Chapter 12: Hero?
After their leader fell, the remaining bandits seemed to realize they were in a tough spot. There seemed to be very little loyalty within their ranks as some of them started to run away. After seeing their fellows run the rest quickly started to flee for their lives.
The villagers cheered in triumph. Some fell to the ground and started crying. I guess I should take my leave, I definitely can't take credit for that. Given the villagers reaction to the zombie, I did not want to reveal it was me controlling it.
I turned around and quickly started walking to leave the village. As I made my way I saw a pair of eyes looking at me from behind a building. It was the girl from before, she waved for me to come over. I looked around to see if anyone noticed me yet. Seeing that it was clear I rounded the corner and found her mother there as well.
"Thank you... for saving us... for saving all of us. I don't know how or why you did... 'that', but actions speak for themselves. Thank you. It looks like the Chief has survived, I will talk to her as promised. Oh I'm sorry I just realized I haven't even given my name, I am Yema. This is my daughter Reen."
She started talking before I could even say anything. Well I am glad that she did not go back on her word and this gratitude... I could get used to this feeling. No wait, that isn't priority right now, I had to explain to her the situation, since I did not want to be associated with the zombie.
Was there a dialogue option for a situation like this before? Yes! I remember one.
"I-I uhhh th-thank you, but I do n-not need a reward."
She looked at my face and seemed like she was going to argue, but I cut her off before she could start.
"A-also I don't th-think people will...like...how I did i-it."
Making up my own words is even harder it seems. My voice trailed off to the point of almost being in audible. She stared at me in silence again, I started feeling a bit itchy. I was about to try and say something to break the silence, but she beat me to it.
"I understand, we will not say a word about anything we have witnessed. Right Reen?"
The little girl next to her had stared at me the whole time, I had tried to ignore it, but it was a bit unnerving. I don't like attention.
"Mm. What did we witness mama?"
Her mother gave her an approving smile. Ah that was cute, she is like a tiny angel. That made my soul feel warm. I want to make this clear, I am not a pedobear, I just acknowledge she is a cute child.
"Well please take this at least, it isn't much, but I hope you will accept it."
Yema held out a small pouch to me, it jingled when she pulled it out. I guess it is probably money. Well I had nothing right now, so I couldn't afford to say no. Select dialogue option one!
"I-I gratefully accept."
She placed the pouch into my outreached hand. I shoved it in my pocket and was about to leave when I felt a tug on my clothes. I looked down to see Reen holding onto me. I was about to ask what she wanted, but then she threw herself into me, hugging me. Her head only came up to my waist, but warmth seemed to go through my whole body.
I could feel her shaking as she hugged me. It seems she is still quite scared, but had been putting up a front. I didn't know where to place my hands, so I hesitatingly put them on her head and back. I felt her shaking subside a bit.
Hmmm I was hoping she would recoil with disgust like everyone else did, so I could leave this odd situation. However, it didn't seem to bother her for some reason, very strange. Yema then got closer to me as well and whispered into my ear.
"Truly. Thank you for saving my daughter and me. Thank you... for releasing my brother."
Her breath tickled causing me to feel extremely uncomfortable. I was going to pull away when I heard the last words. That first zombie I made... was her brother? Before I could say anything else I felt a bit of warmth of my cheek.
She had already pulled away by the time I had recovered from the shock, pulling Reen with her. She smiled and bowed again with her hand over her chest.
"Please have a safe journey. Thank you again... our hero."
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone