A Short Moment Of Respite...

Standing up and brushing past Wang Zihan, I walked towards the village.

Everyone looked at me suspiciously, some even glaring at me but they were patient enough to not scream at me.

[Aren't you gonna say something? They will misunderstand you, y'know?]

The deceased mage walked... Floated beside me as she said her worries.

I spared her a glance and started walking down the hill, doing so, Zhao Lina suddenly came up from behind me followed by everyone else.

Feeling her stare daggers down my back, I subtly glance at her over my shoulder.

Is there something on my back?

Before I could say something, she stepped forward and then whispered, "Who was that ogre talking about? Goddess Of Souls... Lord Of The Dead... Do you know who they were talking about?"

She didn't have to whisper to me, the others would have asked the same question albeit in a different, more aggressive way.

' She whispered as to not make any problems with the group?'

I didn't feel like responding too quickly, I made her wait.

Once near the village filled with lots of people, the others were much distracted now since this is their first time here.

Zhao Lina still followed behind, along with the young farmer accompanied by the two girls.

I then slowed my steps until I'm beside Zhao Lina and then whisper, "No. I do not know who they were talking about, maybe I must've looked like someone they were speaking of."

Her crimson red eyes stared daggers into my soul, like she was trying to see if I was telling the truth.

She definitely is, but why does it feel as though my entire body and even my soul is on fire?

She took her gaze away from me after a long moment and let out a "hmph", seemingly satisfied with my answer.

She walked away from me and helped the two girls assisting the young farmer, the farmer let out a small groan as he looked at me.

His gaze wasn't like the others, not filled with anger and suspicion.

Glancing back at him, I raised an eyebrow and he immediately realized he was staring and coughed awkwardly.

"My bad, I have a habit of spacing out..." He said and then added, " You're not hurt are you? The others are suspicious of you but I feel as though you're trust worthy."

He smiled brightly, despite his arms literally in shambles, he still was able to say such things to me...

I was a bit surprised, not expecting it but nodded in response and continued walking.

Wang Zihan's group were a few meters away, looking around while keeping a safe distance from Zhao Lina, and maybe even me.

Letting out a sigh, I stopped walking and turned around. The others stopped and looked at me as well, Zhao Lina's group was full of confusion and questions while Wang Zihan's group was suspicious of me.

I looked at each and every one of them and then spoke:

" There is an inn nearby, I will lead you to it. After what happened in the clearing I believe you all need some rest."

Everyone looked at each other, a rather surprised expression on their face while also feeling relief, finally getting a roof over their heads and some good food.

Though they still held suspicions on me, the people of Wang Zihan's group couldn't refuse, nor did they want to.

Sigh...

I turned around once more and then started walking towards the inn, walking Infront of two groups, each ones mutual leader was those of high clans...

" What am I getting myself into...?" I thought to myself, letting out a huff, feeling as though I'm about to be stressed in the near future.

***

The people of the small village were kind to let us young "adventurers" stay by the inn's for free to rest.

Yoru, Wang Zihan, Zhao Lina, and the members of each of their group. All eleven of them had a hearty meal, despite a certain half of them were wary of the mysterious eleventh member they could not refuse an offer such as this.

All original ten members ate at the same side of the table, except for Zhao Lina who's seated rather far from everyone, and the young farmer and the two girls helping him eat due to his hands being broken.

Yoru ate across from everyone, Wang Zihan's group were much more suspicious of him since... Well... He had a some revelation of course.

And because he has the influence from being part of a high clan.

Eating comfortably like he wasn't being stared daggers at by a very influential group, Yoru ate slowly and spared them a glance.

"Waiter, may I get your cheapest wine please?" He said while wiping his mouth with a table cloth.

The six people of Wang Zihan's group all simultaneously had their eyebrows twitch as they looked at this youth before them.

The twins in particular could not tolerate this kind of audacity.

' He dares have the audacity to order us CHEAP wine after getting into a near death experience!?!?'

' This commoner rat! I swear I'm gonna blast him with high level magic the moment I awaken!!'

They clearly couldn't cover up how much they despised Yoru with simply their looks. Wang Zihan was the same, but he atleast wasn't making it too obvious.

The three other members were pretty much laid back but still had their suspicions on him.

The two girls and the young farmer were ecstatic by his offer though...

"Ooh! Wine? I've never had that before, waiter please bring us some!" Said the young farmer.

The two girls chuckled at the young farmers innocence and made sure he didn't move much.

Zhao Lina did not seem to care however, still eating the inn's meal looking as cold and indifferent as ever.

Clink!

Clink!

The waiter brought down some cups for everyone except the twins and the three others, refusing to drink cheap commoner wine like it's poison.

Wang Zihan didn't dare refuse as it might tarnish his good reputation.

...

...

A long awkward silence filled the room, the only sounds were the trees rustling outside, the innkeepers working, and Yoru calmly drinking his wine.

The farmer and the girls happily drank theirs while the twins never wavered their eyes from Yoru, Zhao Lina took one sip but never touched it again...

How awkward...

Is what was going on in Yoru's mind.

Before he could break the silence, Wang Zihan suddenly drank the cheap wine in one gulp and slammed his cup down on the table.

Thud!

"Haaa!" He let out a large sigh and stared at Yoru, he had the same smile on his face which looked uncanny to Yoru.

Finally.

"So how about we get to it huh? Tell us everything you know, and why that ogre wanted to know who your parents were so bad."

Yoru drank his wine...

Taking the slowest sip, tasting it in his mouth and gulping it down.

He then finally lifted his eyes and looked Wang Zihan and the twins, his calm and indifferent look sent shivers down their spines.

Though Zhao Lina could have done the same to them if she did so, for some reason...

"Why can't I look away???" The oldest twin gulped a lump down his throat.

"What the hell is with this guy!?" The younger twins breath suddenly became thin, like he couldn't breath air at all.

Wang Zihan looked as calm as ever, not easily intimidated...

Thud!

Zhao Lina brought her empty cup down on the table as she pierced everyone with her sharp gaze.

"The short rest is over, answer his question commoner."

Her voice was even and cold, blasting with authority and fierce presence that could make one want to cry...

"With pleasure..."