As Acid finally noticed my hand that had come into contact with his shoulder, he quickly murmured.

“Well, it’s a bit… close. But…”

I whispered softly.

“Yeah, here… we should be somewhat close. The area near the orphanage is almost like a narrow maze.”

The orphanage we arrived at was in A Block, which was the relatively better area in the danger zone, but the alleys resembling a maze made me feel dizzy.

I quickly gathered my thoughts and looked at the note I had written down, then looked around the area near the orphanage where the child had stayed.

‘There are no clues near the orphanage.’

While walking and trying to find clues, we had unconsciously arrived at the entrance of the orphanage.

Perhaps because of those cunning temple people, there was not a single clue left behind when they took the child. I glanced at the dense forest and the surroundings of the orphanage through the wall.

‘I can’t feel any traces… No.’

I stared at Acid and then looked around.

In the eerie atmosphere, a strange breathing sound could be heard. It certainly wasn’t ours.

Acid quickly pushed me against the wall. Just as I was about to speak in surprise, he raised his sword and looked at me.

A white light shimmered from his rapier.

The power imbued with divine power split the shimmering barrier in half right before our eyes.

“It’s a barrier spell to block intruders.”

“…Is there such a magic in the orphanage?”

It was unexpected. When I bit my lip, Acid hurriedly grabbed my hand.

“Yes. And…”

“Huh?”

“We need to run away quickly!”

Before hearing the reason, I quickly ran, holding Acid’s hand tightly. Running so fast that I could hardly breathe, we effortlessly broke through the maze-like alleyways.

“The intruders went that way. Run!”

Suddenly, masked men running out like crazy appeared. Acid and I stood facing each other in the alley, frozen without making a sound. I quickly put my hand in my pocket and pressed the communication magic tool. It meant that we would withdraw from this place.

And… now it was time to start using the portable magic tool.

Although I didn’t use it often because it could have a bad effect on my body, it was better than being caught by pursuers.

However, what I overlooked was…

Beep.

The moment the portable magic tool’s barrier was released, at that moment, there was a very faint, squeaky sound! And that sound didn’t seem to be heard only by us.

Suddenly, the voices of the gangsters could be heard close by.

“I think I hear a sound in this alley?”

The rustling sound approached the alley.

“This alley is originally full of rats. We know this alley well.”
It will take approximately 3 minutes for the portable magic tool to activate. Can we really escape?

Calculating the time in my mind, I clenched the magic tool, but Acid slowly turned his body. At the same time, pursuers approached near the alley.

One step, two steps…

The moment my mouth became dry and my hands started sweating.

Unfortunately, about 1 minute had passed since I grabbed Acid’s hand, and the trackers with black masks appeared in front of us.

“Oh-ho.”

A pursuer with a black mask on his face chuckled as he raised his sword.

“You guys were hiding here.”

“Let’s kill them quickly. There are only two amateurs.”

Before Acid could lift his sword, he looked at me urgently while still holding my hand.

“I’ve learned how to use a sword, so I’ll handle it. Lady Sien, stay here.”

“No, let’s talk for a bit and then escape !”

Acid, with an unusually cold expression, said.

“No, we have to subdue all of them before they get a clear look at our faces.”

Leaving me in the alley, he confronted the pursuers. In no time, his sword moved gracefully, drawing elegant lines.

I gripped the portable magic tool while watching his actions.

1 minute and 30 seconds left.

‘Can Acid, a healer, delay time against professional killers?’

I anxiously observed the situation.

And…

…It only took Acid a minute to subdue them all.

The trackers collapsed to the ground like fallen leaves, unable to even groan. I still looked down at the non-operational portable magic tool with a puzzled expression.

“…Well, there’s still 1 minute left until the portable magic tool starts working… Since they probably won’t get up anyway, shall we just walk?”

Putting his bloodstained sword away, Acid said urgently.

“Yes, that might be better. Since the portable magic tool is dangerous, there’s no need to take unnecessary risks.”

“Alright, let’s walk.”

I deactivated the magic of the portable magic tool.

After that, we walked quietly towards where the maid sisters were.

In the dimly lit alley, I began asking Acid a few things. When he started handling the sword so well, if he was mentally okay now, and such.

Acid diligently practiced swordsmanship and answered that thanks to the divine power protecting his mind, it wasn’t difficult.

However, something strangely bothered me.

“Acid.”

“…Yes.”

“Blood.”

I silently grabbed his arm.

Seeing the blood on his arm, it seemed like my whole body was trembling unavoidably. Acid smiled faintly and took out a handkerchief from his pocket.

“I’ll wipe the blood. Does it smell bad? Despite being a healer in name.”

“…”

Seeing only his bloodied arm, when I remained silent, Acid hastily continued speaking.

“If it’s uncomfortable, should I go a bit further away?”