Chapter 13. Emelin

When the big man had already gone away from where Zen was and checked his waist, he was shocked, but ended up grinning.

"Heh, not bad at all, young man."

The coin bag he stole from Zen had actually disappeared.

The big man realized that Zen didn't seem to be as simple as it seemed. Not only was he able to use the rare light magic, it seemed that he even had some other hidden tricks up his sleeve.

With a chuckle, the big man walked away, feeling refreshed at being able to play around with an attractive youngster.

But the big man was unaware of the strange gazes he received from pedestrians he passed by.

Some of women even covered their red faces when they saw the terrible condition of the back of the big man's pants, while the mens, who passed by and noticed it, could only try desperately not to laugh.

Not only did Zen secretly retrieve his money bag using the {Darkness Grip} tendrils, he even tore off the man's pants and left the back of the heart-patterned white underwear in the eyes of the whole world.

It took a long time for that big guy to realize that. Unfortunately, he was already very late when he realized it because his face was already recognizable to everyone by then.

He could only condemn the young man's cruelty at that moment.

***

Meanwhile, Zen had now taken the fainted girl to a nearby garden.

Since it was his fault of why this girl had fainted and injured, Zen couldn't help but have to guard her until she woke up again.

"Huh... It will take time."

Zen squatted down with the fainting girl lying on his side and a large tree on his back as he created a tiny wind storm on his fingertips.

At that moment, the fainting girl seemed to start regaining consciousness. Her eyelids start twitching, then opening completely.

She at first looked around in a daze for a few moments. She then finally remembering what had happened and immediately sat down.

Zen turned his head and smiled at her and dispersed the tiny storm at his fingertips.

"You finally woke up."

The girl looked a little surprised at first because Zen suddenly spoke, but finally relaxed after seeing how young Zen was... At least in terms of appearance.

The girl massaged her head while asking, "I... What happened?"

Zen calmly replied.

"I'm sorry. It's my fault. I was too excited for some reason and hit you the road. But don't worry, I've healed your wounds, so it's all fine."

"Okay..."

The girl nodded, but her face wrinkled as if trying to understand what Zen was saying.

Zen ignored her and gave her a bottle of canned drink and bread.

"This. As my apology."

The girl nodded and accepted it.

But the girl frowned again when she caught a glimpse of Zen putting something shiny brown into his mouth and began to chew it like he was eating crackers.

The girl was sure it was similar to a Monster core, but she wasn't sure if there was really someone eating the Monster core, so she just decide to put that matter aside, then started eating the Zen-given bread because she was actually hungry at the moment.

Zen actually managed to find an alchemist shop that sold Monster cores when he searched this garden before. Moreover, there was even a restaurant next to the store, so Zen could order food for the girl as well as he buy some Monster cores for himself.

Seeing how gluttonous the girl was eating, Zen handed her another package of bread.

"Thank you," the girl said before devouring everything quickly like starving.

Zen looked at the girl's appearance. She is beautiful, with straight, soft long light green hair, bright green eyes, a clean and beautiful dress.

Then Zen looked at himself. He... Uh, pretty messy.

Zen felt that something was wrong with the situation where he was... Disheveled, feeding this beautiful girl.

Shouldn't it be the other way around? Zen thought before shaking his head.

'No, I'm not poor and don't want to be poor, so I don't want to be fed by anyone.'

After taking care of this girl for a while, Zen planned to find a clothing store and change into decent clothes.

Zen once again looked at the girl.

She devoured bread after loaf so quickly that she choked up. Zen opened the lid of the can of drink before giving it to her. She finished drink it immediately with a single sip.

The girl sighed in satisfaction afterwards and gave him a thumbs up.

Zen laughed dryly at the sight of this girl's behavior.

After the girl finally finished her meal and became calmer, Zen stood up.

"Well. In that case, I'll leave right away because you look fine. I could have guard you home, but... Do you own a house?"

The girl blinked a few times at Zen's question.

She then lowered her head and stroked her chin as if falling into a deep state of contemplation.

After a while, the girl's face lit up.

"I have..." but she immediately frowned and looked unsure, "I don't have... Ummm... I... I..."

Zen felt like he was being deceived because he had to be with this girl.

Zen decided to leave immediately and return to his adventure to collect Monster cores.

"In that case, goodbye-"

Zen raised his hand and started walking away, but his hand was pulled back.

"Wait a minute!"

Zen rolled his eyes turning back.

"What's wrong? You wet yours?"

The girl immediately blushed.

"I'am not! I... I'm Emelin! What's your name?"

The girl, Emelin, looked like she was around 16-17 years old, so she was taller than Zen and Zen had to look up to look at her.

Zen replied calmly.

"I'm Zen."

Emelin smiled.

"Zen! Hmn, thanks, Zen! See you later!"

With that, Emelin went over to a man with long white hair, who was wearing a black coat, stand in the side of the garden. Waving away, Emelin left with that man.

Zen sighed.

"What a strange girl—"

Zen immediately widened his eyes in fear when he realized that, until Emelin ran towards the man, Zen was sure he didn't feel or see anyone there.

"Damn... This world's Humans are really full of mysteries..."

Zen wiped the cold sweat on his forehead before going back to his little journey in this city to find as many Monster cores as he could.