Chapter 276 - Day CMLXXI, Part II

I took a deep breath. It was nice to finally be back in the city, but I had to deal with telling everybody the truth, which was not among the things I was particularly thrilled about. I was kinda scared of their reactions, but it was not like I had a choice in the decision I made. We needed information.

I grabbed my pudao and left the cart in an alley. I needed to get rid of all this food, because who knew what they did to it.

Then I went to buy myself fresh clothes. The city center was kinda empty. Those who were not hunting spend their time indoors. With one glance I knew that pub was pretty occupied. Next, I swung by my room in the barrack, to leave the weapon, and went to the bathhouse, then to the cafeteria. With that out of the way, I was finally able to face Hatta and the rest.

The interior was pretty well lighted up with all the olive lamps around. He was in his office, but not behind the desk, working. Instead, he was just sitting on the couch with a drink in his hand in his casual clothes. Simple grey tracksuit.

- I expected you - he said, as soon as I went inside.

- You drink this early?

- It's water. What did you see out there?

I sighed. Now the hard part started.

- Not much, but I wasn't really looking - I said, while walking towards him, to sit on the other side of the table. - I lied that I'm going there to look around. I had a different purpose.

His eyebrows rose. He was clearly expecting a furder explanation.

- Before I'll tell you everything. Let me just clarify, that this was not my idea, and I just couldn't do it in another way.

- What wasn't your idea? - he said taking a sip.

- I was contacted by Xuvi. They are alive and prospering, one could say.

He snorted so heavily, that water came out of his nose. He quickly put the glass down and wiped his face with sleeve of his blouse.

- What?! Damn you, Peter! Amit was right, you were scheming...

- Look... It's not like I wanted to, ok? Besides, it was pretty obvious I wasn't completely honest.

As I was saying those words an idea struck me. Xuvi were advanced technologically and had an agent, maybe even multiple ones, that had a good chance to sneak in practically anywhere. I decided to create a barrier around us and made it resistant to vibrations as best as I could. Then, on top of that, I sprayed a bunch of void essences, to cover the barrier and block the light of olive lamps completely.

- What the... - started Hatta, but didn't finish.

I set my hand on fire, to provide us with light. It wasn't much, but enough so we could see the outlines of everything around us, and each other's faces. I noticed he was confused and a bit scared.

- What are you doing, Peter? - he asked trying to remain as calm as possible.

- They have great technology, and at least one agent roaming the city around us. This place might be bugged - I explained.

He visibly relaxed.

- Ok... Ok. I want to know everything.

- Wery well. It is going to be quite a story - I said, and sat down. - After the invasion, I was contacted by their agent. C-27 better known to me as Ki'rei. She is a peculiar creature that can change her appearance. Allegedly not into humans, as we are too big, but everything smaller is viable. I was offered a deal by her. If I prove myself and bring enough crystals to her masters, she will arrange a meeting. That's why I went to the wastelands. To finally meet with them.

- Are they a threat? Did they cause the invasion? What did you find out?

- Let's go through it one by one. The invasion is something The Great One did, so we would get our shit together, and I actually made a deal with him, so he won't do that again. They might be a treat, and about things, I find out... That's actually a lot.

- W-what?! Y-you... - he was simply stunned.

- Calm down Hatta. I'll explain everything, but I believe we should get Will and the rest here. I really found out a lot. I was even in a different world...

- Wha... Ok - He almost grabbed his own head, and remained in this awkward position, halfway in the motion. - We need to gather everybody... Yes. That's a good idea. Let's do that...

- Shu'ah Oot Atso Yeingem, that's one of the Xuvi, wanted me to share this with no more than five people, but fuck that. Everybody should know.

- Yes. I agree. It might take a while, though. A bunch of people is out there, hunting. Should we also inform Blue? He is in the canyon.

- Yeah. We might need him. Besides, he already knows I'm up to something.

- Ok. I'll send people. Let's continue when everybody is here - said Hatta.

- I'll go to the canyon. I'm the fastest, and I have an easy way back.

- Ok - he nodded.

I turned the barrier of, and allowed void essence, to vanish. Then I put away my flaming hand.

- How much it will take you?

- Two days? Maybe tree.

- Ok. The rest might need some more time, though.

- Then I'll go tomorrow morning, and get some proper sleep. See you in a few days - I said, and shadow walked out to the alley, to grab a backpack from the cart, but I hesitated in the end.

Who knew what they did with my stuff in those ten days. I needed to bur it all, but there was no time for this now so I just grabbed the handles, and shadow walked with the whole thing to my room, so nobody would touch anything from it. Then I went outside, to buy myself a backpack, and some provisions.

With everything ready for departure, I shadow walked back to my room, to get some rest.

The first day after return came to an end with 82 569 130 points remaining on my account.