Chapter 42：End of The First Round (2/2)

The silence was suffocating and Arthur fell into a dilemma. He didn't know what to do, as he didn't want to make an enemy of Erin and befriend a possible-killer. He looked at both Miko and Erin as he felt conflicted.

”Is it true?” He asked Miko, looking for assurance. She looked at him with her poker face and chewed on her words before she spat them out.

”We have our reasons.”

”Reasons, hah! It seems you're not from her group, so back down here and let us take care of her.” Erin sneered at Miko and the latter frowned.

Arthur was truly in a tight spot here. His life was threatened, and he didn't know if he should risk it for a girl he just met. Furthermore, this girl was someone from a 'terrorist' group. If he associated himself with Miko now, he would be targeted by one of the most powerful people in his generation.

The choice was obvious. He wouldn't risk his life for a stranger and make enemies with someone powerful just for his sense of guilt. Furthermore, it was Miko who admitted she tried to kill Erin.

As Arthur was about to speak, a splitting headache assaulted him. His vision blurred as he felt his body fall to the ground. A nauseous feeling crept from his stomach bringing whatever it had toward the outside. He started vomiting what he had eaten earlier in front of the group.

His headache was getting stronger. It was then that he wondered if he was poisoned, but he was the one who prepared the food. Kira and Miko were by his side now trying to help him, worried, and they were fine after eating the same food. His head was ringing and it felt like it was splitting. He looked at Layla, the only person he could think of as a suspect, and she was shocked like the rest of them while carrying a disgusted face.

”Trust the silver.”

It was then that Arthur heard it. A voice so distant yet so booming and crushing in his mind as if it wanted to break it apart. It said these three words only that sent shivers down his spine. It seems no one else heard these words as everyone didn't show any reaction.

It wasn't Jizo's voice, as he had heard it before. It belonged to someone else, but Arthur didn't know who. His gut was twisting at these thoughts and he gritted his teeth.

”I'm sorry, Sir Erin.” Carrying a face as pale as a sheet of paper, Arthur smirked slightly. His state was pathetic, to say the least, and he was barely making the words out. ”But it seems even the heavens don't favor you.”

”Kill them all!” Erin's voice was cold and detached. He gave the dog a chance, but it bit his hand instead.

”Kira!” Miko shouted and the wolf appeared next to her in an instant. She grabbed the sick Arthur and the giant wolf by both hands and activated her ability. The attacks of the group arrived and were centimeters away from her before she was finally able to use her ability. Arthur saw various attacks come his way before the scene changed in front of them, being replaced by blackness.

It was a short moment before the world appeared in front of his eyes again. They were at the place they killed the Flesheater at. It was probably a kilometer away from Erin's group, but they would find them soon. He looked at Miko and she was on her knees panting, it seems she used too much mana to get them here.

”Kira, take us home!” Arthur used what little strength he gathered and jumped on top of the wolf with Miko in his embrace. The giant wolf sprinted at full force, running away from their pursuers.

***

”What happened back there?” Miko asked when the two were at the pub, far away from their pursuers. She was referring to Arthur's vomiting episode, and he had no idea how to answer her because he didn't know what happened himself.

”It's just… I got suddenly sick.” Arthur shook his head. The voice he heard wasn't something to be shared, as no one would believe him. The only reason he believed the voice himself is the strong sense of familiarity he felt toward it. It was as if he knew the person, but he had no idea who it was.

”Anyway, care to explain what's going on?” Arthur changed the subject, focusing on the more important matters.

”You mean with Erin?”

”Obviously.”

Miko went silent as she looked toward the ground. After several minutes that Arthur allowed her to have, she finally started talking.

”I can't tell you much, but only that he's a bad person. My family asked us to take care of him and several others, because they're dangerous.”

”Dangerous? To what?”

”Mm, the world, maybe?” She answered uncertainly.