Save Log 21: In search of the Great Rock Bill (Part 2)

After we split away, I looked around everywhere on my part. Asked people if they have seen anyone carrying a stone? One of the kids said they did. I went to check it out, it was just a stone miner. With a cart full of rocks and stone. I wanted to punch that kid for wasting my time for nothing. Except that nothing else.

I headed back to our meeting point to see if anyone got anything.

No one was there, except the baker lady in her shop, standing beside the glass window. She came out after she noticed me going toward the shop.

"Have you found anything darling?"

"No, I didn't. Let's hope the others did."

"Yes, yes. I hope so. You are a nice kid."

Please someone get back before I have to deal with this old woman.

"Oh, you are back Hanji. Found anything yet?"

"Nope, what about you?"

"Nah, nothing, I found a stone miner carrying tons of rocks though. That f*cking kid. I should have remembered that he pranks on people. I will get him next time." Lina said as she punched her right fist on her left palm.

"I know how it is. I got tricked as well."

"You did? That's pretty messed up."

"Furara, don't disappoint us."

"I am back. Sorry I found nothing." Furara appeared empty hand right after I wished she would find a lead.

"Well, let's give up then. Sorry grandma, we can't find the thief like this."

"I-I see, it's alright, you bunch did your best. 'Sniff' 'Sniff' I will miss Billy."

"Curse you Hanji, you made her upset again. It's alright gran, we will find him. Don't listen to that coward.".

"Yes, Lina-san is right, we will find it." Furara and Lina both went comforting the old baker lady.

" 'Sniff' Arigatou you all, by the way, don't you fellas have another girl in your party?"

"Who?" all of us asked at the same time.

"Hanjiro-sama, I have news."

Oh, right. I always forget about her.

"Oh, Zefira-chan! You found something? What is it?"

"Yes, I found out that many people saw a person who was wearing a cloak was carrying a stone. He was hiding it under the cloak but he slipped on a banana and fell to the ground. ('The good old banana peels.' I said to myself. 'Banana peels aren't old.' Furara said hesring my comment.) Everyone saw him holding the stone that Ms Baker Lady adores so much."

"My, that's some juicy info. Where did he go?"

"Well, the people who were at the scene wanted to capture him, but he escaped. I think the thief went to the market district alleys according to one of the witnesses."

"You did a great job Zefira. Well done." I patted Zefira on her back. She blushed and muttered some words I couldn't understand.

"Will you be able to get back Billy?"

"Yes grandma, we will try."

"If the thief went to the market district alleys, maybe he is trying to hide for a while?" Furara announces.

"No, you are wrong about that Furara. I think I know where the thief went. And that is the black market. Follow me, that bastard must've sold it already!" Lina ran off leaving a puff of dust behind her.

Who the heck wants to buy a rock? I bet no one is going to take it for a huge amount of money.

"I guess we should go then. Let's go." I ran along with Lina to where she is leading. Zefira followed me behind.

"We will get your Bill grandma. Pray for our safety." Furara also joined the run.

"Yes, I will be praying. Good luck!" the baker lady wished us on our quest to find Bill.

We zoomed through the town square, finally reaching the market district. Thankfully, Lina knows some shortcuts that will lead us to the black market quicker.

We are now running through an alleyway that was dark and gloomy.

"Kernel-sama used to come to black market before. He stopped coming after the gamble house was made outside the black market." Zefira as we were running. That gamble addict lord.

"U-um, Lina-san, this is my first time going to a black market. I hea-heard there are many vulture-mobs down there?"

"Aa, you will be fine. Just stick with me. This town's black market is better than all the other ones thanks to Kernel-sama."

"I bet it's because he comes around these parts. Are we there yet? Oh, I see a shop. There is another."

Right ahead of us, tiny stalls of shops appeared out of nowhere. They were illuminated by the light bulb-like object. We stopped just after Lina stopped by a shop.

"Oh if it isn't the unlucky three-tailed thief. And yer maties. Nice to meet yer friends. Oh, I know you, maid girl." the shopkeeper said, glancing over at us. He was like those shady black market merchants wearing all black. I can see a golden tooth shining by the light when he talks.

"Nice to see ya too. Now tell me if ya saw anyone carrying a rock."

"You mean that rock that old baker adores so much? Yes, he is heading toward Fizel ('Who is Fizel?' 'Not sure. I ne-never came he-here before.' Furara replied to my question. 'He is a stone freak I heard.' said Zefira.) I thin…"

"Thanks see ya." Lina ran off again, not letting the man finish his words.

"Hey wait, that girl...hmm?"

"Umm nice to meet you. I will be off now." I said and dashed toward Lina.

"Nice to meet you again. Hope your business is doing well. I have to say goodbye for now." Zefira fetched Furara and ran along with us.

"Hmm, what a lucky bunch she found."

We continued to walk through the black market. This is one dark yet lively market. Suddenly, Lina stopped in front of me and I bumped into her.

"Why did you stop?"

"Shhh! I see him. The thief."

I looked over her shoulder. A cloaked dude was waiting in front of a shop tapping his feet on the ground. He is in a hurry no doubt.

"Should we go approach him slowly and catch him?" Furara suggested from behind. She and Zefira were looking over my shoulders to see the thief.

"Oi! Stone thief!"

The cloaked dude hopped up in surprise by Lina. He glances at us and, without any second wasted, he fled the opposite direction fetching the stone from the table.

"Hey! Stop!" Lina dashed ahead leaving us behind.

"Go get him Lina! Listen, Furara and Zefira, you two get to the guild or Soldiers' camp and inform where the thief is. We will try to catch the thief."

"Are you sure you two can do it?"

"Well, you can't run for long and Zefira will help you with stuff. So go, we will try to catch the thief. Cast an Agility spell on me just in case."

"Alright, May the wind give you the strength and speed to catch the thief. Agility!" blue lights along with magic circle surrounds me and then vanishes into thin air.

"Alright. The rest is up to you two." I ran toward where the thief fled away after finishing my piece.

"Good luck Hanjiro."

"I pray for your safety, Shujin-sama. Let's go Furara-sama."

I kept on running. I am way behind them. Good thing I asked for the Agility spell.

After a short period of time, I saw Lina catching up with the thief.

"Bind!"

"Anti-bind!"

"Counter bind!"

"Counter counter anti-bind!"

"Counter counter bind!"

What the heck is going on with those two?!

The thief was tangled by a rope after the counter counter counter counter bind because he couldn't counter anti-bind as he bit his tongue. He fell on the ground very hard. But, that stubborn bastard got up right away and ran.

"Snipe!"

The arrow went past Lina's hair, by the thief's leg. He fell again.

"What the f*ck?! You almost ruined my hair!"

"Shut up and think of a plan to catch him."

But, to our surprise, the thief fell to the ground. We stopped right away. After a while, the thief raised a white flag.

What the heck?