Chapter 5 Stolen Core

I woke up abruptly. I can hear someone banging on my door fiercely.

“Wait a second,” I said as I stumbled to my closet. I could see the door cracking under the assault. I was naked. ‘Please door hold out a little longer’ I think to myself. It was in vain. When I got to my closet the door fell down. Tay ran in.

“Lain you need to come….. Why are you naked,” She was talking normally. Until she saw me naked she screamed loudly. Her head recoiled backward and her eyes opened wide. She pointed toward my private parts. She took a quick glance then focused on my face.

“I can be naked in my own house,” I said. I was surprised but I tried to keep my voice calm. I talked like I was used to been seeing naked. Inside I was slightly relived it was only Tay. What if it was a robber? I don’t have anything of value here anyway. As I was thinking that I saw her eyes wander down to my exposed friend. She really had to look again.

I immediately covered it when I noticed but it was too late. I could see her face blush. She covered her face with her hands but I could see her peeking through the cracks. Is this her first time seeing one? I was starting getting irritated.

“Get out,” I said sternly.

She clumsily ran out. She tried to put the door back up for a few seconds. I could her straining when she tried. She gave up quickly and walked out of sight.

“I didn’t mean to break in but Luci is in trouble,” She yelled from outside.

I put my clothes on. I ran outside to see a still blushing Tay with a serious expression on her face.

“What happened to her?” I said.

“I will tell you on the way there,” She said as she started to run down the dirt road. It was opposite the direction of the school. I ran after her. I caught up with her pace easily. She was running a little faster than she usually does so it must be important. I could she her eyes focused.

“Luci was trying to sell the core we got. She got an offer of 10 silver,” Tay explained franticly.

“Isn’t that a good thing? That is like 3 times the normal price,” I said.

Tay breathed in deeply. She sighed before shaking her head.

“No, they looked like they were from the mid district. Their equipment and manner of speech are definitely those from the mid district,” Tay said in a trembling voice. I could see her shrink when she mentioned the mid district.

“What is so bad about people from the mid district,” I said while I saw gray stone walls in the distance.

“Have you been living under a rock?! There is no way someone from the mid district would want buy cores from us even if we were the only ones with it. Most people here that want to sell something in the mid district have to dress in their best gear. They also have to do their best to talk how they talk. Do you understand? We are the most outer district,” Luci shouted while saying the words quickly. She slowed down a bit but I still barely caught all the words.

Are the relationships between the districts that bad that they wouldn’t even want to do business with us? What is going on in this kingdom? After this I will have to investigate exactly the current state of affairs in this kingdom. As we got closer to the stone walls I saw a large black gate. I could see a rogue arguing with a few men. The few men looked like soldiers. They had light metal plate armor on. It had a 5 pointed star embedded on each of the metal shoulder plates. They were really tall and had muscles that showed through the light metal armor. Their armor was free of any scratches or blemishes. I don’t think they have experienced many battles. It looked like the armor was only for show. The man in the middle was slightly taller than the rest. He had a confused expression on his face.

The rogue had long red hair. The light brown eyes of hers stared at the soldiers with utter distain. She had her hands on the handles of her daggers. I saw her face twisted in an ugly expression.

“You promised me 10. You only have given me one silver,” Luci complained.

“You should be glad I gave you that. Be gone from my sight. Filth like you will be forever living in that god forsaken district,” The soldier in the middle said. He had his thick eyebrows furrowed. His first expression of confusion was turning into one of irritation.

“First give me back the core than I will be on my way,” Luci demanded.

The middle soldier stepped forward toward Luci. He stopped about a meter away from her.

“What use is this core to trash like you? It is better in our hands. If you want it,” The soldier paused as he took the core out. He extended his hand with the core in it.

“Come take it from me,” The soldier taunted. The two smaller soldiers in the back were chuckling silently.

“Aren’t you ashamed?” I spoke as I ran in front of the soldier. I stood between Luci and him. He narrowed his eyes on me.

“Who are you?” He questioned. His eyes narrowed as he was examining me.

“Lain,” Luci said in a high pitched voice. She released her grip on the handles of her daggers. She had her light brown eyes wide open. I saw her mouth open wide for a few seconds. She made a few steps toward me.

“I said who are you?” The soldier said impatiently. Luci returned her hands to her dagger’s handles after he spoke. A serious look appeared on her face quickly when she stared at the soldier. It was replaced by a disturbing look. It looked like she drank expired milk.

“This guy is trying to take the core without paying the price we agreed too,” She complained.

The soldier briefly took his attention off of me. He held his hands up and shook then lightly side to side. He plastered an honest looking smile on his face.

“I am sure this is a misunderstanding. I know how difficult it is to learn with the state of your districts school. Do you even know how to count the money properly,” He said in a calm tone as he light heartily chuckled.

This guy’s acting is the only good thing about him. His words and his actions are like yin and yang.

Luci drew her daggers out. She was stomping toward the shameless soldier. Luckily Tay was there to hold her back. I don’t want Luci to get hurt fighting this scum.

“What did you say asshole. I was trying to be nice and ask politely. Let me go now. Let me teach this ass a lesson,” Luci cursed. She was struggling to get away from Tay’s grip. Tay held it firm but I know she can’t hold Luci for long.

“I will take care of this,” I assured. I felt the wind blow strangely. I immediately jump back.  I focused my attention on the direction it blew. I saw the shameless soldier standing in the spot I was at. He tried to sneak attack me. I can’t take my eyes off him.

He started to laugh like a mad man.

“I am not someone you can take care of easily,” He said as he grinned.

I looked at him with distain accidentally. I then returned to a calm expression.

“I propose we talk this out. I know ten silver is a bit high. How about we bring it down to 5,” I said. I tried to contain myself. I wanted to teach him a lesson too but I don’t know the state of affairs. I will try to talk some sense into him.

He pondered on my offer for a few seconds.

“No. This mongrel has offended me. How about I let you all live for five silver,” He said as he pointed at Luci. He pulled out his sword slowly and pointed the tip at me.

I followed suit. Words won’t pierce his thick skull. Even my sword might not be sharp enough too. If those other soldiers behind him jump in I will be in trouble. I will have to end him soon. I don’t think it is a good idea to kill him so I will have to try to knock him out.

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He rushed toward me. He swiped his sword at my side. I parried it. I jumped to the side. Before I could even breathe he was right beside me. His sword thrust toward my chest. I couldn’t evade it completely. It pierced a few inches into my chest cutting pass the basic robe like air.

I gritted my teeth. The pain wasn’t a problem. It was that I was losing blood. I put my hand to try and apply a bit of pressure to stop it from bleeding so much. The blood flowed through the gaps of my fingers. It was trickling out slower. At this rate if I don’t end this fight it will be my life. I started to feel a bit light headed. I saw him stop for a second as he cleaned my blood of his blade.

“Filthy outer district blood on my blade, This won’t bring me any glory.” He complained as he was focused on wiping my bright red blood off of his blade.

“I won’t forgive you bastard,” Luci yelled. She was running toward the shameless soldier with both of her hands tightly gripped around her daggers. I could see her eyes turn dark. She yelled a battle cry. It sounded more like a frustrated scream. The cute light brown eyes turned into the eyes of a killer. I looked toward Tay and saw her lying on the ground with a bruised cheek. She couldn’t hold back an enraged Luci. If she tries to fight him that way it won’t turn out well. A rogue should only fight battles they know they can win since they are a bit weaker in ‘fair’ fights. Not that this one is fair. That soldier must be at least level 3 or 4 for him to be able to injure me this easy.

Even if I didn’t forget anything in my past life I still would have a hard time fighting someone a few levels above me. In the later levels it becomes easier but I am still level 1. I will have to combine all my skills to have a chance. Since Luci has him distracted I will use it to my advantage.

[Blood Pact]

[Fireball]

I channeled [Fireball] for a few seconds. I also used [Blood Pact].

The shameless solider stood there and looked at me completely ignoring the enraged Luci that was approaching him.

“You think you can kill me with a basic fireball?” He said as he laughed loudly.

When she finally reached him she tried to stab him. “What a joke,” He said as he blocked Luci’s attacks without even looking at her. She was recklessly focusing on an all out attack and not even defending herself. I could see multiple opening in her attacks. I am sure that soldier could too however all he did was block them. He focused on me waiting for my next move.

After a minute of channeling [Fireball] I was ready. I aimed it toward my sword. The shameless soldier kicked Luci in the face. She tumbled about two meters away and lied on the ground. She tried to get back up but fell. I saw blood leaking from her lips. She passed out shortly afterward.

“Hey boss. Can we have a bit of fun with them before you kill them,” The two soldiers that stood near the gate said nearly simultaneously. I could see the lecherous looks on their faces as they pointed toward Luci.

“Fine go ahead. If you bring back any diseases this time I will be cutting your pay. You know outer district girls would open their legs even for the slimes in the forest,” The shameless soldier said.

I was slowly infusing the fireball into my sword. I haven’t done sword enchantments yet but this will be the only way I can deal with all three of them. A sword enchantment can increase a swords grade greatly. It is easier to apply than runes however it comes at a great cost. The enchantment to those that doesn’t have an enchanter class harms both the user and the targets. I definitely won’t be in good shape after this fight. I will have to give it my all. If I am lucky maybe Tay will save me. If not then I might die from the backlash.

My sword burned brightly. The raging [Fireball] was completely infused with it. The fire enchanted sword was lighter than a feather. It almost felt as if there was nothing in my palm. If only there wasn’t for the constant searing pain. I felt the skin on my arm cooking like a hamburger on a grill.

The shameless soldier wasn’t surprised. He creepily smiled at me.

“You think that..” My sword interrupted him before he could finish speaking. He blocked it but I could see the fire burning the hand that held his sword. He winched. I applied more strength onto my sword. It burned through his sword.

 I press the hot sword onto his chest. He let out a blood curling scream as the sword burned through his light armor. It landed on his exposed chest searing his skin off. I saw him foaming from his mouth at this point. He fell to the ground. A small fire was still lit on his chest burning his flesh indiscriminately.

 I could had let the fire finish him off for good but I already decided not to end their lives unless there was no other choice. Causing a conflict is not the only reason. I really haven’t killed many humans in my pass life. I can count all the people I killed on both hands. There wasn’t much infighting between us at least in my pass. We had a clear enemy which was the monsters and the devils that controlled them. There was little time for bullshit like this.

I stomped out the growing fire on the unconscious soldier’s chest. After a few good stomps the fire stopped spreading. It only costed him a few broken bones. Afterwards I looked toward the other two soldiers. One ran through the gates while the other pulled out his sword. He ran toward me.

“You are dead. Do you think you can get away with killing Francis?” The soldier barked at me. He had a crazy look in his eyes as he charged at me.

“He isn’t dead yet,” I responded. My response stopped him in his tracks. He looked toward Francis before flipping me off.

“You expect me to believe you. Outer district citizens would sell their mothers for a few pieces gold.” The soldier insulted. I could see spit fly from his mouth as he spoke.

I ignored his comment and went toward Luci. I turned her over so she was facing the sky. While I did this I noticed the soldier run over toward his boss. He checked Francis’s burned body. Then he took out a few bandages and started to wrap his chest up. I turned toward Luci.

“Wake up,” I said while slapping her face lightly. She groaned. Then she slapped my hand out of her face.

“Stop, my head hurts enough already,” Luci said as she started to come too. She sat up and gripped her head tightly with both hands. Afterward she started to look around. She saw the severely burned chest of Francis. She looked at me with wide eyes.

“Did. Did you do that? How?” She questioned as she got into my face curiously.

“Let’s go and see if Tay is okay first,” I said to change the subject. I saw her look down sadly. She slowly picked up her daggers. She then ran toward Tay.

“Tay I am sorry,” She yelled out dramatically. She was lifted Tay’s head with both of her hands crying.

“I am really sorry. I didn’t mean too,” She said while sniffling.

“Luci she is alright. Come on Tay get up. I know you woke up already,” I said. Tay eyes opened briefly. She gave me a death glare before closing them again. Luci was too busy crying to notice.

“Luci, how could you do this to me,” Tay said ‘weakly’. Luci started to cry even harder. Snot was leaking out of her nose.

“I am sorry. I really am. What can I do to make it up to you,” Luci said. Her tearful eyes were looking at the ‘weak’ Tay.

I was getting tired of Tay’s joke. She is going to far now.

“Seriously stop it. Tay get up. Now. We got to leave,” I said sternly.

“How could you say that Lain,” Luci looked at me with furrowed eyebrows. Her lips were pursed.

“Can’t you see how hurt see is,” Luci said. As Luci was starting at me with distain Tay stuck her little pink tongue out.

“Whatever, Have fun with the world’s worst actor,” I said while walking toward the soldier that was bandaging Francis. The soldier stopped the bandaging and stared at me. He returned his hands to his blade.

“Don’t come any closer. I will protect him with my life,” The soldier stated in a shaky voice. He couldn’t even hide the fear on his face. I walked toward the burn victim and kneeled down beside him. The soldier backed a few meters away and took a fighting stance.

“Stop what are you doing? You already won. There is no need to be excessive.” He pleaded.

“Weren’t you the one who wanted to have some fun with my friends? Now you want me to show him some mercy. The guy that tried to kill me?” I taunted. I was only buying time as I searched his pockets for the core. I found it shortly. I hid it in my robe.

“You won’t get away with this,” The soldier said. I flashed him a death glare. He shrunk under it. He even back a few more meters away from his boss. He was shaking like a leaf in the wind.

“Oh really. I are you sure I will let you live to talk about it,” I said while brandishing my flaming sword. The most of the fire already died down. The sword still glow a bright red despite that.

The soldier ran toward the open gate after my threat. The look of terror on his face was hilarious. I was laughing at the dog that ran with his tail between his legs.  I laughed so hard that my chest bleeds out more. I looked over toward Luci and Tay. Tay finally got up but she was being supported my Luci as she limped over to me.

“Are you too injured to heal me?” I said sarcastically. Tay stared daggers at me.

[Light Heal]

The soothing light stopped the bleeding from my chest but it didn’t fully heal the wound. It is better than nothing but I am slightly disappointed.

“Now heal him too,” I said as I pointed at the soldier named Francis. She looked at like I was crazy.

“Why would I heal him?” Tay questioned.

“He tried to rip us off and now you want Tay to heal him,” Luci said angrily. I could see her steaming over the idea of healing this soldier.

“Listen to me. Heal him now,” I said sternly.

“If you don’t and he dies they might come after us. They know all of our names,” I informed.

I saw Tay hang her head low. She walked normally toward the soldier.

[Light Heal]

The light covered the wounded soldier. I saw the burns recede a little. I finally can hear the soldier breathe. I sigh loudly. It looks like he won’t die. Now we are getting far away from this place.

“Here, take the core,” I said while handing it to Luci.

She snatched it out of my hands.

“And no more deals with the mid district until I can figure out a better way to do it,” I said while staring into her eyes.

“Okay,” She said as she nodded. I could see she had a sad look in her eyes. She was looking at the blood covered hole in my robe.

“Don’t worry about it. It is only a scratch,” I said confidently. I patted the hole in my chest to reassure her. I flinched as soon as my hand touched the wound. It really stings with the slightest touch.  

She didn’t look convinced.

“Start running back, I will catch up with both of you.” I ordered.

Tay grabbed Luci and walked toward the outer district.

“Wait why aren’t you coming with us?” Luci questioned.

“Just go,” I yelled. Luci was still reluctant to leave.

“Promise me that you will be right behind us,” Luci pleaded. Her eyes were collecting water.

“When did you become such a cry baby,” I teased.

“You better be right behind me or else I will come and find you,” Luci said.

“Fine by me,” I said.

Luci finally began ran back to the district with Tay. When they got out of my range of site I heard multiple footsteps. They were stomping in unison. I saw over 50 soldiers armed to their teeth. They trampled the ground. I saw what looked like their leader in front. He was an old man with golden armor. The same 5 pointed star his shoulder as the rest of the army of men. He had a wise look. I could tell his body wasn’t in as good as shape as the other soldiers. It looked like he had been through hell.

“Cuff him now,” The old leader commanded.