Chapter 761 T.D.O.N.B: Chasing The Upgrades

The device had to download the whole thing from my brain because everything was exactly how I remembered it. It went to such a length for me that I began looking for parts of the whole dungeon I would feel unfamiliar with, or at least a little bit unsure about, but there was nothing like that there.

The whole process of cleaning everything from the green ones took me about four hours. Mostly because of the shadows hunting above, because I was done much faster. Understandable, since they had more ground to cover.

When I was finished, I returned to the city center with a pail of over 3 thousand crystals. I didn't count them so I had no idea how much exactly, but that soon changed.

It was dark, but stars and the two moons were shining brightly, so one could actually see fairly decent. Still, some people brought sources of light when the information of my return spread. They began gathering around to witness the first upgrade in their new home.

The pail had 3561 stones in it, as I soon learned when I sold it for 356 100 points. Enough to do what I was aiming to accomplish.

I vaguely remembered how it was with upgrades back in Arc. Usually, the ground shook, and another gate appeared, but we already had them, so it didn't surprise me that we barely could feel any change.

The area shook slightly, but it was very mild compared to the moment not so long in the past, when the whole city was being built on our very eyes.

The sphere stopped too. At least it looked this way because even after all this time I wasn't really sure if it was rotating or not. It could very easily be just an optic illusion.

- Is it done? - Tihana asked as soon as the shaking stopped.

- Yep - I replied, then turned around to face the rest of the people. - Guys, get some rest. I'm probably gonna work through the whole night. Waiting is meaningless. The soon you go to sleep, the soon you will wake up tomorrow, and hopefully, everything will be ready for you to begin hunting on your own.

My words made the crowd disperse, and I immediately departed, to visit the new hunting ground. I was kinda on a timer, because soon it should all restart, and it would be awesome if I could get three spots active before midnight, and then get them all to be viable for a second cleanup.

Fortunately, with the nest of rats, I didn't have to run around the whole area, since they all stayed mostly there. I landed heavily alarming the guards, then quickly summoned a bunch of shadows to block any possibility of escape. Then the slaughter started.

It barely took me an hour to return. I sold the next batch for 401 640, which combined with what was left from the first upgrade put me on 657 740. Not enough to get what I wanted.

- Fuck - left my mouth when I after a moment of just contemplating on the number, retracted my hand.

- What is going on? - I heard from behind my back.

It was Celestine with her arms crossed on her chest. She seemed concerned.

- Nothing. Just don't have enough for the second upgrade. I thought the whole process will be a bit faster than it actually is. The whole thing should restart now, so I'll get that upgrade, but we might have to wait a day for the third one - I explained.

- It's fine - she put on a smile. - We were prepared to wait a few days... I'm not gonna lie, though, a bed would be nice to sleep on. Those houses, as nice as they look, are completely empty inside.

For a moment I wanted to get her with 'Back in my day..." and the whole story of sleeping on the ground among dirt and garbage, as we had to do in the ruins of Arc, but I refrained from doing that.

- It will get better - I promised.

- I know - the fake smile she had put on, turned into a genuine one. - People are excited. I was worried about their reaction since we practically kidnapped them, but they are taking it quite well.

- I don't remember who said it, but I believe somebody at some point said that it's not reality that moves people, but the dreams of the future. They now have very, very nice dreams of a very, very bright future - I said.

She nodded to my words.

- Sound smart. In my case, it was like this. I was devastated by the news of cancer, and then I got my chance to get better. Thanks to you. I think I know how they are feeling.

I didn't have a good answer to what she said, so I ended up nodding, kile she did a moment before.

- Despite good moods and everything, I should rush to get us where we need to be as fast as possible, so we can establish our lives here properly. Not just for our sake, but for the sake of the children - I said then.

- You are right - she laughed. - Go to work. I'm stopping you...

- I don't really have anywhere to go, since the hunting grounds are cleared. I need to wait for the respawn - I pointed out.

I could use the crystals I had stored in my vault, all the way from Loistavadvaar, but I didn't really want to.

As I thought about that I noticed Celestine biting her lips. She quickly glanced around to check if anybody was looking, and after confirming we were at least possibly alone, she took a quick few steps forward. Her hands ended up grabbing me by the collar. She then pressed her lips against mine.

She kept pushing me back, and I didn't fight. A moment later we vanished between buildings, away from the eyes of everybody whom we brought with us to that place.