Ethan gave a tight smile, hiding the thousand thoughts racing through his head. "Steal a kill? From you guys?" He chuckled softly, deliberately letting his voice tremble with faux disbelief. "I nearly pissed myself just seeing the crater."
He leaned against a nearby tree, adding a wince for effect. "Something exploded, that's for sure. Thought it was maybe a mana surge or someone else fighting. I didn't stick around to find out—I value breathing."
The glaive-wielding girl stepped closer, eyes narrowed. "You're covered in blood."
"Mutated howlers," Ethan replied smoothly. "Got three of them. They bleed black, don't they?"
There was a pause. The trio exchanged glances. The spear guy muttered something under his breath, clearly still suspicious. But the axe wielder grinned and slapped his comrade on the back.
"Forget it, man. Why interrogate the poor guy like this?"
