The Forbidden Blade

Unwanted Companion

Six hours later, Lexie's shift finally came to an end. She silently thanked the heavens that her back hadn't started hurting while she was working.

She waved goodbye to her coworkers before continuing on her way.

"Dead tired from work... and I still have to walk home," she grumbled with a frown.

As she walked, her stomach growled.

She had completely forgotten that the only thing she'd eaten at the factory was a piece of bread.

She didn't have any money left.

For a moment, she felt like throwing a tantrum right there on the side of the road. Life was miserable when your pockets were empty. You could crave something to eat but not have enough money to buy it.

Sighing to herself, she continued walking home.

Only a handful of people were still outside at that hour. Cars occasionally passed by, but the road she was taking was quiet and poorly lit.

She was walking at a leisurely pace when she suddenly heard a rustling sound.

Lexie immediately turned around, but there wasn't a single person or animal behind her.

She even looked up at the towering trees overhead, yet the leaves weren't moving at all.

Maybe she was just imagining things.

She continued walking.

Then she heard the rustling again.

Her hearing must've been incredibly sharp to notice such a faint sound.

She froze.

This time, the rustling grew louder.

A chill crept down her spine.

Without looking back, she broke into a run.

What if it was that drunken man from last night?

As Lexie ran, sweat streamed down the sides of her face. Fatigue and fear pushed her to keep moving.

But just as she planted one foot forward, she lost her balance and crashed onto the concrete road.

She swallowed hard as she struggled into a sitting position.

Both of her palms had been scraped raw after sliding across the rough pavement.

Was she destined to have bad luck every single night she passed through this place?

She only wanted to go home and rest.

Why did fate insist on making things harder?

"You really are a bit clumsy, aren't you, miss?"

Lexie froze.

Her eyes fell upon a pair of shoes standing directly in front of her.

Slowly, she lifted her head.

The moment she recognized the man, she frowned.

"You again?"

A faint smile tugged at the corners of his lips.

It was the same man she had accidentally bumped into the day before.

"We never finished our conversation, so here I am again."

Lexie winced as she tried to stand.

Unfortunately, she instinctively pressed one of her injured palms against the ground and hissed in pain.

She carefully got to her feet without putting pressure on either hand.

Facing him, she sighed.

"What exactly do you want from me?"

"Show me where I can find a place that sells or forges swords."

She grimaced.

"The sword shop is already closed."

"Then tomorrow. Will you accompany me?"

Lexie stared at him with knitted brows.

Couldn't he tell she wanted nothing to do with him?

These days, trusting strangers was dangerous, no matter how decent they looked.

"I'll just give you the shop's address. You can go there by yourself. I have work, and I sleep during the daytime, so I can't come with you."

The man tilted his head slightly, as though trying to determine whether she was telling the truth.

"No."

His voice remained calm.

"You have to come with me. If I can't find the sword I'm looking for at that shop, you'll accompany me to search elsewhere."

Lexie closed her eyes several times, trying to keep herself from snapping.

She didn't owe this man anything.

Why should she spend her time helping him search for a sword?

"I'm sorry, mister, but I'm not doing that. I don't even know you. You can't just order me to help you look for a sword—"

"Kairo."

She paused.

"My name is Kairo."

She stared at him.

He looked completely serious.

Even so...

She wasn't about to agree.

"I'm sorry, Kairo, but I can't help you. Find someone else. I need to earn money if I want to survive."

She walked forward, intending to pass him.

"I can pay you twice what you earn."

Lexie stopped.

They stood back to back.

She didn't turn around.

Her eyes remained fixed on the empty road ahead.

"My salary from the factory lasts my whole life if I keep working. What you're offering is only temporary. Once you find your sword, the money will stop too."

She was about to continue walking when Kairo grabbed her arm.

Lexie squeezed her eyes shut.

Was it really so difficult for him to understand the word no?

"I'll continue paying you even after I find the sword."

She turned to face him, locking eyes with him.

"What is so special about this sword? Don't you realize what era we're living in? Criminals carry guns these days, yet you're still searching for a sword."

"People desire different things."

His expression remained unreadable.

"I have no interest in other weapons. The only sword I seek has angel wings carved into its hilt, a crown-shaped pommel, and a crimson jewel at its center."

This man really was unbelievable.

"No."

She tried pulling her arm free.

"Find someone else."

But Kairo refused to let go.

A moment later, she suddenly felt warmth spreading from his hand where it gripped her arm.

Her heartbeat quickened.

She stared nervously at his hand.

"Let me go!"

She winced.

The warmth became even hotter, almost burning her skin.

Is this guy some kind of supernatural being?

"Agree to help me, and you can go home."

His voice was low, calm...

Yet frightening.

"I chose you. There's no escaping this. Whether you like it or not, you'll help me search until I find the sword."

Lexie bit her lip.

"O-Okay! I'll do it! Just let me go!"

Kairo immediately released her arm.

Lexie quickly examined it for burns.

There weren't any.

Was his grip simply too tight?

Or...

Had she really felt heat coming from his hand?

Frowning, she looked at Kairo, who was now gazing into the distance.

"We'll begin tomorrow."

He spoke without looking at her.

"You won't need to return to your job."

Lexie shot him a murderous glare.

"If I end up unemployed because of you, I swear I'll curse you for the rest of your life!"

Kairo glanced back at her.

"Even if you never work again, you'll still have money."

He sounded far too confident.

Where was he planning to get that money?

He certainly didn't look rich.

Lexie narrowed her eyes suspiciously.

"Are you part of some crime syndicate?"

Kairo frowned.

"Do I look like a criminal?"

She studied him from head to toe.

"No... You just have a very strange obsession."

"What I'm searching for is important."

For the first time, his voice softened.

"It belonged to my grandfather. The sword disappeared years ago, and before he left this world, he made me promise I'd find it."

Lexie's expression softened.

So there really was a reason.

Why hadn't he simply said that from the beginning?

She had always had a soft spot for elderly people.

"If you'd told me that from the start, none of this would've happened!"

Kairo's eyes suddenly turned cold as he looked at her.

"I've told you now."

A faint smile appeared on his lips.

"And you've already agreed."

He held her gaze.

"So... does it really make any difference?"