CHAPTER 78: YOU’RE NOT ALONE

Max stared at Charlotte’s angry face and couldn’t help but sigh. She was angry at herself for disappointing herself.

She had trained and worked hard to become capable to lead her Clan well and a situation like this was a great setback to her mentality.

But he couldn’t really blame her or even become disappointed with her.

Charlotte always had a kind heart and although she had changed a lot, like getting used to killing of both human and monsters, her heart remained the same.

She had just created created a wall around it to act tough so that she and her sister could remain safe and take what was rightfully theirs.

Still, even with all this preparation and training, she couldn’t bring herself to attack the person she loved the most and kill her even after knowing it was fake.

Now, that dream of hers had caused this setback. But all of it really didn’t matter to Max.

He tightened his hold on her hand and said, "I don’t see any problems with it. Not being able to attack the people you love isn’t a bad thing, Char."

"It’s a weakness. What if...."

Before she could finish, Max intruppeted her, "You aren’t alone, Char. You have me and Stelle. So what if you can’t kill? I will use my blade to slay everyone who dares to go against you. You just need to tell me the names of people you need dead and the next day you’ll see their heads."

He opened her palm which was turning very pale and said, "You’re a healer and these hands are made to save lives, not to take them."

Charlotte just stared at her hands in silence, as Max continued, "I didn’t lie when I said I want to be in a team with you and that’s not just a one time thingy. I won’t leave you unless you kicked me out."

He paused for a second, and added.

"You are a precious person to me, Char and I don’t want to see you sad for a weakness I can cover up for you easily. Let my hands be dirty as they already are..."

The ground around them shook slightly as white pine leaves floated down the world around them.

"Feel that? Stelle is beating up that monster with a crazy look in her eyes," Max smiled. "Who do you think she had to kill?"

Charlotte shivered slightly, as she quickly understood his words.

"She was crying, you know. But I doubt it’s just because of her situation. She was crying and was angry at the monster because it put you in this situation."

As much as Max wished, he wasn’t delusional enough to think that Stelle would see him instead of Charlotte.

While she liked him, the bond between with her sister was on a whole different level.

No wonder she was so enraged.

Charlotte bit her lips and whispered under her breath, "Thank you."

Max raised an eyebrow and then smiled, ’Well, there you have it. She wouldn’t go down so easily.’

Most likely, her head was still filled with many thoughts related to this incident, but since she didn’t want to talk about it, he wouldn’t meddle in it.

"No problem," he stood up and streched his hand, "Take my hand and remember, I’m not going to let it go until you tell me too."

Redness crept on her face as she looked down and said, "Stelle was right. You really have a sweet tongue and experience with many women."

"Eh? Don’t believe everything she says," Max wondered if he should smack that brat’s head or butt. "Also, thanks for the praise."

Before long, Stelle came back towards them with a worried look on her face. When she noticed Charlotte having a relaxed conversation, something heavy slipped off her heart.

"Big Sis, are you alright?" Stelle asked and forced out a smile. "I actually killed it all alone and even took it’s monster core. Combined with what we already have, I should be able to level up now."

Max knew she was just trying to change the subject so he followed along, "How about we test for a bit? I don’t think any of us are in a condition to fight."

"We should take some rest," Charlotte agreed as well.

So, the trio began to walk back towards the place from where they had entered the forest. They had not gone deep in the forest so it was better to just exit and find some resting place outside.

On the way, Stelle continued to rattle about her leveling and the monster core they had gathered from the Duskwither Wolves and the Forlorn Mimic, as Max called it.

Max and Charlotte both knew she was just trying to avoid showing her emotions so they respected her wishes and conversed normally.

Before long, they found their way out of the Whispering Pines. Perhaps, it was because of the Forlorn Mimic or maybe the aftermath of Stelle beating it, they didn’t encounter any monsters which was a relief for them.

They seriously didn’t want to fight anything after such an encounter. Although they acted normally, each of them were shook from that encounter.

All of them needed some time to relax their mind and give it the rest it needed.

It didn’t take for them to find a place to rest as Max already had a map with him and had prepared for these moments.

They stopped before a towering mountain, intending to use it’s two enclosed rocky walls for protection.

It was risky, but better than remaining completely in open.

Fortunately, unlike their time in the First two floors, this time they could carry more items with them necessary for the survival camps.

Max decided to go check out for any monsters near by while the ladies prepared the tent for them. He also gave them some privacy as he knew they wanted to talk.

[And have some alone time for yourself?]

Max didn’t immediately answer her as he continued his search. After almost half an hour of search, he was sure no monsters were left around their camp.

So, he stopped atop a giant boulder and sat down. Looking at the dusky sky, he asked, "Big Sis, is it bad that I’m still feeling...this strange feeling?"