I trusted my water senses but didn't believe the creeper was gone. I held one of her comrades captive, and I didn't get the sense from the light cultivator that she was the abandoning type. Most likely, she lurked in her world of absent light, waiting for me to drop my guard. Typical creeper fashion. I could practically feel the sharp edge of her knife at my throat.

The key was to keep the trapper waiting when walking into a trap. It was basic trapping fundamentals. The more you made the trapper wait, the more their patience broke down. Any trapper could watch their bait get toyed with for a few minutes. Several minutes to an hour tested the best of trappers. Each nibble wore on their desire to spring their carefully laid plans.

That was why I preferred to walk away from all of my traps. My inability to wait had me cracking as soon as the target was in sight… which explained why I was better with a bow than setting traps.

I toyed with the creeper's patience. I lurked near the cage of ice as if I was tempted to break it or talk to the prisoner inside, only to pull back at the last moment and inspect another fallen soldier. A nibble here and a nibble there. I was the perfect fish, and I knew the hook could only dangle for so long. The tension was too tight.

The bandits had a few thousand credits on them. Nothing spectacular, but it added to my overall sum. None of their weapons were beneficial. Most were standard-issue infantry equipment. I ended up stripping one of the warriors with a similar build and washing his clothes. The dark leather pants fit tight around my thigh and calf but were the right length. I stuck with the light underlayer he wore under his armor for the shirt. Even in its tattered state, it was much better than the shirtless option I had going for me. The fit was a bit snug, but I found the material light enough to allow airflow. I borrowed the wide-brimmed hat from one of the travelers to complete my look.

Unfortunately, I didn't manage to save the travelers. They were under too much heavy fire, and their defenses weren't strong enough to protect them, even after I had intervened. Next time, I'd be faster. My failures didn't stop me from rummaging through their supplies. It looked like they were preparing for an entire week of feasting.

If I remembered correctly, the mid-summer festival was maybe in a week or two. The celebration of the Deliverer's rise to power happened twice a year. Food was sold at a discount, which was paid for by the empire, and the people of Alderi feasted and danced for the entire week. The celebration served as a reminder that the Deliverer freed every cultivator from a soul tax—a tradition that happened in nearly every empire outside of Alderi.

The traditional tax was based on the powerful's right to claim a bit of each individual's progress for letting them live. It was a twisted practice, and the fact that the Emperor of Alderi had done away with it had gained him as much fame as the elven Princess of Lumin. He certainly gained as much notoriety for his actions. As Alderi bled the population of its neighboring country, Greia, tension between the two empires rose.

I didn't buy it. Two powerhouses had too much power and were simply looking for ways to wave their bigger sticks around. Also, the Deliverer could rot in Ao's bloody pits. He may act benevolent for all to see. I knew first hand he was a festering rot. He may not be requiring a life tax, but he certainly bled his citizens one way or another.

I finished snacking on the cheeses and smoked meat and lined my pockets with more credits. I would have plenty to buy passage to a larger city where I'd have a better chance at finding answers to my questions. The only other item of value I found was a couple small jugs of mead. It wasn't up to feast standards but would be enough to satiate my parched lips. I unscrewed the cork and took a long drink. It had a hint of berries and a soft kick. I took another sip, letting the flavors wash in my mouth.

I screwed the lid back on the jug, threw it strap over my shoulder, regretted my decision, and took another three sips. When my thirst was quenched, I turned to my prisoner. Selene's abyss: I didn't want to do this. I didn't even know what I was doing. I couldn't kill the girl. I took another drink as I propped myself on the upturned wagon.

Just as I watched the bloomer in my ice, she sat and watched me. Her body was still, her breathing regular, and she relaxed her back against the ice while she picked at her nails. The pruning session seemed more a habit than a nervous tick. She whispered a few words, none of which I could hear, and continued to clean her fingers. Strange girl.

When I first trapped her, she begged for her life. Her safety wasn't guaranteed, yet she acted like she didn't have a care in the world.

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I listened to the sloshing of the mead inside my jug as I swished it around. It was still around half full. Perhaps just talking to the girl would be the best option. No. Leaving would be the best option and exactly what I should be doing. But maybe she had more knowledge about the development of the bandit guild inside the city. That could be a worthwhile endeavor to pursue. I didn't care to be a hero right now, but knowing how to save the town would be helpful when I was through with the loop. If I get good enough, I could even save it indiscriminately.

But what would I ask her?

I knew full well I was stalling. This didn't even have anything to do with being bait. I was just plain stumped, or more so nervous about the interaction. What was I supposed to say, 'Hey, sorry for killing your friends; if you talk, I won't kill you as well.' Actually, that might work… Probably not. That's the problem with being a side character. When it was time to step out into the light, it felt too exposing. I took another long swig, considered how my squad would've handled the situation, and hopped off my chair.

"Don't try anything funny," I said, approaching the girl.

The healer brushes her blonde hair aside as she looks at me with her beady eyes. I hadn't noticed it before, but her face clung tightly to her bone structure, which seemed nearly translucent. The tightness of her face made her bluish lips and eyes look extra large.

“Pl-pl-please sa-s-sir.” Her arms wrapped around her body. "L-let me me out. I will do whatever you ask."

Oh. Sweet abyss. I was freezing her. I cursed as I considered my options and picked the worst choice. I dismissed my ice prison and filled our immediate area with warm vapors. The warming technique was a work in progress, but the bloomer seemed to appreciate it. Her shaking stopped, and color returned to her lips. Her features still appeared exaggerated, but that wasn't a cold issue.

"Listen, I can't have you trying anything," I said to the bloomer. "Do you understand?"

The bloomer bit her lips and nodded. Though her confirmation was positive her shifty eyes had me doubting.

"Alright, let's get ya some food, then we'll talk. Good?

The bloomer devoured all the bread, fruit, and smoked meat set aside for the travelers to feast upon. She grabbed a barrel of her own to wash down her appetite. Then, let out an obscene belch. I almost killed her on the spot. The habit was worse than picking at nails, and she had both. Leaving her in the ice would've been best. I could've figured out a way to keep her warm. Selene's hairy pits. The girl was only a stack of blankets away from a delightful rest one would find in an inn a few miles outside of town.

Next time, I just kill them all quickly. I was trying to be more calloused anyway.

I waited for her to finish another course before she cleared her mouth to speak.

"How do you want to do this? The bloomer looked at me with large, shifty eyes. The confidence she presented before was a facade. Clearly, she was shaken.

"If you cooperate, this will be painless."

The life lancer begins unbuttoning her leather jerkin.

"Stop!" I practically yelled, holding my hand ready to freeze the bloomer. The healer's cheeks flushed, and her hand rested on the last button holding her top together. "What are you doing?"

"What do you mean what am I doing?" She batted her eyes and smiled timidly. "You saved me for this."

"Sogg's balls, I did—" It was a terrible curse given the context. But the Lord of Flames probably understood. "Button your shirt up."

"Oh, you want to be the one to remove—"

"Nope. Stop. No, don't stop buttoning… there's been a misunderstanding." This has gone to hell.

"No, I understand what is expected. You killed everyone, but your perversion stayed your hand when you looked upon my innocence."

"Lady, I didn't kill you because I thought you might have answers."

"It is OK. I am not as innocent as I look. I saw you preparing yourself for this moment. I admit I am flattered by your consideration. It was not necessary. I have heard enough about your people; I know your ways and customs." The bloomer flashed a smile, showcasing her immaculate teeth, and her eyes sparkled with lust. Light radiated from her skin.

I muttered another curse. The bloomer was trying to charm me. My nibbling theory had seemingly gone to shit. I caged the bloomer in a shell of ice. Her playful smile turned sour at the rejection, and she screamed obscenities into my frozen wall, digging her wickedly curved dagger into it.

I flashed a smile back at the distressed damsel as I waited for the rest of the trap to spring.