Chapter 17: Luna and Clara's House
The door opened, and a girl with tanned skin and short hair walked in. She stared sharply at Akira and said:
"So, you finally woke up. We were planning to dump you in the wastelands today if you didn't… looks like you're lucky."
Akira hesitated for a moment, then muttered:
"I'm sorry…"
She gestured coldly with her hand.
"Come. Follow me."
She led him to the living room, pointed at a long sofa near the window, and said:
"Sit there, and don't move until I come back."
She disappeared into the kitchen. Less than a minute later, she returned carrying a bowl of hot food and handed it to him without a word.
Akira sat silently, looked at the bowl, then at her… then said lightly:
"All this… and I have to wait until you come back?"
"Come back? Who?"
"Just shut up!"
She picked up a circular device from the table, fixed it onto her head, then returned to the sofa and sat down.
Akira began eating quietly, watching her cautiously. She was holding another device—a pair of advanced glasses—which she put on as she suddenly spoke without turning toward him:
"Yes… it's Clara."
"…Yes."
"…No."
"Heh, he wouldn't be able to, even if he tried."
"…Yes."
"…No."
"Alright, I'll wait for you to come back."
She fell silent and returned to stillness.
Akira stared at her in amazement. She seemed immersed in a conversation he couldn't see… something about her reminded him of himself when he used to talk to Alice. He whispered in his mind:
"Who was she talking to?"
"To her friend… Luna."
"…Are they like us?"
"No."
Alice's image appeared beside the girl, pointing lightly at the devices.
"See those glasses? They're a communication device… they display something similar to augmented reality. She also has an audio chip inside her ear that allows her to hear the other party."
"It's my first time hearing about something like that."
"Don't worry. Soon, you'll get something similar… though less advanced."
Akira smiled faintly.
"Really?"
"Yes."
"How much does it cost?"
"I don't know the exact price… it varies depending on the type and specifications."
Silence fell for a moment, then Akira remembered something.
"By the way… about that rumor. That man…"
"What rumor?"
"The little kid who reports metals in the commercial district. He said there was a rumor about me."
"I know."
Alice looked straight into his eyes and continued:
"Even though you only did it once, it was enough to make them watch you. The information they gathered shows that you frequently head to the wastelands, then wander around the commercial district after returning… and finally, when they saw you carrying a full bag, they assumed they were right. After that, they tried to catch you."
Akira frowned.
"…Do they have my image now?"
"Probably. He most likely has surveillance cameras on his truck… and he could've sold your image as well."
She continued:
"Don't worry. It's just a rumor… it'll disappear in a few days."
Alice's voice sounded mocking, as usual.
"And there's another rumor about you."
Akira blinked sluggishly.
"There's… more?"
She chuckled lightly.
"Of course. Did you forget? You killed a gang leader in the slums. He wasn't strong by hunter standards, but he was considered a monster there."
After a brief silence, she continued sarcastically:
"Just imagine it… a small child wielding a katana glowing with crimson light, splitting the boss in half. The scene alone was enough to instill terror in their hearts."
And so the story spread. It turned from a simple rumor into a folk legend… they said that the Crimson Hunter—a child above second rank—wiped out an entire gang because they dared to rob him.
She smiled slyly.
"Now everyone whispers your name… the Crimson Hunter, or the Crimson Child."
Akira pressed his forehead and muttered:
"Is that… good or bad?"
"It doesn't matter. As long as these rumors spread, no one will dare attack you."
She sighed exaggeratedly.
"What a bothersome headache… let's review the kill log."
Alice opened the system's digital interface, and numbers appeared before his eyes.
---
[You have killed a Human – Rank One – Level 10]
[+1000 EXP]
[Same-species kill penalty: -50%]
[You have killed a Human – Rank One – Level 19]
[+1000 EXP]
[EXP reduction: -50%]
[You have killed a Human – Rank One – Level 4]
[+1000 EXP]
[EXP reduction: -50%]
[You have killed a Human – Rank One – Level 11]
[+1000 EXP]
[EXP reduction: -50%]
[You have killed a Human – Rank One – Level 13]
[+1000 EXP]
[EXP reduction: -50%]
[You have killed a Human – Rank One – Level 15]
[+1000 EXP]
[EXP reduction: -50%]
---
"The total?"
"You gained 3,500 EXP."
A new notification appeared:
[You have leveled up… Level 6]
[Level… 7]
[Level… 8]
[Level 9]
[+8 Attribute Points Available]
Alice raised an imaginary eyebrow.
"You're now only two levels away from Rank One."
"I know…"
Then he frowned.
"But… didn't you say level ten requires ten thousand points?"
She replied coldly:
"Yes. That's why it's a true test of worth. Reaching Rank One isn't easy."
"Damn it… where am I supposed to get that insane amount?"
Silence. He thought deeply, narrowed his eyes, then asked:
"Is there a way to get around this?"
Alice answered more seriously:
"If you're asking whether there is a way… the answer is yes. But the real question is: are you ready to take the risk?"
"What do you mean?"
"That dungeon… you know which one I mean. I'm certain it'll give you enough points to reach level ten—maybe more."
"But didn't you say it was dangerous?"
"It still is. In fact, it might be even more dangerous now."
She looked at him steadily.
"The question you need to ask yourself is: can you bear the consequences?"
Akira didn't answer immediately. He looked up thoughtfully, then said calmly:
"Let's think carefully before deciding."
Alice smiled faintly.
"A wise idea… this time."
The doorbell rang.
Clara stood up and opened the door quietly. A stunningly beautiful girl entered, with long golden hair, sky-blue eyes, and snow-white skin.
"Welcome back."
"Sorry you had to stay."
"It's fine. We're doing this for Luna."
"Did he say anything while waiting?"
"No. He was absent-minded, turning his head in every direction… nothing more."
"That's normal. He barely survived and woke up in a place he doesn't know."
"I'll go talk to him."
The girl went to the living room, where Akira was sitting, and approached him with a bright smile.
"Hello, young man. How are you?"
"I'm fine."
Akira stood up and bowed slightly.
"Thank you for saving me."
She laughed.
"Hahaha, such a polite child… but if you want to thank someone, thank Lilia. She's the one who saved you. You should visit her later."
"I will."
"Well then, can you tell me your name?"
"My name is Akira."
"Nice to meet you, Akira. I'm Luna, Clara's friend."
"The pleasure is mine."
"Now, can you tell us how you got injured?"
Akira sighed lightly before beginning his story.
"Everything started when a group of people tried to rob me…"
He told them everything that happened, except for the gate.
"In the end, it seems all of this was because of that rumor."
The two girls exchanged quick glances.
"Luna, do you think it's the same rumor we were investigating?"
"Most likely, yes."
Clara interjected angrily:
"Damn kid! We wasted two days searching for an occupied mine, and in the end it turned out to be nothing but dumb luck."
"Don't be so harsh. He almost died because of it."
"As if I care!"
"Anyway, it wasn't his fault… we're the ones who didn't verify the rumor properly."
"Hmph…"
A moment of silence passed before Clara turned to Akira with a stern face.
"That's enough. Akira, what will you do now? You know you can't stay here."
"I know. Actually, I planned to leave as soon as I get my belongings back."
Clara stood up, disappeared for a moment, then returned carrying his bag and katana.
Akira took the bag with both hands, feeling its familiar weight.
"Good… still heavy. Looks like they didn't take the stones. I just hope… they didn't search it thoroughly."
But Luna's voice interrupted his thoughts:
"We searched your belongings. We were trying to identify you or find anything about your family. Sorry… we hope you don't mind."
"No, it's fine…" Akira muttered calmly.
Luna smiled mischievously.
"We also took some money from your clothes and items… so don't complain."
Akira nodded lightly.
"I said it's fine… thank you for saving me. If you want the money, you can take it all as a reward."
She replied indifferently:
"I see no reason to. We took what's reasonable as payment for the rescue mission."
Akira slung the bag over his back.
"Then… may I leave?"
Luna smiled.
"Of course. Let me walk you to the door."
She headed toward the door, and Akira followed. She opened it, revealing a small courtyard leading to the outer gate, and pointed to the left.
"That path leads to the lower district."
Akira bowed slightly.
"Thank you… for everything."
"You're welcome."
She watched him until he disappeared, then returned inside. Clara greeted her with dissatisfaction:
"Luna, why did you let him go?"
"I don't know."
"What do you mean, you don't know?"
She replied confidently:
"My intuition tells me it's better not to pressure Akira right now."
Clara didn't respond. She knew all too well that arguing with Luna when it came to her intuition… was pointless.
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