V2Ch80 New Reveal

Things proceeded quickly once the first move was made. The assassin took a step down and I began rushing toward him. He was surprised at the fact that he was my target. He must have thought that I was there for Kurio, too.

He reached out for her face with an open hand. I pushed his wrist away forced him back toward the open window. The sudden movement caused Kurio to be aware of the two men in her room. She looked at the assassin first.

"AHH! WHO?!"

Then she saw me.

"WHY ARE YOU HERE!"

At this point, my back was to her and I was in the best possible position to keep the other man away from her. The assassin quickly pulled a throwing knife and launched it at me. The moment I saw it come out of his pocket, I was ready. I caught it and returned it with three times the power. It barely missed his chin as he purposely fell backward. I ran up to the window to see where he went. I couldn't see anyone in the vicinity that looked suspicious. He was gone already.

"MOM!"

Goldie ran in with Babur in tow.

"Kurio! What's wrong?"

"Mom! This guy was fighting another man in my room!"

"Lake? Why were you in my daughter's room? Who were you fighting?"

"That man was from the Assassins Guild. I don't know why but, there is a mark on Kurio. Someone wants her tongue cut out."

"What? Why... How do you know this?"

"I'm... also part of the Assassins Guild. I saw the task for Kurio earlier. It was such a bad drawing of her that I didn't realize who it was until a minute ago."

"Lake... Nya were preaching at me about save people... All the while, nya've been killing?"

Babur was in shock.

"I never killed anyone while I was part of the guild. I only took the tasks that did not involve murder."

I closed the window and the curtains before turning around. All three of them were looking at me like I was insane.

"Like taking my tongue? How do we know you arent also on this, 'task?'"

Kurio was hiding behind her mother as she asked.

"No. The tasks I took were for anonymous body parts. I never took a task that involved a specific person. And, multiple people cannot apply for the same task. You have to bring it up to the task-master and he marks you as the hunter. If anyone else brings in the marked part, the task is completed but no reward is given. There is no point in me trying to take your tongue if this guy has taken the task himself."

"So you just run around, taking other people's parts? You're sick..."

Goldie scolded me. The only way to keep them safe was to get them to believe me. I don't think I can do that without revealing my power.

"I've never taken a part from another person."

"How does that work, Lake? Tell me?"

Babur asked. She looked like she was on the verge of another breakdown.

"I'll show you. You've seen it once before already, Babur."

I tore a piece of my shirt off and laid it out on Kurio's desk. My hand was placed flat on the desk, palm down. Before anyone could stop me, I quickly pulled out my dagger and thrust it down, severing my index finger. Goldie covered her daughter's eyes and looked away. They both shrieked at the sight. Babur was still looking at me, waiting for an answer.

"This is how I completed my tasks."

I held up my hand for them to see. They watched the miracle of regeneration as the bone formed and the tissue quickly covered it in seconds. I held up the severed finger in the cloth.

"I used my own body to turn in tasks that did not require a specific person. I got a lot of money for it. I never hurt other people for the money I earned at that guild."

They were speechless at what they had just witnessed. Babur ran to me and hugged me.

"Lake. I thought I was going to break again. I'm sorry I doubted nya."

I began petting her head.

"That's okay. It's not an easy thing to explain. I'm sorry I made you doubt me."

I looked up at Goldie and Kurio.

"If that assassin knows who I am, I will be exiled from the guild. I won't have any say in what happens with your task. I don't know if I will have any say regardless. For the safety of both of you, you should leave Fricity."

"I can't do that! I have a rest..."

Goldie attempted to protest.

"If you stay, you may be assaulted by that same assassin tomorrow night. If he can't find Kurio, he may try to use you as leverage to get to her. That is if he doesn't outright kill you. I'm leaving tomorrow myself. I plan to head south. My ultimate goal is to reach the southernmost docks on this continent. That should be in the dark elf territory. You don't have to go with me that far but, if you come with me I will do my best to protect both of you."

Goldie was lost in thought with a look of worry. Kurio searched her mother's face for some kind of answer. Goldie's knees gave out beneath her. Kurio caught her and eased her down to the ground as tears began to flow through her golden fur.

I got close and placed a hand on her shoulder.

"I know it's hard to give up something that you've put so much work into. Isn't your daughter's life worth it though? You put a lot of work into raising her, too. Just try to think of it as an alternative investment. I promise that I will help you get a new home when we find a new place that you want to stay. I won't just dump you off somewhere and leave you with nothing."

She continued crying as she pulled my head down onto her shoulder.

When everyone was calm. I explained that it would be safer to stay at the Tracker's Guild tonight. The girls could stay in my locking room while I take a temporary one. Babur and I helped close up shop early while Goldie and Kurio gathered up and decided on valuables to take with them. When everything was done, we left Goldie's Restaurant and Bar behind. I could tell Goldie was still devastated.

I'd rather see that kind of sadness on her, than see her in a pool of her own blood.