Rhodes Island's Psychologist

Ch 111: Test Subject - Nearl

Nearl fell asleep much more quickly than Shining.

But for a radiant knight, her sleeping position is quite funny. She looks like a sleeping squirrel holding onto her tail. The cuteness is in stark contrast with her usual appearance, a fierce warrior holding a hammer with one hand and a shield with another. Well, the reason is probably the size of her tail, which takes up half the chair on its own.

"Lin Ye." Shining says, "Now is your chance."

"..."

Somehow these Sarkaz can always make something normal sound weird, but fortunately, Lin Yie has developed an immunity to their speech after great tribulations. Therefore, he just pretends he didn't hear anything.

Lin Yie looks down at Nearl. He knows what her personality is, and it wouldn't surprise him if she suddenly jumps up and twists his neck.

Uh...

Nevertheless, he grabs the Kuranta girl's hand and closes his eyes.

{Rhodes Island's Pscyologist}

And as expected, when he opens his eyes again, he's in a different place.

Lin Ye looks around and finds himself in a rundown tavern.

Everything here looks old and broken, but it doesn't stop people from coming. In fact, it's packed full. Every now and then, he can see people clinking their glasses and spilling their ales everywhere. The tavern owner just sits behind the bar, dozing off.

Is this Nearl's dream? Where is she?

He looks at the door and sees Nearl right there.

However, it's hard to believe that's the radiant knight he knows. Her hair is messy, and her clothes old and torn. There are bloodstains, and her eyes look dead.

Is that really Nearl?!

As she walks past him, Lin Yie can smell the stench and alcohol on her. He thought about calling out to her, but he's still not over the initial shock. By the time he gets a hold of himself, she's already in front of the bar.

The bar owner nods at Nearl and treats her like another customer, but when she gives him the coins, he sees the crystals on her hand. He frowns.

"Are you an Infected?"

The noisy tavern suddenly quiets down. Everyone is looking at Nearl, and she nods slowly.

"Get out," The tavern owner leans back to avoid her hand. "I don't do business with the Infected."

"I just want some ale." Nearl's voice sounds weak and without her usual confidence.

The owner shakes his head.

Nearl is about to say more, but a huge man gets up from his table and walks up to her.

"Wait, are you... a knight from Kazimierz?

Lin Ye looks at the man closely and realizes he comes from the same race as Nearl, another kuranta. They share similar horse-based features. The man walks towards Nearl with a bottle of alcohol.

He sniffs her hair, "You look familiar. Are you the radiant knight?"

"Radiant knight?" Someone in the tavern has obviously heard of the title. He sounds extremely surprised.

"Isn't that Kazimierz's star? How did she become like that?"

"Why?" The man snickers, "Because she was fired. She's just one of those filthy Infected now."

He slams his bottle on her head.

Lin Ye is stunned.

Blood gushes out from Nearl's blonde hair as she lies on the ground.

The man's smile only turns crueler. "Ms. Radiant Knight, how's your drink?"

Lin Yie thought Nearl would fight back. With her strength, it should be easy to beat everyone here, but she doesn't do anything.

Is this her nightmare?

Even though Nearl has never treated him well, Lin Ye is not going to just watch. He picks up a bottle and creeps up on the man from behind.

Suddenly, someone shouts: "Hey, there's another Infected here. She's a Sarkaz."

"Sarkaz? Those devils not extinct yet?"

Lin Ye pauses and turns his head, only to see a familiar sight.

Nightingale is pressed down against the floor. She's panicking.

"Let's teach her a lesson."

"It's fine if we beat her to death, right? She's infected."

Goddamn it, how's this kid getting bullied even in Nearl's dream?

Lin Ye changes his target and walks towards the crowd, but before he can do anything, he gets pushed away by someone. He looks up and sees Nearl pushing the crowd away from Nightingale. She holds the girl in her arms and blocks the bottles thrown at her.

"You people." Nearl looks at the crowd coldly, "How can you beat a little girl like this?!"

The crowd laughs.

"What are you talking about? So you're gonna save her? I'm so touched!"

"What a radiant knight!"

The man who attacked Nearl walks up to her with a knife in his hand. "Then, why don't you go to hell together? You two filthy Infected."

Nearl holds Nightingale closer. There is no fear in her eyes.

She whispers in Nightingale's ears, "I'm here. You'll be fine."

Lin Ye knows this is just a dream, or rather, Nearl's past, so both of them will be fine. But like hell he can just watch and do nothing! He thinks about fighting the crowd, but uh...that seems a bit too unrealistic. He may be able to take one down with his stealth, but fighting all these people at once is too difficult.

As he hesitates, Lin Ye notices there are people creeping up on Nearl from behind.

You motherfuckers, you're going to ambush even with these numbers?!

Fuck it.

He rushes forward with two bottles in his hands.

But at that moment, the door is kicked open.

Black cape... black sword... black eyes... and the same bone-chilling killing intent...

Lin Ye backs away subconsciously, but it's far too late.

Shining pulls her sword out and begins her slaughter.

...

Blood flows freely on the floor.

Everyone, men or women, young or old, everyone who was trying to attack Nearl and Nightingale collapsed onto the floor. Even Lin Ye, who didn't even interfere, got cut down all the same.

Goddamnit, Shining!

{Rhodes Island's Pscyologist}

Draft by Demosama

Proofread by Mihjaqtio

Rewrite by Unreality6

Edit by Mihjaqtio