(Zhenya Pov)

“Your order, sir.” Placing a plate of fried dungeon greens and beer on the table. I try my best to keep a straight face as he scoffs, annoyed at having been served by me. Meh, seen ten seen them all.

Quickly heading behind the bar. Undoing my apron, I hang it up on a stand. “Hey! Di that’s the last one I’m gonna take my break.”

Back outside at a table more suited for private talks than dining, I slam my ass down on a seat and lean back, taking a much-deserved stretch. “Sorry it took so long.”

“No worries. The lunch rush is especially hectic here. I just hope they weren’t too hard on you.” Nickolas was referring to some of the older clientele. “Trust me, they’re good guys, always done right by me. They just had some bad experiences.”

Bad experience is a way to put it. These guys are borderline hostile. “They’re ex-soldiers, could’ve retired right after the war if the migration didn’t happen.”

“Migration?”

“Yep, a whole buncha of ‘ahem’ half-bloods, no offense.” None taken. “Took advantage of the post-war chaos, relief, and scarcity. I won’t mince words. They basically bounced between countries and siphoned off resources to line their own pockets.”

... This is a lot to take in. “Don’t take it to heart. A lot of people know where to draw the line. You frontier folk had nothing to do with it.” Eh, I’d be lying if I said they didn’t get on my nerves. But nothing I can’t handle.

“So you told her.” Fredrica came up, stealing a seat. “Man, Di runs a tight shift. Had me lifting inventory all morning.” She wipes the sweat off with her apron.

“Always thought Zhenya was just dense. Not that she had no clue what was going on.” I thought he looked a bit surprised when he learned where I was from. “Why’d you keep it from her?”

“It wasn’t her problem, so I never brought it up.” Fredrica quickly got up for a glass of water.

I guess, looking how we do, mixed-bloods can pass off as citizens of either place. Things start to make a lot more sense now, the wary stares and even Antonia’s vehement distrust.

“So why’re you waiting for us?” Fredrica came back with a jug of ice water.

“I just wanted to check up on you guys. How’s Sushila doing?”

“To be honest. It’s an uphill battle getting her readjusted to normal life again. Every day is a coin toss whether she’ll attack us or not.” Nickolas listened with a difficult smile, one that told tales of all he had endured in the name of helping Sushila.

“Still progress is steady. We’re familiarizing ourselves by cleaning her room every day. And with those ‘curtains’ of hers taken to the wash, she is getting sunlight now.”

They were actually heavy winter blankets that she strung up. We weren’t even taking our time as part of a plan. They were just that dirty, and that’s not even mentioning the ones carpeting the floor.

“And guess what? Just the other day, I saw her staring out the window!”

Though, I gotta say. Seeing Sushila unabated in the light doesn't mellow out her more disturbing features.

She looked like, or maybe even is, a walking corpse. Past the point of pale, her skin bordered on being grey with tinges of purple where there should have been healthy flushes of pink. It leaves me wondering if she even has blood. Hmmm, she is always cold to the touch...

Her hair was a similarly unnatural purple hue. Dark and matted, it draped over her like a cloak. Red eyes peered from behind the veil. Natural but worn feral from years of interrupted sleep.

Gave us a fright every time we visited. And who could blame us, seeing her limp on the floor looking like that. Ugh, the dead rising. It’s like having the Hazy-moon happen every day. I don't know how much more my poor heart can take.

Well, at least she isn’t malnourished or just skin and bones, Diana’s been making sure. And bless her soul for that. I think would’ve fainted if that was the case.

“Hey Nickolas, what was Sushila like before the wipe? Anything you can say about her party?” Her fears all stem from that wipe, so any info would help.

“They were an odd bunch, but considering they were islanders, that much was expected. But even amongst them, Sushila stood out.

Quiet, reserved, confident, she really had the air of an assassin, ready to kill at a moment’s notice. But she always indulged us *Cough* the younglings whenever they pestered her to play and helped out anywhere she could.

So a gentle killer is the best way I’d describe her. Like a cat, aloof, sometimes motherly, her claws always at the ready.

As for the wipe... It happened suddenly one night, she came in all beaten and cut up, mumbling things...” He trails off. Nickolas is picking his words carefully but can’t seem to find the right ones. “Anyways, the wipe was unique. Perhaps even worse than if they had fully wiped.”

“Don’t say that! We should be glad she survived.” Diana chipped in from behind, smacking him on the back. How long has she been there? “Zhenya, Fredrica. I’ll let you off early today.”

Seeing us perk up, she smiled. “Lately, I’ve talked Sushila into using the open-air bath. So I’m closing up early to mitigate the risk of her running into anybody. I hope you would consider joining us.”

“Seems like we need to cut things short today, but I’ll swing by tomorrow.” Nickolas got up and left as Diana went to lock up for the day.

Returning to our room, we changed out of our work clothes. “Hey, Zhenya,” Fredrica called me. “I’m going.” She already decided, and I reciprocated the same sentiments. This would be a huge step forward!

As we lazed in wait, Fredrica’s eyebrows were knitting up a storm. Surrounded by this intense aura of focus, she threw me a question. “Have you noticed? There’re no plants here. Visible ones, at least.”

This is the city of flowers. Almost every shop and house is adorned with them, inside and out, vases, flowerbeds.

They were trophies for shop owners, a symbol of status and pride. And yet, there wasn’t single bloom in this whole place, apart from utility ones under the floorboards.

Also, despite the clientele being largely adventurers, nobody ever brought in their spoils as an unspoken rule. “Yeah, I’m guessing it’s for Sushila’s sake.”

Actually, this whole district is lacking in plant life.

“And the fact Nickolas called her wipe unique. Dungeons are already shit weird, so to call something connected to them unique, only one thing comes to mind.” Tapping a finger against her thigh, Fredrica seemed bothered. Like even she didn’t believe the picture her mind was painting. “Any case, let me sleep on it. We should keep our heads clear for tonight.”

Inclined to agree, we relaxed until the night ran lonely.

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A quiet ‘Epp.’ graced our ears as we enter the outdoor bath. Sushila splashed around, trying to escape in a frenzy, but Diana scooped the flailing assassin into her embrace. “Shhhhh, it’s alright. These are friends, remember? Zhenya and Fredrica they’re the new hires.”

We stood like stunned rodo’s, watching the whole affair unfold. Placating the scared beast, Diana motioned us over slowly with her hands.

Softly slipping into the pool Sushila followed our every movement.

“Don’t worry we’re not here to hurt you” I pass Diana my long-arm bear jerky.

I feel Fredrica’s and Diana's... and Sushila’s judgment weighing on me. Hey! Sometimes a girl wants to munch on their favorite snack while soaking.

Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings.

Taking the offer just a tiny nibble had Diana trembling with queasiness. But she managed to keep it down, putting on a poorly faked smile. “It. Is. Delicious. Why don’t you try some?”

She passed a bite-size piece to Sushila. Man, it’s like feeding a small animal that can rip your throat out.

Down the hatch, and her hands were already shaking for more. Yep, that’s the reaction I wanted. Nothing beats long-arm bear jerky! It can even bring a person back from the brink of freezing.

Holy shit, she’s ravenous.

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There goes my bathtime snack. On the bright side, she’s less weary of our presence now, or maybe that’s because of all the solid courage she just consumed.

Inching closer, things started lightning up. Mostly the three of us chatted as Sushila blankly listened. Discussing surface-level subjects like what tribe Diana was from and shared tales of everyday life, nothing out of the ordinary.

*Rustle* *Rustle*

(!) Someone’s here. “There in the treetops!” Diana screamed out, shielding Sushila with her body. Hopping out, I slide towards the wooden walls. Can’t forget my towel... Also. “Freddie, I’m borrowing your towel."

She yelled something, but meh. Catching this guy is priority. Scaling the high walls using the towel as a grip, I jump and grab an overhanging branch. Hefting myself up. Tch. just my luck it’s pitch black up here.

But then, how did Diana- “On your right!” Not now. Steadily, I crawled over on Diana’s instructions.

OI! oh- oh crap. “Hold still!” Bumping into him, the suspect freaked. I barely managed to hold on, but they lost their footing, hitting the streets with a thud.

“Hup.” Jumping down, I kept an ear open. Whoever it was should still be here. *Tap* There! Tackling the dark figure, it’s definitely a man from what I’m feeling. I tried to get a good grip on him, searching and digging for pockets or openings, but he managed to slip away.

Crap. Should’ve dried off first. I circled back through the front door. “Sorry guys, he got away. But I managed to pocket this.” A card with a logo and writing on it, which goes straight to Fredrica.

“A business card? It’s for a freelance detective.” The moment Fredrica finished, Diana’s face scrunched up.

“They never give up, do they? This guy especially.” With her head somewhere else, I noticed Diana’s hands were empty. Where did Sushila go? I think she disappeared around the time I took off. *Splash* Was she holding her breath this whole time?

In any case, things went swimmingly after that. I almost had a heart attack when Sushila hobbled over and whispered a barely audible “thanks”.

She kept to a stranger’s distance, but it feels like we crossed a tundra’s worth in our relationship.

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Some time has passed since then, and Sushila’s sheets were finally dust-free. Our relationship with her is still progressing. She doesn't attack us anymore when we enter her room, so that’s a plus. And maybe it’s just me, but I think she’s looking at us with curiosity rather than fear now.

“We’ll leave these here.” It was a routine visit dropping off her blankets, but there was something from my hometown I found at the marketplace that I wanted to show her.

“Hey, I brought us a game to play.” Her eye’s focused on the wooden pieces I held. It was a simple but fun game where you try to control areas.

Uncovering the floor, Sushila winced at the sight of more wood but managed to hold herself in check, interested in this new game I brought.

Drawing squares on the floor with chalk, I taught her the basic rules.

Time ticked alongside the clacking of game pieces. We spent hours silently playing against Su, with the two of us switching on and off. Ms. Diana wasn’t gonna let us have a day off that easily.

Sushila was taken with the game. I could see it in her eyes. Well, the fact she hasn't flipped out yet should be a good indication. And it’s not just this game either I think she genuinely likes board games in general.

With the sun setting, I left the pieces in her care and stepped out.

“You have the address?” Fredrica nodded, holding the card. She was deadset on confronting the guy, frustrated at herself for not acting to stop him that night. I knew she wasn’t being entirely rational, yet I wasn’t against the idea.

‘They never give up, do they? This guy especially.’ were Diana’s words. If we got him to back down, then Sushila and Diana would at least have one less worry in the world.

So making sure of his intentions is what we ultimately settled our goal on, talk things out. Let’s hope it stays that way.

“Zhenya remember what I told you? Before we headed to the bath.” I nodded, that niggling feeling that’s been bouncing around in her head. “Seeing this detective, buzzing around. I think I know what the A.A wants.”

We headed down an emptier street. “You know about the Flowering Night incident?” Wasn’t that when Felschonheit’s dungeon mysteriously went berserk and attacked the surface. “I think Sushila was in the dungeon that night.”

“Wait, but wasn’t everyone in the dungeon torn to shreds?” No survivors. No one to tell the tale of what angered the dungeon so much.

“Allegedly to the public’s knowledge, yes. But considering everything we’ve seen and heard, it’s hard to discard the possibility.

That night is a stain on the A.A’s image. They would do anything to get a straight answer. No one knows when the next dungeon will go berserk after all. And seeing the lack of plants, Su must have severe reactions at the sight of them. Not normal, even for someone who wiped.

I can go on a bit more, but.”

We stopped in front of the honorable detective's office. “Right now, we have more important matters.”