Chapter 22

Ultimately, Hadwin decides to smoke the remainder of the meat. His reasoning is that the scent of meat would not entice far more consideration than a bunch of greater than 20 folks.

The bus and the clearing have turn into our base, and it seems like we won’t go anyplace if we need to take the bus with us, because the clearing is surrounded by dense forest that is too thick for the bus to maneuver by.

So all of us await the tip of the [Side quest]. Throughout that point, I drink some water, eat some meat, take a brief nap on the ground contained in the bus, and follow dealing with my abilities and mana.

The solar, or no matter it’s within the sky, doesn’t transfer in any respect. For a complete 24 hours, not even a bit bit. The climate is similar. The clouds look largely the identical. The wind is similar.

There’s something deeply disturbing about that.

Then, a couple of minutes earlier than the completion of the [Side quest], a person stops in entrance of me.

“Ethan Lee,” he introduces himself. He’s 10 or so years older than me, and his garments are as neat as they are often in our state of affairs. I discover a couple of luxurious manufacturers and even his watch appears to be costly.

“Greetings, Nathaniel, proper? I could not assist however discover your spectacular abilities. I will be direct. I am fairly prosperous in the actual world. I am keen to compensate you in your help in holding me protected. After all, I perceive when you have different priorities, however I believe you would be lacking out on a beneficial alternative should you handed this up.”

Uh?

Okay?

Is he for actual?

Simply out of curiosity, I ask, “How a lot?”

“Excuse me?”

“I’m asking how a lot you will pay me.”

“Oh, I see, straight to the purpose.” He offers me a sly smile and fixes his garments. “A million {dollars},” he says, as if it is one thing wonderful.

I give him a second, however he does not say the rest.

Dumbass.

“What do you assume will occur after we get again to Earth?”

“You have misplaced me there…”

A million {dollars}? What does he assume will occur if we get again to Earth? Even proper now, somebody like Sophie can be price tens of tens of millions along with her ability.

In 5 years?

Only a handful of individuals could possibly be sufficient to fuck up total nations.

A million. That is humorous. Actually.

“I’m not .” The dialog ends for me at this level, and I do not even hearken to what he says. After a minute, he simply leaves, and I get again to counting down till the completion of the search.

[Side quest completed]

Please select one of many following rewards:

– Flint and Metal Hearth Starter

– Crossbow

– Brief Sword

– Pouch of Dried Rations

– Transportable Leather-based Flask

– Small Hand Shovel

– Cloak

– Mace

– Longbow

– Gentle Armor

– Leather-based Bracers

– Chainmail Hauberk

– Full Plate Armor

– Defend

– Spear

– Dagger

– Halberd

– Greataxe

– Greatsword

Axe.

Ethan is among the folks giving Hadwin their gear.

Huh? Did he make some take care of all of them? And so they agreed? How dumb are they?

Hadwin is extra ruthless than I believed.

To be trustworthy I could be dissatisfied I did not give you that on my own.

Tess and Sophie each received a spear. Kevin is already placing on some type of armor.

So what now?

If issues go the best way the final 12 hours went, surviving one month does not appear that not possible. We have already got a supply of water, and we should always be capable of hunt a couple of extra animals.

That is possibility one.

Possibility two goes into the forest with the aim of leveling up.

The second possibility is far more harmful, however there’s additionally an opportunity that one thing will assault us even after we’re not attempting to degree up. So simply sitting right here and attempting to outlive feels naive to me. The protection we’re feeling now could be tremendous unreliable and feels extra like luck than one thing that’s anticipated.

Quickly after, I discover Hadwin and Sophie grouping up. Cassian and Dominic be a part of them, and so they slowly enter the forest.

Hadwin even seems in direction of me, and a small, apologetic smile seems on his lips. Then, they’re gone.

Effectively, there goes the neighborhood watch.

I don ́t need to sound too cocky however they higher watch out, going there with out me If this had been a online game, I might be mashing the quicksave button proper now.

Additionally, did I simply get ditched?

…

What the hell Hadwin?!

Did Sophie get him as properly, or was it his resolution? Does he assume he does not want me now when he is extra equipped? Is his goal changing into stronger than me? I do not prefer it, not even a bit bit. And what annoys me most likely probably the most is that I in some way did count on Hadwin to arrange every little thing after which come to ask me. Positive, I did need to depend on him whereas coping with different folks, however this?

Since when did I turn into so indecisive and are available to depend on others to take a lead?

“Tess,” I cease in entrance of a bunch of children. “Are you going with me?”

I am not in a very good temper, so if she declines, I am performed along with her.

That will likely be it, and I will begin a solo profession because the world’s least social adventurer.

Positive, it would turn into extra harmful, however I can do it. If Sophie and Hadwin turn into stronger, I will be at drawback.

Tess simply nods shortly and stands up.

“I might prefer to take Kevin as properly; I already gave him my previous spear.”

Kevin is standing there, carrying armor and holding her previous spear. There’s pleasure seen on his face. It looks like they already talked about it.

“He’ll must hearken to me. Did you clarify it to him?”

“He’ll; we did discuss that, proper?”

Kevin nods. This time, he appears to be a bit extra severe.

We take a bit little bit of time to prepare.

“Let’s go.” I lead them in direction of the other facet of the clearing the place the others disappeared. I put my knife away, and I maintain the mace in my proper hand as we enter. My left hand is nearly totally healed, so I really feel assured.

Me on the entrance, Tess behind me, with Kevin on the final again; his most important job this time is to depart marks for us so we can’t get misplaced. Firstly, I do not overlook to manage him a bit bit, however he is doing it correctly.

As at all times I’m stunned by how regular this forest seems, sounds, and scent as we enter deeper and deeper.

“Proper facet,” Tess whispers after what seems like round half-hour of strolling.

All of us immediately decelerate. “It seems just like the deer we discovered final time,” she continues, so I nod. “Deer degree 3,” she provides after a second.

“You’ll be able to kill it.” I haven’t got sufficient vary to hunt it, however Tess ought to be capable of kill it from what I noticed earlier than, and a few expertise is sweet for her. With my [Mana Perception] activated, I watch as she throws her new spear. It flies a lot quicker than it ought to. It additionally modifications its trajectory a bit bit because it leaves her hand.

With a scream the deer falls to the bottom. Lifeless.

Good, get fucked Hadwin.

“Wait,” her voice is louder than earlier than.

Rustling.

Stomping.

A tall determine strikes away branches of timber and stops in entrance of the deer; it sniffs the deer after which seems proper in direction of us.

[Troll, lvl 6]

It is a hulking mass of muscle standing 3 to 4 meters tall (9.8 to 13.1 ft). Its lengthy arms cling down, simply reaching the bottom because it slouches menacingly. Darkish, mottled pores and skin stretches tightly over its large body, a grotesque show of uncooked energy. Its monstrous face is a horrifying sight, with rows of large enamel protruding from its twisted, gaping maw.

The troll’s eyes, stuffed with a predatory starvation, staring proper at us.