Joe quirked an eyebrow at Garnedell’s non sequitur but figured it might just be some kind of saying and left it alone. Although… right… math? Probably? He had a quick decision to make and not much time. They’d been waiting almost fifteen minutes since Joe had showed up, and if the line was even just five times longer, that meant over an hour, and likely longer if the line kept growing while they were gone to set up their party. They wouldn’t be able to leave someone behind because it seemed like, if he remembered the last time, the party maker needed to have all people there. Maybe?
Joe waffled for a bit before finally deciding it wasn’t worth it. There were too many downsides with the loss of almost a quarter of their morning and if Joe was going to spend the afternoon exploring the seedier parts of town searching for an information source, he was going to be losing a lot of time to his own development. It certainly seemed like he would be perfectly fine to take a break and wait a day… maybe… but the year deadline left him much more uncomfortable than he liked. He had almost all of his stats at his minimum now…
Hmm… mostly not bad… the only real dangerous ones are my physical resistances right now. They’re very very low. Guess I’m going to have to open up the more physical jobs for that… And… what about… weapons…
Ultimately Joe decided to delay until after the dungeon run. They could stop by the guild and set up a group immediately after the dungeon run, eat a lunch at a local restaurant instead of a poor picnic in the dungeon, then head out and look for information the rest of the afternoon. A day’s delay for him actually killed an entire job. A day’s delay for the other three was turning a forty day journey from level sixteen to twenty into a forty one day. They would not get reasonably stronger nor help them immediately as much as Joe could. He hated to make such mercenary decisions, and almost decided to go for it anyway but realized the whole group relied on him to actually be able to level reasonably and safely. Finally, Joe decided the best he could do was ask them instead of making a unilateral decision and waited until they had entered the dungeon and made it to somewhere semi private.
“I screwed up. I’m so sorry, but I made a mistake, so I want to ask a question.”
The other three froze and Joe’s statement and turned to look at him. Garnedell seemed calm enough, but the other two were quite tense and Joe quickly continued to relieve their fear.
“I forgot to put us all in a party. It would really help us all grow more quickly, and I forgot. I was going to do it today, but I just… forgot. We can go out right now and form a party, if you want. We will lose a lot of this morning’s training waiting in line again to come back. Or, we can make a party right after lunch after we do our morning dungeon run. We will not stay here all day, as we usually do. Kilniara and Zilnek will be showing us… around town, to find some special information.”
All three quickly nodded at that in understanding before Kilniara quickly chimed in, “Let us just stay. You are right, Joe. It will be almost two or three hours before we can return. The lines for the beginner’s dungeon are quite long. That is why my brother and I did not come here.”
“Two or three hours?!” Joe asked in shock.
“Yes,” Kilniara replied succinctly.
“Oh… then… yeah, I would prefer we finish here and do it after, but I’m willing to ask you what you want to do.”
Zilnek seemed to hesitate a bit before nodding in acceptance, “Yes, Joe. We can wait… are you sure you wish to make us a party?”
Joe seemed a bit concerned by Zilnek’s obvious worry and asked, “Why? Is there a problem?”
Zilnek opened his mouth, after obviously worrying for about ten seconds, to reply but Kilniara quickly shushed him and pointed them to their corner before herding everyone there. They dodged through the goblins until they were safe once again and Kilniara nodded to Zilnek to continue.
Zilnek seemed to be even more concerned now before finally replying with a sigh, “If you are found to be in a party with a criminal, you will become a criminal. It is a … very high chance.”
“Oh… well… then I can just change m… wait…” Joe trailed off in thought and realized that could really become a significant liability. If they all turned to criminals, Kilniara and Garnedell would have all their stats utterly destroyed. He would be fine, himself, with his now strong stats, but he would no longer be able to change his jobs easily unless he could find a ‘dark priest’ to do it for them. Understanding the ramifications, Joe questioned more.
Love what you're reading? Discover and support the author on the platform they originally published on.
“How difficult is it to find a dark priest or priest we can change jobs with?”
All three quickly shook their heads emphatically and immediately, frowning, “Very difficult,” Garnedell spit out rather quickly.
Joe sighed before he nodded quietly, “OK. I’ll probably be OK if I get a criminal job, but it will be very difficult for me to change my job and be able to help you. Garnedell and Kilniara will both suddenly be very weak, and… that would… Hmm..”
Looking to Zilnek with some empathy, Joe nodded, “Thank you for telling me, Zilnek. I did not know. If I had a way to make sure I could change jobs, I would do such a thing immediately for you, but you are right. The danger is quite high. If I cannot find a way to change jobs, it will be very difficult for me to protect you and help you grow later. Hmm… I will still be able to quickly find a job to help you, Zilnek. I promise. Just give me more time, OK?”
Zilnek nodded quickly, “OK, Joe.”
Despite his quick reply, Zilnek seemed to be in despair and Joe decided offer some comfort, draping a hand on his shoulder, “Zilnek. If I can find the information I need, I will be able to change your job back in maybe a month… maybe two! If I can find the information quickly and it is … good news, I may be able to do so in only a week or two! Ok! I’m not joking. I can really do this. Just… give me some more time.”
Zilnek’s eyes opened wide at this while Kilniara began smiling brilliantly in excitement. Kilniara leaping to her brother before hugging him tightly with a soft squeal. “Yes! Yes… oh Zilnek! This is perfect!”
Zilnek mostly ignored Kilniara’s display and kept his hopeful eyes on Kilniara, although he did return her hug, replying, “Truly? I… So soon?”
Joe smiled and nodded before clapping Zilnek on his shoulder, “Don’t give up! And this … job… may seem a curse for now, but you… it may be a blessing in disguise! Come… let’s kill some goblins!”
All three nodded although the two siblings added an enthusiastic shout as well and Joe headed out with Zilnek first to conquer their daily healthy intake of goblins. Joe settled in with Zilnek and the two tore through quite a few goblins before Zilnek grew exhausted. Joe was surprised to find Zilnek able to kill another half dozen or so before growing too exhausted. Joe congratulated Zilnek on his excellent performance before sending him back to the corner to rest. He didn’t want to swap out with either of the other two as they were still going strong, so allowed Zilnek to rest until the next swap was ready to take place.
Joe didn’t want to let any time go to waste as they were already going to miss a bit of time and continued killing alone. They continued fighting and alternating as usual for the rest of the morning until noon. By noon, Joe was already at level twenty eight and reaching twenty nine. He allowed the kids to rest for lunch, but didn’t himself, pushing on through lunch and a bit after but only could push into twenty nine. While Joe was disappointed at being stuck at twenty nine, he was pleasantly surprised when Garnedell excitedly jumped and called out that he’d been able to gain a level. They celebrated and decided to end their run as he didn’t feel comfortable keeping everyone here the extra two hours it would take to reach thirty and rather decided instead to head out for a late lunch and celebration for Garnedell’s achievement of level seventeen. When he came back and collapsed against the wall next to the others, he looked at them with slight embarrassment.
“Sorry. I didn’t mean to stay so long.”
Kilniara smiled and shook her head, “We are fine. We needed the rest.”
Zilnek popped in a bit later, “Finding someone too early in the day is difficult anyway…”
“Really? Why?”
“The night hides well.”
“Huh,” Joe replied, not able to really offer any other response. Guess it does, but you would think that magic would kind of negate that? Or… something?
Joe fell silent but the other three had long rested enough and were now jabbering with one another. Joe didn’t leave them hanging for long and was soon feeling well rested after ten or fifteen minutes, standing to lead the way.
“Anyone else hungry?”
Garnedell leapt to his feet with Zilnek following almost immediately after, both shouting, “Yes!”
Joe chuckled, “Good! So am I! What’s a good place to eat around here?”
“The adventurer’s guild is very good,” Zilnek quickly called out.
Kilniara, however, quickly hushed Zilnek, embarrassment creeping up her face, “Stop! Don’t say…”
She trailed off when Joe turned to look at them, “What’s wrong? Is it bad?”
“Ah!” Kilniara cried out a bit, “No. It is… quite delicious.”
“They why are you shushing your brother?”
Kilniara didn’t say anything her embarrassment obvious even as Zilnek also started to show a bit of red in his face. Garnedell only laughed and shook his head before replying for them.
“It is expensive, Joe. I think they worry at the cost.”
“Ha! If there’s one thing I don’t have to worry about here, it’s cost. Let’s go. I’m missing good food!”
Zilnek brightened immediately, nodding enthusiastically, although Kilniara seemed to grow even more embarrassed although she smiled as well. Joe chuckled at that and waved them on as he continued talking to them.
“Don’t worry about things. Just tell me. It is how I will learn. If I do not wish or think it unwise, I will tell you. Just, don’t hide things from me. OK?”
Kilniara and Zilnek both nodded in agreement while Garnedell looked at the two of them and reprimanded them good naturedly, “I told you just speak honestly. Master is a good master.”
Joe paused at that, taking in what Garnedell had said, and then coughed, “Uh… there is something that… we should probably mention.”
Garnedell paused and looked at Joe, obviously confused but listening intently. Joe frowned a bit at that and turned to Kilinara. He nodded. She flushed at that, obviously understanding exactly what he was saying and her face paled slightly before sighing deeply to regain her strength to continue. She then nodded and took a small step forward.
“I’m no longer Joe’s apprentice. I have … left.”