Chapter 121: Story

Chapter 121: Story

Jade batted a large, buzzing insect away from her face, cursing under her breath. Despite what shed told Chance and Bella, shed fully expected some degree of disciplinary action from the Shikari after she reported her failure to capture her targets.

But, when shed returned to Gleam, Shae had been nowhere to be found. Shed went to find Gibson, he was missing as well. Jade had ended up reporting her results to Janet, who didnt look like she possibly could have cared less.

Jade had originally thought that was a good thing. If nobody was there, her crushing defeat in the mission might actually slip under the notice of anyone of importance. Shed waited around the city for a few days just in case, but nobody ever came knocking.

The temptation to sit around and do nothing for a few days was strong, but Jade had pushed through it. Shed promised Chance and Bella to find their friend, and she wasnt going to sit around and do nothing while another innocent person got butchered by whoever was after them.

That was how she found herself stumbling through a smoldering hot jungle, batting aggressive insects away as sweat poured down her brow. Her clothes stuck to her back and every breath came laden with the scent of heavy moss and a faint tinge of dead animal.

Who choses a place like this to hide? Jade muttered to herself. She cursed as she tripped over a protruding tree branch and grabbed onto its rough bark to catch her balance.

Letting out a long suffering sigh, Jade squinted through the dense canopy above her. There was still sun trickling in through the gaps in the leaves, but she couldnt even tell what time it was anymore.

The heat was quickly growing oppressive, and while it wasnt posing a real threat to her, she couldnt remember the last time shed been this uncomfortable. Jade pulled her shirt away from her back, grimacing as it stuck to her skin.

Where in the world is Yeo? If I didnt promise to do this, I would have turned around a day ago.

If you werent complaining so much, you might have heard me behind you.

Jade leapt nearly a foot into the air, spinning and grabbing the hilt of her sword. A dark haired boy leaned against a tree behind her, his tanned skin crisscrossed with fading scars. He held a black sword in a loose grip in one hand. The hair on Jades neck stiffened. Despite the boys relaxed posture, something about him set her on edge.

Yeo?

Good guess, Shikari, Yeo replied, spinning the sword in his hand. How many of you do I have to kill before you get the message? I dont mind the training, but its kind of a hassle at this point. You could at least send people that are a bit stronger.

Jades brow furrowed. Yeo was acting exactly how shed expected Chance to act when shed first met him. They couldnt have been more different and, unlike Chance, she didnt feel safe in the slightest beside him.N0v3lTr0ve served as the original host for this chapter's release on N0v3l--B1n.

She slowly drew her sword, holding it before her. Youve been killing Shikari?

Training against them after they keep sending people after me, Yeo corrected her. They do end up dying as a result, though. Im surprised you havent attacked yet. Did you get wise enough to try an ambush or something?

No, Im here on my own.

Maybe hes just putting on an act to keep people away from him? It was reported that the Shikari coming after Yeo went missing, though. Has he actually just been murdering Shikari? I guess its self-defense, but he doesnt seem too bothered about killing anyone.

Thats a disappointment, Yeo said with a frown. He pushed himself away from the tree and raised his sword. I hope youre stronger than you look, at least. Considering youre hunting a dangerous criminal, you arent very prepared. Are you going to raise your defenses or anything? This is going to be way too easy if you dont.

This guy is dangerous. Somethings going on here, but I dont think this is the person that Chance was talking about. Hes a threat.

Chance said you were a friend, so I didnt think Id need to do something like that. Jade adjusted her chance, keeping her sword between them as she prepared to draw on her Essence. It looks like he might have been deluded.

Yeo blinked. He lowered his sword before narrowing his eyes and pointing it at Bella. Chance? Where did you meet him? Did the Shikari catch up with him?

I dont know if Im going to answer that. Jade pulled more Essence, enveloping her body in a faint yellow glow. You arent like him at all. Maybe the Shikari were right to try to eliminate you. Did Chance and Bella just get caught up in something you started?

Yeo grunted. He flicked a finger and a thin steel wire sliced through the air toward Jades side, suddenly pulled taut. She shifted her sword, catching the line on the edge of her blade before it could bite into her flesh.

Not bad, Yeo said, inclining his head slightly. Youre not going to drop my guard that easily though, Shikari. You really think that youre the first one to show up talking about my friends? Thats not going to work.

He darted toward Jade, ribbons of neigh-invisible metal swirling from his fingertips as they caught the light. Jade dove to the side. Her Essence armor flared as metal carved against it, scraping past and failing to cut her flesh.

Yeo laughed. He turned into the trees and beckoned for Jade to follow after him. And, against her better judgement, she did.

A few minutes later, Jade found herself standing in a small cave. Light filtered in through the opening behind her, illuminating a mossy bed and a pile of weapons and armor in the corner. A large pack of rations had fallen on its side beside the bed, spilling out dry jerky and cheese.

Who are those from? Jade asked, pointing at the armor.

Yeo raised an eyebrow. Just take your shirt off and dry out already. Do you really want to start a fight again?

I am not

He didnt wait for her to respond. Yeo knelt by the pack and dug through it, pulling out a plain cloth shirt and tossing it to Jade. He straightened back out and brushed his knees off. Im going to walk out into the forest and Ill stay there for a minute exactly. Then Im coming back so either be changed by then or be content with me watching.

Yeo winked, then strode out of the cave. Jade glanced over her shoulder at him, then looked down at her shirt. She heaved a sigh. It really was soaked, and it wasnt going to get any more comfortable.

She stripped out of it, briefly wiping herself off before pulling the new one on.

I hate this damn overheated jungle. I cant even imagine how anything survives in here.

All done? Yeo asked, stepping back into the cave.

Yes. Has it already been a minute?

Just about. Ill be honest, I didnt count it. I figured youd make a decision one way or another pretty quickly.

Jade shrugged. I suppose you were right. So, answer the question. Who are these from? Shikari?

Who do you think? Theyve been sending them after me for a while now. No point wasting good gear. That a problem?

I suppose well see. Ill hear you out.

Tell me about Chance and Bella first.

Theyre doing fine. They just demolished a slaver sects leading body by getting a massive dragon to pop out from under the ground and kill multiple Rank Five and Six cultivators in a single second.

Yeo let out a slow whistle. That sounds like Chance all right. Are they safe?

About as safe as one can be outside of a Scholar City. They were doing fine the last time I talked to them, and that was a few days ago.

Good. Yeo let out a relieved sigh. I was worried they might have things worse than I do, but it sounds like theyre doing all right. Howd you end up meeting them in the first place?

Jade cleared her throat and glanced to the side. I was hunting them, but I met Chance on accident while he was helping save a small town. I tailed him for a while, but they convinced me that the Shikari had things wrong and that you were all innocent. Not so sure thats true anymore.

Theyre innocent, Yeo said. He glanced down at the pile of weapons on the ground, then shrugged. Im not so sure about me, but the Shikari came looking for blood. Im not Chance. I wont show mercy to people coming to take my life.

I suppose I cant fault you for that for now, at least. Im going to need to know more, though. Tell me about why the Shikari are after all of you. I want to see if your story matches up with Chances.

Oh? Yeo raised an eyebrow. And if it doesnt?

Then I do what I need to in order to protect the people of Gleam from a threat.

Yeo grinned. Well see. Ive been training a lot, and I wont pass up the opportunity to keep at it. Though, if you want the whole story, it might be wise to sit down. Itll be a bit.