I reached down and grabbed her legs, dragging her slightly to clear so space in the middle of the room. Then I repositioned myself, lowering one knee to the ground and sliding one arm under her back while the other went beneath her legs.
"Aah... co on..."
I tried to lift her.
My strength gave out halfway, and I had to stop before I dropped her.
I took a breath and adjusted my grip.
This ti, I lifted more carefully, using my legs instead of my shoulder. I managed to raise her partway and rested her weight briefly against my knee so I could steady myself. After a second, I pushed through the strain and lifted her fully into my arms.
She felt heavier than she looked, or maybe I was just too worn down to carry anyone properly.
I turned slowly and walked toward the exit.
The rain had not stopped.
As I stepped outside, I noticed the sll again. It was faint but unmistakable, sothing tallic mixed into the rain itself, sothing that did not belong.
I tightened my grip on her slightly.
"Let’s go... alright..."
As I stepped outside with Mio in my arms, I heard sothing ahead of .
Bushes rustling.
I froze instantly.
The sound was not the wind. It was too uneven, like sothing, or soone, was moving through them.
I reacted imdiately. I turned and hurried around the hut, forcing my legs to move despite the strain. I pressed my back against the outer wall and lowered myself slightly, keeping Mio close and trying to make us as small as possible.
Carefully, I leaned just enough to peek around the edge.
Three n stepped out from the trees.
They did not look friendly.
The one in front was broad and thick-built, his shoulders wide under a worn, stained shirt, his beard uneven and ssy as if he had not cared to trim it in weeks. The man to his left was thinner, with sharp cheekbones and narrow eyes that kept shifting, constantly scanning his surroundings as if he expected trouble at any mont. The third stood slightly behind them, taller than the others, his posture relaxed but his gaze steady, the kind of stillness that suggested he was paying attention to everything.
"Fucking Niku," one of them muttered. "He is treating us as if we are his lackeys."
"And Darbi?" the one beside him said. "Curse that man to nine hells."
The last one nodded. "Yeah. Bastard."
"Ambly’s tits, boys..." the first man said as he looked around. "What the fuck happened here? Look at the hut."
"I see blood there," the second man said, pointing toward the ground.
"There as well," the third added.
I pulled back behind the wall and pressed myself against it, lowering myself further while still holding Mio securely.
"Fuck," I whispered under my breath.
"Let’s follow the footprints," one of them said.
"I see two sets... wait, no. Five?"
"Look at that old fuck. Her heart is missing."
"Two of them ran there into the forest."
"Let’s check the hut first."
"Alright."
I tensed as I heard their footsteps approaching. The sound of wet ground shifting under their boots grew louder, and a mont later I heard them step inside the hut. The wood creaked under their weight as they moved around, their voices echoing faintly through the structure.
I shifted slightly and leaned toward a narrow gap in the broken wall, just enough to see inside.
They were moving through the hut slowly, looking over everything.
Up close, they looked even worse. Their clothes were soaked and dirty, their weapons worn but clearly used often, and the way they moved through the space made it obvious they were used to violence.
They were not people I wanted to run into.
"Gods..." one of them muttered. "I hope we’re looking for a group of won, not disgusting sweaty n."
"Why?" another asked.
"What do you an why? So I can fuck ’em."
I shook my head slightly, keeping my voice low. "How gentlemanly of you..."
In my arms, Mio stirred.
"Uugh..." she let out weakly, her eyes still closed. "Ah..."
I froze.
"What was that?" one of the n said, his tone changing imdiately. "That ca from outside. Go check it."
My grip tightened around Mio as my heart began to pound harder, and I pressed myself closer to the wall, knowing they were about to co out.
They ca from the left side.
I quickly set Mio down on the ground, making sure she was stable, then raised both hands slowly. "I don’t want trouble."
One of the n grinned wide. "Woo! New prisoners!"
"A woman!" the other one said, already unzipping his pants with eager fingers. "Gods really heard today!"
I glanced down at the sa man’s boot and spotted the handle of a knife tucked inside.
"M-May I join?" I asked, trying to sound eager. "I want to taste her too."
"Get the fuck out of here, kid," the man growled, now fully pulling his pants down. "I’m gonna fuck the shit out of this bitch."
"Anal’s mine!" the one on the left laughed. "Wish she was a little younger though. Fucking old hag."
"Just don’t cum inside her. You always..."
I moved fast.
I crouched low, snatched the dagger from his boot, and drove it straight into his neck in one smooth motion. Blood sprayed hot across my face. Before the second man could react, I rose and shoved the collapsing corpse hard into him, knocking him off balance.
I spun left, dodged a wild dagger swing aid at my face, and buried my blade deep into his chest.
The man on the ground crawled backward, well, tried to crawl backward, eyes wide with terror.
"I can share her! Wait, wait, wait!" He shook his head. "W-w-we took down a group before coming here! I have gold!"
I kicked the first corpse off him aside and straddled the second man.
I drove the knife straight into his chest, twisting once. His eyes went wide, a wet gasp escaping his mouth. His hands clutched weakly at my arm for a second, then went slack.
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> ENEMY SLAIN (x3)
╠══════════════════╣
> 45 EXP
> 20 LC
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