Chapter 60: Murder, Then Clothes

It took a while before anyone dared to speak. Even Lucas made no attempt to change the subject.

Eventually, Leora returned to the room she’d rented, leaving the rest of the group behind. Having made it clear she wanted to be alone, nobody followed her.

Ruby joined Julia and Jade at the table beside Zayn’s. Amaya sat beside Lucas, giving her a clear view of Zayn’s face from across the table.

They ordered food without exchanging more than a few words.

After eating, Julia left. Nobody knew where she was headed or whether she had a destination at all.

Maks left next. Zayn hadn’t heard him say a single word before he stepped out into the street.

After finishing his own plate, Zayn fished out the white card and turned it over between his fingers.

Noticing it, Lucas said:

"Press your thumb inside the square and fill it with Aether."

With a slight nod, Zayn did just that.

A moment later, black lines appeared within the square. They swirled before settling into the image of a fingerprint.

Lucas calmly added:

"I was going to explain the benefits of joining a guild earlier, but it seems that will have to wait. For now, just know that holding the card lets you sense nearby guild members through theirs."

Zayn examined the card again. Sure enough, he could faintly sense something — a strange tickle tugging his attention toward four of the people around him.

"Thanks."

Everyone except Amaya seemed to have their guild card with them. Either that or she didn’t have hers on her or she hadn’t joined, though the former seemed more likely.

Not wanting to linger and witness the fruits of his destructive labor any longer, Zayn got up and left without so much as a goodbye.

Just before he could step onto the street, however, a hand latched onto his.

Glancing over his shoulder, Zayn’s gaze landed on Jade’s dyed green hair. She clung to his hand, her eyes fixed on the ground.

’Ah... makes sense.’

Zayn gently pulled his hand free, then signed:

«You can come with me.»

Her hands moving slowly, she replied:

«Thank you.»

Even if he wanted to be alone, perhaps it was better to have Jade with him. That way...

’Amaya should stay away.’

Zayn wasn’t prepared for the questions he felt Amaya had in store for him. Their inevitability had only been confirmed by how intently she’d stared at him during the despair-laden breakfast.

Besides, Jade’s desire to stay with him made sense.

He was still the only one who could communicate with her properly. Julia had learned a little, but she’d left. Beyond that, there was their familiarity with each other.

Jade spent nearly every waking hour beside Julia — or perhaps it was the other way around. Either way, Zayn was the person she was next closest to, and one of the few she could communicate with.

She also seemed to depend on companionship. It had nothing to do with her being deaf; it was simply part of her personality.

In that regard, Zayn was sinking in the same boat.

As much as he loved his solitude, there were times when the need for company smothered his desire to be alone.

The company he truly wanted, however, was that of his cat and family. Since they were far beyond his reach, he had to settle for those around him — people whose own comforts had also been stripped away and placed beyond theirs.

With the pouch in his pocket and Jade giving him very little personal space, the two stepped onto the cobbled street.

As the uneven stones pricked his feet once again, Zayn muttered:

"I need some socks and shoes."

After going a month without them, Zayn had learned the harrowing truth of just how dependent people were on footwear without ever realizing it.

He’d stepped on far too many sharp stones to count.

At some point, he had started getting used to the sharp pains, and the bottoms of his feet were becoming calloused, but he still would have preferred the comfort of footwear.

Jade, having seen his mouth move, asked:

«What was that?»

Zayn pointed to his feet, then signed:

«I need to go clothes shopping.»

It was the fulfillment of yesterday’s maddening thought. Murder first, then shop for clothes.

And he was doing so alongside one of the people his actions had affected the most.

Regardless, they did exactly that.

After finding a nearby clothing store, Zayn used a little of his silver to buy not only socks and boots, but also several spare sets of clothes. However, the experience once again made him question what era he was in...

The available materials ranged from silk and cotton to elastane.

Zayn couldn’t help but imagine warriors rushing into battle wearing yoga pants.

His only problem during the entire experience was Jade chiding and mocking his choices, calling them ’not cute.’ They were small interactions, but they helped him slowly move beyond yesterday.

With that settled, Zayn and Jade returned to the inn so he could drop off his new clothes. When they entered, they found that everyone had dispersed.

However, Zayn spotted someone sitting in the corner...

’Shin Hae-Ryung...’

Another disaster.

Sensing his gaze, she looked back at him, but neither acknowledged the other beyond a light nod.

After putting away his new clothes and finally paying for the room for the entire week, the two exited and turned left, then left again...

As they walked, Zayn signed:

«I promised to buy a weapon.»

Jade smiled lightly, then replied:

«I need one too.»

Though it was clear she’d rather not need one at all.

Soon, the two found themselves at Steel Blacksmith.

’Oh?’

Farther down the street, Zayn spotted Maks walking away with a sword at his hip.

Gently taking Jade’s hand, Zayn pointed at the door and pulled her inside with him.

Magnus had been facing the wall inspecting his inventory, but the moment the door swung open, he turned around.

"So, ye remembered as well."