Surprise. She was so startled that not even a scream escaped her lips. Her busy legs came to an abrupt halt as if nailed to the ground, and tension gripped her shoulders tightly. What could it be? Her eyes widened in round circles. It didn’t sound like an explosion, but rather like the heavy thud of a falling iron mass. Disturbing thoughts began to flood her bleached mind, gradually eroding her peace. The sound of something solid crashing and the sight of a large oak tree standing on the path she had just passed.
“….”
…She didn’t want to entertain such thoughts, but she couldn’t help but consider the possibility that someone had fallen. If someone indeed fell from the tree, it would undoubtedly be a villager. Thump, thump, thump, thump. Her heart pounded vigorously. Overwhelmed by anxiety, her gallbladder turned cold, and she hunched her shoulders.
Don’t just stand there in shock, first, ascertain the situation… then, call for help or seek assistance…
“…!”
Before she could even turn her rigid head, something grabbed her ankle, causing her to stumble and collapse to the ground. Thud! It felt as if her bottom had collided with great force, but her nerves, consumed by fear, had no room to perceive the pain.
“Goodness gracious!”
A stranger’s voice echoed from behind. What on earth? Wasn’t it a villager who had fallen from the tree? Everything was shrouded in uncertainty. The sudden noise, the large hand clutching her ankle, and the unfamiliar man.
“Are you all right? I didn’t mean to startle you.”
With great effort, she managed to turn her immobilized head to glance behind her. Immediately, her countenance twisted in disapproval. A dishevelled man lay flat on the ground, gazing at her with a solemn expression. His rare, bright blond hair was tangled haphazardly with leaves and dirt, while his long eyelashes, forehead, and cheeks were unable to escape the dust.
Before the possession, she had encountered individuals of this kind. She often saw them at train stations or subway stairs, holding empty cans and sitting listlessly. They were…
“Beggars?”
In my words, the man’s eyelids twitched. He released his grip on my ankle and began vigorously wiping his face with his palm. Then, he squinted again and looked at me… What was the matter with him? I continued to blink, gazing down at the dirt-streaked visage of this wretched man.
“Ah.”
Seemingly realizing something, the man hastily rose from his position and dusted off his clothes. The dust that clung to him flew towards me in the wind, prompting me to quickly turn my head and wave my hand.
“I apologize. Allow me to help you up.”
Though hesitant, I looked down at his palm. It was smeared with yellowish-black grime in various places. The feeling that grasping that hand would lead to an unpleasant infection couldn’t be shaken off, so I decided to stand up on my own. The man seemed a bit crestfallen as he swiftly wiped his palm on his thigh.
“Who are you? You nearly gave me a heart attack.”
Startled, my tone became sharp and brusque.
“I assure you, I am not a dangerous person.”
The man appeared dubious, if not dangerous. He stood tall, nearly as imposing as Kamian, with a strong physique. Or perhaps slightly smaller than Kamian? I squinted my eyes and observed him more closely. He wore a shabby shirt with few buttons and short, worn-out crimson trousers. Additionally, he carried an enormous backpack, seemingly twice the size of his own body. I couldn’t help but wonder if he had any spare clothes amidst all that baggage. A black longsword was tucked at his waist, the only item that seemed to possess any quality among his belongings.
“I heard a loud noise. What have you been up to?” I asked, raising an eyebrow.
“Well, you see, I got lost. I thought if I climbed up high, I might find my way, so I climbed that tree over there. Then, just as I was up there, someone happened to pass by. I thought I shouldn’t miss the opportunity, so I landed wrong. Usually, I don’t make such mistakes, but I was in a hurry,” he replied, his voice filled with embarrassment.
…Quite peculiar indeed. Who climbs a tree in search of directions? The more I listened to his words, the more my suspicion grew. I took a step back, increasing the distance between us.
“Where are you headed?” I inquired.
“I heard there’s an academy nearby,” he responded.
“Really? The academy is in the completely opposite direction,” I countered.
The man’s expression turned incredibly grave. He ran his hand through his beard, conveying a sense of perplexity. I was taken aback by the sight of his filthy hands touching his mouth. What has become of basic hygiene?
Surprise. She was so startled that not even a scream escaped her lips. Her busy legs came to an abrupt halt as if nailed to the ground, and tension gripped her shoulders tightly. What could it be? Her eyes widened in round circles. It didn’t sound like an explosion, but rather like the heavy thud of a falling iron mass. Disturbing thoughts began to flood her bleached mind, gradually eroding her peace. The sound of something solid crashing and the sight of a large oak tree standing on the path she had just passed.
“….”
…She didn’t want to entertain such thoughts, but she couldn’t help but consider the possibility that someone had fallen. If someone indeed fell from the tree, it would undoubtedly be a villager. Thump, thump, thump, thump. Her heart pounded vigorously. Overwhelmed by anxiety, her gallbladder turned cold, and she hunched her shoulders.
Don’t just stand there in shock, first, ascertain the situation… then, call for help or seek assistance…
“…!”
Before she could even turn her rigid head, something grabbed her ankle, causing her to stumble and collapse to the ground. Thud! It felt as if her bottom had collided with great force, but her nerves, consumed by fear, had no room to perceive the pain.
“Goodness gracious!”
A stranger’s voice echoed from behind. What on earth? Wasn’t it a villager who had fallen from the tree? Everything was shrouded in uncertainty. The sudden noise, the large hand clutching her ankle, and the unfamiliar man.
“Are you all right? I didn’t mean to startle you.”
With great effort, she managed to turn her immobilized head to glance behind her. Immediately, her countenance twisted in disapproval. A dishevelled man lay flat on the ground, gazing at her with a solemn expression. His rare, bright blond hair was tangled haphazardly with leaves and dirt, while his long eyelashes, forehead, and cheeks were unable to escape the dust.
Before the possession, she had encountered individuals of this kind. She often saw them at train stations or subway stairs, holding empty cans and sitting listlessly. They were…
“Beggars?”
In my words, the man’s eyelids twitched. He released his grip on my ankle and began vigorously wiping his face with his palm. Then, he squinted again and looked at me… What was the matter with him? I continued to blink, gazing down at the dirt-streaked visage of this wretched man.
“Ah.”
Seemingly realizing something, the man hastily rose from his position and dusted off his clothes. The dust that clung to him flew towards me in the wind, prompting me to quickly turn my head and wave my hand.
“I apologize. Allow me to help you up.”
Though hesitant, I looked down at his palm. It was smeared with yellowish-black grime in various places. The feeling that grasping that hand would lead to an unpleasant infection couldn’t be shaken off, so I decided to stand up on my own. The man seemed a bit crestfallen as he swiftly wiped his palm on his thigh.
“Who are you? You nearly gave me a heart attack.”
Startled, my tone became sharp and brusque.
“I assure you, I am not a dangerous person.”
The man appeared dubious, if not dangerous. He stood tall, nearly as imposing as Kamian, with a strong physique. Or perhaps slightly smaller than Kamian? I squinted my eyes and observed him more closely. He wore a shabby shirt with few buttons and short, worn-out crimson trousers. Additionally, he carried an enormous backpack, seemingly twice the size of his own body. I couldn’t help but wonder if he had any spare clothes amidst all that baggage. A black longsword was tucked at his waist, the only item that seemed to possess any quality among his belongings.
“I heard a loud noise. What have you been up to?” I asked, raising an eyebrow.
“Well, you see, I got lost. I thought if I climbed up high, I might find my way, so I climbed that tree over there. Then, just as I was up there, someone happened to pass by. I thought I shouldn’t miss the opportunity, so I landed wrong. Usually, I don’t make such mistakes, but I was in a hurry,” he replied, his voice filled with embarrassment.
…Quite peculiar indeed. Who climbs a tree in search of directions? The more I listened to his words, the more my suspicion grew. I took a step back, increasing the distance between us.
“Where are you headed?” I inquired.
“I heard there’s an academy nearby,” he responded.
“Really? The academy is in the completely opposite direction,” I countered.
The man’s expression turned incredibly grave. He ran his hand through his beard, conveying a sense of perplexity. I was taken aback by the sight of his filthy hands touching his mouth. What has become of basic hygiene?
