Chương 17: Hostage Situation

It was Evel's turn to be confused. Creep? Him?

"You must be thinking of someone else." As Evel was about to start explaining that he was just there to learn more about the camp, the archer interrupted him.

"Is that your thing? You like watching girls sleep?" With a disgusted look, she turned her head to avoid eye contact, only leaving Evel in her peripheral. Offended, Evel immediately shot back.

"What? Don't make things up!"

"You were ogling me right as I woke up…"

"Ogling!? The pods are fully covered! I didn't even know you were in that one!" In disbelief, Evel shook his head. What an unreasonable person.

"Sure, I'll just take your word that you didn't follow me in there to watch me at my most vulnerable." Evel opened his mouth to argue, but closed it just as quickly. This must be a tactic I'm not familiar with, she's trying to get in my head. He sighed and reached for his cards. It helped both his nerves and killed his boredom, so he continued to play around with the deck. Like this, another hour passed in silence. Evel looked at the fruits on the trees, his mouth once again watering and throat parched.

They were just out of reach. He hadn't gotten a chance to truly satiate his thirst earlier, and those fruits had been just so good. But it wasn't so easy. If he walked up to grab them he'd get turned into a reward, and was hesitant to use his ability as it may reveal too much.

"Looks like your friends don't care about you that much, creep." The archer mocked, finally breaking the silence. He shot right back.

"I don't see yours either."

"Tch." Ignoring her for now, Evel decided the fruit was worth it, so summoned Eth. His hostage across from him tensed up, and jumped on her feet fully on guard. She hastily jumped to the side and watched Evel through intense, focused eyes. Realizing his mistake, he immediately dismissed Eth. I almost forgot the danger I'm currently in.

"Sorry, should've warned you," Evel apologized.

"Just wanted to get some fruit." He pointed at the nearby tree. Large clumps of the same pink fruit hung off the sides. Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author. She nodded softly, but kept her arm near her waist. Her eyes shifted quickly between Evel and the fruits. An attempt to understand his ability? Evel summoned Eth once again and had it pick up some of his wire.

It carried the wire to a piece of fruit, bundled it up, and pulled it back towards Evel. He wanted to give her as few hints as possible. Eth quickly delivered the fruit and Evel's eyes shone, these fruits were just so good! Much better than any he had ever eaten before! The black haired archer stared at him captivated. She seemed unable to hide her own thirst and desire for the fruit. Another hour passed by, with no sign of anybody approaching. She released a bored sigh.

"Give me an inane too." So that's what they're called. Evel raised his eyebrow,"From the creep and or pervert you tried to assassinate?"

"Tch." She looked to the side in annoyance. Evel would never allow her to get up and grab herself some fruit, after all he would be scared she'd make a run for it.

"Fine, I won't call you a creep anymore, and I'll recognize you are just a slave to your desires at no fault of your own." Evel gave her a funny look. That was the best apology she could come up with? I guess I'll take it. Evel grabbed an inane for her, still using the wire as a medium for Eth, and placed it on her lap.

"Evel." She didn't attempt to hide her excitement, immediately taking a big chomp into the fruit. She was thoroughly savoring its juices.

"... Diana." She replied, still chewing.

"Grab me another." Evel spent a few minutes grabbing multiple fruits at once, until a small pile formed between the two of them. In his boredom, Evel finally asked the question that had been stuck in his mind.

"So, what's with all the violence?" Evel couldn't quite grasp the actions taken by her and the spear-man. Wouldn't it be much safer to just group up as one massive cohort and take out the beasts one by one? But he had already been attacked twice in such a short time. And considering Bremin was nowhere to be seen, he had probably taken more than his fair share of lives. Did the lives of strangers carry no value?

At first he thought it was simply a matter of how one grew up, perhaps they had grown up where people's lives were secondary to power. He remembered the joy he experienced after he had taken his first life. He was so satisfied all his hard work had paid off. It wasn't the killing that brought him joy, but despite it. Perhaps for them, a life was a small cost for the potential rewards. In his case it was self defense, but in the future would that change?

Would he be corrupted by the addiction of growing stronger, traversing the Path? Was human life truly invaluable? Diana looked at Evel with a quizzical expression.

"Don't you know? We get rewards for killing people."

"But also for killing the beasts." Evel pointed out, nudging his head to the beast behind them.

"Humans are easier, and come on, do you really think they brought us here to save everyone?" Evel hesitated, he knew she was right, the military clearly intended to cull their numbers down. For what reason specifically, he had no clue. Surely alive recruits were more helpful than dead ones.

"You're fine with taking lives?" Diana snorted.

"Anyone with an affinity below 80 will probably die anyway, so I'm just expediting the process. Here and there collecting some rewards too. How often will we get a chance like this? To truly shine and rack up rewards." Something cold settled in Evel's chest.

"Oh, and what's your affinity?"

"93." She spoke with her chest. Evel nodded once, "Mine's 60."

"... What?" Evel nodded his head again, but didn't show any disappointment in his face. Diana looked at Evel with a blank face, only her eyebrows twitching. Why's she looking at me like that? Soon, the corners of her lips started twitching too. Unable to hold it back any longer, Diana's laughter spilled out, loud and unrestrained.

"60!? Bwahahaha!" She slapped her knees as she continued laughing, occasionally wiping off the tears that formed at the corner of her eyes. Evel's annoyance returned.

"Let's not forget your life is in my hands." Diana's laughter stopped abruptly, and she looked at Evel. She paused, then muttered under her breath.

"I can't believe I'm being held hostage by some arrow fodder."

"Then what does that make you?" Evel was embarrassed by the ridicule, and he just wanted to change the subject. Diana looked over at Evel and their gazes met for a brief moment. Unfortunately, it seemed his sentiments showed in his expression.

"PFFT–" She immediately burst out into laughter again. Evel looked up at the sky. I hate it here. Save me Bremin.