Chapter 236 - Day DCCXX

I did my usual routine, and with a full belly went to the city center with the leftover crystals in my pockets. Since all the rubble was now cleaned, there was nothing to sit on, so I ended up sitting straight on the cobblestone, resting my back on a wall of a building belonging to Wuxia.

I still didn't decide what to do. Logically it was better to sacrifice that month and get strong enough to attempt killing the orc boss, but it was a long time, and even a single thought of it was making shivers run down my spine. I just didn't want to go there. Even if I had Ki'rei with me to talk to. She was cute but moody, and sometimes annoying.

I spent like an hour there, watching other people, and returning over and over to the problem. Eventually, I decided to just talk with Will, and ask him for advice.

I didn't want to go and wake him up, so I ended up just sitting there, and waiting for him to show. He did eventually, but it was almost midday. I immediately went to say hi.

- Morning. You made me wait for quite a while.

- Morning, Peter. Couldn't you just come to my place then?

- I was polite, and waited patiently, so you could rest well after the canyon. 

He snorted.

- Ok, ok. Just hit me, and I don't mean punch.

- Damn. I was so close... Anyway... I need advice. We both know that I'm gonna go and kill that orc boss sooner or later, but I don't want to die, so I believe I should get a bit stronger than I am. The problem is, with you guys it will take me months, so the most logical way would be to go hunt bears, but another month alone out there, and I will go crazy. So yeah... what the hell should I do?

He just laughed.

- Just clench your butt cheeks and go. I know you are gonna try to kill that thing, and it's just a matter of time, so just go the hell out and got as strong as possible, so you won't fucking die. Cause I swear, if you die, I'm gonna kill you.

- I sense a bit of contradiction here, but ok. 

- Don't talk back to your mother you little shit.

Now I laughed.

- So, what's the plan? - he asked.

- I don't know. It seems like I need to go hunting. Probably as soon as possible, which means tomorrow. Then we should talk because I believe we should switch the spots.

- You mean we should start hunting bears, while you get the canyon for yourself? 

- Yep. You guys won't clear the cave without me and going there with all ten of us is holding me back, while to you it's exhausting. So it would be better if we would switch. You should earn more points in bear territory, while not working so hard.

- You sure about that? Not so long ago you were talking about how hard it is to kill those things, besides you just complained that you don't want to hunt alone, and your plan is to hunt alone? That's a contradiction.

- There is a way for you to hunt those bears easily, but if I tell you, you need to keep that for yourselves, ok? And I will have enough drive in me to go clear that canyon over and over. About that, you don't need to worry. I'm gonna kill that motherfucker at least a hundred times, and piss on his crystal.

- Uh... That's disgusting, but - and he put his arm around my shoulders - tell me more about that secret tactic of yours.

I knocked his hand off me.

- In a month. So behave mom, or you won't get shit.

- You little... You are just like your father.

- Yeah? And how was he?

- Ok, you have me at loss here. This time you win - he squinted his eyes. - But next time, the victory will be mine.

- You watched too many movies.

- Maybe. Do you want to grab a beer, or are we going to stand here like two statues?

- You mean: Will you buy me a beer, mister Peer? Pretty please.

- You know what? I'm not thirsty anymore

I slapped his shoulder while chuckling, and started moving towards the pub.

- Come, come.

- Well if you insist.

At this hour there were only a few people inside. I went to put all ten crystals on my tab and got us two mugs of ale. Then we sat at the table close to the exit.

- Who knew that I one day will be drinking beer at this hour without any remorse. This feels nice - sadi Will.

- Well, we've earned this. We actually earned much more, but since there is still plenty to do, we won't be able to enjoy ourselves for a while.

- Yeah... It's been over two years now - he sighed. - And we are not near close to coming back to earth.

- Is that bugging you?

- Of course, it is. We are picking up speed though. So maybe in the next two... At least that's what I hope for.

- You will see your son. I can promise you that much.

- You have no idea if I will, so don't give me empty promises. Ant that doesn't mean I'm giving up because I'm not. It's just... It's been hard for me lately. So... I can't imagine what you are going through, Peter.

- I try to not think about my misery, so shut up. Everything will work out somehow. We just need to keep going. Look where we have been, and where we are now. It's something. Maybe not much, but it's definitely not nothing.

- I know, I know. Maybe I'm just too greedy.

- You are not. When everything is collapsing you need at least one thing working for you. And you have that. You are strong, Will, and you are getting stronger. We can achieve everything those before we achieved, and so much more. So my promise wasn't empty. We are getting back.

He nodded while smiling. We kept drinking and talking until the evening came, and then more of our friends joined us, so the party continued.

The day came to an end with 3 392 550 points remaining on my account, and forty-two class points.