Up ahead, Ethan chased the attacker.
"Stop, you bastard! You can't get rid of me!" he shouted.
"Let's bet!" the boy replied.
Suddenly, the boy changed direction and lunged for a tree, leaping onto a branch and then leaping from one tree to another.
What the hell? Is that a monkey!? — Ethan thought, shocked.
Ethan continued running, never taking his eyes off the boy.
Sooner or later, I'll get my chance. Just follow him...
Ethan stopped dead in his tracks when he realized he could no longer see his opponent.
Where had he gone!?
He scanned every corner in front of him, but the boy was gone. Then he instinctively turned and realized that the enemy was behind him; Ethan swung his scythe, but the boy ducked and punched him in the stomach.
"Gotcha!" the boy exclaimed.
Ethan punched him back, knocking the boy back a couple of meters.
They stared at each other, both tired.
He hides his presence well... — Ethan thought as he readjusted his weapon.
Just as I thought... — the boy thought, touching his bleeding lip.
He has supernatural strength...
"It's time to finish this!" Ethan shouted and charged, but the other man smiled.
Is he smiling?
"Help!!! Help me, he killed all my teammates!" the attacker shouted at the top of his lungs, leaving Ethan stunned.
Ethan stopped, looked around, and then laughed.
"Ah! Nice try!"
Ethan threw one end of his chain to strike, but another chain, with the scythe attached, wrapped around his, tangling with the weapon.
"Really!?" Ethan blurted out.
What luck! — the boy thought, surprised and relieved.
"Let him go!" a voice shouted.
"No, I didn't..." Ethan tried to explain, but the boy feigned fear and ran away.
"Shit!"
Ethan tried to free his chain from the rescuer's, but was yanked violently.
"Nice catch, Eric!" a voice shouted from the trees—Sergei—revealing the other boy as Eric.
"I'm used to this weapon by now!" Eric said.
"Stay out of my way!" Ethan growled, grabbing the chain and pulling with all his might.
"Huh!?" Eric froze as Ethan began to pull; Ethan's strength was overwhelming, almost dragging Eric along.
"Sergei, will you help me?" Eric shouted.
Sergei sneered at Eric. "Ohh... you're so weak!"
Eric bristled. "Idiot, hurry!"
Eric glanced furtively at Sergei and lost concentration for a moment, almost being dragged away, but he recovered.
Has he increased the force he's using!?
Seeing how things were going, Sergei finally grabbed the chain and pulled, but the result was the same: they couldn't match Ethan.
"Are you really using force, or is it just a show?" Eric snapped at Sergei.
"Why? Isn't it obvious?" Sergei gasped, his face contorted with the effort.
The three struggled and cursed until Richard suddenly calmed down at the point where the two chains met. With his sword, he raised Eric's scythe just enough to use opposing forces to untangle them. Through inertia, all three fell to the ground.
"Who are you? One of his friends?" Eric asked, irritated.
Richard looked at Eric and Sergei.
"No. But I had to help him because a very desperate girl asked me to. If you want to fight, I'm fine, but I'm not sure it's wise now that it's two against two... and one of you is unarmed."
Eric looked at Riccardo, trying to figure out what to do, but Sergei put a hand on his shoulder.
"Come on... we've done our part."
Realizing the situation, Eric left with Sergei.
"They just wasted my time!"
Ethan looked ready to resume chasing the attacker in the green hoodie.
"So you're leaving again..."
Riccardo's words stopped Ethan in his tracks.
"I can't let him get away!"
"So you're going to leave your friend alone, in the hands of strangers?"
Ethan's grip on the chain tightened in frustration.
"Your friend just got hurt. In situations like this, wouldn't it be better to stay close to her?"
Ethan gritted his teeth.
"That bastard might come back..."
"Then let's put it this way," Riccardo interrupted calmly. "Even if I let you go now, and you somehow tracked him down and killed him... do you really think it's guaranteed you'd find your friend waiting for you when you return? Or is there a chance she'll abandon you the same way you're about to abandon her?"
Ethan couldn't answer.
"You're right..." he muttered, loosening his grip on the chain.
He turned, walking in silence with his head down. Riccardo watched him pass, then followed silently a few steps behind.
[The sun was setting.]
Ethan and Riccardo returned to the others.
As soon as they arrived, Ethan saw Amina resting by the fire. He immediately went over to her, watched closely by the others, who were preparing everything for cooking.
Dana approached Riccardo, who was leaning nonchalantly against a tree.
"How did it go?" she asked, leaning next to him.
"Apparently the attacker managed to escape, thanks to the interference of two other boys."
"Were they his allies?"
"I don't know. When I arrived, they were already there. But I heard a scream before I reached them: the attacker probably called for help, drawing them toward him."
"I understand... the important thing is that you're both okay."
Ethan knelt beside Amina and noticed the bandage wrapped around her waist.
"Ethan, right?" Estrella asked, approaching.
"Yes..."
"I can tell you he'll be fine. He has a slight fever, but that's normal."
"Are you sure?" he asked uncertainly.
"Don't worry. I was studying medicine before all this happened."
"Oh... good."
Ethan looked down and remained silent.
"Well, we're almost done cooking. I'll bring you something to eat if you'd rather not sit with us." Estrella said before leaving.
"Estrella, can you take the meat from the bag?" Dalai called.
"Of course!"
Estrella walked over to a bag made of animal skin, sewn together with some kind of vine. Ethan noticed it immediately.
He suddenly stood up. "Thanks."
The others seemed surprised by his initiative.
"So you can say more than insults and death threats, after all," Dalai said sarcastically, making Ethan blush with embarrassment.
"Sorry. I'm not always like this."
"There's no need to apologize. We understand the situation." Dana replied kindly.
Ethan nodded at her words.
Estrella began rummaging through her bag.
"Sorry, does anyone know where the bowls went?"
"They should be in my bag!" Dalai replied.
"Understood!"
Estrella approached Dalai's bag as Ethan watched.
"Bowls?" Ethan muttered, confused.
"We found them in an abandoned camp." Riccardo said, approaching.
"They probably used a weapon, maybe an axe, to cut down a tree and make the bowls."
Ethan examined the wooden bowls in Estrella's hands.
"It takes skill. An ordinary person couldn't make them."
"They were probably made by an apprentice carpenter. Either way, we were lucky to find them."
After listening to Riccardo's explanation, Ethan looked at Dalai, Estrella, and Dana, who were chatting happily while cooking.
"You make a good team." he said softly.
"Thank you. You two, too," Riccardo replied, glancing at Amina. "It's obvious you care about each other a lot."
Ethan considered his words.
"The first time I met her, I immediately put her in danger... even though she trusted me. So I'm determined to make it up to her by protecting her."
Ethan clenched his fists, and Riccardo noticed the look of guilt on his face.
"Don't blame yourself too much. Some things just can't be predicted."
"But I could have avoided this... I just needed to be more determined."
"Maybe so," Riccardo said, "but what happened now should serve to strengthen your relationship. Overcoming difficult situations is ultimately what helps, right? To get better afterward."
Ethan thought about it, remaining silent. Riccardo smiled faintly.
"You know, the first thing she said when she woke up from the faint... was your name."
Ethan's face turned bright red. "What!?"
"Yes," Riccardo said with a smile. "She even had the courage to ask us to help you."
Ethan's blush deepened further.
"Why are you telling me these things!? Are you trying to embarrass me on purpose?"
"Actually, yes. At least that will get rid of that sad expression."
—
Ethan remembered the moment when Riccardo convinced him not to chase the attacker.
—
"You know, you're really good with words..."
"Thanks. I think so too."
"Riccardo, can you come give us a hand?" Dana asked.
"Yes, I'll come."
Before walking away, Riccardo paused again.
"If you want to join us for dinner, you're more than welcome."
Riccardo walked away.
"Yes, thank you."
Ethan looked around at the group.
They look strong. They're all confident, but the real reason... — Ethan's eyes shifted to Riccardo.
It must be him. He's intelligent, and the way he handles every situation is beyond impressive. That's what gives others the confidence and freedom to act as they please. Yes, he's definitely a great leader.
Estrella approached Ethan.
"Excuse me, Ethan. I wanted to ask if you wouldn't mind staying with us for at least a couple of days."
"What!?" Ethan replied, surprised.
"Well, I'd like to keep an eye on Amina, and I can't do that unless she's right in front of me."
Ethan sighed and rubbed his head, resigned.
"Yes, I think you're right..."
Ethan held out his hand to Estrella.
"Estrella, right? Then I'll entrust Amina's recovery to you."
Estrella was shocked by Ethan's sudden change in attitude.
"Don't worry, I'll make sure she gets better."
She shook his hand.
"You two! It's ready to eat!" Dalai exclaimed.
"Do you want me to bring you something to eat?" Estrella asked.
"No, I'll come eat with you."
Estrella was surprised again.
"All right then! Let's go!"
The two approached the others and began to eat together.