Helmut: The Forsaken Child - H.F.C Chapter 128 (Part 2):
“What, what is this!”
It was a bloodied finger. The smoothly cut cross-section seemed to speak of the cutter’s skill. Helmut calmly picked it up for inspection.
“A finger. Is this Dino’s finger?”
“I, I don’t know!”
“He’s your friend.”
“How can I distinguish a friend’s severed finger!”
James yelled. He looked terribly shocked. It seemed better not to press him further, or he might start crying.
Helmut tilted his head.
‘I could recognize Asuka’s finger.’
That was because of Helmut’s keen eyesight and memory. Asuka grabbed the finger to examine it.
“Judging by the condition, it hasn’t been long since it was cut. The blood hasn’t even clotted.”
“Then Dino is!”
“Alive, I suppose. In pain from having a finger cut. It would be lucky if only the finger was cut.”
Then, the meaning of ‘if you want to find your friend, come’ wasn’t ‘if you want to find your friend’s body, come.’
Asuka grimaced and groaned.
“It’s creepy to keep looking at this.”
He passed it to Andro, who had been stiff on one side.
“Keep this finger safe.”
Andro, with a disgusted expression, put the finger back in the pouch and managed to gather it.
James rubbed his face with both hands. He looked a decade older.
Asuka muttered indifferently.
“Professor Dwayne could attach it back without a problem.”
“That’s a relief. If he’s alive, we can save him.”
Helmut spoke hopefully. He had no skill to revive the dead. If alive, there would be a way to save him.
Andro and James stared at Helmut, who was again looking at the map, as if amazed.
‘What, this guy…’
It was bizarre. It was a truly chilling situation, and sleeping was frightening, yet Andro and James had not lost their sanity.
They knew it was thanks to Helmut, a frighteningly calm guy. Being with him felt like somehow, a way would be found. Ah, and the ever-peaceful Asuka played a part too.
“What will we do?”
“We’ll have to think about it.”
There was still some time left. Since the message said to come alone, Helmut would have to go, leaving these guys behind.
The distance, if he ran at full power for 15 minutes, was much farther than before.
Assuming Fasho came here in person, how long could they hold out?
Helmut couldn’t estimate. Asuka was competent, but not up to the level of a first-rank mercenary. However, combined with the other two, they might manage.
The problem was, the opponent was an assassin, and wouldn’t engage in a fair 1-on-3 fight.
It was a dilemma. Whether to go searching for Dino, whose survival was uncertain, or to ensure the safety of those who were definitely alive.
Choosing the former could save everyone. But conversely, it could also get everyone killed.
It was extreme. But choosing the latter would mean Dino’s certain death.
‘It would be easier if I could have a multiple-choice answer.’
He didn’t know what to do in such situations. Helmut postponed his decision.
“Let’s rest some more. I’ll wake you up before dawn.”
James and Andro knew that the only thing they could do was to ensure their condition was at its best. They obediently went back to their sleeping spots.
Asuka didn’t do that. He leaned close to Helmut’s ear, his breath causing goosebumps. Helmut glared at him.
“Back off.”
“Hey, speak quietly. Those guys might hear.”
Asuka whispered. His eyes sparkled, unlike the others, indicating he had gotten plenty of rest.
Being able to fully relieve fatigue when necessary was also a skill.
“What are you planning? Going to save Dino?”
“Still thinking. What to do.”
“How about a majority vote? Ask those guys, and they’ll say to go save Dino.”
“What do you think?”
“I think the same.”
Asuka confidently said. Helmut tilted his head sideways.
Asuka was instinctive. He surely felt that Fasho was stronger. Was he saying to go save a schoolmate even at the risk of his own life?
To simply interpret it that way, Asuka was not a kind person. He’s selfish and shameless.
It wouldn’t be strange if he said to escape together, not caring about the others.
Helmut looked at him with suspicion.
“He’s strong. There’s a prejudice that assassins are weak in a direct fight, but that won’t work if there’s a skill gap. Are you confident about dealing with this?”
“I want to fight that guy.”
“You’re willing to risk your life on your fighting spirit.”
“No, actually, I thought about it for 5 minutes before falling asleep earlier. Of course, I fell asleep right after that 5 minutes.”
“But.”
“I had a good idea. I bought some stuff while preparing for this hunting picnic. There’s something useful. Something Fasho wouldn’t even imagine. It’s…”
Asuka excitedly continued his explanation. After finishing, Helmut looked at Asuka with a fascinated expression.
Such an idea. He had a pretty good head for combat.
“If it works as you say, it might be good. But will you have time to do it? If it fails…”
“You said it takes 15 minutes at full speed to the big rock hill. Assuming Dino is alive, a guy with a cut finger won’t be in good shape, so you’ll have to carry him back. Then it’ll take more than 20 minutes to return. For nearly 40 minutes, I’ll have to face the assassin with these two. It’s worth a try.”
“You’re right. But a better method would be to give up on Dino. I’m not sure you can handle it properly with almost no real combat experience.”
Helmut responded coldly.
“Hey, Helmut!”
Asuka raised his voice. Being so close made Helmut’s ears ring. Helmut frowned.
“I’ve already involved you guys in my business. What I can do here is to return with as many of you alive as possible. To do that, I might have to give up on one.”