Chapter 57 Bonding

“Huu… good job, everyone.” Ana smiled, wiping off the sweat that had formed on her face while undoing her Armament.r

The group felt more at ease after the death of the Hobgoblin, and to my amazement… they leveled up!r

Larry and Daniel advanced to Level 17, Peter became Level 19, Ana became Level 22, while Lily became Level 13… all from a single Hobgoblin Subjugation!r

‘That’s… unbelievable… how low are their Stats for them to have all leveled up?’ I thought in amazement.r

Perhaps their EXP was already close to 100, so the death of that Demon caused them to level up. That made sense.r

When a Party hunts Demons, the EXP is shared according to their contributions. The system calculates it and allocates to them their portion. It’s an efficient, uncomplicated method to gain Levels, and since it is as a group, the risks aren’t as great as solo leveling.r

As a result of this, the earlier stages of the Apocalypse allowed many to remain together as a group, for safety.r

However… in the times to come, things will be a little different. While it’s possible to share EXP’s from Dead Demons, when special drops and items start to appear after subjugation, controversies will begin to rise. r

Arguments concerning spoils that would be considered life-changing will sprout, leading to conflict and disunity. Demon Cores can always be obtained after killing Demons, but Treasures are different. They aren’t guaranteed, so everyone wants to be the one to possess them.r

Humans are only concerned about themselves foremost, not wanting the next person to get ahead of them. This hasn’t changed in the Apocalypse.r

The future looked grim for groups such as these. r

‘I wonder what will happen when that time comes…’r

Ana proceeded to take the Hobgoblin’s core from the already dissipated body and evaporating pool of blood.r

Upon retrieving it, she returned to the group, placing the slightly large core in her pockets.r

“Let’s find somewhere to stay for a while. It’s almost time, right Daniel?” Ana said, looking at the nervous-looking man.r

“Y-yeah. Thanks.”r

The group members all nodded their heads, knowing what their leader meant.r

Fortunately, a damaged building was nearby, so we took shelter there. As soon as we got there, Daniel removed all the spoils they had gotten from my base, spreading them all out.r

‘What is he trying to do?’ I asked myself.r

Lily, the cutie among the group members seemed to have read my mind and decided to answer my question.r

“Mr. Daniel’s Gift is to shrink objects, but he can’t keep them that way forever. So, after a while, he has to reuse his Gift on them. For that to happen, the objects have to assume their natural state, then he turns them small once again.”r

I listened attentively to her explanation, a little surprised that she bothered to answer my thoughts without me even bothering to ask.r

Ana was on patrol, and the rest of the group members weren’t really the chatty type. Even Lily was shy, yet she decided to make conversation with me.r

‘I also noticed that she was looking at me a lot of times during our journey. Don’t tell me… Lily actually…?!!’ My mind rang.r

I controlled myself from screaming out loud. Ah, what was going on in my head? She was just a normal girl who normally stares at a stranger and was kind enough to answer me when no one else would.r

I mean, Ana did the same… and it wasn’t like she harbored any feelings for me.r

‘Ah, being around these nice people has made me to start overthinking things…’r

Since Lily had made the first step toward making a conversation, it would be rude for me to leave her hanging. I was a nice guy, after all… and according to my script, she wasn’t so different from myself.r

“T-thanks. Wow, that’s such an amazing ability…” I mumbled, turning to face her while smiling shyly.r

My sudden reaction seemed to have startled the girl, as she took a step backward from where she sat and appeared flustered.r

My dirty mind brought up a suggestion, but I quickly shook it off.r

“Y-yeah. It really is. We wouldn’t have been able to move comfortably without him. Even though my sight Gift is pretty overestimated in the group, I don’t think it’s as useful as his.” She smiled softly.r

Well, she wasn’t entirely wrong, but she wasn’t right either. Any Gift could be considered overpowered and extremely useful in such a world, depending on how one used it.r

I also once looked down on my Subspace Gift, if it weren’t for the benefit of hindsight, I doubt I would have been able to survive so long with the other Gifts I was seeing among the team members.r

Plus, it was plenty convenient. Enough to make me laugh at my past self.r

‘To think it’s still at D Rank. I can’t wait to upgrade it even more!’r

“Your Gift suits you, Lily. I don’t know much about this Subjugation and Expedition stuff… but you have your role, and they have theirs. Without your early recognition of that monster, they wouldn’t have been able to get into formation on time, and you guys might have lost.” I said.r

Upon hearing this, her eyes widened a little in surprise.r

“Plus, you give them enough confidence to journey. Since they know you’re with them, they don’t have to be tensed all the time.” r

Lily looked at me in wonder and awe now. The gleam of curiosity in her eyes increased even further as she found me more interesting.r

“W-wow. Thanks a lot, Jeremy…” She smiled shyly.r

“You know, I was a little jealous of how Ana showed you a lot of attention and focused on you in the group, neglecting me. But, I can see why now… you’re a good guy.” r

The innocent way she spoke, her young charm, plus the embarrassed tone, made my heart leap beyond bounds. To think she harbored such feelings, how amusing indeed.r

‘I always knew I was a good guy. Hehe, I’ve even charmed such a cute girl.’ I mused.r

Well, it wasn’t that I was against relationships, but I also had to take things slow, you know? Of course, Lily was a prospective partner, but… what if there were more like her in the Camp?r

‘Hehe, I can’t rush in making my decision yet.’r

Still, I was going to enjoy my time with her. A conversation between two innocent, good people. What could possibly go wrong?r

“B-by the way, Jeremy… what’s your Gift?” Lily suddenly asked.r

“…”