The Smiling Death-Chapter 342: On A Date

"All ready," Amon muttered.

He was wearing normal clothes, simple and comfortable, but suitable for walking into the forest. This time he would not be alone. Vetaal would come... and Scarlett too.

Vetaal could now float in the air and move freely on his own. But he was still not powerful enough to properly protect Amon or even himself.

Wait... could he even die?

Amon paused for a second.

"No use thinking about useless things," he muttered to himself and walked toward the door.

"You really are going to take her with you? To flirt with her?" Vetaal asked curiously.

Amon stopped mid-step. Slowly, he turned his head back toward the floating spirit.

"What are you saying?" Amon frowned. "Me? Flirt with her? No way. I’m just taking her because she’s trustworthy. She’s strong. What if some monsters suddenly awaken? Or we find something dangerous?"

He folded his arms and continued seriously, "You’ll be fine since you’re not much different from being dead already..."

Vetaal’s expression darkened.

"...but me?" Amon pointed at himself. "I’ll die if the enemy is too strong. It’s better to have someone capable with me. You just hide your presence and remain invisible."

Vetaal narrowed his eyes. Suspicion was clearly written on his face.

He knew Amon was lying.

But even a thousand-year-old being could not detect it properly. Amon’s face looked so straight and honest that it was impossible to catch any sign of deception.

"Well... I don’t know whether what you’re saying is true or not," Vetaal said slowly. "But it doesn’t matter to me even if you flirt with her."

Amon’s serious expression broke into a slight smile.

"Thanks for saying that," he replied. "But I’m truly just bringing her with me for a dat—"

He coughed loudly.

"I mean for protection."

He almost exposed himself.

"Yeah, yeah. For protection," Vetaal responded lazily. "Anyway, let’s go."

Amon stepped out of the house. Vetaal became invisible and floated silently behind him.

Amon walked confidently toward Scarlett’s house. When he reached the door, he knocked.

Knock! Knock!

After a moment, the door slid open.

Scarlett stood there.

She wore an ankle-length dress made of coarse wool or sturdy linen, dyed in muted earthy shades brown in color. The bodice was fitted but modest, buttoned or laced at the front, covering her up to the collarbone.

It was the same outfit she had worn the first day Amon saw her.

The moment she saw him standing there, she exhaled heavily. She looked slightly tired.

"You... you really want me to come?" she asked again.

"Yes," Amon replied without hesitation. "I want you to. Now let’s go."

She stared at him silently for a few seconds. He looked completely serious.

She sighed in defeat. "Okay, okay. Let’s go."

She stepped out and closed the door behind her.

....

They began walking toward the forest.

This time, Amon led her in a different direction. Toward the south of the village. It was the opposite side from where he had gone before on Vetaal’s advice.

Vetaal floated invisibly in the air above and behind them, quietly observing.

Soon they entered the forest.

The breeze was soft and cool. Leaves rustled gently. The sky above was a darker shade of gray today, heavy with clouds.

But to Amon, everything looked beautiful.

Because Scarlett was walking beside him.

Her presence alone made the dull forest seem brighter.

They walked side by side for a while in silence.

Then suddenly, Amon extended his hand toward her.

Scarlett stopped slightly. She looked at his open palm in confusion. Why would he extend his hand? She glanced at his face, only to see a warm smile, which felt weird.

Then at his hand. Then back at his face again.

"...Why?" she asked.

Amon smiled gently. "Well... we are on a date," he said casually. "Shouldn’t we hold each other’s hands?"

Her eyes widened slightly. She looked at his face again. Then at his hand. Then back again.

Was he being serious? First he asked for a date... in such a weird place. Now he was seriously asking to hold hands.

"I am not holding your hand," she said in disbelief. No way she was going to hold his hand.

Amon tilted his head. "Why?"

He thought for a while, then said, "Are you shy?"

"I am not shy," she responded immediately.

"Really?" Amon teased. "I can’t believe you’re older than me, yet you’re so inexperienced and shy. Well, in that case, I should act like a mature person and shouldn’t push you much. By the way, I am actually experienced in these things," he blabbered.

That clearly hit her pride. Her amethyst eyes narrowed dangerously.

Without saying another word, she grabbed his hand.

Their fingers intertwined. Her skin touched against his. For a moment, Amon froze.

’She held my hand!’ Amon thought with slight excitement.

Her hand was warm. His heartbeat suddenly became faster.

Thump. Thump. Thump.

He tried to act calm, but inside he was screaming.

Then slowly, her grip tightened. Soon it became hard.

"Ah–!" Amon let out a small cry. "Hey! Light don’t hold so tightly!" Pain shot through his palm.

Her grip tightened even more for a second. Her expression looked as if she was enjoying his reaction.

"I am sorry," Amon quickly said. "I’m sorry for teasing you!"

Only then did she loosen her hold slightly.

She did not look at him. But her ears were slightly red. The reason... it might be because she was still holding his hand.

Yes, she loosened her grip. But she didn’t let it go.

They continued walking like that, hand in hand.

Vetaal floated invisibly above them.

"...For protection, huh?" he muttered to himself quietly. He was looking at those two with amusement. His eyes flickered to Scarlett and remained on her for a while. His eyes narrowed.

Amon pretended like he didn’t feel any pain from that. But he did not let go of her hand.

They kept holding hands while walking side by side, close together.