BSS 59

Chapter 59

There were so many sights to see at the festival that even the knights couldn’t help but be distracted.

Since they also had to guard Bright and Jaimam, their eyes occasionally drifted away from me.

That made running away extremely easy.

All I had to do was slip into the overflowing crowd.

“This way.”

Iruje and I used our small bodies to weave through the sea of people as swiftly as possible.

Running between the legs of countless strangers felt like pushing through a dense field of reeds.

We held each other’s hands tightly so we wouldn’t get separated. And when we finally slipped out of the main street and into a quiet, narrow alley, laughter burst out of us.

We could tell we had successfully shaken off the knights.

From that moment on, Iruje and I were completely thrilled.

“Hehe! We did it!”

“But are you sure this is the right way?”

“Of course. There was a map on the poster, remember?”

“What? You memorized that after just glancing at it?”

“You can’t?”

“No way!”

I often forgot, but Mia, Bright, and Iruje were all unusually smart.

“I memorized the route! This way.”

It was late at night, but the moon was bright, so it wasn’t too dark.

We’d run so much that now we had slowed to a walk.

The farther we got from the central district, the faster the crowds thinned, until it was just the two of us in the alley.

“How is it, Ginny? Aren’t you glad we came out?”

“Yeah.”

“You looked pretty down, so I really wanted to bring you out.”

Oh. They were worried about me? For some reason, I felt touched. I opened my mouth to thank Iruje—

“Wait, Iruje.”

“Hm? What’s wrong, Ginny?”

“I just… felt something strange. Like someone was watching us.”

“Huh? You can feel something like that?”

It seemed Iruje couldn’t.

Was I just being paranoid? An uneasy chill made me stop walking and look back.

I definitely felt something. But I couldn’t pinpoint what it was.

It was such a vague sensation.

Maybe I was just feeling guilty about ditching the knights?

We were only planning to look around for a bit and then return. I could just tell them we got lost. Easy.

“Maybe it’s just my imagination.”

“I don’t feel anything.”

I turned forward again, a bit annoyed at myself—but then I saw it.

A pitch‑black shadow lunging toward Iruje, who was standing defenselessly with her head tilted.

What—what is that?!

“Iru—!”

But before I could warn her, something brutally clamped over my mouth.

I instantly realized it was a filthy, rough hand.

“Mmph!”

Iruje’s eyes widened, and she pointed desperately over my shoulder—right before she, too, was grabbed by a stranger.

Someone lifted me up from behind, effortlessly.

The hand covering my mouth was so massive that it hid half my face and even covered one of my eyes.

I couldn’t see, couldn’t speak—could barely breathe.

Through my uncovered eye, I saw Iruje kicking and thrashing with everything she had.

“Mmmpfh!”

“Ghh—!”

Iruje!

“That’s why festivals are great!”

“Kids wander around all carefree.”

“Perfect season for hunting. Boss is gonna love this.”

Before I could gather my thoughts, they tied my hands and shoved some disgusting cloth into my mouth.

Like a piglet about to be slaughtered, I was stuffed into a dark burlap sack.

“Mmph!”

What the hell! What the actual hell is this?!

Even in my chaotic, panicked mind, only curses—and one name—floated up.

[Raiiiiii!]

That stupid snake who wasn’t here because I’d run off with Iruje!

[Rai!]

He was useless and infuriating and never there when I needed him—but right now, he was all I could think of.

He once said he could sense me when I called strongly enough.

So I had no choice but to trust that.

[Hey, you snake bastard! Get over here right now!]

With my mouth gagged, that was all I could do.

“Mmmph! Mmmmm!”

I could faintly hear Iruje resisting in the background. I tried to summon Ador in desperation—

He was the only one I could use for combat.

I couldn’t speak, but maybe if I called hard enough—

“No choice. Knock her out.”

A hard blow crashed against the back of my head.

Pain exploded from my skull, spreading rapidly until it swallowed my vision.

I couldn’t think.

My consciousness slipped away.

…What a disgustingly dangerous world.

A cold chill seeped into my skin like something crawling under it.

I slowly opened my eyes.

Everything was dark. Only a faint light filtered through a small window—and even that window was completely barred.

I let out a sigh.

It seemed I’d been kidnapped by slave traders… just like the stories said.

Kidnapping two children? It was obvious what this was.

How did it come to this?

I only wanted to see the monster market—not participate in the slave market. Especially not as merchandise.

…This insane world.

Everything’s insane! Right?! How is it this dangerous?! Aaargh!!

Suddenly furious, I started rolling around the floor like a deranged beetle.

I couldn’t hold back the rage boiling up inside me.

How many times is this?! I almost died to bees! Almost got eaten by a monster while taking a pee break on a mountain! And now I get kidnapped by slave traders while trying to enjoy a festival! Does this make sense?!

Why is this world so violent?!

I thought nothing worse could happen… but clearly, I was being arrogant.

The blood rushing to my head made the spot where I was hit start throbbing painfully.

So this is what it feels like to get jumped.

First things first—I needed to assess the situation.

I forced my tongue to push out the filthy cloth stuffed in my mouth. My jaw ached from being forced open.

“Iruje?”

I worried whether she was safe.

I called softly, but there was no reply. My heart tightened.

“Iruje! Where are you?”

This time, as I raised my voice, I heard rustling in the darkness.

There was definitely someone besides me.