It had been around one hour since we had left the Mercenary Center and we were currently heading toward Altrix following the designed path.
The individual I had felt back then was still following us a few meters behind us, hiding behind any obstacles they found—trees, bushes, etc... However, the more they followed us, the more obvious it became just how amateurish they were. Anyone with decent senses could have felt their presence.
I still hadn't told Amelia since I had a strong feeling she wasn't the best at acting. She would probably make it obvious from her behavior that we knew.
Another thing I had found strange was the fact that they hadn't shown any kind of killing intent toward us...
"Based on the plan they gave us, we should arrive in another hour or so..." Amelia said, still having her arm wrapped around mine.
I didn't ask her to keep her arms off me. I had decided that it was one of the perks from having saved my life.
"Let's take a small break," I suddenly said, surprising her.
She tilted her head at first, clearly wanting to ask questions. Amelia knew that I wasn't tired at all, so she quickly understood there was another reason. Still, she was smart enough not to ask what it was.
"Uh... sure."
At first, we sat by a nearby rock. However, when I noticed that the person following us still wasn't making a move, I decided to make it easier for them.
"I'll go and get some water. I think I saw a small lake this way."
"Do you want me to come with you?" Amelia asked, worried.
However, when she saw me shaking my head, she trusted me. She had seen me fight before and she knew that I was powerful enough to take care of myself. However, even now, she had no idea about the hidden threat surrounding us.
A few moments later, I found myself leisurely walking toward the pond of water.
'Whoever it is, they're after me, not Amelia.'
I was somewhat relieved. It made things easier.
When I arrived in front of the pond, I pulled out my dagger and glanced right behind me toward a small tree where our pursuer had been hiding. This time, I confirmed that our pursuer wasn't experienced at all since I could see a part of her arm even as they were hiding.
"Come out," I coldly said. "I'm not sure why you're after me, but... you won't make it out of here alive."
Right as I uttered those words, a trembling, blonde-haired woman appeared before me. It took me an instant to recognize her. After all, a few days ago, I had saved her from death. I had even tried to heal her Mana Core and Mana Veins.
Ivy Elarion.
"I-I'm sorry, I-I wasn't sure how to approach you..." She said, her voice shaking with her every word.
'She must have recognized me from the past.'
There was no way she could link me with the person from the carriage since I had been wearing a mask. However, just like how I had recognized her back then, she had done the same.
'Should I act like I don't know her?'
"Y-You're him, right?"
I frowned. "What do you mean?"
"D-Don't you recognize me? When I was younger, you... we spent some time together."
She was the same as always, blushing shyly with her every word, scared to even look at me in the eyes. She was the complete opposite of her sister, which I had seen at the Entrance Ceremony.
I needed to make a decision. Either I recognized her or I acted dumb... and I quickly made my decision. There was little point in forming a relationship with her since it would only put her in danger later on.
"I'm sorry, I think you mistook me for someone else."
However, she immediately shook her head.
"I-I didn't. I recognized you the moment I saw you at the Entrance Ceremony." Tears began to form in the corners of her eyes. "E-Ever since you've disappeared, I've been thinking about what might have happened to you... Alex."
"My name is Yike. I really think you're mistaking me for someone else."
She frowned, annoyed by my lies. "Whatever... I don't care what you call yourself now. Can't you at least admit that we know each other? I don't know what kind of secrets you have, but I won't tell anyone. You can trust me!"
I rolled my eyes.
Why was she so insistent about this?
In a way, she strangely resembled Amelia, who had forced herself into my life when I had planned on leaving her behind.
Why did they care so much about me?
I just couldn't get it. I hadn't met any people like them in my life. Everyone would get close to me in order to use me. But here they were, trying to help me out of the goodness of their hearts.
"Uh, Yike? Who is she?"
Just as I was about to tell her to leave, Amelia appeared, probably worried about me as well.
I sighed because even before I could reply, Ivy did.
"I'm just someone he knows from the past. I'll also be coming with you to Altrix! I'll try my best to help you guys in whatever way I can."
Amelia found it strange as she glanced in my direction, clearly asking me if any of what she had said was true.
I clicked my tongue and said, "Fine. She can come with us."
Ivy could also be of help since she was an elf. They were known for their highly developed senses, which could be of great help in resolving the A-Rank Quest. Still, if it came to fighting, with her Mana Core... she might end up in danger.
'Should I allow her to come with us...?'
I had a strong feeling the A-Rank Quest would be extremely dangerous. I remembered the Quest Description, and it said those who had died were burnt alive.
'It might even be related to what Oliver had taken when we had dueled...' I frowned. 'Some kind of drug, which also seems to be related to my Bloodline.'