Chapter 32

Chapter 32

In the end, enough people decided to leave the [Sleepywood] that it passed some invisible threshold whereupon the rest decided as well. I watched them leave. They stepped through the prismordial sheen framed by the stone portals and, on the other side, I watched them in return.Follow current novels on novelb((in).(com)

Inside, Parker was one of the few left, along with Rose and Rickson. He looked at me. Shall we head out then?

I blinked. Youre not leaving?

Parker looked at me and I saw genuine surprise in his posture. He thought we were all going? And he chose to stay? I thought you knew. He replied, looking at me astonished.

I guess I didnt. From what Jack told me, just about everyone was leaning towards leaving. I reflected.

Rose gave a soft smile. I still owe you for saving my life, Evahn. She said. Not that I can claim to be much help, but the Dungeon is a way to get stronger. I dont want to be put into that position again.

Rickson looked at me and I already knew why he was here. The same reason we were all here, if not so direct and true. We have to level. He said, shrugging.

Parker nodded, looking at all of us. You saved a lot of peoples lives, I was probably among them. The least I could do is stick around, especially when it's to my benefit.

I looked at these survivors, thrown into hell, and found people whod never given up.

I nodded, smiling. Be ready for anything then. And I turned around and began walking.

Outside, events were less heartwarming. The darker side of humanity reared its ugly head. The inevitable depths of character that rose in times of distress.

Clones Second through Fifth were just a handful of faces among the crowd. Watching a scene I judged to be unavoidable. Where the disagreement between large groups became physical.

I watched from multiple angles as men paraded around, interrogating survivors. They were asking levels, Classes, Skills, and more. All information that I was convinced were deeply personal and revealing. The likes of which no one should share freely.

At least, not voluntarily.

The [Thug] was high-enough level to harass these people without consequence. There was no doubt in my mind it actually helped him. And, in a twisted way, that was his path to survive.

Hey, Im talking to you. He grabbed a man by the collar, yanking him backward with more strength than he shouldve had. Name, level, Skills, and Class if you have one. Now.

Hes gonna try to take over? I thought their whole schtick was leaving the swamp?

Theyre a bunch of thugs and criminals. A little bit of power and suddenly theyre lording it over anyone weaker. Its disgusting. He spat. Theyve taken to coming here every day. Thankfully therere always a few lads nearby. Theyd steal everything if they could.

You have to expect the worst in people, I guess, I said, disappointed. A sudden displeasing thought came to me. Actually, they might have more of a reason to stay soon. I groaned.

Fantastic. Ralph joked. Oh and Ive got that thing ready for you. The wood you found was actually perfect. And the string it was spider silk, wasnt it? The material itself was thick, but luckily I could process it to the right tensile strength, thin it down.

He placed the item on the table. An honest-to-gods bow. A curved, smooth wood, bent by the tension of that accursed spider silk. I had actually found another one of those caves on my survey of the area. The same horrible spiders inhabited it.

It had been the most nerve-wracking thing Id ever done. Even if it was a clone. Just the memories alone I didnt stay any longer than I needed to. And I wouldnt have risked it otherwise. My PER and [Solos Instinct] guided me and I escaped without catching even a wink of the arachnids I knew were in there, deeper.

How big was the spider? Ralph broke my thoughts, looking at me.

Really big. I chuckled after a moment of surprise. I nearly died the first time.

And you killed it? He asked, impressed. That kind of

Not without paying in blood, I said, morose. The first time didnt go so well. This time I only went for its webs.

Ah. He said softly. A shame. And that was all he said.

Ralph was an older man, muscled, advanced in age, yet somehow hearty. He was wise enough to allow a moment of silence as I inspected the bow.

I picked up the weapon. I doubted anyone among the survivors would have the technical skill to create medieval ranged weaponry. Ralphs [Craftsman] Class was invaluable. This kind of craftsmanship wasnt exactly common knowledge.

Its a good weapon, I tested it myself. Shoots straight, draw strength is incredibly high, anything you shoot from that will pack a punch. Ralph said. Not that I know much about bows. I made about a three dozen arrows.

Good, I said. I need eight more of them. The bows.

He blinked.