Defensive Gardening (4)

Bang Bang Bang Bang!

"Cyri. Door!"

"Coming! It's open now!"

Hearing Cyril's voice, Alexei opened the front door as he walked down the hall.

"…What the hell have you been doing?"

"Discovering the joys of parenthood while gardening?"

Alexei looked at the individual whose clothing had turned from pure white to a dirty, muddy mess.

The previously white clothes were discolored and soaked with an unknown liquid, highlighting Cyril's lean figure. His white hair was soaked and covered with what looked like…green algae and leaves. Even the brace on his hand was filthy.

Not believing his eyes, Alexei glanced around for the culprit, fully believing that he had gotten into a fight with the dog. But the hallway was spotless, and there was no dog in sight, so he glanced back at Cyril.

Had he finally lost his mind?

"I didn't lose my mind."

Despite the dirt streaking across the pale face, Cyril's blue eyes sparkled with a bright smile instead of the usual scowl, and he excitedly rushed forward.

Seeing Cyril approach him with his dirty hands extended, Alexei lightly pushed him back with his foot.

"You look disgusting. Don't touch me."

"People pay good money for mud and seaweed baths. I'm giving you one for free because I care. Let's get rid of those wrinkles, you boomer. It's not like you're clean anyway." Just like earlier, Alexei's was soaked in red liquid that was pooling on the floor.

"Are you on drugs?"

"Nope. Just extremely happy. I'm giving you some good luck, so you should say thank you."

Despite Alexei's protests, Cyril shamelessly wiped his dirty hands all over Alexei's shirt, thoroughly enjoying his disgusted expression that looked as if he wanted to murder him.

His heart still felt stuffy even after he had dumped Alexei in the lake, so this was additional revenge for tying him up in the morning.

Feeling the now familiar chains begin to wind around his legs, and yet having no regrets, Cyril took the chance to swipe his dirty hands across Alexei's face before catching sight of the people standing behind him.

A relatively handsome Asian man is wearing a navy suit and an expensive gold watch. A young Asian girl with slightly grown-out blond hair is wearing ripped black jeans, a white shirt, sneakers, and a leather jacket.

Standing behind them was a balding man with warm brown eyes and receding brown hair, as well as a more petite Asian woman with her hair cut into a business bob. The older couple wore black suits, and each individual pulled matching tan luggage bags behind them.

Three of the four people stared at him with uncomfortable expressions, while the fourth smiled brightly.

"Cyril!!!"

"Oh, hello, Mr and Mrs Park, Mathew, Cecilia. I'm glad to see that everyone is alive. Please come in and have a seat inside while I go change. I wasn't expecting you." Cyril lightly waved at the four people before gesturing for them to follow him.

"Cyril! Don't ignore me! And I've told you to call me Cici. I missed you so much! How come you didn't check on me even when I came up for your birthday? Do you know how crazy the world has become? Aren't you glad I'm alive!" Cici, aka Cecilia Somin Park, Mathew's sister who was 10 years younger than him, was the first to follow, immediately rushing toward Cyril and trying to hug him.

SLAM!

With practiced ease, Cyril sidestepped her, causing her to slam into the wall. Fortunately, neither the wall nor her head was cracked.

"Would you like something to drink? I have bottled water, some juice, and soda as well."

Although Cyril pretended as if nothing had happened, the faces of Mathew and his parents turned red in embarrassment.

"No."

"No, thank you."

"Yes, I wan-mphhh"

As Cecilia was silenced by her brother, the family of four sat down in the common room, taking in the expensive decorations before staring at the unlikely owner.

The familiar young man was not his usual tidy self, but the fierce impression he usually gave off had returned when he scowled, making the cheerful young man they had just seen seem like an illusion.

"I'll go clean up and be right back. For your own safety, I'd appreciate it if you didn't go anywhere or touch anything. Please excuse me."

After a polite greeting, Cyril quickly left, mentally ordering the Waystation to lock all the doors. Twice over if possible.

As Cyril disappeared, Alexei looked over the family with a cold expression.

"Seriously, a vicious puppy that doesn't like people lives here, so you especially don't touch anything and definitely don't wander around. If I catch you, you'll regret it." Alexei stared pointedly at Mathew.

Once the other man turned red and began gritting his teeth, he spun around and left.

"He's so different from what he shows on TV. What golden sunshine attorney. He's so rude."

"I told you, Mom, but you didn't believe me. He picks on people he looks down on for no reason."

"Uhgh, you're all so cringe! It's called gap moe. Gap moe! It's sexy but not as much as Cyril uhh"

"Be quiet, Cici."

While the family was quietly discussing amongst themselves.

Cyril quickly hosed himself down and changed into clean clothes. He had been caught up in his farming endeavors and lost track of time.

Once Alexei walked into the room, he made it soundproof and got straight to the point.

"What's going on? The radio is going crazy."

"Government let the time run over for several dungeons where they were farming resources, and the overflow is what we're starting to see."

Cyril: ಠ_ಠ

"…you've got to be kidding me. How many?"

He wanted to say he was surprised, but he really wasn't.

"The last count was about 10 dungeons going off in or around the city, but there might be more within the next 24 hours. Since you refuse to leave this location-"

"Alexei, I can't leave because if this place is destroyed, I will literally die."

Thwack-

Alexei chopped at Cyril's head in annoyance before continuing.

"Why?? Violence is not the answer!"

"Think about your actions, and the answer will come to you. Anyway, they'll start bombing those spillover dungeons tonight. They're just meeting and trying to rank the danger vs value."

"I've been listening to the radio; there's been no announcements or evacuations, just orders to stay indoors or find safety as it's being investigated."

"Of course. They don't plan on evacuating people or even notifying them about the danger, so here we are. Since you refuse to leave, I went looking for help."

"Wait-where did you drop that little girl?"

Thwack-

Alexei chopped at Cyril's head once more.

"Hey!"

"I left your little stray at church near the military hq. They have some religious guys who can see abilities when they touch you so worry not. Apparently, she has an amazing telekinetic ability even if she's blind, so they'll train her and help find her family. It's you who should be worried, but I see that all you're concerned about is playing in the dirt. Didn't I say prepare defensively? You stole all that stuff for what? To become a farmer?"

"Yes. I've discovered that farming was my calling all along."

Thwack!

"It was a joke, dammit! The soldiers are not planning on rescuing anybody in the city? Are you serious???"

He really couldn't believe it. Were they just going to abandon people?

"Nope. At best, they won't release a bomb within city limits since they're focused on clearing those dungeons to prevent catastrophic damage, so at least there's that.

"And just a fuck you to everyone else? Amazing.… no wait I can't believe they would let you leave just like that. Don't they need their beloved contractor, hero to the soliders?"

At his words, Alexei let out his trademark gentle smile. It would have been warm and comforting if it wasn't for the fact that his entire face was stained red, either from blood or the red rain.

"I'm a contractor, not a soldier, and whether they need me or not, they know better than to try me again after we had a fruitful discussion. Since they don't have troops to spare right now and can't do without my ability quite yet, we both decided it was in their best interest to let me do my own thing."

"And what exactly is your ability? Fruitful discussion? What did you do?"

At the question, Alexei quickly chopped Cyril's forehead once more, making it completely red.

"Hey!"

Chop!

Alexei whacked the same spot with satisfaction.

"You don't need to know, and as for my ability. You still don't need to know. You should be thankful I'm here playing bodyguard for you. I've already gotten my second job offer. Be grateful."

Remembering the white-robed priest with a foul green aura who had tried to forcibly recruit him, Alexei hit Cyril's head once more in satisfaction.

It was because of this brat that he kept on having to deal with annoying situations.

"I am so thankful. So grateful. What would I ever do without you." It was a completely sarcastic voice devoid of emotion, but Alexei nodded happily.

"As long as you know. As for the four downstairs. I briefed your friend Mathew, who is also a contractor as well on how it works here, and he agreed to stay 2 nights for 200 coins but insisted on bringing his family."

"Noted. Skills?"

"He is a copycat mage with good ranged attacks if a bit slow. His sister makes magic gadgets or something. The parents are unknown, but if you ask Cecilia, she'll spill. Fortify the building with Cecilia, and Mathew, and I will fight whatever comes here, the dog. You shouldn't be near anything but you never know. Whatever happens, you sleep in my room and force them to sleep in a room together. Don't be further than 4 meters away from me. Actually, that's annoying. Hold on."

Clang-

A black chain extended to the ground and wrapped around Cyril's ankle like a handcuff.

As he moved his leg, the chain grew and shrank, causing Alexei to nod in approval.

"It will extend automatically unless you go through your portal, so that's done. What did you want to tell me?"

"Huh?"

"I let you smear that disgusting stuff on me, right? What do you need to tell me that was so important?"

Staring at Alexei's serious expression, Cyril had the feeling that if he said he was messing around, he would find him self becoming bait used to catch fish in the lake.

His eyes rolled around before he remembered the task. With complete urgency, he clutched Alexei's hands.

"Lexi, you know I care about you, right? You are my one and only guest. I will have no other guest but you, my dear wallet, I mean friend. While you're staying here, you absolutely cannot die. At all. You're worth at least 300,000 life energy coins to me. Possibly even more. You absolutely cannot die. If you get injured even a little bit, I will lose my mind. Understand?"

Alexei: ಠ_ಠ

"…drugs?"

"I am not on drugs. These are my true feelings toward you that I discovered today."

"Mental breakdown? I expected it to happen sooner. The timing is inconvenient."

"Alexei. You cannot die." Blue eyes stared ahead with all the seriousness they could muster, yet the response to heartfelt confession was dry.

"Noted. What else?"

"I'm serious, if you die, I will literally die with you because I cannot afford it, so you have to live. Understand?!!!"

Chop!

Another chop was forcibly delivered to Cyril's forehead before Alexei wrapped an arm around his neck and began choking him.

"…Speak up. What nonsense did you sign now? Didn't I tell you to stop signing things without letting me read them first??? Selling yourself to sketchy people for a year wasn't enough?"

"Cough! I didn't sign anything! Let go!"

As a door appeared beneath his feet, Alexei tightened the hold.

"Even if you dump me in the lake, you know I'll take you swimming with me, right? What did you sign this time? It's only been a couple of hours, so let me see it. We can reverse it."

"I didn't sign anything!"

"Then?"

Cyril tapped the arm in resignation before patting his chest. Then, with a bright smile, he asked.

"…do you want to discover the joys of farming with me?"

"No." An immediate response.

"Even for coins? Hundreds of thousands of coins?"

At the astronomical amount, Alexei blinked at Cyril before heading to the bathroom. He had played these games before, but just to make sure...

"Do I get any of those coins?"

"Of course not. Your reward is the joy of unpaid labor done for a friend."

"Then no."

"Are you sure?"

"Go enjoy discovering the joys of parenthood or unpaid labor when gardening by yourself."

"Tsk, then help me steal some guns."

"I already robbed the military armory. You need more?"

"…what?"

"What, what?"

Two confused gazes, amber and blue, met each other.

"You robbed what?"

"Didn't I say soldiers attacked me? As repayment for not killing everybody, I borrowed some munitions, and they looked the other way."

"You what?"

"It's in my briefcase, so be careful when you organize it. And make sure to hide it properly when they come by in a couple of days. I may have taken more than they wanted, but who cares."

"What?"

Cyril couldn't help but sound like a parrot. He had gone from joking around to hearing military secrets to hearing about robbing the military.

He felt like he had whiplash.

"What what? Are you a parrot? Get out. I need to shower."

"No pause. Robbing munitions? What? When?"

"Get Out."

The chain wrapped around his leg began dragging him toward the door, and Cyril suddenly remembered.

He checked the task, and seeing that the guest count was 1/1 even though there were more people in the waystation, he nodded.

"Wait before I go, sign this. It's important"

Cyril pulled out the guest book for the room that used to be his, which had been filled out with Alexei's information.

"I already booked a room?"

"This is for Mathew and family."

"You want me to pay for them? No." Alexei's voice was filled with disgust.

"I told you right. You're my guest. I believe in you, so you absolutely cannot die. Understand? So please, sign. My one and only guest. Otherwise, my precious coins will fly away. 300000 coins. I can't afford it. Please!"

Staring at the crazed expression on Cyril's face, Alexei silently vowed to do a proper sweep to find any hidden drugs and destroy them.

"I'm not on drugs. It's a task for work. Oh, and help me go around warning people and gathering them in a couple of hours."

"No."

"I'm not asking. I'm telling you that I'm going so that you're not surprised if these cuffs disappear later."

"Absolutely not."

Cold blue eyes stared at even colder amber eyes.

"I. Am. Going. There's no way you think we can defend this place with five people when the military is throwing squadrons and bombs at different locations, even if you borrowed weapons. Even if I have you, it's not enough. The more people, the better."

"No. I know you too well, Cyril, you'll start to care about those people, and then I'll have to worry about them and you. So no."

"I have to go and try. You know I'm right. My task says I have about 16 hours left before anything serious happens. Do you know how many people I can recruit in that time? Even if they're human shields, anything is better than nothing. You know that I'm right."

"No."

"Alexei, I literally cannot leave. The feather I showed you is my life. If it's destroyed, I'm gone, and I don't think anything can bring me back again. So…let's prepare properly, okay? Let's go recruit people to come here and fight. And for those who don't want to come, let's tell them to get away. If you come, they'll definitely believe the danger."

"Cyril."

"What?"

"You know, right? Before anyone else, my priority is to keep you alive, and I will sacrifice everyone, including that damn feather, to do so. I will throw every single adult, child, or baby into danger to protect you, even if you hate me, so I want you to think very carefully about whether or not you want this place to be filled with people who will become sacrifices for you if things go bad. I will not care about them and will do the bare minimum to protect them, and the moment your life is in danger, they will become fodder to save your life. Are you sure you won't regret it? Because I know I won't. The only life I can guarantee is yours."

Cold words were said with a completely expressionless face, and Cyril could only blink before he found words to refute Alexei.

"You brought Mathew and his family here. To help. Because you can't do it alone, I'm trying to do the same thing."

"I brought Mathew because he's strong, and I dislike him and his sister. He was the one who brought his family here, and I didn't stop him. If he lives or dies, I don't particularly care. You think carefully about dragging people here because you cannot guarantee their lives."

Unblinking amber eyes stared at him.

At the same time, the chain around his ankle tightened; Cyril simply rolled his eyes, knowing that the person Alexei was seeing wasn't him but the image of his mother, a woman who had touched so many lives with her selflessness before disappearing, leaving a bunch of crazy people obsessed with her legacy for him to deal with.

But he wasn't her. He could never be her, no matter how hard he tried, because he was inherently selfish.

"Stop caring about my conscience. I won't regret it because I'm a selfish person. I would rather others get hurt instead of you, and I want you to save me before everyone else. Well… if it's difficult, just leave me behind. Unless it looks painful, in which case, put me out of my misery quickly." Cyril slid his hand across his throat to emphasize his point.

"No."

"Are you a parrot? I'm serious. I already almost died once, and it wasn't that bad."

"Cyril-"

"I'm being honest, so listen. Save me if you can, but before things get dangerous, let's try to do the bare minimum for others, okay? At the very least, let's warn and evacuate those that we can and donate food to the hungry. We don't need to bring them here if you don't want that. I just want a clear conscience if I die."

Alexei looked him up and down before smiling gently, "I will drag you kicking and screaming and do anything to save you even if you want to die. And if you dare try any nonsense like trying to sacrifice yourself for women, children, or old people, I'll chain you and that feather to this house until I figure out how to break the contract that binds you together."

Hearing that nonsense, Cyril gave Alexei a confused look.

"Do I look like an idiot? I will never sacrifice myself for others. And if I do, just know that I'm possessed, so come and rescue me. Or put me out of my misery. Whichever one is easier."

Remembering two instances within the past three days in which Cyril had put himself at risk to help a child, Alexei resolved to keep a closer eye on him.

"…If you say so. Go settle Mathew and his family, and if you're feeling up to it afterward, we'll go warn your neighborhood."

"Why wouldn't I be feeling up to it?"

"Oh? Didn't I tell you? Mathew hates me and is currently trying his hand at gaslighting people while trying to be the alpha male. I'm not sure what his deal is, but good luck. Don't kill him."