Subtitle: The Players
When I opened my eyes, that scene appeared before me again. I found myself strangling Naiadler. I quickly released my hands from his collar and began taking deep breaths. Just in case, I was holding my sword to Naiadler's neck.
I needed to calm down, otherwise "what had happened would happen again."
Naiadler – What happened all of a sudden? Or did you accept it?
– STAY STILL, NAIADLER!
I slapped Naiadler and started walking. My back was turned to him. He was clearly and openly shocked.
Naiadler – STOP! WHERE ARE YOU GOING?
– Follow me! We have to find a way out of here.
Naiadler – I KILLED A HUMAN! DESPITE THAT, STILL…
I cut Naiadler off.
– Then do you remember what you said? "You can't hurt me."
Naiadler sighed and started following behind me. He was staring at me like a madman. Involuntarily, I got scared. Just in case, I kept my sword in my hand.
Naiadler – Do you know who you are?
– I am neither Odasaku's apprentice nor an orphan child. I am Apollon. Now put an end to these ridiculous questions.
All of a sudden, Naiadler started laughing in a strangely heartwarming way. He slapped himself once.
– Have you gone crazy?
Naiadler – Don't ask stupid, ridiculous questions. I guess I hit you too hard.
– You're the one asking stupid questions! And besides, I hit you!
Naiadler – HOW RUDE! DOES A PERSON HIT THEIR FRIEND?!
At least he had somewhat returned to normal. Now, at the very least, we could argue.
We were walking toward the depths of the forest. It was silent. "But it was very strange." It was as if something was coming toward us.
Naiadler – It feels strange, as if I've lived through this before. Don't you think so too?
When Naiadler suddenly said this, it started to feel that way to me as well. "Seriously, then why had I let go of Naiadler's collar back then?"
– There must be a definite scientific explanation. So forget it.
Naiadler – I feel like if we follow this to the end, we might run into an old man.
– And?
Naiadler – Forget it.
Naiadler knew something, but he wasn't telling me. Honestly, it wasn't a problem. "Because I had a feeling that if I learned the reason, I would never be the same again." As I was thinking this, a rustling sound rose from the bushes in front of us. I carefully moved toward the bush, and just as I reached it, someone came out from inside.
Li – WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN?!
Li no longer looked like her old self. Blood was pouring from her mouth. The inside of her right hand looked as if it had melted. The ends of her skirt were torn to shreds. Her hair was disheveled, and she held a broken hairpin in her hand. She quickly leaned against the tree beside her. It was clear she no longer had the strength to walk.
Just as she was about to fall, I grabbed her melted arm. Li pushed me back.
Li – I can stand on my own.
I left her as she was.
– Where is the hunter?
Li turned her head to another direction.
Li – He went somewhere else.
I took another step toward Li, just as I was about to reach out my hand toward her… someone touched my shoulder from behind. For no reason, I began trembling uncontrollably. When I forced myself to turn my head back, I saw Naiadler impaled on the branch of one of the trees. As I was about to cut off the attacker's hand with my sword, he effortlessly shattered my sword into millions of pieces.
The one who did this "looked like a grown version of Naiadler." His hair was much longer, and his braid was far more elegant. He was taller. A piece of cloth was wrapped around his waist. His boots were long, and chains hung from their edges. He was wearing a sleeveless outfit unique to China.
As I was thinking all this, a punch landed on my face. I crashed into one of the trees. Blood was pouring from my nose. Because my head was spinning, I could barely see anything. I tried to stand up while staggering. Just then, I took another punch to the face.
I couldn't see anything. I was just sitting in the corner, waiting for death. At that moment, I heard a voice.
Someone – I'M HERE!
After these words, there was probably a huge explosion. The rest of that time, I "spent in nothingness."
When I came to, I was in a dimly lit room. Beside me were boxes full of explosives. I could barely move my head. In this state, where even my eyes were barely open, I heard two people arguing.
Naiadler – So?
Someone – I guess… you are under my wings now.
Naiadler – ARE YOU MAKING FUN OF US?!
– What are you talking about?
Despite my throat being extremely dry, I was able to say this. Naiadler ran over to me.
Naiadler – Forget him.
All of a sudden, Naiadler started making shapes with his hands.
Naiadler – What is this?
– A triangle.
After I said this, Naiadler seemed relieved. He let out a deep sigh and sat on the chair next to me. He filled a glass with water from the pitcher and gave it to me. With great difficulty, I managed to drink it.
When I scanned the room with my eyes, I saw "a squirrel completely covered in sand" right next to my head. In a dazed state, I opened my mouth and said:
– Odasaku?
The other person in the room was clearly flustered.
Someone – A SQUIRREL?! COME ON, GET OUT OF HERE!
Behind me, Naiadler and the other person were definitely arguing. I didn't care. I moved closer to the squirrel and started speaking in an irritable tone.
– Where are my apples?!
Suddenly, both of them went silent and started watching me.
– Bring me my apples!
They clearly thought I had gone insane. Naiadler came to me trembling and touched my shoulder. His voice was shaking:
Naiadler – Apollon. Come on, it's time to lie down. You should sleep.
I suddenly became furious.
– What do you mean, lie down?! Odasaku agreed that he would cut apples with his finger! I'm not sleeping before I eat my apples.
Out of fear, Naiadler quickly retreated to the other corner of the room and grabbed one of his daggers.
Naiadler – I'M AFRAID OF CRAZY PEOPLE, OKAY?!
The other person in the room hit his head with his hand. Clearly, the squirrel behind me was changing form. The squirrel behind me handed me a sliced apple, and I began gnawing on it.
– See? I told you.
Naiadler was pressed against the wall, trembling, and muttering the religious phrases he knew.
Odasaku – Do you have a fever?
I calmly turned around and pulled the hair off my forehead. Odasaku was checking whether I had a fever with his hand.
Odasaku – OOOO! We should be thankful that you're alive, LADY LI!
There was clearly a shameless grin on my face. After that, the voices I heard as I was close to fully waking up followed.
Odasaku – What was the thing that attacked the three of you in the forest?
Naiadler – (swallows) He… my older brother…
End of Chapter