I WAS The Rank–1 Hero-Chapter 137: Voiceless Cry [2]

Two pairs of ocean-blue eyes were staring at me—confused, scared, and still innocent. Her small round face was framed with white hair, and those pointy ears twitched as she looked around.

—Blink —Blink

Still in my arms, she blinked several times at me. Her light body was resting motionless.

Looking down at her, I softened my voice.

"Hello."

"..."

She didn't reply. Instead, I saw her lips quiver, and her tiny shoulders trembled.

Her breathing became rough. She let out a small hiccup. Her arms pressed against my chest before she tried to push me away.

"...H-Haah… uuh…"

"Hey—" I tried to catch her, but then I noticed a tear rolling down her cheek.

"..?!"

Her eyes became moist, and she broke down, wailing loudly.

"No—no, wait—" I whispered, trying my best not to tighten my grip, trying not to scare her more.

But she was sobbing, thrashing her little bruised arms with what little strength she had.

"Waaaaahhh!! Aaah–hah–hic–waaahh!!"

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My mind immediately panicked, and before I could think of anything, Ruby took her from my arms.

"Let me handle her," she gently took the trembling girl from my hold and cradled her against her chest.

At first, the girl whimpered and wriggled her limbs, pushing against Ruby's shoulder.

I watched all of this, and I couldn't blame the little girl. She didn't know who we were. She didn't understand. Her cries hadn't stopped yet.

But Ruby, on the other hand, didn't flinch. Composing herself, she held her firmly and warmly close to her.

"It's fine… it's fine," she whispered, stroking the elf's back with slow, steady motions.

"You're safe now. We won't harm you…"

Her sobs grew quieter, and soon after, her small fingers clutched the fabric of Ruby's dress.

"..hm?" I was amazed.

She fell asleep?!

"All done." Ruby grinned, gesturing at me with a victory sign.

"..."

It hadn't even been a minute since she held that elf, and she fell asleep just like that…

Scratching my cheek, I asked unbelievably,

"How did you do that?"

'Why do you always ask such dumb questions?!' Sera scolded me. It looked like her worry regarding the little elf had dimmed down.

Thinking for a second, I answered her with a chuckle.

Tsk tsk tsk… why are you always so mean to me?

'Huh?! When did I ever, you dumb human?!'

Clicking my tongue, I rallied,

See, this is what I was talking about! You're mean!

I sensed Sera getting triggered by my every counterattack.

'Are you seriously going to discuss this dumb stuff in the situation you are in?'

"..."

Alright, let's just focus on getting the elf out.

"Hmm?" Ruby, holding the little elf, tilted her head in confusion, "You know, you sometimes act weird?"

"Heh!" I laughed it off. "Not you too…"

"Eh?" Ruby's eye twitched, "What does that mean?"

"Nothing," averting my eyes, I looked around.

"Anywa—"

Turning around, as I was about to say something, I sensed an immense amount of Essence coming from the other side of the room.

"Ruby." I signaled her with just my glance, and it didn't take her a second to take a defensive position.

The Essence around me grew thicker, spreading through all the walls and ceilings.

"Earth essence," I informed Ruby.

Nodding her head, she took several steps back to the very rear. Holding the little elf, she was unable to pull out any of her fire skills. So, she did me a favor and allowed me to handle whatever was coming.

Any kind of weapon was not allowed inside the Auction House, so I didn't bother bringing one in.

Though the Essence felt powerful, it would not cause me any trouble. This was Frostvile, and here, only the ice had dominance.

But I will not use any ice elemental, because right now, I am someone who uses only fire elemental.

—Grooooo

The shutter of the room slowly rose up, revealing a mesmerizing pair of eyes, staring right through my soul.

I didn't flinch.

…

—Tap… tap… tap…

The sound of heels echoed through the wide room. With her every tap on the floor, the Essence intensified. Walking inside, her eyes landed on the two figures standing in front of her—unarmed.

One boy, roughly 20 years of age, with red hair, and another girl with dark black hair.

Wisdom's gaze shifted to the small little girl in her arms, who was sleeping soundly without any fear.

"There she is." Wisdom's smile grew wider. Licking her lower lips, she walked toward them. Stone pillars rose around her like giants, but Wisdom walked with purpose—her back straight, head high, and a long sword strapped to her back.

Her eyes focused on Zane. She spoke low and silent.

"Funny how the strongest always hide in quiet places. Trying to escape what they are?"

She stopped in the center of the room, her heels clicking one last time as she turned.

From her end, Zane stepped out.

No sword. No armor. Just the usual black shirt with a bow tie on, and his hands in his pockets.

His eyes met hers. They were glowing faintly, as if he was reading her. It felt cold.

"You talk like you know me," he asked.

Wisdom scoffed, circling slowly.

"I know your type. Straight face, empty eyes, and a trail of bodies behind you."

Zane shrugged slightly. "Oh, and yet… you still stand before me."

She smiled. "Well… it's an old habit of mine."

"No sword?" she asked, glancing at his hands.

Zane looked down, almost acting amused. "Don't need one."

That annoyed her.

She took one slow step forward, letting her blade unsheathe itself in a smooth motion.

"I will give you two choices… either you give me that slave…"

She pointed to the elf girl in Ruby's arms.

"...or," pausing, she licked her lips, "let me enjoy wiping that calm off your face."

Zane didn't move.

He answered calmly.

"Let me think. First of all, you can't have her. As for second…"

His voice dropped to a whisper.

"Try it."

—Clang!

Her blade flashed forward. Zane dodged without flinching, his body tilting just enough to avoid the strike.

Her sword carved into the stone floor behind him, but Zane was already gone—he stepped past her shoulder.

—Swish!

Wisdom turned sharply, swinging her blade wide.

But Zane didn't give her a single opening.

"Oh my~"

Wisdom's eyes lit up when she saw his motion.

"...this'll be fun."

She then followed with her forearm, sliding back. Moving her body with a spinning slash, eyes wide and lips parted in glee.

—Clang!

Her blade whistled through the air.

"You make me hot~" she commented, wiping off the drool from her mouth.

Zane, however, felt disgusted by her compliment.

Distancing himself from Wisdom, he moved once again—

—Clang! Clang! Clang!

Dodging each and every attack by an inch, he saw Wisdom chasing him.

"You're fast," he muttered.

"And you're pretty," she whispered. "Bet you look gorgeous broken. Won't you let me see it?"

Zane's eyes twitched once again.

'What the hell is wrong with this bitch?!' he thought.

Seeing him react, Wisdom grinned wider, biting her lips harder and licking a smear of blood from her mouth.

"Mmh… yes. This is what I came for."

"..."

That sentence alone made him feel uncomfortable.

But it didn't last long. She dashed past him, jumping upward, and spinning her body several times. She let her sword absorb most of her Essence, making it denser each millisecond before swinging at him again—at his head.

But Zane stopped his motion, and with a rapid, fluid movement, covering his entire fist in hot flame, he struck her abdomen.

—THUD!

"Ugh!" She stumbled forward, and weirdly enough, she started laughing even harder.

"Oh… HAHAhhahaahaa!!" she shouted. "That fucking hurts!"

Her shout was filled with thrill, clearly visible from her reddened face.

She spun once again, this time her blade glowing with white light, her hands shaking—not from fear, but from joy.

"Let's dance, darling!"

She charged.

But Zane?

He didn't move.

Right as her blade came down—

—CRACK!

Zane caught it. With one hand.

She froze. Her eyes widened.

"Wha—"

BOOM!

Before she could process what just happened, Zane punched her straight across the room.

She slammed into the wall in front of him, as dust and pieces of stone from the ones she had crafted scattered everywhere.

"UUgghh..! Cough! Cough!"

She dropped to her knees, coughing, and then started laughing again.

"Haahhaaahahaaha!!" she laughed, holding her hot red cheeks. "You are not bad."

Zane walked forward slowly.

"I think…" she wheezed, still holding her flushed face, "I think I have fallen in love!!"

What the fuck is wrong with this bitch?!

Zane was now desperate to get this over with and make a run for it after finishing her off.

He took one step forward.

Wisdom flinched, then smiled again.

"Tch… I have a girlfriend."

With a sudden dash, Zane launched his kick, covering it with ember flames.

But before it landed on Wisdom's face, she placed her thumb on the pendant around her neck, which she had just taken out.

"Not today," she smiled. "You broke my heart. We shall meet again."

—Zoop

And then, she vanished.

"Huh?" Zane halted mid-step.

…

Blinking several times and looking around, I searched for her.

Where did she go?

Activating the <Elemental View>, I scanned the entire area.

"She is gone…" I concluded.

That pendant… I thought.

It must be an artifact.

Anyway, that face… those eyes, and that sword…

"I've seen it somewhere…"

Recalling her features, I pressured my mind. But no matter how much I tried, I couldn't seem to recall her.

"It was Wisdom,"

Coming from behind, Ruby informed me.

"Wisdom?" I repeated.

Where had I heard that name before?

But just as I was about to ask more, the elf girl in Ruby's arms started wailing again.

"Whaaaaaawaaa!!"

"Oh dear," Ruby said hurriedly, patting her back.

Looking at me, she suggested,

"Let's go to my room. We'll discuss her there."

"Mhm," I nodded.

But before I left this place, I texted Amy to pick up all the items for me later.

"And… send."

Clicking on the transfer button on my old communication device, I sent her a small amount.

[Nox: 1,000,000 amount transferred successfully.]

"All right, let's go."