Chapter 19

Dreamer Boy

I was caught off guard. Out of nowhere four ghostly pale creatures attack me. Just as I was about to accept my fate, one of the man that I hire quickly jump in front of me sacrificing himself. I could only watch in horror as the man was quickly tore apart.

“C’mon were getting out of here!” I was pulled back to reality when I felt someone grab my arm.

“Wait we can’t just leave him here!”

“He’s already dead, now let’s get out of here!!”

Taking one last look at the man who save my life, I reluctantly fled from the scene. But unfortunately, we didn’t get that far. The ghouls kept relentlessly attacking us as we fled, quickly draining our stamina. The more exhausted we got, the more mistakes we made which thus cause us injuries. Soon, the men that I hire were too tired and too injured to defend themselves, and it was all because of me. Well since I got them in this mess I should at least try to get them out.

“Everyone get behind me!” I quickly jump in front of the three injury men.

“What are you doing?”

“I’m going to try to hold them off.”

“Are you an idiot?! You’re the client, you’re not supposed to be risking your life.”

I know that, but I refuse to watch these men get killed over my stupid dream. I raise my shield in front of me hoping it’ll defend me from the ghouls’ attacks.

“You guys look like you’re in trouble.” Everyone attention shifted to the sudden female voice.

I was immediately stun once I set my sight on the girl. She had long jet black hair and scarlet red eyes. Those two features alone were enough to make her stand out, but her outfit only added to her unique beauty. Watching her black skirt softy sway as she confidently walk towards us made me momentarily forget that I was in danger.

“It’s not my thing, but I guess I’ll help you guys out.”

If it wasn’t for that sword in her hand, I would think that she was joking. Her petite appearance and pale skins make her look more like a harmless princess than a warrior.

While I was still stupidly staring at the girl, I noticed the ghouls were also staring at her.

Crap, don’t tell me they plan on attacking her?! Before I could move to stop them, they rush over to the girl, quickly surrounding her.

Strangely, even though the girl was in danger, there wasn’t even a hint of fear on her face. In fact she was smiling for some odd reason.

Ok enough admiring her, I need to hurry up and help her.

“Leave her alone!” I shouted, hoping my voice will be enough to scare them away from her. Or at least confuse them long enough for me to get over to her. But unfortunately it did neither.

One of the ghouls pounces at the girl. I watch helplessly as the ghoul brought his claws closer to the girl’s neck, but before he could attack her, his body strangely flew in the opposite direction of her.

What, did she hit him? No, the entire time the girl was standing still there’s no way she could’ve hit him. I look over at the fallen ghoul to see an arrow lodge in his head.

Did the girl bring back up with here? If she did, then where are they hiding?

“!!!” Hearing the screech, I quickly turn back to see that one of ghouls were slice in half.

“Taken your eyes off the fight, that’s the quickest way to getting yourself kill.”

Incredible, while everyone was looking at the fallen ghoul, she took advantage of that split- second chop down another one.

“You guys better come at me with everything you got, or else you’re going to die.”

It was a weird scene, the ghouls that mercilessly chase us down were now terrified of this girl. It almost feel like the ghouls are the innocent ones and the girl is the real monster.

The last two ghouls rush at the girl. Unfazed by their desperate charge, the girl swings her sword at the approaching ghouls. Strangely, the ghouls didn’t look like they were trying to dodge her attack. In fact, it look like they were running into it purposely.

Her sword cleanly goes through the ghoul side. Just as the ghoul was about to be cut in half, the second one jumps on top of him and lunge at the girl.

It was a cruel plan, but it work out perfectly. With her sword still stuck in the ghoul, the other one could attack her without worrying about her retaliating.

As I helplessly watch the scene play out, I notice something fly out from the bushes. The object flew towards the fight at an insane speed. The object pierce straight through the attacking ghoul head. With the threat gone, the girl finish off the injury ghoul by fully cutting through his body.

“….” I was speechless. And just a few minutes the girl and her hidden partner took out four ghouls by themselves with little effort. Whoever these guys are I want to know more about them, especially the girl.

(Anna P.O.V)

Well now I know why humans are so crazy about swords. These things really handy, kind of makes me regret giving Ragnarok away. After sheathing my sword, I headed to the now deceased ghouls and pull the arrows out there head.

Ok I’ll admit I am pretty impress. Not only was he able to keep up with our fight and make accurate shots, but also didn’t hesitate and made sure to go for the kill. I guess I don’t have to worry about him slowing me down anymore. In fact, he might be useful.

“Ah, um...”

I quickly turn around to see a boy with short blonde hair blue eyes nervously scratching his head. I could immediately tell that this kid was a noble, a rich one at that. The kid wore a white uniform, with two buttons undone revealing a black vest underneath. If his outfit wasn’t enough to convince you that he’s rich, than his weapons should. In his left hand the kid wielded a white shield with an image of a gold lion on the plate, and his sword had the same white and gold palette as his shield.

Watching the kid scratch his head, I could only wonder why he was with a bunch of adventurers. He definitely doesn’t look like he belong here.

“Um, thanks for helping us.” The kid nervously raise his right hand towards me. I guess he wanted a handshake

“Um, no problem.” I raise to accept his handshake

“My name is Max or Maximilian for short….I mean Max for short.”

“…Anna”

“Nice to meet you Anna.” With a huge smile on his face, the kid continue to shake my hand.

“Um, you think you can let go of my hand.”

“Oh right sorry.” Letting go of my hand, he quickly go back to nervously scratching his head.

What the hell is he so nervous about? Just a moment ago he was planning on fighting four ghouls by himself.

“Oh are you her partner?”

“Yea…” With a disappointed look on his face, Aaron quietly walk towards us.

“What’s wrong with you?”

“Nothing, I just didn’t think we would be force to fight this early.” Aaron’s eyes shifted from me to my hand which had two bloody arrows in them.

I see, even though it seem like he killed those two ghouls with ease, it actually took a lot of effort for him just to shoot those arrows at them.

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“Well this is what you wanted right? And look on the bright side, you were able to save four people lives by doing this.”

“Yea, yea you’re right. But there’s something else that’s bothering me.”

“What is it?”

“The merchant, we kind of abandon him, do you think he’s alright?”

"Crap." I forgot we were suppose to be protecting him. "We should probably go back and make sure he's not dead."

(Max or Maximilian for short P.O.V)

Hey where are you two go…ing“ Before I could finish my sentence, the two vanish into the forest.

Damn, I was hoping I could talk to her more, I would go after them, but that would come off as creepy, plus I got something else I need to take care of.

I turn around and notice that the three injury adventurers were up and slowly walking back towards the town.

They’re leaving without me. Are they upset? Heh, of course they are. It’s because of me their friend is dead.

I silently jog towards the group. Once I caught up I was expecting them to cuss me out or at least give me some kind of dirty look, but they did neither. No one did or said anything to me, which was somehow worse. We walk in painful silence until we reach the town.

“

Listen, you guys don’t have to worry, I’ll pay you even though we fail the mission, I’ll even pay for your recovery.”

The three turn around and silently look at me.

“There’s no need for you to do that.” One of them said.

“Just let me do this, it’s the least I can do for what happen earlier.”

“If you’re blaming yourself for our friend’s death please stop. We accepted this mission knowing full well how dangerous it was. So the fault was all ours.”

“But…”

“Well since you insist on helping us, why don’t you answer this question for me. Why a man like you who already have everything wants to become an adventurer.”

“….”

“I’m sorry, was that question too personal? Don’t worry you don’t have to answer it, I was just curious.” Turning around three slowly started walking away.

“Why don’t you give up on being an adventurer and enjoy the blessing you were born with.”

I quietly watch the three men leave. After they left, I look up at the hill that the town surrounded, on top of that hill was a mansion that overlook the city.

It’s true, I was bless with a lot of things people can only dream about, but there’s one thing you guys got that I don’t, freedom.

.

.

*Sigh*

“You alright?” the bartender said as he pass me my drink.

“Yea, I’m fine.”

“From what I heard I doubt it.”

“What did you hear?”

“I heard you hire a group of adventurers and nearly got all them killed.”

“What?! How did you hear about that? That was supposed to be a secret.”

"Kid, you’re one of the richest people in this town. People are always paying attention to what you do.

Crap, if mom finds out about this she’s going to kill me.

“My advice kid, just give up on whatever you’re doing just enjoy what you got now.”

“Please, I don’t need to hear that again, especially from you.” I grab my cup and quickly gulp down my drink in one go.

“!!!!!” Suddenly everyone in the guild started roaring in excitement. I didn’t have to turn around to know a fight just broke out.

“Who is it this time?”

“Don’t know, looks like a newcomer.”

“A newcomer, that reminds me, you ever seen a girl with red eyes and black hair before?”

“You mean her?” The bartender points to the fight. I turn around to see the girl was right in the middle of the dispute. Also in the middle was a man lying on the ground rubbing his redden cheeks.

“What the hell was that for lady?! I was just complimented you!”

“You slap my ass, how was that a complimented?!”

“That was just my way of saying you have a nice butt.”

“…. I’m going to kill you.” The girl reach for her sword and slowly started pulling it out.”

“Sis you can’t just go around swinging your sword at people!” The boy that accompany her quickly grab her arms.

“Why not! This guy definitely has it coming to him.

“This is getting out of hand. The bartender mutter. “Hey! If you guys plan on fighting than take it outside!” The entire guild quite down once the bartender shouted.

“C’mon Aaron we’re leaving.” Both of them quietly walk out the bar.

“A female adventurer huh? The world really have change.”

“Yea…” I take two gold coins out my pocket and place it on the counter. “Thanks for the drink!” Before the bartender could reply I was already halfway out the place.

“Hey wait, you overpaid me!”

“You welcome!” I shouted back before leaving. “Now where did they go?” I mutter to myself as I frantically look around the guild.

“So where are we going now?”

“No idea, since all the taverns our full I guess we’ll have to sleep outside.

Following the nearby voices until it led me into a dark alley where the two was standing in. I was left speechless once I look at the girl. Her eyes was giving off a dim red light in the dark, it was strangely haunting and beautiful at the same time.

“Woah...” The two quickly turn to my direction

“Who’s there?” The girl ask.

“It’s me Max remember?” I jump out from the corner in raise my hand to make myself look as harmless as possible.

“What do you want?”

“I just want to help, I heard you guys have nowhere to stay, I got plenty of rooms at my place you’re welcome to stay there.”

“That’s pretty nice of you, what’s the catch?”

“I want to hire you guys.”

“….”Even though it was dark I could tell the girl close her eyes, since the red glow that emits from it was gone. After a few seconds had pass, she open her eyes again.

“Alright what do want us to do?”

“….” I was surprise. I didn’t think they would accept my offer. At least not that easy.

“Well, tell us.” The girl said impatiently.

“Right sorry, I want you guys to investigate these mysterious disappearance.”

A/N: Sorry about the lateness guys. While I was writing this, a truck busted into my 50th floor room and ran me over. But don’t worry once I got out the hospital I track it down and ran it over, so all is well now.

But seriously, sorry for the late chapter (even though I don’t have a schedule) my brain kind of died on me while I was writing this chapter. Also thanks to some friendly criticism I got last chapter which I do appreciate by the way, I tried to step my game up and hopefully make my story a little bit more readable. So hopefully I achieve that goal and if not, well I guess I’ll try and get a proof reader.

Anyway thanks for reading, I’m honestly surprise I made 19 chapters. I’m also surprise people seem to like my story, I never saw myself as a writer, every time I come to this page I’m like “Oh yea I am writing a story aren’t I?” anyway thanks again.