"Hm." Claura nodded slowly, her gaze softening. "So you thought about breaking up with me just now?"
"Eh? How did you know!" Rezak asked, slightly surprised, his eyes widening.
The woman chuckled softly, her laughter crisp. "Hm? Just a wild guess."
"What do you guys want to do?" Claura asked. She folded her arms across her chest, listening seriously.
Rezak scratched the back of his head which wasn't itchy. His eyes gazed at the ceiling.
"According to Kilasafi."
"Robbing corrupt nobles. Selling illegal artifacts. Illegal leveling up. Things like that."
Claura fell silent again. Her eyes stared intently at Rezak who still looked confused and restless.
After a few seconds of silence, the woman laughed softly. Her shoulders shook gently.
She pinched both of Rezak's cheeks affectionately.
"You AREEEE."
"Ouch, it hurts, it hurts," Rezak complained while holding his reddened cheeks.
After that, the woman cupped Rezak's face with both hands, forcing Rezak to look straight at her.
"We won't separate just because of something like that."
"Let me join you, honey."
"H-huh? W-what?" Rezak gaped. His jaw dropped. His eyes blinked rapidly as if disbelieving his hearing.
Claura stroked Rezak's cheek gently again, her thumb caressing the man's cheekbone.
"Do you remember we promised to share the burdens of our lives?"
"And promised to save and take care of each other."
Claura chuckled, her eyes glinting playfully.
"How could I sleep peacefully knowing my baby is adventuring as a criminal. And maybe, oh maybe, will meet other women."
Claura hugged Rezak tightly, pressing Rezak's head back to her chest. The woman's heartbeat sounded steady and strong.
"Let me join, darling. Let me adventure with you. I don't care even if my life is ruined."
"I-I don't want to look for anyone else. You're already stuck with me."
The woman bit her lower lip, holding back a wide smile.
"There's no one like you."
"There's no one like you, Rezak."
Rezak's pupils dilated slightly. Surprised and touched by what the woman said.
He buried his face deeper into the woman's chest and hugged Claura's slender waist back tightly.
"Okay..."
The town square was dead silent. Night fog began to descend, blanketing the slippery cobblestone streets. A cold wind blew hard, making the shop flags creak, sounding like moaning ghosts.
Kilasafi stood alone in front of the large notice board. His white cloak fluttered wildly behind his back.
His purple eyes moved quickly, scanning every piece of shabby paper stuck there.
Zalvarich. Killed 3 adventurers. Reward 40 thousand gold coins.
Zalvarich. His name has risen quite a bit lately. Kilasafi's eyes narrowed. No. Too risky.
Kilasafi ignored it. His hand moved to another paper.
Merchant robber. Medium reward. Too many competitors.
Ckmet the Night. 7 thousand gold coins. Not paying taxes for 2 years.
Uh. Maybe this is a picture of me later. Kilasafi muttered inwardly. The corner of his lips lifted slightly.
His eyes continued to browse through the layered wanted posters.
His eyes stopped at one large poster in the bottom center. The paper was torn at the edge and the ink slightly runny from rain, but the image was still clear.
A sketch of a woman's face.
Her hair was white, long and wavy like ocean waves. Her eyes were drawn sharp and cold, piercing anyone who looked at them. Her face was beautiful but haughty. She wore a blue cloak with an elegant high collar.
Below the image was written in bold red ink.
Nebula.
Reward: 10,000 Gold Coins.
Status: Dead or Alive. Dangerous.
Kilasafi brought his face closer to the poster, his nose almost touching the paper. He read the small detail in the bottom corner of the paper handwritten in charcoal pencil.
Seen injured in the East Forest.
Crime: Illegal leveling up.
Kilasafi took a step back. The heels of his shoes clicked on the street stone.
This woman.
Kilasafi smiled faintly, showing his white teeth in the darkness of the night. A glint of ambition was clearly visible in his purple eyes.
"Found it," he muttered softly.