World Awakening: The Legendary Player
Chapter 49: Just For While

Chapter 49: Just For While

"Would you just put that thing down already?" Leila snapped, glaring at the girl beside her up on the roof.

Rura didn’t even look up, her pink hair just hung over the small glowing screen she held. Her fingers kept tapping and tapping on it.

Leila sighed and reached over, snatching the phone right out of her hands. Rura finally looked up then, blinking her big eyes like she was surprised.

"Hey, I was playing," she said, her voice quiet. She reached out to try and get it back.

"We’ve only been in this weird world for like, a few days," Leila told her, stuffing the phone into a pouch on her own belt. "And you’re already stuck to that, that phone thingy, so pay attention." She had a long katana sword strapped to her back, and her black hair was pulled back tight.

"But it has games," Rura mumbled as she looked down at her empty hands. "It’s fun."

"Fun isn’t why we’re here, okay?" Leila said, putting a hand on her hip. "Gorok sent us to find that princess, remember, so we need to focus on the job."

Rura just shrugged her small shoulders a little. "I know we have to get her, but she’s just one princess," she said, looking out over the city buildings. "And everyone says she’s weak, so why did you even have to come along with me?" She looked back at Leila. "I could probably handle a weak princess by myself, you know."

Leila’s hand went to the hilt of her sword. She looked down at the street far below them. "My sister Lola said something different, so I’m not taking any chances on this one."

Rura perked up a little bit at that name. "Lola? You mean, Lola the mercenary?" she asked, leaning forward. "Did she see the princess already, did she try and get her?"

Leila nodded, her hand tightening on her sword for a second. ’Lola looked pretty shaken up when I saw her.’

"Yeah, she tried to get her," she explained, looking back at Rura. "And she told me to be careful because there’s a human boy with the princess, and Lola said he is big trouble."

She has never seen her sister so shaken up before. "She said the boy was strong, like, way stronger than he looked when they fought."

Rura tilted her head. "Stronger than Lola?"

"She said, uh, she wasn’t sure how it would have gone if the fight had kept going," she said. She shook her head. "Lola never says stuff like that, so that means this boy is no joke." She looked hard at Rura. "So, no more phones, okay, just the mission."

Rura looked like she wanted to argue, but then she just nodded. "Okay, Leila, no phones."

"Good," she turned back to watch the streets. "We find them, we grab the princess nice and quiet, and we get out, no messing around with that boy." ’We just need to spot them first.’

---

It was the next day, Nox and Serian were having breakfast in a restaurant that looked too nice for them. Nox looked at the menu and just pointed at a picture of some eggs and bacon. Serian ordered something with fruit, picking at it carefully when it arrived.

"So, I’m gonna go look for the girls after this," he said, talking around a mouthful of bacon.

Serian put her fork down. "Alone? Nox, that is not a wise course of action."

"I’ll be fine," he said, not looking at her. "I need to do it on my own for a little while."

"That mercenary, Lola, she will not simply forget what happened," she insisted, her voice low. "Gorok will send others, and they will be searching for you now, not just me."

He knew she was probably right about that. ’That Lola chick definitely looked pissed. She’ll be back, or she’ll send friends.’ He took a long drink of water. "Look, you’re level 70, right? You can take care of yourself if someone shows up." He met her eyes. "I just... I got to do this by myself. It won’t take long."

She stared at him for a long moment, her expression unreadable. ’He is pushing me away. Why?’ She didn’t like the feeling, the thought of being separated from him in this strange city. But she saw the look in his eyes, that stubborn set to his jaw. He had made up his mind.

"Very well," she said finally, her voice stiff again. "But if you find yourself in peril you cannot handle, you will not be able to rely on my aid."

"Wouldn’t dream of it," he said, though the words felt a little empty.

They finished their meal in silence. He paid with the money he’d gotten for her coin, and it took a good chunk of what was left. Outside on the street, the air felt a little cooler.

"So," he said, turning to her. "What will you do while am gone?"

"I shall wander this city," she said, her voice regaining its formal tone. "I wish to learn more of your kind, your world." She looked around at the people walking by on the street, her expression a mix of curiosity and caution.

"Suit yourself," he said with a shrug. "Just don’t get into any trouble." He turned to leave without another word.

’He is leaving me,’ she thought, a strange pang hitting her chest. ’He is a human, so I should have expected this.’ She watched him walk away, his back straight as he disappeared into the crowd. ’It is for the best, I must remember my mission.’

She stood there for a moment, then she started walking in the opposite direction. The city was a confusing place, full of strange noises and smells. She saw people staring into small, glowing rectangles in their hands, their faces blank. ’What strange spell has captivated them?’ she wondered.

She walked past a shop with clothes displayed behind a large window of clear crystal. The outfits were colorful and strange, nothing like the practical garments she was used to in Lifewoods. A group of young humans walked past her, laughing loudly at something one of them had said. They moved with a casual confidence she found both puzzling and a little bit irritating.

She found a small park with benches and a few trees. It felt a little more familiar, so she sat down on one of the benches. A small child ran past, chasing a brightly colored ball, his mother calling after him with a tired smile.

Serian watched them, her hand unconsciously drifting to the hilt of her sword, hidden beneath her jacket. ’He just leaves his mother’s side without a thought for his safety,’ she thought. ’This world is very different.’

---

Up on a nearby rooftop, Rura sighed loudly, flopping onto her back. "I’m so bored, Leila. There’s nothing to do up here but stare at buildings."

Leila didn’t look away from the street below. "We’re on a job, not a vacation." She had her hand on the hilt of her katana, her eyes scanning the park. "Lola said the boy was dangerous, but he’s not even with the princess. That’s weird."

"Maybe he got tired of her," Rura said, sitting up. She pulled a small, brightly colored candy out of her pouch and popped it into her mouth. "She looks kind of boring from up here, just sitting on a bench."

Leila ignored her, her focus narrowing. Since Nox was not around, this was their best chance.

"Let’s begin."

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