After having our fill of the food, the four of us simply relaxed and remained silent by the Fire, the laughter dying out and a comfortable silence enveloping the group. There was still some awkwardness present, but after sharing stories about themselves, it seemed as if we have gotten closer.
At the moment, we didn't really have intentions of killing nor fighting each other. All of us knew that we needed each other and sticking together would be advantageous. However, this didn't mean that we won't be forced to fight each other eventually. What mattered was the present, the future was still far away.
At this, I couldn't help by ponder about how passive we have been. Isn't this battle royal about fighting to the death? Being aggressive? But in reality, it just seemed like we are hurdling together and running away from this inevitability. Passiveness won't grant us—me, victory.
It's almost like we are waiting for others to attack us. Right now, we had the luxury to enjoy relaxing, having some peaceful days. But these days won't last. I was certain of that. Is all I can do just training to level up my physical attributes? What is our next move from here on?
I sighed, rubbing my temples from all this thinking. Just as I did that, Isabella suddenly inquired.
"Uh, there are only two tents. There isn't much time to make one for either of us. Sooo...."
She looked at Cassie, a mischievous grin forming on her face.
"We are gonna have to sleep together, Cas!"
Those words made me and Zeke exchange looks. Before he could open his mouth, I spoke up.
"Hell no! You want me to sleep next to this guy? Sharing a tent with a dude is already weird enough!"
Zeke folded his arms. I couldn't see his face behind his mask, but by his body language, I could without a doubt tell he was rolling his eyes.
Isabella stifled a giggled, giving me an offended look, narrowing her gem-like ruby eyes, gasping in feigned shock.
"Are you saying that men sleeping next to each other is weird? Did I hear you right?"
My eyes widened, my next words coming out more hurried then usual.
"N–no, of course not! I jus—"
Isabella interrupted with a wide grin.
"Good! Then, you two can sleep together."
My shoulders slumped in defeat. She got me. Cassie shot a look of pity towards me, but even I could tell she was barely holding in her laughter. Isabella also seemed amused. Zeke even much so, because he was literally laughing at me!
He wrapped an arm around my shoulder and pulled me close.
"We are best buddies, Morgan! You know what they say? Guys bond the best when sleeping next to each other!"
I pushed him away in exasperation.
"Who the hell says that?!"
Once again, the camp was filled with laughter. Even I couldn't keep up my sour expression for too long, a chuckle escaping my lips. I don't remember when I laughed this long.
In my "previous" life, I had nothing. I had hit hit rock bottom in life, everyone had abandoned me, nobody treated me with respect. Hell, I didn't even have friends among the tramps. All I cared about was survival. I didn't have time to laugh, or even crack a smile. But these days....
I feel like I have been laughing and smiling so much. I have even started caring about others. Yes, even if I hated to admit it, I felt indebted towards Isabella after everything she has done for me. I wanted to return the favor— No, that's just beating around the bush. I cared about her. I cared about someone besides myself. This may seem like the bare minimum for someone else, but for me, it was just a huge leap in growth, that it left me stunned, confused and overwhelmed.
I wonder, does Isabella feel the same way? Or maybe even Zeke and Cassie? I don't know what kind of lives they have led, what they have been through, what sort of experiences they had. But I'm sure, even they have underwent through a similar experience as I have internally. The same way Cassie chose to live on, instead of choosing the easy way out. The way Isabella chose me instead of Dorian, fighting alongside me.
As for Zeke, I don't know much about him. He's still a mystery.
When I think about it, he is very interesting. He managed to heal back a missing arm of mine, with relevant ease. Just how did he do that? His blessing can't just be a simple healing effect. I have seen too much of those. He may seem easygoing, but I can tell that Zeke is definitely a very powerful person.
Regardless, the point remains. This battleroyal hasn't been just a simple chance for me to recieve a second chance at life. I have learned to value relationships again, to care about people besides myself, to laugh and smile again. Will I ever be this way if I win this game? Will getting too attached to them, make it harder killing them later?
I wasn't sure, but I didn't care about it. At the end of the day, worrying about the far away future isn't a luxury I had at the moment. The present was filled with pressing matter.
After finishing the last bit of the cooked Cod, Isabella stood up and reached out towards Cassie with a hand. The little girl hesitated for a few seconds, then took Isabella's hand.
"I'm tired, Izzy...."
She rubbed her eyes and yawned. Isabella smiled faintly and nodded, leading her inside one of the tents. Damn that wicked women! She chose the bigger one of the two, too!!
Zeke looked at me and then stood up, stretching his body. I blinked, surprised.
"You haven't even eaten once yet. Aren't you hungry?"
I blurted out before I could stop myself. Zeke didn't take off his mask the whole time, so he didn't eat at all. I was expecting him to muster the courage and take it off, but this frustrating guy didn't do it! In fact, he isn't even planning on eating!
Zeke shrugged, his tone nonchalant.
"Nah, im good. Im gonna go to sleep, Morgz."
My eyebrows twitched. Now, im being subjected to weird nicknames today. It all started with Isabella! Still, I didn't argue. I was too exhausted. A yawn escaping my lips before I even knew it.
"I guess I'll go to sleep, as well."
I stood up and followed Zeke inside the tent. Crawling inside, I made sure to lay down far away from him, stacking a few sticksbetween us, creating a barrier. It elicited a laugh out of the masked man.
"Is it so bad, Morgz?"
I snorted, my tone irked.
"Yes, it is! Stay over there!"
I said, adding more sticks, until there was a wall of them. These were sticks meant to be used for creating fires, that's why there was alot of them lying around, which I conveniently used as a barrier.
"Well, alright. Goodnight."
Then, the tent was filled with silence. The only sound being the moving water of the nearby lake and the faint sounds of crickets inside the lush jungle.
I tossed and turned, trying to get comfortable enough to sleep. But I couldn't. It was becoming increasingly difficult for me to do so. That was when I realized something. Slowly sitting up, I opended my eyes, casting a look towards the sleeping body of Zeke, I thought in my head.
'That's right. I forgot during the intense heat of battle.....I needed to check my screen to see how strong I have gotten!!'
At the thought, my heart bursted with excitement. I almost felt the need to giggle like a child, my hair standing on end. After everything I have been through, my physical attributes must have improved alot. Tenfold. Or maybe twentyfold! For more than 8 hours, I was pushing myself without break. I needed to see how strong I had gotten.
With that, I concentrated heavily and the screen appeared before me, the familier holographic game-like interface. I noticed a few changes this time.
First was that my avatar looked different. It was still naked, like before. My private parts blurred out, mimicking some type of censor. Atleast the overseer was decent enough to do that. Anyways, what I noticed was that my avatar was much more muscular than before, still slender, but my skin was less dry and malnourished. I actually looked.....healthy. Like I used to look before becoming homeless.
Then, there was the second change. The equipment section wasn't empty anymore. Instead, there was a weapon in it.
Equipment: [Fool's Rapier]
A Rapier? Wait, did I get this for killing Dorian? How come I didn't hear the overseer tell me about it? Was I in such a bad state, that I didn't even register the overseer announcing me this sword? Well, all I really was waiting for was the kill announcement....
I scratched the back of my head awkwardly.
I clicked on [Fool's Rapier] and began reading what appeared.
Fool's Rapier: [An ignorant Fool with refined and impressive skill lost himself into anger and was devored by an even angrier beast.]
'What an interesting simplification of our battle....'
Skills: [Crimson Crescendo] [FeatherMountain]
Crimson Crescendo: [The wielder grows stronger the more they bleed.]
FeatherMountain: [The Wielder could change the weight of the Rapier at will, by applying Innate Spirit.]
I widened my eyes at these skills. I expected the equipment stuff to be normal, but that's not the case. The Mulligan really is seeming more and more like a game. If weapons have these "skills" is it the same for armor, as well? I can't wait to get my hands on a few.
[Would you like to summon the weapon?]
Two options appeared before me.
[Yes]
Or
[No]
I obviously clicked yes!
At that moment, a blinding glow manifested at the palm of my hand, before rhe Rapier itself appeared. I stared down at it in awe and astonishment, stopping myself from giggling with glee, since I might wake up Zeke.
Then, I began testing it out. Swinging it slowly and gently, feeling it's featherlight weight. Then, after some concentration, I willed my innate spirit to flow into the Rapier.
I Immediately regretted doing that, though.
I didn't have much control over my innate spirit and I ended up flowing in too much, which caused the Rapier to become way too heavy, way too heavy for me to carry. I yelped as it fell to the ground, I tried picking it up, but it was no use.
After a few minutes, I couldn't figure out how to undo this weight thing. So, with a dejected sigh, all i could do was dismiss the weapon and start pondering what just had happend.
'I don't really know much about this, but I'll have to start giving it a few tests. Also, maybe sparring with Isabella, Cassie or even Zeke could help me improve my swordmanship with the Rapier....'
Hopefully.
I sighed blissfully. Atleast right now, I had some future plans. Training my body, learning how to use the Rapier and controlling my innate spirit. I can feel my heart racing with excitement at the prospect of potentially getting strong enough to make everyone around me, fear me!
Anyways, I was getting distracted. Right after dismissing the Rapier, I immediately lowered my eyes, reading over my blessing and curse, until it stopped at where my physical attributes were.
Physical attributes: —
Power: [26/1000]
Speed: [29/1000]
Stamina: [30/1000]
Agility: [19/1000]
Flexibility: [20/1000]
Balance: [15/1000]
Accuracy: [15/1000]
My eyes widened at how much my physical attributes have improved. Isn't this too much? Was my fight with Dorian that rewarding?
'Maybe I should go attacking people alot...'
I chuckled inwardly. This was good. Im not as weak as I was before now. It's satisfying. As I said, being in a game where progress like this is rewarded in a way where you can both see and feel, is really motivating. Ah, if only real life was like this!
'Now....'
For once look, I turned my gaze up, to check the Player Counter. But that's when I a strange pop-up appeared. It annoyed me and I tried dismissing it, but it didn't go away. With a sigh, I began reading it's contents.
'Huh?'
[You have received an Abyssal Fragment!]
[You have received an Abyssal Fragment!]
[You have received an Abyssal Fragment!]
'What the hell is an Abyssal Fragment?'