Chapter 15

Rain dislikes such people.

In fact, Rain was well known for his temper. It often arrived before reason and left only after the damage was done.

Today would be no exception. He had this strange character that whenever he was angered or his emotions running wild, he had this fit that relieves his fear and opens his mouth and says whatever he wanted. It's as if his mind was liberated and become free, like breaking out from all of his limitations.

He was once fired from work because of this since the manager of the shop he was working at was harassing a co-worker and he just can’t swallow it anymore and he stormed into his office and scolded him and knocked the daylights out of him.

At that time, Uncle Glen was the one who brought him out of the prison and even pays the compensation. Still, he never regretted it. Even his Uncle Glen didn’t scold him for it. Not even a single word, only 'Are you okay?'

That was the time when his admiration towards his uncle deepens. If Rain was to choose on who he would miss after coming into this world, then Uncle Glen would be one of them. However, if he would come back, forsaking everything he had in this world, Uncle Glen would surely be the one that would scold him. Rain was sure of that. He would just say that it's time for the bird to fly out of his nest, and venture the sky without turning back.

That is growth...

Hence, in this world, Rain would live a life of satisfaction and joy, despite missing the people he had left in that world. He will live life more joyfully, the more he misses them.

“…I am a veritable pacifist and member of modern civilized society. Stop making these strange descriptions. In addition, I hate and proud at the same time to admit this but I never did such things, not even talk with girls about future nonsense and whatnot—I cannot even stay with a woman alone in a closed room longer than five minutes without feeling any discomfort due to thinking and worrying things, attitude and behavior that may cause a turn-off for the opposite sex, and be hated or whatnot. I am honest and frank, and would never act polite and affectionate to people I actually don’t—that would just be a headache, and self-inflicting pain is not one of my hobbies, unfortunately fortunate.”

“… …”

“Although, this is something hard to believe I can see where you are coming from. I can understand that, and I won’t hold you accountable for it. Humans can never be trusted…yeah, I agree. Even blood kin would betray you for some measly change and benefits.” Rain bit his lips. His smile was full of undisclosed grievance. “But don’t think that all people are the same. Just like how there are evil and wicked monsters in this world, there are also kind and benevolent ones among them… don’t judge people just by their appearance and the things not done by him. I love Lafetti, I may speak lies, a bunch… I may do foolish and idiotic things out of survival, yes, I admit that. But hear this, only my heart is something that I would never betray…!”

Rain glared at the three women in front of him, and smiled faintly; “If I say I love someone, then I will speak it out. However, if it’s something I hate, even if you threaten me with a blade on my throat, with a stake aimed at my heart—I would never say it out loud. I rather die than say things I did not mean…”

The atmosphere turned solemn.

The three women stared at Rain with a complicated expression, especially the golden-haired one, named Drova and silver one; Stagna, who wanted Rain to die. They suddenly felt a bit apologetic after hearing those words straight from his heart.

There were no lies, nor deceit that alone they could understand. They have their own way of detecting lies from other people, especially from human beings. In fact, they can be said to be Empath. They can sense people's feelings. However, they found out that they couldn’t see any of those. Perhaps he was just fooling them skillfully, but how skillful could he be to place wool over their eyes?

And the emotion from those words, even they could hear the sincere emotions from them.

“I, I’m sorry,”

The one named Stagna apologize. Then, it was followed by the golden-haired one. Though there still seemed to be some doubt and suspicions coming from her, it doesn’t matter.

“Apology accepted…” Rain smiled, accepting their apologies. He was not a narrow-minded person. And he can somehow understand the reason behind their actions and behavior. After all, they were not only burned once at all but burned countless times. Therefore, their worry towards their sister was extreme.

“…so you really love her?” the snake-haired Gorgon asked again, unperturbed by his outburst.

“Yeah, I do love her. If you are asking whether I mind her being a Gorgon, a Lamian to be exact and also a monster in the eyes of man, then, I can answer without any lies; I don’t mind it—ah, actually, I do mind one thing. If only she can take it easy whenever she hugged me, it would have been much better. I don’t think my bones would be able to endure for how tight she would when she does it…” Rain smiled wryly.

“You do know that such union is unacceptable not only in the eyes of the Monster race but also…among you, human beings as well. Especially by your kind. Both your kind treated the other as a monster to be hunted. There had never been a successful one, many had tried, many tread the same path—what became them in the end? Only death and destruction. Whether it’s by the hands of the world, or by the hands of both involved…can you say, for certain that you will love her for eternity…? Despite all those who reject your relationship…?”

“Don’t know for sure, in the future. I never am one who always thinks of what lies ahead. Especially that far…” he mumbled, making an almost pout. “…I am the type who lives by the moment. If I tried too hard to plan for the future, often I will be slapped by reality. Falling down is never been that good, especially for someone like me. However, this I know for certain… I never let anyone down on me. Whatever happen, happens… what comes will always come. There may be obstacles or whatnot, but I will never let her down… if I do, I can only accept even if the heavens smite me with lightning.”

“…those are just mere words,” she sighs.

“There could only be words. I don’t have the power to show you the future, and whatever I say or do today; there can never be a hundred percent assurance or proof of my claim. And all I have right now is just a promise-an oath,” answered him with steel determination, and Zarda recognized in his voice the joy and pride which the artist takes in his own creation.

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“I see…so you’re saying, whether it falls on me believing you or not. Like placing bets on a gamble. I guess you have a point.”

The snake-haired woman chuckled in amusement.

“Elder Sister, what are you going to do?”

“Well, at least he wasn’t lying about him and Lafetti’s relationship… we can’t touch him, or else we’ll bear the wrath of the little girl,” The snake-haired woman said as she leaned closer to look at Rain’s face. “For now… that is…” with a smile of ambiguous meaning, she caressed his face with her thumb before letting go.

Rain frowned at the added word but he didn’t say anything. He knows his current position. Well, not like words can alleviate his position anyway. He can only pray for the better…more reasonable judgment. At least, his life is not going to end without any warning either. That's the only consolation on his part.

Even still, although I had expected that Lafetti should have a family or a tribe within this Cave this encounter is just too sudden. So this should be the reason why Lafetti often leaves without saying anything.

“Let’s return. Lafetti should still be in the Tribe. We'll take the answers from her. And she too has many things to explain…in addition, punishment must be given.”

Rain heard the snake-haired woman’s words and was startled. His head snapped back and looked at her, his eyes narrowing; “Wait, what do you mean by punishment?!”

“This is not something you should concern yourself with, Rain.” She smiled in response. “Sheltering you without our permission, and even to the point of hiding your existence from us, is a grave sin of itself. It’s not something, even I can ignore. Lafetti will face punishment, in the face of her many sisters…”

“That’s…that’s absurd! Lafetti did no wrong! What kind of punishment is given just because of sheltering me?! There can’t be any more absurd reason than that!” Rain cried out in panic.

When he heard the word punishment, traditional punishment among tribe people appeared inside his mind, those that he saw from movies and televisions. And most of them are certainly not something good for the heart. And surely not suitable for young audiences!

“Fear not, death is not deserved for such a small crime. However, she still must face the punishment bestowed… this is the way of our people, and I hope you shall not disturb it. Men have their own laws, and so as we… you should know and understand why laws are given in the first place. Breaking that out, and receiving no end, is like playing a little game. And we are not playing such mind games here either… this is for the peace of the Clan. So whether you can accept it, or not… Rain, it's beyond you to be of help avoiding it…”

“But…”

“…be at ease, we are not heartless and cold as you imagine us to be, like your kind for example. We know how important and valuable each one of us is…punishment is but a mere farce to keep the prestige of our laws, everyone knows that. Well, this time, she did find something extremely special, hence, her crime was not as serious as you imagine it to be. Though rather than worry about your little lover, you best do your best to worry yours first—you might need it,”

While saying that, the snake-haired woman grinned mischievously and turned around, started walking at the opposite direction of where the Altar of Bones, or so what Rain called it, was located. It was going deeper in this enigmatic forest, full of monsters and beasts.

“Now that I think about it, we haven’t introduced ourselves, did we?” suddenly, the snake-haired woman remarked as if remembering something important. Well, the introduction is indeed, important.

“Well, I’m all for it, if that’s what you want. However, I had already told you, I ain’t thinking of doing anything bad. I ain’t gonna even resist since we’re gonna meet up with Lafetti, which obviously I’m all for it. But, don’t you think tying me with a rope is kinda overdoing it?” Rain muttered with a bitter sigh as he looks at the thick rope coiling around his waist, binding his hands tightly.

“Forgive us, but caution is necessary,”

The Snake-haired woman replied with a faint smile.

She looked really amiable and kind but Rain could feel something hidden behind her scales. There was actually a hint of dangerous gleam hiding inside her eyes from time to time, which she might have been thinking she was hiding it pretty well but Rain, who had done many odd jobs in the previous world and managed to socialize with different kind of people, has a very good sensitivity and observation regarding this kind of situation.

This kind of thing, Rain can easily notice it.

But Rain didn’t do anything and just act like usual. Although there was some suspicious air around her, hostility is not one of them. But what’s this strange sense of danger I’m feeling?

“Caution is necessary, yes. However, in regards to me, it’s all but unnecessary worries. I am a pacifist, and talking peacefully is my forte, rather than meaningless violence. I tell you now, I had been awarded good moral and right conduct in my school days, and violence is never been one of my means…”

“…hmm, I don't understand you. Anyway, my name is Zarda, Chief of the Amani Lamian Tribe, residing in the Desolate Cave.”

“So you’re not going to listen, are you?”

“...And they are Drova and Stagna, along with Lafetti, they are the elite warriors of the tribe, considered as Guardians or protector.”

“Well, I guess I have to hand it to my wife. She’s quite amazing, indeed,” Rain proudly said with a grin.

The snake-haired woman, Zarda turned towards him and then chuckled in amusement. In fact, up until now, she’s been observing Rain—and indeed, there was no sense of malice and disgust in his words and actions towards her and the other Lamians. And it seems like he really loves and cared for Lafetti, just like what he claimed he was. Everytime she heard and utter Lafetti's name, his expression brightens like the sun. It was glaringly obvious.

Looking at him, truthfully, she cannot feel any apprehension or aversion that she usually feels when she was facing other men, especially if it was a human. She even noticed Drova and Stagna who was quite against him and even once wanted him dead, was now treating him somewhat better than before.

What is this?

This air of comfort that makes you somewhat relaxed and calm around him.

Some kind of Charm?

Is this perhaps the main reason why Lafetti seemed to be really obsessed with him, to the point that she had broken their laws and even tried to hide him without any hesitation…

There seemed to be more than what the eye can see on this human youth…

“Say, Rain…”

“Hm?”

“You said you were not kidnapped by Lafetti, and even forcefully brought here, is that right?”

“Yeah, that’s right,” Rain replied indifferently as he watched how Drova fights like a berserker as she rampaged around the monsters that came attacking them. Although, seemingly rough, but there was actually underlying arts that could be seen in her actions.

Truly strong… she can even use Double Slash, Triple Slash, and what is that attack that seemed to create an illusion of countless snakes appearing around her sword, striking her enemies. So cool!

“…then, why are you here? Since Lafetti didn’t bring you into this place, did someone else did?” Though, if that’s the case, was he brought here to die? “You know what kind of place this is, right?”

Hearing Zarda’s question, Rain’s attention turned towards her. "I learned that the hard way," He thought for a while, should he say the truth? Though, even if he did, believing him would be quite difficult. And even if they did, wouldn’t it be somewhat dangerous?

“…Truthfully, I really don’t know… when I woke up, I’m already in this place…”

“What?” Zarda frowned.

Rain shook his head, “Well, whether you believe it or not, I don’t remember anything about this world, or how I got here. When I woke up, I was already inside this dangerous cave. Surrounded by monsters… I really thought I was gonna die numerous times."

Those extremely clear pair of crystal eyes that could probably see through people’s soul revealed a tinge of sadness, a sadness that could make others feel sad for him.

Even the most arrogant girl or the most boorish guy in the world would not be able to resist this kind of charm…mused Zarda as she enjoyed the tone of his voice which was as smooth as spring water flowing through rocks.

Even though it was a male’s voice, it was, for some strange reason, similar to a sound of nature, pleasing to the ear, making others feel calm in its presence. Is this innate charm or something? But why, even she an Alpha Lamian been affected by it despite the clear difference in power?

This human...

Zarda narrowed those dazzling gem-like eyes of hers as she stared at Rain.

Does he have a Monster lineage...?

Unbeknowst to Zarda's strange assumptions, Rain continued without care. "...However, fortunately, I met Lafetti, no, perhaps I should say, rather, she found me… she saved me, protected me… she even taught me how to fight and defend myself. I owe her quite a lot, and I sure bent on repaying it all… “