Chapter 140: False AlarmAs I panicked at the thought of becoming wanted by a country, Wilharrow got up.

    "Eh?" [Solace]

    I jolted in surprise as he craned his neck and groaned.

    "Ow..." [Wilharrow]

    I stood there amazed as I saw the two gaping holes I had made close at frightening speeds.

    ("How is he alive?!") [Solace]

    "Alert: The activation of the skill |Last Stand| has been detected." [Spirit Guide]

    Well that answered my question.

    "Uh... Wil? Are you okay?" [Solace]

    "Yeah. I think you killed me once- wait, what did you just call me?" [Wilharrow]

    "What? You mean... Wil?" [Solace]

    "Yes. That. What... is that, exactly?" [Wilharrow]

    I raised a brow.

    "You mean the nickname?" [Solace]

    "Nickname? Is that what it''s called?" [Wilharrow]

    "It''s just a friendly way to shorten someone''s name. Wait, do you not know this?" [Solace]

    Wilharrow scratched his head.

    "Ah... Sadly, I do not. I was raised within the temple of gods so it is likely that there are customs I am unfamiliar with." [Wilharrow]

    "Huh..." [Solace]

    Putting pieces together, I figured that he was probably some orphan child raised in a church.

    "By the way, is this really what you should be asking about when you almost just died?" [Solace]

    Wilharrow smiled in a way that could be described as forgiving.

    "It''s fine. My skill |Last Stand| allows me to return from death once every week." [Wilharrow]

    "Every week?!" [Solace]

    The fact that the cooldown was only a week was something that I call unbalanced.

    "Putting that aside, it appears this is my loss." [Wilharrow]

    "Eh..." [Solace]

    I wasn''t sure what to say. It didn''t feel like a win since it wasn''t me in control.

    "I have to say, that display of power and skill was impressive." [Wilharrow]

    "Uh... thanks?" [Solace]

    "Have you ever thought of joining the hero''s party?" [Wilharrow]

    He smiled gleefully.

    "I feel that with you by my side, we would be invincible." [Wilharrow]

    I know he said that without thinking much about it, but his words cut deep. Most I''ve ever known after reincarnating was defeat.

    "I''ll take that compliment. However, I have never thought of joining the hero''s party." [Solace]

    "Even with the hero himself asking you?" [Wilharrow]

    I shook my head.

    "I have other responsibilities." [Solace]

    If I had chosen to join the hero''s party, that would mean I would be separated from Fina. There were a few problems with that, like not knowing what would happen if she died without me. Would I disappear?

    "That''s unfortunate. Is it because you have attachments with that girl?" [Wilharrow]

    "Girl?" [Solace]

    "The one you fought my former allies over. Her name was... Finea Kane, correct?" [Wilharrow]

    "Yeah...?" [Solace]

    I was starting to question where he was going with this.

    "Would you join if she became one of my allies?" [Wilharrow]

    "Woah woah woah. Hold on. That''s a different story." [Solace]

    "How so? From what I''ve seen, she doesn''t seem completely uninterested." [WIlharrow]

    "That''s..." [Solace]

    I also wondered why I was so against it. Maybe it''s because I felt like Fina would be placed in more danger than she already is. I was quite certain that her joining with a lack of mana would prove fatal.

    "In any case, no. I won the duel, so give me my money." [Solace]

    Wilharrow sighed.

    "A deal is a deal. I will return soon with the money in tow. However, I will NOT give up on you." [Wilharrow]

    _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

    After that incident, Fina pulled me aside and pinched my ear. Sear?h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

    "Ow ow ow!" [Solace]

    "What do you think you were doing?!" [Fina]

    "I-I was trying to help you!" [Solace]

    She pulled harder.

    "Ack! Y-you''re gonna tear my ear off!" [Solace]

    Normally you''d find these situations kind of cute when reading a romance novel or something, but DAMN this hurts!

    "Sure, let''s say you DID help me. When you came into the room, it was pretty cool of you." [Fina]

    "Aw shucks... You''re embarrassing me with all that praise." [Solace]

    She then pulled again.

    "Ow?!" [Solace]

    "HOWEVER!! Did you have to provoke them like that?! You literally beat up a group supported by the country! You''re lucky that it turned out how it did!" [Fina]

    I swear, my ear was going to fall off from either the pulling or the scolding.

    "Okay okay! I got it! Relax!" [Solace]

    She looked at me with a frustrated expression.

    "..." [Fina]

    After probably contemplating something for a few seconds, her expression softened.

    "I just can''t with you." [FIna]

    She let out a sigh and released me. I then quickly backed away and checked if my ear was still there.

    "Man that smarts... You really have a real nasty pinch." [Solace]

    Fina hit me with a side eye.

    "Just don''t do it again." [Fina]

    "Ah... Yes, ma''am." [Solace]