It had been a rough past few days for Daniel Song. He was a [Hero] from another world— a world that was far more advanced than this medieval-esque world. One that was called Earth. That meant he was more accustomed to a laid back lifestyle. He couldn’t lie and say he didn’t miss the conveniences of modern life, but after being trapped in the Nexeus for so long, he was somewhat used to living in harsher conditions than most.
After all, he’d fought through the Plaguelands, traversed through a war torn country, and before all that, he survived on his own as he ran from assassins. Suffice to say, Daniel Song wasn’t unused to living life on the edge. Unfortunately, Salvos took that saying to a whole nother level.
He’d asked her to train him. Which, of course, he expected to be difficult. But he had thought it would be more akin to their time in the Plaguelands. Instead, she threw him into multiple life-and-death situations where he couldn’t possibly have won the battle. The [Hellabomination] and Belzu was just one example. Next was the fight against the [Savage Agarat].
Even if Daniel tried his very hardest— used up whatever potions or Skills or artifacts he had— he wouldn’t have won those fights. He would’ve definitely died if he was alone. There wasn’t even a sliver of chance of victory. He had been completely and utterly overpowered.
It was incomparable to the Plaguelands. There was still some level of risk management when Salvos dragged him and Edithe to that blight-infested undead zone. They fought hard battles against higher-leveled monsters— but they were swarm monsters. More specifically, undead. They only had a single Class, even at Level 100, which made them less of a threat than even a Centinel at the same level.
undefinedSo, they had generally been cautious while fighting through the Plaguelands. Although there was an army of undead there in that dead zone, they still didn’t take unnecessary risks apart from the Lich. But even that was necessary because Edithe had been in danger. Meanwhile, in the span of the last week alone, Salvos had dragged Daniel into three different instances where the odds against them were as high— or even higher— than during the battle against the Lich. Certainly, the [Hellabomination] was a greater threat to them than the Lich ever was.
It, obviously, took its toll on Daniel. He’d leveled up greatly relatively quickly, but he was still exhausted. He just needed a break— to drink some alcohol at a bar and go for a massage, maybe. What he didn’t need was for an annoying woman to harp at him for the entirety of his time alone.
“Seriously, you’ve got to be a fucking moron to throw yourself into these situations. Sure you’re Level 118 now, but what’s the point of it if you’re dead?”
Amanda, the former Harrowed Vindicator assassin that had tried to killed him, snorted as she leant back on her chair. She gulped down an entire mug of ale in moments as Daniel gave her a sidelong glance. He looked down at his own cup— still mostly full— as the not-so-Silent Serpent raised the mug and called for the [Barkeep].
“Hey, is this the strongest fucking drink you got? Give me another!”
The [Barkeep] rushed her way, but Daniel raised a hand. He stopped Amanda from getting another drink as he pushed his mug her way.
“No need. You can have this.”
Amanda blinked at him. She shifted slightly in her seat.
“Oh, uh, thanks—”
But he didn’t wait for her to finish. Daniel got to his feet and left her alone in the tavern. She stared at him, confused for a moment, before her jaw dropped.
“Wait, where are you going?”
He didn’t answer. The door swung shut behind him. A cloaked figure entered after Daniel, but he didn’t pay them any mind. Instead, he just heard the [Barkeep] clear his throat from the other side of the door.
“So… about the payment…”
Amanda sighed.
“Fuck.”
—--
“The fuck was that about? I barely have any gold left, you asshole!”
Daniel only crossed a single street before Amanda appeared behind him. The [Rogue] had her arms crossed and a glare fixed on her face. He just shrugged.
“You shouldn’t have ordered all those drinks if you couldn’t pay for them.”
“That’s—”
She sputtered in outrage. Then she caught herself. He just stared at her blankly as she harrumphed.
“After everything I’ve done for you, the least you could do is pay me back.”
Daniel’s eyes twitched. Normally, he’d have no qualms indulging Amanda in her annoying antics, but he was tired today, and he was in no mood to deal with her. So, he simply answered in a flat voice.
“By everything you’ve done for me, does that include attempting to take my life?”
She paused. The brunette opened her mouth, but before she could continue, he spoke over her.
“Or do you mean leaving me for dead?”
Amanda shifted her feet, head lowering. She tried to work her jaw. Nothing came out. He rolled his eyes as she finally mustered up the best answer she could— one which he expected.
“I was getting Helena—”
“You were running.”
He folded his arms.
“Running like a coward. And that’s all you really are, Amanda. If not, you’d at least own up to it.”
His gaze bore into her. It pierced the facade she normally wore. Amanda averted her gaze, looking to her feet.
“That’s…”
She murmured quietly. Daniel could barely hear her voice. He scoffed and spun around.
“Of course, you won’t admit to anything. Because you’re a fucking coward.”
Her eyes widened as he started to walk away. Amanda shuffled her feet for a moment before calling out.
“Look, Daniel, I’m s—”
She started, then paused. A susurration ran through the street. Heads turned as everyone looked up, pointing and whispering about something in the sky. Was it a bird? Daniel thought it could’ve been a plane. But it certainly wasn’t anything super or man.
He looked up. Amanda did too. They stared at the figure that was soaring through the air. Everyone watched as it moved so quickly, it parted the clouds. The former assassin stared.
“Is that Salvos?”
Amanda blinked.
“Why is she carrying those oversized eggs?”
And Daniel, unfortunately, had an idea as to what was going on.
“I’ll be taking these!”
I landed between Zin and Saffron, scaring them for a moment, before scooping up the Wyvern eggs and flying off into the distance. The two women exchanged a confused glance.
“What the fuck was that—”
Saffron started, but I was already gone.
I flew alone, far far away from Alyras. I didn’t tell anyone my plan. They didn’t need to know about it. Ismail Zuland had questioned me. Hadrian had been utterly perplexed. Edithe, as my companion, had an inkling of an idea of what I was going to do. I didn’t bring her with me, of course.
Instead, I flew on my own away from the city. I only paused when I nearly crashed into a glowing ball of flames. I blinked, barely swerving around the [Will O’ Wisp].
“Willy, what are you doing here?”
I stared at him. He sputtered in outrage.
“Watch!”
“What do you mean watch where I’m going? You’re the one who was in my way!”
“No!”
“Yes!”
“No!”
“Yes!”
The Grand Spirit scoffed as he flew parallel to me. I shook my head, then glanced down at the Wyvern eggs I was carrying with my [Faux Limbs].
“Hey, do you want to help me hatch these eggs?”
I grinned at him. Willy hesitated, then I sped up.
“Let’s go hatch these eggs.”
“Wait—”
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