Return of the Woodcutter

She extended her index finger in front of her, aimed for Sam's butt, materialized a small orange-red fireball with wisps of blue, and launched it. 

The blazing projectile flew straight to its target, burned down Sam's rear defenses. Even his skill Durability that was still activated was utterly useless as the small fireball roasted his ass. 

Sara watched her work with a content expression, while Sam ran around the stairs, rubbing his rear on whatever he could find to extinguish the flame. 

Aito and his team looked at Sam's "pain in the ass" with slight amusement. Aito would be lying if he said he didn't feel any sort of satisfaction from spectating this. After all, the man had been a pain in their asses all along. Well, mostly his.

After a few moments, the moderator canceled her spell and just let the rude baldy run back to his master. It wouldn't do her good to kill him. Not here. The idea of killing him had crossed her mind, though. She quickly brushed it aside, thinking it wasn't worth it. 

"Alright, now that this is done," Sara said, turning towards Aito. "Do tell Gwendolyn my debt from the inn is repaid." 

'So that's why she went out of her way to help us,' Aito thought. 'Gwen..., just why would you do that for me?' 

As it wasn't hard to deduce that Gwen was short for Gwendolyn, Aito quickly put the pieces of the puzzle together, then said, "Certainly. Thank you for your help." 

Sara sent him a playful smile, "If you're really that thankful, how about we have a little tête à tête together where you'll be able to show me how T.H.A.N.K.F.U.L you are?" 

Aito gulped. She was attractive, he'd give her that. But, somehow, he felt an inexplicable disgust towards her. No, not disgust. Fear of being eaten? Yeah, he felt like a deer surrounded by a pack of wolves.

Something told him that his mighty ax shaft would become kindling for starting a fire if he were to accept. 

Remembering what just happened to Sam, Aito carefully selected his words before saying, "It would have been my greatest honor, but I'm certain the men you… borrowed from the sect will be plenty enough to satisfy your needs. Also, I'm injured and need to attend to my wounds." 

"Hum, excuses. At least you don't lack courtesy," Sara replied. "Too bad, I would have liked to play with Gwendolyn's new toy. If I were to force you, she'd certainly get upset, though. And like they say, an upset Gwendolyn makes the earth spin. Anyway, I'm off, bye bye!" 

Sara turned around and left for the food district, probably to grab a bite. Suddenly, she halted her step, then said, "Oh, if I were you, I'd flee this place as soon as possible. I won't stop them from going up a second time." 

Aito nodded, took out a recovery bead, broke it, then went off to the only secure location he knew of on the second floor, accompanied by the siblings. 

They wouldn't be able to go too far with his and Ogoro's leg injuries. Moreover, they didn't know when the sect members would realize that the way up was open to them. Well, they wouldn't outright pursue Aito on the second floor, at least not in bright daylight. But who knew? It was better to be careful about it.

So, he decided to go to a nearby place where he was more or less certain they wouldn't be disturbed for a while and be allowed to recover. Also, he needed to go there for a few other reasons. 

***

"So, you made it back alive after all, boy," Ainar said, seeing Aito accompanied by two other humans arrive at his stall, limping, battered, and bruised. "You look like human shit on top of another human shit, but at least you're alive." 

"Glad to see you, too. You got somewhere we could sit and rest?" Aito asked. 

"Hum, yeah. Give me a sec." Ainar said, grabbing a wooden box from under his counter that was divided into multiple sections, probably to organize the content. He took out a colorless bead, then threw it on the ground in a free space next to him. A wooden bench long enough to fit four people materialized. "Here, get your asses on it." 

"Thanks, Ainar," Aito said, sitting on the bench while wondering if Ainar had more of those beads that looked like capsules from an anime he had liked to watch years ago. 

Ogoro and Sheyla eyed the inventor weirdly, as if they've seen a ghost. Well, it was their first time seeing a minerian. 

"What? You aren't happy with this?" Ainar asked, appearing annoyed. 

"No, no, it's just that we rarely come around these parts and it's our first time meeting—" Ogoro started. 

"Yeah, whatever. Just sit down and rest." Ainar interrupted, "No need to thank me." 

"Thank—" 

Ainar sighed, eyed the giant grey-haired man with an annoyed look, then said, "Are you deaf? I said no need to thank me, kid. And if you really need to thank someone, thank the guy sitting there who risked his life for saving yours." 

"You're right," Ogoro said, his gaze traveling towards Aito. "Thank you once again, for saving our lives." 

The minerian rolled his eyes, "Your friend is such a pushover, boy." 

Aito shrugged, "Just sit down Ogoro, you need rest." 

The tall man nodded and did as he was asked while her sister stayed on her feet, her gaze roaming the racks of various items displayed in front of her before she walked towards a rack filled with range weapons. 

Aito interrupted her midway, held an open palm, and pointed at the short crossbow in her hand. Appearing reluctant to part with the repeater, Sheyla seemed to struggle to give it back to its rightful owner. 

No matter, Aito helped her by snatching it from her hands. 

'No way… is she sulking?' He thought, looking at Sheyla striding to a weapon rack. Amongst the three, she had the fewest injuries and could still move around just fine. 'I'd prefer she rest, though.' 

Aito took a deep breath and allowed himself to relax, for they were finally allowed to take a real breather. 

"You…" Ainar said, staring at Aito's badly dented shield with trembling hands. "What did you do to my creation, you savage boy!"