Chapter 12: Leaving [2/5]

The "Contract" thingy let Renji control stuff, but it also made him super tired. Especially when someone, like an Eclipse, fights back. Renji realized this when he tried it on Eileen.

So, using it a lot wasn't a good idea. It'd wear him out too fast.

Renji figured the best plan was to get Eileen on his side.

And it seemed like he kinda succeeded.

"Eileen, could you check those kobolds for some special candles?" Renji asked politely.

Eileen glanced at the bloody, smelly bodies on the ground, then at Renji, who was now standing far from the mess, covering his nose with a disgusted look. She thought he was being a bit dramatic.

She sighed but went ahead anyway.

These candles were a thing these creatures had. In no time, Eileen gathered a bunch and dumped them in front of Renji.

"Now what, Mr. Fancy Pants?" Eileen asked, not getting why he wanted these old candles.

"Thanks. Now, we just light them up."

"Light... them up?"

"Yeah, these candles burn really well. With this many, we can burn this whole room and everything in it," Renji explained patiently.

But Eileen was freaking out.

"Wait, what?! Dude! You wanna torch this place? And all this cool old stuff?!"

Hearing Renji's plan, Eileen got super defensive.

She grabbed a dusty, old glass container covered in spider webs. "Do you have any idea how much this would go for on the black market?"

"And this, and this, and all of these!" Eileen pointed at the ceramics, statues, and paintings in the room. She stood in front of Renji, protective like a mama bear.

"If we sold all this, we'd make tons of money! And you just want to... burn it?!"

Facing the super agitated Eileen, Renji tried to calm her down. He got why she was so worked up, but...

"Eileen, have you thought about how you're going to cash in on all this stuff, even if they're as valuable as you say?"

"It's not 'if'! This is the Emperor's 'legacy'!" Eileen emphasized loudly.

"Okay, they're super valuable. But how are you going to turn them into... what did you call it? Ash coins?"

Eileen quickly replied, "I told you, sell them on the black market!"

"Yeah, but from what you've told me, stuff from this era, especially these forbidden items, are super rare. If you suddenly show up with a ton of them to sell, won't people get suspicious?"

"Even if you plan to sell them slowly, don't forget, you weren't the only one on this tomb raiding gig. If I'm not mistaken, you were just the guide, right? The real treasure hunters, or let's call them the 'exploration team', they had all those weapons and were ready to kill you to keep things quiet. They even threatened your family. I don't believe they're just some small-time gang."

After hearing Renji's words, Eileen started to cool down. She hesitated, then said with disgust, "They're called Callewa, a notorious big gang in our Blackhole gathering place."

"I see."

"So, Eileen, think about it. If a big, bad gang finds out their team got wiped out, but the guide miraculously survived and is selling off treasure after treasure, what would you do if you were them?"

The idea of such huge profits had blinded Eileen, but Renji's words snapped her back to reality. She felt a chill run down her spine.

Her face fell, and she looked a bit panicked.

"If Callewa finds out I'm the only survivor... even if I do nothing, they'll come after me," Eileen mumbled, looking lost.

"Exactly. So, the best solution is to make Callewa gang think you died with the rest. That's why I want to burn this place down. Make it look like no one survived. When the gang sends someone to check, they'll think you're gone for good."

Eileen's eyes brightened as she listened, and she looked at Renji with newfound respect.

"Didn't expect someone who's been asleep for 500 years to be so sharp."

"Thanks"

Actually, one big reason Renji was cool with burning this place down was that in 500 years, most of this stuff would just be old junk, like that "Emperor's Sword."

The real treasures that would last 500 years were already with him. Those four "Tainted Crystals" he'd taken, minus the one he used on Eileen. So, this room wasn't that valuable to him anymore. Better to burn it and leave no trace.

On the other hand, Eileen, who was just relieved about dodging the gang, suddenly looked worried again.

"Wait! What about my mom? She's seriously sick, waiting for treatment. I can't just leave her, but I can't afford her medical bills without selling these relics. And if I sell them, the gang will be onto me." Eileen felt trapped in a vicious cycle.

That's when Renji chimed in.

"Eileen, even if you can't take everything from this room, you can take the most valuable thing, right?"

"The most valuable thing?" Eileen looked around, puzzled.

Until Renji pointed at himself.

"As long as your mom's still breathing, no matter how sick she is, I can heal her. You've seen what I can do."

Remembering how Renji had healed her just minutes ago, Eileen's face turned bright red with excitement.

"Right! How could I forget about you, old man... I mean, Mr. Fancy Pants!"

But then she looked a bit hesitant. "Are you sure it's okay?"

"What do you mean?"

"I mean, your healing thing is super powerful. It must take a lot out of you. Are you sure you want to use it on a scavenger's sick mom?"

Eileen puffed up her cheeks, a bit embarrassed she had to spell it out.

It had to be said.

After the "Divine Healing," Eileen looked radiant, like a young girl should. The hardships of scavenging had hidden her natural beauty, but now it shone through.

Renji was surprised to see Eileen looking so... cute.

"First off, you're not just a scavenger anymore. Secondly, we have a contract, making you my Eclipse. For as long as that contract stands, you're on my team. You work for me, and I've got your back."

"And lastly, don't worry. Back in the day, I was kind of a big deal. Even though I'm not as powerful now, I can still use that healing power of mine a few times a day without breaking a sweat."

Hearing Renji's promise, Eileen finally felt at ease.

Of course, when he said something like "you're mine" she couldn't help but blush and mumble under her breath.

But all in all, Eileen kind of liked the idea of having someone looking out for her. It felt... nice?

"Alright, Eileen, let's get to work. I really don't want to stay in this creepy place any longer."

Seeing Renji urging her on, yet not lifting a finger himself, Eileen got to work. Considering he could heal her mom, she didn't mind doing the heavy lifting.

She worked hard, crushing those kobold's candles and spreading the flammable material all around the room.

Once done, she picked up Renji and, using the kobolds' shovel, climbed out of the hole they'd come through.

She never thought she could climb such a distance, especially not while carrying someone. That was the power of being an Eclipse.

Once they were safely out, Renji took the makeshift torch she'd made. The flame flickered, casting a soft glow on his face.

"So, is this like the end of the prologue?" Renji mumbled.

"What did you say?"

"Nothing, let's go."

Renji casually tossed the torch into the hole. In seconds, the kobold's flammable wax ignited with a loud *boom*, setting the entire room ablaze. The intense heat and bright flames lit up the cavern.

Walking behind Renji, Eileen pouted.

She'd done all the work, and he just swoops in for the grand finale? Not even a backward glance?

'Trying to act all cool, huh?'

But she had to admit, it was a pretty cool move. She might give it a shot next time!