I had no idea how long I had passed out, but I could say for sure, that time alone wasn’t the most blissful one that I could hope for. The wound on my shoulder as well from all other places were ablaze, which made me groan in pain quite numerous times.

But, when I woke up for God's know how many times already, instead of the pain that I found, I also found something different. There was noise, clinking noises when all sorts of glass surfaces collided with each other. Groaning in my pain once more, I forced the lids of my eyes open, to see who made all that sounds. Thieves, perhaps, or maybe wild animals or even monsters. Yet it wasn’t either of those. Once again my eyes were greeted by that shoulder length auburn hair, which I have seen, again and again quite recently.

How many times have I seen this scene today? I couldn’t remember exactly, but I felt like it was probably more than twice. I thought it was the mischief spirit before but soon I realized that the auburn-haired girl didn’t wear that lucid white dress no more. So, it might be the other one. Who was her name again? It was at the tip of my tongue I couldn’t remember exactly, it started with E, if I wasn’t wrong.

“...ah, the auburn haired girl…,” I said, my throat was kinda parched, with so little energy I had, I tried to speak.

She answered back immediately, while it seemed she had stopped doing whatever she was, which caused so much of that noise before.

“Yes, it’s Elaine. Thank you so much for your help, my dad is safe now. But, I am really sorry for not sticking to the plan. I caused you so much trouble.” She bowed her head deeply.

While it was not literally her fault for anything, because it was my plan that she followed, and while I knew that she shouldn’t be able to follow the plan down to the detail, however the plan itself was ambiguous to the best. So, in a sense it wasn’t her fault, but my fault. When I was confronted by such an earnest apology like this, I couldn’t help but feel bad for her.

“no…it doesn’t matt… no… actually… nevermind… that’s…good to hear…” I stuttered.

“Yes, my dad is safe and sound now, thanks to you. However, still I couldn’t apologize for how much I’ve done. But, please drink this, I think you should be better.”

She offered me something in her hand, it looked like a vial with red liquid inside. Even though I couldn’t see it quite clearly. For me, I felt like I had seen that potion, the potion that I often drank in my adventure days, days and night, in or out of the dungeon. The number of that potion that I’ve drank has lost me, but that very potion itself engraved quite well on me, it was such an impossible task for me to forget. That very vial shape, bulging at the bottom, and as well that red bright liquid, which paler than the red of blood. It was none other than the scam healing potion.

But how could she get on her hand at that very scam potion herself? Ah, that noise from before, that all clinking, clinking and clanking. Perhaps, she rummaged at my pouch.

“...but, I don’t think… it will do anything tho–*cough*”

“But, please, I insist….,” she begged, her voice kind of shaking. “I don’t want anyone to die because of me, again. So, please, I beg you.”

From her blue eyes, tears welling up, and fell onto the ground. She was crying. Maybe some people called me a freak or something. Was it? Perhaps, it was. A long time. But, I wasn't a monster enough to let a girl get unattended like this. Seemed reflexive, a short sigh escaped from mine.

“...why can't they just leave me alone…”

“alright. stop crying.”

“Thank you.”

I took the bottle from Elaine’s hand, which almost spilled the liquid inside due to the condition of the vial as she had opened it beforehand. Nevertheless, I drank the potion immediately, soon I could feel my pain getting lighter, and my body felt a bit rigorous. Even though I liked to talk shit about the healing potion, sometimes it could be useful. For a pain killer for example or perhaps, for a last ditch effort when a situation was amongst the dire of direst.

But unfortunately not at this time. Even though I’d spilled only a little bit, the effect would still soon go away, and I likely would feel the pain once more. And obviously it couldn’t even close any wounds, nor replenish the lost blood either.

From the distance, I could hear several long howls, calling out to each other. Perhaps it was the time for her to leave me alone in my little peace.

“just leave me here…” I urged her, but she just stood there, not even responding. I was about to shake her body, but from behind her, I could hear a faint footstep, rustling against leaves on the ground. The first to notice was none other than Elaine, as she hurriedly turned her back toward the source of noise.

“Dad…” her voice fell into confusion, I couldn’t see what she was doing, but I felt like she was about to hug him, as I could hear her standing up, and her footsteps but it was stopped midway. “...Wait, you’re not my dad?”

“Of course, I’m not. You silly. I’m only borrowing his form.”

She laughed airily. That voice I recognised immediately, it was the mischief spirit once again. But, she wasn’t grumbling or angry like before. Seemed, she was in a good mood. I didn’t understand why, though. Still, when the mischief came once more, something was going to happen, and that something probably was the least thing that I would like to have right now. I felt a bad feeling about this.

“...Wait, you’re that one, the me from before, aren’t you?” Elaine asked, her voice was still sobbing, but less. “Bobby said you’re a kind spirit who likes to help people in need or something akin, I think? But is that true?”

“Well, he isn’t particularly wrong, but I think a kind spirit is a little too generous, for someone like me perhaps...” Her voice was trailing.

“Is that right? But, even so, I should offer my thanks to you as well. Because of you, my father and I are safe. But, perhaps, it was also due to my action that he ended up to this. Could you help him, he is dying.”

“Well, it wasn’t exactly your fault… But don’t worry, for that reason alone, I am here.”

With that her footsteps getting closer to me, or perhaps should I say it was his, instead. No, it was her definitely, to make it easier for me. In the end, she was a mischief spirit, besides her voice didn’t change like what I’d first assumed.

She approached me and scooped my body under her before putting my arm on her wide shoulder. It was painful, for it felt like every single wound on my body was reopened badly. But of course, oblivious to the groan of my pain, she just carried out.

“But, do you think it’s alright to move him like that?” Elaine sounded concerned, and felt like she could understand my situation better. For that only, I would like to praise her.

“No, it wasn’t alright. But he is a lot tougher than you might think. Something like this wouldn’t kill him right away,” she told her. And in a low voice, she whispered close to me, “Or perhaps, that is really what you wish for, no?”

“...maybe.”

She let out a bit of chuckle, the moment she heard my response. She seemed to be having fun with it, I see. Once again, I was reminded that the creature here was a mischief spirit who eats others' misery as their own amusement.

“But, still maybe you could be gentler?” Elaine said, again. Go tell her, I support you! I felt like for this moment, I wholeheartedly supported her what she was doing. Even with that, the mischief spirit wasn’t so easy to relent.

“I hope I could,” she said. “But, we don’t have much time on our side. Unfortunately, we don’t have any luxury to do that. We should hasten ourselves faster. You’ve heard that howling from before? Seems like the forest isn’t safe anymore.” She urged her to also move along.

“Right,” she said, seeming convinced, and hurriedly picked something on the ground, and hugged it close to her chest. It was my brown leather pouch which was full of nothing but rubbish.

While her reasoning was sound, and fine. But, I wondered how much truth was behind that? The howling earlier, could mean various things, like they found some prey perhaps, and yes, it was quite likely what she had just said, another group pack of red lychantes coming close. And for that reason, it was logical to get away from the danger. However, I couldn’t dispel the feeling that she wanted an excuse to do what she just did. Perhaps, I was overthinking.

Elaine jogged a little bit, as she picked up her pace, before she finally walked alongside and took a place to the right side of mine. Her expression grimaced as she saw once again the wound on my shoulder, and asked in a low voice, “Are you okay?” With a simple nod, I answered her. She didn’t seem convinced at first, but when she saw that I did really mean that, she said nothing but a nod as well, as she moved along once again.

When I was carried like this, I noticed something. The wound on his original right arm was missing. It should have been there, that gash red marks of claws. It didn’t look like it was healed either, as it should be impossible to be healed at such a speed. Besides, the arm was looking clean, like there was never a wound in the first place. However, the sleeve was torn apart but there was no wound at all. Or rather it looked like there was never a wound in the first place. Was it some sort of illusion to make it like the wound was gone? But the fact that she could move it like it was nothing, perhaps, it wasn't an illusion at first. But a real thing. Even with that little additional information that I got, I still couldn’t seem to get any closer to the truth about the identity behind this mischief spirit beside me.

“Umm, I forgot to mention but I was separated from my dad, I worried he might be in danger or something. Could we look for him first?”

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

“Your dad? You mean that huge man with red hair billowed behind, with a stern looking face, which could make any children cry in spot, and red fiery beard down from his cheek and to his jaw? And, by that very description, it's a person with a body like this?” The mischief spirit said, as she mimed the detail as she went over it.

“...Yes… that’s quite right,” she answered, seeming overwhelmed by that weirdly detailed explanation. “Uhmm, are you trying to imply he got …. Absorbed?”

When she heard no response, she tried to explain it once again, “Like combined, perhaps, like you become one with him…I suppose...??”

The mischief spirit seemed baffled by that question itself, as she blinked several times, before finally she really meant what she had just heard. And, soon she found herself giggling which could be described as hurting one’s stomach, as for that very reason itself almost made us fall over an uneven terrain. However, soon she stabilized herself once again with me in tow, and offered to apologize to Elaine, but not to me.

“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to, but …absorbed…combined… you say, hahaha.” Once more she laughed, which made Elaine have a hard time to respond. “Hahahah, but really…, what do you think I’m some sort of ferocious monster?” She mimed a motion of clawing.

“...well, I would like to say that too, perhaps, you are slime in disguise or something, if you are looking with how flexible you are, to have an ability to change from one to another?” I chimed, trying to gauge her response.

“That’s pretty rude, I wouldn’t rather be put in the same category as those disgusting monsters, I would say I was prettier and more dignified than any of those horrible monsters,” she said. “Ahem, anyway you don’t need to worry your father is safe. In fact, I had met him before coming here.”

“Thank gods, he is safe,” she breathed as a sigh of relief.

“And do you know, I also met him, in this current form? And do you think, how he was reacting, Elaine?”

“Could I say, he didn’t even bat an eye?”

“Exactly, with so little surprise in his face, and then proceeding with a little cough, he asked me with a straight face, “So, what business do you have with me?” She said, while trying to imitate his heavy-like voice perhaps.

“Agh! I just couldn’t believe it. This guy and your father, the human adult, are so dull. They are so lacking emotion inside them, they should be more open, you know, and full of life, try to express their emotion more. When one wants to surprise they should just surprise, and when one wants to laugh they should do so.” she told her.

“And, that’s exactly why you are the best, Elaine. You are young, you have a bright future for yourself, so keep being what you are.”

Elaine seemed a bit caught off guard, due she was suddenly being directed. “...But, I don’t think there is anything wrong with them? In fact, it’s quite an admirable trait to have, they could tackle anything with a clear head over their shoulder.”

“Perhaps, in hindsight, yes. But, even with how you are, you could still do it, even more with a bright face on. Besides, what kind of world would we live in, if there is no laugh, surely that would be grim, and a hopeless one where no one would want to live in. And more, more people would fall into the same category as him.”

“What do you mean by same ca–”

Her voice was interrupted. As once again, we heard a long howling in the distance, but this time it looked like it was a little closer. A look of panic fell on both of their faces. They took a glance at each other, before they hurriedly picked their pace. So, did I also, do my best. But, I felt like I was at my limit, as I couldn’t feel my feet anymore, the hammering pain in my head, over and over. Like I said, why no one opened that damned door just yet. Of course my anger wasn’t justified as there was no door. However, if there was a real thing, the air around me had become cooler. As I could see a puff white smoke, when I exhaled out. Has the night truly come? But, would it really be this cold? Perhaps. And, yet, despite all of that, I could feel myself, somehow was still moving.

However, did it really happen? Perhaps, it was just my hallucination, when in reality I was flat on the ground where all the red lychantes surrounded me, from all directions. Waiting for its leader to give an order. And, before long, they were biting and clawing, rending my body apart. One red lychantes chewed my leg while another pulled me from another side. While also another one bit through my skull carve my brain out and other one at the same time also gutted my inside, pulling my intestine out. Yet, suprisingly there was no pain at all. I couldn't find any of it. It was the liberation. The salvation that I was looking for the entire time. I could feel myself was getting elated over this situation, as I felt, I was grinning ear to ear, while, the happy pack of red lychantes chewing at my body.

Then, someone said to me, snapping me back, “Are you okay?” Perhaps, it was Elaine. She asked me this once before, so it must be. But I couldn’t be so sure. Perhaps, it was also my hallucination.

And, again I heard someone talking. But I couldn’t tell whose voice it was.

“---Maybe you could carry him on back, he seems in pain,” someone said.

“No, that cannot do. Even though I have the same body as him, my power is—”

“---Then maybe I could carry him als—”

“---no it’s fine. He should be fine. We should just tarry on faster. He should be fine, I promise.”

“------how far, Elaine?---”

“---North—here—”

“---igh—-”

As we were walking further and further, I felt like my ability to hear their conversation was losing tremendous, as the high-pitched ringing noise was coming back. But, this time wasn’t as horrible as before. I felt like I should have lost consciousness at this point. Yet, somehow I was still barely able to maintain it. Clinging on the remainder of it, desperately, like a small flicker of cinder in the middle of a snowstorm.

We were going up and down, left and right. And, up and down, again. My head hit something perhaps, a branch. Then we were going up again, and again. Before long we were going up, up, up, and up and up and up and up and up and up and up and up and up and up and up until we reached the peak. The peak of what? I don’t know, maybe a peak of the sky. So, I could drop from it. Crushed my body flat when I fell.

Or rather I felt like we were going down this time. I could feel myself a bit tilting as once again I was almost falling. Yes, falling from that peak. What peak, again? A peak of a mountain, perhaps. No, it wasn’t a peak of a mountain. But we are going inside. Inside through the mountain. Until we dug deep into underground. And, yes we meet with dwarves. But, somehow, they were angry I don’t know why though, but they are just angry, maybe someone told them they are ugly, and beardy. No, no it wasn’t me.I swear. It was that guy, yes that guy. That ugly guy. I pointed at him. But, he ran. He ran toward me. Wait, where are you going!!!? I said.

I was late. I was left behind. The angry dwarves were coming, and ugly. Brandishing with a pickaxe they lumbered my body, and flattened all my bones to powder. Before long, they scatter the remains of myself on their embers, to light their furnace. No waste is wasted, huh. Very eco-friendly, indeed. As expected from dwarves, I supposed. Then, how do I know about this, you asked? Because I sorta know it. How do I know about it? Well, it’s simple I was there, watched it happen. Yes, watched it happen? Huh? Watched it happen? Watch? what? Who? Did I watch? Did? I? Watch? But, watch what?

Watch? Watch? Watch what? Watched it happen? Watch? Watched? Watched it? Watched it happen? Watched? Watch? Watch it? Watched it happen?Watched? Watched? Watched it? Watched it happen? Watched? Watched? Watched it? Watched it happen?Watched? Watched? Watched it? Watched it happen? Yes, indeed. I watched it happen. There is nothing wrong with that. Yes, I could watch it. Like what is wrong with that. Is there any rule that says that I cannot watch it? Hey, is there any rule that says that? No, right? No, right? Stop saying ridiculous things, ok? Let’s get back to it again.

What was I talking about again? Oh right, we are not talking about anything, aren't we? Wait a sec. Let me pick some interesting topics for you. Yes, for you. Wait, why are you surprised? Wait, where are you going now? I just found a new topic. This is called 100 ways to die. Interesting, no? What? Someone is coming. Then, why are you running away? Come on, it would be much fun with four of us here. The more the merrier, right? Just like someone used to say? Hmm, but who is that someone? Maybe is that guy? that gut over there. You asked, why four? Yes, because there are four of us. I can count, duh. I’m not illiterate, I can count. Here, let me count for you.

Look there is me, no? That's one right? and there is you? And, that makes it two, no? There is that guy over there, yes over there, you see, that? Yes, and that's three. And, the last one is you, no? Huh, why are you suprised? Of course, I would count you too? Who do you think I was talking this entire time? Ah, sorry, sorry, seemed I was a bit aggressive. But, now you know right.

Look four, right? Just like what I'd said. But, wait four usually means something bad, no? Maybe, I should call another person. Maybe we could round it to seven? Seven is a sign of good luck, right? What, my time is up? Why? I haven’t told my stories just yet. C’mon. I could do it another time, he said? Really? Well that’s fine, then. Wait, why’re you suddenly crying? C’mon it’s make me harder to leave, no? You want me to tell my name, so you wouldn't be lonely, you say? But, there are a lot of people here, no? Alright, fine, fine. I will tell you my name.

Hmmmm, Wait, what is my name, again. Sorry, I couldn’t remember. It is at the tip of my tongue. Sorry, wait a minute I would recall it fast. Huh, I have no much time left. Oh! You want to tell your name instead? Got it, what’s your name? Huh? What?

Kash Kashim? Huh? That's a pretty uncommon name. A lot of people say that too? I see. Where do you come from, then? What? You don’t remember? I see, so, you must be like me then. I don’t remember either. But, you remember your name, no? That is better than nothing. I see, then this is really goodbye, I suppose. Huh? Why are you crying again? You are a boy, no? Huh? You said even a boy could cry? Hahaha, well that’s true. But, you should save it when it’s important. Or you might run it out when it really matters.

Yes, that’s right. Like that. Good boy. This is really goodbye, then. But, this will not the last one, I promise. I will meet you soon. Yes, I couldn’t wait either.

Yes, Bye!

Seemed I was unconscious, or perhaps I wasn’t. But, I felt like I was dreaming about something weird, but pleasant. Though, I couldn’t recall any of it. I had no idea how long we had been traversing this forest, and I had no idea either, whether we were being chased by another pack of red lychantes or not. But, at least I could say for sure, we had arrived at our destination as I sensed another person besides these two, his huge like presence, like a bonfire, which was probably could I safely assume, it was Elaine’s father. I could feel I was floating in the air, perhaps he had carried me. And, before long I was laid gently on something flat. Hard, and cold surface. It wasn’t the best one that I hoped for, but I would say it was a lot better than walking in that terrible terrain, and soon I could feel my breathing return back to normal. The ringing was also slowly reduced, and once again I could hear their voices.

“Please—dra—---–face—------ I promise— anything —weir—” someone said, but it sounded desperate, and close.

“Why— Perhaps,---slide—now,” said, someone again. Perhaps, it was try to calm the other person.

“---right.--- Sorry—lost my cont—l”

“It’s fine.---- really---come—us”

“Thank you —---refuse. Besides, this—---belong. But, —--thanks to—-”

“Bobby—-his name —-----by.”

“Yes, Bob—-. —-grateful ——-also—-like to—-logize to him as well. Could you te—- –”

“Of course, I wou—---hank you as we—”

“...Sera,---me S—ra”

I heard some words which sounded like names such as Bobby, also Sera. Was that the mischief spirit’s name? But, still one thing that stood out the most was the name, Bobby. Bobby, huh? Had I forgotten to tell them that it wasn’t my real name. Or perhaps, it was a good opportunity to change my name to Bobby instead. Besides, it sounded better than Kashim, didn’t you think so? Sounded easier to pronounce and had a bit of a familiar feeling. Well, either way, I could feel the cold surface under me felt comfortably nice, as my consciousness slowly dragged to the pit of darkness. The small cinder finally burned out. And, that would be the last conversations of them that I heard as I fell unconscious.