I hesitated.
Whatever is going on sounds like trouble and trouble means interesting and interesting means not boring and dangerous.
By the very fact she was screaming, told me some dangerous people were involved and I don't need that in my life.
'None of my business and I should leave, go back to my normal boring life'
With that thought, I quickly turned off the flashlight and then slowly ascended up.
There's no need to get involved, mind your business and you won't get hurt.
I could feel my own heart pounding against my chest like a drum being furiously struck by an overly passionate drummer
My hands began trembling and became clammy as all the saliva suddenly evaporated and left my mouth dry as a cotton.
'I'll call the police once I'm at a safe distance'
That thought settled into my mind as I slowly floated up, that was the best I could do, just reported this incident to the people that were trained to handle it, trying to be a hero often gets you killed.
Just as I was floating up something suddenly forced me to stop. freezing me in place.
Are you really fine with that?
My conscious spoke to me.
A woman is possibly being robbed or sexually assaulted and you're running away? Are you truly ok with that?
The answer to such questions should have been a resounding "yes", it was as stated, none of my business however despite knowing that, I hesitate to even think of saying such an answer.
Something in me said "no".
I grit my teeth as I struggled on what to do. I had a decent life here, my knowledge from earth helped me make a decent fortune and my life was generally good, I didn't have friends but I was completely fine with that.
With the small fortune I have I can afford any hobby I want, there was no need to ruin the peaceful life I've built by being involved in trouble.
However my conscience spoke once more, this time not of what was happening but a question to me and the life I've lived.
Are you truly content with living both of your lives as nothing but a random NPC with nothing to his name?
I was going to firmly say "yes" to that question. There's zero reason for me to sacrifice my perfectly safe life to help a random stranger, plus with the way this world works she probably wouldn't even say thank you
However something within me seemed to not want to say yes to any of those questions. Two life times two worthless existences that have had no experience at anything remotely interesting or fun
Was that truly the way one should live a literal two life times?
I didn't know the answer to that question however…
"HELP ME!! Someone please!!"
She screamed once again, the desperation clear and present in her voice. it gnawed on my consciousness making me doubt my actions.
Is that really alright? If so then what was even the point of me being sent here? Was I just simply supposed to live my life the exact same way I did in my last life?
I shook my head trying to dispel such thoughts, trying to convince myself that not to entertain them. I don't need to experience fun or excitement to live my life, it was perfectly fine the way it was, just leave, call the cops and be done with it.
Then why did you even come here? What point was there in letting your curiosity lead you down here, if not to see something interesting and fun, then what?
'Fuuuuck!'
Turning the torchlight of my phone back on, I quickly turned and shined it directly towards the direction the voice was coming from
"This is the police, freeze!!"
I shouted at the top of my lungs, of course that was a lie, but they didn't know that.
Hearing my words the two blue-skinned men froze momentarily startled by my words.
My heart only beat faster and my hands were so sweaty that it felt like my phone was going to slip through my fingers.
There was a silence as the bright light shone upon the two men, they tried to use their hands to block the light from stinging their eyes.
"Release that woman or I'll shoot,"
Another lie, I didn't have a gun, those things were insanely expensive, outside off rich folk and the police or the military I doubt anyone with a regular job could afford a gun.
I mean I'm not exactly poor but getting a gun would go against my boring life as it means I was expecting something interesting, plus guns in this world are insanely dangerous so I'd rather not have that on me, even if I can afford it.
"At that distance, You'd risk incinerating her along with us?"
One of the men asked, both their hands firmly holding the woman. The fact they were able to catch her at all was astonishing.
While men had better stamina, stronger and more durable women were faster, more agile and flexible. There's no way they were able to catch her by flight, they probably ambushed her.
"That's a risk I'm willing to take, I'm sure she would rather die than be kidnapped"
Those words left my mouth with an astonishing amount of bravado. I'm guessing the flashlight being beamed directly into their faces is making it difficult to see that I don't have any weapons on me
"You're not going to shoot and I doubt you even have a weapon, You ain't the police are you?"
One accurate guess and I could feel the pits of my stomach churn however I had to be firm, I know he's not sure either and is most likely trying to call my bluff.
'fake it till you make it'
"Release the woman or I'll shoot!"
I did my best to project an intimidating voice, trying to sound like I actually had a weapon, in truth I had no idea what I was doing.
Why was I even entertaining this? Fflying away and then calling the cops would have been much better than this pathetic and dangerous decision.
"Go ahead"
I gulped, his voice layered with resolution and determination. I bit my lower lip, stopping my jaw from quivering as the fear threatened to consume me.
Fucking hell!! Now what? He called my bluff and I have nothing to show for it.
I could feel the beads of sweat form on my forehead, this was not the most ideal situation.
Should I just fly away?
There's no way I can fight two guys by myself and I don't even have anything close to a weapon.
It's not like I know her or anything like that and I'm sure the cops would investigate the issue if I report it.
I gain nothing from this entire situation, and if continue with this, I'm inviting trouble into my doorstep.
I did my best and tried to control my breathing however breathing through my nose felt suffocating at this moment and it felt like I was stuck in place unable to move.
All my senses told to flee, there's no shame in that, as long as you report to the police you would have done all you could.
That was the most logical and correct way to deal with this.
Yet for some odd reason, I just couldn't move, my body refused to turn around.
"Alright you got me, but you know women are life givers, blessed by the goddess of creation Astraeus, without them you and me wouldn't exist"
I made attempts to reason with them, intimidation and bluff did not work so I decided to try using religion to garner their sympathy.
Within the central continent of Astrea, a majority of people believe in Astraeunism, a religion touts the idea that women are the origin of all people. They are life-givers and that men must work to protect them.
Hopefully these two guys believe that and make things easier.
"Oh please, we don't believe in such a fake God. Leave us and we won't do anything to you"
That didn't work, that was the only thing I could think off. I have no weapon, nor do I have anything that could help me take on two men. In the first place even skillled fighters can't fight two people at once.
I'm screwed here, however luckily for me to the fact I had a flashlight on them, I could tell they had no weapons either so there was a small chance
"No, Let that woman go!"
I bellowed, my voice coming out as more authoritative and commanding something I didn't expect.
Surprisingly enough the fear I was feeling earlier had lessened, my heart still beat against my chest but I wasn't as afraid as I was before.
"or what?!"
I wouldn't know this until a bit later but as I heard those words my mouth split into a smile before my body moved without my command.