After a few more moments, I walk leisurely out of the guild and start making my way towards the city gate. It has already started to dim within the city. I extend my magic sense behind me in a thin arc to detect magic signatures exiting the guild. Then, I just keep walking towards the city gate. After a minute, nothing happens, and I begin to think that my worries were unfounded.
A few moments later, however, I sense someone leave the guild. Then, two more people, all a few seconds apart. They turn towards the direction that I headed, and after another minute I don't sense anyone else leave the guild.
Hmm…could that be Kent and his two friends taking the bait? I can't help but smile.
After several more minutes, I'm almost to the city gate and the three people have continued following my path. I expand my magic sense and tune it to gauge their relative power levels.
One of them is the second strongest signature in the city, while the strongest signature in the city is elsewhere. If the latter is Ilina, that would make this person following me the strongest local. So, probably Kent.
I make my way out of the city gate, and when I'm once again in view of the presences I'm tracking, I begin jogging at a normal pace towards the forest's edge. After a moment, the presences pick up pace as well. Oh, yeah, no doubt. I've got pursuers, and the only question left now is what they may want.
After a few more minutes of jogging, I make it to the forest's edge and bend over like I'm catching my breath. After the presences get a little closer, I slowly walk into the forest until I'm out of their sight. Then, I apply full concealment spells and wait.
Eventually, Kent and his two goons enter the forest.
"Either of you see where he went?" (Kent)
"Nope."
"Nah, boss."
Kent and the goon squad continue looking around for me and start walking deeper into the forest. I watch the direction they're headed, and then I run to get ahead of them on their path. When I'm sure that I'm out of their line of sight, I drop my concealment spells and start walking back to meet them. Just in case, I apply a max body enhancement spell.
After a minute, they come into view. The sun is starting to lower behind the tree canopy, and sunset won't be too far behind. Time to earn my Oscar.
I put on my best impression of someone totally clueless.
"Oh, wow, Kent is that you! That's so wild, what a small world. What are you doing out here?" (Mizuki)
Hearing my voice, Kent approaches me with a warm smile on his face. His goons trail a few feet behind with smirks on their faces. So, still in character, huh Kent?
"Oh, hey, Mizuki! Well, we heard you were heading out here, and since it's so close to dark we got worried about you. We try to look out for new recruits, yah know?" (Kent)
As he says this, he's scanning the forest intently, as if looking for threats…or witnesses.
"By the way, Mizuki, are you alone out here? You didn't bring Nina with you?" (Kent)
God, could he be any more direct? I chuckle internally. I guess two can play at that game. I raise my eyebrows in surprise, like it just occurred to me.
"Yeah, she went back to the inn without me! In retrospect, I guess that was kind of silly of me, huh? I mean I'm so isolated out here that if I twisted my ankle or something nobody would even be able to hear me calling for help. It's really lucky that you guys showed up!" (Mizuki)
Kent seems to smile happily at that statement, then nods his agreement and responds.
"Oh, for sure, us adventurers have to stick together, you know? Hey, speaking of which, I didn't really hear you give your opinion earlier when we spoke. For times like this, don't you think it'd be better if you were part of a larger party? Maybe you could try talking to Nina and convincing her you guys should join us. I'd hate to see something happen to such nice young people." (Kent)
That's very clever of you, Kent, you smooth talker. Now, if all you came out here to do is try and talk to me alone, that's no problem. Hell, I'd overlook a little intimidation so long as you gave up. However, if you're in the habit of hurting people…we might have a problem.
I'd like to find out where on the spectrum of persuasion, coercion, or serious hostility he falls. Persuasion…check.
"Ah, gosh, I don't think I can manage that, Kent. I appreciate how cool it'd be to join you guys, but there's no way she'd agree to it! Crazy as it is, she just prefers hanging out alone with me. Truth is, I prefer it, too. So long as we're adventuring, I think she'll want to do it alone with me. I'm a lucky guy, huh?" (Mizuki)
Kent maintains his gentle appearance, and nods as if contemplating something.
"Oh, for sure, Mizuki, I said it from the start. What if you just insisted that you guys join a party, and you didn't budge? She'd be forced to join, too, right? I know that sounds mean, but if it keeps you both safe it might be worth it, wouldn't you say?" (Kent)
Hmm…that feels like coercion…check. I bet if I agreed here, he'd settle for that. However, if there's any chance that he's truly horrible, I want to know, so I'm going to make this really simple for him. I respond with my same dopey smile, acting oblivious.
"Oh, nah, I would never make demands of her like that. Truthfully, so long as I'm breathing, she'll never want to be in another party, and I'm not going to make her!" (Mizuki)
Kent smiles and nods like he understands. Then, he looks at me one last time, and all pretenses drop. His face loses its warmth, and a look of disgust is plainly apparent now.
So, this is the real Kent?