Chapter 204 - Days DXCIX - DC, Part IV

I grabbed her by the collar faster than she could react, and just lifted her up in the air. I looked her straight in the eyes. She didn't seem to be scared at all.

- Did you like it? - she asked.

I didn't answer. I wanted to punch her.

- We, The Followers of Divine Tree know how special you are, and we know how to show how grateful we are for the things you do for this city.

- What?! - I was completely thrown off.

- Join us. We will appreciate you like anybody else. You will be treated the way you deserve to.

She was either nuts, trying to sell me some bullshit, or… I looked at Velvet Lotus. Aisha was supposed to supervise this girl. I just dropped Maia and stormed back inside. Using shadow walk I gut upstairs. This time Zoë was fully aware of my presence, and intent to get to Aisha's room.

- She is sleeping – she said.

I ignored her, and shadow walked inside the room. Aisha was passed out on the couch.

- Hey! What sick game are you playing?! You didn't think I will be able to put this together?! You said you were done with this! - I yelled.

She almost jumped in a state of complete panic. Her hand immediately tried to grab something to defend herself with, but there was nothing nearby.

Even Tam, sleeping on the desk, got alerted. He stood up, twisting his head to look at me, but I wasn't even seeing him, too focused on her.

- Peter? - she mumbled out with eyes wide open.

Zoë burst into the room with a knife in her hand, ready to jump at me.

- Wait, stop! - yelled Aisha. - What the hell is going on, Peter?

- Maia. Maia is going on, and your stupid plan. What the hell do you want to achieve with this?!

- What? I don't know what you are talking about. What plan? Just… Just calm down, and explain. There is no need to yell… Just tell me what she did.

- She… She… - the words just couldn't pass through my throat.

I couldn't make myself say it.

- Speak you asshole – hissed Zoë.

The knife was still in her hand.

- She sends… She sent three girls to… to seduce me.

Aisha snorted, then laughed out loud.

- Now when you said it, she mentioned something about taking proper care of you…

- That's not a laughing matter. That bitch is crazy, and you allow this… this... madness!

- You are overreacting. Just enjoy it, and when you are done, tell her to fuck off. What's the big deal?

- What's the big… You know what? Never mind.

I went outside, catching the wide grin on Zoë's face before I left. I ran down the stairs. Shavonne was picking up things, cleaning. Vesa was with her. Both of them seemed a bit uneasy. Our eyes met for a moment.

- Should I be scared? - she asked me, completely serious.

- N-no. It' was a misunderstanding. My fault… I'm sorry.

She nodded slowly.

- I-is Haf not helping you? - I asked.

- Haf is dead – she answered with a fake smile on her face, and I noticed how two big tears just came out of her eyes, and slide down her face.

- I-I'm sorry…

That's the only thing I could squeeze out. I kept walking to escape the Velvet Lotus and this whole mess I made for myself.

Maia was still waiting outside.

- You didn't give me an answer – she said as I passed by her. - Peter!

I didn't stop, nor said anything back to her. I needed to get out of this stupid city. I felt ashamed and stupid. I felt like an idiot and an asshole.

I found my cart, and other stuff then went to buy the necessary provisions and other things. It was so early, that no other hunters were around so I didn't have to wait in line. Then I left with my shadows pulling the carts, heading straight to bears territory.

After some time filled with power walking, I reached the gate. I expected Ki'rei to jump out soon from hiding, and I'm not gonna lie. I felt like throwing up, thinking that she might have seen all of what happened. She was like a kid. How was I gonna explain this? My stomach was literally turning upside down.

- Why the rush? - she asked, coming from behind one of the buildings close to the gate.

- W-what?

- Why did you suddenly run out like that?

- D-didn't you see?

- No. I saw by the sapling. I was following you, but you were just walking around with no purpose, so I found somebody more interesting.

- Oh…

I felt like all the anxiety just flew out of me, like air from a balloon. I was so damn relieved that I can't even describe it.

- Y-you know, I just… I just felt like there is no reason for wasting any more time. I want to meet you masters a-and… I want to hunt, so let's go!

- You are so weird, Peter – she said with a bit of anger showing on her lizard-like face.

Then she turned into Tam and jumped on one of the carts. I started walking. Slowing the pace down a bit, but still going rather fast. I had so much in my head, that I didn't even know what to think of.

Maia was probably crazy and obsessed with me for some reason. Maybe Aisha was right, and I should just enjoy it, but it felt so wrong… 

I just had no idea what to do with this whole situation I found myself in. It was so crazy, that I never considered something like that was even possible, and the worst part was that some part of me really wanted it. The recognition of my hard work, the reward for what I've been through.

But there was also a guild of betraying the memory of Nadia. It was barely a couple of months since she died, and I already managed to sleep with three girls I barely knew.

I could only hope that during the hunting I will be able to somehow crack this problem, and find what I should do, what was the right choice I won't regret in the future.

I kept walking for the most part of the day, finally reaching the borders between the two territories. At some point in my travel, I briefly joined Blue and his men in wolf hunting, as I needed to cut a path for myself.

Upon reaching the destination I set up the camp, ate, and called it a day. I needed to get some sleep.

The strange period of two days came to an end with 4 057 520 points remaining on my account, and twenty-two class points.