The next thing Leonard knew, he and Anika were walking side by side along a dirt path. The morning sun was behind them, lighting up the sky. Fortunately, they were surrounded by trees, so it wasn't that hot.
'Damn it… How did I end up like this? I was supposed to walk away and leave to forget about my embarrassment.' Leonard let out a long sigh. He could still hear her words and the way her eyes had shimmered in disbelief.
"You will just leave me here?"
He had to admit that he faltered at the moment. His mouth opened to argue, to say something smart, but then she hit him with more.
Anika put on a pitiful face—her lips trembling slightly, her eyes looking down, and her voice turning softer than usual.
"I was so tired yesterday. I dragged you all the way here and didn't leave you behind, even when I could barely walk. And now… you're just leaving me?"
Leonard had no counter on that.
"Shit…" he muttered under his breath now as they walked along. His hands were stuffed in his pockets. "She really gaslighted me into this."
Beside him, Anika walked quietly. However, she had the biggest smile on her lips as if she knew exactly what she had done.
Leonard only shook his head. He was too tired, and she was also correct to argue with. With it, the rest of their walk passed with nothing but the sound of their footsteps crunching against the dirt and the rustling of leaves above.
By the time the town came into view, Leonard felt both relieved and uneasy. He shoved his hands deeper into his pockets and slowed his walking until Anika caught up beside him.
"So," he muttered, trying to sound casual. "What do you plan to do now?"
Anika tilted her head to the side. Her long hair brushed over her shoulder as she looked at him.
"Plans?" She blinked innocently as if hearing the question was ridiculous to her ears.
"My only plan is to follow you."
Leonard froze mid-step. His mouth opened, but no words came out of it.
Anika said it so innocently, as if it was the most natural thing in the world.
Leonard rubbed the back of his neck and sighed. "You really have no plans?"
Anika only tilted her head again, her lips forming a small pout.
Leonard groaned quietly. He couldn't just push her away, not after everything that happened. The thought of her running into trouble again… it didn't sit right with him.
"Alright, fine," he muttered, glancing at her from the corner of his eye. "If you're that insistent, then you can stay with me."
"Really?" Her eyes widened instantly.
"Yeah. But you will work under me. You have to follow my instructions."
Anika's cheeks turned red at those words. Her eyes widened, "W-Wha—"
"No, no… Not like that! Damn, don't get the wrong idea. I mean work. A job. You know, actual work." Leonard quickly waved his hands when he realized that his words sounded so wrong.
Anika blinked rapidly, but still, the redness on her cheeks didn't fade.
"Well, anyway," He clicked his tongue and looked away, deciding to ignore her expression altogether. "Let's just eat first, get cleaned up, and then I'll show you what I mean. My work. You'll see."
Anika's lips curved into a small smile again.
"Alright." She gave a quiet nod before the two of them walked side-by-side again.
They walked deeper into town. Slowly, the dirt path turned into uneven stone roads. After some time, Leonard stayed a step behind her. He let her walk ahead of him as he watched her closely.
'She's cute,' he thought.
Anika's eyes were wide as she looked around the town. She stared at everything: the wooden carts, the stray dogs digging through scraps, even the laundry that was hung on the side of the wooden houses.
Whenever something caught her attention, her lips would part slightly, and she'd smile to herself like she had just seen something new and wonderful.
Leonard shook his head faintly. She looked way too innocent for this place. She was too bright. It didn't make sense.
'It's like she's never been here before. Hell, it's like she's never seen the world before.'
For a moment, he wanted to ask her questions.
Who was she really? Where did she come from? But the thought of prying her identity made him click his tongue.
'If she wants to keep quiet, then I'll just let her. Not my problem.'
After walking for a while, they reached a small shop. On the side of it, there was a large steam rising from a wooden barrel. The smell hit Leonard instantly. It was warm, savory, with a faint sweetness. His stomach growled before he could stop it.
Anika's eyes lit up the second she saw it.
"Ah! Steamed buns!" she said, almost bouncing on her heels. "I've been waiting to try them!"
Leonard lifted an eyebrow. "You haven't eaten a steamed bun before?"
"Uh… yes?" Anika froze for a second.
Leonard narrowed his eyes, but she didn't say anything more. Instead, she moved closer to the stall, inhaling the smell like she'd been starving for days.
"Let's order this, Leonard!" She muttered out loud like an excited kid.
"…" Leonard sighed.
"Two portions, Boss." He was also hungry, so he just agreed to it.
The shop owner, a skinny man with a cloth tied around his head, nodded and went to work.
The two of them sat on a short wooden bench near the stall. The seat creaked, and the wood was rough, but Anika didn't seem to care. She sat with her chin in her hands, watching the steam rise with sparkling eyes.
Leonard leaned back, scanning their surroundings.
Walking around the place for days made Leonard realize something. He wasn't in the center of the kingdom. Instead, they were far from it. They were at the outskirts.
Merchants here weren't rich traders. They were just small folk, scraping coins where they could.
And in this town?
Steamed buns were king.
They were cheap to make, cheap to sell, and cheap to buy. That's why everyone eats them.
Leonard glanced at Anika again. She was just smiling at the buns as if she were looking at some grand feast. He couldn't help but find it a little… amusing.
Then suddenly, while looking at her, his eyes widened.
"Wait a second."
Leonard sat straighter. His lips parted slightly.
'I still have a reward waiting.' His eyes narrowed slightly as he leaned back against the bench.
'Damn it… I completely forgot about that.' Leonard frowned. 'Hey system, where's my reward?'
[You passed out before I could give it to you, Host.]
"…"
[Delivering reward now.]
Another set of glowing letters appeared before his eyes.
[Late Congratulations!]
[Mission Completed.]
[You have been rewarded 1x Bronze Mystery Box.]
[Your body's stamina has improved.]