11 11. WHAT WAS THAT?? (2)

the man cough out loud, and something red and sticky pour out from the bottom of the mask.

I bite my lips.

"Whats wrong with you?"

"Dying."

I was riddled with doubt whether to kill him or save him. He just threatened and attacked me but he was already injured in the first place.

"Why did you attack me?"

"Aren't you here to attack me?

Ugh whats up with answering a question with another question.

"Oh fuck this. You better not attack me again or I'll really kill you" flicking away the blade, I kneeled beside me. Though he was still in kneeling position, his whole body was tensed as if he was readying himself to be killed.

His eyes never left me and that makes it even more scary. It felt like I'm trying to heal a wounded lion.

"Appraisal. Tutorial mode"

Both menu appeared in front of me.

Name: ???

Level: ?????

Status: poisoned

"How to detect type of poison?"

Several solutions appeared but I choose the easiest one.

I took his blood.

"Appraisal"

Poison: millennium flower swamp.

Cure: thousand ice coral, healing ray

"Tutorial mode- what is healing ray?"

'A supreme healing skills that required high skills in healing. It is almost on par with holy heal skill that could disperse miasma, possession by evil spirits or any dark attributes poisons'

Okay… so I don't think Ailee could heal him and plus, I don't trust him enough to get close to my kids.

I activated recreate skills and created healing ray. And by following the instruction, I used the healing ray on the man.

"Done. You should be fine by n-"

Then I heard a growl. I look down at my own tummy and frown. I just ate. I'm sure as hell not hungry, so that's mean…

I look up at him and the masked man look away.

Awkwarddd…

"I'll bring you some food but you have to swear not to harm me and my family"

He didn't say anything and that made me tensed.

Another growl, its even louder than before.

"Fine. I swear no harm will be done on you and your kins" it seems forced but that was enough for me.

"Fly" I touched the guy and we're not really flying, more like levitating. I had exhausted myself saving this man, I'm not about to be exhausted carrying him. Plus with all that blood and grime? Nu-uh. Not letting that smudge my clothes.

Then I look down at myself again. Though… I'm already dirty with all leaves and soil on me from that little showdown earlier.

I saw Ailee and Miya still encased inside a barrier their worried face turns bright as they saw me.

"Mom!! You're back!" Miya jump up and was going to run out the barrier.

"Stay inside there and push the leftover food outside." Though he had swore earlier, I'm still not taking any chances.

Ailee took the bundle and push it out from the barrier. I took it and lay it in front of the man.

"Now, eat"

I didn't even need to tell him twice. He push the mask up, a little bit and swallow the food one by one in a blink of an eye.

He burb and I gave him a glass of juice and a pudding. After finishing everything, he lie on his back.

"Don't your mom ever teach you not to lie down after eating?" Muttered Ailee.

The masked man sat up and the look at Ailee, Miya and finally that gaze landed on me. He looked away.

"I don't have a mother" that simple statement changed my daughters reaction.. so that means, they can understand what he said just now. He's not talking different language.

"Well, we don't have father." Ailee said in whisper. That made my heart squeezed. I wanted to open my mouth but then closed it back. They rarely talk about it and now I get to hear what they think about it.

"Oh? Then, do you want a new father?" Asked the masked man.

"Depends who is it." Miya shoot back.

"How about me?" He point at himself. I glare at him.

How did a fight turns to become my kids new dad?

"Did you hit your head somewhere?" I narrowed my eyes on him. He shrugs.

"I did. When you hit me with that fire alls.So you better take responsibility."

"..." I am speechless, people. But I can annoyance ticking close.

Miya stood and fold her arms and look at him up and down.

"You seems fine.. but to be our dad, you need to be someone awesome because our mom is awesome. She need awesome husband."

The man chuckled in amusement.

"I am rather awesome, myself"

"How awesome?" Asked Ailee, daring him to sell himself higher.

"Hmmm… I can do a lot of things. Just name it. Plus, I like kids."

"Can you build a tree house from the scratch?" Asked Ailee, her eyes twinkling with interest.

"You mean like The elves house? I can make it"

"Without using magic?"

"To be honest, I prefer not using my power in everything I do. I don't want to dependent on it" Ailee nodded in agreement and I can see she is half way persuaded.

"Hmmm… do you do laundry?"

"Well…" he scratched his head. " most of the time I had a maid do it for me but I can do it if I need to."

Miya frown and clicked her tongue.

" well, we are no maid. So if you want to be our dad… you cant asked us to wash your… underwear and everything else"

"Of course not!"

Why does this look a lot like an interview to fill a job position?

"One last question, what's up with that mask?"

"Oh this? I don't like people seeing my face… they like to judge."

"So you're ugly?"

"Maybe"

"As long as you don't beat us, be a good and loving father… that's cool by us."

"Or do you want a good looking husband, mom?"

That's so sweet but…

I sigh and rubbed my temple.

"Look.. there's something wrong with this.. you guys don't need to find me a husband…"

"They need a father figure" he said lazily. I gave him another deathly glare. I grabbed his arm and drag him away from the kids.

"Look, I don't know why are you doing this but please go. You already ate, You're fine and healthy now. Everything is good so, good bye."

"Is it because I'm ugly?" He said loudly as if trying to gain sympathy from my kids. I put more force on his arm as a warning.

"Fuck no! I don't give a damn if you are ugly or not. You're stranger. I don't love you. You don't love me nor my kids. So, its nice offer but no."

"Love comes slowly. And I like your kids, adorable and funny. Not to mention that weird food you have… Its absolutely delicious. I don't mind eating that three times a day." I look at him bitterly. So that was the main point here. My food huh?

" I despise Leacher"

"Which is why I offer to be your husband. Husband and wife help each other. I wont leech, don't worry"

"You just threatened to kill me earlier"

"I swore I wont, didn't I?"

"Do you have mistress somewhere? Or wife? I don't like a player"

"Trust me. I don't have. When I was younger, I may had few affairs but that's in the past. I was planning to remain single but I guess being a family man is not bad"

I look at him hard and long.

"Fine. But don't leave us suddenly without telling us. Its not good for my kids."

He nodded.

I look at my daughters and exhaled.

" guess what? You just had a new dad!" I forced a smile. I never imagine it would be like this though…

Miya and Ailee both Highed five together and smiled.

What did I get myself into?