章節 46: Disconsolate
"Say what now?" Ben exclaimed. "What do you mean she's not hu..." Ben paused as Zoe put her hair behind her ear. Her elongated pointy ears.
Ben widened his eyes at the sight of the pointed ears. Ben wasn't shocked because she wasn't human, but because she was a myth in his former life. Ben has read a lot of records from this world, and they mention a lot of mythical beings. He had never seen one before, but he was looking at one right in front of him
"You're an elf." it sounded more like a question than a statement. "I thought elves don't mingle with humans?" just so they don't find his act disturbing he added. There were many mythical beings still alive in this world and elves are one of them.
"You didn't expect that did you?" Zoe chuckled at him.
"No, no I didn't." Ben answered scratching the back of his head.
When it started getting dark, Cush gathered everyone except Evelyn, as she hasn't come out of her meditation session to make a few preparations.
"In three days time, we will come back here to begin our journey. Within these three days you are to prepare yourselves very well for we're about to embark on a very dangerous mission with many uncertainties." with a few more words advises and more they all bade farewell and returned to their places.
Ben didn't take a carriage this time, instead he hired a horse to speed his way through the forest. Lucy was able to determine his directions so he didn't have to worry about getting lost in the woods.
Swish
An arrow pierced through the sky towards Ben's horse. Ben couldn't hear the off note because of the breeze as he rode on the horse, yet his Mindpower was able to detect it, however he wasn't able to reach on time. Ben stirred his so the arrow doesn't kill the house but pierce through the horse's front left leg.
Immediately leaping off the horse, Ben made a back flip and landed in the ground as the horse crashed, neighing in pain. Ben went forth to calm it down and hastily treat it's wound.
Swish Swish Swish
A barrage of arrows came raining down on Ben as he kept dodging them nimbly.
"Lucy, scan the area." Ben ordered.
The arrows surely weren't coming from a close place, leaving Ben unable to reach with his Mindpower to 'see'. Continuous streaks of light flew as its position kept changing to the left and right, if it were any other person they would be lost of all directions of theirs.
"I wonder why you are so adamant to kill me!" Ben shouted at the archers direction, "I haven't even done anything to a pretty lady like you!" and there it was, a falter. For a moment the arrows stopped coming at him, "I know you were sent, but I believe we can discuss this!"
And that must have tripped a wire, more arrows came pouring down again. With the bombardment of arrows, Ben kept retreating and dodging the arrows.
After thirty consecutive shots the assassin didn't have any intentions of stopping, since she was determined to kill Ben, he had no choice but to retaliate. Taking out his broadsword he charged at her direction. Noticing the change, another falter came again.
Ben released countless swordbeams at the archer direction as he ran towards her, closing the distance between them.
"I need to leave this place." the assassin made a quick discussion to make a run for it.
The assassin knew fully well that they weren't at the same level at all. The archer picked up her quiver and bag, she began running the opposite direction.
It was late in the night already no one would be able to see the two figures running in the forest. Occasional light blue flickers would appear before clashing with sharp metal being reflected by the moon.
Ironically being chased by her target, she had to think fast. She knew the prowess of her target and didn't want to be in a direct confrontation with him. Using her exceptional skill she fired arrows behind her, she could hear Ben deflecting the arrows as she kept running.
Ben shot swordbeams ceaselessly, seeing it wasn't effective since the beams dissipate once the distance is dragged, he switched to icicles and shot at the her. Expectedly she managed to dodge the deadly strike as it brushed just between her neck and shoulder.
In less than five kilometres signs of civilizations can be found ahead. The assassins eyes shone at the sight, however, that relief was replaced by a spine tingling chill. Instinctively moving to the left an ice spike brushed passed her shoulder and neck leaving a cut. Luckily she survived, at the same time she didn't go unscathed.
This strike obviously injured her as she groaned in pain. Without being able to shoot arrows more accurately she strapped her bow at her back and bolted for the streets ahead of her.
Ben wouldn't give the assassin the chance to escape, at the same time he knew it would also be hard to stop her. So with that he kept shooting ice spikes at her direction. Now the assassin became even more vigilant and evaded his attacks with more efforts.
Sending every ounce of energy to her Lower body, she dashed into the busy streets. At first there was a commotion because of her intrusion, after a few seconds the sea of people swallowed her whole.
Ben couldn't give chase in the street full with people, especially with his destructive spells being cast out in the open. With her successful escape, Ben was forced to stop. He wouldn't want any more trouble than what he already has.
Making his way back to pick his horse, he saw a little reflection of light from the way they had ran; This reflection of light also wasn't from an arrow head.
Crouching down to pick up the piece of metal, he was shocked by what he saw. His heart pounded heavily, his head thumped violently. He couldn't make head or tail of what was going on. Disbelief was all over his face.
***
Ben laid on his bed listlessly, lifelessly and every other 'lessly word in the vocabulary. He stayed there without going out or doing anything. He wasn't even hungry or sleepy, maybe it was for the lack of both or maybe his Mindpower helped in the situation, who knows?
Ben was currently in deep thoughts as he held onto a silver necklace with half a heart medallion tied to at its end. Yes, this is the same necklace he had Picked out of Matilda during their... date? It wasn't a date, Ben told himself.
On his way back to pick his horse, he saw a flicker of light that was reflected by the moon laying on the ground coated with blood, it was the same place his ice spike was able to hit the assassin... Matilda, *sigh*. Ben gave out a chaotic breath at the thought.
Ben could be said to be heart broken at the moment. He felt pain knowing the person who had tried to kill him was Matilda all along. Why? you may ask. It's because Ben has started to have deep feeling for Matilda, he also knew she had feelings for him too.
After an unknown amount of time has passed, he finally feel asleep.
***
Ben never really needed any sort of preparations for the mission except for always being prepared and cautious. On the second day of not even leaving his room, Ben was completely bored so he decided to head out, maybe for a stroll. After moving around the city for a while he arrived at the blacksmith shop and immediately went in.
Maybe he did it to tell Matilda she had an open shot or not, but he was moving aimlessly.
"Where the hell have you been dude? Our stock is almost running low, C'mon let's get moving. Mr Grant's been stingy when making more craft." just as Ben stood before the blacksmith shop he was immediately spotted by Willy, who dragged him to a furnace and handed him his apron then went to get another.
Having the familiar feeling, heat and banging of hammer around him made him comfortable. He lifted a red hot base with a pair of tong as he smashed it with his ten pound hammer.
He continued the process of heating up the metal, smashing it, letting it cool, then doing it again and again until he reached a twenty base-skill sword. He purposely stopped at twenty, well, because not everyone can buy a thirty or forty base-skill sword which is his limit.
Eight hours later he have been able to make six swords. Apart from Mr Grant no one else could achieve this feat.
"So, you are now a Hunter?"
"Yeah, I guess so."
"So when are you going to start with mission. Remember, you can always do this slowly, take your time"
"But I don't have enough time. The wizards will send for us in one and half months time."
"But! You can't have that much missions enough to get the money for the furnace. Within that short period of time, you know?"
"I got one that can get me that much."
"Ben, those missions have zero to no success rate, I don't want you to endanger your life for just a little furnace."
"You done have to worry Mr Grant, I am going to be careful on this mission."
"I hope you come back safely."
"I will."
Ben left the office and went down the ally in an absentminded way. Mr Grant wasn't happy but at the same time couldn't change Ben's mind too. After dark he made his way back to the inn.
"Hey Ben, how was your day?" the newly employed waitress in the inn greeted Ben when he made his way in the inn.
"Hey Molly, it's been good, thanks. Greet Mrs Gretta for me." Ben replied.
"You don't look so good, didn't go as expected now did it?"
"No, no Molly, things got a bit messed up, that's all."
"Well, you better rest up well okay." Molly says in a concerning tone.
"Yeah, I will." Ben smiled then turned to take the stairs.
"Oh Ben, Matilda asked if you?" Molly says as she remembers something.
Hearing Matilda's name Ben visibly trembled. Stopping on his tracks he asked, "Why was she looking for me?"
"Didn't say, she was waiting for you all along but left after a while. She looked really sad Ben, maybe she's been crying for some time." she answered.
"Okay, thanks." Ben said heading up.
When Ben reached in front of his door he turns to look at Matilda's room which is directly opposite his. He stood there trying to summon the courage to knock at her door, but it couldn't come. A while later Ben gave up and went into his room.
However, at the other side of Matilda's door stood Matilda. She only stood there and didn't move, she had known of Ben's arrival but did not come out to meet him, in fact, she couldn't find the face to look at him after all she had done to him. Her bed had clothes on it, a clear sign of packing. It looks like she's leaving.
Streams of tears fell down her cheeks, she slumped to the floor and silently sobbed. She couldn't think straight and only had one thought... no, one person on her mind. Viscously shaking her head she wiped her tears and also that image. She knew her job and with such thoughts in her head she might not do her job well. Thankfully she'll be stopping her stupid job once she leaves this place and her boss.
"I know what I have to do." she says to herself then gets up from the bed and finish what she has started. Finish packing.
Ben could have easily searched the room for any signs of Matilda with either his Mindpower or Lucy's radar, but didn't. He had told himself that if he wasn't in danger, he shouldn't use it to pry in other people's privacy. He too went into his room, slumped on the bed and slept.
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