Haggard Man

[Haggard Man]

*...Cough cough*

No...! My hiding place!

Hmmm...?

I'm bleeding?!

Oh, how did this happen?

My spiritual training wasn't supposed to go like this...!

[

Anyway, I think you need to be treated. Let me check if I have some potions.

Ah...

Here we are,

a White Potion.

You mean the White Potion,

the ultimate drink for healing?

I appreciate you doing me this favor. *Phew* Now, I feel much better.

[Annon]

Ah, my apologies for not introducing myself earlier.

I am called Annon. You must wondering what I must be doing

here under the ground.

Well, I'm performing a special exercise for my spiritual training. Though, it may be hard to believe.

What...?

Shuda sent you?! Oh well...

I thank you for curing me. Now, it's time for me to resume my training.

Wait, I can't let you go! You don't know how hard it was for me to find you! You can't just leave!

Hm? Then what is it that you want? I implore you, do not tell Shuda that you have found me. No matter what, I am not going back to her!

Eh...?

Did you find

her ring already?

Ooh, I was hoping it

would never be found.

She probably told you that I ran away out of shame for losing the ring, and that if you got the ring back, I'd be happy to return, right?

Well...

I threw away

that ring on purpose!

I'm serious about not

going back to Shuda.

It looks like you wish to know more. If you promise me that you will not mention my whereabouts

to Shuda, then I'll explain.

You think the world

revolves around you?

You can't just run away!

Oh, I know, I know!

But you don't understand. Obviously, Shuda is beautiful.

But our parents arranged our marriage when we were babies.

That kind of arrangement doesn't matter to me, but she obviously cares about it.

In all honesty, she scares me

to death. Whenever I'm with her,

I can't help but break into a cold sweat. And when she's near, I have nightmares about her. *Brrr...*

She thinks it's funny to electrocute me. and ties me up in

a darkened room and feeds me only Jellopy whenever I don't listen to her. Now can you see why I crave freedom?

Of course, if you reveal to her that you've found me, I'll repay your favor. I implore you, just pretend you haven't found me, please?

Thank you so much!

Now, to pay you back, let me use one of the skills I've learned in my spiritual training.

Of course, what I want you to do is to keep me a secret from Shuda. Just forget that you've ever met me, and let Shuda know it was impossible to find me.

Besides, even if you help her, all she'll do is offer to name her kids after you. Now... Do you really want that? I know for sure that she and I won't be having children. There's enough evil in the world.

Now, you must be wondering

how I would repay you for your silence. Well, let me show you one of the skills I've learned in my spiritual training.

Let's see...

Let me twist your

arm this way, and

apply pressure here...

Wahhh~!

What the hell

are you doing!

You're hurting me, man!

Oh, this is a special kind

of massage. Don't worry, it'll

relieve you of fatigue. It's quite heavenly, actually. You'll see~

*Snap snap snap*

*Crack crack crack*

You feel as though Annon

realigned every bone in your skeleton, placing them in the right spots. Strangely, you feel intense relaxation and refreshment instead of excruciating pain.

Whoa...?

That felt was so great~

It even feels like my mind

has been cleansed too!

You've got a deal!

Thank you, thank you so much.

Now I can avoid being tied to Shuda, at least for a little longer.

Now, if you'll excuse me,

I must make good my escape

before others find me.

Good day~!

No way, no way.

He's too seriously

wounded to be cured

with the normal potions

that I have. I'll need

a stronger potion...

Okay, you stay

here for a while.

I'll bring you some

medicine and treat

your wound.

No, you don't have to...

*Cough cough cough*

W-wait, don't push

me back inside!

Wahhhhhh~!

Okay, it's time

for me to play doctor!

I don't have much time!

My mission: Bring back an

ultra powerful potion for

this poor guy~

Annon...?

Who's that?

I've never heard of him!

I don't know him, okay!

Stop disturbing my training!

Uh...

Hmm, it doesn't seem like you should be yelling with that kind of wound. You sure you're not Annon?

I told you!

I've never

heard of him!

L-leave me alone!

I have to

hide from Shuda.

*Cries*

Huh? Who are you?

This isn't a safe place for a tourists! You should leave right away!