'Huh?' I was taken aback by the glowing screen that had suddenly appeared out of nowhere, so much that I didn't even notice that the innkeeper was talking to me.
I blinked a few times, but the glowing screen was still there, hovering in front of me.
'What's this?'
At that point, the innkeeper's voice finally reached me.
"…Um… you okay sir?"
I flinched, turned to her, then pointed at the screen. "Can you see this?"
"See what?"
A look of confusion was plastered on her face, which deepened my own. I mean… it was a really large screen; how could she not see it?
I turned to look behind me where Aika stood with her hands crossed, then said with a bit of desperation. "Please tell me you can see this."
Aika replied, though mentally causing me to flinch. 'I can see it. Though… it looks like it's just us who can.'
My eyes widened slightly.
'Oh…' I cocked my head back and looked away. But then a realization hit, causing me to look back at Aika. 'Wait… I can also hear your thoughts?'~
'Duh…'~~
That single reply made me feel foolish. Of course, bonds could read each other's thoughts. That fact should have been obvious to me, as I had played the game and had extensive knowledge on it.
Aika's thoughts came in again. 'You focus on that. I'll book us the room.'~~
I nodded slightly as she walked past me to the lady at the counter, then my attention drifted back to the glowing screen.
[Do you wish to access Gamer Privileges?]
…Mmm.
Although I couldn't tell what that meant, the word Privileges piqued my interest. Privileges meant exclusive benefits, right? Who didn't want privileges?
'Yes…'
I accepted it.
…But then the screen disappeared.
'Huh? Where are the privileges?'
My expression dropped. Even though I had no idea what privileges I was accessing, I was already anticipating something. So where was it?
'Tsk. Why raise my hopes up if you are just going to disappear leaving nothing?'
I felt disappointed, but then Aika's voice snapped my attention back to the present. "…it's 1 silver piece per person for a night."
"Huh?" Turning my gaze away from the empty space where the screen had been, I saw Aika's extended palm.
"Oh…"
I immediately reached into the pocket of the long trench coat I was wearing, took out a gold coin from the pouch, and handed it to her.
She turned, dropped the coin on the counter, then asked the innkeeper. "Can we also have a lavabo?" She nodded toward me. "My partner here needs one for a shower."
Ah… That's right. I'm sure I reek of blood right now.
The innkeeper smiled and nodded to Aika. "Sure. We'll have one sent to your room later."
She turned and took two steps to the key rack mounted on the wall behind the counter.
I watched as she grabbed a bunch of keys from the rack.
In that instant, a shadow fell over me. A bulky, drunk man walked past, holding a large cup of beer. He slammed his elbow onto the counter right next to Aika, and a few drops of stale ale splashed onto the wood.
"What's a beautiful flower like yourself doing in this godforsaken part of the city." His voice was crude and an oily, gravelly rumble that was far too loud for the room.
His hungry eyes ran across Aika's body. He took a few deep gulps of his drink, slammed the cup down, and continued, "You don't look like you belong here. Why don't you come warm up with me instead?"
At this point, the noise in the common room began to fade slowly as many of the patrons turned their attention to the scene.
"Behave yourself, Buckley." The innkeeper warned, stepping back to the counter.
The drunk man ignored her warning and instead raised his cup to her. "Don't interfere, you flat-breasted serving wench!"
"Or what?"
The common room was quiet now.
Every eye was now fixed on Aika, the innkeeper, and the man called Buckley.
Aika, however, remained unmoved. Her expression didn't change, and she stood with her arms crossed as if unbothered by the man or the threat he represented.
On the other hand, I was panicking. Aika was my bond. If anything bad were to happen to her, unlike in her case, I wouldn't die, but I would lose access to all of my powers and abilities. I couldn't let that happen, but what could I possibly do in this scenario?
I watched as the man took another drink of his wine, then smirked. His free hand reached forward, aiming for Aika's waist. At that moment, I don't know what compelled me to act, maybe it was pure instinct to protect what was mine, or maybe just the sheer annoyance and irritation at the ugly, drunk man daring to touch her.
I reached out reflexively and grabbed the man's hand firmly in place.
But just then, I regretted the action. I'd intervened without a plan; now, I was stumped, my mind completely empty. 'Ah… what do I do now?'
I took a few breaths to steady my breathing, then peered up at the man.
"Uh, why don't we just… "
Before I could utter another sound, the man spun with violent speed and smashed his cup directly into my face.
SMACK!
The sheer force of the blow sent me reeling. I fell backward and my head crashed hard into the edge of a patron's table before I hit the cold ground. The impact exploded into a blinding flash behind my eyes, immediately followed by a high, insistent ringing in my ears.
I groaned, trying to sit up, my hand clutching the side of my head which was instantly covered in blood. That was when I noticed a glowing red screen had appeared in front of me, blinking repeatedly.
[Warning: Not enough Karma points to use the bonded skill - Chrysalis. Thread carefully.]
I barely had time to register the message. My attention snapped back to Buckley, who was now standing over me, hiccupping.
"Stay out of my way, you pathetic little twerp."
He turned his gaze to Aika, and began moving closer to her with a crude smirk stretching across his face.
"Now, now. How about we pick up where we left off, eh?"
Aika completely ignored him. Instead, she turned to look at me on the floor.
Our eyes met briefly, and for the first time since meeting her, I could feel a hint of emotion behind those eyes.
It wasn't just anger, it was more than that. It was something scarier.
Then, as if a switch had been thrown, her striking blue eyes darkened into an impossible, absolute black. I was sure I could see the very light drain from the room, sucked into those twin voids, and I felt a crushing sense of cold dread settle in my chest.
"How dare you?!" She finally muttered turning her gaze on Buckley who had frozen mid-step.
"Wha…" He took a cautious step back, staring into her eyes. "You… you are a domi—"
Bam!
He didn't get to finish because right then, Aika kicked him violently in the crotch, causing him to bend over with a strangled groan.
Before he could recover, she grabbed his head and smashed it down on the counter table.
She then immediately hauled him back up by the hair, and smashed it again, and again, and again.
Blood splattered the counter and the wall behind the key rack. With the fourth impact, a spray of shattered teeth scattered across the polished wood, confirming the crushing force of the blows.
Then Aika inhaled deeply, then exhaled tiredly before throwing the man to the floor like a ragdoll.
At that moment, a floating screen immediately appeared before me, bright against the dim light of the tavern.
[EXP: +100]
[You have acquired 100 Karma points.]
[Available Karma points: 400.]