Reconciliation before the storm

" Shizu …"

Her figure was slender but somehow make him feel like an iron wall. Although he still contacted her through the " trashy 3D phone" every week, because the image quality was so low, he didn't pay much attention. Torei was bewildered at Shizu's appearance, her skin darkened, she looked taller and her figure was toned up, neat, charming, and have a strong sense of maturity. It was only two months, but it felt like a decade had passed.

The bald guy, after being knocked back by Shizu, stepped away and kept his distance

" Who are you?" - He warily asked

" Is this the kid you said? Come here, don't be afraid."

" Hah, this b*tch! Dare to ignore me."

The chain blade was aimed directly at Shizu's neck, however.

[Tinkling]

" What?"

The sound of the chain was cut off falling to the ground, then came with a [thud] sound.

" Agh!!! My hands—"

The bald guy's hands were cut off and he rolled to the ground. Cold sweat ran down the female Vulture's back as she saw this scene, they were standing nearly 6m away from Shizu, How the hell could she cut off the bald hands. Just as she was about to run away, a tremendous killing intent was directed at her, making her unable to move.

" I have something to ask you about."

Shizu calmly walked toward the woman, who was trembling like a rabbit. She couldn't attack because the moment she touched the sword, her hand will be cut off, she had a hunch that's what gonna happen.

" Please forgive—"

The head of the woman fell down as the bald head became quiet. Shizu stopped moving, she took a defensive stance. It was so fast that there was not a single streak of blood on his sword, the hooded man sighed as he cut off the heads of his two comrades. The guy was the strongest of them and can easily defeat Abert, but Torei didn't think he would be stronger than Shizu due to the difference in mana emanating from the two.

" What a sh*tty luck. To think that I would meet a 'hero' in this place"

" Aren't they your comrades?"

" They were. But unfortunately, you left me with no choice but to kill them."

" You… this smelling, are you related to the demon race?"

" …. Hmm I have no reason to continue the conversation, I will withdraw from here."

" Do you think I'll just let you do it?"

" No. But I do believe I have a chance."

" Is that so? Do your best."

The two figures disappeared and the area became noisy with the sounds of metal clashing. The two blades clashed against each other with such a high frequency that it sounded like a long hiss. After a while, blood was shot everywhere.

" Shizu!"

The slashing sound ended and Shizu's face appeared in front of him.

" Don't worry, it's over."

" Are you okay?"

" No problem. This is his blood, not mine. That guy… was definitely not normal, no one who received so many fatal wounds could still live."

" He escaped?"

Shizu nodded.

" It's a pity, but more importantly, he's Abert san the owner of the bar you work for right? he seems to be badly injured. We have to get him treated quickly."

Shizu picked up Abert and carried him on her back.

" Hey!"

Torei shouted as Abert's hand touched the place he shouldn't be. But Shizu glared at him.

" I know what you are thinking, but now is not the time for that. Abert san was injured protecting you, right?"

" B-But this guy…"

Shizu wasted no more time and went away with Abert, leaving Torei in anger."

" That bastard! I will kill!"

He caught a glimpse of the corners of Abert's mouth rising. That thug feigned unconsciousness! When Torei was about to kick a brick, the bald-haired kid pinched his sleeve.

" Nii san, T-Thank you very much!"

Torei looked at the kid, smiled, and patted its head.

" You're welcome. You can go home now."

" I-I have nowhere to go."

" Eh? Don't you have a house?"

It shook its head rapidly."

" Home. I don't have anything like that."

" So you are an orphan?"

bitting its lips, the kid nodded.

' What a poor child.' - Torei thought

" Then why don't you come and stay temporarily at my place."

" I-Is it ok?"

" Rest assured, the bandit boss of mine will definitely agree. He may be a bastard but… not a bad guy."

Although he hated to admit it, Torei has been very grateful to Abert during the past 2 months. Not only did he protect Torei, he taught Torei a lot of things.

" What's your name?" - patting the kid he asked

" Miro."

" Miro? Just like that?"

[Nod]

" Alright Miro, let's come home together"

" Will you really let me stay?"

" This is already the second time I said it but yeah. "

" Are you sure? You won't make me do something bad?

" What kind of man you thought I was? Of course not!"

" Promise?"

" Promise."

It was almost sunset, looking at the closed board on the Drunken Bear door, many drinkers sighed. It's been a while since Torei had the opportunity to enjoy such a quiet atmosphere, but he couldn't calm down. Miro was sleeping upstairs because it was too tired. In the big tavern only him sitting while shaking thighs as sweat running down his forehead.

[Knock Knock]

The sound of the golden knob hit the door.

" W-Wait a bit I'm coming!"

Torei opened the door then Shizu quickly entered.

She raised her hand making a gesture as if she were touching an invisible screen, he guessed she was doing something with the status screen. Suddenly a light wrapped Shizu body and her armor disappeared.

" H-Hey Shizu .. y-you're…"

" Hm? !!! Turn back! Idiot!"

Torei immediately turned his head. Normally he would have argued something but the scene just now made his mind a jumble. Shizu sighed. Actually, she was also tense and accidentally changed clothes in front of him. Although the change was protected by the great CENSORED lights that covered all the dangerous parts. Though she was sure that Torei couldn't see anything, she couldn't deny the fact that she had just gotten naked in front of him. Her face turned red.

" D-Don't misunderstand! It was just I… pressed the wrong one…"

" Uh, Uhm. Anyway, what would you like to drink?"

" Just… plain water l guess."

" I have some juice."

" O-Ok."

Facing each other for a while, both of them still couldn't utter a word. Shizu held a mega pint of juice, she wondered if people normally drink with this?

" Uhm… how's that guy?"

" Abert san's wounds have been healed by the Priest, but for now he may not have regained consciousness yet."

" Unconscious? As if… I hope he gets won't come back for a month."

" Torei! Do not speak ill of your boss like that!"

" What do you know! Don't try to defend him!"

" This ungrateful idiot— ah"

Something was wet on Torei's cheeks, he could feel something hot rolling down.

" Ah - Hey you ... Wait—"

" Sob."

" Please don't cry…"

" Sob. I-I'm 'sob', not crying!"

" Yes, you are… You're crying! This idiot… 'sob' "

" Eh? Why are you -"

" I didn't cry!"

" Ah …"

" Sorry…"

" Huh?"

" I said I'm sorry, okay!"

" Ah .. yeah. But why?"

" You must have felt very uncomfortable, I was… nagging you from time to time"

" …Not really."

" Torei ... are you okay?"

" D-Didn't you always interrogate me every week?

" I know you are not ok ... since coming here no since you got your class ... you ... have always been away from everyone, I've been thinking about this but ... I couldn't do anything, I couldn't make you feel better… sorry."

" Idiot, why are you sorry about that?"

Torei wiped her eyes and smiled.

" Everyone was trying hard to return. I just feel uncomfortable because I can't be any help. Don't worry about such a trivial matter. Instead, you should focus on more important things because not only me but a lot of people here rely on you."

" ... uhm"

" Shizu, you didn't come here just to see me, right?"

" T-That's a part, but what I want to ask is about the day before. Did the kid bring that badge?"

" Wait a second. Here it is."

Torei tosses the necklace in his pocket to Shizu.

" Hmm doesn't have mana on it or unusual signs. Let's see."

She took the "cell phone" stone and called Satsuki. Apparently, this "phone" was of much better quality than Torei's because the picture and sound were extremely clear.

" Sorry, this version is very rare so…" - Shizu looked sorrily at Torei

" No problem."

" Alo Satsuki?"

" Shizu? Is that Torei? [Waving hands] Ah the badge, show me. Hmmm looks like it's just a normal badge. This isn't the mark of the demon cult."

" Really?"

" By the way Torei while you were not here Shizu was -"

The signal went off immediately. Torei was curious to know what Satsuki was about to say but Shizu frowned in anger.

" That annoying little dwarf…"

" So was everything all right?"

" Y-Yeah, I just want to have a look at this badge, lately there are a lot of unusual activities of the demon race but you don't need to worry. This city is located deep in the kingdom, they have to overcome many defenses before reaching this place."

" That's good to know. But… are you going to leave now?"

" About that… my vacation still has a few more days before it ends, maybe I'll hang around for a little bit."

" Is that so!"

Torei tried to hold back the joy radiating from his expression.

" I also don't mind taking you a few rounds."

" Yes, let's go."

Before leaving the bar, Shizu cast a protection spell and an alarm spell on the door, if someone tried to infiltrate and harm Miro, she would know and come immediately. Torei led her around Bobert. This place was always lively when the night falls, the shops and food stalls are crowded with people. The scent of barbecues spread every corner, he led her to famous street food in the area. Although he feared that the food in the palace was much higher quality than here, Shizu was extremely excited.

" I don't stay at the palace very often, most of the time we hunt and cook by ourselves. Besides the things in the palace aren't that good either." - Shizu

" Really?"

" Yes, I miss this feeling… we used to go around food stalls in the past. It's so nostragic."

" I'm glad you still enjoy it."

" I'm also glad you lived comfortably."

' Those words would be correct if not for a certain thug.'

" Hey about Miro kun, I think I'm gonna bring him/her and you too back to the capital with me."

" Huh? Why also me?"

" This place is not safe anymore for him/her and more importantly, for you. That hooded guy wasn't normal at all. I can't confirm whether he's related to the demon race but he was definitely not normal. I'll ask Sarila once again to find you a new place. It has been a year, not many people care about you anymore, you can stay in the capital.:

" But —"

" No but or anything. That's an order!"

Torei let out a long sigh. though he hated to admit it, he became a bit attached to this place. This annoying place was bustling but sometimes it made him feel peaceful. Although he didn't want to leave his patrons here, still, the safety had to come first.

" Alright, I'll be in your care then."

" Haha you're welco—"

" Hm? What's wrong, Shizu?"

" This… this can't be. Torei, hurry up! Take Miro out of the tavern and run to the church!"

Shizu figure disappeared after leaving a few words like that. Despite being confused, Torei understood that something dangerous was about to happen and rushed back to the tavern. At the same time, in the distance, a giant shadow appeared in the northern sky.