Chapter 5 - Thief

The next morning.

_ Gwen: " I've been in the Middle Zone for an hour now. I've collected some medicinal plants and a few fruits as a bonus. But I haven't found a doctor. It's a shame, it's time to go home. "

She turns back towards the village, but in the distance she sees a girl with blue hair, of a similar age, carrying a large bag. Three Recluses armed with bladed weapons surround the girl.

_ Gwen: " More Recluses. There were some on my path too, trying to rob me. Luckily, they were weak. "

_ Recluse 1: “ Finally, you're here, bitch. This time you won't get away. ”

_ Recluse 2: “ You steal our stuff and think you'll get away with it? ”

_ Recluse 3: “ Come on, guys, let's kill her. ”

The three Recluses close the distance between themselves and the thief, then prepare to launch their attack.

_ Thief: “ I have no choice. ” she says with a sigh.

The thief creates a whip of water from her index finger. She twirls it around her and unbalances the three Recluses, who fall to the ground. As soon as they hit the ground, their necks are wrapped in three respective whips. The young girl gradually tightens them until they are completely unconscious.

The thief picks up her loot from the ground. Looking up, she sees a girl with dark brown hair in a bun watching her from afar. She approaches, her face threatening.

_ Thief: “ You want to bother me too? ”

_ Gwen: “ No, I was just passing by. ” she said calmly.

The thief carefully observed Gwen's overflowing bag.

_ Thief: " You have a lot of food in your bag. Where did you find all this? There's not much around here. "

_ Gwen: " I'm not from this Zone. I crossed a good part of the forest and gathered things along the way. "

The thief narrows her eyes slightly, her face impassive.

_ Thief: “ Interesting. ”

Gwen takes her turn to examine the loot stolen by the thief, which consists mainly of medical bags.

_ Gwen: “ There are quite a few medical pouches in your bag. ”

_ Thief: “ Huh? Oh, yes, I need them for my tribe. ”

_ Gwen: " Her tribe? She's not part of a village. She must be a recluse too. "

A sudden curiosity comes over Gwen.

_ Gwen: “ I guess it's because of the past wars? ”

_ Thief: " Exactly. There's famine and many are sick. But luckily, with these bags, I'll be able to treat them. "

For the first time, Gwen's expression changes slightly, her eyelids widen.

_ Gwen: “ What? ”

_ Thief: “ Huh? ”

_ Gwen: “ Are you a doctor, by any chance? ”

_ Thief: “ I'm not very good at it yet, but I'm getting there. Why? ”

Leaves fall from the various trees surrounding them. Gwen stares at the thief, her hair blowing in the wind.

_ Gwen: “ Would you like to live in our village? ”

_ Thief: “ What? ”

A long silence ensues, except for the sound of the loot being dropped on the floor. They stare at each other. One has a serious look on her face. The other, on the other hand, is in shock at what has been said.

_ Thief: “ Wh... What did you just say? ” she said, completely confused.

_ Gwen: " I was sent on a mission to find a doctor and food. Since you're a doctor, I'm asking if you want to live with us. "

_ Thief: " Is she stupid or something? You know, you can't ask that of a stranger you've just met... I don't even know your name. "

_ Gwen: “ You're right. ”

She bows immediately.

_ Gwen: “ I'm sorry. My name is Gwen. ”

The thief presses her head against her palm in despair.

_ Thief: " No need to apologize... But I don't understand, you say you're part of a village. Where's your armband then? "

_ Gwen: “ Our boss wants us to prove ourselves before we get any. ”

_ Thief: “ She doesn't seem to be lying. ”

She lifts her head, a little more relaxed.

_ Thief: " Don't you have anything to treat yourself? Yet I also saw medicinal plants in your bag. "

_ Gwen: " Our stock is very limited, and at this rate, we won't be able to manage the situation. "

_ Thief: “ … ”

_ Gwen: " We are a village undergoing reconstruction with very few resources, so it's not easy. "

The thief looks at Gwen with pity, then smiles.

_ Thief: " I robbed some other dishonest Recluses in the area just 20 minutes ago, and now I'm talking to a stranger who's asking me to live in her village. What a day. "

_ Gwen: “ ... ”

The thief stares at the sky for several seconds. Her open palm rests on her forehead, shielding her from the sun's rays. Then she removes her hand and connects her gaze with Gwen's.

_ Thief: " Listen, as surprising as it may seem, I'm interested in your proposal. "

_ Gwen: “ Really? ”

A finger is raised.

_ Thief: “ On one condition. Move my tribe in too. ”

_ Gwen: “ Okay. ”

_ Thief: " She didn't hesitate. Very well, I'll tell them the news and see if they're interested. "

_ Gwen: “ I'll also tell my boss. ”

_ Thief: " In that case, let's set up a meeting. How about tomorrow at 3 p.m. at the same place for the final answer? "

_ Gwen: “ No problem. ”

_ Thief: “ Alright, I'll leave you to it. ”

The thief picks up her loot from the ground and walks a few yards toward her tribe.

_ Gwen: “ Wait, you didn't even tell me your name. ”

With her back turned, she continues walking with her hand in the air.

_ Thief: “ Oh, yes, right. ”

Then she turns her head slightly and smiles.

_ Thief: “ My name is Ay. ”