Chapter 18

Author: Thanks for reading and for supporting me. Please comment and rate the book. Means a lot.

Den: And you mean nothing to me.

Author: Wasn't asking you. Please leave.

Den: This is the very reason why you're so lonely. I just met you yet I can tell.

Author: For your information, I’m lonely. Just don't have good friends around me. Also, what's the point of befriending someone if they're not good?

Den: I know,.....I feel the same way.

Author: You have a smile on your stupid face. Is irritating.

Den: I just met a good friend. I mean, someone who could be a good friend.

Author: Good for you. Now leave.

Den: He's really something else. I feel......

Author: Stop bragging and leave!!!

Den: Tch.

***********️️*******

WOODS.

Den could smell the thief. The scent of death and blood.

Pause!

(By the way, the mask is back on! Right now, Den's wearing a mask. Just thought I should let you know)

Continuing!

From their close observation, it seemed the thief was wounded.

And it seemed he wouldn't last long considering he could smell death as well.

While tailing, they lost him, but thankfully, he picked up the scent which led them here.

Den could tell, they were almost there.

He sped up, running and Mira did the same even though she wasn't feeling that well.

Thankfully, she didn't have to go any farther.

They reached, and as Den made a stop, she did as well.

Both were surprised as they stared at the body on the ground.

Den could tell, it was the thief. The scent of blood and death was one thing, and there was the clothes as well. He recognized it because the thief was wearing the same.

But then, there was also that. Could be there was an accomplice.

However, Den wanted to stay positive.

"Master" he was called and his eyes went off the dead body to the man beside it.

Holding a small cloth bag in hand while staring at them in shock.

That mask, and the clothes. Those eyes......... Seriously, he could recognize them anywhere.

A smile graced Den's face but only his eyes showed it.

Fate really knew how to play tricks.

He left just like that and they met again.

Counting, they've met three times.

This meant something.

If this guy wasn't his soulmate, then who was?

*********️️**********

RIVER

Now at a river nearby, the man who was seen standing beside the dead body of the thief, Yuuki, faced the two.

"I didn't kill him. He dropped dead before I could even take out my sword to fight" he stated.

Mira was skeptical but Den believed him. Knowing the kind of person he was.

Same time in the woods, the thief's body has finally been found by the blue guards.

And after one of them checked, he announced,

"He's dead, and there's nothing on him"

Back to Den, Mira and Yuuki, facing the current situation, Yuuki couldn't help but speak his mind.

"Seriously, whenever I meet you, there's trouble. What did you do this time?"

Now doubtful of Den.

Despite what he was feeling and what he had seen, Yuuki still couldn't help but think Den might not be a good person.

He was worried for some reason.

"Uh, what are you talking about?"

"You were chasing him right?"

"Well,.......yes" Den couldn't deny that.

"But I don't know him. He stole something and there were a lot of guards from Blue Town after him. I got curious so I also joined in"

Oh, could it be he (Yuuki) was overthinking?

Maybe Den wasn't.....bad.

He looked up and their eyes met. Once again, Yuuki had those thoughts.

However, he dismissed them before they got louder.

It just wasn't possible.

"I see," he replied, avoiding eye contact with Den.

"By the way, what are you doing here?"

"Huh?"

This..........after leaving them in Fall. He planned on meeting his former comrade.

But then,.......on his way, he.....he could no longer control it.

Those strange yet familiar feelings.

It was overbearing and as if these feelings knew his whereabouts, they led him here.

Well, in the end, he chose to follow....... these.....feelings.

That wasn't all. It seems his sword has also taken a liking to Den after getting touched once.

Yuuki still didn't understand but his sword was emitting an intense pull as well.

Leading him to the same direction the strong feelings had.

In the end, he couldn't ignore the two. And............ there was another thing.

One he didn't want to admit.

*Sigh, at the moment, he felt like a stalker.

Still, he can't share this with Den.

He'll look uncool.

"I was just wandering around" he chose this answer and the unconvinced Den replied,

"Mmmm" smiling.

Mira, still suspicious of the man, kept glaring at him. As if she'll get something out of him by doing that.

Well, luckily, it didn't take that long. Reaching out of his pocket and taking out the small cloth bag he took from the thief earlier, Yuuki saved himself from those eyes.

Both Mira and Den were attentive, watching as Yuuki took out a golden manhole key from it.

"Do you know what this is? He held this in hand" he (Yuuki) asked, confused and curious about it.

At a glance. The key looked ordinary. Looks like there was nothing special about it.

Was this what the dead man stole? Den said something about him, being a thief.

If so,.........why would he steal an ordinary key? Taking the risk to get it in broad daylight. Certainly, there was more to this.

Den chuckled, gaining the two's attention as they stared at him.

"You know what it is, right?" Yuuki asked.

Den did know. He also knew the key was fake.

Just a glance and he could tell.

However, he was not going to reveal it.

"I don't talk to strangers"

Uh? He dare use that card on him (Yuuki)

"But, if you tell me your name, we'll no longer be strangers"

Seriously?

Yuuki had no problem sharing his name. But,.....for some reason, he was annoyed, and didn't want to.

"Fine, I'm leaving," he said in annoyance.

He'll find out. If this poses any threat to him (His former master), he'll get rid of it right away.

"Again?.......well, I don't have to worry. I know, we'll meet again" a smiling Den said and he (Yuuki) stared at him, thinking he was unbelievable.

Yuuki was startled, forced to exit his thoughts when Den came close, totally ignoring the meaning of personal space. Feeling weird and confused, Yuuki took a step back but the persistent Den didn't give up. He took a step forward. Annoyed, Yuuki was just about to yell at him when Den leaned in, leaving him speechless, frozen and tense.

As he (Den) whispered something into his ears, Yuuki's eyes widened. A smiling Den then took steps back, and then stared at a speechless frozen Yuuki. His ears reddened and eyes still widened.

Mira was curious. What exactly did her master tell him (Yuuki)?

Took Yuuki a few seconds to regain himself from what just happened and when he did, he angrily yelled at Den, "Stay away from me!" Before disappearing into his shadow again.

Delighted and amused, Den burst out laughter.

"What did you tell him?" A curious Mira asked but Den did not share.

"Is nothing"

It wasn't. The man left angry. Why didn't he want to share? Now she (Mira) was even more curious.

"Mi"

"Yes master" she replied, giving him her attention.

"Next destination is Live village"

This surprised Mira. She thought they were going back home after this.

...........Then again,........she suspected this but didn't acknowledge it. She suspected their next destination will be one of the four, but......that wasn't so.

Why Live village? They already went there.

And like Den heard her question, he answered, "I'm worried. This is no mere coincidence. Fall has fallen, and the old man was stolen from. Feels like everyone involved in what happened twenty-five years ago has been targeted. Old man Sim figured this out as well. That's why he made a fake key. And sure enough, it was stolen"

Her master was right.

"I just don't get it. The whereabouts of the keys is no secret. The five heroes have them. So why was Fall targeted?"

"You think it is the same group Spider and that lady is in?" Mira asked.

Den had the same thought.

Considering the lifeless bodies of the people in Fall were turned into living dead and were in that lady's possession.

However, he also couldn't dismiss the possibility that they were already killed by someone else and she gained possession of their bodies.

Could be Spider and the lady weren't involved.

Spider only killed those four in Live village for fun.

If the two really were with that group and it really was part of their plan, they would have wiped out Live village just like it was done to Fall.

However, it was just Spider.

*Sigh, this was so confusing!

"There's so much going on and am afraid the strange feeling I had has come true"

Well, judging by what was going on, Mira agreed with him.

"With Fall out, I have a strong feeling Live village is next. I'm worried about the people there"

Really now?

"I still think you're too good master"

Den smiled, thinking she was wrong and he was no saint.

"Also, I believe you're going this far for Zil"

Amused, Den replied, "No comment"

"Well, whatever you say. But......if we're to get this straight. I personally believe these people are trying to announce the return of demon Island"

Uh......Mira was making sense.

"I mean, killing a few of those involved will make everything clear, right?"

The return of demon Island..............why was this happening now?

"I just don't get why Fall was chosen as the first target"

And will there even be a second target? Will it be Live village, just like her master suspect?

"I think Fall was chosen because it is not exactly an easy target. It might look like a school of only skilled swordsmiths but they're still worthy opponents. It is not easy to bring them down with all the skilled swordsmen they have. By doing this, they not only proved they were stronger but also sent a warning. To the five heroes. They're not done yet"

"Stealing the key must be another warning"

Yes, Mira was right. Made sense.

Now he was even more worried about the people in Live village.

He had to make sure everything was okay.

"Master, that key, does it really have something to do with demon Island?" Mira asked, pulling him out of his thoughts.

Huh? Why was she suddenly asking about it?

"I've thought about it so many times and I don't think so. What exactly does that key unlock?"

*Sigh, she was asking questions he didn't want to answer.

"There are some things you shouldn't know, Mi"

"The moment I was taken in, I became a part of this"

True, and she really wasn't letting this go.

*Sigh, "I'll tell you later. For now, I'll check out Live village. I'll stay there for some time. Just until I feel is safe"

Smiling, Mira teased, "You're that worried about Zil"

"I didn't say so"

"And I can read you like an open book"

This disciple of his.

Definitely, she made his life worth living.

"Okay, let's leave"

"Let's? Haven't you been listening to me Mi?, am the only one going"

"What?!" A disappointed Mira yelled out.

"Now, now, listen, I have a big mission for you. Stay and keep an eye on the old fool. Just make sure he doesn't do anything that'll harm my people"

"But!"

"I'm not a kid anymore mother, just do as I say"

*Sigh, Mira didn't like this. But, she can tell, there was winning in this case.

"Fine," she replied, accepting defeat.

She'll stay.

But only for some time.