Chapter 616 Final Stretch Of The Desert

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~~~(POV: Cera Adamo)~~~

~~~(Location: Desert, The Continent Of Alforza)~~~

~~~(Time: 1:44 AM)~~~

Sally and Xilo are talking by themselves now, and I'm talking with Giovanni in his carriage with the people he's traveling with to where we're going. Since we're in our final stretch of the trip, the time we have to talk is becoming less.

Gio is a rare find in terms of temperament and perspective. He doesn't try to treat me like I'm some exalted figure, and that's something I can appreciate. It gets annoying when everyone does.

"What do you plan on doing once we reach the underground city we're heading to? You're not Des'merta, and that means you aren't allowed in with us."

This has been on my mind for a little while. Giovanni still hasn't become a Des'merta, and that means he'll be locked out of where we're going. I'm not allowed to share with Giovanni. Xilo told me the name of where we're heading.

The Underground City Of Maero. It's one of the largest settlements for the Des'merta. I've asked for more history about the place, but Xilo said that's a topic I can learn more about once we reach where we're going.

"I don't know. Probably move with the caravan until we get close enough to an actual city I can be in. I know that I'll have to cross some desert to get to it, but nothing is easy forever."

I think that's the best option he's got. I'm sure as shit not giving him a lift. I don't want to sound sexist or something, but I only give close family, and beautiful woman rides through the sky. No men allowed. I have standards for that.

My thoughts have been drifting to Hailey after I blocked her notifications. I turned them back on yesterday, but I haven't gotten any messages yet.

If I had to guess, I think Marcus and her are having a better time than I am. Nothing fun about traveling between places. Especially when I'm not allowed to fly to the destination. The whole reason we're heading to The Underground City Of Maero is to find answers.

There are questions about this Radueriel identity. If I can't find any answers in Maero, then I'll leave with Sally and head somewhere that will have answers.

"I could ask you the same question. Any plans for when we reach wherever we're going?"

He's a little bitter about not being allowed to know about it. If he passed the tests to become a Des'merta, then he wouldn't have anything to complain about. That's only something he can blame himself for. On the other hand, I don't hold it against him for not wanting to try.

The Spice the Des'merta use for almost everything isn't something I'm a fan of. It's a powerful drug and puts you in situations you'd never be in.

"Yeah, but that's my business. All I'll say is there are questions I need answered, and maybe they can be. When you leave, where do you plan on going from The Continent Of Alforza?"

I wouldn't doubt Gio gets off this hot Continent after everything he's been through. Then again, The Continent Of Alforza supports every type of environment. Maybe he'll go to one of those areas. Sally and I still have places we want to see, and that's not changed.

This detour to Maero is only temporary, and it's not going to be long before I get answers or not. It'll be something I'll always be on the lookout for, but it's not completely dominating my attention. I'm done letting that happen.

"I might. It really depends on where I end up after this trip with the Des'merta. Alforza is huge, and I haven't seen all of it, but I am starting to get annoyed by it. It's not something I want to subject myself to. Not everyone is as resistant as you or your girlfriend."

That's true. The average Player wouldn't last a day in the desert. They'd die of dehydration before they made it 20 miles.

It's really late at night, and my eyes find their way to the star-filled sky again. Gio understands what it's like to look up and see such beauty. It wasn't something that we had on Earth during our time. It's a privilege to look up and not see green, black, or brown clouds.

"Do you think there is life out there? On Earth, scientists theorized that the universe held some sort of alien life. But at this point, I don't know if we're in a different universe from our own. Or if we're just on another planet within our original one."

Deep thoughts with Giovanni coming up in 5!

All joking aside, it's something that's crossed my mind from time to time. We were led to believe The Ancients World was a game, but that turned out to be a lie, and now we've found the half or so of humanity that made it here.

But if you think about it, we've already found aliens. Us. Players are aliens in a sense. We come from a different world, and if that's not an alien. Then I don't know the definition of an alien.

Joking again. Of course, I know what an alien is.

"If there is life out there, I doubt it'll be anytime soon that we'll find it. But if you're looking for aliens right now, just look at yourself. In this world, we are aliens."

I don't take my eyes off the stars above, and it doesn't take long before I hear laughter coming from Gio. It's funny if you let it be.

"I never thought about it like that..."

Yeah, it's a concept we don't think about. Humans are aliens, too, if we find other life and head to their planet. We're subject to the same fearful standards we had on Earth to another race out in the stars. It'll be a long time before any evidence of alien life is found in this world.

"What role do you play in all this, Slayer Zern... Radueriel... Cera..."

He's overheard the many names I've been called since we met each other a few days ago. Gio is a smart man, and he can see there is something more going on. Seeing it connect to me shows he's more than smart, and I respect that about him.

I don't think I'll answer that question. Mostly, because I don't have the answer. But even if I did, I wouldn't say anything to him. Some things are better-left secrets.

"There is no role I play. I'm a Player like you. Got lucky with finding my Class."

A lie, but it's the only thing I can say to the man.

"Fair enough. Mind if I ask something you'd probably find offensive?"

I guess there is no avoiding talks like that. I'd not want to have them with someone I don't really know, but it's a rare moment when it's okay.

"You can try."

There is silence as the answer leaves my lips, and there isn't much I can say. In the end, it's my choice if I talk or not.

"Do you think you deserve your power?"

That's a question I never thought I'd be asked by another Player. But Gio seems to have the gift of seeing behind the masks and armor people wear. A part of me wonders what would've happened if I didn't make the choices I made, but in the end.

It's about saving my life and my family. That's what I did. Other people be damned.

"Depends on what you quantify as a deserving person. In my mind, I'm the most deserving person of my Class. But someone else wouldn't think so. Likely you, from your question."

The subtly isn't lost on me. Gio is wondering why someone like me got the strongest Class in The Ancients World. It's not something that you ask someone if you hadn't thought about it yourself.

"Yeah, a little."

That's all that needs to be said. Today, we'll be reaching Maero. Around 7:00 AM, and I'm looking forward to this trip being over.

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A/N: Below this line, I'll be keeping Cera's player information. That way, I won't have to place it into the story above anymore. It takes about 180 words up.

[Slayer (Zern) Lvl.237][Tier-4]

[Exp: 72/100%]

[Title: The Son of Arch-Angel Michael (Hidden)]

[Stats] [Strength - 7095][Endurance - 7045][Dexterity - 7215][Speed - 8240][Focus - 19,660]

[Mana aura control: 6/100%]

[Health: 76,560,000,000/76,560,000,000] [Mana: 216,600,000,000/216,600,000,000]

[Stat Points: 440] [Armor rating: 500]

[Inventory] [Dice of Wayland (Divine)] [The Witness (Legendary Sword)] [Fenrir's Whistle (Divine)] [Camping gear] [Fishing poles 2x] [Festival Garbs 2x] [4x EXP Boosts] [Princess Saliandra's Panties (Black Lace)] [Desert Warrior Nomad Set (Rare)]

[Passive Perks]

[Inheritor of the Sword] [Son of Heaven] [Slayer of Evil] [Holy Willow Trees Savior] [Finder of Legends] [The Divine who has Legend] [Destined for Greatness] [Dungeon Diver] [An Overachiever]

[Active Skills]

[Heaven's light Lvl.74 325/7400] [Protected by Heaven Lvl.74 225/7400] [Slash Lvl.92 4600/21000] [Parry Lvl.68 85/6800] [Double Strike N/A] [Kingslayer N/A] [Raging Machine N/A] [Winged Glory] [Angelic Flight] [Divine Pressure Exertion] [Divinity Pulse] [Controlled Fun] [Aspect of Transportation (Legendary)]