CHAPTER 97: TENSION (1).

The crackling of fire...

Soft ambience that radiated warmth. And yet, a pervading chill surrounded the glow.

Off to the side, a few meters away from the gathered others, Garrick and Fallow engaged in hushed conversation, their gazes sometimes drifting over in the direction of the fire.

One could tell they were busy considering what to make of their current predicament.

Nero shifted uncomfortably in his seat, wondering what defiled god he had offended to end up in such a strange situation.

The atmosphere around the fire was incredibly tense. So tense, the Silver Blade resting on the log beside him could actually cut it.

The tension was, in part due to Aisha’s death glare from across the firepit. If stares could kill, he was shee he would have been murdered ten times over already.

However, most of his discomfort came from the woman seated right beside him— one of the twins with the heavy makeup. The more outgoing one.

Nero shuddered as he felt her move in closer.

"So... Nero, was it?"

Nero turned his head mechanically to stare at her.

Up close, he could see that despite the strange, heavy make-up, the woman didn’t look bad at all. Some would even consider her attractive. However, Nero couldn’t think about that at all. All he could think about, was the strange, almost predatory look in her eyes as she sized him up.

"You don’t look like a regular Hunter. What are you, some rich noble’s kid out here looking for fun?"

Nero hesitated for a moment before answering,

"Lucy, was it? I’m no Hunter. Just a town guard from Gor."

Lucy raised a brow,

"A town guard?" She sized him up again.

Then she frowned,

"Wait, Gor? What is someone, no less, a town guard from Gor doing all the way here?"

Nero’s expression fell.

He suddenly noticed the silence that had descended. He glanced up and found that everyone around the fire pit was staring right at him.

Obed had a displeased frown on his face, while Geor and Aisha had concerned looks.

Nero sighed.

"I’d rather not say."

"Oh?" Lucy said with a raised brow. Then she smirked.

"You have some balls to you, kid. I like that."

Then her gaze drifted to the Silver Blade and the spear resting beside him.

"So you are a fighter as well, huh. You don’t look like one..."

Nero shrugged, not knowing what to say.

A sudden motion from the side caused him to jerked to the other side reflexively.

Staring right into the strange eyes of the strange lady, Nero found himself transfixed to the spot,

"Would you like to spar with me? Don’t worry, I’ll be gentle."

Nero’s face scrunched up.

Just as he was about to say something, a blur of motion came from before him.

Then he felt someone grab him by the scruffle.

"Nero, let’s have a word." Aisha said coldly.

Nero was surprised at the amount of force contained within the dainty grip of the young lady.

Just as he breathed a sigh of relief for the timely rescue, he felt a hold grip wrap around his arm like a coiling serpent.

He trembled and turned his head to stare at Lucy, who was glaring at Aisha with dangerously dark eyes.

"Oi, what the hell do you think you’re doing? Didn’t your parents ever teach you manners?!"

Aisha’s eyes widened with rage. Then they narrowed dangerously as well,

"What does it matter to you? You aren’t even part of our party. Come on, Nero. Let’s go."

"Aisha, wait a moment—" Nero started to say when Lucy cut him off with a cold chuckle.

Then she slowly stood up.

If Aisha was a fair young lady, then Lucy was no different from the rugged Hunters.

She was muscular, with her muscles very well defined.

Her skin was strangely pale, almost white, contrasting with her dark make-up. With the flickering lights from the fire, it made her look rather sinister, since she towered over both of them by at least half a head.

Surprisingly, Aisha didn’t seem intent on backing down. Instead, she puffed out her chest and glared right back at her.

Lucy snorted coldly,

"Careful now, young lady. We aren’t in the city, which means there are no guards or laws to stop me from bashing your pretty skull in."

Aisha sneered,

"Give it your best shot then."

A strange light appeared on the depths of Aisha’s eyes, which Nero just happened to catch sight of.

A fearful shiver ran down Nero’s spine.

’Crap!’

He could recognize those eyes even if he was blind. Llllllll

The chill and danger was just too familiar.

Nero’s trembling stopped.

He shrugged off Lucy’s grip,

"I’m sorry." He said a quick apology then dragged Aisha away, leaving a stunned silence behind.

Lucy stood there with a stumped look on her face. Then she chuckled.

"Ah. To be a youngster in love..."

She turned to face Geor with a sneer,

"Are you okay with your kid running off into the forest alone with him?"

Geor frowned and said nothing.

Obed clicked his tongue and rose from his seat,

"This is fucking ridiculous."

Lucy raised a brow, "Where the hell are you going?"

Obed glared back at her,

"To get some fresh air."

Lucy rolled her eyes, "Dumbass. We are outside. There’s fresh air everywhere."

Obed snorted, "There’s none here. This place fucking reeks."

And with that, he turned around and disappeared into the treeline.

Lucy had a frown on her face as she clicked her tongue in annoyance,

"What’s up with them? What a bunch of weirdos."

A giggle sounded behind her.

Lucy turned to find her sister giggling and snorting,

"What’s so fucking funny, Johanna?!"

"Sis, you are always too desperate around cute guys. Do you have an abandonment fetish?"

Lucy grimaced then snorted,

"Seems like I also need a breath of fresh air. That idiot was right. This place does stink."

With that, she also walked into the treeline and disappeared.