Chapter 6: A Silly Proposition

Chapter 6: A Silly Proposition

A quick check as I exit the shack shows that the body of the scum is still there, with some rats having a feast.

Thats probably not healthy for the local area. Ill figure it out after this is done.

I consider taming the rats, but I really dont want to tame those rats after theyve been eating him.

A peek back through the door shows Ai testing out her strength by jumping and moving around. Its actually quite sweet seeing her try stuff out and then going through another hugging session. I take the time to move the body to a corner of the alleyway and once done; sitting just outside the door. A quick check to my status reveals the below.

James Delinion

Male, 27

5 Rose ManSpiritual Root

Mana: 80/80

Transferred Gifts:

Passive Scan: Max

Active Scan: Max (Increased Strain)

Healing Aura: Level 3 Exp: 59/80

Beneficial Taming: Level 1 Exp: 0/10

Healing Constitution

Proficient Languages: Common Speech (English)

Literate Languages: Common Speech

From what I can tell, the breakdown for XP for healing is: 5xp for serious conditions; 1xp for regular conditions. Ai had 72 conditions, with three of them being serious. Lin had 23, with 2 being serious. Serious appears to mean out of the normal human range. Things like bloodline defects, curses, or the like.

Even if Ive received experience for this, I still believe that it is worth it for me to heal good people, regardless if I receive benefits for it. As someone once said, the only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing. I refuse to do that.

I still feel a bit exhausted from the stress of all of this. I just need a moment.

My eyes slowly close, and I somehow catch a little sleep. In what seems to be only a moment, I overhear my name float out from inside the house and open my eyes.

A slight wind blows as I open them and look back into the house. Strange. I thought I felt something like hair in my face, for a moment there. A quick check to the scum corner shows him exactly as I left him. Dead. Good.

I head back into the rundown shack. Lin and Ai are facing each other, holding hands. I barely catch Ais narrowed eyes looking at me. Almost immediately after, she glances back at Lin.

Lin, who still hasnt noticed me in the doorway, is apparently excitedly speaking on how stupid/nave I am, based on everything I had been asking her earlier. Which is quite humorous.

However, it warms my heart as she follows up with how kind I was during the healing. She also tries to explain how bones were moving into place and how amazing it looked. Its pretty clear she is trying hard to show me in a good light and clear Ais suspicions.

Honestly, I cant blame her for being suspicious. A strange man comes into your home, kills someone, and then heals you of a mortal disease. Id be wondering what the catch is.

However, it appears Ai realized her quietness was making Lin nervous and her back straightens. Taking a seat on her mat again, she adopts a cool, mature air.

Is this her Elder Sister side?

Lins words slowly drift away as Ai motions for her to come over to join her on the ground. They slowly adopt a position, with Ai holding Lins head in her lap.

Slowly rubbing Lins head, I can softly hear Lin say, Mmm jiiiieejieee.

O-okay. I should probably just ignore this and act like its normal.

Looking up at me with a more settled air, she addresses me directly.

So. Young Master

Just call me James.

She quickly shakes her head. I couldnt, that would be too presumptuous of me.

No seriously, please just James.

Ai. Her eyes fixate back up to mine.

The only thing I want from you two

Her breath holds.

Is for you to focus on one thing only. Only one thing. A crucial thing. Something so important, that you may not be able to fully understand it.

With every phrase, it is easy to see her getting wound up from the tension. She clearly doesnt see that I am playing with her. Lin, on the other hand, already sees where Im going with this and is barely holding in her laughter from the ridiculousness of it all.

I want you to live happily.

Once again, her eyes blank out, this time in disbelief, but now clearly understanding, that I really had said that earlier. In the distance, I hear a high-pitched laugh, a loud thud, and barely audible cursing. A quick glance outside shows a blur of a giant spider leg going back up the wall, before disappearing.

Looking back at Ai, I can see her mouth opens. Closes. Looking at Lin and then back to me. Then back at Lin. She obviously is trying to come up with words to say. What she finally comes out with is,

Is he an idiot?

At this point Lin bursts out laughing, rolling on the ground. You know, we are making quite a bit of noise now. As I glance at the outside of the ramshackle hut, I see the shadow of a giant leg on the alleyway wall. Shaking, probably with laughter. Clearly, we have some fans. I dont get a bad feeling from her though, so I hope itll be okay.

Ai, clearly irritated, places her fingers on the bridge of her nose. Listen here, you

With a sly smile, I thought it was supposed to be, my lord?

I can hear the echo of a snort in the distance.

Ais teeth, however, grits in irritation, My lord, what youve done isnt simple. My condition, is wasnt simple. Thus, there must be something you want in return.

I pause in clear contemplation, Well, there was one thing.

Once again, she becomes serious again. Lin, who seems to get the flow of things better than her sister, is holding her laughter. Its probably fun for her to see this side of Ai. I think this might already help to distract them a bit.

That one thing

Dramatic pause.

Is my personal happiness.

Her eyes furrow, but as they slowly relax, it seems she can accept it as a real response.

Before she can follow up on it though, I act like Im suddenly enlightened by a thought, OH! But my happiness only comes when you two are happy.

Ai freezes and then throws her hands up in frustration, WHAT THE FUCK?!

Another loud sound outside the hut erupted, but this time whoever it is seems to not be hiding their laughter this time. Lin is rolling on the ground, with tears in her eyes. A bright smile is on my face from the shenanigans Ive caused with this.

Looks like my silliness has prevailed again. Hopefully, this helps to get their minds off us killing that man outside and maybe everything else. If only for a little.

After wringing her hair in frustration, she eventually calms down after seeing everyone have a good time, albeit at her expense. I see the hint of a smile as she looks at Lin, still on the ground, rolling around in laughter. Smoothing out her clothes and hair, she tries to regain her jiejie air.

Lin, just where did you meet this this man again?

Lin, still not fully in control of her laughing, giggles I met him, she catches her breath slightly. In front of Mengs place, that noble trinkets store.

Finally getting control of herself, she adds, At first, I thought he would be an easy mark, but he managed to trap me. He even avoided my sure-hit kills on men!

Her words remind me of the many kicks she tried to lie upon my personal jewels. Its a good thing I automatically assumed she would go for those.

Continuing, However, after he gave me a stupid amount of money, he only asked for information. And really basic stuff at that.

Gesturing over to me, You really dont need to worry about this one, jiejie. Hes just a stupid, nave idiot who doesnt even know how to whalomph.

What the hell is a whalomph?

At that, Ai looks at me Not even a basic whalomph, huh?

Okay, seriously. I want to know.

Before I can ask, she queries me, So. Where are you from then? This question gives me pause, because it is likely not a good idea to spread it around that Im from another world. If Im considering that dollar from before, I dont want to become someones cultivation ingredient.