Chapter 285 The Name He Curse

Suzuka leaned back comfortably in her chair, taking a leisurely sip of the frothy ale placed before her, the taste of hops and barley dancing on her tongue. With a relaxed demeanor, she engaged in light banter with Isaac, sharing jokes and anecdotes as they eased into the evening.

 As the conversation flowed, Suzuka's tone shifted, becoming more earnest and animated as she delved into the heart of the matter. She explained the entire situation: how there are good goblins who were enslaved by their evil kin, her vision of a town where all races and monsters could coexist, and the pivotal role the rescued goblins would play in building this new society. 

Isaac listened intently, his expression unreadable at first, but gradually softening as Suzuka's vision took root in his mind.

When she finished, Isaac leaned back in his chair, a smile playing on his lips. His eyes narrowed ever so slightly as he took in her words. There was an air of charm about him, an effortless charisma that seemed to envelop the room.

"Well then," he began, his voice smooth as silk, "that is quite the dream you've spun. I must admit, it's one hell of a vision you have there." He paused for effect, his gaze lingering on her face as if trying to read her thoughts.

"But," he continued, leaning forward slightly, his tone teasing yet sincere, "what has it got to do with me, I wonder? What role do you envision for me in this grand adventure of yours?" His smile widened, revealing a glimpse of white teeth.

 Suzuka leaned back comfortably, her demeanor easygoing yet earnest as she spoke.

 "I've got a proposition for you. We're gonna be moving these goblins to their new digs, and let me tell you, the forest out there is no joke. It's rough, it's wild, full of monsters and we could definitely use an adventurer like yourself to keep things smooth and, you know, minimize any losses. I've seen you in action, and you've got the chops for it. Plus, who doesn't love a little adventure, right? So, what do you say? Help us out, and I promise it'll be a ride worth remembering."

Her laid-back demeanor belied the seriousness of the task at hand, yet there was an undeniable charm to her approach. 

"Think of it as a win-win situation. You get to flex those hero muscles of yours, and we get these little guys to safety. Trust me, it's gonna be epic."

Isaac leaned back in his seat, swirling the drink in his hand thoughtfully. His gaze drifted across the room, catching the flickering candlelight that danced on the walls.

"I understand your concern," Isaac began, his voice smooth.

 "It would indeed be perilous to traverse the forest with just one guard for a sizable group of goblins. No matter how formidable you may be, there's always the risk of some cunning creature slipping through our defenses and causing harm."

He took another sip of his drink, the ice clinking softly against the glass.

 "With me among your ranks, however," Isaac continued, his tone laced with a hint of self-assured charm, "traveling would become significantly more manageable. My mastery of Ice magic lends itself perfectly to escort missions. I can shield us from threats, create barriers, and even freeze enemies in their tracks."

A smile played at the corners of Isaac's lips as he tilted his head slightly.

 "But," he added, his voice lowering slightly as if sharing a secret, "what's in it for me?"

Suzuka pondered Isaac's request. She twirled a lock of her vibrant black hair absentmindedly, a habit that always surfaced when she was deep in contemplation.

"I can offer you coins, but-"

Isaac gently interrupted her with a charming smile, his demeanor calm yet firm.

 "Ah, my dear, I must confess. I have no interest in coins," he began, his voice smooth and persuasive. Leaning in slightly, he continued, his eyes flickering with a hint of intrigue. 

"But let me share with you what truly captivates my attention. You see, I am on a quest for something far more valuable than gold or silver. I seek information, a delicate thread of knowledge that will lead me to a certain individual."

He paused for a moment, allowing his words to sink in, before continuing in a lower, more confidential tone. 

"This person, you see, has wronged me deeply. A grievous offense that cannot go unanswered. And so, you understand why I cannot be distracted by mundane guard duties. My pursuit is elsewhere."

Isaac's gaze softened slightly, yet his resolve remained unshaken.

 "Thus, I cannot accept your request for a mere guard mission. My path is set upon higher stakes, a quest far more personal and grave than the protection of goblins or cargo."

With a gentle yet firm bow, he concluded, "Forgive me, but I must decline. My journey calls for a different purpose."

Grasping at straws, Suzuka asked, "Alright then, who are you looking for?"

Isaac leaned forward, his presence commanding, his voice a smooth blend of charm and intensity. The dim light of the tavern flickered in his piercing gaze, drawing Suzuka's full attention.

"I am looking for a man," he began, his tone almost hypnotic. 

"Tall, with a strong build, and eyes the color of rich, dark chocolate. His hair, a shade of sandy brown that catches the sunlight just right." He paused, letting the details sink in, his eyes never leaving Suzuka's.

"On his arm," Isaac continued, his voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper, "he bears a tattoo. An angel intertwined with a rose, a hauntingly beautiful image. And beneath it, the name inscribed is-"

Suzuka's breath caught, her eyes widening in sudden recognition. The name slipped from her lips like a curse, laden with shock and anger. 

"Fucking Clive." 

For the first time since their conversation began, Isaac's expression shifted, surprise flashing across his usually composed face. He leaned forward, his eyes gleaming with sudden intensity, almost mesmerizing in their focus.

"Yes, Clive. So, you do know him. Do you know where he is?" Isaac's voice took on a smooth, almost velvety tone, dripping with urgency and barely concealed fervor.

 "Please, tell me everything you know."

Isaac leaned in closer, his interest piqued by Suzuka recounting her encounter with Clive. His usually composed demeanor cracked, revealing a glimmer of the rage that burned beneath the surface.

 "Tell me everything you know about Clive. Every detail, no matter how small, could be crucial," he urged, his voice low and intense.

Suzuka took a deep breath and began.

 "Well, I met Clive half-dead, missing an arm and a leg, in the forest near a goblin camp. He was badly injured and being attacked by an orc. He was in such a pitiful state. I thought he was going to die right there and I intervened."

Isaac clenched his fist, muttering, "That bastard. Did he survive that? I blasted that whole damn camp with my ice magic, and he still managed to hide from me. That sly piece of... sorry, please continue."

Suzuka nodded and continued, her voice casual and easygoing.

 "He was in bad shape, totally out of it, almost at death's door. So, being the kind soul that I am, I handed him a healing crystal to perk him up. I mean, he was desperate and scared, poor guy. Plus, I was lost in the forest, feeling pretty hopeless myself. I figured he might help me find my way back to town if I patched him up. He promised he would, and said it was the least he could do after I saved his life. So, we found a little hiding spot and took a breather."

 She paused, her eyes narrowing slightly as she recalled the encounter.

 "While we were resting, he started talking. And boy, did he have a lot to say."

Suzuka leaned back, a smirk playing on her lips.

 "He mentioned you, all right. Claimed his whole party got wiped out because of your incompetence. Said he barely escaped with his life because of you. I didn't know any better back then, so I bought his dumb story. Can you believe that?"

She chuckled, shaking her head. 

"Looking back, it's pretty clear he was feeding me a load of bull. But hey, we were both desperate, and I was just trying to make the best of a bad situation. Can't blame a girl for that, right?"

Isaac slammed his fist on the table, his face contorting with rage. 

"That sly bastard! He had the nerve, the audacity, to spew such blatant lies! He tried to rob and then kill the adventurer group he joined, and now he dares to twist the story. That scum, that filthy wretch-"

Suddenly, Isaac's demeanor shifted. He took a deep breath, forcing a calmness over his features, a charming smile replacing the fury. 

"I'm sorry," he said, his voice smoothing into a velvet tone, eyes softening as he addressed Suzuka.

 "Please, continue. I didn't mean to interrupt, but the sheer audacity of that man's deceit... it’s infuriating, to say the least. Your story is important, and I want to hear every word."

"So, picture this," she started, her usual laidback attitude replaced with a sharpness that cut through the air.

 "We just left the shelter, thinking we were home free. Then, out of nowhere, we get jumped by these razor rabbits. Mean little buggers, fast and brutal. You know how brutal they are."

She paused, her eyes narrowing as she relived the moment.

 "Now, I'm ready to throw down, right? But what does that slimy rat do? Uses me as bait! Yeah, you heard me. He punched me in the back of my head and kicked me so hard that I flew right into the path of those fur-covered demons, all to save his hide."

Suzuka leaned back, trying to maintain her calm exterior, but the bitterness seeped through.

 "So there I am, rolling around, trying not to get my face chewed off, and that scumbag is high-tailing it out of there. But he doesn't just run - oh no. He made sure to snatch everything I had on me first. Every last bit of my stuff. And he just left me there to get shredded."

She took a deep breath, her usual laidback tone returning, but with a hard edge.

 "I barely made it out alive. Had to fight off those damn rabbits with my bare hands. Meanwhile, he's probably sitting somewhere cozy with all my gear, laughing his head off. So yeah, next time you think someone seems trustworthy, remember this: even the nicest-seeming folks can turn into backstabbing weasels when the razor rabbits show up."