Skog's voice grew fainter until only the sounds of wolves feeding remained in the forest. I watched carefully, confirming that Skog was truly dead. Only after the wolves finished and disappeared into the darkness did I climb down from the tree. I removed a crescent pendant from Skog's neck, similar to the one Hank once gave me, proof that the job was done.
After that, I searched the scattered corpses. In total I found more than a thousand Kars. It was a decent amount of money, so I stored it carefully before leaving the area. Once I was far enough away, the tension in my stomach broke and I vomited violently.
After I finished, I began searching for a way out of the forest. I wandered for more than two hours before finally finding the road that led back to town. By the time I arrived it was close to one in the morning.
Following the faint scent left by Grisha and the others, I eventually located the inn where they were staying. It was a simple three story wooden building. The word Inn had been painted above the entrance in black paint, barely visible under the pale moonlight. The place was completely dark, which meant everyone inside was asleep.
Grisha's scent led to a room on the second floor.
I glanced around and noticed a large wine barrel beside the door. That would work. I quietly dragged it beneath the window of Grisha's room, stepped back, then ran forward and jumped. My hands caught the ledge and I pulled myself up. Using my dagger, I carefully picked the lock and slipped inside.
As soon as I landed, pain flared in my chest. The earlier movement had reopened the wound that had barely stopped bleeding, and fresh blood soaked into my clothes.
I looked around the dim room.
Grisha and Eren were sleeping in the same bed. Mikasa was not here.
I gently shook Grisha awake. He blinked in confusion for a moment before his expression sharpened with alertness.
"Jax, you're back?" Grisha whispered as he sat up and pulled the blanket higher over Eren.
I nodded while he lit the oil lamp. Then I handed him the pendant I had taken from Skog.
"It's handled. That man was working for the Marleyans."
Grisha's pupils shrank as he stared at the pendant.
"Handled? How did you manage that?"
"An ambush," I replied with a small shrug. The motion tugged at the wound on my chest and I winced.
"You're injured." Grisha quickly stood. "Let me bandage it."
I nodded and removed my shirt.
Grisha inhaled sharply. "Another inch and your heart would have been pierced."
"But it wasn't," I said calmly. "They are the ones who died."
After he finished bandaging the wound, Grisha insisted that Eren and I take the bed. He spent the rest of the night leaning against the table and dozing lightly.
The next morning I was woken by Eren shouting.
"Jax, why are you here? And why do you smell like blood? You're hurt."
Before he could continue, I pushed his head back into the pillow with one hand.
"Stop yelling and let me sleep."
Eren struggled briefly, then finally quieted down.
At least he understood that someone who was injured needed rest. I closed my eyes again and drifted back to sleep.
When I woke again, the sun was already high in the sky. Soft voices drifted in from outside the room, and the peaceful atmosphere made everything feel strangely unreal.
I let out a quiet breath and sat up slowly. The dull ache in my chest reminded me that none of it had been a dream.
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