“That sounds like a good plan.” I steer clear of the direction my split focus is. “Where would you like the portal to go? Please don’t say the desert. I’ve spent some time there. Would like to avoid it if possible.”
“Probably not the desert.” Gene’s way of speaking in near absolutes eases my worries of deserts being a choice destination for our new home. “It probably would serve us best if we used the portal to connect us to a larger continent.”
“Wait,” I’m a bit shocked at her willingness to open our lands to others. “You’d set up the portal to another continent? Aren’t you bothered by the way everyone treated your people previously? I thought you’d want to keep a private island.”
“Now that the shade has dropped from the borders, there will be no way we will be able to keep others away. Creating a portal will not only allow us to track who is coming and going easier, but we will also be able to use the portal to gain access to the outside world.
“Through trade and commerce, we will be able to set up a powerful city, and with our dungeon bosses protecting it, our city won’t be taken from us easily.
“So yes, I still have a slight grudge towards outsiders, but I am willing to work on that. Besides, if I didn’t give you a chance, well… my people and me would have missed out on a fortune. Maybe there are more people out there like you.”
“Hey, thanks.” I am pretty sure there was a compliment in there somewhere.
“I mean it too. Meeting you and working with you has been a most rewarding experience.” Judging by the sincerity in Gene’s eyes I get a sense that her use of the word rewarding has multiple meanings.”
“OK then,” this time I take the initiative to move our conversation forward and dig us out of a sappy moment. My split focus is running wild with extravagant plans, and I refuse to let them surface. “We save the gem for our home, wherever that may be.”
Taking some initiative, I begin creating some plans. “Before we establish a home, there are a few things I would like to take care of around here.” If this doesn’t count as character growth, then what’s even the point?
Gene doesn’t interrupt, allowing me to carry on with my plans. Maybe she thinks I know what I am doing, or she is just allowing me enough rope to hang myself with. Either way, I stumble to spit out some more plans like a top-tier leader. Man, I miss Bones.
“First, I say we pay the local inhabitants a friendly visit and maybe remind them of the food tax. Also, they should be aware that I dibbed this newly discovered island so they are going to have to call me king if they want to be on friendly terms.” That got a slight brow raise from Gene. Still, she doesn’t interrupt.
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“Secondly, I have a goblin friend I would like to visit. She sorta lied to me and that wasn’t nice. I want her to apologize for something or she owes me a favor.
“Third, we need to find Annette’s spiders and keep them safe. Maybe they can be a part of our home?”
Gene gives me a suspicious look. “Would you willingly let spiders into our home? Don’t your people usually have a thing against spiders?”
“They are freakishly unnatural, sure, and I don’t think I want them in my actual home, but being a part of our town isn’t a problem.
“Before we do any of that, maybe we take a moment to enjoy this nice setting. I’m pretty sure I am still in recovery mode. Besides, I still have some questions and it would be nice to test out your abilities more.“ To that suggestion, Gene nods her head in an agreeing motion.
We sit by the dying fire for some time in silence. The air has enough chill to it that the fire provides a comforting warmth. It could be that I am still wet from an earlier swimming session. I let my skin and underwear dry before I summon some hide shoes, pants, and a shirt.
Being the first time I used my death core since it upgraded to gold, I’m taken aback by how easy the summons are. Sure, I have practiced these summons in the past, however, the ease and accuracy of the summons are more than practice. Death energy is almost as easy to mold as my newly acquired mind energy.
Among leisurely beach activities, diving deeper into my cultivation is added to the list of things to do.
Wrapped in my cloak I feel extremely comfortable. Even though I am not necessarily hungry I reach into my food pocket and pull out some bread. Before I dig in, I break it in half and offer the other half to Gene. She graciously accepts making this an unofficial brunch.
“So, Gene, are you open to some questions?”
“Absolutely Liam. Next time, don’t even ask, just ask…” Her words trail off as she recognizes the blunder, she landed herself in. However, she shakes it off with a quick head shake and restates her intended words. “Consider me a mentor and I am always open to any question. If I can answer them, I will. If I can't, I will search for an answer until I can.”
“That sounds great, but don’t burden yourself with my questions. I can also look for answers if I need them.”
She rejects my words quickly with another shake of her head. “No, let me do this for you. I want to be able to help you in any way that I can, and if it turns out that it is hours of research, or devouring enemies so you never have to lift a sword, then I will do it.
“I am your warlock spirit, talisman, and more than that a friend that owes you so much. Let me fulfill the roles that have been given to me.”
She is so sincere it is hard to see her as The Deceiver. “Gene, there’s no debt between us. I don’t need devoted servants. I got Bones for that. Actually… Bones has got me for that. Scratch that thought. What I’m saying is I need friends. Let’s just agree that we will both work to help each other out. Together we’re stronger, or something sappy like that.”
“I can agree to that. Though personally, I will feel your debts for a while.”
I figure that is going to be the best I can get out of her, so I choose to move on to my questions. Before I do though I pull out another loaf of bread, break it in half and give her the other half.”
I have many questions I want to ask. The most pressing is also the most recent. “Do you know what the hell happened back there? Is death energy always so invasive?”