Chapter 81: The reason for those tears (1/2)

Thump!

A dull sound intertwined to the solemnity of the atmosphere when Yman threw the corpse of Evil Rat to the side.

Plok, plok, plok! Droplets of blood departed from the tips of his fingers. It was dripping onto the ground like sticky excrement.

His back was still facing at her when they heard him saying, ”How ironic...” his voice was trailed with regret, dismay, and disappointment. ”I remembered someone told me that as weak as I am was nothing to her. Yet...” he stopped and side-glanced at the girl at his back. ”Is this the extent of your 'Power'? Or you misunderstand the concept of the word 'Stronger'?”

Maena frowned but she remained quiet because she felt something unusual with him at this moment.

”Someone who has strength but incapable of surviving a little struggle is much weaker than someone with a little strength but capable of advancing through any hurdle.” His voice wasn't loud nor low. But the meaning behind it was clear to them.

Ultima was surprised to see this part of the famous Rat Slayer. What they knew about him was a silent and serious person but not to this extent. Whenever he went inside the barracks, there were only two reasons for it: to relax while sipping tea or coffee and to take a mission of killing rats. Even though those around him were mocking him, he only replied with a forced smile. So seeing him killing the rat mercilessly, and casually talking to the beautiful girl like the blonde. He could not help to feel more curious about this person.

Yman noticed she stared at him. Then it grew into a piercing gaze. Yman's brow slightly raised.

”Don't talk like you know me!” She screamed, and her voice echoed inside the channel. ”You don't know what I'd been through.”

Yman was taken aback.

He noticed some tears running down from the corner of her eyes. He knitted his brows and glanced at Almina.

Yman saw her had a solemn face. Perhaps something happened to the blonde in the past which Almina knew.

Yman sighed and lifted his left hand.

A moment later, he threw something on the blonde's head.

”H-How cruel,” Ultima muttered but no one heard it or maybe they just pretended not to hear it, especially Yman himself.

The thing he threw landed on her head. Maena stared at him like pointing a dagger on his throat.

Yman exhaled, ”Don't misunderstand I'm not forcing you to wear that. Regardless, if you want to talk with something, I'm willing to listen later. But right now is not the right time, and if you still insist not to wear that mask, then it's better for you to return to the surface. I can't let you come with us in that state,” he said firmly.

”W-Why are you so adamant in killing rats?”

”Adamant you say? That word is more suited to you, you know. Anyway, look around you,” he beckoned her to look at the people around her.

”What do you mean?” Maena asked with doubt.

”If I only came here just to play with the rats, what's the point of bringing you all here?” After saying it, a glint was visible in his eyes; Yman's face turned serious.

Maena and the others widened their eyes. Now that they thought about it.

Ultima thought, 'Why did the Rat Slayer have to hire me with double the price if he was only killing rats? He even squished that rat a while ago.'

In Maena's mind, 'He's right, it's weird that he hired a mercenary if he already had Almina as his companion, to begin with. If killing only these rats, Almina was more than enough by that. He was even capable of killing them with his hand.”

Maena's gaze landed on the mercenary.

”Wait, weren't the price of hiring a mercenary mostly cost 500? It was impossible that he could earn that lots in killing these rats. So what's the reason for coming here? Wasn't he here to play? No, this person was so wicked, it was impossible that he wasted his time in coming here just to play.”

When her gaze darted to Yman's right hand, ”Wait, that Cryst... could it be...”

She absentmindedly stared at him who was showing a grin.

Almina ran and stopped beside him while saying, ”Y-Yman, I don't care what the other may think of you. I am more than happy that you chose your safety than going on a mission that might hurt you,” She said with full of concern.

”Eh?” Yman lost in thought after hearing Almina's words. ”T-Thank you for your concern Ms. Almina.”

She smiled sweetly at him.

He thought, |That smile again.|

But before he could think much of it, He heard Sistela whisper in his ears.

Yman narrowed his eyes to the dark part of the tunnel.

He said his thanks to her through thought communication. Then he glanced at the blonde.

”Are you coming?” He asked her.