Sieg and the female sorcerer made their way back to the cave camp. The tents were set up neatly at the entrance, circling a strong bonfire lit just outside, with the caravan and the horses nearby.

  The intellectual man simmered a pot of vegetable soup over the fire, methodically setting out bowls as he prepared to serve everyone.

  …Everyone was there — except the male sorcerer.

  The female sorcerer gave her report. It seemed there were no ghouls stalking them, but she warned that they shouldn't let their guards down.

  The four men agreed; the rider always had his gun with him, he seemed ready at any moment of danger.

  "Where is that guy?" Sieg asked, and the female sorcerer also looked around for the male sorcerer.

  "He saw something and went after it. He should be in the woods," Scrawny man said. The female sorcerer then offered to fetch him, and everyone didn't seem to mind that preposition.

  "What's something?" Sieg asked, but Intellectual man just shrugged and said, "I don't know."

  "Huh," Sieg murmured, and as he turned to the female sorcerer, she was already gone.

  Damn, she's fast! He had the urge to go after them. However, he had an important inquiry for the group, and this was the perfect time to do so.

  With the female sorcerer heading out to look for the male sorcerer, Sieg sat down on a log near the bonfire.

  Intellectual man handed him a bowl of vegetable soup, and he took a taste.

  This tastes like shit! The meal lacked seasoning; he was just eating warm wet cabbage, carrots, and the like.

  But he wouldn't say that out loud. He started to miss Mister Knight's cooking and wondered what would happen if he called him here.

  "I shouldn't risk it," he murmured.

  Then Intellectual man, Scrawny man, and Broad-shouldered man, lastly the Rider, also sat on the logs, all eating their soup.

  This is the perfect time to know what these guys are capable of.

  Sieg's eyes probe them — he knew Intellectual man held some knowledge, Broad-shouldered man was the meathead, and the Rider, was the rider for obvious reasons.

  They look like an adventurer party. But there was one Sieg was interested in knowing more about: the guy who looked just like him, Scrawny man.

  "Hey, you," Sieg said, and it startled Scrawny man, while everyone paused in their indulgence, eager to hear Sieg's words.

  This narrative has been purloined without the author's approval. Report any appearances on Amazon.

  "What is it?!" Scrawny man said. He seemed afraid of Sieg, solely because he had those two sorcerers at his side.

  Sieg asked, "What can you do?" His tone could use some work; he was too direct.

  Scrawny man swallowed and hesitated before answering. "I handle locks," he said.

  "Doors, chests, and various mechanisms, I'm good at picking them. I can also spot traps, disable them, those kinds of things."

  Oh… his more useful than me…

  "That's nice," Sieg said, which made Scrawny man, and the rest feel relieved. The Rider stood up, deciding to eat next to his beloved horses, carrying his firearm with him.

  "He really loves his horse, you see," Broad-shouldered man said, who was eating a lot of the food. Intellectual man tapped his spoon. "You're eating too much — save some for the two sorcerers."

  Broad-shouldered man realized it and immediately retracted his hand. "I almost forgot!" he said in a playful tone, as a result Scrawny man let out a manic laughter in response.

  Then Intellectual man and Broad-shouldered man too chuckled for no reason — crescendoing to the sound of insanity.

  That's a bit much… it wasn't even that funny. Sieg thought.

  "You all know each other? All of you seem close," Sieg suddenly asked, trying to make small talk for the night.

  However, he saw his old bullies in them — Knuck as Broad-shouldered man, Ralts as Scrawny man, and the other guy he couldn't even remember, being Intellectual man… without the intelligence.

  Then the laughter seemed to calm down.

  "We've known each other from the village, since we were kids," Broad-shouldered man said, but he noticed Sieg running a hand over his face, unaware that Sieg remembering his bullies had affected his mood.

  When I'm back, those three are going to pay.

  But ouch! For some reason — Sieg felt a headache.

  Why is the memory of them hurting my head that much?

  "Did I say something wrong?" Broad-shouldered man asked carefully, while Intellectual man and Scrawny man sensed a hint of tension.

  Sieg realized the change in the air. "Oh, nothing. Please continue, don't mind me, just a headache! You said you've known each other since you were kids? That sounds great," he said, and once again the three felt relieved.

  Broad-shouldered man leaned back. "We grew up in the same village, near the edge of a kingdom. I was always the biggest kid, so I did the heavy work, and I got into trouble sometimes too."

  Scrawny man followed up. "I wasn't strong… but I learned locks, traps, puzzles. I'd sneak around old people's houses, figure things out as I grow old."

  What…

  Intellectual man stirred his soup. "I spent my days reading whatever I could find, even researched herbs, checked out some old novels, and every piece of scrap knowledge I could get my hands on. That's about it."

  They all fell silent, watching the fire. Then Sieg spoke quietly, curiosity in his tone:

  "What's the name of the village and what kingdom?"

  Then they all stared at each other, unsure of what to say. Their faces were blank, with brows furrowed, they couldn't remember a single thing.

  Sieg's voice dropped lower. "Do you even remember… your families? Any relatives?"

  "Anything?!" Not a single one answered, Not even a single word. Only the crackle of the fire filled the silence.

  "It's over, he knows." Scrawny mad said In a terrified tone.

  "What?" Sieg replied in confusion.

  Then Broad-shouldered man let out a low, rumbling chuckle, shaking his head at Scrawny man's remark. It was strange at first, and even hesitant, almost reluctant, but soon Scrawny man too also joined in, with a nervous, breathy laugh.

  Intellectual man's laughter followed, echoing off the cave walls. But interestingly, even the rider's chuckle slipped out, rolling into a full, ragged guffaw.

  "What are you guys even laughing about?" Sieg asked in a confused and annoyed manner.

  The sound carried across the camp, it was bouncing off the stones, and then the horses as a result was startled, then they whinnied and stamped, with their ears flattening as if even they could sense the madness creeping through the group.

  ? [An0maly Dete#ed — Your Sanity is waning!]

  "What… the fuck…"

  Chapter End.