The Seven World Of Fantasy

Chapter 21: Search and Pursuit

Half an hour had passed since then, and I had already reached Ciatar City Station. This time I will do a search and chase at once. It is undeniable that there will be a fierce fight there.

This time I brought a sword that I had not worn for a long time. Violet Storm's. The sword was black with rune engravings that would be purple if mana quality into it. The last time I used this sword was when I was fighting that guy.

Maris Rufus's.

I once fought with him, but ended in a crushing defeat. If my friends hadn't come back then, I definitely wouldn't have spoken here.

A few minutes late, it's still better than what's usually an hour late. Clara finally arrived at the station, coinciding with the next train that was about to depart in a moment.

He was still wearing the guild uniform, with a brown-colored robe covering his body. I saw his old bow and some new arrows. He must have bought some arrows at the weapon shop before coming here.

"Huh, huh, huh. Sorry I was late. Let's get on the train." His breath was still breathless from running.

"Yes. I already bought the ticket, so we can go right in."

"Heeh, you still look like you used to, yeah."

"No. I don't want to be that weak me."

Without many more words, the two of us immediately boarded the departing carriage. We got into the business class car for several reasons. There is more privatized, and Clara can attract attention if she is in an economy class car.

Business class tickets cost twice as much as economy class. But that is nothing compared to the goals we will face.

The distance to the city of Deedalee if taken by horse carriage will take up to two days. But if we take the magic train, with only two hours to go, we will get there. 

The disadvantage of this train is that traders cannot carry their merchandise beyond a certain capacity. So they'll take him in a horse-drawn carriage or an airplane, even if they have a lot of money.

"Shin's." Clara called.

"What's wrong?"

"I'm afraid if Riel meets that person. Can we find him before he does?"

"Come on," I can't be sure about that. Maris Rufus was a level 5 Stalker, that was when I fought him first and was battered. Even though I'm already level 5 now, it could be that he's stronger than me now.

But Riel should have no problem with that person. So the odds are small to be searched for by Maris.

"I don't want Riel to end up like Kirin..."

"STOP!!"

"Hmmm!" Clara closed her mouth.

I snapped at Clara after she said that name.

"I'm sorry... Shin's. I didn't mean it..."

"He's dead! That girl is no longer in this world! He is the real proof of someone I failed to protect! Why do you have to say his name in times like these!?"

"..."

"I won't let... This time I won't let any more..."

I'm having trouble saying it.

Why would... Why should I remember that? I have long forgotten it. Clara hadn't said it in a long time either.

While my mind was in turmoil, Clara suddenly hugged me tightly. What the hell is he doing? His hands are too tight.

"Hiks, hyiks..."

Huh uh?

My mind went back to being empty after he did that. I regained consciousness from an emotion I could not control for a moment.

"It's not your fault, Shin! I often blame myself and then you say that too. And you said yourself that we can't keep blaming ourselves. But why do you still blame yourself!"

Clara was crying while hugging me.

Now I can think calmly again. I can't forget that event. Even though Riel could be a substitute for her, the fact that she died before me could never be forgotten forever.

That was an event that happened two years ago. At that time our party was working on an order to chase the rebels who fled into the forest, and ended up being the last trap for us. It was also raining heavily.

Our chief was made to fight desperately with a land dragon that was released to attack the village. Then the other members tried to fight the rebels without the help of our frontline chief.

Without it we are weak. Without it we still don't know what to do. Without it we cannot attack them, let alone protect ourselves.

Clara and two other members were separated from us in the forest, because Clara was badly injured and forced to live in the rubble. While I was with Kirin still trying to run from those who attacked us.

The two of us were almost able to get out of the forest by then because the other rebels were no longer chasing us. But it turned out that was their goal from the beginning, separating us from the chairman, also separating us from the rest of the members.

In the forest, I met a masked man I had never seen before. The clothes he wore were all black and the mask was black and white. He also carried three long swords on his back.

The man attacked us very brutally. From his ability I can guess that he is an Assassin, and he is eyeing Kirin.

The sword I wielded could not keep up with its power, and Kirin's magic was also ineffective in the rain. Even so I kept trying to protect her with all my abilities.

Since there was no chairman and also our other friends, the fight became like a massacre.

I was battered with slash wounds on my hands and feet. He left me paralyzed so I couldn't move anymore.

Kirin was only a Sorcerer, he could not protect himself. I couldn't move because I was paralyzed by the wounds he made.

It was then that in front of my eyes he thrust his sword into Kirin's heart.

I couldn't think of anything more at that time. All I remember is that our chairman came with Clara and the others, and we all arrived in the capital.

Kirin was taken home to her father and mother, while I was kicked out of the house. They no longer see me as a child.

I couldn't do anything for a few days. It was a trauma I could never forget.

From then on, our party decided to disband. All of its members split towards their respective goals. Clara went to Ciatar City to be isolated, and I continued my studies for a year without any goals or ambitions.

We became adventurous just to seek experience in our spare time. Then there was an emergency order for us because we were near the location.

Unable to take lessons well in the academy, I took a year off to heal my mind first.

I went to the Ciatar City where Clara was, then returned to being an adventurer and running some light requests. I also tried to improve my abilities by getting into the dungeon.

All I do is that - that's it, everyday that keeps repeating and boring.

Until finally the moment arrived, a girl who returned my hope came to the guild. From his behavior, his style of speaking, and also his passion in doing things, made me remember my late sister.

That's why I always wanted to be close to him. That's why I'm always worried about him. 

That's why I don't want to lose him again.

***

We finally arrived at Deedalee City after a two-hour drive. During that time Clara and I did not speak to each other again, only silence for the rest of the journey.

The first thing we need to do is find information. The right place to look for information is a place where many people will gather.

"Have we not been to this City before, Shin?" Ask Clara.

"Yes, while running a request escorting a merchant caravan from the North."

"Then, do you still remember that one bar?"

"of course. He would never move until the old building was destroyed."

I started to walk in the direction I remembered. Although three years had passed, the appearance of this city remained unchanged. Neither the building, nor the people.

Clara followed me behind while wearing her hood. He was desperately trying to be inconspicuous of the other residents, as Deedalee City was not as good as Ciatar City.

Here racial differences are not a problem for the community, but there are still people who still have negative goals against them. That was why it was extremely rare for there to be another race in the Human City.

From the main road to the branch road I passed, I couldn't find the bar I remembered.

I tried to enter a narrow path, but it ended in a dead end. Clara behind me began to show an expression of objection to my memory. Even so I still try to go through some roads that I may remember.

"It's dead end again." Clara grumbling.

"Ah, sorry. Maybe that tree wasn't the right benchmark in my memory. Let's try the road next to it again."

"Sudaahh! Why don't we just ask people where the bar is?"

"We mustn't be conspicuous in this."

"Your clothes are already striking!"

I looked at the clothes I was wearing. "It was indeed made to fight in the open area. I've chosen the right clothes to fight. You're wearing a robe that covers your whole body like a thief."

"That's because I'm a rabbit race!" Clara raised her voice in annoyance. "Yes, already. Since we're already striking, why don't we just ask someone else?"

"I rejected your offer."

"Unfortunately, I didn't ask your consent." Clara immediately went towards some people who were walking.

"Wait." I had to follow him.

Clara approached a man standing near the bakery. The man was looking at the bread on display from inside the store.  

"Excuse me, sir?" Clara greets.

"Yes?" 

"Do you know where the bar is guarded by a? The bar looks spooky from the outside and is very quiet visitors, you know."

"Oh, I know that bar."

"really?"

"Yes. You just need to follow this path, then turn right as soon as you get around the corner." The man showed us the direction we had to go. "There's a lot of bars, but it looks like you already know what kind of bar you're looking for."

"Wow! How do you know so much about this town?" Clara was curious about that person.

"Because I'm a journalist. I used to walk around this town and visit a lot of new places." The man answered with pleasure.

"Kereen! Was a journalist. uh, uh... Shin! Waita minute!"

I pulled his hand to go straight towards the direction the man had told me.

"Thank you for the help, Mr. journalist. But we're in a hurry right now." My speech.

"By pleasure." He waved to us.

I let Clara go after we were some distance away from the journalist. He looks upset with me, but he's more annoying because he always doesn't know the situation.

We followed the path that the journalist pointed out. This road had already turned from the main road, so the people here were not as many as in the previous place. The place we came to was now dominated by lodging and food stores.

In front of us there is a corner. After we turned, the place we passed by now turned into more bars around it.

The smell of food here is very smelled like on the main road. Although the road looks quiet, but the bars here are quite crowded.

Now just looking for a place we've been to. A bar guarded by a rabbit race like Clara.

Rabbits in the bar are not good at making drinks or food. That's why his bar is empty of visitors. But that's not the main income from the bar. 

Indeed, the bar did not sell good food or drink, but they sold quite accurate information. But only a few people can access the service. Our chairman is one of them.

Shin's.

Uh! What was?

He's right there. On a deserted road, to the left of where you stand. Follow me!

Wh who? Riel's?

The man who killed your sister, Maris.

"Follow me, Clara!" I immediately ran in the direction that was whispered to me.

"Hee, wait for me!"

I ran fast no matter if Clara could catch up with me or not.

Though our first move was imminent before, but now forced to jump to one of our main goals. The information came faster than I had expected.

I ran down the small streets between buildings. This place seemed to lead to the slums, as every building beside us started to look poorly maintained.

Turn by turn, I continued to run a little far until I reached a dead end again.

It's a dead end, but our goal is there.

"Huh, huh, Shin. Don't hurry." Clara arrived beside me with breaths of breath. If for me to run was still not how much, but my heart beats faster because of other things that are in front of us now.

"!!!" Clara stiffened for a moment. His eyes stared intently at the person standing on top of a building. "In-dia..."

"Well, whoa. Whereas ordinary people should not be able to see me directly." The man started talking.

Calm. I need to be calm in the face of such a situation.

The man was standing in front of us, on top of a building he had set up as a foothold. The sunlight was right behind the person, so we had a little trouble seeing it.

But no matter how much I see you, or wherever you go from me, I will continue to chase you even to the ends of the world.

The man was masked in black and white, with three long swords on his back.

For the past two years, I've been figuring out who he really is. It turns out that he is one of the members of the most dangerous organization that moves for evil.

"White Shadow."