CHAPTER 9: LYING AS HE BREATH

Allen’s eyes never stopped moving. He scanned everything as Luna led him deeper into the military outpost.

People who looked like soldiers were everywhere. Or maybe knights was the better word here. They walked with their armor clinking with every step.

He saw all different kinds of armor. Some wore full, heavy plate that covered them from head to toe. Others had on lighter gear, with metal plates just protecting their chests and shoulders over thick leather.

None of them wore helmets. They were on their home base, so it made sense they would want to feel the air on their faces.

Every single one of them carried a sword at their hip. The whole scene was strangely beautiful. It looked like a page from a fantasy novel had come to life right in front of him. Having read so many, Allen couldn’t help but feel a little fascinated.

They have different hair colors too... he noticed, watching a man with bright red hair walk by. I guess that was obvious after seeing Luna. She’s not an old lady, so having pure silver hair isn’t exactly natural.

Wait... This is not the time to be lost in the fantastical beauty of this world! He shook the thought away, forcing himself to focus.

Yes, the sights were indeed amazing. But he had much bigger problems to worry about right now.

I have to figure out how I’m gonna deal with this. While I did have a few speculations that she might be connected to some form of armed forces since she was wearing an armor and all, I didn’t expect it to be a military outpost in the middle of an active warzone.

Well, I have my gun with me so I’m not too worried about my physical safety at the moment, since I can take them out with the element of shock like I did with her. But that won’t be long-lasting.

I’m running out of bullets as well. I need some way to level up and gain more of the system’s currency. Wait, leveling up huh...

System, are there any more quests available at this moment?

[Negative. You would be notified whenever a quest is available for you.]

Useless clanker!

"We’re almost there," Luna said, her voice pulling him out of his thoughts. "I just have to talk with my companion for a bit. Then you can stay here for as long as you want."

Allen tried to sound casual. "Just a curious question, but isn’t living in a warzone a little dangerous?"

Luna laughed lightly. "Don’t worry. Things have been calm for a long time. Plus, with skills like yours, I don’t think you’ll have any problems."

All Allen could do was smile back. He wasn’t really worried about having to fight.

He was just unsure about the magic aspect. Since it was an unknown factor, it made it and the enemies using it unpredictable as well.

And in this world, everyone was a possible enemy until proven otherwise.

He didn’t get much more time to think. They soon reached the center of the camp and stood before the largest tent. Two guards stood at the entrance. They saw Luna, gave her a crisp salute, and pulled aside the cloth flap for them to enter.

She walked inside, and Allen followed right behind her.

"Oh, you’re back," a girl’s voice called out.

Allen looked toward the sound. A girl was standing near a large wooden table covered in maps and papers. Her back was turned to them.

Hearing Luna, she turned around. She had shoulder-length blue hair and light yellow eyes. She was not wearing armor like the others and was in a rather simple and practical dress.

"Looks like you brought a guest," she added, her eyes landing on Allen. Her brow furrowed just a little. She was a little on guard but not enough to make the situation uncomfortable for either of them.

"Yes. I met him back in the forest," Luna explained. "There was a bit of an accident, and he ended up saving my life. He doesn’t have a place to stay, so I brought him here."

The girl smiled playfully. "That’s interesting. Since when did you need someone to save your life?"

"Come on, Lishia," Luna replied with a sigh. She then turned back to Allen.

"Let me introduce you. This is Lishia Morrissy. She’s the highest-ranking officer here on the base right now," she said. "Lishia, this is Allen. Like I said, he’s new to the area since he’s from a distant place."

"Nice to meet you, Ms. Morrissy," Allen said. He put on his most charming smile and held out his hand.

Lishia looked at Allen for a few seconds. Her eyes carefully studied his face. Then, she extended her own hand and shook his. "It’s a pleasure," she replied with a polite smile.

A moment later, something seemed to catch her attention. Her gaze moved down from his face to his body.

She narrowed her eyes a little, thinking. She found his clothes strange. Unable to hold her curiosity back, she asked her question.

"I don’t mean to be rude," she started, "but are you from around here? Luna said you were from a distant place, but it must be very far if your clothes are so different from ours."

Ah... The realization hit Allen like a truck.

My clothes. Of course.

Everything had happened so fast after he woke up. He never even thought about the fact he was still wearing the same outfit he died in.

He had on a black trouser, a grey sweatshirt, and a pair of black sneakers.

Of course he stood out like a sore thumb.

Luna probably noticed too. She most likely just decided not to ask me after I gave her that sob story about my past.

"Well, yeah. It’s a country quite far from here. You have to travel across the ocean to reach it. I’m only here due to some certain circumstances," Allen said with a natural smile.

Lying was as natural as breathing to him.