Chapter 253 - Days DCCCXCIX - CMXVII

For the next seventeen days, I kept hunting with Amit. Sometimes the newcomers changed, sometimes they remained the same. There was a big rotation, which meant I had to repeat my stories pretty often, but by the last day, I finally had what I wanted, enough points to unlock the 'Shadow pilgrim' class.

It unlocked for me the following skills: 'Shadow walk II',  'Hide presence II', 'Shadow reach', 'Void anchor', 'Shadow permit'. They had the usual prices except for the anchor skill. That one was 10 million from the start.

I bought the first levels of all of them to test first, and decide where to invest later. I was tired by then and on top of that, it was already late. So I just went to wash myself up, eat and sleep.

The next day, after the usual routine I wandered off to the city. I started with the 'Shadow reach'. At first, I couldn't figure it out, but with a few tries, I managed to discover that it allows me to poke small holes to The Void and back.

For example, without moving my body, I could poke a hole and grab a stone from the ground. To me, it was more of a trick than a useful skill, and the distance was rather short.

Then I tried the 'Void anchor' and it created an invisible mark in the space. I could feel its presence despite not being able to see it. With a bit of tinkering, I discovered that I can jump there through The Void from even a large distance. Unfortunately, I only had one of those, so every time I used it, the previous one would disappear.

'Shadow permit' was the only one I couldn't figure out. It seemed like it does nothing, so I decided to leave it alone for now.

As I was finished with my testing I noticed Ki'rei in her Tam form, waiting close to one of the nearby ruins. I followed her, and she vanished inside, so I went there too. She was waiting for me in the dark, in her original form. She was sitting on the big piece of rubble, outlined by the light that made it inside. I could see her face pretty well, although still obscured by the overall darkness.

- You sold the crystals - she started with an accusatory note in her voice.

- Yes, I did - was my answer.

I didn't really know what was on her mind, but she was serious and looked me straight in the eyes.

- You sold the crystals you needed to give my masters.

- Oh... Shit! I forgot about that - I slapped myself in the forehead.

I got so caught in the whole upgrading process that I didn't even think about that part of the deal.

- And you gave the canyon to the other people. 

- I know that... I'll find a solution, ok? I'll get those crystals...

- No. I have a solution. I found a hunting ground for you. You will go there, gather enough crystals, and then we will travel to my masters. I already contacted them.

She was talking with such confidence like it was already decided. I'm not gonna lie, that annoyed the hell out of me.

- I don't have anything to say?

- I waited long enough for you. Now we are doing things my way - she pouted.

That was something curious. It made me wonder how much of what she just said to me came from her masters, and how much came from her.

- Why do you want me to go to your masters so bad? - I asked, just out of that curiosity.

- So you can meet them. You proved your worth - she answered immediately. -That was the deal, don't you remember?

- Is that all?

She hesitated for a moment. Her behavior changed a bit. All of a sudden her eyes focused on her own feet. She became shy.

- No... I want to show you home...

- Home?

- Yes! My home! I have a home! - she just exploded.

- Ok, ok. Fine. I'll go. I just need some time to prepare myself.

- Tomorrow by the cave - she said and left.

I followed her, but she was already gone when I got outside. I sighed and went back to the city center thinking how interesting this whole situation was. It looked like she wanted to show me part of her culture, the place where she was living before we met. I couldn't help but wonder how close we got, and what kind of feelings she had towards me.

I still had plenty of points to invest. I ended up evolving 'Shadow walk II' to the fifth level, and 'Void anchor' to fourth.

Then I went to my room in the barracks to leave the mark there, because I wanted to test from how far away I can return there. I swung by the device, to grab few snacks, and went for a walk outside the city walls, and I tried the skill again. I ended up right where I left the anchor. If there was no limit to this, then It was a very, very useful skill. Probably the best I had so far.

I could escape easily from a fight to a safe place, which meant I now could take some risks. I could go out there to the wastelands, I could check few other bosses. There were many possibilities.

I still had a bit of time to waste, so I headed out to buy a new set of clothes, then took a bath, and swung by the cafeteria, to have a meal. I also went to Hatta to tell him that I have to do one minor thing and will be going to check the wastelands.

He asked me to be careful and not take unnecessary risks. He was worried. I calmed him down telling him that I now have a skill that's perfect for escaping without living a trace. That made him curious, but I kept the details to myself.

The long period of time came to an end with 41 915 980 points remaining on my account.