Faraway Survivor

Farah's POV

I couldn't comprehend the situation that was unfolded in front of me and tried to stay outside.

-Urgh... (Farah)

I think I will puke if I look inside one more time.

-What should I do now? (Farah)

When I was in thought, a shadow suddenly appeared from behind and wrapped its hand around my body.

-Eh!? (Farah)

I startle and try to escape from the binding. However, I didn't have enough strength to escape from the current opponent.

-Release me... (Farah)

The shadow suddenly reaches out and pats my head.

-Calm down, Farah~ (Hale)

-Huh? (Farah)

I turn around and find another me standing right behind my back. The only difference between that girl and me is only the black hair.

-It's me, Hale! (Hale)

-Eh! How? (Farah)

Hale smiles while hugging me tightly.

-Did you forget your own skill, Farah? I cast the skill doppelganger from inside you. (Hale)

-Eh! (Farah)

I am so surprised because I never thought that Hale would be able to do it from inside me.

-Let's put it aside for now. (Hale)

Hale reaches out to my ear and whispers in a small voice.

-I have finished all the preparation. So, we only need to play along with that god for now. (Hale)

I nod at Hale's statement.

-Uhm... (Farah)

After that, I pointed inside the tent and told her in a shaking voice.

-Hale... (Farah)

Hale peeks her head into the hut to confirm the situation.

-Hoh? (Hale)

She turned to me and asked me in a gentle voice.

-Can you tell me what you have done, Farah? (Hale)

I don't hesitate and tell Hale everything.

-Hmm...I understand. (Hale)

Hale reaches out to my hand and pulls me inside the hut.

-Eh, Hale? (Farah)

-You can just close your eyes, Farah. (Hale)

-Yeah! Yeah? (Farah)

Then I closed my eyes and followed Hale's instructions.

-Let's do some tests first. (Hale)

Since I can't see anything, I can only hear the sound of something being touched.

-Hum! It didn't change when I touched it. Farah, give my hand to me. (Hale)

I let Hale take my hand. After a while, I could feel my hand touch something wet.

-Urgh... (Farah)

But my hand quickly went through it as if nothing was there in the first place.

-Arghhh... 

I could hear a sudden groan coming from my front. This is not my voice or Hale's voice.

-Aaaaa...

I can be sure this voice belongs to that little girl. She whispers in a shaking voice. It makes me feel like she will die at any time.

-Did...I become too greedy?

Greedy? What does she mean?

-It's my punishment, right, miss fairy?

Huh?

-Mom...I'm sor...

Then the sound suddenly being cut off. After a long time, Hale informs me.

-You can only open your eyes now, Farah. (Hale)

...I would witness that scene one more time when I opened my eyes. But I can just let Hale handle everything like before.

-Uhm... (Farah)

I take up my courage and open my eyes again.

-What...? (Farah)

I was startled by the sudden change around me.

-The times go backward...? (Farah)

I can see the mother and child lying on the ground. It looks exactly like the first time I met them. Hale shakes her head and denies it.

-Only this word, Farah. Because... (Hale)

-Yes? (Farah)

-We are playing a simulation game with her. (Hale)

-... (Farah)

Hale looks into my eyes and says.

-Did everything happen so far give you a hint about this game? (Hale)

-Hint...? (Farah)

I connected and recalled what I had seen so far in the village. My face darkened as I came to a conclusion.

-So the villager killed them to take away those gold. (Farah)

Hale nods and replies in a cold tone.

-That's a part of it, Farah. (Hale)

-Huh? (Farah)

-That little girl tricked you...? (Hale)

-Eh? (Farah)

Hale sighs and pokes my cheek.

-Don't let her appearance trick you, Farah? (Hale)

-What do you mean by that? (Farah)

-Remember carefully. (Hale)

-Yes? (Farah)

-Did the villagers get an abnormal amount of money? (Hale)

Right! They have a pile of gold next to them.

-That... (Farah)

-That girl asked for more than what she needed. (Hale)

-... (Farah)

-It's probably dominated by her own greed, Farah. Not all people are good, Farah. (Hale)

-I... (Farah)

I believed the little girl right away because I was in the same situation as her in the past.

-Don't let her appearance trick you, Farah. (Hale)

-Yeah... (Farah)

-I'm not telling you to distrust other people. This is just a reminder for your future encounter. (Hale)

I grasp my hand tightly and answer Hale back with a powerful voice.

-That's good~ (Hale)

Hale pats my head gently and turns to the little girl.

-Let's the time flow again, Farah. And let's crack this trial together. (Hale)

I answer Hale in an excited voice.

-Yes! (Farah)