It was midday when Riku sauntered back to the camp dragging the carcass of a two-headed earth dragon with him. Wide-eyed stares greeted him as he headed to the center of the enclosing and unceremoniously dumped the body next to the campfire.

“You sure took your time walking back. I was worried that you harbored a grudge and decided to not come back,” Sylvia said.

“Well if I decided to do so, I’m pretty sure you would’ve turned this forest upside down to find me,” Riku retorted.

“I wouldn’t have needed to do that because I placed a tracking crystal on your body while you slept.”

“…”

Clang!

The sound of copper being mangled startled them. Out of the corner of his eye, Riku saw a man glaring at him, fingers grasping what remained of the plate in his hands.

“Oh, don’t mind him. Arifin is overprotective; he’s my bodyguard. Anyhow, that is some gift you brought back,” Sylvia said.

“Oh, the two-headed dragon? I encountered it on the way back. It thought that I was an easy target and attacked me. When it realized I wasn’t, the dragon retreated and launched attacks at random intervals. After fending off some fireballs, tail swipes, bites, and mud balls, I got fed up and killed it. I brought it back as a thank you for saving me.”

“In that case, thanks! A dragon’s carcass is extremely valuable. You must be tired after all that fighting,” Sylvia said.

They headed back to his tent.

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Upon reaching the entrance, Sylvia leaned in and whispered in Riku’s ear, “At midnight, meet me outside the campgrounds. I will teleport us back to the clearing. Make sure you aren’t followed.”

Riku strode into his tent, set his sword down, flopped onto his cot, and fell asleep. A few moments later, he was rudely awoken by the sensation of cold steel on his throat and a weight on his chest.

“Who are you and why are you in my room?” Riku asked.

“Who I am doesn’t matter. Don’t talk unless prompted and don’t move unless you have a death wish. Nod if you understand.”

Riku nodded.

“Now that everything is clear. Who are you?” the voice asked.

“Riku.”

“What is your relationship with Sylvia?”

“She saved my life and we only met yesterday.”

“If you two met yesterday, why did she save you the first moment she laid eyes on you?”

“You’re Arifin? Ugh! Why’d you hit me in the gut?”

“Answer the question. If you don’t, you will experience much more pain.”

“I don’t know why she saved me…”

“Fine. What did she say to you before she left?”

“Nothing. She told me to rest up.”

“If I find out you are lying…”

Riku felt the pressure on his chest let up and the sense of steel on his throat vanished.

“Fucking jealous bastard. If he likes her, he should tell her,” Riku cursed when he Arifin left the tent.

He promised himself that he would never be caught unaware again. Unable to fall asleep, Riku got up and walked to the center of the campsite for some food. After finishing his meal, he headed back to his tent and meditated.

Midnight came. Riku slipped out of his tent and sensed someone following him. He changed directions and walked faster. Riku heard his stalker’s footsteps increase in speed as well. He broke into a run, increasing the distance between him and his pursuer. He stopped, jumped into the bushes, and hid in the shadows. He saw his stalker stop and inspect the ground trying to track where Riku went. The pursuer heard a noise in the bushes and focused his attention on the surrounding bushes. As Riku crouched on the ground, not daring to move a muscle. His heart raced and he reached for his sword prepared to draw it, should his enemy find him.

After searching for some time, his pursuer gave up and wandered off. Riku let out a sigh of relief, kept to the shadows, and left the campgrounds.