The Hero Should've Known Better

Chapter 14: Clarek

Junil stopped, and glanced at Ronn.

"Do you understand this?"

"Please continue," he said.

The Healer took a deep breath and began to speak again.

"We found that it comes with its own side effects. The hardened skin on the arms and legs doesn't stay forever. It peels off after an hour, and the area that was underneath is sore and vulnerable to injury. The jutting of their teeth also creates areas in their mouth that have been cut through, which isn't too pleasant. And their eyes remain bloodshot for up to five hours after going manic."

"So, there are after-effects to their Manic phase," Ronn continued. "I had my suspicions, but I was not entirely sure. How much impact would this have on their performance?"

"Like a sore body," Junil continued. "Pushing themselves further after that is possible, but they'll injure themselves."

"But they can continue pushing themselves, yes?"

"You can. It's not very healthy, especially when extended. Or, that's what we guess," Junil continued. She picked up a wood chipping that was in front of her, before tossing it off the side. "We can't figure out much. No Demonfolk wants to work in our medical trials."

"Perhaps," Ronn suggested. "You were being too aggressive in approaching Demonfolk?"

"Aggressive?" Junil asked. "If anything, I think you're the one aggressive."

"Am I?"

"To that Demonfolk girl," Junil said. "I was expecting you to stop, try to reason with her. But... well, I didn't hear everything you two were talking about, but it didn't sound like much."

Junil finished her sentence, and waited for Ronn's response. Fifteen seconds passed before she glanced over at the lack of response.

"Ronn?" the Healer asked. He seemed to be staring out into the distance. However, the Hero acknowledged Junil and turned his head at her.

"A Demonfolk going Manic cannot be reasoned with, Junil," he stated, matter-of-factly.

Junil blinked her eyes a few times, in surprise.

"I haven't heard this before," the Healer replied.

"It is what I have deduced, based on personal experience and observations with fighting Demonfolk in their Manic phase."

Instead of showing interest at this new piece of information, Junil frowned. She gave a sigh, rubbing the side of her head with a hand.

"There's... Ronn, I... well, I don't think that's true," she said.

"I believe it is. The Second Coming did not surrender, even when cornered. That is irrational behavior."

Junil shook her head. "No, I think otherwise. That's why I tried to stop you. She was still very lucid, even when Manic."

"Junil. I have told you already, a Manic Demonfolk is not an individual you are capable of reasoning with. They are not lucid, they are in a trance. I have attempted to do so myself, in the past. It has only resulted in injuries to myself and others."

If there was anything that Junil weighed more than her own intuition, it was the Hero's personal experiences being relayed to her. She decided to give up her line of argument.

"Fine, they aren't reasonable when Manic," Junil admitted. "But... what if they were?"

Ronn seemed to muse over that for a second. But he shook his head, not even five seconds after Junil asked.

"An impossibility. If I ever do encounter such a situation, you can witness my answer. For now, I have no suitable response for you."

From that point, the conversation had died down. There wasn't much left to talk about anyway, not like there was time left. The Rail Engine was slowing into the New Frontierland station, and both Ronn and Junil could see the look of surprise on the faces of those who were waiting for it to arrive.

Considering the sorry state of the entire Rail Engine, that was not surprising.

Ronn and Junil were the first to disembark from the torn-down carriage. They simply walked past the group of maintenance workers, who simply stared at them.

Stepping up to the ticket booth, where the ticket seller stood, Ronn deposited a bag full of coins onto the table.

"This is for payment," Ronn stated.

It took the ticket seller a moment to realize what the Hero did. "Oh, uh... right! What is this... for?"

"This is for the cost of damages," Ronn replied. "If this amount of funds is insufficient, please do not hesitate to contact my estate."

The ticket seller blinked. "Now, wait up—"

"I cannot. I have urgent business to attend to. You may bill me for additional financial damages stemming from my unintentional impact on your earnings."

"The— the cost of damages?" the ticket seller asked. "Wait, was that why the rail engine pulled into the station like that?"

"As I said..." Ronn began. He stopped walking and turned back to stare at the ticket seller. "I do not have the time. An invoice for damages may be sent to my estate. Have a nice day."

The ticket seller stood there, flabbergasted, with the bag of coins in his hands.

Junil glanced back at him, just as Ronn started walking again. She stood there before turning to look at the Hero and skittering up back to him.

"You could've spared a minute to explain to him, couldn't you?" the Healer asked.

"We do not have such time on our hands," Ronn replied. "Unfortunately, every moment from now onwards is another second the Second Coming has to prepare."

Junil gave a sigh. "That's true. But I'm worried about all that, it's not going to blow over."

"Once the damages are repaid back, there is no reason for any form of animosity."

"That's... going to be a lot of money, Ronn," Junil replied.

"That does not mean I will not pay them back."

Junil scoffed. "At least you're responsible. But, uh, should I pay my share, then?"

"I had directly caused the vast majority of the damage. I shall incur the expense."

Junil rolled her eyes. "More like all of the damage."

"That is true, yes."

"Anyway, where are we going? Don't tell me we're walking aimlessly.

"We shall be heading to the library to collect information," Ronn replied.

Junil said. "Do you have an idea where to start researching?"

"I know the geography well. That river has a stop at Fort Logger."

"Fort Logger?"

Junil scratched her cheek. "It sounds familiar, for some reason. Have we been there once?"

"Yes, we have," Ronn replied. "We'll be going there again. Before we do, however, we must perform some research."