Chapter 51: Rio’s Feelings
“Cough!”
As Rio’s slender form reacted to something, she coughed up a vivid red liquid from her mouth, as if she had just spat blood. What on earth was happening? Just moments ago, I had felt nothing. Had a new enemy appeared?
“Damn it!”
Anger surged within me at the thought of Rio being harmed, clouding my thoughts. When I turned around, I saw the Man in Black, who I suspected had stabbed Rio, twisting his mouth in a sinister grin from beneath his hood.
—Is this the one? Did he stab Rio?
Now that I thought about it, the figure in black had been visible just as I pushed Rio away. Coupled with the faint murderous intent leaking from the Man in Black, it had to be him. As he drew a dagger from his pocket and directed his gaze and malice toward me, I was already in motion.
—Eliminate him immediately and save Rio.
I channeled my Magic Power throughout my body and leaped toward his feet. With both hands thrusting upward in a gouging motion, he attempted to defend himself, but it was too late. I slammed my palms into his side and activated Wind Magic, unleashing an Air Hammer that sent him flying far away.
“Gyaaaaahhh…!!”
I felt the satisfying crunch of his ribs breaking beneath my hands as the Man in Black spewed blood and careened off the road into the underbrush.
“…Huh?”
As the sound of his landing echoed from several dozen meters away, one of the Adventurers in the nearby party finally spoke up.
“Rio!”
I rushed over to Rio, lifting her upper body. A pool of blood was beginning to form on the ground, and she was frothing blood from her mouth, her eyes unfocused. I pulled the sword embedded in her chest while channeling Healing Magic with all my might. Of course, I also cast Detoxification Magic and Status Recovery Magic simultaneously.
“Sh… Shu…”
“Don’t talk!”
If that Man in Black was indeed an assassin in a black robe, the sword that pierced Rio must have been coated in poison. I had gained plenty of experience with Healing Magic against the monsters of the Forest of Enchantment. However, I had little experience with poisons. Monsters and animals don’t mistakenly consume poisonous prey. My knowledge of Detoxification Magic came solely from theoretical lessons with my mentor.
I focused on the image of her wounds healing, the poison breaking down, and the electrical signals from her brain correctly transmitting throughout her body to counteract the neurotoxins, pouring all my magic into her.
“Are you okay, Rio…?!”
While concentrating on the magic, I spoke to her. I felt her pale face gradually returning to its normal color.
“Shuu… I’m… okay now.”
She murmured in a steadier tone than before, wrapping her arms around my neck.
“I’m okay, but… I was scared…”
“Yeah, you’re okay now!”
I held the trembling Rio tightly, feeling her exhale deeply. I wouldn’t stop the Healing Magic just yet, but she seemed to be alright now.
“I was so scared… Hic…”
As Rio began to cry, I gently stroked her back while glancing toward the direction where I had sent the Man in Black flying. The grass was thick, obscuring what lay beyond. However, I could sense with Presence Detection that the man hadn’t moved from the spot. While I didn’t think he was dead, he would surely die if left unattended.
Some members of the Adventurer party that had been lined up behind us veered off the road to check on the Man in Black. I doubted they would be foolish enough to group together.
Still, I was caught off guard… I can usually detect those who approach while suppressing their presence, but he had blended in with his surroundings from the start without even trying to conceal his aura. Damn it, Rio almost got killed! What have I been doing all this time? I was the target, so it was obvious that Rio could be targeted too. Why hadn’t I been more vigilant?
I felt a surge of anger at my own incompetence, but that didn’t absolve the enemy of blame. I would never forgive the one who stabbed Rio…
Neguro Takuto…!
The face I had glimpsed for a brief moment when I sent him flying was indeed that of a classmate. I never expected to encounter him so soon, let alone have him attempt to kill me…
What had happened in these past four months? I had no recollection of doing anything to warrant such hatred. We may have been unemployed or useless, but wouldn’t that make us forgettable?
“Shuu…”
“What is it?”
After a while, having calmed down, Rio released her grip from around my neck and looked up at me.
“Did you feel this way back then too, Shuu?”
“Back then?”
“You know, when you were poisoned by those in black robes.”
“Oh…”
Thinking back, I did recall feeling terrified. My body had gradually stopped responding, and I lost various sensations…
“But I lost consciousness almost immediately after.”
“I see… But I still can’t forgive them.”
“Huh?”
“I can’t forgive those who made you feel such fear.”
Oh, is that what this is about? I mean, is it okay for her to feel that way after experiencing fear herself?
“Y-Yeah… I can’t forgive those who made Rio feel scared either.”
I was beginning to feel unforgiving myself, but there was no need to voice that to Rio.
“Shuu…”
Her cheeks flushed at my words as she gazed at me. The way she looked up at me with such innocence was incredibly cute and heartwarming. Still, I was relieved to see her looking more lively than I had expected. Perhaps the blade hadn’t been coated in poison like mine had been.
I retrieved a towel from the Dimensional Box, soaked it with Water Magic, and wiped the blood-stained face of Rio, who had coughed up blood. Leaning down, I lightly kissed her lips, prompting cheers from those around us.
“Don’t think we’ll just keep getting pushed around. This is where our counterattack begins!”