Ethan lay on the ground, his body aching from the relentless beating. The leader of the hunters grinned down at him, his eyes glinting with satisfaction. Ethan's mind raced, trying to find a way out of this dire situation.
"Enjoying your last moments, kid?" the leader sneered, twirling the sword in his hand. His men gathered around, forming a circle of malevolent intent.
"Boss, let's finish him off quick. We don't want any trouble," one of the underlings urged, glancing nervously around the place.
The leader chuckled. "Oh, we'll finish him, but not before I have a little fun. This brat needs to learn his place."
Pain coursed through Ethan's body, but he couldn't afford to give up. Summoning every ounce of strength, he struggled to his feet, his vision blurry but determined. He needed a plan, and he needed it fast.
"Hey, look at that. The kid's still got some fight left in him," another underling jeered, clearly enjoying his struggle.
The leader stepped closer, his face inches from Ethan's. "You still think you can take us all on, boy? You're out of your league."
Desperation fueled Ethan's resolve. He had to distract them, create an opening. His mind raced, and then it hit him—his last resort.
"Boss, why waste time on him? We got what we came for," a third hunter said urgently. The underling felt their boss was just wasting his time here. He glanced around nervously, to see if any guards nearby.
Ignoring his men, the leader focused on Ethan, his grin widening. "What's the matter, brat? No strength left?"
Ethan met his gaze, his voice steady despite the pain. "You're right. I'm out of my league. But you know what? You're making a big mistake."
The leader of the thugs laughed, a harsh, grating sound. "And what's that?"
"You underestimate me..."
"What's going on here?"
Just as Ethan was about to use his last resort, a familiar voice amidst the chaos halted his desperate act completely.
Aria hurriedly stepped forward, her long silvery hair waving amidst the morning dew. But her pretty face filled with rare anxiousness.
The voice brought Ethan hope, as if it was saying all hope wasn't lost yet.
"Why are you hitting him?" Her expression darkened upon seeing his bloody, battered, and bruised figure.
She hurriedly pulled Ethan from the ground, ensuring his safety first by feeding him a few healing potions as soon as possible.
Ethan gulped it down with gratitude within her soft embrace.
"Boss!"
The hunters began to eye each other with nervousness. They recognized Aria, the popular C-Rank hunter. Although known for her kindness and friendly behavior, she was a true killing machine inside.
If they accidentally angered her too much, they wouldn't know how they would die themselves. They were at most level 20 or so, while Aria was level 40 or above. On top of that, she had assassination class skills with her. Truly a deadly combination.
Aria took out her shiny dagger, a highly ranked weapon, probably C-Rank or above, and stared at the delinquent hunters with hostility.
"Explain everything truthfully, otherwise no mercy will be shown upon you," she threatened, her voice cold and unwavering.
The hunters froze, their bravado evaporating in the face of her deadly seriousness. One of them, stammering, began to speak. "W-We were just... teaching him a lesson. He... he attacked us first!"
Aria's eyes narrowed, the dagger glinting menacingly in her hand. "And what provoked that attack? Tell me the truth, otherwise no one will be spared."
The leader of the group, swallowing hard, took a step forward. "He... he got mad because we..we asked for his locket 'politely'. It was just a for fun, but he killed one of our comrades, see. He is really vicious." He said nervously and pointed to the dead body lying around, giving an appropriate made up excuse.
Without caring who it was, Aria's grip tightened on the dagger. "Nonsense! Do you think I am blind?" She shouted, her pretty face flushed red in anger.
The hunters exchanged nervous glances, realizing they were in deeper trouble than they had thought. "Please, we didn't mean any harm," another hunter pleaded. "We were just trying to rob him. But, he killed our comrade first. He could be put to the jail for this. Please let us go, and we won't speak a word outside."
Their leader also nodded like chicken pecking at rice, while inwardly thanking his underlings for such a quick thinking."
Aria finally understood the whole situation, but her anger still didn't subsided. No one leaves unscathed after harming her friends.
"Alright, you can only leave here alive after separating one arm each from your body. Not that cruel of a punishment, you know," she replied coldly. "And lastly, never tell about this murder to anyone else."
The delinquent hunters trembled, their bravado shattered after hearing the cruel punishment. "No, please don't!" they pleaded, desperation etching their faces.
"Swish! Swish!"
Silvery shadows blurred past, and their left arms fell to the ground alongside their leader's one after another. Blood pooled, staining the earth crimson. Their screams echoed throughout the vicinity.
"Ah! My hand!" The delinquents screamed, clutching their bloody shoulders.
Aria's voice sliced through their misery. "Silence! Get out of here before I kill you all." Her annoyance was palpable, her eyes flashing with impatience.
Hesitant but sensing the sincerity in her threat, the hunters stumbled away, cradling their maimed hands. They dared not look back.
The leader seethed with rage. At the end of the day, he had lost his arm instead of gaining the coveted sword. His unwillingness burned in his eyes as he glared at them before disappearing into the dense fog, holding onto his severed shoulder.
Aria sheathed her dagger, her expression softening. "Are you alright, Ethan?" Her transformation from merciless killer to concerned friend was astonishing.
Ethan nodded, gradually opening his eyes. The effect of the healing potions became apparent.
"T-Thank you, Aria. I don't know what would have happened if you hadn't shown up." he said, his voiced strained because of lingering pain.
She smiled gently, helping him to his feet. "Let's get you somewhere safe. You need to rest and recover."
Ethan nodded and tried to reach out to the dead hunter's body to test something important. But he was in too much pain to move, so he asked Aria to lead him there.
Aria remained silent, misunderstanding his actions as remorse for killing a human for the first time.
Though he did feel a twinge of guilt, he knew the hunter deserved it. Ethan had killed so many monsters that this felt no different.
Aria helped him to the dead hunter's body, her expression a mix of concern and curiosity. "Don't feel so bad, Ethan. It happens sometimes," she said gently.
"I know," he replied, focusing on the task at hand. Ethan placed his hand on the dead hunter's body and activated [Skill Absorption], hoping to see if he could gain anything useful. He had a minuscule amount of Mana, which was enough to cast skill absorption. He could never miss the opportunity to be powerful after this traumatic experience in his life.
[ Ding ]
[ Your Skill Absorption was successful.]
[ Congratulations! You have acquired a new active skill: Muscles Enhancement(E) ]
[ Muscles Enhancement (E): Increases user's overall physical toughness and power by 2 times upon activation.]
Ethan felt a rush of information flooding his mind, the new skill integrating itself seamlessly into his soul. It was a useful ability, enhancing his physical capability and giving him an edge in combat.
Aria watched with a mix of awe and confusion. "What are you doing, Ethan?"
"Nothing! Could you please help me reach my place?"
"Ethan, drink this. It's a C-tier healing potion. It'll help your wounds heal faster," Aria said, her voice gentle yet urgent.
She handed him a small vial, its liquid shimmering with a faint blue glow. The cost of such potions was exorbitant, and Ethan couldn't help but feel grateful for Aria's generosity.
They were gathered in Ethan's cramped quarters—the place he called home within the bustling inn. Aunt Greta stood nearby, her expression a mix of concern and indignation. Her daughter, Emily, hovered at her side, wide-eyed and curious.
"How cruel!" Innkeeper Greta exclaimed, her voice filled with sympathy. "I can't believe they beat you up like this. It's abominable!" Her gaze shifted from Ethan to Aria, as if seeking answers or perhaps reassurance.
Emily looked at Ethan's bloody wounds, hiding at the corner of her mother's clothes. "Big brother, get well soon," she said softly.
Ethan smiled at her, despite the agony. Thanks to Aria, his wounds were healing fast. It was possible that these wounds might be healed by the end of the day.
"Aria, will Ethan be alright?" Aunt Greta's worry spilled over.
"Yes, he will be alright. There's no need to worry," Aria assured with a smile.
"I am worried about something else," Aria said, her expression shifting to deep contemplation. "Ethan has killed a hunter, and this could create some problem. Even though it was out of self defense, the punishment won't be acceptable at all."
"Although I threatened them not to reveal about the killing outside, who knows what happens mext. What if they don't keep their promise? Then what? We might need to go for another long trial. "
"Aunt, you know how strict the rules are about killing a human. On top of that, in our case, it was a hunter. The city lord doesn't take these kinds of cases kindly. He is very strict in this regard," Aria added furrowing her brows.
As Ethan frowned, contemplating the worst-case scenario, Aunt Greta and Emily's expressions shifted to concern. Within this time, they had grown close, considering themselves not just friends but almost like family.
Their worried faces weighed on him, and guilt settled in. "I'm truly sorry, Aria, Aunt Greta, and Emily," he confessed, his voice laced with newfound emotion. "I hate that you're all concerned about a nobody like me."
Aria's smile was reassuring. "Ethan, no need to apologize. We haven't been able to help you yet."
"Yes, Ethan. Don't think you're just a stranger to us. We are with you," Aunt Greta added kindly, revealing her motherly nature.
"Yes, just like Aunt said, don't dwell on it too much. I will find a way to get help from my clan," Aria replied with a smile.
Ethan's emotions swirled as he shook his head, rejecting Aria's offer. "No, Aria, you don't need to involve your family any further. You've already done so much."
The weight of her favors and kindness already felt heavy on his shoulders. He couldn't accept more of this, otherwise, he would be too reliant on Aria. That's why he said that. However, Aria mistook it for something else entirely.
Aria's expression shifted to anger. "Why, Ethan? Don't you consider me a friend?"
The sudden transformation of her expression caught Ethan off guard.
"No, it's not like that. It's just..." he tried to explain, but her words cut him off.
"Fine," she huffed, her frustration evident. "You don't need my help? I won't talk to you again. Goodbye!" With that, she stormed out of the room.
Exasperated, Ethan called out, "Wait, Aria! I didn't mean it like that." But his words fell on deaf ears as she left, leaving him with regret.
He slumped on the bed helplessly.
Aunt Greta and Emily observed the quarrel with amusement. "Girls are like this, Ethan," Aunt Greta said, her tone amused. "Sometimes you have to give in to them a little."
Emily remained silent, recognizing that the topic belonged to the adult world. Still, her curiosity lingered.
---
Aria walked through the night streets, her figure blending with the darkness. She couldn't help but pout angrily. "Humph! 'Don't get your family involved in this!' What high and mighty words!"
"If I hadn't been there in the forest to help him, where would he have been now?" Anger surged within her, questioning whether their friendship was merely a facade. Unfamiliar emotions churned inside her, leaving her frustrated.
"Was I too harsh?" Aria regretted her words a little after a while. "Sigh! Whatever! I'll go ask my father for help. I can't leave him alone in danger, can I? Although I don't know if he sees me as a friend or a benefactor, I consider him a friend regardless. And a true friend always helps each other," she murmured, recalling her mother's words. Her kind personality was the reflection of her mother's teachings, while her merciless personality result of her clan's teachings.
As she hurried home, Aria couldn't shake the thought: If she had killed those delinquent hunters earlier, this mess wouldn't have happened. She could have buried them underground, and nobody would have noticed. Problem solved!
Yet, something held her back from revealing her cruel side to Ethan.
Aria found herself overwhelmed by emotions she didn't quite understand. "What are these feelings?" she whispered, confusion clouding her thoughts. It was strange—ever since she first laid eyes on Ethan, there was an undeniable pull, as if she had known him for far longer than she actually had. Each time she saw him, a surge of emotion bubbled to the surface, a mixture of warmth and familiarity.
She wondered what could possibly link them. Why did she feel this way about someone she had barely met? The intensity of her emotions towards him seemed almost natural, as if it had always been there, waiting to awaken.
Perhaps, in time, the true nature of their connection would reveal itself.
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