The Author's POV

Step— Step—

Walking through the city of Issanor, silence enshrouded our group as no one spoke. A somber and tense atmosphere enveloped the area around us.

"Pftt…"

The silence did not last for long, however, as a small laugh soon escaped from my mouth.

The instant my laugh sounded, Waylan shot a glare in my direction.

"You done?"

"Y…yeah…"

But that didn't help me in any way as my lips trembled even more. A memory sudden flashed inside of my mind and it wasn't long before I was unable to contain my laughter anymore and I laughed out loud.

"Hahhahaha."

Holding onto my belly, I laughed as I had never before. Tears slowly started to gather by the side of my eyes, as I couldn't help but slap my thigh.

"I can't believe she called you a creep and looked at you that way…hahaha, I can't."

The more I laughed, the darker Waylan's face became.

I of course knew my limits. Just when Waylan's face was about to explode, I raised my hands in defeat.

"Alright, alright, I'll stop…pfttt."

Unfortunately, I was unable to keep my face straight. Before long, another laugh escaped from my mouth and Waylan's face became even darker.

What was supposed to be an emotional cliche moment where Waylan would stare at his daughter with longing eyes from the distance, expressing his sorrow about his inability of not being able to meet her, turned into a moment where he was scorned and called a creep by her.

Recalling that moment, another laugh escaped from my lips as pity flashed across my eyes.

Obviously, Waylan was not pleased by the laugh as he venomously stared at me.

"Another word and you're done."

His threats may have worked on someone else, but as someone who had been with him for over a year, such threats were no longer effective.

Walking up to him I patted him on the shoulder.

"Don't worry too much. You should be happy instead."

"Happy?" Waylan raised his brow and coldly looked at me. "Why should I be happy about the fact that my daughter treated me like some sort of creep?"

"Because it means that you've taught her well."

"What?"

Taking my hand off of his shoulder, I explained.

"Well think about it, why in the world would she recognize you when you're wearing a mask to hide your features. Had she looked back at you with the same eyes as yours I'd be worried."

My words seemed to have some sort of effect on Waylan as he calmed down and logically thoughts things through.

Then, his shoulders slumped down in defeat.

"You're right…"

"Of course I'm right."

If I were in the same situation as he and Nola reacted differently, I'd start to worry.

'Actually, what if I was in Waylan's spot and Nola reacted the same way?'

As my thoughts paused there, I instantly started to realize what kind of pain Waylan was going through, and the pity I previously had for him turned into sympathy.

"…Still hurts that I was called a creep."

Once again placing my hand on Waylan's shoulder, I apologized.

"I'm sorry for laughing at you before. Now that I've thought things carefully, I can understand your pain somewhat."

Lifting his head up, Waylan turned to face me and our eyes met.

"Thank you…"

"Pftt, never mind."

hold my laugh back as I took a

just too

Smack—

hand away, Waylan distanced himself from

"Dont talk to me."

on, I was

tried to apologize, but all my words went to death ears as Waylan completely ignored

'This is nice.'

with a smile as I followed him from behind. This was the first time in a while that I had

helped me alleviate some of the mental

inside of my body, my mind was still broken. It was slowly healing...but the scars and traumas that I had gone through couldn't just be overwritten

was possible, I wouldn't need to worry about the frequent nightmares and

moments like this where I could feel my mind slowly

I...was suffering.

"Huu..."

and thought back to the previous

glad that

smile appeared on my

and was not able to get a clear look at them, just the fact

before, with everything that happened with her father and her

known them for a year, and

extra that had died along with the many others that died during their

I..I, .was really happy that they were

"Ugh."

my eyes, I tried

were here, he must also be

in batches, therefore, I

'I'll see him soon.'

of opportunities for me to meet with Kevin and the others. I may have

"Hm?"

others that had walked quite a fair distance away from me, I called out for

Don't leave me

my foot onto the

***

guys have finally

Amanda in front of a large white building were Kevin and Jin who

one of the pillars of the building, Emma closely scrutinized Kevin. She then turned to face

just come out

"You can tell?"

think? You're soaked from top

Kevin looked at his shirt which had a huge sweat mark, and scratched

supposed to be a light spar, didn't know we would get

smell is

her sunglasses and staring at Kevin and Jin with a not so pleased

words, stretching his

same went for Kevin

going

the duo, Melissa shook her head before she decided to head

for the next couple of days. Ive got

waiting for anyone to

left, Emma took the opportunity to switch the

believe what happened

"Oh? What happened?"

appeared

way here, we met another

"You met another group?"

knit at her words.

I didn't count how many there were, but hear this, once we were passing with their group, a middle-aged man in the

body,

way he looked at me sends shivers down my

"Emma."

serious voice snapped Emma out of her story. Staring at Kevin's face which

"What's wrong?"

say that you saw another group of

"Yes, I did."

head

too, right? They were humans

"They were."

Her delicate