Chapter 8: Out Again

Early in the next morning, I woke up, or it could be said I was already awake and only waited for the morning to wake up. But, long story short, I did not sleep. Not even for a few seconds. 

The good thing is that my face has healed. So I guess no more black eyes or a swollen head, but the bad thing is... 

I'm super hungry. My stomach literally grumbled all night, nonstop. Even worse, every time it did, I couldn't help but think of the meat I ate. 

How bothersome my conscience was, as it kept making me drool in delight over something I did not want to. 

So in order to avoid all of this, I started thinking about my future plans, but all I got was...Survive. Yup, not very futuristic, like right, but... 

"Knock, knock, knock." Someone knocked on the door, attracting my attention. 

(Wonder who it is?) Looking at the door, I suddenly remember last night's words. 

(It could not be Kina, can it?) 

"Knock, knock, knock." Someone knocked again. 

(Whoever it is, I better answer the door.) With this thought in mind, I stood up from the ground and walked towards the door. 

(Let's hope it's not her.) 

Opening the door, I looked surprised at who it saw, but then turned dark faced. (Why are they here?) 

"Brother, hahaha, we are here." One of the goblin guards said with a cheeky smile on his face. 

"Where's your wife?" The other one asks while leaning in and looking into the house. 

Hearing them and seeing this, my anger skyrocketed, but remembering what my level was, I calmed down. 

One guard put his arms around me, not noticing the anger I just had. "Brother, because it's your wife. You can go first, and then we go after." 

My face turned even darker at the way they used Tskuta as an object. 

"Yes, yes, we even bought special medicine from the wandering merchant." The one leaning in said while taking out a glass bottle from his bottom rag.

"This is super effective and works on both female and male goblins, from what I've heard." The one with his arms around my neck said while taking the bottle from his companion. 

"Of course, I even tried it myself yesterday. So of course it's effective." The companion said with a proud look on his face. 

"Wow, how big did you get." 

"At least bigger than a rabbit." 

"What!! Really?" 

"Of course, my treasure was standing proud in the sky. Not bowing to no one." 

"Quick, I'm going to try it right now." 

Listening to their conversation made me want to vomit with disgust. (Why are you so bloody open about this!!) 

When I saw one about to take off his only clothing covering his private area, I quickly freaked out. 

"Hey, you newbies! What are you doing here?" A familiar voice sounded from outside. 

Hearing this, they turned around in fear and shouted. "Captain!!" 

Listening to what they shouted, I looked surprised because the figure they were calling captain was actually Kina. 

Noticing my surprise, Kina smiled proudly with her hands on her hips, but then, turning to the two guards, her expression became cold. 

"Why are you here!?" She questione

"We uh were having a uh uhh." Both of them had an extremely tough time gathering their sentences. As for why this is, I truly don't know. 

Kina frowned at their response. "Get back to your post!" 

"Uhh we." Listening to her, they both looked towards me as if wanting me to speak up for them, but why would I do such a thing? I want to get rid of them, not keep them. 

"Now!!" Kina shouted in anger. 

Hearing this, they shivered and hurriedly scurried away towards their post.

"Tsk." Kina clicked her teeth before turning her attention towards me. 

"So, Kuta, let's continue our discussion." As Kina said this, she moved closer and closer towards me. 

Seeing this, I swallowed. (Why did I have to say tomorrow.) 

Luckily, Tskuta's voice sounded behind me. 

"Honey, let's go." She said causing me to turn my head. 

(Huh??) 

Her clothing actually surprised me, unlike before, when she only wore rags. Today she wore denim shorts with a short cropped T-shirt. Truly a huge improvement compared to yesterday. 

Holding my hands, she walks forward but is quickly blocked by Kina. 

"Where are you going?" Kina questioned her with narrowed eyes. 

In response to her, Tskuta smiled and said, while lifting up my hand she held. "Not me, but us." 

Annoyed at what she heard, Kina glared angrily towards Tskuta before turning to me. 

"Didn't you say we should continue this tomorrow? Why are you going with her?" She asked me with a touch of sadness in her eyes. 

Noticing this, I became embarrassed. I know she's only acting, but I really can't bear to see that sad look in her eyes. 

"I...uh." 

"The day's not gone yet. There's no need to come this early. So if you'll excuse us, we need to go now." Tskuta interrupted while bypassing Kina. 

Listening to this made Kina even more angry, but then suddenly thinking of something. Her anger vanished, replaced by a bright smile. 

Seeing her smile, my heart froze. (What is she planning now?) 

"Since it is so, then go." She said, before turning her back and speedily walking away. 

Looking at her back, I felt conflicted in my heart, but it quickly vanished when I heard Tskuta's. 

"Let's go." 

Nodding in response, we walk off towards the gate of the village. 

Arriving there, we saw two sad-looking, familiar goblins standing guard at the gate. 

Upon seeing us, they instantly turned happy. 

"Bother, you came to see us!" One shouted with teary eyes. 

"You even bought your wife too." The other said while greedily looking at Tskuta. 

Listening to their assumptions, the corner of my mouth twitched. (Why in the hell would you think we're here for you!?) 

Noticing my face, one of the goblins showed a sad look. "Captain must have used one of her grappling techniques on you." 

Hearing this made me confused. (What grappling technique??) 

Then, as if determined about something, the goblin came up to me, looked me in the eyes, and said, "Brother, don't worry; your sacrifice will not be in vain. When you die, I'll..." 

"We'll!!" The other goblin shouted. 

"Yes, yes, we'll take care of your wife for you." 

A row of question marks appeared on my darkened face. 

(Why do you have to every time involve Tskuta in this.) Thinking of this, I turned towards Tskuta, but she showed no change in her expression. 

Heaving a sigh of relief, I looked at both goblins before saying. "Well, we are about to head out right now, so can you?" 

After saying this, I looked towards the gate. 

"Huh? What's wrong with the gate?" One goblin asked in confusion. Not getting to what I hinted at. 

"He's asking us to open the gate, you idiot!" The other shouted angrily at him, before turning his attention towards me. 

"Don't worry, brother, whatever you need. Even if it's to open the gate at night, we'll help." He said while looking towards Tskuta from time to time. 

After saying that, he ran towards the gate and opened it, allowing us to go outside. 

"Brother, go through, but be careful on the way, and also, if you don't know the time, look up at the sky." 

We walked through the gate and saw the forest. 

"Sigh, finally, I'm out." I said while smelling the fresh air of the forest. 

"Come; we need to go. We wasted a lot of time already." Tskuta said as she grabbed my hand and dragged me off. 

Although I do not know why she said that, but considering she has total dominance over me, I just let it be.