Chapter 9 THE GIRL WITH TWO DARKENERS

We stared at each other in silence, the night air chilling, a thin mist moving through the stone ruins. On one side was me, the smell of blood, dungeon dust, and questionable life decisions. On the other was a strange woman with two daggers and the aura of someone who clearly knew how to kill. A very healthy dynamic, I studied her appearance in more detail. She was probably around my age or slightly older. Short, shoulder-length black hair, sharp eyes, as if always calculating the worst case scenario, dark leather armor, her movements light, efficient, and free of wasted movement.

Experienced.

A small notification appears.

Target analysis limited.

Level unreadable.

Threat: Unknown

I frowned, unable to read the level? Not good at all. The woman seemed to see my reaction, the corners of her lips turning up slightly.

"Hm."

"At least you have some instinct."

I sighed.

"Thanks, I guess."

He kept one of his daggers, but the other remained in his hand. Semi-friendly or semi-threatening. It was hard to tell.

"I'm Nara," she said briefly.

Beautiful name. Good, I nodded slowly.

"Cancer."

"I know."

Oh, okay. He totally knew, I crossed my arms.

"News about me spread fast."

Nara leaned against a large rock.

"A child who was thrown into the Forbidden Forest, then in two days killed several hunters."

He tilted his head.

"Quite interesting."

I chuckled.

"Glad to entertain."

Nara wasn't laughing, it wasn't a joke. Well, it was noted, she stared at the ruins behind me.

"You went in there?"

"Yes."

"You are alone?"

"Unfortunately, yes."

Nara's gaze changed slightly, sharper, more serious.

"You defeated the guardian alone?"

I shrugged.

"With unhealthy levels of stress."

There was a moment of silence, and for the first time, her expression showed a hint of surprise. Interesting, that meant the achievement was indeed unusual. Good, branding is improving. Nara stepped closer, and I was automatically on guard. She stopped about three meters away from me. A safe distance for negotiation and potential betrayal.

"Why aren't you dead yet?"

The question is direct, I like it.

"The motivation of revenge is quite helpful," I replied.

He stared at me for a long moment, as if searching for a lie. Then he gave a small nod.

"An honest answer."

"Sometimes," I said.

Nara looked towards the forest.

"They are looking for you."

"Who?"

"Hunter. Adventure. A bit of a mercenary."

Oh, the more the merrier.

"Why?"

He looked at me blankly.

"You bring something that interests them."

I was speechless. It wasn't just my presence? That meant there was a bigger reason, I narrowed my eyes.

"This forest," I said softly.

"There's something here."

Nara smiled faintly, finally a bit of a human expression.

"You caught on quicker than I thought."

I didn't answer. Nara continued.

"In the past few months, the mana in the Forbidden Forest has increased drastically."

"Monsters evolve faster."

"The ancient ruins are starting to become active."

He glanced at the ring on my finger. Ah, there it was. He noticed, of course he did.

"And some artifacts are starting to reappear."

I lowered my hand casually, covering the ring slightly, not subtly, but instinctively. Nara looked amused.

"Calm."

"I'm not interested in low-grade artifacts."

A little offended, this storage ring is amazing to me. But okay, perspective.

"I'm here for something bigger," he continued.

I raised an eyebrow.

"Are you from Zona?"

He nodded. Bingo, so everything was leading there. I leaned against the stone wall.

"Okay. Let's save time."

"You didn't approach me to have a casual chat."

"So what do you want?"

Nara looked satisfied, perhaps because the conversation was finally getting to the point.

"I need someone."

A sentence that raises red flags. Always, he continued before I could comment.

"Someone who is reckless enough to go deeper."

"And it's enough to use once if things are bad."

Ah, there it is. Refreshing honesty, I smiled.

"Your charm is extraordinary."

"Thank You."

He really did say it deadpan, the master of deadpan. I'm starting to like this guy a little. A little, but within safe limits.

"And why should I agree?" I asked.

Nara raised one finger.

"Information."

Second finger.

"Guide."

Third finger.

"The chances of life are greater."

Quite convincingly, he then added,

"And you're not strong enough to enter the core zone alone."

Well, that part's true. It's annoying, but true. Even a level 18 rock gorilla makes me want to reconsider my life choices. I thought for a second, a temporary partner might be useful. Just a word of caution: don't stab him in his sleep. Important detail.

"What is your purpose in the core zone?" I asked.

Nara was silent for a moment, a little longer than before. Hmm, a sensitive topic. Finally, she answered,

"Looking for something that belongs to my family."

Cryptic? Looks suspiciously like a protagonist. But fair enough. I'm not exactly transparent either.

"And if we find it?"

He answered without hesitation.

"I'll take what's mine."

"You take whatever is left."

Pragmatically, I like a clear distribution of loot, reducing the drama. Potentially, I nodded slowly.

"Temporary cooperation?"

"Temporary cooperation," he said.

He held out his hand, and I looked at it. Then at his face.

"If you betray me-"

"I know," he interrupted.

"Revenge, unreasonable growth, creepy tree trunks."

I blinked.

"...has it become my reputation?"

"Less is more."

Great, my personal brand is growing rapidly. I finally shook his hand, but it was brief, cold, and there was no trust built at all. A perfect alliance.

Notifications pop up suddenly.

Party formed (Temporary)

Members:

Cancer

Nara

Bonus:

Minor EXP increase while cooperating.

I stared at the screen.

"Oh, so the system supports teamwork."

Nara shrugged.

"Sometimes."

He started walking.

"Take a rest first."

"We'll go deeper tomorrow morning."

I follow.

"And if I refuse halfway?"

Nara glanced at me.

"Please."

"Then die alone."

Fair enough, we arrived at a small, sheltered area near the ruins. A temporary campsite, Nara lit a fire with a flint. Primitive, I was a little proud of having Ember Slash. It boosted my confidence a bit. We sat across from each other, silent. A small fire burned in the middle, very awkward. I decided to break the silence.

"So."

"Do all your introductions always start with an ambiguous threat?"

Nara stared at the fire.

"Usually worse."

"Relief."

He glanced at me for a moment, then said softly,

"You don't look like a murderer."

I chuckled.

"Two days ago I didn't either."

It was quiet again, but this time it wasn't so awkward. More like two people who were both tired and both had too many problems. I looked at the quest.

Day 2/7 complete.

There were still five days left. But now I was no longer alone. Whether this was good news or the beginning of new trouble remained to be seen. I closed my eyes slowly. Tomorrow was the Core Zone, with greater danger, greater rewards, and the possibility of even more spectacular bad decisions, as planned.

[END CHAPTER 9]