Walt and Wolf stood face to face again. Same guild, same clothing, same circumstances. It has already been a week since the incident. Much to Walt's unwillingness, he still had to make more of the potions whether he liked it or not.

The mysterious old man and the alchemist's interaction weren't much different than before. Only Walt didn't look as nervous. A small change that caught Wolf's attention. He didn't really give it much thought. He just took the potions counted its contents.

While the two were in their silent zone, a familiar face happened to pass by their table. It was no other than the same waiter from back then. But this time, he wasn't there to ask for their orders. He had a peculiar item in hand that belonged to Walt.

Wolf stashed away the bag when the server arrived by their table as if he has already anticipated his arrival.

-"Um... I think you dropped this sir alchemist." The waiter tried his best to not look not sound offensive in any way when handing the item.

Walt slightly frowned when he saw that. It was the same doll he bought just before the incident. He accidentally dropped it during the explosion. He even totally forgot of its existence when he ran away.

-"Thanks..." Walt took the doll.

His response sounded strange and forceful. As if he was trying to immediately terminate the conversation. It sounded like the kind of response that would come from Wolf.

That made the waiter feel awkward again. Not only the old man the alchemist too was just too hard to converse with. He knew not what words to take out of his mouth. Maybe escape was the only solution. But as he was about to go the ever silent Wolf suddenly spoke.

-"What's your name lad?" Wolf asked.

The waiter felt a chill down his spine from hearing his cold emotionless voice.

-"A-A... It's Alex..." Wolf's presence made him unconsciously stutter.

-"Get yourself something."

Much to his surprise, Wolf tossed a coin, which he sluggishly caught.

-"Thank you." Alex slightly bowed before rushing off.

He didn't want to stay another second with the two. The atmosphere was just unbearable. Still, he was thankful for the small tip. Only then did Wolf go back to counting the potions.

If people were to see their interaction from earlier. They would think that the waiter Alex was the most nervous one. But in reality, it was Walt. He was just doing his utmost to try to hide it.

Not only that but Wolf's silence only made things worse for him. Time seemed to go slower and slower. Just the act of counting the potions that should take some seconds felt like an eternity for Walt.

-"She's been through a lot." Wolf finally let go of the bag after verifying the numbers.

-"Huh?" Walt confusingly raised an eyebrow. He wondered what the old man was talking about.

-"Your doll." He pointed at it.

Walt looked at the doll in his hands. Now that he's focused his attention on it, he saw what Wolf was talking about. The doll was slightly tattered and had some mild burns.

-"Something might've happened to it while it was lost." Walt did his best to not panic and to keep a straight casual expression.

Wolf raised his eyebrows in response. Walt felt more and more distressed since that expression could've meant a lot of things. Maybe Wolf expected a much more interesting answer. Maybe he didn't even care about the doll and was just asking out of courtesy. Or even the worst case, he didn't believe a word Walt spat out.

-"Walt." Wolf called out with his usual cold and old voice.

-"The boss doesn't like dishonesty within our circle."

-"You wouldn't want others to get hurt because of your choice of words."

Wolf was particularly talkative when it came to serious matters. He would never have expected that it would have had some much impact on him. The fear that he's been trying to mask could no longer be hidden.

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Walt's grip on the doll grew tighter as he prepared to spill out all the truth. He told it all to Wolf. From the moment he bought the doll till his escape after the explosion.

-"I swear I won't utter a word about all this..."

Wolf kept on his silent role. Not answering on what gave a huge burden on Walt's back.

Walt closed his eyes. He would never have thought that a random situation would've been his demise.

*sigh...*

-"I am ready to take on all the consequences of this... just, keep my daughter out of it."

-"What happens next depends on the Boss."

Wolf casually answered while he gave Walt his payment for the potions. He didn't wait for another second and stood up. He still had to give a detailed report of this to the Boss.

As he was about to go, Wolf felt something grab his arm. It was no other than the alchemist. Walt didn't know that by doing so, he could lose an arm, probably even his life. He couldn't see Wolf's other hand already reaching unto a dagger hidden within his cloak.

-"Keep the money. I'll make as many potions as the Boss wants. No, I'll do anything he asks with all my might."

-"...My daughter is innocent."

Was it an act of desperation? Bargaining for the best outcome possible.

An act of self-sacrifice?

Or just the acceptance of the consequences of messing with the Black Snakes in the first place?

-"It'll be fine." Wolf replied as he let go of the dagger.

These words seemed so small and brief yet it brought reassurance to Walt's state of mind. He could finally take a breather.

Only then could Walt see that his grip was still lashing on Wolf's arm.

-"I'm sorry..." He said as he took off his hand.

-"What of the boy?"

Walt was talking about Alex, the waiter that caused all this ruckus. If he didn't find the doll in the first place, Walt could've avoided what was happening right now.

"..."

Wolf's silence made Walt frown. He knew well what that silence meant. Seeing the current situation, it was obvious what would be the fate of Alex. It was the Black Snakes that he was involved with. A gang known for its cruelty and mercilessness.

-"Stay out of this. If you don't want to make things worse."

Wolf gave one last warning before he left for good. He clearly could see that Walt wasn't into the idea of making people "disappear". Especially since he was partially at fault here.

Still, Wolf knew that Walt wasn't that dumb. He was an alchemist after all. His one and only family were at stake. He wouldn't risk their safety for a stranger. Knowing that, Wolf could safely go report his findings to the boss.

Walt watched as the lone Wolf slowly disappeared from the guild.

Although from one side, he was relieved that Wolf assured him that it'll be fine. But on another side, he hated the thought of innocent blood being spilled. A young one even.

Walt sat back down as he got lost in his thoughts. He reflected upon what he was to do. Should he just let it go so that everything go back to normal, or follow his morals and do something to save the waiter.

-'Normal... everything stopped being normal the moment I entered the gang. No, nothing was normal to begin with.'

-'...'

Walt finally decided what to do. He went to Alex who was just standing near the counter, waiting for orders to come by.

-"Hey, I didn't properly thank you for finding the doll. Alex right? I'm Walt by the way." Walt extended his hand.

Alex, the waiter stared at the person in front of him for a second before realizing that it was none other than the person from before. All the work really was tiring him out.

So this time, Walt received his handshake. Not like the time he was left hanging by Wolf.

-"That was nothing mister Walt, I just happened to pass by." Alex humbly denied any merits.

-"You actually helped a lot. That doll was supposed to be a gift for my daughter. Please tell me if there is anything you need?"

"No! no! no! You don't have to do anything, mister Walt. Your friend even already paid for such a small act."

Alex shook his head. He was keen on refusing any rewards that he might receive from Walt.

"I insist. Believe me, I'm not the kind to let things just go."

"Here, I'll make this easier. I'm an alchemist. I'll make you a potion for free."

Alex really wanted to refuse the offer. But when he saw how resolute Walt looked, he couldn't help but sigh.

"Okay..." He accepted.

"Great!" Walt clapped his hands.

"Tell me, what kind of potion do you want? Or just tell me if you have any problems with your body. I'll concoct a potion just for it."

'This alchemist really is energetic...'

That was the first thing that came from Alex's mind when he saw Walt's enthusiasm. That was quite a surprise to him since alchemists were usually unsocial eccentric people. They are always locked in their room doing whatever they were doing, only getting out to purchase ingredients.

"Actually, I haven't found much sleep lately. It's starting to really affect my work in a bad way. Is there a potion that can... put me to sleep? Or something?"

Since the alchemist really insisted. Alex might as well just tell him what he wanted.

"Oh, that's quite simple to make. Just tell me where you live and I'll send it to you." Walt confidently said.

"Really? I am so sorry if I am an inconvenience to you."

"We're not going through this again, just tell me where you live."

Walt was straightforward. That way, Alex didn't really feel much burden when he accepted the offer. After all, he was getting a free potion delivered right in front of his front door just for picking up a doll. Maybe his day wouldn't be as bad as he thought it will be.

So he gave his address to the alchemist. After that, Walt excused himself. He still had to make the potion. The two said their goodbyes and went back to their businesses.

As soon as Walt got out of the guild, he sighed deeply.

'This is the right thing to do Walt...' He repeated to himself again.

'H-help...' The voice of an old man resounded in his ears.

'I must do things right!'

Him giving a blind eye has already caused the death of an innocent life. He wouldn't want another one to be a burden to his conscience.

Walt calmed himself and steeled his resolve. There was no more going back now. There never was and ever will be.

He rushed back home. He didn't have any time to waste.