“It’s time for me to head home. They’ll be worried if I’m gone too long.” Jason informs Quinn. He's quite reluctant to break their hug as Quinn was quite soft to the touch.

“Hm… I understand.” Quinn responds with equal reluctance.

Quinn walked Jason down to the ground floor, where they exchanged goodbyes before Jason departed. By now, it was well past dinnertime for most households, so the town was quiet—silent except for the chirping of insects and the occasional rustle from other nocturnal creatures.

The peaceful ambiance was almost too soothing for Jason; he was so lost in it that he nearly walked past his destination. Catching sight of the Clarkson residence, he noticed the lights were still on.

“Looks like they’re still waiting for me,” he muttered. “Oh well, time to face the music. Not like it’s going to kill me or anything.” With his resolve set, Jason walked up to the door. Just as he reached out to knock, the door swung open, and he was tackled by two small figures.

“Oof! What the—?!” he exclaimed, barely managing to keep his balance. Glancing down, he saw the twins, Sage and Sinclair, clutching onto him tightly, their faces buried in his chest. Before he could process the situation, he heard Simon shouting excitedly about Jason’s return. The noise was quickly cut off by Samantha, who shushed him to avoid waking the neighbors.

Jason locked eyes with Samantha for a tense moment before she sighed heavily. “Took you long enough, kid. Thanks to you running off, these kids wouldn’t go to bed until you got back. Now, get inside. I need some shut-eye.”

Doing as instructed, Jason stepped inside, the twins still clinging to him like barnacles. Samantha glanced at the scene, massaged her forehead, and turned to Susan. “I’ll leave the rest to you. I’m going to bed.” And with that, she walked off.

Susan approached Jason, placing a hand on each twin’s head. With a little coaxing and some big-sister persuasion, the twins reluctantly released him and were led to their rooms. They kept glancing back at Jason as if afraid he’d disappear if left alone too long.

After putting the children to bed, Susan returned to the kitchen and served Jason a hearty, meat-rich dinner. He briefly considered declining but quickly changed his mind. His time with Quinn had taught him not to fight such gestures of care, as long as they were reasonable.

Seated across from Susan, Jason began eating. A thought nagged at him, and he couldn’t help but ask about Sammy, who was noticeably absent. The last time Jason saw him, the blonde had been hurt and unconscious.

Susan reassured him that Sammy was fine and would likely wake up in the morning. His injuries would take time to heal, keeping him out of commission for the next day or two.

Jason felt relieved but couldn’t help marveling at how quickly people seemed to recover in this world. With his concerns put to rest, he focused on his meal. Susan joined him, quietly eating her own plate.

The silence stretched for a while before Jason broke it, unable to contain his curiosity. “Why were the twins so emotional when I got back? We’ve barely interacted.”

Susan’s expression faltered before she explained. Two years ago, during a goblin raid led by an ogre, our father had saved Sammy and dropped him off at home before joining the resistance forces. The family wasn’t worried initially; their father was an experienced fighter and the strongest person in town. But that night, he didn’t return.

Support the creativity of authors by visiting Royal Road for this novel and more.

The goblin army had been underestimated, and their father sacrificed himself to defeat the ogre and save the town. While his actions prevented future attacks, his loss devastated the family, leaving scars that hadn’t fully healed.

Hearing this, Jason felt awkward. He realized how his actions had stirred painful memories for the family. With a heavy heart, he resumed eating, lost in thought.

Later, Jason bid Susan goodnight and retired to his room. That night, for the first time in a while, he neither meditated nor explored his mindscape. Instead, he allowed himself to sleep peacefully.

NEXT DAY

Jason woke up refreshed, more so than he had in a long time. “Maybe meditating all night does take something out of me,” he mused. Deciding to dedicate one night a week to regular sleep. He had also got a decent bit more Strength and Endurance Stat gains thanks to his injuries. He got up and got ready for the day.

As he exited his room, a nearby door swung open. Standing there was Sammy, his eyes shadowed with fatigue and his hair a disheveled mess. Recognition flickered in the boy’s eyes, and he moved toward Jason—only for his injured leg to give way. Jason caught him before he fell.

They locked eyes briefly before Sammy threw his arms around Jason, burying his face in his chest. Jason returned the hug, gently rubbing Sammy’s back as quiet sobs filled the hallway.

After a few minutes, the sobbing subsided, leaving them in awkward silence. Jason broke it with an apology, promising to make it up to Sammy with a treat later that day. Sammy chuckled weakly before wiping his tears and snot on Jason’s shirt, ignoring his protests.

The day passed without incident. After breakfast, Jason completed his chores and headed to town. He stopped by a sweets shop for cake and ice cream, then visited the bookstore to thank Quinn for his hospitality the previous night. Over their shared treats, the two chatted about books.

Next, Jason visited the guild to handle some business. He was surprised to be summoned to the Guildmaster’s office,

Jason wondered if he was in some kind of trouble, but the staff member assured him everything was fine before having someone else lead Jason to the office.

When they arrived at the door, the staff knocked on it before announcing their identities and purpose before a faint "Enter" was heard from the other side of the door. Hearing this, the staff member half opened the door before gesturing Jason to enter. Jason does so, and finds Sam sitting at the desk.

“Hello, lad. It’s been a while, hasn’t it?” The blond elf trap greeted.

“Sam?! You’re the Guildmaster?” Jason asked in shock.

“Acting Guildmaster. The real one’s off on urgent business, so I’m stuck holding the fort.” Complained Sam.

"Acting Guildmaster. The real one was called to the capital city on urgent business, so he dumped the guild on my lap before leaving."

"Oof! Sounds rough." Jason cringed at the thought.

"True, but I won't complain like a child. Responsibility is for those who can shoulder that burden and I was the best choice for holding the fort. That being said, I do intend to leave town as soon as he arrives lest this happens again."

"Understandable. So why did you call for me?" Inquired Jason.

"Ah... that. You see, I happened to come upon the invoice of all the Hazard Beasts you brought in last night. I'm curious about how you managed survive encountering some of these, and kill so many despite only being part of a guild for less than a month. That is... If you don't mind sharing."

"Sure. I don't mind." Jason replied as he shrugged then proceeded to narrate last night's events as Sam listened intently.

"Impressive; if not a tad reckless. Your skills with weapons is quite prodigious: to have become this proficient with 3 different types of arms in such a short time is nearly unheard of . Quite impressive indeed, lad."

"You're exaggerating. What I know was thought to me by Sammy, who's decent, but is no master therefore I'm only so so in that regard."

His downplay made Sam quirk a brow. "You imply that if I thought you archery you would rise to my level in record time?"

"Indeed! Give me a month and we'll be rubbing shoulders."

"Huuu? I find your hubris amusing, lad. It took me decades to reach my current level of skill and I can't even call myself one of the top 50 in the land. If what you say is true, then I shall hang my bow for I have been wasting my time with the wrong weapon."

"Please don't do that! I don't want to be held responsible for that kind of heavy life decision."

"... Wait. Do you truly not jest, lad?"

"I've been serious the whole time."

"... Hmmm... If this is true, then you're a monster."

"Hey!"

"Very well, it's decided. I'll train you for the next month and see for myself if what you say is true."

"Only on the condition you don't hang up your bow. Otherwise, no deal."

"Fine. I shall concede to your demand, lad. That being said, what shall happen if you fail to deliver?"

"Umm... I'll treat you to a meal?"

"..." Sam sat there quiet for so long that Jason began getting insecure.

"No good?"

"Pfft! No, that shall suffice; thank you. I have work to get back to, so let us meet again the day after tomorrow for your first day of training."

"Sure! Um... About my pay..."

"Yes, of course. One moment, please."

The chat with Sam was quite productive, and Jason returned to the Clarkson home with a skip in his step. After dropping off the cart, he made a beeline for Sammy's room where they both enjoyed ice cream and cake together; at the end of which Sammy declares Jason to be forgiven. To which Jason rolls his eyes.

Jason relaxes for the rest of the day. Yesterday's events were more than enough excitement for a time. When bedtime rolled around however, Jason retrieved a pouch containing all the Life Cores he got from the Hazard Beasts he killed. He held the pile in the palm of his hands inorder to absorb the red ki as he meditated for the night.

Tatter Town, Dakota Dukedom.

World: 35 days.

Clarksons: 30 days.