24 A Mean Lady

Sigh* 

'How rude is this girl?' 

Although I have a smile on my face, behind it, my face is ugly with contempt. I rarely pull hatred or criticize, but after this lady's actions, I can't help it. 

But of course, I don't want trouble, so I don't want to take this thing too far. In this world filled with magic and unknowns, patience is the best weapon. 

Anyhow, I don't think she really is that bad. From what I can feel, although these two have some sense of rejection of each other, I find it interesting as well. 

At the very least, I can guess this is how they comfort each other. This ain't bad. It only means that the both of them are good friends to each other, they don't show sugared words at all. 

"Hey, don't scare my brother!" 

Cow complains as he readies himself for a brawl again. Which causes another commotion. 

'For real?' 

I wanted to stop them, but I didn't intervene. 

"Really? Do you want our boss to know that you are talking about him and spouting our plan to a total stranger behind our back?!" 

The Lady breaks into a smile as she speaks. She plays her dagger in her fingertips as raises her feet on the table. She visibly cares nothing about Cow's action. 

"You~ " 

The Cow gets speechless. 

"You both sure are good friends, but can you guys stop with your childish fight?" 

Seeing Cow being defeated, I raise my hand and intervene. 

'Well, I am eating. They are too loud and messy. I'll feel bad if my food spills.' 

'That's against my philosophy in life.'

"Oh! You aren't a statue? You can speak?" 

The Lady turns at me and criticizes. 

'I don't know what in the world I did to deserve her mean attitude.'

'Did I perhaps do something bad to her in our past life?'

"Can't you be nicer" 

I say as I smile. It ain't a request nor a command. It's just a comment. 

Even though I know I am weaker than her, and my experience in battle is not even half of her, I also have my bottom line. I won't beg for her friendly attitude. 

"Actually, I'm already nice right now. Or else do you think you are still alive?"

But unfortunately, she just loves acting so mean. 

I nod my head, then shrug. 

"Okay." 

I am easy to talk to, seeing that she doesn't want to listen to me. I just give up and just continue with my unfinished food. 

This girl is so mean. Talking to her will just kill my appetite. 

.

.

.

"Brother, you still don't answer my question" 

The table finally turns silent, awkward at some point, but before it turns worse, Cow breaks it with a question. 

I turn my eyes first to the Lady to see if she has a plan to intervene again. But she instead gives me a blank look. 

"Why are you looking at me?" 

She says as she got a mouthful on her mouth. 

"Nothing" 

I answer. No emotion at all. 

I don't know, I just feel like she ain't worth my time. 

She's on my list of people that I won't talk to if unnecessary. 

Anyway, seeing that she's busy with her food, I turn my attention to the Cow. 

I already finished my food and just waiting here for the opportunity to fish for information.  

It ain't bad to have a conversation with Cow, not to mention, less someone will find me suspicious. 

"Oh. I'm on my trip to the Mist Forest as we~" 

Clap*

"I know this is not just a random meeting. You will be part of our team." 

Before I could finish my sentence, Cow suddenly claps his hand and claims something related to destiny. 

"Haha. If that's what you always think when meeting someone, you won't last long." 

The lady suddenly speaks, she once again criticizes. 

Well, I think she only knows how to criticize. 

But somehow, I think she has a point. I silently nod my head in agreement. 

In this world where swords and magic exist, no one can tell who is good and who is bad. Everything can change at any moment. Especially humans who have known for having many faces. 

"See? Even your so-called brother agrees with me! Tsk*" 

Unexpectedly, even that little move of mine got spotted by her. 

"Well. Do you think it's that terrible, brother?" 

Cow didn't pay attention to her, but asked me instead with his startled look. 

I don't know if this guy is an idiot or what...

Why am I the one he's asking? His teammate clearly means that he has to prevent himself from trusting too much in a stranger. 

And the stranger is me...

Anyhow, as a good new acquaintance, I should give him advice as well. 

"Yap. It's true. We can't judge someone just based on our first impression or based on our instinct. We have to see through them first before trusting them" 

But of course, I don't mean to make his trust in me lessen. 

So I add; 

"You are still lucky that you met me. If it's others, they might use your trust to trick you and rule you for their schemes" 

I shake my head to make my words more credible. 

"Oh! I see. I see. Must be luck!" 

He replies, then shrugs. 

Now I know why many people regard beast-men as low intelligent individuals. 

I shake my head in my mind, again and again. 

"So, about my offer? Do you want to join us?!" 

Damn* 

'He didn't listen to us at all.' 

I inky feel my body turns stone as my face turns lifeless. 

But seeing that he's waiting for an answer, I take a deep breath and answer. 

"It isn't bad to have a companion on a journey. If no one in your team is against having me, of course, I'll accept your offer" 

"Good. You made the right choice, brother." 

He smiles as he says, but then he remembers something, and the smile slowly disappears. "However, let's just wait for the boss first, he'll be here in a moment," He adds. 

Looking at his expression, I think I know what he means: there is a big chance his boss won't accept. 

Tsk* 

It's understandable though. 

Regardless if he accepts or not, I don't have a problem. 

However, it's better if he accepts. 

Maybe I can get information from Cow on our journey. 

"Hmm. No worries" 

Just then, we talked about many things and even introduced ourselves as we waited patiently. 

Fortunately, we didn't have to wait for a long time before the doors opened and someone with an ax came.