Spirit Game

"Is something the matter?" Hana asked when Rain remained quiet.

"Oh, nothing. Just looking at my screen," Rain replied.

Hana bobbed her head to the side. "I wonder about that. Do players really see something in there?"

"You don't see it?" Rain pointed at the screen in front of him.

Hana shook her head.

"Hmm . . . then I guess you have to be my troop to access it."

"Troop . . . ?" Hana echoed, a little shock at the prospect.

Rain immediately realized what he had said and his mouth dropped. Hana despised players, so there was no way she would become one of his troops! The mere mentions about it was probably offending!

Desperately, Rain tried to backtrack. "I-I didn't mean it like that! I just thought . . . I-I mean, I'm not implying that you should.

I mean, it's not like you wanted to. B-but of course, if you want to, you're always welcome. Wait, what am I even saying?!" Rain stumbled over his words, flustered.

Hana blinked, then laughed at Rain's expression. "Don't worry. If I ever decide to become a player's troop, I'll definitely come and join you. But right now, I don't think I'm fit for the task. I don't even know how to fight."

~Chi!~

Chi crossed her arms and sneered. 'If you don't know how to fight, then why venture out into the wasteland, which is dangerous? I think you're contradicting yourself!'

"Hoi, Chi . . ." Rain began, trying to calm his companion.

"It's fine," Hana interjected. "She has a point. Why venture out when it's dangerous outside the town? The answer is simple . . .

hunger.

"Hunger is a powerful force, more so than fear. A bunch of us tried our luck to search for food outside or kill some beast, but . . . as fate would have it, we stumbled upon a Hobgoblin's lair."

Rain raised an eyebrow at Chi, who only chirped and pouted.

"Uhm . . . If you want, you can come with us. We don't have a shelter right now, but we have food," Rain offered, his voice filled with sincerity.

There was no use lingering any longer in this town where no one would sell him anything, and no one would even deal with him at all.

Chi was surprised. Hana was surprised.

"Eh? B-but . . . but I can't fight," Hana said, stammering in surprised.

"It's fine. You can just do other things. I'll buy some blankets or fabric in the market, and we'll just use them as makeshift tents like we did when we traveled here."

During their two-day journey to the port town, Rain and the others had set up makeshift tents for the night. That was how they managed to provide a roof over their heads.

Until they could find a willing builder to construct a home for them, they were stuck in these tents.

Or maybe they would do the building themselves?

Hana's eyes lit up. "Y-you . . . you would do that? You would take in someone you just met?"

"Well, I'm not exactly going to take you in for free. Everyone has to help around to get food," Rain clarified.

Hana beamed and nodded enthusiastically. "Yes, I will do my best!"

"But are you sure you want to leave this place? It might be pricey, but it's better than living outside, right?"

"No," Hana vehemently shook her head. "It's worse in here. Only the merchants and those who have connections and serve Lord Izumi can live here. As for us, the regular citizens, we consider ourselves lucky if we can eat once a day."

"At least you have a home, right?"

Hana sadly smiled. "All homes here, every building, are property of Lord Izumi. We even have to pay rent to live in the buildings that we have built."

"H-he can do that?" Rain asked, incredulous.

"Unfortunately, the weak have no say in anything. Only the strong dictate everything," Hana said, her voice tinged with bitterness.

Rain was appalled. He only now realized the brutal reality of the strong dominating the weak. For him, it was only about surviving the next day, but the real question was: could he stand up to those more powerful than him to protect his own life, as well as Chi's and the others'?

Never in his life had Rain wanted to be strong so badly. Strong enough that no one could threaten him, and to those important to him.

Hana continued, "We work tirelessly, day in and day out, just to survive here. The taxes are exorbitant, and any money we manage to save is taken from us in one way or another. The merchants are in league with Lord Izumi, exploiting us at every turn. It's a relentless cycle of oppression."

Rain clenched his fists, feeling a surge of anger. "That's not right. No one shouldn't have to live like that."

"Tell that to Lord Izumi," Hana replied, her tone resigned. "He rules with an iron fist, and anyone who opposes him is swiftly dealt with. We are trapped, Rain. Trapped in a life of servitude and misery."

Rain stared at Hana intently and said after some time, "We don't have a roof over our heads, and life in a tent isn't easy. But if you're willing to face that with us . . . will you join us?"

Rain knew he couldn't save the town, and couldn't do anything. He might not be able to change the situation here . . . but if he could save just one spirit here, he would do it.

Hana's large ruby eyes welled with emotion. She wiped her tears away and beamed.

"Yes."

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