As those wailing guys were dragged away by the military police like dead pigs, the narrow alley finally fell silent.
Lili was still sitting on the ground.
The massive backpack on her back was like a small mountain, pressing down hard on her spine and making her shoulders ache from the straps.
Her cheek was burning, likely swollen.
Her knee was also seeping blood, sticking to her trouser leg; moving even slightly brought a piercing pain.
However, she didn't move.
After all, she had long since grown used to this kind of pain.
And compared to the physical pain, what concerned her more at this moment were the two girls who had suddenly stepped in to help her.
Lili looked up, her gaze passing through the dancing dust to land on them.
The black-haired one.
She wore a Hannya mask that looked creepy just to see, had a petite figure, and looked to be fourteen or fifteen at most.
A red ribbon was tied around her waist, and she wore a sharp set of black short-style hunting clothes.
That kick just now.
It was so fast she hadn't even seen a shadow; it had sent an adult Adventurer two heads taller than her flying straight into the ruins.
That explosive power was simply not human.
As for the other one.
The silver-haired girl.
She looked even younger, almost frail.
Her long silver hair was tied in twin tails, her eyes were peacefully closed, and she was holding a candy apple wrapped in oil paper.
With this appearance, even if she were placed in the safest park in Orario, she would look like the kind of little sister who would have her candy stolen by mean kids.
Quiet and harmless.
But Lili remembered very clearly.
—Just yesterday, on the sixth floor of the Dungeon.
At that time, her luck had been bottom-tier; she had just finished collecting magic stones when she ran into a group of Killer Ants.
Those red, hard-shelled monsters were a nightmare for newcomers—traveling in swarms and never tiring.
She had been running until she was out of breath and, in her despair, saw them walking out from around a corner.
In that instant, she admitted that her little brain, as a despicable Supporter, had turned to wicked thoughts.
—Better you die than I.
She had wanted to deliberately lure those Killer Ants toward them to buy herself time to escape.
She hadn't expected it.
With only a crisp "clink" sound...
...the three Killer Ants in the lead were instantly sliced into two clean halves, as if by invisible threads.
The impact of that scene was so strong that Lili had fled in shame.
She hadn't expected...
...that today, in a place like this, she would run into them again.
Thinking of this, Lili couldn't help but shrink her neck, her eyes darting between the two of them.
Although she didn't see any weapons.
But judging by the reaction of that Ganesha Familia Squad Leader just now...
Lili, who had been knocking around Orario for so many years, understood all too well.
The Familia behind these two girls was definitely not simple.
They were strong enough that even the Ganesha Familia, known as the "Labyrinth City military police," had to give them some face.
Thinking of this.
Lili suddenly felt a surge of bitterness in her heart.
They were both Adventurers.
Making a living in this city called Orario.
Why was the gap so huge?
Every day she had to struggle in the mire of the Soma Familia, calculating this and that.
For a few magic stones, she fought for her life picking up trash in the Dungeon, and every bit of Valis she earned had to be handed over, living like a rat that couldn't see the light.
The other party, however, had a backer who could make the military police turn a blind eye even if they caused trouble.
This was probably what it meant to be the same people but with different fates.
"Whew..."
Lili let out a soft breath, as if to exhale all the bitterness in her heart.
There was nothing to envy.
Things like this happened every moment in Orario.
Envy was useless; surviving was what mattered.
The priority now was to quickly leave these two dangerous individuals, lest they bring up old scores, in which case it would be more than just a slap.
Lili gritted her teeth, bracing her hands on the ground, trying to stand up.
But the moment she put strength into her knees...
...a piercing pain made her legs go weak, and she slumped to the side.
That incredibly heavy backpack became the final straw that broke the camel's back.
With a "thump."
Lili sat back down miserably into the muddy water, splashing a few drops of sewage onto her already filthy hoodie.
"Are you okay?"
"I... I'm fine."
Facing Inaba Tsukuyo's concern,
Lili's voice was a bit tight, carrying a trace of long-ingrained humility.
"I'm really fine... thank you for your help... but I have to go."
After saying that,
Lili continued to try and struggle a bit.
The result, of course, was in vain.
"Look, your leg is injured."
At this time,
Rin also leaned in, squatting in front of Lili and reaching out to support Lili's arm.
"Look, it's bleeding. If dirt gets in and it becomes inflamed, it'll be a problem."
"No need!"
Lili reacted as if she had been burned, suddenly slapping her hand away.
The movement was a bit large, making all three of them freeze for a moment.
"Lili... Lili can handle it herself."
Lili realized her emotions were too agitated; she was terrified of angering the two of them because of it.
Lowering her head, she held her knees tightly with both hands.
She didn't want to owe anyone a favor.
Especially not a favor from people who clearly looked like high-class individuals.
That would be impossible to repay.
"Lili has no money... really no money..."
Lili added in a low voice.
Hearing this,
Rin awkwardly withdrew her hand that had been slapped away and scratched her hair, her expression under the mask somewhat helpless.
"Who wants your money..."
"And do you really not remember us?"
As soon as these words were spoken, Lili's face instantly turned pale.
"We met in the Dungeon."
"The sixth floor! That time with the Killer Ants!"
Rin continued.
Now,
the scene became completely awkward for Lili.
It was as if she had been stripped naked and thrown into the snow; she was so ashamed she wished she could find a crack in the ground to crawl into.
Having such a disgraceful past exposed to her face.
"That..."
"That..."
Lili opened her mouth, wanting to defend herself, but found she couldn't find a reason at all.
Could she say she didn't do it on purpose?
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