57 Runic Magic (1/2)

Kiro, who was about to release his Arrow Shock, halted his movement when he noticed the odd behavior of the intruder.

However, Missa, who heard the familiar voice of the man, said in alarm. ”Stop! He's not an enemy.” She stated when she saw her group was about preparing for a battle.

Only after the group heard her voice, they finally relaxed their guard down. Still, the wariness was there.

Missa stepped closer and saw the familiar figure of the middle-aged man. ”Uncle Lori, what happened?” Staring at the man was about to go madness at any moment.

”Gill and Meg... Where are they! Is there here!” Lori shouted out of agitation.

Alyva, who first recovered from the shock, voiced out. ”Please calm down and tell us what happened?”

When Lori heard her voice, he tried his best to calm his chaotic mind as he narrated what happened. ”Just this morning, I took the two to scroll around the plaza, and have a light breakfast there. After that, we returned to our accommodation place.” Taking a deep breath, Lori continued.

”However, because I knew they would be safe here inside the guild, I didn't bother to guard them here...” Fiercely gripping his fist to the point of bleeding, Lori added.

”When I returned to the cabin, there wasn't any mess around the area or destruction to the place... At first, I thought they only went outside the perimeter to play. However, as time went by, I became worried and searched for them. But it was a fruitless effort. Then I recalled the two were close to Missa, and so I came with a hope I could find them here...”

After hearing his explanation, the group was disturbed from the news, especially Kiro who knew a guy was tailing them that night. Due to the sudden chain of events, he completely forgot to warn the two kids.

Kiro furrowed his eyebrows in trouble. Eventually, he voiced out his thoughts. ”If there's no sign of forceful approach, only means the two of them knew the person who abducted them, but are you completely sure that they aren't here inside the training lodge?”

”I am sure! I've searched all over the place. Yet, I couldn't find a single trace of them. Also, with our race characteristics, I can easily locate them with my smell! Unless... unless...” Thinking until this point, Lori sealed his mouth shut.

”Unless what?” Kiro urged him to continue.

”Unless someone used an expensive medicine and erased their smell...” After he said that, Lori couldn't take it any longer and was about to dash out of the place. But when he heard Kiro's voice, he halted his footstep.

With that thought in mind, Kiro said. ”I don't have proof to support my claim, but do you know a guy named Daren?”

”... Daren? That guy from one of the infamous newbie crusher union? That Daren?” Aldin who was listening in silence voiced out.

”I don't know. But if you tell me more about that union, I may narrow some possibilities.” Putting his right hand on his chin, Kiro said in deep thought.

Despite his information, it did not calm Lori, rather he became more worried about the two children.

Seeing Lori's reaction, Alyva concluded. ”How about this? Missa and Mirabell, please accompany Mr. Lori to the Guild and report what happened.” Glancing at Aldin, she said. ”Then Aldin please start explaining to Kiro what the newbie crusher union is.”

Glancing at the quiet Alina, she said. ”Then, I and Alina would search the two children here in the neighboring lodge.”

The group looked at each other's eyes and then nodded in agreement as they spread out.