Chapter 14: What a find

"Will he wake up soon?"

Poke.

"Why don't we just hit him? It'll be faster that way!"

"You can do it."

"Ah. I don't have that type of strength!!!"

"It won't take much, just put all your weight into your fist as you punch him. The face is the most delicate part of the body, it wouldn't take much to make it hurt."

"Yeah. Easy for you to say." Arlo rolled his eyes in complaint.

"Urgh. Whatever. I'll punch him." So with that, Arlo dragged himself to where the unconscious insane man is, lifted the man up with one hand, curled up his other hand, and threw a single punch packed with all the power he could muster from his body at his face.

Ccrackk! The painful sound of something breaking resounded in the narrow alleyway.

More than being frightened by the unbelievably loud sound resulting from his all-out punch, Arlo looked astonished. His eyes were wide in surprise with his mouth agape. His stare panned from the insane man to his own fist. Raising his other hand, he gently and cautiously pressed his fist down to the side.

Somethings, it's better to pretend some things never happened---that it isn't so. Arlo nodded to himself solemnly. He terrifies himself sometimes unexpectedly.

Sneaking a peek at Abner, Arlo didn't see any surprise on Abner's face. There actually was no reaction from him at all. Lifting an eyebrow, Arlo looked at Abner in askance.

Noticing Arlo's gaze on him, Abner had right away understood without being told what Arlo was confused and curious about.

In response, Abner only shrugged his shoulders and replied, "Isn't it only normal for the power of a punch carrying your entire body weight and power to be at least that strong. Besides, you didn't even break his head right off his neck, there's nothing to be so surprised about."

Thinking back on it, Arlo nodded in agreement, he truly did not have the strength to snap that man's neck off with a punch. Still...

He glanced at his fist and then looked away.

Whilst in the middle of their conversation, the insane man that was punched 'til his bone cracked awoke with a groan. His face that was hanging down after being hit was raised up slowly and drowsily. He felt a slight sting in his jaw when he attempted to move his mouth, which worsened when he tried to speak. But it was at a moderate level of pain to him so he endured it and looked up. Only to see Abner and Arlo, who had stopped talking the moment they noticed the insane man was awake, looking at him as well.

It was then that his memory was jolted. And he felt the imaginary pain of being knocked out that had already passed away. Clenching his teeth, the insane man, who's name has still been yet to be told, stubbornly refused to open his mouth.

He knew what they were after. He was far to clear on what they wanted from him---far to familiar. For he had done this as well many times in the past. He would even torture them and dismember them if they don't talk while he laughs at their screams of pain and despair.

People like them who have no qualms about ending a life would never have let him off when they didn't let his underlings off. Closing his eyes, the insane smartly tried to ignore them. The keyword being "try".

Abner had a thoughtful look as he observed the insane man. He could precisely guess what was on his mind, because like him, he too was familiar with their ways. He was the future "king" of the Underworld, you know. He too had dealt with shady things, though not in depth and definitely not crossing the line drawn in his heart. It was just that he did not like these kinds of method that involves torture, that's why he mostly lets his friends and subordinates who are a pro at it do it.

Though, that aside. He wasn't planning on torturing this man in front of him. Firstly, not just because he doesn't specialize in torturing skills, but it's because he has a way to make him talk even if the other man doesn't want to.

Abner walked to Arlo. "Give me the bag I gave you," he said as he reached out and took ahold of the bag's strap. Arlo relaxed his shoulder and easily allowed Abner to take back his bag. Inside of Abner's bag were some rations, medicinal herbs, and many other miscellaneous things.

All Abner took out was a pretty blue porcelain bottle with a slim neck and a wider bottom painted with white patterns. Once Arlo saw this bottle, he was struck by the realization that he had given this small thing to Abner some time ago when he was asked if he had something Abner could use to put liquid in.

At first he was confused on why Abner would need such a thing. And when he asked, all Abner gave him was a mysterious smile that made him unable to continue pestering him.

That bottle was actually one of his favorites too. That's why Arlo thought it would be a nice gift for Abner, his one and only friend. He remember that he had taken that bottle from a rich man who loved collecting all sorts of miscellaneous things that are beautiful in appearance.

But back on topic, Arlo is finally about to witness what is in that pretty blue bottle Abner is holding.

Abner coolly held the delicate bottle and unplugged it, all the while he was walking slowly and leisurely towards the insane man on the ground who desperately wants to back away at this moment. He had sensed with his trained senses that what is in that bottle will loosen his mouth.

Bending onto one knee, Abner forcefully lifted the insane man's chin up, squeezing his jaw painfully. Unexpectedly, despite the sharp stings, the insane man wouldn't budge, he was still persistently, foolishly, stubborn as a bull.

Contrary to what one would expect, Abner did not directly make him swallow whatever was in that bottle. Instead, Abner raised the bottle beneath the insane man's nose. The fragrance coming out of the bottle entered the insane man's nose, causing him to feel woozy and light headed. It felt close to a sedative.

Subconsciously, the dazed insane man, who's mind seemed to have taken a vacation to outer space had, without meaning to, relaxed his jaw and his teeth unclenched themselves. Totally unaware, and completely out of himself, he was drunk on the sweet scent wafting out of the bottle.

A cool and fresh feeling was felt in his throat as a cold liquid that burned his tongue slid into his stomach.

He gasped in shock. Snapping himself out of the spell he was put under, he hurriedly spat out what was in his mouth, but it was too late, he had already swallowed much of the liquid inside the bottle.

What he didn't consume was negligible. Just a pity that some of this efficient concoction was wasted.

Abner corked the bottle and stepped back away from the violently coughing man. Placing the half-full bottle back into his bag, Abner waited for the potion to take effect---which wouldn't take long. Curiously, Arlo stuck his head over Abner's shoulder, resting against it he said, "So what's in that bottle?"

Abner smiled, the same smile he answered back with as when Arlo had first asked, but this time it was different, Abner answered back with words as well.

"Truth serum."

"Ohh!" Arlo sucked in a breath of air in surprise. So that's what it is! He couldn't believe that such a thing actually existed, Arlo had thought that truth serums only existed in myths and stories.

"Are you part of the Care Program Service?" Amidst the coughs of the insane man, once Abner's voice entered into his ears, no matter how much he didn't want to open his mouth, he unrestrainedly spoke.

"Y-yes," his voice was stuttered and weak, his throat hurt from his previous coughing fit, but he was forced to speak against his will, almost as if he was put under a spell.

"Wow!" Arlo's eyes sparkled in interest and amazement when he saw the insane man honestly answer Abner's question. Glancing at the bag on Abner, it was like his eyes could see straight through the fabric and onto the bottle inside. He kind of wants to try it...

Putting Arlo's thoughts and mischievous ideas aside, Abner continued asking questions.

"What's your relationship to them?"

"I'm a second-level subordinate, one level below the high-leveled personas,"

"What is your organization's purpose?"

"To take children, whether orphans or from families, and sell them."

"Disgusting! I knew guys like that existed but I didn't think I would ever encounter one!" Arlo blurted out from the side after listening to their conversation. While Abner only paused for a brief moment before he continued attacking the unable to be anything but honest insane man.

"Who are your clients?"

"Merchants, rich families, City Lords, royalty...."

The insane man listed off many kinds of people who had bought children from them. Some from noble backgrounds, some from common backgrounds, and some from shady backgrounds. With all these kinds of connections made through the selling of children after training them, they were bound to be a powerful organization. Yet for an unknown reason, they were not famous and widely known at all, only small and tiny villages and towns know a little about them, but curiously, word did not travel out.

It was obvious from how neither Abner nor Arlo---a great thief who had traveled to all kingdoms---had ever heard of them, that they must have done this on purpose, not allowing their group to become famous. Now the question is, are they a branch of the Mono organization? Or was Abner mistaken?

In truth, what Abner and Arlo did not know was that if they had, instead of this higher ranking insane man, caught a lower-level one, they wouldn't have gotten much useful information from them. Lower ranking members tend to never know much about what is going on within their group, they only follow orders, like dolls. So fortunately for them, they got themselves a golden-info-goose.

It was only after many more questions that Abner finally stopped and went over every information and intel he had gathered through the intense, non-stop questioning. Finally, Abner looked the exhausted and dehydrated insane man straight in the eye and asked his final question.

"What are you doing here?"

"I was ordered to take a few children from here and bring them there,"

"Where's there?"

The man was a bit out of it when he said, "There is--" But he couldn't continue the rest of his sentence as he suddenly, completely out of control, started to cough and choke until finally foam came out of his mouth. His confused face turned purple, with the shade deepening as time went by. He was having a hard time breathing---he didn't know what was going on.

Arlo raised an eyebrow on the side, bewildered by what was happening but not panicking. Instead, he very calmly looked at Abner in question. Abner also calmly answered the hidden question in Arlo's eyes, "Just an aftereffect of using the truth serum."

Glancing with purple eyes that did not waver or show sympathy, he said, "If he's lucky, he might survive, though he would lose the ability to talk forever. If not...he'll die a painful and horrible death."

"Ha...seriously, Abner. What did you use to make this truth serum," Arlo was really curious about what ingredient, or ingredients, can make a person talk honestly and then die. He shrugged his shoulders in thought, "Though I guess it doesn't matter, he was a dead man in the first place."

"Desirable Truth herb."

"What?"

Arlo was confused for a moment before he realized that Abner was answering his question.

'Desirable Truth herb? I don't think I have ever heard of this herb before.' Arlo hummed in thought, scanning through his memory for this kind of herb. Although it may be strange for a thief to steal what they would commonly consider "grass", Arlo as a great thief believes that as long as something holds value, he will take it or steal it! And as herbs can also be sold for a high, EXPENSIVE price, Arlo thoroughly without a doubt believes them to be worth stealing.

So if he wants to know what herbs are especially valuable, wouldn't he have to study up on them? Otherwise, his efforts would result in little profit.

Seeing Arlo racking his brains out trying to figure out the herb he had named. Abner showed a slight smile and told him, in order to stop his suffering, this.

"Truth to die for, is what others like to call it as well," Abner said with a bigger smile, finding amusement in this.

It was like a light bulb had lit up in Arlo's head for he had finally remembered hearing about this phrase before. It seems like it was the nickname for a rare herb that no one knows the appearance of, yet they knew that those who come near it can't help but tell the truth regardless of what they want to say. As if they were under a powerful spell. And since they can't tell anything but the truth, some important and secretive intel would leak once anyone gets close. That's why it's also called the "truth to die for" herb.

"Ah..." It was only then that the forgotten presence of the little girl, Is, and the boy, Ignor, was remembered. Is watched with fearful eyes at the suffocating insane man slowly dying, but she was still somehow calm---as can be seen by how she didn't scream even when she was scared. This little girl seems to have strong metal fortitude.

Ignor who had fainted for an unknown amount of time was awake at this time, watching the scene unfolding with Is. Contrary to the feelings of fear and terror he should feel at such a young age he, his face was blank and expressionless. His eyes were emotionless and without the slightest trace of pity for the insane man. Compared to when he had a more child-like aura around him, right now he was exuding a mature aura that could mistake him to be an adult.

Unlike Abner who didn't turn around to look at the two children, Arlo turned around and walked to them. Squatting down, Arlo with one finger on his lips said to the two children, "Shhh. There's nothing to feel scared about, nor pity." It was a simple sentence, but both the children understood. They are very clever and smart for their age.

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Drip. Drip. Drop.

Drops of light rain trickled onto the earth from the dark and mysterious clouds. The gradually gaining speed drizzles painted the once dry stone floor wet.

Pitter and pattering onto the body of a corpse that has yet to lose its living warmth.

Abner tilted his head up to look at the sky. Gentle drops of rain fell onto his face and made his hair wet and his bangs to stick onto the side of his forehead. He didn't avoid the water that made him wet. He watched the sky for a while before he lowered his head and turned to Arlo and informed him that it was time to go to their next destination.

"Um, big brothers, thank you for saving us," Ignor said with nervousness as he thanked Abner and Arlo with a bow. His nervous demeanor now compared to his indifferent and cold one from before when watching the death of a person was undeniably contrasting and dissimilar.

Arlo smirked, "Well thanks to you kiddos, me and this guy here," he swung an arm around the back of Abner's neck, "got more information. It might've been fate. Haha!"

'Fate...' Ignor thought to himself. Unknowingly, a determined and resolute glint flashed in his eyes.

Arlo was really easygoing as he and Abner bid Ignor and Is farewell. And although Abner would not usually do this, but he gave some of him and Arlo's rations to the two children as well as some money. Abner himself also did not know why he did that, but doing capricious actions like this sometimes is fine, especially when his sixth sense gave him a good feeling.

"Bye bye, kind misters!" Is waved her small hand at Abner and Arlo as she and Ignor walked away. Facing forward, Is felt happy with meeting such nice people. Saving them, giving them food, and even money, they must be angels! The moment Is thought this, her eyes sparkled and twinkled in mistaken understanding.

She nodded her head strongly causing Ignor to look at her in confusion, asking her curiously, "What is it, Is?"

"Nothing," she shook her head side to side cutely.

Thus, in a little girl's heart, two unaware young men were given the title "angel".