The Steal Game

Chapter Twenty: A Tavern of Criminals

-chapter twenty-

"They will be participating in the Steal Game... again."

IF THE presence of both the Crow's Nest and the witch posed as a threat for the travelling bunch, it didn't faze the thief they have as a leader.

Sa halip ay parang excited pa ito na gumala sila sa Trading City kaysa magplano.

"Tama ba itong gagawin natin, Vash?" Zorann asked, as the only sane person he believed he was. "Dapat alamin na natin ang mangyayari sa game na 'yon. Hanapan ng weakness ang dalawang sasali, at magtanong-tanong!"

The female thief in question only chewed the apple Augustus bought with a bored face. "Ano naman itatanong?"

Zorann meaninglessly waved his hand on the air, as if to explain something he can't even comprehend. "Hindi ko alam! Pero 'di ba dapat tayong mangolekta ng impormasyon bago sumabak sa laban? I'm sure even thieves like you plan their heists before taking action."

"Siyempre. Hindi naman kami bobo," Vash paused and glanced at Murphy. "Well, except sa kaniya kasi laging palyado ang nakaw."

"Hindi 'yon ang nangyari! I was betrayed!" Murphy tried to defend himself.

"E kung hindi ka naman uto-uto, e'di hindi ka na betray!" Vash mockingly copied the way Murphy dramatically pronounced the word.

Napabuntong-hininga na lang ang apat na sumusunod sa maingay na tatlo. They have already resigned from arguing with Vashtianna, dahil talagang hahanap ito ng paraan para manalo. Kahit na insultuhin niya pa ang ancestry line mo.

Besides, it feels like a normal and more comfortable image than the ruthless thief in their mind. Hindi pa rin nila makalimutan ang nangyari sa maliit na bayang iyon. They knew she was skilled. How would she be able to enter this dangerous game in the first place? But they didn't know she was such a monster.

Kaya siguro sinabi no'ng lalaki sa tavern na mahigpit na kalaban ng witch si Vashtianna. Augustus can't help the burning curiosity inside him. Just what happened at that Steal Game? How did Vashtianna conquered and threatened the witch, that she was even considered a worthy rival? There was more to this crimson-eyed girl who bends words and smirks than what's naturally required.

"Our walk here is not pointless." Vash suddenly explained, making them startle. "Kung dito man magaganap ang unang phase, kailangang maging pamilyar tayo sa lugar. We should know every nook and cranny, kung saan nakapwesto ang mga village stools o kahit mga bato. We need to study the streets and alleys, connecting and forming a map through our findings. That way, we can form an easy escape plan or navigate this place easier. The second task in stealing is studying the where."

"So you've been noting the details of the streets we passed?" manghang tanong ni Lucius na sumabay sa paglalakad ni Vash. "Mula nang umalis tayo ay pinag-aralan mo na ang lugar?"

Vash smugly scoffed, eyes bright and proud. "Siyempre naman."

Murphy let loose a defeated sigh, already hearing the praises going through Vashtianna's mind. Kaya mabuting inaaway 'to palagi eh. Para hindi mabuhay sa isipan niya ang mga compliments na binibigay sa sarili kahit sa mga simpleng bagay.

"The second...?" Arpheus wondered, a frown settling on his gentle face. "Ano 'yong una?"

Vash tsked three times with a shake of her head. Ipinapakita niya ang pagka-disappoint sa tinanong ni Arpheus.

"Of course, it's the who. Paano mo malalaman ang where kung wala naman palang who. Ano 'yon buong mundo pag-aaralan natin?"

"It's a simple question, Vash. Hindi mo na kailangang pahabain pa ang sagot." Pheme warned.