Chapter 17 – Gratitude

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[30 Minutes Later]

Once they manage to get into the dense forest nearby, the merchant continues his relentless march, terrified at the mere thought of what might happen if he stopped halfway. As the wagon collides with dry branches, trees, rocks, and twisted vines that only serve to obstruct the path, it gradually falls apart until it is completely destroyed.

The merchant only stops when he sees a massive waterfall directly in front of him.

Judging by his nervous expression, it's clear that everyone is in the same state, — shocked and disbelieving.

In that moment of silence, the man rubs his eyes and suddenly says with a long sigh:

— I-I think we've gone far enough.

Kazuki and Rei, who are standing next to him, simply nod in agreement.

The boy begins to examine the area from a distance while Kazuki turns to the children in the back of the carriage.

— I think we can rest now, it's been a long time... Let's go — he points to a place near the waterfall.

"What a crazy world, man..."

He thinks to himself.

Turning around, the boy notices that Mia and Takayo are still shaken. Lowering his voice, he speaks softly in their direction.

— So... I'm really sorry about what happened. Do you need any help?

Kazuki, who is hugging Mia and Takayo, looks at Rei with a faint shadow of a smile, although his eyes remain lifeless, and says:

— We're fine, no need to worry...

Even though it was a tough reality, there was nothing that could be done. Every time he tried to comfort people in miserable situations, his careless words only made things worse.

In the end, maybe the most important thing in these situations is just ''to be there''.

...

After getting out of the carriage, Kazuki holds Mia and Takayo and talks to them about something that Rei, who is standing a little further away, cannot hear.

Taking advantage of the moment, the merchant approaches the boy, who seems to be analyzing the whole scenario, watching the reddish, cloudy sky getting darker by the minute.

— T-Thank you, young man. If you hadn't warned me back then, I wouldn't have been able to react in time... Thank you.

Rei glances at him briefly, then shifts his gaze back to the scenery, thinking to himself.

— I didn't do it for you... I did it for me and my friends — he replies in a sharp, fast tone.

After these words, there is silence again, with only the sound of the nearby waterfall clearly audible.

Realizing that the boy isn't in the mood to talk, and his expression carries no trace of humor, the merchant turns back toward the carriage.

— Damn war! All my merchandise is gone… Shit. If I had known this would happen, I would've gone to the elf kingdom — he grumbles impatiently, kicking a nearby tree several times.

Most of his goods had been destroyed by his frantic pace.

Two wooden crates and a partially broken marble jar are all that remain of his inventory.

...

After finishing his conversation with the children, Rei quietly approaches Kazuki.

— Hey... How was it? Are you okay, man?

Kazuki, noticing his presence, looks at him and gives a small smile before answering calmly, still unsure about everything that happened.

— I still can't process everything that happened, but... I can't show any hesitation now — he says, looking at the boy whose expression is somber, his eyes clouded with worry.

— The children need a parental figure right now. If I show weakness or fear, they'll only feel more afraid... I have to play the role of protector at times like this — he adds.

Keeping his voice low and apologetic, the man maintains his posture and finally questions the boy:

— That ability you used earlier... what was it? I felt divine energy.

"Well... No point in hiding it now."

Rei thinks, having considered making up an excuse, but finally deciding to be honest, as always.

— You remember that giant demogorgon from before? When I killed it, I gained a ton of experience, leveled up a few times and unlocked some abilities and stuff.

— When that demon lord or whatever that thing was used that fire skill that almost hit us, I activated this ability right then and there, not knowing if it would work or not.

— And hey, it worked... I bet everything on it, hahaha. Otherwise, we'd be dead now. I guess that thing wasn't that strong after all — he ends with a small laugh.

Realizing how foolish it was to laugh about something that killed so many people and destroyed the small town, the boy quickly adds:

— My fault, I was kind of laughing at the situation.

Kazuki doesn't seem to mind. After spending so much time with Rei, he was already used to his behavior.

— It's all right, don't worry about it... Anyway, I wanted to thank you for saving Takayo and for saving everyone with your ability — he says, his voice full of gratitude.

— You're always helping us. I don't even know how to repay you — he adds, tilting his head slightly, a warm smile reaching his eyes.

Overwhelmed with emotion, Rei awkwardly rubs the back of his head, unable to stop the happiness from filling her heart.

— I-It was nothing.