The forest, unlike the cave, was a proper ecosystem. They could even hunt for food here, and the day-night cycle followed the world outside perfectly. However, they didn’t have any camping gear, and Liam really didn’t want to sleep out in the open; that just sounded like inviting trouble when they didn’t need to.
“We should start heading back; the sun is nearing the western horizon. I want to be in the actual forest before this place gets messy.”
Melissa nodded; it didn’t look like she really wanted to leave, but she didn’t argue against the idea.
“That is a good idea, though we could have stayed the night if we just got some gear. Perhaps we should invest in a tent and safety tools. I can also cast a boundary spell to make sure nothing can actually get to us while we sleep.”
Liam looked at Melissa, slack-jawed. He had some doubts about her claim, but then again she’d not led him astray yet. He didn’t really have a reason to think she was lying beyond his own understanding of healers. That wasn’t really much of a standing to actually argue against a real healer.
Boundary spell? That’s usually something only C-rank or above healers can use. She’s so talented.
“That’d be very useful; we could just stay, hunt, and train for longer. We’d be making so much more.”
Then he realised.
She said a tent; just one. She wants to share? I mean, we slept in the same bed, so I suppose it’s not that big of a deal.
Yet his heart did start beating slightly faster at the thought. His agreeing nods weren’t just out of a desire for better efficiency anymore.
They made their way back to the surface, facing no real resistance. Only a few goblins had crossed their paths, only for Liam to dispatch them rather easily. They didn’t exactly mind; a few more cores to sell wasn’t exactly an unwelcome thing for either of them.
The duo made their way through the forest as the sky started to darken further, evening giving way to night. Soon enough, they were inside the city walls and heading to the guild. As they drew closer, Liam felt a prickle of hesitation; they’d accused him of murder just hours ago, after all. He wasn’t sure if they’d try again or maybe try to accuse Melissa as well, even though that’d make no sense at all. He opened the door regardless and stepped inside.
The guild was back to stinking of alcohol and sweat. The adventurers didn’t seem to care; perhaps the back office had solved the mystery or put an order of silence into place on everyone who’d seen the event. Liam was relieved about not being singled out the moment they’d entered; to him, that was enough for now. He didn’t really have to know why.
Their boots clicked against the sticky wooden floors as they approached the new receptionist. Liam didn’t say a word and just dumped the cores he’d been carrying in his backpack. The young man behind the counter raised an eyebrow at the lack of introductions, then proceeded to appraise the cores.
The more he looked, the more his eyes widened. He let out a low whistle.
“I haven’t seen an E-rank bring in this many cores before. Especially hollowling cores. Usually people who are recently promoted and in small parties tend to stick to the first floors despite beating the boss. Too afraid to take risks.”
Melissa rolled her eyes at that statement, something Liam barely caught out of the corner of his eye. A rare show of proper annoyance on her otherwise sweet and content face.
Maybe that’s what made her leave her old party? I wonder if they refused to progress further after getting to the floor boss? Well, I won’t be repeating that mistake. I won’t be a coward.
“Well, here’s your payment.”
The receptionist put down the coin pouch, a significantly heavier one than Liam had ever received, if the sound it made as it hit the wooden countertop was any indication. Liam scooped the pouch, confirming that the weight was indeed higher. He smiled. Find the original chapter at novelping . com.
He didn’t say anything else to the younger man, just offered him a nod before turning back towards the exit. Melissa followed along. The fresh night air replaced the stale stench of the inside. Liam turned to her with a smile.
“So about that dinner… I think I can pay for it now. What do you say?”
She raised an eyebrow before chuckling lightly.
“Well, it would be entirely unbecoming of me to refuse you your chance at keeping your promise, I suppose. Very well, lead the way.”
The agreement and the chuckle combined were music to his ears. His steps were quicker than before as he excitedly led her towards an upscale tavern for food and drinks, of course; their success needed alcohol to celebrate, obviously.
“Rare steak and wine for the lady, and ribs with ale for you, sir?”
The man taking the orders asked to confirm their orders. Liam didn’t particularly like the way he was looking at them, particularly at him. It was as if he was questioning whether he belonged in the establishment, whether he was good enough to accompany her. He could feel anger slowly building up.
“That is correct, mister.”
Melissa’s voice snapped him out of his own head. He still stared daggers at the man’s retreating form.
“What is wrong, Liam? You seem upset.”
His eyes locked on her face, the worried look on it making him feel a pang of guilt for making her feel that way.
“It’s nothing.”
“Come on, you can talk to me.”
Her hand reached out and grabbed his over the table. The cool skin and the contrasting warmth that it caused him internally slowly broke down his walls. He sighed.
“I just don’t like the way he is looking down at me.”
The admission slipped out before he could stop it.
Why do I always answer her? Why can’t I ever lie to her?
There was no real point in thinking about that now, so he quickly threw the doubts away. She smiled at him warmly, further making the doubts seem like utter paranoia.
“Liam, you are a paying customer. It does not matter what he may or may not think. You absolutely belong here.” This chapter is updated first at g.com.
Her eyes looked him up and down, scanning the outfit before settling on his eyes again. Her smile slowly turned teasing.
“Though perhaps coming here in an attire covered in dirt and grime was indeed not your finest decision.”
He glanced down at his attire, then to hers. He wanted to make a retort and say she’d done the same, but her attire was spotless. He opened and closed his mouth before laughing at the situation. She had a point; he wasn’t exactly at his most presentable right now.
“Yeah, probably wasn’t my best idea.”
Just like that, the feeling of insecurity was banished from his mind entirely. He looked down at their joined hands and smiled.
“Thank you for saving me back then, and everything after.”
His voice was almost a whisper, soft and genuine. His face was tilted down, eyes locked on the table now instead of their hands.
She leaned forward, drawing closer. Her other hand found his chin and tilted his face to force him into eye contact with her.
“You have nothing to thank me for, Liam. I merely did what a healer should do when they find someone in need. As for everything later, I have been enjoying our little partying quite a bit too.”
The words, her eyes, and the lingering soft touch on his chin combined were an attack more devastating than any he’d ever faced before. He could feel the warmth flooding his face; the night air wasn’t enough to cool him down, nor dark enough to hide the crimson fully. This time he didn’t care if she saw or not. The server's coughing snapped him out of his trance and made Melissa draw back.
I hate your timing…
He was back to staring daggers at the man for a few moments before he turned his attention to the plate of food he’d set in front of him. He grabbed the bone with his hands and dug in. His eyes landed on her as he ate. In contrast to his eager feasting, she was cutting the bloody steak with an elegance that almost seemed unnatural. Even when eating, the difference was clear; he was getting messy, and she was keeping up the flawlessness that seemed to come to her effortlessly.
He watched as she took a bite from the fork, a red drop slowly trailing down her lips. He secretly wanted to see it keep going and drop onto those spotless white robes. He wanted to see her get messy, even if it was a tiny amount. He blinked, and the blood was gone as if it were never there.
Did I imagine that?
He looked back up at her eyes, finding the crimson pair staring back at him.
“Is something the matter, Liam?”
Liam blinked a couple of times and shook his head.
“Not at all, just admiring the view.”
The comment was braver than anything he’d muttered so far, barring asking her to form a party. However, that was the only thing that made sense to him; after all, he couldn’t remember why else he’d be staring.