Chapter 22
Quest Conclusion
Congratulations! You have completed your quest and made 20 Demon Tears, Leo's imp said. The Demon Tears appeared in his inventory.
Trent sat back in his chair and rubbed his neck, looking perplexed. “What you're saying doesn't make sense. It's possible I know of a level nine Pyromage. Friend of a friend. He uses his power to light cigarettes or ignite kindling in his fireplace. That's all a level nine Pyromage is good for. He's a human cigarette lighter. I get the whole disaster apocalypse part. But I'd be telling that guy to buy a bunch of guns or something.“
“About that,” Leo said. “The Change turns anyone who took too much Bio-Blessed into a monster, but it also activates certain implant features you thought were a hoax or part of a game. Suddenly, you will be able to throw fireballs around, but without increasing your energy storage and recovery levels, you can only throw one fireball every eight hours. That's why your friend desperately needs to increase his energy storage levels and energy recovery rates. Something I'm sure your friend's Imp has been telling him to do for months. If I were your friend, I'd use my Demon Tears to make my energy storage at least ten times its current size and do everything I could to speed up energy recovery rates. That and put something into defense. Fire-shield, for example.”
“Yeah?” Trent took another bite from his burger and chewed. He seemed to be thinking. “Got any evidence for this? What did you see happening in the month before this apocalypse?”
Leo pulled a crumpled paper from his pocket and handed it over. “When I lived through this before, I didn't pay attention to current events. I've listed the few things I remember that might be evidence, but it isn't much.”
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Trent looked at it. “Two movie stars fighting in public. Who cares? Politician using an eyedropper for fake tears to look like they're crying, Pope blessing a billionaire who wishes to be known as a deity. Stuff like that happens every day... Wait. That imitation Bio-Blessed company, Body Booster Inc. stock crashes two weeks from now? I thought they just got FDA approval.”
“Don't know about the FDA. But apparently, the owner spent the company's money on real Bio-Blessed and flew away. I mean, he literally grew wings from his back and flew to another country to hide. My dad was so pissed he was throwing stuff at our flat screen. He'd invested in the company.”
“Interesting.” Trent put the crumpled paper in his pocket and stuffed the rest of his burger into his mouth. “You got a ride home?” he asked through a mouthful of food.
“No. But I need to level up in walking long distances and running.”
“Some neighborhoods around here aren't safe for either. I'm driving you home.”
Leo packed up his burger and fries for later, followed Trent to his truck, and gave him directions to his house.
“I'm curious,” Trent said once they were driving. “In your vision, what happened to me?”
“About a week after I met you, you got drunk, left the refugee camp, and got yourself killed, taking at least ten of those things with you. Sucked for me, 'cause you were my only companion.”
“That does sound like something I'd do. Okay, Leo, I'm going to make sure that friend does what you suggested. It's not like he'll lose anything by doing it. But if the world doesn't end, I want you to get therapy. Deal?”
“Deal,” Leo said. They shook on it.
“Oh, and if the world is coming to an end, you should learn how to fight. You seem to get your ass kicked a lot.”
“On my to-do list.” Leo got out of the truck and headed inside. He turned around to take a last look at his onetime friend. But the man was already driving away.