"It's a Trap!"
*Multiple POVs*
***
(MC POV)
As we exited the Inn we started to look around for some kind of job that people might need warriors for. Our money wasn't too bad, but there was no way we could survive with only this meager amount if we wanted to find a way back. That Inn alone cost an entire iron piece for a single night.
Quickly we found a small alchemist shop which had a piece of paper attached to the outer parts. It required 7 different plants and the reward was a few free pills and 10 iron coins. Oddly enough it looks like that no one seems interested in this contract.
Picking up the paper there were 7 little plant drawings and a number next to it, probably being the required amount.
Entering the shop with the paper in hand we talked to the shop owner about the request.
"Really? You'll go and collect these materials for me? I posted that a week ago and no one seems to care about it. Everyone probably thinks that collecting things is below them and their status as cultivators, but cultivators are the only ones that can even have a chance. Thank you, thank you for accepting this humble request of mine. I'll make sure that it's worth it!"
Leaving that shop we immediately set off for the forest. We thought about leaving Zheng Da behind, but she insisted on coming. After a bit of thought we decided that we shouldn't leave a child on her own, but she would have to stay far away if we had any battles.
Walking along a dirt road we crossed paths with multiple people going into the city. Zheng Da waddled on my left as I handed her the pictures of the plants we've been tasked to find.
"Wow! They're pretty! Daddy, is this what we're looking for?"
"Mmmhmm, So keep your eyes peeled for them ok?"
"Eyes peeled? How do I do that?"
"No, I mean just watch out for them."
"Look there's one right here!" Yao Ya from my right went ahead and crouched down before picking up a plant. It looked just like one of the ones on the paper.
"Good job" I said as she came and handed me the flower. Placing the flower in a bag we continued the search for the rest.
**
"Look, look, that's the last one! Zheng Da will get it!" Rushing out of my grasp Zheng da ran over to a distinct looking plant in the distance.
"Our "Daughter" sure is eager to help isn't she? Hehe" Yao Ya came from behind wrapping her arms around my neck.
She rested her head on my shoulder before speaking directly into my ear, "When's our next time?~ ♥I'm still waiting♥"
Hearing those tempting words, a part of me wanted to do it right here, but Zheng Da was a little bit away. Thinking of that, the heat I was feeling was being blocked out by reason. I couldn't let her child-like mind witness this indecency. What If all of a sudden she came up and asked to try out the "Wrestling moves" that mommy and daddy were doing?
Slightly turning my head I saw her cheeks with a beautiful blush. When we made eye contact she quickly averted them to look elsewhere.
'It must have taken all her courage to say that. I can't let her down now can I? Is there some kind of ancient daycare or something we could use for her? All in due time.'
As I watched Zheng Da run towards us I saw figures start to appear and pop out of places. Trees and piles of leaves that were oddly human hiding size.
Immediately Yao Ya and I sprung to action. A man behind Zheng Da was closing in, but luckily she was already close enough to us that I could get in front. With my unsheathed sword in one hand and my other protecting Zheng Da behind me the man enclosed.
*Tang*
The clash of our metallic weapons rang out as the official start of this battle.
"No hard feelings, but a job is a job you know. I gotta make money somehow."
***
(Su Daji POV)
Watching as the 3 approached the final herb I knew that the battle was about to begin.
'She just wrapped her arms around my Beloved! Hurry up and start the battle! She's speaking something terrible into his ears I can already tell just by his reaction!'
*Tang*
As the battle began I had a complete overview of the entire field.
'I must have patiences, patiences. My time will come, just later at a more critical point. Once it starts to look bleak I'll jump in and save the day, though it'll be best if that woman dies in this battle. I can't say such a horrible thing about that innocent child though. I'll just have to find a way for her to become lost, death is too cruel for a child of her age.'
There should be 10 mercenaries total, 8 encircling them and two archers to support. I've told them that the main priority is that woman of the group so they should focus on her to complete their mission.
My Beloved protected the weak child as he always would. These mercenaries are quite experienced. They only left 2 frontline fighters and 1 of the archers to distract my Beloved and coordinated the other 7 to deal with that woman.
Surprisingly that woman held on for so long, I was 80% sure she would have sustained serious injuries by now, but she's still holding her own. My Beloved is dealing with his people quite easily as well and is even starting to gain the advantage over them.
My predictions of their strength are quite wrong, but I'm glad for my Beloved only of course. That woman's strength is a little worrying though. Luckily she's up against so many others, she'll surely be hurt in one way or another.
*Fffsss* *Whisss*
The archers fired their shots and arrows whizzed through the air. My Beloved was just able to dodge the arrow and even made the shot hit one of the men who were ganging up on that woman. A wonderful display by my one and only, a shame it's to help her.
"Arrgh!"
The two fighting my beloved were shocked by the placement of the arrow for only a moment, but my Beloved fully took advantage of that to cut an arm off one of them.
The other archer's aim was good enough, the arrow sailed through the air in between their men and pierced that woman directly in the right side of her abdomen as she already had to deal with so many people.
"Ahhh!"
'Perfect!'
At this time the one who was shot turned around to look at my Beloved murderously. His steps were slow, but he seemed determined to attack my Beloved from behind.
'This is my time! I'll save him and help turn the tide of the battle!'
Jumping out from behind my hiding spot I ran over with sword in hand.
***
(MC POV)
'Shit! Was this some kind of trap?! Is that why no one picked this quest!? Everyone knew and they didn't tell us?! No, I can't become so irrational to blame everyone based on a feeling. We need to go find that alchemist again later.'
*Tang* *Clang*
Although I paid most of my attention to the two in front of me, that didn't mean I was going to forget about that archer in the back. Seeing him draw his bow I took a quick side step and luckily I did as that arrow whizzed immediately by me.
"Arrgh!"
Hearing that low-pitched agonizing cry behind me I knew it struck one of their friends. Noticing their momentarily stunned appearance I went in and chopped down my sword, managing to cut off the arm off one of my aggressors.
"Ahhh!"
That second scream wasn't one I wished for though. From the familiar voice I knew it was Yao Ya who got hit. Now it was my turn to be shocked and anger immediately surged through me. The pressure balance between me and my two aggressors started shifting at a rapid pace as I became more and more reckless in my attacks.
I was beginning to accumulate a fair number of wounds, but that means nothing if my first true lover dies, right behind me no less.
*Tang* *Tang* *Clang* *Clang*
"Die!!!"
Suddenly a voice came from behind, coincidentally my weapon was already raised so I only had to make a few movements to block behind me. I couldn't deal with people swarming me from 3 different directions so I had to take out this new guy.
With a glance I noticed the arrow which stuck out of his back so I knew he was already a bit weakened.
*Shhhhenng*
Sliding my sword off of him I stabbed toward him quickly puncturing his chest with the point of my blade. But I might have used too much force since I couldn't instantly pull back my sword.
While looking at the enemy I kept trying to pull my sword out. Seeing that I was vulnerable from so many angles they came at me together. Eventually my sword loosened, but I didn't have enough time to prepare a good block.
Both hit my blade at similar times, the first hit striking close to the bottom third of my blade while the second was going to hit the middle third of my blade.
Internally I was cheering that I blocked both, but I spoke too soon as when the second sword finally fell down onto my blade, it shattered and his sword kept going. This oncoming wound would probably disable my left arm if it hit, but there was nothing I could do. The "sword" I currently had could barely even qualify as a shiv with a high quality handle.
*Clang*
The disabling sword was stopped in place by another. My first thought was that it was Yao Ya, but I still heard her battle behind me. Instantly taking this chance, I shoved the shattered remains of my weapon into the throat of the first guy. I wouldn't question what helped me right now since any help is better than none.
He raised his shaky left hand up to his throat in a futile attempt to remove it all the while I grabbed a hold of the sword he held with an increasingly loose grip.
With my new weapon I turned towards my final frontal enemy. There he stood with a sword already stuck through his skull, the point of a blade poking out through his hair.
*Shhug*
With a light tug the sword came out from under his skull. The person holding the bloodied blade was an extremely charming woman whose hair was colored orange. Her amber colored eyes seemed to pull me in with their attraction and her alluring figure was quite emphasized by her choice of robes which seemed to reveal much of her body.
I was quite shocked by the person who appeared out of nowhere to save me. She rushed toward me with her sword angled and immediately those thoughts about her vanished as I readied my sword. She was quick though, a little too quick, reaching me before I was ready.
*Clang*
Her sword swiped to my right and blocked an arrow which would have directly hit me.
"Go save your friend, she needs you. I'll deal with these archers first before I come over."
Quickly nodding my head I turned over to Yao Ya to help her.
This person has already saved my life twice, if I can't trust her now who could I trust? This was a critical moment and since she's offering help I'll gladly accept. There was no time to sit and think as my worry for Yao Ya increased by the second.
When I turned to her there were already 2 bodies on the ground, but 3 people were still on her.