Chapter 373 - Keeping It Cool...

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~~~(POV: Cera Adamo)~~~

~~~(Location: Criminal Hideout in Gradule City, Elven Kingdom)~~~

~~~(Time: 7:42 AM)~~~

My blood boils as one of the men looking at Sally with vile and disgusting eyes opens his mouth from where he's standing. "You've got a nice piece there, kid! Why not let me borrow her?! I can show her a better time than you ever could!? I can satisfy her for sure!!" As I'm letting go of Sally to go deal with them, she places her hand on my shoulder and tries to get my attention.

It's hard to stop myself from doing something... I could kill these freaks in an instant... They shouldn't be considered people... Despite their elven looks, they act like humans. "Don't listen to them... They want you to react... We don't need the trouble..." You know that I'm acting irrationally when someone has to talk to me like this...

With a calming breath, I move back and sit next to Sally. The men see that I'm not going to do anything, and I can see the looks over victory on their faces... She was right about them wanting a reaction. "If Helda isn't back down here in 15 minutes, I'm going up there myself." Being here isn't tolerable. I can't imagine how Sally and Jasmine feel...

Even though they're covered up, and it's hard to discern their looks, it's obvious that men are going to try something either way. It's harder to cover up Sally's looks since her figure is more pronounced. "I agree with you there... Until then, ignore everyone and keep your mind off those jerks..." Our low whispers are only audible by us.

Gradule has become a city that I never want to come back to, and I'm happy I'll never see this place again. "Sorry about the patron... They can get this way with new people around." The bartender, Manni, decides to speak to us. From how affectionately he was talking to Helda, he must be a really old friend. He looks like he wants to ask me a question.

He sees that I nod my head for him to give it a shot. "Mind if I ask you how Helda has been doing since I saw her?" That wouldn't be something that I know, but before I can answer. Melimora pops up next to Sally and me. She looks at Manni, giving him a look. "I see... Seems that you're new to her group..." Talk about learning to communicate without words...

She takes a seat on the barstool next to us and releases a long sigh. "How about you tell me how you're doing, Manni... The last time I saw you, you were saying you'd get out of this place..." His face becomes less vibrant, and there is a change to his atmosphere. "C'mon, don't get like that, old man..." Melimora speaks to him in a familiar way too...

~~~(POV: Helda Vora)~~~

~~~(Location: Criminal Hideout on Gradule, Elven Kingdom)~~~

~~~(Time: 7:47 AM)~~~

Terox has finished listening to the story so far. Her eyes are wide at the news that I'm traveling with Slayer Zern, and he's here to destroy the royal family and the Orvello family. She leans back on her couch and slowly rubs her forehead. "It's not gonna be easy... However, I can get you what you need..." That's the best news I've heard in days. Finally, some ground has been made.

She looks me in the eyes, and I can see her sad look, and I'm actually worried... I've never seen her look this way... "Do you know why Manni's stayed for so long?" What does Manni have anything to do with this? I shake my head... "The reason he's stayed... It's because he was worried about you... he wanted to be here when you came back..." Oh... He's always done something like that...

Manni means a lot to Terox and me, and she wouldn't bring this up for no reason... "Manni... He's gotten sick... He isn't showing it right now, but he's only got a few years left..." My world spins, and I feel like throwing up... Manni... Uncle Manni... "My price... I want Slayer Zern to heal him... I heard stories about his ability to heal others..." I've heard them too...

If Manni is sick, I'm going to do anything I can, and I'm sure Cera wouldn't mind helping... Not at all... Especially if it's essential for our quest... "I'll talk to Cera. I'm sure he'd help even if it weren't the price you're asking for..." As I stand, my legs feel like jelly, and I feel like a piece of my has been taken away. Terox stands up and follows me downstairs.

we make a straight shot to the counter, and Manni is already making small talk with Melimora and Cera... "Cera, Manni... I need to talk to you guys upstairs..." He looks at us weirdly and then looks towards Sally. I get it. He doesn't want to leave her here alone. "Fine, Sally can come to. Let's go." He stands up and starts walking towards the stairs with Sally.

Terox and I look at Manni, and he has a worried look. He sighs and puts his rag down, and heads upstairs too. We follow them, and Manni is already sitting on the couch. I make my way towards him, and I slap him across the face. "How dare you not inform me about your medical condition!! Why would you keep that from me!?" He rubs the red spot on his face...

He looks up at me, and his eyes are sad... I feel a part of me break at that look. "I didn't want to interrupt your life and adventures... I figured if you ever did come back, it'd be because you wanted to... Not because you had to..." This!!! This fucking!!! He's being an idiot!!! What kind of twisted logic is that! That doesn't even make sense!!

Manni leans back on the couch and closes his eyes. "Well, you're in luck cause Cera is gonna heal you." Instead of reacting in any way, he just keeps his eyes closed and stays the way he is. "Weren't not waiting any time, Cera. Heal him." Cera looks like he's about to explain something, but Manni stands up and clears his throat.

~~~(POV: Saliandra Orvello)~~~

~~~(Location: Criminal Hideout in Gradule, Elven Kingdom)~~~

~~~(Time: 7:55 AM)~~~

There is a lot of tension, and Manni looks like he's about to say something serious... "First off, Terox. I don't appreciate that you'd go and tell people about my condition behind my back." He looks at the elven beauty, and she averts her eyes. "Secondly, what makes you think I want to be healed?" Uh oh... I can already see the anger bubbling in Helda and Terox.

She steps forward and stares into his eyes hard, and her fury is rising. "You're getting healed, Manni. Whether you want it or not. You're not leaving me yet..." Her voice becomes weaker as she speaks, and it starts to crack. Manni reaches his arms out and wraps Helda in a hug, she has her face in his chest, and I can hear her soft sobs...

He pulls away and steps back. Having steeled himself for his fate, Helda looks at Cera in desperation. "I won't heal him unless he wants me to... From the looks of it, he has someone on the otherside he wants to meet again... Right?" Helda looks at Cera in confusion, and she turns to Manni to see if his hunch is true.

Manni nods his head and takes a small breath... "I miss my family... My wife... They're all waiting for me on the other side... A few more years and I can be with them again..." It does hurt to hear this... I can't imagine what Helda and Terox are going through...

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A/N: Below this line, I'll be keeping Cera's player information. That way, I won't have to place it into the story above anymore. It takes about 180 words up.

[Slayer (Zern) Lvl.196]

[Exp: 40/100%]

[Title: The Son of Arch-Angel Michael (Hidden)]

[Stats] [Strength - 7095][Endurance - 7045][Dexterity - 7215][Speed - 8240][Focus - 19,660]

[Mana aura control: 6/100%]

[Health: 76,560,000,000/76,560,000,000] [Mana: 216,600,000,000/216,600,000,000]

[Stat Points: 50] [Armor rating: 500]

[Inventory] [Dice of Wayland (Divine)] [Hardened Tree sap Armor (Very Rare)] [The Witness (Legendary Sword)] [Fenrir's Whistle (Divine)] [Sally's Dresses 5x] [Camping gear] [Food Rations 3x] [Dried meat 4x] [Fishing poles 2x] [Fish 8x] [Festival Garbs 2x]

[Passive Perks]

[Inheritor of the Sword] [Son of Heaven] [Slayer of Evil] [Holy Willow Trees Savior] [Finder of Legends] [The Divine who has Legend] [Destined for Greatness] [Dungeon Diver] [An Overachiever]

[Active Skills]

[Heavens light Lvl.59 325/5900] [Protected by Heaven Lvl.59 225/5900] [Slash Lvl..77 4600/130000] [Parry Lvl.53 80/5300] [Double Strike N/A] [Kingslayer N/A] [Raging Machine N/A] [Winged Glory] [Angelic Flight] [Divine Pressure Exertion] [Divinity Pulse] [Controled Fun]