"Kai! You're a real one! A goddamn real one!!"
Overcome with excitement, Ma Lou threw an arm around Kairils's shoulders!
But Ma Lou had completely forgotten that, although this white-haired god of war looked fine, blood-soaked bandages were wrapped beneath his clothes!
His hand landed with a solid smack, squarely on the bloody hole in Kairils's body that had yet to heal!
"Ngh!!"
Kairils's normally calm eyes flew as wide as they could go!
His eyeballs nearly popped out of their sockets!
A piercing, bone-deep agony shot straight to his head. His entire pale face instantly turned purple, his teeth ground together, and he nearly failed to catch his breath and passed out on the spot.
"Let... go..."
Kairils forced the words through clenched teeth, his voice trembling uncontrollably.
"Aw, Kai, don't be so polite!"
Ma Lou failed to notice the almost murderous look in his eyes. His other hand was still making grand, spirited gestures:
"Don't worry! I, Mr. Ma, have always lived by a code of honor out in the Wasteland! I won't let you treat me for nothing!"
"Once we're done with this business and I head back to Fog Town, I'll make sure to send you some of our local specialties!"
"We've got loads of all-natural, pollution-free wild mushrooms! Enough to fill you right up! They'll definitely put some color back in your face!"
As Ma Lou continued prattling on about Fog Town's "local specialties," the veins at Kairils's temples throbbed violently.
He took a deep breath and forcibly pushed Ma Lou's hand off his shoulder.
Then the Knight, who normally never uttered a sound no matter how badly he was injured, discreetly rubbed the wound that had just suffered another heavy blow, the corner of his mouth twitching almost imperceptibly.
"...Thank you."
Kairils's voice shook.