Disconnected

Chapter 10: Chance Encounter (pt.5)

“Now, we just need to treat the wound normally, since it’ll take some time for it to heal now that it’s no longer in effe—”

Suddenly, her vision blurred for a bit.

‘Hmm?’

“Serein-shi?”

Towards the call, Serein hummed in response.

“Are you okay?”

Cherry worriedly asked.

“Hmm, yeah. Just a bit dizzy. But anyway, we can move him now”

Serein then turned to the Wyrms who stared at her warily still.

“What are you looking at?”

“What do you want, human?”

‘Cute.’

She couldn’t help but think.

They looked like they don’t know how to act toward her now. But well, since they’re being docile, it’s better to ask for their help as well.

“There must be a bed here, right? Could you lead the way? Oh, and, if there are still some spare bandages and herbs it’ll be much better.”

The two turned towards each other before nodding as if reaching an agreement.

Serein was about to lift the ashy-haired person when she realized that Cherry already used her magic on him. 

“I’ll carry him there. Serein-shi, you need to be treated as well.”

“Ah.”

The pinknette told her while offering her handkerchief to be pressed especially on the injury on her neck. In which, only then did Serein finally pay attention to the wounds on her neck and arm.

‘Right. I’m still bleeding.’

Nonchalantly, she reached out to her pouch and grabbed a healing potion that she bought before her trip to this Blasphemos Woodland. 

It’s nowhere as effective as the elixir of course, and in addition to her condition, Stiriacrus, her self-healing time usually takes longer than normal people. Hence why she prefers the silent one-kill tactic to fight anyone head-on.

The wound she got this time is not one that can be helped though. 

‘I think that’d leave a scar.’

Serein hummed before turning to Gil who stayed behind with her along with one of the Wyrms.

“Hey, Do you think I looked like I’ve been bitten by a vampire?”

“Huh?”

'I guess I shouldn't be talking about a race of darkness carelessly like that, especially in front of someone like these two.'

She ended up canceling her question, realizing this.

“Nevermind.”

Gil, who couldn’t understand why she suddenly brought up an extinct being before then taking her words back while calmly ripping a part of her sleeve to cover the wound on her arm, can only have multiple comical question marks on his head.

‘And now she’s crouching and having a staring contest with that uh… mutant reptile?’

He sweatdropped at how she just stared at the hissing creature.

“What are you looking at? I’m not going to apologize! I won’t thank a human either!”

The bluish-green Wyrm yelled out to Serein, who’s still pressing her wound with the pink cloth.

“Chill. I don’t need any of that.”

Serein did not seek any of the sorts since she was not expecting anything from a hatchling anyway. She simply wants to look a bit closer at this intriguing fantastical creature.

Shiny scales, round eyes, and two tiny nubs on the head.

'I wonder, is this one Sam or Pam?'

Who would have thought that such adorable noggins like this tiny guy would wound up being such a disaster in nearly 2 years?

Then again, perhaps it was her bias towards reptiles speaking. Serein ended up observing the hatchling for a few more moments before then backing away when it looked like it was about to attack her again.

‘Welp, that’s enough curiosity for the day.’

She really couldn’t afford to get even more injuries. Which is why, since there’s nothing else they can do regarding the situation, Serein turned to the drenched lamb and just casually gestured to him to lend her his arm so she could prompt him up.

“Let’s go.”

“Eh? Where to go? We can't leave Cherry here. I certainly can't”

"Calm down."

Serein nearly sighed.

"When did I ever say that we're going to leave her?"

Gil blinked in confusion whereas the reply he received was a matching silence. 

All the while, Serein helped him move back to the original spot she said they’ll stay at before this whole fiasco even begins.

“Eh? Why are we back here?”

Near the damp entrance. 

That one-legged knight had thought that she was about to drag him outside for some reason when she put him down when they’re back to their original place instead.

“Why? Isn’t it obvious?”

Gil stared at her confusedly while discreetly peeking towards the young Wyrm which still followed the two around.

Serein, who was easily seated next to him, then replied.

"We don't even have permission to stay in the cave just yet. But since there's really no other safe place to be, hopefully, we're at least allowed to rest for a bit as long as we're well-behaved."

She was glancing at the bluish-green Wyrm when she said that in a questioning tone.

"Hmp! Well. I guess it's okay if you stay over there! But if you go any near! I'll show no mercy! Be afraid!"

'Cute'

Serein found that threat to be adorable instead. Well, not that she shows any indication of her true feelings.

"You heard our generous host."

She nudged his arm to play along. And thus, Gil followed her gesture and bowed his head a bit as she did.

"Ah, thank you so much for having us here."

The Wyrm looked away as if it didn't care. However, Serein could tell from the way its tail moved, that it was delighted.

'Just like a dog?'

She found this pretty amusing that she ended up smiling softly.

"Well then, I'm beat, so imma hit the sack first. Night."

"Umm, sure. I'll wait for Cherry and keep watch till morni—"

Gil replied to her, yet Serein's breathing already evened out, indicating that she’s dozing off before he even gets to finish his words.

'She was out like a light.'

He sweatdropped again before he ended up chuckling lightly afterward.

'Must have been exhausted.'

Honestly, with everything that's happening to them today, he's not all that surprised to find Serein knocked out cold that quickly.

With a smile, he then whispered as if she could still hear him.

"Goodnight."