Ging Freecss, You Really Aren't Afraid of Dying

When the flock outside started acting strangely, Bai Zhu's first reaction was to pull the curtains shut.

They would not budge.

Ging held the edge of the curtain and stood by the window, watching the abnormal scene outside with great interest.

Birds lined the windowsill, the outdoor AC unit, the street-side power lines, and the rooftop across the street. Even the hotel sign was packed with them.

They did not flap about or fight over food. Every head turned in perfect unison toward this room.

"Rent."

"Rent."

"Rent."

The voices pressed in layer by layer from outside the window.

Bai Zhu's head throbbed.

He covered his ears, his teeth clenched tight.

"Stop rushing me, stop rushing me. I heard you."

Ging tilted his head to look at him.

"You really owe it?"

Bai Zhu had originally wanted to snap back at Ging.

But the words caught in his throat.

That trip to Meteor City had indeed been greatly helped by the feather the Landlord had given him.

It was not entirely unreasonable for the Landlord to come collecting some snacks from him.

The problem was...

"I owe it for one night in a tree hollow."

Ging pushed the window open a crack.

Bai Zhu nearly jumped out of his skin.

"What are you doing?!"

Ging held a hand over the gap, keeping the birds from squeezing inside, and merely listened to the sounds outside.

"If you owe it, face it. Don't be a deadbeat."

Bai Zhu stared at him, utterly numb.

"Ging Freecss, you really aren't afraid of dying, are you?"

"I am."

"You call that being afraid?"

Ging turned back, still wearing that infuriatingly relaxed expression.

"Even if you're afraid, you still have to see things clearly. Standing there and getting chased for payment won't solve anything."

Bai Zhu