And so I am here. Feeling like I need to cry in a body unable to do so. Desperate for human connection. The girl is still there, catching her breath and drinking her canteen. Seems she will be leaving soon… I wanted to do something, anything, to let her know I am here. To let her know, I hear her. To let her know I care. I suppose she already knows I care enough to not use lethal force.

I collect my thoughts a bit. Enough to do something. I send a single pack rat to poke her hand with its soft, wet nose. No biting, just a soft touch. This startled the girl, but she quickly realised it was alone. Alone, it couldn’t do much harm. Even so, she was cautious about touching it. I am not sure if she was afraid for herself of this little light-brown mouse, with a dot of discoloured furry around each eye, one white and one black.

The girl held it. Up it to the height of her face, gave it a few pets, giggled again and said “You are just like me, aren’t you?” Then she retrieved the trail mix from her backpack. Feeding my mouse with small nuts and chunks of dry fruit. She watched it eat each one before reaching for the next one.

It was during the peaceful moment I felt like her reach out to me. A gesture I welcomed. At the time, I didn’t realise what happened, but I felt something stir up in the mana. However, my mind was somewhere else. I was thinking back to the short time I knew her. Before I liked her, her visits were fun and profitable. Now I cared.

However, you cannot stretch a moment forever, and it seems we already dragged it for too long. “Look at the sun! Gotta go. See you next week!” She exclaimed, running out into the woods. Fair enough, she has a life outside our duals. She took the rat, but I made a new one in no time. I’m not sure what happened. It was still alive, but no longer mine?

For the next few days, I took care of the usual stuff. I decided to grow my rooms to be 5 m by 5 m, this seems like a good size for a small room. I also noticed, regularity of my trips to the flower patch seemed to have reduced their cost. It also made its territory cheaper to annex. Interesting. I think it will do it sooner than later.

For current matters. My assassin rat spawner finished evolving, granting me access to new rats. They were more agile and every now and then could use energy burst, granting a burst of speed and strength. At first, I thought it was only useful for quick powerful attacks, but as I messed around with it a second use, came to mind. By getting a running start and jumping, while this ability is active, they could jump a lot further and higher than usual. The timing was a bit tricky, but I got time to practice.

Ania also evolved. On top of the standard assassin rat glow up, she was able to teleport a short distance with mana. On top of that, there was something that scared me a little. She could use her assassin abilities while part of a swarm. Evolved champions are no joke. I have been preparing for a bear attack. However, I think it’s time to up my standards. I want to be ready for an evolved bear.

Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.

As I was taking care of my ordinary chores, a question was eating away at me. She said “Next week” this should mean in 7 days, right? But she came every 10 days. Is she coming sooner, is their week longer, or is it something else?

Whatever she meant. She was back 10 days after, as per usual. What wasn’t usual was the fact she had company. Another girl, shorter, but still taller than average. She was very muscular, and her skin was a bit greenish. Feel like there might be an orc in her bloodline. On top of her head, short red hair in a pixie cut. Her armour consisted of a thick jacket and tall boots, not much for protection. In her hand, a glaive. At least, I think that’s what you call a sword on a stick.

“So this is where you got me those lovely strawberries?” She asked in a joking matter.

“Yeah, now better focus.” The girl replied. Clearly already mentally preparing for battle herself.

I suppose that’s her answer to a boss fight. Bring a friend. Not the worst idea, and should give me plenty of mana, if I can challenge them both. Seems like a tall order, even if the newcomer seems less prepared. Those exposed legs are going to hurt.

I send assassin rats, roll up some smaller swarms, and even have Ania dash in for a quick bite a few times. New girl isn’t as precise as her friend, she might hit harder, breaking the swarms faster, but regular rats are too fragile to care about it. Nonetheless, an extra pair of hand speeds up the process and the room is cleared soon enough.

They help each over patch up the wounds, split the treasure and feed each other the strawberries, with idle chatter along the way. They are quite cute together, reminds me of my college days. As they talk, I learn their names. One who regularly visited me is called Ashie, and the newcomer is called Marle.

Now it came for the boss fight. Marie was in the front, hacking and slashing. Ashie behind her, sending a lighting strike after lighting strike. When Ania swarm charged them, they jumped in opposite directions. They had a plan, a fairly simple one, but it was enough. Ania skipped on using her assassin abilities. Those will be a nice surprise for the next time. Sure enough, they won. Marle didn’t look too good, though. After several passes from the mega swarm, she looked like she was talking through thorn bushes for an hour or two. Their bounty was plentiful, benefits for a long brewed chest.

“We are buying you an armour.” Ashie announced.

“Sure, but I don’t think I can afford it with my share.”

“No problem, you have mine.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yes, I am sure. I need you armoured up for the next week.” There it is. I suppose a week is 10 days for them.

“Fine, I will pay you back, though.”

“If you must”

“And we are saving a gift for Lumi.”

“Of course, let’s pic up something extra fancy, since now she needs to take care of the two of us”

“Of course, of course”

I suppose I know what to expect next time. They still might have something else up to their sleeves, but I am confident I can give them a good fight.