Chapter 16: little thief and Loki famillia
ayo? new trailer for Jingliu? Are you going to pull for her?
for me in going to save my jade until March gets stabbed, im gonna take a wild guess about march and say that she is an ice queen with a cold personality before losing her memory (:
anyway, enjoy!
~~
I arrived at the surface in the afternoon, accompanied by the troubled Bell. I expanded my soul to cover most of the city grounds, seeking out familiar figures among the hundreds of people walking around.
I spotted Chloe and Anya walking together, Ryuu wandering the streets, and saw that the Hostess of Fertility's lower walls had been reconstructed.
'Found you,' I thought as I spotted a small, familiar figure moving through the alleys and narrow crevices, clutching a small knife.
I sprinted in her direction, taking Bell by surprise. He quickly followed behind, trying to keep up.
-
**Liliruca's POV**
"Ugh, how the hell does this thing cost 10 valis?" I muttered, examining the black dagger covered in weird hieroglyphics.
"He said it cost 10 million valis. I knew it was too good to be true," I complained to myself.
As I walked through a hidden alley, I was about to exit when I felt a sharp sting on my neck.
"Now then, little thief, one more step, and my voice will be the last thing you'll ever hear," a cold and familiar voice spoke from behind me.
I hadn't even heard her approach. I glanced at the blade, dangerously close to my neck.
"I was considering killing you, but I will let the victim decide your fate," the voice continued. A strong hand wrapped around my neck, and I was dragged deeper into the alley.
We arrived at another alley, and I heard hurried steps approaching. Turning toward the sound, I saw Bell running toward us.
"Hah, hah, Xian! Why did you suddenly run—" Bell began but stopped when he saw me being dragged by Xian.
"Eh, Xian, why are you holding Liliruca like that!" Bell said, his surprise evident.
"Seems this little girl tried to sell your dagger, Bell," Xian said coldly.
"Liliruca, no..." Bell's voice was filled with disbelief and betrayal.
"Now then, you can choose her fate, be it a cold death or letting her go," Xian's words sent a shiver down my spine. I panicked, but I couldn't do anything but give up and wait for Bell's decision.
"You should let her go, Xian. I don't think people should die just for stealing," Bell tried to de-escalate the situation.
"If that is what you wish for, then so be it," Xian released me, and I crumpled to the ground. She retrieved the dagger and returned it to Bell.
"Let us go. I do not wish to stay here any longer," Xian said, and they left, leaving me slumped against a wall.
"What do I do now?" I thought, recalling the faces of the adventurers from Soma Familia. "Sigh, maybe I should hide from them instead."
-
**Xian's POV**
After that incident, we didn't continue to explore the dungeon. Bell returned to his church to recover from the betrayal, leaving me to wander the streets.
I spotted a vendor selling Jagamarukun, a familiar snack so I decided to buy some.
"I would like to purchase three," I said to the vendor.
"Can I have four Jagamarukun?" a familiar voice asked beside me. I turned to see Ais.
"Ais, it's nice to meet you here," I greeted her first.
"Xian, it's rare to see you around the streets," Ais replied in her usual monotonous tone, her eyes catching the katana I was holding.
"Are you an adventurer?" Ais asked, her curiosity piqued.
"I am, but I'm a former adventurer. As for this katana, I was just about to practice my swordsmanship to cure my boredom," I explained.
"Former? Did you stop because you're blind?" Ais inquired.
"That's only part of the reason. Also, Ais, may I ask if you have a practice ground? Bell's church has one, but the uneven ground isn't to my liking," I requested.
"My Familia has a personal practice ground. I can lend it to you," Ais offered.
"That would be helpful. Thank you," I accepted her invitation.
We arrived at the front gate of a giant castle, where guards stood watch. Ais approached them, and they greeted her.
"Sword Princess, welcome back, and you've brought a guest?" one middle-aged guard asked, looking at me.
"Greetings. I am a friend of Ais," I replied.
"Friends of Ais? Well, ain't that rare. If you're a friend of Ais, you're always welcome to visit whenever," he said happily and opened the gate.
Passing through the gate, we entered a wide courtyard with gardens planted with unique flowers.
"The practice ground is this way. Come," Ais said, and I quietly followed her.
We reached a wide, flat practice ground where I noticed wooden dummies covered with sword marks and Tiona using one of them.
Tiona noticed us and approached. "Ah, Ais, and Xian? What are you doing here?"
"Good afternoon, Tiona. I came here to borrow your Familia's practice ground," I explained.
"Oh, are you an adventurer?" Tiona asked, noticing the katana I was holding.
"Not anymore. I've grown weary of taking the lives of others. I'm only here to sharpen my swordsmanship," I replied.
"Eh, why? If you're retired, why are you still practicing swordsmanship?" Tiona wondered.
"Even if I'm tired of combat, once a sword finds a purpose to swing, stopping the swing will only make the blade crumble. And... to remember the path I've chosen and the sacrifices I've made on the journey," I replied.
"You two can watch me if that satiates your curiosity," I added, referring to their curious gazes.
I halted in the middle of the practice ground, unsheathing my blade. With a deep breath, I began my practice, moving with purpose and grace.
'First, the calm lake below the blue moon.' I swung my blade with graceful and tranquil movements, akin to a dance. Each motion was mesmerizing, leaving only a mirage in its wake. The elegance of the swings masked the underlying danger they held, like a gentle breeze that could turn deadly upon contact.
'Second, the rivers of blood under the blood moon.' My blade and steps transformed into a rapid and powerful onslaught. Each strike was aimed at ending a life, turning the ground crimson and creating rivers of blood. It was a blade meant solely for taking lives.
'Third, the rite of the devourer, beneath the starving gaze.' Like a wild beast, I swung the blade with ruthless intent. Every strike felt instinctual and bloodthirsty, mirroring the hunger of a predator as it sought to claim the lives of any living being in its path.
As I finished the last swing and quietly sheathed my katana, I returned my senses to the surroundings, facing the two stunned girls.
"Was that enough to satiate your curiosity?" I asked.
the two were about to answer but were interrupted by someone.
"Hah, why are you two lollygaggin' here, are you not training?" A white-haired wolf man asked the stunned Tiona and Ais.
His attention then shifted to me, and he seemed perplexed and irritated by my presence on their practice ground.
"Ha? Why is a blind woman on our practice ground? Why did you bring her here of all places?" he grumbled, clearly agitated.
"And why are you carrying a sword, woman? You can't even see, let alone swing that sword," he continued, his annoyance growing more apparent.
"Go back to where you came from woman. This place ain't for the weak. Tch!" He concluded dismissively.
I remained composed, not taking offense at his words. Instead, I turned to Ais and Tiona, waiting to see how they would respond to their fellow Familia member's abrasive comments.
~~
sorry again for the late upload, yesterday I was really tired and I couldn't think of anything let alone write
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone