Rest Is Over

It was a surreal experience to see it, for Xu An that was. A man who lived in the modern world and a man of science barely believed anything in superstition and paranormal.

Now, however, that belief just disappeared. Poof.

It was such a spectacular sight as he saw tiny, innumerable, golden fish appear out of the thin air. Swimming in the air as it circulated Cecil.

Not only that, the words Cecil had said formed in the air. It was floating and Rufh seeped into these words, the results were shocking.

The words glowed as bright as the sun. It had a tint of gold, which was magnificent.

"Amazing," Xu An softly muttered.

"Rufhs user rarely make this kind of vow after all. It is not every day one could see this, you're lucky. 

"As it's the same as putting their life on the line. They could make a normal vow and breach it, however, by using their Rufh and Qiya in their vow. Their words must be taken seriously." Morgiana's tone was serious.

Xu An and Fred make note of this in their mind.

Fred nodded before asking, "What's the worst thing she could get should she breach her vow?"

"Her body and soul turned into a Paladin Vessel and trapped in a dungeon, tower, labyrinth, maze, or secret realm," Morgiana replied.

"Paladin Vessel?" Xu An blurted out.

"It's a powerful tool that could change into any weapon you want. One could attain it once you conquer a dungeon, tower, labyrinth, maze, or secret realm.

"Of course, this tool could only be found in places like the Tower of God. A 002 grade and above," Fred explained as he paused and continued, "How did you not know something so commonly known?" His tone was that of mock.

"Well, actually, something like that is only known by experienced explorers. Newbies like Xu An do not know it is normal." Morgiana defended him.

Fred chose to fall silent as it was a good comeback.

"I understand at this point. At any rate, we must protect Cecil at all costs. She's a princess from the neighboring empire and should something happen, we're the first one going to be suspected and put into jail. Let's try to not make Cecil breach her vow," Xu An informed them and they nodded without a word.

"It's okay, big brother. I'm not going to breach my vow so foolishly," she said rather in a carefree manner.

Xu An retracted his gaze to her. Narrowing his eyes as his tone slightly became deeper and a bit threatening, "There are many ways. Would you like to try?"

After Xu An said that, he smiled like a devil.

Cecil felt as if she was prey and every cell in her being was screaming to run.

Following her instinct, she went behind Morgiana as she hid.

Her eyes were watery as her body shivered.

"Big sister Morgiana, Xu An is being mean to me!" She whined. Her voice would make anyone step before her to protect her and beat Xu An for making her cry.

"What he said is true, Cecil. There are many ways people can make you do something you don't want to do. We have to be careful.

"Not only that, you're a Rufh user. Which means we have to be careful of Rufh Hunter."

"What is that? That's the first time I've heard it," Xu An said as he frowned.

"I've only heard the name but not clear what it is," Fred added.

Morgiana nodded as she explained, "They are lunatics looking for Rufh users so as to kill them for strength and power.

"They are quite powerful as they have one Paladin by their side. Killing Rufh users increased the strength of their Paladin.

"Many of those from the royal bloodline of the king in small kingdoms are kidnapped because of them."

"Then you want us to proceed with extreme caution?" Fred paused before continuing, "This might be hard, they have Paladins which means they have conquered 002-grade places. The master's strength is probably terrifying as he conquered such a place.

"Adding that with their Paladins. It will be hard for us to fight them."

"Yeah, adding with the fact that they are sensitive to the Qiya energy, it is only a matter of time before they find us."

The room fell silent as the atmosphere grew heavy and tense. Cecil shrunk back and felt extremely sorry as they were in a pinch because of her.

"I'm sorry," she apologized with regret.

Morgiana averted her focus to Cecil as she gently stroked her head, "You don't have to. Leave this to us, adults." Morgiana assured her with a beaming smile as she puffed up her chest.

It worked wonderfully, for the fact that Cecil trusted Morgiana's words and had calmed down.

Xu An slightly shifted his sight away as he silently commented, aren't you the same as well?

"The two of you, come with me for a second." Fred nudged his head to the door. Morgiana and Xu An noticed it. Without uttering much, Fred walked out of the room, the two followed as they left behind Cecil.

"What?" Morgiana frowned. Xu An closed the door as he was the last one to come out.

"Are you two sure? If she stays with us, it will be dangerous for us and her." Fred's tone was that of worried.

"Are you suggesting leaving her behind, After what we did?" Morgiana asked.

They killed Cecil's tamed beast after all. If they do not take responsibility, it would be impossible to have a good time sleeping.

"It's you guys who killed it, not me. If you still want her with you, go ahead but leave me out of this," Fred said. Morgiana was a bit furious with his attitude but could not comment much as it was his decision, she had no right forcing him.

"Are you afraid?" Xu An asked out of the blue with a straight face.

"No, I'm not. This is called a tactical retreat. I'm not risking my life for a little girl I just met," answered Fred without much thinking.

"I see, so you're afraid," spoke Xu An as though he did not hear his words.

"Hey, are you even listening?" Fred's tone was slightly pitched.

"Because you back away before the fight even begins. Isn't it obvious that you're afraid? 

"Don't you want to kill Chin Sha? If you back away because of someone powerful than you, what makes you think you have the chance to annihilate Chin Sha?

"Although he had shown his ability to his guild members. It doesn't mean he showed it all, he hid a deadly trump card." Xu An explained. Why he could tell this was from his experience.

He had seen many of his enemies or friends who betrayed him show their ability but not the whole. Most of them had hidden trump cards.

Fred fell silent before asking, "I'm aware that Chin Sha has a trump card under his sleeve. Let's say we win, what makes you confident that it will increase my chance to kill him?"

Xu An smiled mysteriously as he said, "You'll know."

After that, he returned to the room. Talk with Cecil. Morgiana was left alone with Fred.

"Is he really sixteen?" Fred asked doubtfully.

"He could be like that sometimes. Anyway, whether you come with us or not, it's all on you," answered Morgiana before entering the room.

Fred leaned his back against the wall. His gaze was on the floor but his mind slowly drifted as he fell in deep thought.

A few seconds later, he got his focus back as he slightly raised his hand, opened his palm, and looked at it with a straight face.

Shortly thereafter, his expression turned solemn as he clenched his fist tightly and said: "I've wasted a chance, not this time."

.

.

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In a street not far away from the clinic, they were. A woman wearing a black, punk rock jacket was sitting in a cafe. Her features could be considered commonly beautiful.

Though, her curvy waistline and slim body figure simply enchant her appearance. It was enough to fresh one's eyes should she wear a bikini or the sort.

She was wearing black glasses as she sat with her legs on top of the other one. She rested her back against the chair as her gaze was to the sky.

Then, the edge of her lips curved.

"Find you," she said as she could not contain her delight.

"Princess Cecil, a princess from the neighboring empire. Rufh grade, A+. She's going to be a perfect food for you, Ernen," the woman said.

"Yes, she will be. Thank you as always, Master," The man beside her slightly bowed in gratitude. He was standing. The man had long hair to his shoulder, he had no right leg as he was standing with a cane.

He wore a white shirt with a collar. His right eye was patched with bandages. Upon closer inspection, his left eye was lifeless and filled with barren land.

It was as though he had seen hell itself.