[11 — Weakling]

"Ronc… Ronc… Ro— huh? Where the hell am I?"

I opened my eyes, and the first thing I saw was the low tent ceiling reflecting the sunlight straight into my face.

Chirp, chirp…

"Damn crickets. Just when I was having such a good dream."

The cloth under my head was drenched in drool. My drool. Didn't make it any less disgusting to feel it soaking my face.

"Ha!" I threw the blanket off my body and sat up.

The place was such a mess I thought a herd of oxen had stormed right through the tent.

"Tch… Markus, you bastard. How many times do I have to tell you to clean up after you get up?!"

"…"

Weird… Usually when I curse him out, Markus comes running to talk back.

"What the hell is going on?!"

I kicked the rag aside and stepped out of the tent.

"Why is no one answering me, huh? Hey! Pervert! Coin freak! You screwing with me?!"

Not a sign of either of them.

"Ptt! Ugh, what's this nasty taste in my mouth?"

Maria's tent was still up, but she wasn't in it.

"Don't tell me…"

No… I won't jump to conclusions. I'm sure they just went hunting for something to eat. As soon as I turn this way, the two wagons will be—

"Holy f—! They really ditched me here?!"

If I had hair, I'd probably have ripped it all out by now.

"I can't believe this! And they even tore the curtain off my wagon! Hahaha! Filthy scum!"

When I lowered my arms, I felt an itch and sting all over my skin. Scratches. Everywhere.

"What the hell? Why am I all scraped up?"

I honestly couldn't remember how I ended up in the tent, but thinking they actually dragged me along the ground like this…

"Ha… this isn't going to be cheap for them."

I hitched the horses to the wagon and headed for the road. No way to tell how long I'd been out, but I doubted they'd gotten far.

I spent the whole ride fuming. I could picture, in perfect detail, exactly what I'd do to those two when I caught them.

Adrenaline was spilling out of my mouth with the drool, bringing me to a grand dilemma: I wanted to find them right now, sure, but I was also praying they weren't dumb enough to stop in Blessom. After all, the fun of the hunt comes from chasing the prey.

"Wait for me, you bastards! Hahaha!"

While following the road, something caught my eye: someone tied to a tree up on a hill.

It was a bit far, but that posture was… familiar.

"Wait… Maria?!"

"Huh? Dan? Is that you?!"

"Well, well, what a pleasant surprise."

I took the last exit and stopped the wagon near the hill. From the holster at my back, I pulled out a machete and kept it hidden behind me.

"Hahaha! I can't believe what I'm seeing. Your kinks are getting more exotic by the day."

"What's so funny, you idiot? Get me out of here already!"

"You really think I'm gonna save you after you betrayed me? Haha! Karma comes quick, doesn't it? You stab me in the back, and right after, Markus ditches you. I knew he was greedy, but I didn't think he'd be greedy enough to run off with our cargo."

"…"

"What, nothing to say? Good, you should be ashamed, you tramp. That's the price you pay for—"

"Pft! Hahahaha!"

"…! Y-you've finally lost it, huh?"

"Hahaha! Sorry, sorry, it's just... you're hilarious. I thought you were just an idiot, but looks like you've got some talent. Ever thought about making a career out of your delusions? I hear some taverns in Lisarya pay well for storytellers."

"You damn! D-don't you realize the position you're in?!"

"So what? Gonna kill me? If I'd known you were gonna act like this, I would've let you choke to death last night!"

What the hell is she talking about… last night?

"What did you say?"

"Instead of strutting with that knife behind your back, why don't you untie me already?"

"…!"

I decided to show a little mercy, and make it very clear who was in charge here.

"Ahh! I couldn't feel my arms anymore."

I pressed the machete blade against her neck.

"Don't think that just because I cut you loose, your situation's changed. You'd better think real hard about what comes out of your mouth… none of your smart—Ow! Ow! Ow! My arm! My arm! You're gonna break it!"

"Tch… never met a man so fragile. Your arms made of glass? You think one little tug's gonna break them?"

"Sniff... Why'd you do that?"

*

"S-so that's what happened? I had no idea…"

"Idiot."

"So, Markus… he…"

"…"

That look… Maria… I've never seen this side of you before…

"Wait… you actually felt sad over a brainless guy like that?"

"Sad? Are you out of your mind? I'm pissed at those little shits for tricking me! And even more pissed that a useless guy like you got played in their plans! What the hell were you even doing last night?!"

"Haha… I can't remember," I said, scratching my chin.

"…Great. So now the amnesia excuse is in fashion."

"Amnesia excuse? Hey, I'm telling the truth here."

"Ah…" she sighed. "Don't know why I ever expected anything from you."

This damn woman never misses a chance to humiliate me.

"So where to now, Maria? On top of everything, they took our cargo too. You gonna let that slide?"

"Let it slide? Haha! You know exactly what awaits anyone who dares mess with me."

I hate it when she makes that face.