The air in the room felt cool and smelled of expensive lavender. Moonlight streamed through the large window with its slightly parted curtains, illuminating the thick, intricately patterned carpet on the floor.
Rezak sat on the edge of the bed. His back was bare and sweaty, his muscles tensed. He hunched over, both hands gripping his black hair roughly.
Damn. That mf Kilasafi was suddenly possessed by a motivational speaker out of nowhere. What should I do? Rezak exhaled heavily. But what he said makes quite a bit of sense.
The power is there. If we're strong, the kingdom will be too lazy to chase us. But does that mean our bounty has to be high? No, how does it work? If our power is high, our bounty isn't necessarily high too, right? Rezak narrowed his eyebrows, his forehead furrowed deeply.
But well, I actually have enough because my girlfriend has enough. She's... rich enough. But what would her reaction be if I became a criminal?
Of course, it would endanger her! Tch, and of course, she would forbid it. But.
Ah shit man..should I break up with her? But I love her so much, damn it.
Rezak grew increasingly frustrated. He bit his lower lip, his foot tapping the floor nervously.
But it sounds interesting. If we become strong and rich together. Ugh. Damn. Choose, Rezak!
Behind him, an Elf woman lay on her side. Her purple hair was spread messy over the silk pillow. Her beautiful brown skin was exposed to the moonlight, glowing softly. Her body was covered only by a sheet of crumpled blanket up to her hips.
"Is there a problem Baby?" asked the woman. Her voice was husky, typical of someone who just woke up. She stared at Rezak's back with her purple eyes, sharp yet drowsy.
The woman pulled Rezak's head gently and pressed it against her warm chest. Slowly she stroked Rezak's head softly, her fingers combing through the man's black hair.
She kissed Rezak's forehead, leaving a warm sensation on his skin.
"Hmm? What is it, what is it?"
"Stressed darling?"
The woman tilted her head, looking at Rezak's face from the side with a faint, calming smile.
Rezak sighed deeply, letting his shoulders drop in relaxation. He closed his eyes for a moment, enjoying the strokes and embrace of the woman. Her body scent calmed Rezak's tense nerves.
"Yeah. I'm confused."
"Confused about what?" asked the woman. She tightened her embrace slightly, her chin resting on Rezak's shoulder.
"Hmmm? You know we promised to share burdens, right?"
"Maybe. N-not with this one. Claura."
"You called me by my name?" Claura narrowed her eyes. Her smile vanished slightly, replaced by a wary expression. She pulled her face back a little to look at Rezak more clearly.
Silence for a moment.
Only the sound of their steady but heavy breaths could be heard.
"Who," she asked flatly. Her gaze was now piercingly cold.
"Huh?!" Rezak turned quickly, his neck stiff. His face was confused and slightly pale.
"Who is the bitch. Human. Or another Beastkin Elf? Another adventurer?"
The woman raised her right hand. Sharp wind swirled small at the tip of her index finger, emitting a soft but dangerous whirring sound.
"What do I lack, Rezak? Am I not rich enough for you? Am I not sexy enough for you? Me. What do I lack, Rezak?"
The woman's hand pointed down, pointing straight at Rezak's little friends. The wind on her finger swirled faster.
"Answer honestly or that little friend of yours gets cut off!"
"Whoa whoa whoa calm down mommy calm down calm down!!!!"
"Calm down calm down shit shit calm down!!!" Rezak panicked. He raised both hands in front of his chest, his eyes bulging in horror at the wind vortex. His body trembled violently.
"No! Not cheating," Rezak backed away hurriedly until his back hit the bedpost hard. A thud was heard. "Th-this is about my life path, about my life path!!"
"I still love you okay? I still, still do!!"
Claura fell silent. The wind on her finger vanished instantly into a soft breeze. She tilted her head, one eyebrow raised.
"Life path?" she repeated.
"Yes! Yes!" Rezak answered firmly, although his breathing was still ragged.
After seeing his girlfriend calm down a bit, Rezak sighed deeply. He wiped the cold sweat from his forehead.
Fuck fuck! I almost lose my future!. He muttered inwardly.
The woman walked closer to Rezak, the silk sheet rustling against her skin. She squatted in front of Rezak and looked up, staring straight into the man's eyes.
"Tell me as honestly as possible!!"
Rezak didn't dare look into his girlfriend's eyes. He looked down, staring at his toes curling on the carpet.
"Ki-Kilasafi. Invited me. Fasar to become cri-criminals."
"Because we feel our lives are stuck just there and."
"I feel what he said has a point."
Rezak turned slightly towards Claura, daring himself to look into those purple eyes.
"And I think. I-if you stay by my side. It will be. Dangerous. F-for you."
The Elf woman stared at Rezak unblinkingly for five seconds. Her face was expressionless. Then she snorted shortly. Her lips curled into an amused crooked smile.
"You idiot. I thought there was another woman."
"Eh," Rezak looked up, his mouth slightly open.
The woman reached out to Rezak's face and stroked his cheek gently. Her palm felt smooth against Rezak's rough skin.
"Is my money not enough, honey?"
Rezak shook his head quickly.
"No no no."
"It's not that, just. Just this. I. Feel ashamed if it stays like that and. I-I want to make my own money and also and also. I want to li-live my life full of thrilling things."
"Hm." Claura nodded slowly, her gaze softening. "So you thought about breaking up with me just now?"
"Eh? How did you know!" Rezak asked, slightly surprised, his eyes widening.
The woman chuckled softly, her laughter crisp. "Hm? Just a wild guess."
"What do you guys want to do?" Claura asked. She folded her arms across her chest, listening seriously.
Rezak scratched the back of his head which wasn't itchy. His eyes gazed at the ceiling.
"According to Kilasafi."
"Robbing corrupt nobles. Selling illegal artifacts. Illegal leveling up. Things like that."
Claura fell silent again. Her eyes stared intently at Rezak who still looked confused and restless.
After a few seconds of silence, the woman laughed softly. Her shoulders shook gently.
She pinched both of Rezak's cheeks affectionately.
"You AREEEE."
"Ouch, it hurts, it hurts," Rezak complained while holding his reddened cheeks.
After that, the woman cupped Rezak's face with both hands, forcing Rezak to look straight at her.
"We won't separate just because of something like that."
"Let me join you, honey."
"H-huh? W-what?" Rezak gaped. His jaw dropped. His eyes blinked rapidly as if disbelieving his hearing.
Claura stroked Rezak's cheek gently again, her thumb caressing the man's cheekbone.
"Do you remember we promised to share the burdens of our lives?"
"And promised to save and take care of each other."
Claura chuckled, her eyes glinting playfully.
"How could I sleep peacefully knowing my baby is adventuring as a criminal. And maybe, oh maybe, will meet other women."
Claura hugged Rezak tightly, pressing Rezak's head back to her chest. The woman's heartbeat sounded steady and strong.
"Let me join, darling. Let me adventure with you. I don't care even if my life is ruined."
"I-I don't want to look for anyone else. You're already stuck with me."
The woman bit her lower lip, holding back a wide smile.
"There's no one like you."
"There's no one like you, Rezak."
Rezak's pupils dilated slightly. Surprised and touched by what the woman said.
He buried his face deeper into the woman's chest and hugged Claura's slender waist back tightly.
"Okay..."
The town square was dead silent. Night fog began to descend, blanketing the slippery cobblestone streets. A cold wind blew hard, making the shop flags creak, sounding like moaning ghosts.
Kilasafi stood alone in front of the large notice board. His white cloak fluttered wildly behind his back.
His purple eyes moved quickly, scanning every piece of shabby paper stuck there.
Zalvarich. Killed 3 adventurers. Reward 40 thousand gold coins.
Zalvarich. His name has risen quite a bit lately. Kilasafi's eyes narrowed. No. Too risky.
Kilasafi ignored it. His hand moved to another paper.
Merchant robber. Medium reward. Too many competitors.
Ckmet the Night. 7 thousand gold coins. Not paying taxes for 2 years.
Uh. Maybe this is a picture of me later. Kilasafi muttered inwardly. The corner of his lips lifted slightly.
His eyes continued to browse through the layered wanted posters.
His eyes stopped at one large poster in the bottom center. The paper was torn at the edge and the ink slightly runny from rain, but the image was still clear.
A sketch of a woman's face.
Her hair was white, long and wavy like ocean waves. Her eyes were drawn sharp and cold, piercing anyone who looked at them. Her face was beautiful but haughty. She wore a blue cloak with an elegant high collar.
Below the image was written in bold red ink.
Nebula.
Reward: 10,000 Gold Coins.
Status: Dead or Alive. Dangerous.
Kilasafi brought his face closer to the poster, his nose almost touching the paper. He read the small detail in the bottom corner of the paper handwritten in charcoal pencil.
Seen injured in the East Forest.
Crime: Illegal leveling up.
Kilasafi took a step back. The heels of his shoes clicked on the street stone.
This woman.
Kilasafi smiled faintly, showing his white teeth in the darkness of the night. A glint of ambition was clearly visible in his purple eyes.
"Found it," he muttered softly.