A Strange Man (3)
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Completely oblivious to the lions' thoughts, Icarus still smiling continues to speak full of confidence about the quality of his product... or better of his gift
"As you can see, despite the external appearance of the body, the meat remains in excellent condition. Dude, if I weren't as cool as I am. I would eat it myself instead of giving it to you guys! Feel grateful! Man, doesn't matter what way I think, it becomes increasingly clear to me that I am a perfect being! After all, I am incredibly handsome, intelligent, charitable and above all I am extremely humble! Yeah, I so humble that I must be the King or rather the God of the humbles!..."
Icarus quickly gets lost in his monologue
While ignoring Icarus' narcissistic comments, the two adult lions look at each other, trying to decide what to do
⟨ Grimes, what do you think? It's the third time this guy has appeared, and from what I'm seeing I don't think it will be the last ⟩
⟨ You are right, Harker. I don't think he will stop looking for us. Anyway, none of us knows what his intentions are and why he approached us. However, we had better be careful. And if necessary we will have to eliminate it! ⟩
⟨ Well, I understand what you mean, but... I'm not sure if it's that easy to eliminate it ⟩
⟨ Sigh! Grimes, have you ever forgotten that strange Skill he used the first time we met? I get a chill just thinking about it. That was scary, it felt like a mountain was on my shoulders and I couldn't think clearly! ⟩
Hearing the mention of Skill, Grimes quickly remembers the time he was under the influence of
Seeing that Grimes finally remembered, Harker continues
⟨ If he uses that, I'm not sure we're capable of killing him! Furthermore, even if he is of a low level, if he hits the right spot we still die! So it is extremely dangerous to be under the influence of this Skill! Even more now, that we are disguised as Sneaking Lion's where the amount of strength we can use is limited! With all that said, do you still want to try to eliminate him? ⟩
Grimes is silent for a while, not knowing how to answer Harker's question
However, he quickly recovers and while grinding his teeth, he responds
⟨ Yes, I still want to! After all, he may be a spy sent by Grutsk to find us! Therefore, I think we better keep an eye on him and if he does anything strange... we kill him! I don't want to repeat the same mistakes from the past! ⟩
Hearing this response, Harker laughs a little and says
⟨ Hahaha... 'If he does anything strange' do you say? So, Grimes tell me something... can he be any more stranger than that? ⟩
Asking this question Harker uses his eyes to point at Icarus who is still happily talking about how perfect he is
Seeing this, Grimes is momentarily speechless and begins to wonder if this is really right
However, he quickly recovers and keeps talking
⟨ Ahem... Well, you have a point. However, I don't want any of us to get hurt by one of my mistakes... again. So, if I see that he has some bad intention for us, I will not hesitate to kill him ⟩
⟨ Dude, you shouldn't blame yourself so much. None of us blames you for what happened at that time with Grutsk! Besides tha— ⟩
Before Harker manages to continue, Grimes quickly interrupt him
⟨ It doesn't matter, I can't let it... or rather I won't let it happen again! ⟩
Seeing the resolute look in Grimes' eyes, Harker realizes that it is useless to try to talk to him about it and sighs
⟨ Sigh! Leaving the Grutsk issue aside. I agree that objectively, killing him would be the best option. However, I don't think he is a spy sent by Grutsk! ⟩
⟨ Oh... and why do you think that? ⟩
⟨ I will answer your question with another question. Tell me something Grimes, what do you feel when you look at this guy? ⟩
⟨ What I feel? Hmm... I feel like he's a very strange man! After all, what kind of person dresses like that? ⟩
⟨ Something more? ⟩
⟨ Hmm... not only that! ⟩
Hearing this, Harker looks at Grimes with a smile and says
⟨ There's the answer to your question, whether or not he's someone sent by Grutsk! ⟩
Grimes is confused by this, and is silent with empty eyes as he struggles to understand what Harker means by that.
Seeing this, the smile on Harker's face slowly disappears and he sighs
⟨ Sigh! Sometimes I wonder if we are really brothers. How the hell can you be so stupid? ⟩
⟨ Argh! Shut the fuck up! ⟩
⟨ Anyway! What I mean is that we don't feel the darkness in him! That is... ⟩
⟨ Oh, that means he is not a sinner! So he must not work for Grutsk! ⟩
⟨ Yes, you finally understand! ⟩
⟨ It's not my fault if you keep talking enigmatically to appear more mysterious! ⟩
Hearing Grimes's comment, Harker looks at him with a face full of contempt and says
⟨ Enigmatically? Where the hell was I being enigmatic? It's not my fault if you're an idiot, and everything that requires a little bit of thinking looks like an enigma to you! ⟩
⟨ What? Do you want to fight your sucker? ⟩
⟨ It's fine by me! Bring on, you idiot brainless! ⟩
Seeing that the two are almost jumping on each other's necks, the cub that was beside them in silence sighs and decides to interfere
⟨ Sigh! Could you two stop acting like children? Even he is looking at you guys strangely! ⟩
Grimes and Harker quickly turn their attention to Icarus
In doing so, they realize that he has stopped talking and is crouched with his arms on his knee.
As he rests his face in one hand, he looks at them with a slight smile as if he's seeing an interesting show
Seeing that everyone is looking at him, Icarus decides to ask something that has been bothering him for a few minutes
"Hey guys, tell me something..."
Although much of Icarus face is covered behind his bangs, Grimes and his brothers are still able to perceive the expression of distrust and doubt present on his face
Seeing this, Grimes and Harker's heart skips a beat, and the two begin to sweat nervously
⟨ Oh no, don't tell me that he noticed? ⟩
⟨ But how? It doesn't make sense that he realized! Unless... he got to hear our conversation! ⟩
When thinking about this possibility, the two looks at Icarus as if they are seeing a demon who knows all his most sordid thoughts
After a brief pause, Icarus continues and says something completely beyond their expectations
"... Are you two competing to see who blinks first?"
Hearing this answer, the two almost vomit blood
⟨ Fuck! In the end, we were worrying so much for nothing! ⟩
⟨ Phew! For a moment, I thought he had invaded our telepathic channel! ⟩
⟨ Yes, me too! It looks like in the end we were just overthinking! ⟩
The three lions feel strange and then look at Icarus as if he were an idiot
Noticing their disapproving look, Icarus misunderstands its meaning and says
"Okay, okay my bad! Sorry to disturb your competition!"
After apologizing, Icarus slowly gets up while saying in a low voice
"Tsk... I understand if you guys want to compete without being interrupted. However, at least wait till I leave! Jesus Christ... this is called common sense!"
Hearing the whispers of Icarus, once again the two almost vomit blood
⟨ Who the hell is competing? The real competition is being able to understand what's going on in your head! Besides, you are the last person we want to hear talking about common sense! ⟩
...