Chapter : 72
Eloy’s expression was cold and unfamiliar, in stark contrast to her smiling face.
She took my hand and began walking quickly.
I followed behind, not knowing why.
“Is someone following us again?”
I wondered what on earth was happening today.
I wasn’t an important person, so I had no idea why anyone would be chasing me.
I had even completely forgotten about the person who had been following me earlier…
“Could it be because of the magic stone?”
I spoke toward Eloy.
“Is it the same person as before?”
Eloy glanced at me briefly, then shook her head.
“I’m not sure.”
We hadn’t even started running yet, but just walking quickly made my legs scream.
I would have been fine if I had been used to running.
I struggled to keep up with Eloy, and my dress felt cumbersome.
She walked confidently through the twisting alleyways as if she knew them intimately.
As we entered a dark alley, I came face-to-face with a dead end.
“Ugh.”
Getting cornered in an alley felt like something out of a dream.
As I panicked and drew in a breath, Eloy, as if she had expected it, smoothly pulled me inside.
She took me behind a stack of boxes and spoke calmly.
“I’ll check it out. Hide here.”
“No, it’s dangerous. Let’s go together.”
I waved my hand to protest, but Eloy pressed her hand against my shoulder and shook her head.
“It’s easier if I go alone. I know the way better, too.”
If we started running, I would only slow her down.
Reluctantly, I nodded and crouched behind the boxes.
After Eloy left the alley, I leaned against the wall and listened outside.
I wanted to peek out from behind the boxes, but I held back.
“If I look, I’ll definitely make eye contact with someone.”
Those clichés always came true. I sat quietly, even holding my breath.
Sure enough, footsteps echoed in the quiet alley.
“Please, just pass by…”
It sounded like one person, but it didn’t seem to be Eloy.
The sound was weighted, not the light tapping of small shoes.
Since it was a poorly lit alley…
If an intruder appeared, I wouldn’t even have the strength to push them away and run, so I curled up and buried my head between my knees.
The footsteps gradually faded as I almost held my breath.
“Should I peek?”
I exhaled quietly and lifted my head slightly.
“What are you doing?”
“…!”
In front of me stood a pair of long legs.
“When…!”
My heart was about to burst, and I couldn’t scream as I looked up at the owner of the legs.
Sirinieu looked down at me with a puzzled expression.
Before Sirinieu could speak, a shout sounded from the direction of the alley.
I quickly grabbed Sirinieu’s hand and pulled him beside me.
Sirinieu sat awkwardly next to me, looking confused.
“What are you doing…”
“Shh!”
I covered Sirinieu’s mouth and frowned.
The shout had changed to a dull thumping, like someone punching.
“Could it be… is Eloy involved?”
I strained to listen, but there was no female scream.
The noise stopped quickly, as if the situation had been resolved.
Only then did I realize that I could feel the warmth of Sirinieu’s lips on my hand.
I quickly pulled my hand away, my face burning.
“Ah, sorry.”
Sirinieu looked at me and replied,
“I thought you were trying to assassinate me.”
“I’m really sorry…”
I lowered my head, and Sirinieu let out a small laugh.
“So, what are you doing here?”
“Well…”
There wasn’t time for a long explanation. I asked the most pressing question first.
“Did you happen to see Eloy on your way here?”
“No, I didn’t.”
Sirinieu answered without hesitation.
I was about to dash into the alley, worried that Eloy might return and cross paths with us.
After a moment’s thought, I looked at Sirinieu and said,
“If you’re free, could you wait here for a moment?”
Sirinieu raised an eyebrow, puzzled.
“Why?”
“If Eloy comes this way, could you wait for her?”
Sirinieu frowned.
“She’ll be fine.”
“What do you mean? Anyway, I’ll just take a quick look around.”
I peeked my head out of the alley. Sirinieu approached, stepping out with me.
“Maybe someone is chasing you because of what Kalat hid?”
“That’s why I have to go. What if she got caught instead of me…?”
“That won’t happen.”
I couldn’t understand how he could be so certain.
I had no clue who would be chasing me and tore at my hair.
“Why are they after me?”
Sirinieu looked at me blankly as he walked out of the alley.
“Then go ask them.”
“Huh?”
I hastily grabbed his sleeve.
“It’s dangerous! There was fighting earlier!”
Sirinieu glanced at my hand, sighed, and said,
“Then you shouldn’t have come here.”
“….”
When I stayed silent, he walked toward the direction I had come from.
“Let’s get out. Follow me.”
I grabbed Sirinieu’s sleeve again after it had slipped from my hand.
“Wait! I have to find Eloy.”
“….”
Sirinieu looked at me, incredulous.
Panicked, I held his arm tightly.
I would have been a burden alone, but with Sirinieu, we could handle anyone chasing us.
I looked up at him pleadingly.
“Please…”
Sirinieu’s gaze met mine. His violet eyes flickered slightly.
He freed his arm from my grip, spun around, and said,
“Follow me.”
I hurried after him, clutching my dress as I struggled to keep up, but the difference in leg length made it difficult.
Sirinieu glanced back, sighed, and stopped.
“I’ll follow faster.”
He silently extended his hand.
“Huh?”
When I just stared, he sighed more deeply.
He must have been frustrated with me, because as I approached, he grabbed my hand that had been clutching the dress.
“If you want to fall, let go of my hand.”
“….”
His large hand held mine firmly, cool and hard, sending a shiver through me. My heart felt like it had moved into my palm.
I walked close to Sirinieu. He slowed his pace to match mine.
When I glanced at him, he turned and looked back at me.
I had assumed he couldn’t see me because of the blindfold—was my gaze really that intense?
I quickly looked away.
“Why?”
“No—nothing.”
I was just looking because he was handsome.
“Why were you looking?”
“I wasn’t. Huh?”
I had no response to his persistent questioning, but then I spotted pink hair.
It was Eloy.
She tilted her head, stretching her neck, lightly brushing her hands as she walked toward us.
Her cotton-candy pink hair and pretty face seemed at odds with her casual movements, but I was happy to see her.
“Eloy!”
I called, and she looked up, running toward me with wide eyes.
“Are you okay?”
I released my hand from Sirinieu and grabbed Eloy’s arm.
Checking her over, she didn’t seem hurt.
“I’m fine. But… what are you doing here?”
Eloy glanced at Sirinieu with narrowed eyes, as if realizing something.
“Oh, so it was you earlier?”
Sirinieu just raised an eyebrow without saying a word.
The two of them stared at each other silently, leaving me confused in the middle.
Eloy chuckled softly and smiled at me.
“I guess I misunderstood. No one was chasing you.”
“Then that’s a relief. Let’s go back.”
Feeling reassured, I wanted to leave immediately.
When we hurried back to the Information Guild alley, a bewildering scene awaited us.
