I stood there, spear in hand.
Blood dripped from my body.
Miasma lingered faintly around me—
thin strands, slowly fading.
The forest had gone quiet.
No screeches.
No movement.
Only leaves rustling in the wind.
I exhaled slowly.
Then moved.
I gathered the bodies of the dung rabbits—
one by one—
tying them together with nearby vines.
My shoulders protested as I lifted them.
Still—
I carried them out of the Lankase Forest.
At a small inn nearby, I paid for a wash.
The moment water hit my body—
dirt, blood, and exhaustion all washed down together.
My armor was torn.
Useless.
It had taken too much damage.
I would need a new one.
I bathed in silence.
No thoughts.
No energy left for them.
After that, I bought a few potions from a nearby alchemist.
I didn't even check their quality.
I just drank two.
My body felt lighter—
but the pain remained.
Dulled.
Not gone.
By the time I left the inn—
the sun was already setting.
I rested briefly—
then forced myself to move.
Step by step—
I made my way back to Duracal's house.
When I arrived—
the sky had already darkened.
I pushed the gate open.
The rabbit bodies still hung from my shoulder.
Duracal saw me.
He froze.
Then slowly—
his hand went to his face.
"…My mistake."
His voice was low.
"You weren't told to hunt them."
"I told you to move the body—not start a war."
He stepped closer, eyes scanning me.
"Look at you."
"No life in your face."
"Your body's about to collapse."
"Eyes barely open…"
His voice sharpened.
"What happened?"
I tried to respond—
but my vision blurred.
I had already stopped using miasma before leaving the forest—
but I didn't remember how I made it all the way back.
The world tilted.
Darkness swallowed everything.
I fell.
When I woke up—
everything hurt.
Not sharp pain—
but deep, heavy soreness.
My body felt… used.
Bandages covered the deeper wounds.
Ointment coated the cuts.
I sat up slowly.
The light outside—
orange.
Evening.
…Had I slept that long?
I stepped out of the room.
Voices.
Siena.
"Where is he?!"
Her voice was sharp.
Angry.
"If he's not awake yet, I'll break every bone in his body!"
Duracal's voice followed—
trying to calm her.
Before I could react—
she saw me.
Her eyes locked onto mine.
I tried to smile.
Bad idea.
She walked toward me—
fast.
For a second—
I thought she might hug me.
My hands lifted slightly—
instinct.
Then—
smack.
Her palm crashed into my cheek.
I dropped to the ground.
That hit—
honestly—
hurt more than the rabbits.
I held my face, stunned.
Duracal stepped in immediately, pulling her back.
"Enough. You trying to kill him?"
I pushed myself up slowly.
Still holding my cheek.
Duracal looked at me.
"Talk."
His tone was calm—
but his eyes weren't.
I swallowed.
Then explained everything—
the rabbits,
the fight,
the ambush.
I stopped.
Just before mentioning the miasma.
For a moment—
the words sat at the back of my throat.
If I told them… they'd look at me differently.
Or worse… they'd stop me.
I exhaled slowly.
"…That's it."
Duracal watched me for a second longer—
like he knew something was missing—
but didn't press.
When I finished—
he glanced at Siena.
"Go on. Beat him."
Siena cracked her knuckles.
I immediately raised my hands.
"Okay, I'm sorry!"
Duracal snapped.
"I told you to move a body—not declare war!"
"You kill one—fine."
"You leave."
"Instead, you shouted, fought a pack, and nearly got yourself killed."
His voice dropped slightly.
"…You really think death is your friend?"
I stayed silent.
Siena still stared at me—
anger not fully gone.
After a moment—
Duracal sighed.
"Leave him for today."
she turned and left.
Silence settled.
I exhaled slowly.
"…Rusty?"
Duracal looked at me.
"He's fine."
That was all I needed.
I ran outside.
Rusty stood there.
Alive.
Breathing.
When he saw me—
he huffed softly.
I rushed to him—
wrapped my arms around his neck.
Held tight.
My voice broke.
"Never again…"
"Never again."