The dirt path was narrow. On either side, thick, grey-barked trees rose, blocking most of the morning light.
Nile walked with long and even strides. The absence of the sharp, stinging pain in his feet changed everything. He didn't have to limp anymore. His body felt light and clear.
'I've never felt this good in my life. It's truly amazing. I've been walking for so long, yet I don't feel tired or hungry. If I knew this would happen after I ate the apple, I should have kept the seeds and planted them later.'
Behind him, Yaichenba was struggling to keep the pace; he dragged his feet, and his breath was heavy.
"Hey, Nile... Can you slow down a bit? Don't you feel tired at all? You ate only an apple, and how come you are so energetic? Wait, don't tell me you secretly ate food behind my back."
"The sooner we reach Renzhong, the sooner we eat real food," Nile said without turning around.
"Just thinking about it, my mouth is watering. I would give half my inheritance for a bowl of spiced mutton soup right now." Yaichenba hurried a few steps forward to walk abreast with Nile. He looked sideways at him.
"Nile, are you a hunter?"
"No, why do you ask that?"
"Most people freeze the first time they see blood. You didn't even blink. So you must be from a mercenary guild then? You don't talk like the locals around Silver City. Your accent is flat."
"Just grew up in a quiet and faraway place."
"So, how did you kill them?"
"Kill who?"
"Yesterday, you and a bandit went towards the forest, and no one came back; then another bandit was sent. He also didn't come back. So how did you kill them? Are you from a knight family?"
"Who said I killed them? The monster killed them all. I managed to escape and hide somehow. It was a terrifying experience. And what does it have to do with me being from a knight family?" Nile replied. His tone wasn't rude, but it was a dead end.
Yaichenba quieted down for a minute, his eyes tracking Nile's profile. He didn't push further, but his eyes narrowed slightly, filing the deflection away. He wasn't entirely oblivious; he recognised a wall when he hit one.
'As if anyone can escape from that creature and hide from it. The creature spotted the shift in the prana when I was using the artifact.'
"Well, the knight families sent some of their young descendants to the outside world for them to train and fight for themselves. Make them learn the harsh reality of the world. And also carry out their family principles and beliefs. Since you don't know about it, I can take that you are not from a knight family."
Yaichen continued, "Well, whatever you are, my father will pay you well once we hit the city. The Golden Merchant house doesn't leave debts unpaid."
Nile didn't answer. He kept his eyes on the road ahead.
By noon, the pale orange sunrise had turned into a high, harsh glare. The heat wasn't unbearable. Nile and Yaichenba sat down under the shade of a tree. Sweat ran down their faces.
Yaichenba took a big gulp of water.
Yaichenba took a big gulp of water from his bladder, then let out a defeated groan. "Ahh! It's too hot, and I am hungry." He wiped his brow with the back of his hand, looking over. "Nile, do you have any food with you? Huh? Looks like my water bag is completely empty now."
"No, I don't have any more," Nile lied flatly, even though he still had four strips of beef jerky. He couldn't afford to give away his only food. Besides, he didn't trust Yaichenba—they were strangers to each other.
"Nile, do you see that river over there? The water looks clean. Is it drinkable? What do you think, Nile?"
The river was more like a small stream flowing down from the hills.
"I have no idea. You can try drinking it if you are thirsty."
Yaichenba trudged toward the stream, each step dragging his exhausted body forward. Reaching the bank, he lowered himself to the ground and dipped a hand into the cool water.
"Ah... so cold. This feels amazing after walking under the hot sun for so long."
Gulp!
Gulp!
He cupped some water in his hands, brought it to his lips, and drank it.
Nile approached Yaichenba with two water bags hanging from his belt. One had belonged to the first bandit, while the other had been taken from the second. One was half full, and the other was empty.
He took the empty water bag, dipped it into the water, and filled it up. He hung it on his belt.
A low rustling came from the thick brush to their left.
Nile stopped instantly. His hand dropped to the hilt of his scavenged iron blade. Through the sparse leaves, he saw a grey, fat-horned rabbit chewing on a root. It was three times the size of an Earth rabbit, with a small, blunt horn protruding from its forehead.
"Food," Yaichenba whispered, his eyes lighting up. "Can you shoot it with the bow?"
Nile slowly unslung the bandit's bow. His hands were steady, and aimed at the rabbit.
Snap.
Yaichenba had stepped on a dry twig while trying to get a better look.
The horned rabbit's ears twitched. It bolted.
Nile released the string anyway. The arrow flew straight, but it struck the empty dirt, burying itself three inches into the mud.
"Ah, my bad," Yaichenba said, wincing. "The ground looked solid."
Nile pressed a palm against his forehead. 'This guy.'
'I doubt I can hit the rabbit with my amazing aim. So how can I catch it?'
An idea struck him.
"Yaichenba, do you want to eat that rabbit?"
"Absolutely, I will do anything for that."
"Anything."
"Yes, but why do you make it sound so weird?"
"Give me your ring artifact."
Yaichenba hesitated for a second, looking at his hand. Then, he pulled the ring off his finger and handed it over.
"Hmm.. How do you activate this thing?"
"You have to rub the ring three times."
Nile slid the ring onto his index finger. It was noticeably loose, clearly meant for a thicker hand. Turning away from the stream, Nile stepped quietly into the dark woods.