Hacking the Game Didn't Go as Intended

CHAPTER 65: The Favorable Encounter

"Big Brother!" came the joyous cry of a little girl with auburn hair and chestnut eyes as she sprinted toward the trio.

Rexar gracefully dropped to his knees, arms open and wearing an affectionate smile. "Half-Pint!" he called with a blush, only to be met with shock and heartbreak when the girl leaped into Daisuke's arms instead of his own.

"April?" Daisuke exclaimed in surprised disbelief. "Wait! What're you—"

"It really is a small world, isn't it?" said Feng with a hand cupping his hip, an aloof smile teasing his lips.

"It's such a relief to see you're alright," added Sylvia tearfully. "We've been on edge this whole time, going back and forth with the idea of forming a search party."

"Haxks!" shouted Aldric with a firm salute. "I protected April as promised. Everyone was worried sick, but I knew a stupid monster wouldn't get the best of you."

Mia had her fingers laced gracefully behind her back with a coy smile. "I knew you'd find your way back to us."

Daisuke's expression softened. Everyone's all right, he thought in relief, then his gaze settled on Mia. It was pretty reckless for her to follow us all the way out here alone; her nights must have been painfully long.

Even as he contemplated this, a part of him felt a flicker of happiness knowing that she was willing to make such a sacrifice for him. Despite the betrayal he endured, Mia's actions made it abundantly clear that not everyone shared Brek's misguided beliefs.

"So wait—are you telling me Haxks is the big brother those two were going on about all this time?" Rexar scoffed in surprise.

"Then why were they calling him Julian?" asked Milo.

"It's the alias that Mr. Langley—I mean, Haxks, devised to protect their identity and fool the man who took us all in as slaves," explained Sylvia.

"Big Brother," cried April as she smothered her face in his chest. "I-I was so scared," she sniffled. "I thought that monster had—"

Daisuke gently stroked her head, his rare show of affection making Elena blush as she watched from a distance. "I'm sorry I made you worry," he said tenderly, relief unfurling within him as much as it did within her. "And I'm glad you were all able to escape safely," he said, his eyes passing over Sylvia, Feng, Aldric, and Mia.

Zephyr, feeling neglected, got up on his hind legs and braced his front paws against April with a whimper. Sensing the attention, the little girl retreated from the warmth of Daisuke's embrace and clumsily began wiping her tears. Then she looked down at the pup with uncertainty.

"It's okay," Daisuke reassured with a comforting smile, "he's perfectly harmless. His name's Zephyr—he's a friend I made when we got separated."

Readily convinced, April tentatively extended her fingers, which the canine playfully licked. Her face lit up with a radiant smile as she reached down to pat and embrace the overgrown marshmallow of a wolf.

The other Beastfolk who remained in hiding observed the warm interaction. Ears and tails that once sagged in fright now perked up with curiosity, and they gradually began to emerge from their dwellings. The kids, in particular, slowly approached April and Zephyr, eager for a chance to pet the curious wolf.

"So, this is the safe haven you mentioned," remarked Daisuke, shifting his gaze to Sylvia.

"Yes... the safe haven she willingly abandoned," interjected an elderly woman accusingly, causing the girl to bow her head dejectedly.

"And you are?" Daisuke asked with a hint of indifference, evidently annoyed by the verbal attack.

"My name is Timartha. I'm the village chief," clarified the elderly woman with a slight inclination of her head. "Thank you for rescuing the young ones; I'm eternally grateful."