Chapter 420: 420: The Art of Assasination
As Ed suggested resting, Mic scanned their surroundings, nodding in agreement. "Sounds like a good idea," she replied, her voice carrying a hint of exhaustion. "We've been on the move for a while now. A break would do us good."
Finding a relatively flat and safe spot amidst the rocky terrain, they settled down, their weary bodies grateful for the chance to rest. As they sat, Ed turned to Mic, curiosity shining in his eyes.
"So, Mic, how old are you?" he asked, his tone casual. "And why does it seem like you're awkward at wielding daggers?"
Mic chuckled softly, running a hand through her hair. "I'm actually older than I look," she admitted, a sheepish smile playing on her lips. "But when it comes to daggers, well, let's just say they're not my preferred weapon of choice. I'm more comfortable with a bow or a staff."
Ed nodded understandingly, his curiosity piqued. "Interesting," he remarked, his gaze drifting to the lava pools nearby. "And speaking of interesting, how do you manage to eat so much? I mean, skewering meat using the lava around us? That's pretty resourceful."
Mic grinned mischievously, a twinkle in her eye. "Well, when you're constantly on the move and facing unpredictable challenges, you learn to make use of whatever resources are available," she explained, reaching for a skewer of cooked meat. "And as for the lava, it adds a unique flavor to the meat that you just can't get anywhere else."
Ed's eyebrows shot up in surprise, impressed by Mic's ingenuity. "I never would have thought of that," he admitted, reaching for a skewer himself. "You really are full of surprises, Mic."
As they enjoyed their impromptu meal, Ed's curiosity got the better of him once again. "Hey, Mic, I've always wondered—what's the difference between magma and lava?" he asked, genuine curiosity in his voice. Find exclusive stories on My Virtual Library Empire
Mic smiled, grateful for the chance to share her knowledge. "Well, it's actually pretty simple," she began, gesturing towards the nearby lava flows. "Magma is molten rock beneath the Earth's surface, while lava is magma that has reached the surface through volcanic eruptions. So, basically, magma becomes lava once it's erupted."
Ed nodded, absorbing the information. "That makes sense," he mused, glancing toward the glowing rivers of lava surrounding them. "Thanks for clearing that up, Mic."
'Is this guy stupid?' Caleb was speechless as he listened to the two.
As Mic and Ed settled down for their rest, Ed's gaze wandered to a peculiar sight nearby. "Hey, Mic, what's that black thing over there?" he asked, pointing towards a dark shape about ten meters away, nestled beside a tree with flaming leaves of yellow and orange.
Mic followed his gaze and squinted at the object, her brow furrowing in confusion. "I'm not sure," she admitted, her curiosity piqued. "Let's check it out."
They approached cautiously, Caleb trailing behind, his senses alert. As they drew closer, they realized that the black object was a small, charred stump, surrounded by scorch marks on the ground.
"Looks like it's been burned," Mic observed, kneeling down to examine the remains.
Ed nodded, his eyes scanning the area for any signs of danger. "Yeah, but what could have caused it?" he wondered aloud.
Caleb, ever observant, pointed towards the tree with flaming leaves nearby. "Perhaps it had something to do with that tree," he suggested, his tone thoughtful.
Mic nodded in agreement, her mind racing with possibilities. "It's possible," she agreed. "Maybe the tree's leaves are flammable, and something ignited them."
Ed's eyes widened with realization. "Ah, that makes sense," he exclaimed, his gaze flicking towards Caleb. "Adam, do you have any experience with assassination techniques? Or maybe you know the essence of assassination?"
Caleb considered the question for a moment before responding. "Assassination is not just about taking out a target," he began, his voice low and measured. "It's about stealth, precision, and knowing when to strike. The essence of assassination lies in patience and observation, waiting for the perfect moment to act."
Ed nodded thoughtfully, absorbing Caleb's words. "So, it's not just about killing someone," he mused, his gaze distant. "It's about being able to do it without being detected, without leaving a trace."
Mic chimed in, her voice serious. "Assassination is a dangerous art, Ed," she cautioned. "It requires skill, discipline, and a willingness to do whatever it takes to achieve your goal."
Caleb nodded in agreement, his expression grave. "Indeed," he agreed. "And in our current situation, knowing how to assassinate could mean the difference between survival and failure."
Caleb glanced at Ed, a hint of curiosity in his eyes. "Why do you ask about assassination techniques, Ed? Are you planning to take someone out, or just curious?" he inquired, his tone neutral but probing.
Ed chuckled nervously, scratching the back of his head. "Oh, no, nothing like that," he replied hastily, his cheeks flushing slightly. "I was just curious, you know? It's a topic that's always fascinated me."
Caleb raised an eyebrow, his expression unreadable. "Really? It's not exactly a light subject," he remarked, his voice tinged with skepticism.
Ed shifted uncomfortably, avoiding Caleb's gaze. "Yeah, I know," he admitted sheepishly. "But I've always been intrigued by the idea of stealth and precision, you know? Like being able to move without being seen, striking from the shadows..."
Caleb nodded thoughtfully, his demeanor thoughtful. "I understand," he said, his tone softer now. "There's a certain allure to the idea of mastering such skills, of being able to control the outcome of a situation without anyone knowing you were there."
Ed nodded in agreement, relieved that Caleb didn't seem to suspect any ulterior motives. "Exactly," he agreed eagerly. "It's like being a silent guardian, watching over everything from the shadows."
Caleb smiled faintly, a glint of amusement in his eyes. "Well, just remember that with great power comes great responsibility," he cautioned, his tone similar to Uncle Ben. "Assassination is a dangerous art, Ed. It's not something to be taken lightly."
Ed nodded solemnly, his earlier excitement tempered by Caleb's words. "I understand," he replied earnestly. "Thanks for the reminder, Adam. I'll keep that in mind."