Chapter 15 - Day XVI: Nacho

When I woke up, I didn't get up at first, instead, I started moving my legs slowly. Joints were screaming in pain. I really needed a bed or a heal from the device. But would it really work? - I thought. Yesterday's events made me reconsider many things. Maybe this place, just as Will said, was a God's punishment.

I rolled to the side and pushed myself up, on all fours. From that position, I sat on the ground, and a moment later got on my feet. I had to hunt, and try healing. I couldn't take it anymore mentally. Every single fucking day in pain. To the point, you have to force yourself to even get up.

I pushed negative thoughts to the side, telling myself to man up, and went outside. Took a longer route to the city center. Hunters already left, leaving behind injured, and weak. Will was nowhere to be seen. Aisha also, and her crew. They probably went short on crystals after yesterday's useless shopping for upgrades. Most of the people did.

I wanted to buy food but had to wait because few guys tried experimenting with the device. In the end, I had to tell them a few harsh words to make them move. It ended with an argument, but at least I got some meat, a few carrots, and a bowl of water which tasted a bit salty from the seasoning I used for meat. Another 12 points down, but at least got my stomach somewhat full.

I couldn't look at other people, the mere sight of their faces would make me angry. So I went back to the hideout, taking the long route. A few minutes later the guys I argued with before, came out from behind some buildings, and blocked my path. Our business wasn't finished. I got my ass kicked. Not gonna write much more about it, cause even now it makes me a bit angry. They just had to show me how wrong I was, and they did.

Maybe I also should mention their names. I didn't know them by then and only found out sometime later, but I think you, as a reader, should know. They weren't by any means strong-looking. Just your average Joes. Still, a little bit higher than me, wounded, as anyone by then.

The leader of the group was Ignacio, but they were calling him Nacho. I guess for short, or because it sounded cooler. I have no idea how he got his position since none of his features were shining over the other members. There was also Pierre. Very tough guy. I guess he had it hard in his life. Then there was Maurício, Antonio, and Luca. They probably got together because it was easier for them to communicate in Spanish, than in English.

After they left me, I took an even longer walk with a single rest worth a couple of minutes. Maybe even an hour. I was sitting on the cobblestone, by some half-collapsed house, and spitting blood. It made me think how much on edge all of us were. Those who couldn't hunt were unable to vent on goblins. Their situation was probably even worse than mine.

While sitting, I made the decision to go hunting the next day. I kept telling myself that either I'm gonna break, or get better. Prolonging this whole situation anymore was just simply stupid. So I got up, and taking double measures, went to the hideout to pick up my shield. It needed some repairs, so I took it back to the device, and started working on it.

Guys from before were keeping an eye on me, but I was doing the same with them. I didn't want to fight, though. Just took some measures to not get ambushed again. Fixing the shield costed me 14 points. Had to buy some leather straps to tie the wood pieces. When everything was done and looked pretty decently, I also bought a nice piece of oak branch, that could work as a mace. It was 9 points.

That day I decided to stay with everybody for the night. For two reasons actually. First, I didn't want to get the shit kicked out of me by those morons who kept watch over me. Second, I wanted to get up with the rest of the hunters, to have some chance of finding goblins.

That's how the day ended. With me sleeping in a sitting position close to the ever-burning bonfire. Oh, and my points.. Still had 531.