Chapter 108 - Guard City (2/2)

' I'm sick of falling...' He thought.

”...I need to heal my foot.” He looked down.

”...” He stood silently.

' Come!' He shouted in his head.

The trees around him rustled.

Multiple unknown objects flew towards him swiftly.

' Stop.'

Donk!

One of them slammed into his forehead.

”...I only wanted a few birds. What the hell is this...” He mumbled as he looked around.

Around him floated birds, squirrels, and mice. Even some bugs.

They trembled silently.

”...Still can't manipulate blood as good as I would like to be able to.” He mumbled.

”...In any case, I should be able to heal myself with their blood. I'll eat the birds and get rid of the rest afterward.” He said.

Blood seeped from the bodies of the bigger creatures, as the bugs floated silently.

All balls of blood were then split into two sets of blood, big and small.

Puft!

Blood flames incinerated the smaller blobs instantly.

”...”

The blood then shot towards Levi, splashing as they slammed into his body.

All of the blood seeped into his body swiftly.

” Now, to eat.” Levi said.

” Hmmm ha hmm.” Humming sounded from the distance.

”...” Levi silently contemplated something.

” Oh! Something to eat! Something to eat!” Adam sang from the back of the tortoise.

”...” Levi glanced up at him.

A few minutes later.

” Is it done yet?” Adam asked.

” No.” Levi said.

He lay on his side, propping up his head with his arm on the back of the tortoise.

In front of him were 3 plucked birds, floating above fire made using his qi.

” Is it done?” Adam asked.

” Not yet.” Levi said.

” Is it-” Adam was interrupted.

” No! It's not bloody done yet! Are you a child!?” Levi shouted.

” Um...You shouldn't shout...” Adam said.

” Screw that! Shut-” Before Levi could finish, a glowing green light slammed into him, sending him flying from the tortoise's back.

” Hahaha! I told you!” Adam laughed while clutching his stomach.

”...Dammit! You aren't getting any!” Levi shouted.

” Come now, don't behave like a child.” Adam said deadpan.

” You're the child here, goddammit!” Levi shouted.

...

A few minutes later.

” Huff! Huff!” Levi leaned against a tree.

” Again!” He shouted.

' I already strengthened the joints and tendons in my feet and ankles.' He thought.

' All that is left now, is the timing.' He breathed out.

' The...timing!' His foot slammed into the ground as he shot off.

' 3...2...' He counted down.

'...1...'

' Now!' His foot touched down.

Before he had time to think, his body had advanced further than ever with that one step.

His robes fluttered in the wind as his hair became undone.

While moving at that speed, the world seemed still.

The greenery, the earth, the sky, they all seemed different to him somehow.

Crack!

'...Got caught in the moment.' Levi's face paled as he took his next step.

A loud crack rang out as his body flipped through the air, before bouncing and rolling on the ground.

” Hey, you alright there, son?” A shout sounded.

” Hmm?” Levi glanced to the side.

”...Where the hell...” He squinted.

He found himself in a clearing without trees.

” Rice fields?” He mumbled.

” Are you sure you're okay, youngster?” The man asked.

” Ah...Yes, thank you for your concern. Could you...Er, tell me where I am, perhaps?” Levi asked while scratching his head.

” Hmm?” The man paused.

” Um, if it isn't too much trouble, is there a city near here?” Levi asked again.

” Yes, if you go that way, you will arrive at a city after a while.” The man pointed.

” Thank you very m-” His hair blew into his face.

” Oh no! My hair tie!” He only then realized that his hair had become undone.

”...” The man watched as Levi ran back the way he came.

”...haha, what a clumsy kid.” He chuckled.

” His appearance was quite scary, golden eyes and long, unkempt red hair, but he might just be a clumsy kid!” He said smilingly.

” Old man! Going to pick wild fruits again?!” A shout sounded from one of the rice fields.

” Mhmm!” The man nodded.

” Don't work yourself too hard, might hurt yourself in your old age! Gyahaha! Be careful of mutated beasts!” A man shouted from the distance.

” It'll be fine!” The man adjusted the strap of the large basket on his back.

” Can't be too careful! If you get mauled, don't worry! I'll take care of that daughter of yours for ya!” The rice planter shouted.

” Keep dreaming!” The old man shouted with a grin.

...

” Where is it?” Levi looked into a bush.

' That hair tie?' He scanned the ground.

”...” He frantically searched.

” heeey!” A shout sounded.

' Not now.' Levi glanced at Adam.

He continued to search.

” Hmm? What're you doing?” Adam asked.

” Looking for something, move.” Levi pushed him to the side.

” This?” Adam dangled a piece of red cloth before Levi.

”...Phew, thanks.” Levi sighed in relief.

” ?” Adam tilted his head, confused.

” Is it very important?” He asked.

”...I don't receive gifts very often.” Levi said after a pause.

” Is that so? Let's go then!” Adam smiled.

”...Where is that thing you were riding?” Levi dusted himself off.

” Hmm? It turned at an intersection in the path! So I had to get off.” Adam said.

” Oh.” Levi gathered his hair.

” Now that I have to walk again, I am tired! Carry me on your back!” Adam grabbed Levi's shoulders from behind.

” Get lost! Can't I tie my hair in peace!?” Levi shouted.

” You wouldn't be able to do that if not for me, so carry me as payback!” Adam shouted.

” You would have died of starvation if it wasn't for me, so no! Let go!” Levi glared back at Adam while holding his hair, with the hair tie between his lips.

...

Late evening.

” Huff...Finally...Huff...here...” Adam panted, exhausted.

He leaned on his stick.

The sky darkened as the patch of orange on the horizon slowly vanished.

Before them stood a large wall, built with gritty, black stone blocks.

” How do you know this is the right city?” Levi asked.

”...” A grim expression found it's way to Adam's face as he looked at Levi.

”...” Levi trembled.

”...Aren't you tired too?” Adam asked, confused.

”...” Levi forcefully held back his laughter, causing his face to turn red.

” C-C'mon, let's go in.” He said, before stiffly walking towards the gate.

...

”...” Levi looked around while walking.

Bright lanterns lined the streets, illuminating the night.

Many people walked the streets.

Restaurants and other buildings were brightly lit as people went to and from them.

” Whoa! Even though it's night, they're all so active!” Adam said, still propping on his stick.

” Let's go find a place to stay.” Levi said.

” Whaaaat? But I'm hungryyyy. Let's get something to eat. Get me something to eat!” Adam whined.

” Sigh. Fine, alright? Just behave while we look.” Levi said as they walked.

” Okaaay!” Adam said happily.