but for an orphan? He had to humble himself to have food on his plate.
As they made their way to the bathroom, a stumbling man, clearly over his limit on alcohol, bumped into Kaiser's shoulder. The man's eyes were glazed, a sloppy grin on his face as he swayed on his feet. "Ah, oops, sorry 'bout that, kid. Been a long day, hic, you know... hehe," he muttered.
Kai held his glare for a moment, then took a deep breath, letting the tension ease from his shoulders. It was clearly an accident, not a deliberate act, so he chose to walk away without making a scene. No use getting into a brawl over something so minor.
They reached the small bathing room near the counter. Kaiser peeked inside to ensure it was empty before letting Cia and Ariella in. The two girls looked a bit hesitant, but he reassured them with a calm smile.
"Don't worry, I'll stand guard right here. Take as long as you need," he said, giving them a nod.
As the door closed, Kaiser leaned back against the wall, settling into his role as their guard. In that situation, he can't help but feel nostalgic, remembering the memories of his school days on Earth, where he and his friends, Pau and Aron, would take turns guarding each other's privacy in the Class F comfort room due to the broken lock that the university had no plan on fixing. Those simple moments seemed so distant now, but the nostalgia brought a small smile to his face.
He missed them...
Pushing off the wall, Kai decided to grab a drink from the nearby counter to distract himself.
"Good evening Sir, may I ask for your order?"
Kai raises an eyebrow.
"You're in charge again Ethan, where's miss Lina?"
The boy scratched the back of his head.
"I'm too young for this, am I? I told Mom, too. Why would she put me in the counter to deal with this guy's, it's really hard taking to most of them, they're even giving me drinks! But Mom and Dad had to attend a meeting in the chief's office, so what choice do I have?" He raised a hand.
"Well, good luck. Can I have ah... That thing, if it isn't alcoholic." He pointed.
"Ow, that. Don't worry, it's just a fruit juice, I drink it sometimes, too."
Ethan then served him the juice, naturally blue and has an oddly sour, yet likable taste. Followed by engaging words.
"I hope they don't bother you much, Mr. Kaiser. The customers can be a bit rude when booze gets into their heads, so I asked for your understanding on their behalf."
Taking a sip, Kai replied nonchalantly, his eyes
locked at the side, where the entrance of the bathroom is located.
"It's fine... I always considered myself a rational individual, so don't worry abou-" He paused, seeing a drunkard heading to the bathroom.
Understandably, the inn bathroom is a large room where the bathtub and several urination spots are placed. Meant to serve the Costumers and Guests... However, Kai can't let him.
"Excuse me sir, but can you please not use that for a while. My female companions are currently in there."
The man, rather, the Hunter which was given by his rough appearance. Was visibly drunk, remnant rage was burning in his eyes, fueled by too much alcohol.
"Ya stopping me kid?! What? do you want me to pee on my pants? Huh?"
'I want you to think straight and release your ass outside.' he retrained his own anger. Both parties are wrong and right at the same time, however, the clouded judgment of the other party makes it hard to settle. Kai had to think of a solution.
But without warning, a dagger passed between them, close to Kai and struck the wall. Bringing silence to the rowdy dining hall.
One, arrogant voice sounded in a drunken tone. "What you doin there, rookie?! You think everything is yours just because you're rich or whatever. Listen kid, that comfort room isn't something you could gobble up all to yourself, as well. Let us have that, you gluttonous bastard! Aren't two girls enough? Huh? So ya gonna take our pee room, too! F*ck it."
'Dang... never thought this guy loved the CR so much.'
Spiky Orange hair, irritating smug face made exaggerated by booze. Brick walks forward with unsteady steps, bumping into the chairs as the other customers parted.
"You know, the monster just disrespected a brother of mine last night and went off hiding like a coward. Tsk, the piece of sh*t are good at hiding too... Hmm, maybe, maybe you're actually the monster! Devouring everything! My crush is with you, my second crush is with you too! Now ya gonna take the bathroom, monster!" He said, tears of anger or sadness rolling down his face as he pointed his Cutlass blade to Kaiser.
Kai silently looked around for Maber or Alfred that could stop this drunken brutes. Unfortunately, none of them is around, probably minding their own business elsewhere. No one will defend him, this time. There's no peace negotiator.
Resting his hand on a nearby chair, he gave Ethan - who's confused on what to do to ease the situation - a glance.
"Say... How much does this cost?"
The kid was perplexed, but answered anyway.
"Ah, one silver?"
He grinned.
"Pretty cheap... Also, call the medic, I'll cover everything."
His face darkened, his gaze focused on Brick as sinister malice silently sparked in his eyes. Kai's lips opened, producing calm, yet ominous words.
"...Including the funeral."