Chapter 269 - Day CMLXV, Part I

I woke up with the sunrise, at least that's what my biological clock was suggesting. My void bed was still there, under me. I stood on my feet, made it disappear, and went outside. It was gray, probably because the mountains were blocking the sun.

The view was terrible. A ruined everywhere, and that terrible-looking fortress with a barricade made out of rubble and wood pieces. For me it was ridiculous, but for them, it was a necessity to save themselves.

The situation was gonna change, though. It already was changed, but there was still plenty to be done.

- Good morning, Peter - pulled me back to reality.

It was Alexandra, she came out of a close-by building. I noticed dark circles under her eyes. It seemed like she waited for me through all night.

- Morning. You didn't sleep well, did you?

- I couldn't sleep at all. I was worried the monsters might come - she smiled at me a little bit. - And I also wanted to go with you. I mean outside the city. You are going outside, right?

There was a bit of hesitation showing in her behavior, like she was worried she overstepped her boundaries with me.

- Yeah. I was gonna grab something to eat and then go.

She nodded, clearly reassured, probably because I confirmed her thoughts.

- C-can I go with you?

- To eat? Sure.

She smiled.

- No, behind the gate.

- Yeah, but you have to be careful out there. When monsters will show up it's better if they won't see you. I will have my hands busy enough without having to protect you.

- I'll keep my distance.

I nodded and went to get something to eat. I needed to keep a few of those crystals for myself because my points were almost gone. She also bought something for herself, and then we started heading towards the gate.

- Are you the strongest person in your world? - she asked suddenly.

- Yeah.

- Tell me about your world.

- Well... We had rough beginnings, just like you, here. Eventually, though we managed to straighten ourselves, and started to build a community of some sort, I guess.

- What type of people do you have there. You said you have hunters because you need to actively hunt those monsters.

- Yeah. We do have hunters. We have also craftsmen. They originally couldn't fight because of the injuries, or simply fear, and started doing things for others. Equipment mainly. Then it evolved in furniture and other stuff. Right now they make all kinds of things. Even magical. Like swords and shields. Armors. They even make cannons.

- Cannons?

- Yeah. For protection... In case something could attack us - I quickly added, then cleared my throat to continue. - We also have regular people. They just work.

- Work? Like, how? Like cleaning, cooking, and stuff?

- Yeah. For example, we have a brothel out there. My friend, Aisha, runs it. Some girls work there because they just like sex. Others are just bartending or cleaning after parties. Some sing, and play instruments. Many kinds of things... We have even a cafeteria, and people cook there. Well, technically it belongs to Wuxia.

She nodded.

- You mentioned a friend, Aisha? Can you tell me something about her?

- Well... She is a smart girl. Good person. Very though. Like, seriously, very though... She has been through some real shit. Very hardworking. A little trouble maker though - I said, and immediately thought about all the things that happened to us.

- And that Wuxia?

- Wuxia is an organization. At first, it was made by Zhang Yong. Great guy. Unfortunately, he was killed. After some troubles, eventually, my friend, Hatta, took over. They right now deal with a lot of stuff. Patroling city walls, hunting, managing hunting grounds ent other things.

- What about you, Peter? Who are you back there?

- Me? I'm nobody - I said, and immediately thought it was a lie.

I no longer was just nobody. I had an immense influence. I was the strongest guy by far. I was respected, and even had a bunch of followers that though I'm some kind of messiah.

- You know what? That's not true. It used to be, but right now I'm actually a well-known person that usually hunts alone, and does some risky things...

- Like traveling to this world?

- Yep. Or going after the monster that almost... Doesn't matter.

- No, please, tell me - she stopped, and looked at me.

I also stopped and sighed. My mouth happened to be faster than my brain this time.

- There was a monster that killed many people. It was very, very strong. And I went to kill it, despite all my friends telling me to not go. They thought I'm gonna die. Well... I also thought I might. Like... I knew I for sure will be able to put up a fight, but I wasn't sure who in the end will be the winner.

There was a moment of silence between us. She just found something at least peculiar about me. I also realized something about myself. It was not like I was not afraid of death, or I had a death wish. I got braver. I got tougher. If I wanted something, as long as I thought I have a chance, I was willing to try, even with my life on the line.

- Tell me more about your world. It's so fascinating.

- Well... - I started walking again, and she followed. - I have a friend, Will. He is a good guy. Funny, a bit strange. Sometimes can be a real asshole, but I like him. We made it through all kinds of shit. There is that guy, Martin, who is kinda obsessed with getting bigger and stronger. He is huge right now. I look like a baby compared to him.

I peeked over my shoulder at her, she was smiling.

- Ther is Nobuo, a true samurai. Boris, also a good friend of mine. They both have their own little organizations. All good people.

The talk continued, and I went more or less through all the people I knew. For obvious reasons, I didn't mention Blue, Eshe, and the rest of her gang, or Nadia.. Eventually, we reached the gate.