Chapter 57: Sharked, But Not Cheated

Jilly let Nushi climb on top of her after she pulled away from me. I turned around to get my shorts and almost tripped over the Cerberus girls but was able to sidestep around them.

I got my shorts on, scooped up all the rest of the girls' clothing, and then started back after Jilly. I also told the girls to go back into pup form for now, and later I would give them a bath.

I decided that I was just going to rip the bandaid off with Jilly. I had to hope that she just tells me what the problem was when I ask.

"Hey, so are you ready to tell me how this spider cheated?" I asked plainly after I caught up to Jilly.

She was quiet for a moment, but then she took a deep breath and then let it out. Whatever this was, it really bothered her, and I kind of wish that Mary wasn't needy today, but only kind of.

"I asked Lizy to take a bet with me about who could get the most men to come to us so we could feast on them. At the time, I had thought that I knew her quite well, but I was very naive, and I had never seen a spider before this. Regardless, I challenged her to the bet, but I said that the winner gets to choose the prize," Jilly said as we jogged along.

"I can see where this is going. You got sharked," I said plainly as we ran.

"What did you just say?" Jilly asked, looking a bit miffed.

"The term "Sharked" is for those good at a certain type of bet-able event, but they hide their skills. They will even go as far as to lose a couple times to help build your confidence, but that's when they get you. After playing a couple rounds of them losing, they will offer or encourage the other person to make a much larger bet," I explain, and Jilly's eyes went big, and she slowed down to a stop.

I hadn't realized just how far we have traveled, but now I could see that the rock plateau outcropping was only about one hundred meters away. I slowed with Jilly and stopped, petting the Cerberus girl's heads when they came over to me.

"This is a thing? So, I should have known about this?!" Jilly asked in disbelief, but I shook my head no.

"It is a term from my old world, so I do not think that it would be called the same, but regardless. You made a mistake in not knowing what your opponent was capable of, and you did not set limits, but you already know this. Jilly, whatever happened between you two is not worth the fight for you," I said, reaching out to Jilly and putting my hand out to take her hand, but she crossed her arms, so I dropped it.

"I know that I was big-headed now, but what am I supposed to do? Just ignore that she cheated and," Jilly started to say, but I put up my hand to stop her.

"Did you set out any rules? Did you say there were things that she or you could not do? I am not trying to take anyone's side here, but logically speaking, she didn't cheat because there were no rules set out, and honor doesn't count," I added in at the end when I saw Jilly taking a deep breath for another excuse, but I forced her to deflate.

"Fine, I am serious about her, though. I know you plan on going to see the other girls tomorrow after your training, but you need to watch out, or you will end up as a meal," Jilly said as she turned back to the direction we were headed.

"I will, and I will also try and see what I can do about whatever her problem is. Thank you for the warning, but I think we had better get going; the sun is starting to skin. One thing, everyone is ready; I think that he will only come for me, but there is no guarantee," I said to the girls as I pulled out my Loose Leaf Dagger and my Flame Blade Thinger.

I still hadn't really thought of a proper good name for the weapon, but I think that it will just come to me. Naming things was one of those things that either felt right or didn't.

"Yes, I am feeling grimy, but I am also exhausted," Jilly said as we approached the rock ledge.

I walked to the front of the group this time, and I started to walk out, but suddenly Nushi cried out.

"From your left side!" She cried, and I brought both swords around and hammered Windorf back.

I had my eyes on him now, but something was different. I could feel him swirling around in the place he stood, but then he disappeared, blowing away, but I could still feel him.

I dash forward, not following him; that was pointless; he was too fast. Instead, I picked up speed and watched for him to come in for the attack.

Even though I could feel where she was, I still barely had time to execute my plan correctly. I spun my blades and smashed Windorf back again, but now he looked pissed.

Windorf didn't say a word the entire time, but after getting smashed back, I could see that he was getting frustrated. I must be progressing faster than he had anticipated, and now he was trying to overdo it, and sure enough, Windorf blew away.

This time it was much different, and now I had no way to know where he was coming from, or maybe he was coming from all ten of the different sources that I felt. I slowed down and got myself centered but then stopped and quickly put my weapons away.

I got myself into the ready position, and I was sure that I could hear Windorf laugh at me. I was going to try something, and if he was going to actually hit me, Windorf would have to be solid.

"Ready to die?" multiple echoes called out around me, but I just grinned and called back to him.

"Are we going to fight? Or are you just planning on talking me to death?" I asked and closed my eyes.