"I'll show you around."

  "Thanks. What do you do for um... sports. The word I was looking for is sports."

  A gleeful smile shown on his face. It was like a hunter had just found prey.

  "Sports... Follow me."

  He started running at a moderate pace, checking back to see me leisurely keeping pace. Instead of speeding up like I predicted, he started talking while running.

  "I've heard other vilges like archery and other things. We have funner sports. Huup."

  He jumped onto an empty wagon, before kicking off, climbing higher, ending up on the roof. I matched his pace while staying on the road. A moment ter, he jumped off, nding safely on the ground. A cloud of dust floated up as he waved it away, slightly out of breath.

  "It's called tree parkour. Fastest to reach the goal wins."

  He paused as he caught sight of my disinterest. Was it that obvious? Why bother running on trees when I can run underneath?

  "I promise it'll be fun! There's a whole group of us. Not everyone is going to run at the same time, so you can sit back and rex."

  "Let me show you something..."

  I sank up to my neck, popping out my hands to point at myself.

  "I don't find any use for running aboveground. I can help check the path though."

  "That's good too. We're almost there."

  With a whatever shrug, we arrived at a cozy campsite. A small group of five sat on logs, using a pair of chopsticks to roast something. One of the guys waved us other before pulling the person that brought me here to the side. I still don't know their names.

  "You're the outsider?"

  "I'm Aerth."

  I held my hand out for a handshake, only to be met with a dumbfounded look. It was expected, as when they greet each other, it's a bow of some sorts. This handshake would basically certify me as an outsider.

  "In pces like Piltover and Demacia, when they greet someone, they shake their hands together."

  I reached out more to grab their hand and firmly shook it twice before moving onto the next person.

  "I'm called Ponzo, my parents wanted me to become fat,"

  He was quite skinny.

  "But as you can see, it's like a curse my family has. No matter how rge my mother is, I can't grow that big."

  "Being skinny is fine."

  "You don't have to worry, I've already gotten used to it."

  I quickly shook hands with the others, as they curtly replied.

  "Sida."

  "Han."

  Sitting down, I asked them how the game was pyed and where'd it come from.

  "You see those Bahrl Jays? We just follow them around, and sometimes, they lead us to treasure."

  "Yeah! See these gems I got? I found them after a Bahrl tossed it at me. Hehe, it's cause I'm favored by the spirits."

  Han muttered under his breath.

  "Favored? More like you were too loud near their babies."

  "What did you say?! I'm gonna kill you!"

  They dashed off into the woods. I looked quizzically at the others. Sida replied after looking up.

  "Don't worry about them, they're probably going to a thicket to make out."

  So strange.

  "Spirits? I've heard of them, but most of the time it's about how an evil spirit showed up or something."

  "You're learning from Master Doran right? So shouldn't you know about spirits?"

  I shook my head. Spirit prevention methods were in the treasure hunting guidebook, but I've never seen a glimpse of one.

  "It's not my pce to teach you, so just ask Master Doran about meditation."

  "Mmhm. Okay."

  Just then the trees shook as multiple shadows jumped down. The dust settled, revealing a teen sheepishly rubbing the back of his head. The two others that nded after him indignantly shouted at him.

  "Didn't you say that you wouldn't use both arms?! You clearly used one!"

  "Right, right! If it wasn't for that you would've lost."

  He casually waved backwards, before widening his eyes slightly at me.

  "Hey! Don't make me look bad in front of the new guy!"

  They walked over. I held out my hand again, and he reached out to vigorously shake it.

  "I'm Aerth, a traveler from Piltover."

  "You can call me Er!"

  He leaned over and whispered.

  "As they say, I'm the second coming of Master Yi."

  Was it supposed to have a meaning? He angrily retorted after noticing that I didn't react.

  "C'mon, Yi sounds like one, so if I'm the second Yi, then I am two, or Er."

  "You're embarrassing us! Just cause you're the closest of us to becoming a proper Wuju disciple doesn't mean you can brag."

  As everyone got settled, I was handed a single skewer which they stuffed on a leg of some sorts with other vegetables. The only seasoning on it was some sea salt. There was some fragrant herbs on the side however.

  "These burn too easily, so we dip it at the end."

  "Where'd you get it? I've never seen it before."

  "We forage for them! In fact, we trade the better ones with the other vilgers."

  A slightly burnt smell wafted from the campfire. I hurriedly turned my skewer, only to find out it wasn't mine that burned.

  "Nooo! Not again!!!"

  "What was it again? This is the third time this week right?"

  "Open your mouth."

  "Ahhh."

  Our thoughts linked up as we looked at each other. This couple... really thinks we won't notice if they speak like they're cold to each other?! It's not my pce to interfere. I stepped back into the woods as the others all stood up in unison.

  The only other girl held onto Sida, while Han... his fate was being decided.

  It didn't seem like it was the first time this had happened, as Han accepted his fate way too easily. His teeth clenched and prepared, with the face of a warrior.

  Soon after, the sounds of a beating occurred. It was too loud compared to what was actually happening, but the distressed other half didn't know.

  It was getting awkward, so I started to cook another batch of skewers for them. Four in each hand, some bits were more charred than the others, but I made sure to cook it through.

  The group made it back with refreshing smiles, each gratefully accepting a skewer. Han appeared a moment ter, clutching his arms.

  He immediately made it to his girlfriend to seek comfort. I gave yet another skewer away, and instead of him eating by himself, he repeated the same actions that got him beat up in the first pce. But worse.

  Head ying down on p, getting a girl to feed you, all the while getting comforted?!

  Why couldn't it be me?

  I stood up, walking off to the side with the others, leaving the couple to their sickening dispys of love.