Chapter 50: Innocent Hearts and Guilty Minds

Chapter 50: Innocent Hearts and Guilty Minds

As me and Gong travel back through the caverns to the main hall, slowly, it seems both of us want to talk a bit.

Ill ask first.

So.

At my words, she tenses up slightly.

They call you the Maroon Spider now, apparently. She turns her head to look at me in confusion. I dont think this was the question she was expecting.

She seems to laugh a bit and relax, before responding.

Yeah, apparently I looked really scary. I heard some of the escapees say something like that, but it seems like it caught on. I could have sworn it was the Maroon Monster though

Well, honestly the giant pillar of spiders did seem pretty flashy. But I have to say. Damn, did it look cool as hell. I see what you meant earlier about using the spiders in a different way.

She tenses up a little, which changes to a curiously wry face. Well I didnt want to go out all out against them like that, but when they were throwing that many cultivators at us, I didnt really have a choice.

She pauses in the tunnel, causing me to accidentally walk into her a bit.

Speaking quietly, she practically whispers her next words. Im sorry about not protecting you.

It would be easy to just act like I didnt hear her, but I should address this the right way.

Youre wrong on that. You made the decision anyone would have, especially in such a precarious position. Plus, Im sure you havent needed to actively protect someone before, right? From what I can gather, usually you are either fighting alone or scaring someone away from others.

No. Ive protected people before. I just I just got so scared. All I did was tell you to run, but I know I know I could have protected you there.

I saw the cultivator throw you into the wall. I thought you had died, but I didnt come after you. I only focused on myself. Even after all you had done for me.

Okay, you have to stop that.

I place a hand on one of her spider legs, in what I hope is a comforting way.

Look, that was a serious battle. No one else in this city who isnt a cultivator could fight against 15+ cultivators, no matter how poorly trained they are, and come out on top. Even then, if you make one mistake, it wouldve been over in a second.

I try to maneuver around her slumped body until I can catch her downcast eyes. She closes them, but I get a little closer. Hey seriously. All we can do is try to be better for next time. Even if you felt you messed up this time, lets be better together for next time, okay? I know there were so many things I could have done, that would have gotten me out of that situation, that were in no way your fault.

She opens her closed eyes and I realize how close we are, with my head less than a quarter of a meter away. My eyes dart to her soft looking lips and then her eyes again.Thê source of this content n/o/v/(el)bi((n))

Got to stop doing that.

It still is frustrating though. How am I supposed to just pass these people by?

Yeah, you are right on that its just frustrating to see all of these people who are injured all time. And no one seems to care.

She bites her lip at that, holding her tongue.

Her voice cracks a little, as she speaks up.

I I feel the same way. I told you earlier about my friend who built these tunnels?

I remember. She must have been pretty awesome to have managed making all of this

Yeah she was pretty amazing Her eyes unfocuses a little, before snapping back to me.

The reason I brought her up, is that she actually made all these tunnels to house demi-humans. She wanted to give them a place they could stay that was safe.

As you know we arent too welcomed up there and are barely given anything to survive. This place was meant to help give us a more permanent home.

She looks up at the ceiling, Thinking back on it, there were so many flaws with her plan, but even with that I dont know. I just cant help wanting to bring her dream to fruition. My territory is meant to be that safe haven for demi-humans.

With your help, however, we can make the underground a safe place for cultivating demi-humans.

She sighs again and then turns around, away from me. Look at me, Im rambling over here. Point is, I understand you wanting to help people we just need to get to the point where we can do it without being crushed. Even with the spiders all it would take is a single foundation establishment to wipe away all the progress weve made here.

So please. Be careful with your healing. Wait until you can get a cultivation manual to use your healing powers openly. Please. I dont want to lose another friend.

It kind of touches my heart, that shes willing open up this much

Ill try.

This just means that I have to truly start working on my alchemy skills. So, that I can heal people without needing to rely on my healing aura.

I understand. Thank you for telling me all that. I know it couldnt have been easy for you.

She nods slightly to that, with air softly escaping her lips.

Her next words stop me in my tracks.

I like you.

Wait. What?