"I think you should go to Eruditio first." The woman she was asking answered, "The city is known for its advanced technology. It might be a great help to find your little brother easier."

Lesley contemplated with what the woman said. Eruditio was still a bit far from the town she was currently at, she needed to cross three towns and two forests before reaching Eruditio.

It might take a month if I walk. Lesley thought.

"I can give you a horse for faster travelling." The woman said, as if reading what was on her mind now.

Her face lightened up, "Really? How much do I have to pay?"

The woman waved her hands dismissively, "No, no. No need to pay. It's the least I can do to help you. I hope you'll find your little brother."

Lesley's eyes teared up and bowed to the woman with gratefulness, "Thank you. You don't know how thankful I am."

The woman smiled and caressed her hair, "No, thank you for growing into a fine and strong lady."

That made Lesley confused.

Does she know me?

But it was the first time she saw the woman. The woman was a brunette and had an expressive eyes which seemed familiar to her. If she would calculate it, the woman was maybe two years older than her biological father.

"Madam–" Lesley was about to ask the woman but then she was already nowhere in sight.

The woman left while she was in deep thought.

Based on her stealthiness and way of clothing, I think she's an assassin. Lesley thought.

She shrugged and pulled the horse the woman had given her. She needed to buy some food and water for her and the horse before she started her journey to Eruditio.

"It's getting scarier."

"Yes, even though they aren't harming people, but the thought of them barging into houses so suddenly is scary."

"What do they look for?"

"We don't know."

Lesley frowned with what she heard from the townsfolk. Curious, she grabbed a newspaper and gave coins to the vendor while reading the headlines.

"Unknown group of three, barges in establishments looking for something."

Lesley hummed while reading. There were no pictures of the said group but there was a picture of the vehicle they were using and it was a scorpion-shape vehicle. The news article was short, there was no enough information about the group.

"A Moniyan warrior is here!"

The folks ran towards the said Moniyan warrior. Lesley's eyes widened and looked to know who it was.

Granger!

Throwing the newspaper away, Lesley quickly grabbed the rope of the horse and mounted on it, hitting it slightly with her foot to make it move so she could leave the place immediately.

Why is he here? This town is almost on the outskirts of Moniyan Empire!

She held her big hat tightly so it couldn't be blown by the wind. She didn't dare to look back, afraid to be seen by Granger.

No, I can't face them. Not after I left them without saying goodbye personally.

Lesley didn't stop until she reached the forest. Feeling the horse was tired from running, she pulled the rope to halt it. She went down and tied the rope to nearest tree to rest.

It was almost twilight. She actually planned on staying in the town for the night but since Granger was in the town, she didn't have any other choice but to spend the night here in the forest.

She placed some food and water for the horse before leaving to pick up some branches.

She went back to where she tied the horse after picking up some branches. She started the fire as the sun set down.

Lesley couldn't help it but to overthink once again. She hated being alone like this because she really had the tendency to overthink. That was why she wanted to spend nights in cities or towns because at least she could hear people's voices unlike in forests where the only things she could hear were the noises made by animals and insects.

She sighed and closed her eyes to force herself to sleep.

She tried to think other things to divert herself from worrying about her little brother.

But then her mind wandered off to someone who was a brunet, a dagger-wielder with a purple muffler.

=====

"The Magic Cube isn't also here Dr. Leo."

"Yes, we'll be coming back."

"Come on Vespid and Monitor Lizard."

Lesley woke up from her slumber upon hearing a sound of vehicle. Her fire was already out the horse was also sleeping soundly few feet away from her.

Since she was used working in night, her night vision was clear and she could see a vehicle moving away from her direction.

She looked at her pocket watch to see that it was just three in the morning.

She sighed. She knew she couldn't go back to sleep so she decided to fix her things and planned to start travelling once again.

But then Lesley remembered that she saw a river nearby. She decided to wash herself first.

Untying the horse from the tree, she guided it until they reached the river which was glistening from the moonlight.

She tied the horse to a tree near the river bank so it could drink fresh water.

She tipped her hand on the water and it was cold of course. She preferred washing with cold water rather than hot ones because cold water relaxed her.

She tried sensing if anyone was around the perimeter and when she sensed no one, she stripped her clothes and stepped on the water.

Lesley sighed once she settled herself on the water. She missed taking a bath like this.

Her magenta hair was sprawled on the water as she relaxed herself, closing her eyes.

But then birds flew from the trees in front that made her opened her eyes, as if the birds were disturbed.

She sharpened her senses. Lesley was actually nervous if someone was around because for heaven's sake, she was naked!

She released a sigh of relief when she sensed no one. She shrugged. Maybe the birds were disturbed by some animals.

When she relaxed enough, she slowly rose from the river, grabbed her used clothes to dry herself before grabbing a new set of clothes from her bag. But then she grimaced once she picked up the clothes.

It was a purple mid-thigh length fit dress, not to mention it was sleeveless so she grabbed her leather jacket and she extended her boots up to her thigh.

The grimace didn't leave her face even she was done changing clothes.

Why did I used my clothes as a towel again?

She wasn't really used wearing something like this but she didn't have that much clothes now because it would be inconvenient to travel with a heavy bag.

Argh, it is showing some skin on my thigh.

She tried pulling the clothes lower to cover the skin but it won't work.

Lesley let out an exasperated sigh as she put the wet clothes on a separate bag.

Once the sun rises, I'll immediately dry these clothes.

She wiggled her knee-length hair to whisk away some water. It would take hours before her hair would be completely dry up so she just let it down for a while.

She didn't want to braid it if it was still wet.

"Should I get a haircut?" She asked herself while still running her fingers to her wet hair.

"You should not. I happen to like your long hair."

Lesley's eyes widened when she heard that voice and she turned around, just to see him smirking at her.

She frozed to where she was standing, blinking her eyes continuously as if she couldn't believe who was in front of her.

"G-Gusion?" She said, her voice was barely coming out from shock.

He stealthily landed in front of her, bringing his face close to her with a smirk plastered on his face, "Hello Lesley Vance. Hide and seek is over. I found you."

~~~~~

Yep, hide and seek is over. HAHAHAHAHA.

And now, the real journey begins! Hohoho.

Idk if the pacing is too fast or not but I think Save will be more or less twenty chapters.

So what do you think will happen now? Hmm...

And yes, I like updating at times when no one can read it immediately XD