After battling for so long I felt many discomforts. My arms were weak, and my hands slightly numb. I bit my tongue at some point, so now I keep randomly tasting blood every so often. I'm scared to lift up my shirt because I know I'll see tons of bruises, but there was something else.

If I ignored all the other pains I'd realize how uncomfortable my skin feels. Firstly it's covered in my own dried sweat. Dirt and blood then got added on top of that, and to make it even worst most of the blood isn't even mine. It's the gross blood of the ghouls.

With that being said, would I dream of kissing someone in that state? The answer was clear, but that's what caused me the most anxiety in my present situation. At first I couldn't move, mainly because I was still in so much pain, but the suddenness of her kiss made me jump back and fall.

'She randomly kissed me..? Why? No, more importantly why when I'm in this disgusting state. Will her lips be okay? ' I cringed at the thought of her tasting the salt and iron from my filthy skin.

"...Wait, you can't. Please find something to clean your mouth -"

I tried to warn her, despite knowing she speaks another language, but she was already a step ahead of me. She promptly took out a clean cloth and began to gently pat her lips.

'How embarrassing!' I squirmed inside as I watched her.

When she was done she looked up at me and blushed. Her long white lashes nearly covered her blue eyes as she fluttered them.

"...Hello, can you understand me now..?"

Surprise filled me as she began to speak, her words flowing eloquently and filling my ears with a calm serenity.

'...She's suddenly speaking my language. Don't tell me it was the -'

"Oh no, maybe I didn't do it right... shall I try again?" She mumbled as she began to lean closer to me.

"Please stop..!" I yelled as I fell back on my elbows. "Ah shit that hurts, damnit sorry..."

I can tell she was surprised, but in which way I didn't know. Her finger was on her lip as she watched me in confusion.

"Sorry, I was just surprised... but I can understand you well now. Was that kiss a language learning spell?" I asked after sitting up on my knees.

Suddenly I felt a sharp glare from behind me that literally stung. Even my health dropped by a point, which in my current state was detrimental.

"What else could it possibly be?" The ghoul knight asked with killing intent in his eyes.

My health continued to tik away. 'Huh, am I going to die? Why is he so angry?' I thought in utter horror.

Boop

"Stop." The girl demanded as she lightly smacked his head.

"...but."

Boop.

The pressure emitting from him abruptly came to end as awkwardness filled his face. "..."

Was it that easy to tame a wild lion. Probably not, I'm sure if anyone else tried that their hand would be gone from existence. I stared with astonishment of her amazing skills, and she looked back at me and winked.

'I got your back.' She gestured, or so it seemed if I could read minds.

This was an interesting turn of events. I was certain I was going to die this time around, but I was saved by two strangers in an unknown land. They brought me to their home, and bandaged my wounds. Showed me kindness I didn't believe I deserved, but according to them I did a great favor. Well according to one person, the other seemed to hate me.

"...I'm assuming you're the one that healed my wounds from before?"

I asked as I sat in the same bed I escaped from last time. Bandaged from head to toe and feeling a sense of guilt and anxiety.

"Then this would it make it twice... sorry."

At the edge of the bed she sat in a chair right next to me. There was a bowl of dirty water and rags from which she cleaned my damaged body. As she wiped my arms I searched for a hints in her face that would express her feelings.

A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.

There were no signs of anger though, only relief and understanding. "...It's fine. You must've been really scared." She said as she wiped my hands clean.

"But no, I don't have any special abilities like healing. I only found you. It wasn't too long ago I saw something floating down by the hill outside our home. I recognized you instantly as the man who saved me, and begged my grandpa, the village doctor to help mend your wounds."

A sudden flash of memories from that day crossed my mind. Entering the cave, the boss battle, everyone's death, Aremi being teleported away, and then my eventual death. There was no longer a wound, but my chest ached.

"I died." I mumbled.

"You were on the verge of death... if it wasn't for grandfather you would've surely passed."

"...Your grandfather was with you that day. I see, I'll have to thank him too then."

She placed both her hands on mine and smiled. "There's no need, truly. A true great healer does whatever they can to completely heal their patients. Even if it means sacrificing their self. So no, thank you."

This was unprecedented kindness I was experiencing from a stranger. Her hands were warm and soft, and her smile made me feel like I was covered in blankets, but I knew this couldn't go on.

"I feel like I keep apologizing, but I'm sorry I can't stay here. My family probably thinks I'm dead and I need to get back to them as soon as possible." I said as I placed my hand on top of hers. "Can you please help me?"

"Of course, what can I do?" She asked quickly.

I looked out the window. "I only need to know how to get back to the place I came from, could you take me there?"

"...oh uhm, I would but it's impossible..." She said faintly.

"Impossible? What do you mean?" I asked.

"The gate you came through It's been completely sealed by powerful magic. Even if you could break through it you wouldn't find your old path, the elders have made certain this place is hidden."

A lump rose in my throat as I listened to her explanation. I instinctively removed my hands from hers and clutched them tight.

"...I have to at least try something. I can't stay trapped here forever!"

My yell must've shocked her because she flinched back. "I'm sorry to say, but you're stuck here... I'm really sorry."

"No, that's not entirely true."

The knight from before stood at the door. I wonder how long he was standing there listening. If he hadn't spoke I would've never knew he was there.

There was clear confusion on the girls face. "Brother, what do you mean?"

"Kryse, as you know I'm one of the emperors guards. They're things I know that you do not, and one such thing is a way to the surface."

I stood up and faced him. My body burned like hell and my legs were weak, but I needed to know. "How far is it?" I demanded to know.

"Before I tell you, know this human. I do not like you, nor your kind, same as our emperor. If it were my choice I'd have your head rolling on the ground, but you saved my sister when I couldn't. So this is my repayment to you. After this, if we meet I won't be so kind."

"..."

I was speechless, but it was a fair statement that I had to accept. Here, I wasn't welcomed.

"I will leave as soon as you tell me."

Something that could be akin to a smile formed on his face for the first time . "Good."

Kryse stepped in front of me. "You can't, your wounds will open. What's wrong with you two?!"

We both ignored her and stared at each other with firm expressions. It was clear that didn't matter to either of us.

'This may be my only chance to get back home, I'll crawl there with nothing but my arms if I have too.'

I took a step closer to him and we both glared into each others eyes. "Tell me."

"Kaiser no!"

He ignored her once again, and then turned around and began to walk away. "Follow me."

Every step I took felt like burning hell, but there was no time to waste. I followed him until we were right outside the house.

He paused for a moment before nodding his head forward.

"Do you see those crystals that interlock to create a triangular shape? Right underneath there is an entrance us royal guards use sometimes to go up to the surface. It's impossible to miss unless you're mentally challenged."

I could easily see where he was talking about, but it was in such a place that someone might've missed if they weren't paying attention.

"Roughly speaking, it should be about 10 miles from here. You'll have to conserve your energy."

I scuffed. "Psst, 10 miles is nothing for a wanderer."

"It's not the distance you have to worry about. The closer you get to the surface's entrance the more dangerous beings you'll meet. It's made that way in case any unsuspecting explorer finds their way here."

'...More dangerous.' I gulped. 'My wounds proved I almost died earlier. This time I'll have to take it slowly.'

I slapped my face. "Ok! I can do this."

Then suddenly a notification appeared. 'A quest..?'

[ Must-Do Quest! ]

You have learned how to get back to the surface, but can you make it there in one piece? Prove your resolve to get home to your family within a weeks time.

[ Time limit: 167:00 ]

[ Reward ]

You can choose one of these rewards.

+10 points in any stat

A random skill

Ring of giving

[ Penalty ]

-15 to all stats for three months

'I actually had no idea people got quest, but this makes things a little more interesting. So I just have to make it in one week. That shouldn't be an issue, but this penalty is concerning. Even more so a reason to complete this.'

I had made up my mind. It was time to put myself back into danger before I was even healed completely, but it had to be done. I took my first step forward.

"Wait..!"

I heard kryse's shout from behind. She ran towards me with a sacked that appeared to have many things in it.

"Please take this."

I only glanced at it. "A sack?" I asked

"It contains bandages, extra clothes and some food items. If you have to do this it should come in handy just a bit."

Her eyes were a little wet, and she held her face down so I couldn't see it well. I felt bad, but this was no time to show sympathy.

"Thank you, you've been a great help. I'll make sure to cherish this." I smiled at her, and than began to leave. "Oh by the way my name is Allan."

She looked up excitedly in surprise. "Allan, my name is kryse."