The two reunited families continued crying in their embrace as the glares of the players shifted in my direction, observing as if I were the dangerous one. Even though I was supposed to be the one wary of what these monsters would do.
I don't know why they glare at me in such intent but I had a few guesses.
They see me as a threat which they intend to take down. Or because of my appearance, being a member of the slums and subjected for discrimination.
"Cipher!" Gabby called from behind, rushing to my side. "What's happening?"
"Nothing. Just a reunion of Ellie and her father…" I paused, gazing back at the players scattered around. "… and these guys…"
She took a quick look at the players and instantly, she hid behind my back knowing their gazes were already giving a strange vibe.
"Where are the others?" I added.
"They're on their way."
"And who are they?" Ellie's father questioned, then in an instant, a blur flickered then my body moved on its own, taking the hatchet to shield Gabby from something popping out of nowhere.
In the midst of the chaotic scene, another player attempted to grab Gabby, putting her in danger. My instincts kicked in, and with my hatchet held perilously close to the player's neck as I intervened to protect her.
The tense standoff between us sent a clear message of warning, as I was ready to defend Gabby at all costs. The situation remained precarious, and the outcome hinged on the next decisive move.
"Try touching her and you'll be waking back in the cathedral."
"Slum brats…" the player hissed as my blade touched the skin of its neck while he made another attempt.
"Don't even think about it."
"Can you even kill me?" the player questioned as his murderous aura leaks.
"Try me." I dared.
"Withdraw, Vince! They are my daughter's company." Ellie's father ordered then the player looked at him and his daughter who already had her flame magic conjured in her palm, ready to let it out.
He clicked his tongue then disappeared again into thin air after hissing, reappearing on the roof of one of the ruined houses.
"So, tell me exactly what happened to my daughter." he asked then his gaze shifted behind us. "And looks like more had survived…"
I looked back and there, I saw the others racing towards us.
"What is happening? Are these adults bullying you?" Simon questioned the moment they arrived.
"No. This guy is Ellie's father…" I pointed to the man standing on Ellie's side. "And the rest are players."
"Why are you late anyway? Gabby's already here." I added.
Simon only looked at her while she looked away, avoiding his gaze. "Let's just say someone here is too fast, none of us could keep up."
Ellie's father began walking towards Simon, stretching his hands for a shake. "Ahh, you must be the leader of this group. I thank you for keeping my daughter safe…"
"Sorry, but I'm n-" Before Simon could reject the claim, I lightly kicked him and gestured to play along. "I'm not able to save the others…"
"It is fine, sir. Having my daughter one of those you've saved has earned my gratitude." he bowed his head while the other players' disgust was leaking. "And as to what happened. I would like to learn about it back in the base."
He gestured to be followed as the other players scattered into the city at such speed my eyes couldn't keep up.
"Thanks, Simon," I claimed as I tapped his back. "And everyone, please hide the fact of having gifts similar to theirs. It could endanger us…"
Everyone nodded and then followed him into a tunnel that led us into the old terminal used back in the earlier years. Back when the track was still safe and free of roaming beasts.
They had managed to reuse the classic train to shelter remaining survivors, having a family or two settled in one train cabin. I could spot the situation of each family in their cabin windows. Their eyes are showing signs that already given up and some were still crying from devastation.
As we walk towards the end of the train, the last cabin was larger than rest and contained a lot of furniture. Lockers were placed to hold their belongings, and a table was placed in the center, holding the map of the city and its outskirts.
Ellie started the story of how she was abducted on her way home and how she fought and struggled in another world for days. And the story continued with everyone's perspective.
All had differences in their views but the link between them was close as no lies were told. Only untold truths.
"And so, in order to survive. We sheltered in another world and waited until we were sure it was safe…" Ellie's words were cut as tears flowed within her once more. "… but everything wasn't okay… the city is gone… and my friends too…"
Once again, Ellie's father comforted her with an embrace while we excused ourselves from the chamber, and outside the waiting room, the bullet train arrived. Unloading crates and distributing rations to the survivors of the city.
"Should we… line up as well?" Ruri asked as she carried Sam on her shoulder, but the stares of the people within the room, it wasn't very welcoming.
We were still from the slums, and they were from inside the city. It was their fact that they still cling into. Of course, they wouldn't welcome such people to take part in the only ration they were receiving. Even before, we were already being neglected. What's even the point of trying to reason with these men?
"For now, let Ellie and her father do the talking. We might not be able to get anything even if we try in this clothing of ours…" Unlike the city survivors, we still wore the rags of a slum creeper aside from Carl who had like every little thing he needed inside with his large backpack. No wonder we had spices in our meals.
Indeed, whether a calamity had transpired or not, the way they perceived us would likely remain unchanged. The events we experienced might have been a turning point for us, but in the eyes of others, we could still be seen through the same lens as before. It is often challenging to alter people's preconceived notions, even in the face of significant events or personal growth.
"I'll take my leave for now."
"Where are you going this time?" Gabby questioned.
"Where else? Don't you even smell yourselves?" I asked in return. They too began to realize it. We had been gone for too long without taking proper baths, especially me who constantly ran back and forth from one world to another. "I'm heading for the beach. You can come or not."
She complained but somewhat joined when everyone in the party decided to accompany me aside from Ellie to the shores and just like I had imagined, the sands near the water were clean of corpses.
"The water must have already dragged them into the sea…" The giant golem standing in the middle of the sea gives off a mighty yet hair-raising vibe. It was supposed to be destroyed at the end of the invasion but something had caused it to stay that way.
"What are you waiting for, Ciphy? Come on! Let's swim!" Nathan called as the others started washing themselves in the water.
"But won't the monsters come back again?" Gabby questioned, halting everyone else activities.
"They won't. The rift had already closed for them to venture into our side again, and any creatures left in this area should have been annihilated." I claimed then pointed towards the port where a woman sits in cross legs and holding a spear. "And if there's still such creatures of threat alive, I'm sure that girl guarding this place won't allow it to hurt anyone."
"So, relax! The only problem you need to think about is trying not to drown" I added in a jest before getting punched in the arms and her leaving a red face.
Just as I was about to head into the water, Carl tapped me on the shoulder. "Mr. Cipher, I would like to bother you for a moment, if it is alright."
"O-okay?" he was acting strange and a grin could be spotted on his face from time to time, it was getting too suspicious.
He led me farther from the beach and back into the slums, and every step I took caused me to be wary of his sudden interest in action. He was the last person to arrive on the beach and something tells me that grin he had isn't virtuous.
"We're here," he claimed but all I could see were corpses, splattered blood, and abandoned weaponry.
"What are we doing here?"
"What else?" his tone was heavy and I could sense deep breathing coming from him like a madman addicted and excited about something. Then his face became sleazy while his usual shut flat eyes shone and his mouth almost like it was drooling. "There's treasure everywhere, young boss! We can sell this trident for a high price! And this silver armor as well!"
"W-what?"
I didn't expect the turnabout of what was happening but it was far better than I had in mind. Or at least less mortifying.
He continued sharing all he knew of everything he wanted to sell and even mentioned every possible price of it.
I admit we too steal abandoned equipment but only to survive and have something to feed our mouths. But he was more on feeding his greed.
"So you took me into this place as a porter?"
"Come on, young boss. You said it yourself. You have more storage than us. We can have these items sold at a considerable price and give you the commission after! It will give us cash!"
He's got a point. I still have empty storage we could use but we already had enough gold, to begin with. But having such in our possession wasn't of any harm either. I already had lost the only weapon I had higher mastery and I still need to master more to increase my rank. "What about your storage?"
"It's already full…" he chuckled.
"Fine. Pick anything you see of worth but remember, I also have limited storage. If I am in a dire situation, I might toss something you picked"
"It's fine, young boss" The sleazy face of greed he had only brightened in my response, and he began evaluating the items from another.
He was surely taking his sweet time; it was beginning to bore me to death. But something like a metal hidden among the corpse reflected the light above and caught my interest. And underneath, a short single-edged silver blade was uncovered.
** Item classification **
Item name: Silver blade
A sword forge in the city of Fitalica.
Damage: 15
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