CHAPTER 20 - Getting things done
For the next few days, I plan on getting ready to go out again so I focus on getting better in a few areas. However, I do have some worries weighing on my head though.
I didn’t forget about my family, the elder couple that saved me, or whatever survivors we could gather in the city, but the monsters are getting rowdy and I need either a solid plan or be able to fight them off.
Taking into consideration that the plan is to have a group of survivors become fighters and fend off the monsters by themselves… Well, let’s say they will need some time and a huge investment in regards to equipment if we don't want to lose them all the moment they leave the base.
I am not someone who really cares about the lives of people if they have no relation to me, but still, meaningless deaths do piss me off so I don't plan on doing that. Therefore, I am not planning on wasting my time to gain their trust and raise them for nothing.
In fact, this is starting to piss me off. Not only are they useless as of now, but they are not trusting me that much either. That’s part of what motivated me to isolate myself for a few days while I recovered to get strong enough and then get things done myself.
No more messing around or playing it safe. If they are going to be monsters ambushing me the moment I leave the settlement anyways I am not planning on barricading myself in these walls.
"No, I will take matters into my own hands and the moment I am ready I will go out there and make my problems disappear.” I think so as I walk to the training grounds to get some practice with the few knives that I still have.
For a few hours, I modify my battle approach to one that involves throwing knives while I practice at the same time. I use all my newly improved qi to get more power on the knives and make them sharper.
Not feeling that it is enough I try to go to the smith to ask him for a metal shield. If I plan to fight against the stronger variants of the monsters, I will need a way to block or at least parry somehow their blows.
I am mostly scared of the bigger orcs, the ones I got to see first and the ones that seemed a lot stronger. At this point on time, I am sure that I can come up on top in a one-on-one fight, maybe even in a one-on-two if I really push it. However, how about their leader?
I am not calling the other orcs lesser again as I already got a share of their tricks and strategies, but the fact that they are weaker than the other ones doesn’t change. If the stronger ones are as intelligent and cunning as the smaller ones I will need countermeasures, a whole lot at that.
If they both are different tribes or groups, they will probably have a leader too. If the leader of the weaker ones is already so much stronger than the "foot soldier" of the other group. Just how much stronger will their leader be?
That is for now the biggest problem I am facing at the moment. With the shield that I commissioned to James, I am confident that I will be able to stand my ground and deal more or less with anything they throw at me.
Thinking about that I started using a wooden practice shield that I took from the shack too, implementing it into my arsenal. I notice that wood is a less than recommendable material to infuse with qi, however, it can be done if you don't mind losing some of it in the process.
If I get good at fighting like this with my qi powering all the attacks that I use with both the knives and the shield, I will have a lot more room for maneuver. The main challenge I faced till now with weapons other than the sword I stole is related to their quality.
The idea of using knives to help me make opportunities is good and all, yet for that, I need those knives to be able to pierce the hide of my enemies. I am pretty sure that the orcs won’t be too disturbed by them if I don't land them on their eyes.
Coming from that, now that I will actually be able to deal damage with them and somehow defend myself without needing to dodge, I will have an easier way to dispatch my foes.
As I practice my moves and various skills I keep improving on my control over qi too. Now that I have a lot more of it to use, I start to manage it wiser, using it in some of the attacks I deal, instead of just saving it for decisive blows.
It will be a good way to annoy and confuse my enemies if they are not able to discern between the attacks with qi and the ones without. One wrong decision could cost them a limb or even their life.
I keep up the pace till I get hungry, then I eat and get back to training. I got no new samples to research on and it is better if I deal with my actual problems in the shortest amount of time possible.
I still need some time to get to peak condition, but I can feel my body growing stronger as I get better with this power. Even when I am injured and shouldn't overwork myself too much I feel stronger than ever.
I feel my strength rising so quickly in fact that I try to tell myself to go slow, scared of getting addicted to the feeling and doing something I will regret later on.
I stop for the day when it starts to get dark and I choose to leave it there. I plan on getting something to eat as I get to my room and I notice that at some point they probably swapped with Jordan as I can’t find my dear Shadow anywhere close. I doubt that they stopped their following me so early on so I think about looking for the person who is now in charge, but in the end, I decide not to. ‘Whatever, it doesn't change much.’
When I finally get on my bed I can finally rest, but I know that I will have a hard time from now on.
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Two weeks fly by…
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*Thud* *Thud* *Clang*
The sound of metal against wood and metal rings all over the field as I throw my knives at the three targets, I run all around simulating an attack on someone. The last knife hits a metal plate and leaves a loud sound as it pushes it with great force from the wooden pole where it hangs.
I keep running through the trees and get to an opening where three more armored dummies wait for me. The second I lay my feet on the opening thought, I hear the warning sounds of arrows flying at me at great speed.
I see both of the coming arrows thanks to my already good perception getting even better with the qi I sent to my eyes. I finally learned how to do it and it's already paying off.
I duck under the arrow that goes for my chest while I parry with my new metal shield the one coming at me tight.
My feet explode with speed as I infuse them with a strong pulse of qi amplified by the ground below them. The quick dash helps me to deliver a decisive shield bash on the first of my “adversaries ” throwing it back a whole 4 meters.
Spinning after the attack I throw a roundhouse kick to the neck of the next enemy, which boosted too, would make the second foe lose consciousness.
Leaving the best for last I position myself facing the last of the trio while charging up all the energy I can on both my body and sword. I leave my shield hanging on my arm by the strap tied to my forearm as I grab my weapon with both hands in a strong grip.
Stronger than ever and completely healed a few days ago, I give a final push to my swing as I perform the best slash I had ever done against the last standing armored dummy.
The attack goes right through the metal plating as I cleave right through the dummy from top to bottom. Even leaving a slight scar on the ground where my blade stops a few centimeters away from touching.
Keeping my eyes on the two halves of the improvised armor I just destroyed I sheath my sword. Not even a minute later I get to see my two training partners come out of the forest where they were hiding.
“Wtf Leo, did you just tear the fucking thing apart?”
“Hey mate… Are you even human? Cause that's not something you see every day.”
Adrian and Claire send me doubtful gazes as they walk to the remains of the training piece we are gonna have to get repaired. If that is even possible.
“Thanks, I am definitely getting better. I’ll go get my knives, pack everything, we are done for the day.” I am not gonna let these guys start talking or I will lose all day, I already experienced it more times than I liked.
They both are practicing to be a part of the future monster-hunting group and defend our base from any threats that may arise. They wanted to get some experience a few days ago and we made a deal to train together.
I told them to help me train my movement skills and footwork while they train their aim at a moving target and after that, I help them a little in regards to close combat.
Even if they are going to be at the back they are gonna be the focal point of the enemy to get rid of the long-range attacks. It’s vital to be ready to defend yourself on your own and not die a meaningless death after one or two enemies get through your front line.
All in all, they are not bad, they are only missing some determination to not doubt their skills. In fact, I appreciate their partaking in my training as it helps me get accustomed to all kinds of scenarios. You could say it's a win-win situation for all three of us.
The only problem is that they are both chattering boxes so I can’t really let them say a word if I don't want them talking for the rest of the hour non-stop. That’s why every time they talk that isn’t free time I have to cut them short, like now.
“Why are we leaving already? It’s been only one hour till we started after eating lunch.” Adrian, the younger of the two, is already complaining, and even if this time he is right I won't let him start.
“I got things to do today. You can train by yourselves.”
Claire, not happy with my response, insists on following me. Both she and Adrian have grown attached to me somehow, no idea why or when, knowing that the only thing I do is shush them and make some snarky comments whenever we train about their carefree attitude.
“Not today, we will talk over dinner.”
I really do not hate them, it is just that they are tiring to deal with. The only time they are quiet is when we train their close-range defense as they have no time to think about anything else. Every other moment of the day, you will find them being talkative to every person of the settlement, they are a menace to my peace of mind.
Tomorrow is the day I go on my next adventure far from the base and I need some quiet time to prepare myself now that I already tested the skills I improved over the course of these few days.
I have become a lot stronger, not to the level of the guy that nearly took my life, but I am probably able to go toe to toe with one or two of the stronger orcs. Maybe even three if I were down to do it.
That and the improved equipment I have now motivates me to try again. Wanting to get a piece of the monsters that got the jump on me last time. I have all I need to fend off any monsters that may show on my way.
The only thing I am a little scared of is the reliability of my already worn-out sword. After days on end of it being used and getting flooded with qi, it is possible to see the weathering of the blade. It is still in better condition than any of the swords we got at disposition in the whole base, yet it’s not enough for me.
I can’t fight against a monster the likes of orcs, armored panthers, or even the bigger porcupines without a sword that I can rely on. This mission's objective is to find and retrieve one similar from the monster as well as to test the waters.
Leaving my fate to luck is not my style so even though I plan on going deep into the city to explore I want to have a look first. Surely it wouldn't be a nice experience being forced to retreat from the inner parts of the city into an ambush from another group of monsters.
There are some things I could do to ensure an easier retreat route like having someone secure the way back, but it's too risky. If any monsters get a peek of a human alone soon he or she will be surrounded and killed or eaten.
I have even considered bringing someone with me to help clear out the hordes of monsters. But most of the time though, they will not be more than a little help against the groups I can deal with just fine. Only for them to die or become a nuisance the moment I really need their help.
Adrian and Claire are good with the bow for example, but they will never be able to deal any actual damage to monsters like the orcs or the panthers. They are prone to get picked up before me by a stealthy enemy too.
In the end, I choose not to lead anyone to an early death. As uncaring as I am, I will not carry innocent lives on my shoulders for no reason whatsoever as I said before.
Dinner arrives and I get my fill before telling Jake and the others about my return to scouting.
Jake is not surprised at all by my decision, already expecting it at some point. Treating it with a calm demeanor, then he asks.
“When are you setting off?”
“Now.”