Blood Shadow's Favor.

The Rescue

Sarah was content, having purchased enough paint to last for a while and finally getting her hands on the art book she'd been eyeing. This time, she had someone holding the umbrella for her, making it easier to carry the heavy bags.

"Give it to me," Aungel offered, extending his free hand to take the bag.

"No, no, I've got it. You just focus on holding the umbrella," Sarah replied, dodging his hand. "Besides, you're still injured, remember?"

"...It's almost healed. I'm not that weak," Aungel insisted.

"I didn't mean to imply that..." Sarah realized his pride was at play.

"Then give me the bag," he repeated, his hand lingering in midair. When she didn't move, he reached further.

Seeing his persistence, Sarah reluctantly handed him the bag. As they exchanged the items, their fingers brushed briefly, and Sarah quickly pulled her hand back, feeling a bit flustered.

"Let me hold the umbrella then," she offered.

"No need. It's easier for me to carry," Aungel said, glancing briefly at the top of her head before refusing.

Noticing where his eyes had landed, Sarah quickly understood and compared their heights silently, choosing not to argue further.

After walking for a while, Sarah glanced up at Aungel to make sure he wasn't in any discomfort, then relaxed. She felt a little guilty walking with empty hands.

As they approached the entrance of their apartment complex, Sarah remembered that the fridge was running low on groceries. She had planned to shop tomorrow, but with Aungel's help, she decided to go ahead and do it today. That way, she could stay home tomorrow.

"We're out of vegetables at home. How about we stop by the grocery store?" Sarah suggested as they passed by the entrance, adding, "I'm free to carry things now."

"Sure," Aungel agreed, noting how she casually referred to the apartment as "home," as if he were part of it.

Sarah loaded a bag with fresh greens and realized she had forgotten to grab a shopping cart when they entered.

"Wait here, I'll go get a cart," she said, heading back to the entrance.

Aungel stood waiting for a while, but when Sarah didn't return, he hesitated before heading in her direction.

After weaving through a few aisles, he spotted Sarah cornered by a skinny man near the carts.

Unlike the Sarah he knew—casual and gentle—this Sarah had her brows furrowed, her face cold with clear disgust.

As Sarah was placing her vegetables in the cart, a hand suddenly appeared next to her, holding out a phone with a f*******: QR code displayed prominently.

"Hey, I've noticed you for a while. Can I get to know you?" The skinny man flashed a broad grin, his eyes openly admiring her as she looked up.

Politely, like she had done with other unwanted advances, Sarah shook her head, saying, "Sorry, I don't really add people on Facebook."

"Come on, just this once?" The man's eyes roved over her with obvious lust.

Sarah frowned, her tone growing firm. "I'm not interested."

She tried to push her cart away, but the man pressed down on it, stepping closer with his phone nearly in her face.

"Just add me, beautiful," he persisted, inching forward until Sarah had no space left to retreat.

The last of Sarah's patience snapped. She had never encountered someone this shameless before. As he moved in again, she reacted instinctively, her hand flying up to slap him across the face. "Back off!"

The man, clearly not expecting the gentle-looking girl to lash out, stood stunned, his face turned to the side.

The slap drew attention, and several nearby shoppers began to watch, murmuring among themselves.

"Grandma, did that sister just hit the brother?" a child's innocent voice piped up.

"Yes, but it's none of our business, dear," the grandmother replied, her curiosity piqued.

Hearing the comments, the man's face flushed with humiliation. "Damn it! It's just f*******:! Why the hell did you slap me?"

As the man reached out to grab her shoulder, Sarah quickly recalled her self-defense lessons, already planning how to break his grip.

But before she could act, her wrist was gently but firmly held in place, then released.

Suddenly, Aungel appeared at her side, stepping between her and the man. In one swift move, he twisted the man's arm back, effortlessly doing what Sarah had been about to.

The man didn't even see Aungel coming, only feeling a sharp pain as his arm was forcefully twisted.

"Ahhh—my arm! It's broken!" he howled.

Ignoring him, Aungel turned to Sarah, his dark eyes searching hers. "Are you okay?"

Sarah, still processing his sudden appearance, stood frozen.

"Hmm?" Aungel leaned closer, thinking she was in shock.

Snapping out of it, Sarah shook her head. "I'm fine. How did you get here?"

"You were gone for a while, so I came to check on you," Aungel replied.

Warmth spread through Sarah at his words. "Thank you."

But then she remembered he might have seen her more assertive side, and embarrassment crept in.

As they spoke, the skinny man, feeling ignored, lashed out. "Who the hell are you? You broke my arm! Pay for my medical bills!"

Aungel turned slowly, his gaze as cold as ice. "If you don't want your other arm broken too, I suggest you lower that finger."

The man recoiled in fear, his bravado crumbling. "I said pay up! You're not getting away with this."

Aungel chuckled lightly. "Feel free to call the police."

The man's bravado vanished entirely, his eyes darting nervously as he realized he was the one in the wrong.

The surrounding crowd began to whisper amongst themselves, some laughing quietly.

"You two better watch out," the man threatened half-heartedly, pointing at them before quickly retracting his hand when he saw Aungel's eyes. Muttering curses under his breath, he scurried away.

The confrontation had completely ruined Sarah's mood, so she quickly grabbed a few more items and headed to the checkout.

When they reached the register, Sarah pulled out her phone to pay, but Aungel was quicker, handing over a card before she could react.

Sarah blinked in surprise. How could he afford this? He didn't even have a phone.

Before she could protest, the cashier had already swiped the card.

After paying, Sarah reached for the groceries but was again gently pushed aside. "You just hold the umbrella," Aungel insisted.

As they exited the store, the sun had already dipped below the horizon.

Sarah, still curious, hesitantly asked, "So... you have money?"

Aungel stopped, a small smile tugging at his lips. "Do I look that poor?"

It was the first time she had seen him smile. His lips curled into a barely-there smirk, a faint trace of amusement playing on his face, making her heart skip a beat.

"No, no! It's just... You didn't have a place to stay or a phone, so I thought..." Sarah trailed off, feeling a bit foolish.

"You're not wrong—I don't have much money," he admitted, his smile tinged with something unreadable. "As for the phone, I simply don't need one. Anything else you're curious about?"

"...No, that's it," Sarah replied, realizing his expensive-looking clothes that first day might not have been his.

Feeling a pang of sympathy, Sarah asked, "How can I repay you?"

"Don't worry about it. Consider it part of my rent," Aungel said, handing her the card. "The PIN is six zeros. Use this from now on."

Seeing she was about to refuse, Aungel added, "There's not much in there, but it'll ease my mind if you hold on to it."

Sarah couldn't find the words to decline, so she reluctantly accepted the card, though she had no intention of using it.

They walked home together, side by side, as the evening sun stretched Sarah's shadow long across the ground.