The hunt continued. For the first couple of days, I only allowed Hailwic to fight one orc at a time from each group. I wanted to be sure she is not tired during every single duel. Then, when she got a good grasp of her own capabilities, orcs weak and strong points, we increased the amount to two.

With the high tempo of the hunt and no days off, the exhaustion kicked in. My healing magic helped a bit but could only fix the physical damage, ripped muscle tissue, cuts, or bruises. Mental exhaustion was a completely separate thing.

I noticed how hard it was for her, especially the last couple of days, but she never complained. I'm not gonna lie. I was impressed by her willpower. Her body was not strong enough to withstand what I and Will were already used to. She needed more upgrades. Yet, she endured an entire month.

By the last day of the hunt, I had 3011 crystals on my cart, and she had 621. Two more months and I could finally afford the manual, but Will needed those points more. Although my greed kept arguing with me on this case. That night we spend outside the canyon, finally, after 29 days spend between those orange rocks.

The next morning we were on our way thru the forest. Hailwic didn't even try to hide her good humor. She was very happy to finally sleep in a proper bed, and eat something warm. She kept telling me what dish she is gonna have, but every couple of minutes new idea came, and she kept changing her mind.

Forest was cleared by the hunters, so we didn't encounter any goblins. Cave guards were also dead indicating somebody is down there, aiming to kill the boss.

Keeping up quite a fast pace we managed to reach the city by the early evening. There was no welcoming party or anything. We even didn't see any familiar faces to us, all the way to the device. After waiting for a bit in line, we sold our scores catching many curious eyes. Some people probably never saw such big amounts of crystals in one place.

I noticed all of those envious looks. Especially focused on the amount of two thousand crystals still remaining on my cart. I was almost confident nobody is gonna try anything. Almost.

- You are not selling that? Why? -asked Hailwic pointing at the stones.

- Will - I answered shortly.

- Oh, ok. Let's go find him then.

I grabbed the handles and started pulling, heading towards Will's place. She was following me, holding onto her cart.

- Can you get him for me? - I asked her. - I'll keep watch. We got a lot of attention, so somebody might try something funny.

- You asking, because you think I couldn't handle that?

- To be frank, yes. It's two thousand crystals. You could be swarmed by ten or more people.

- When you put it this way, maybe you are right. I'll get Will, but you need to tell me where to go.

- He has a room not too far from here.

- Ok.

After couple more minutes we were under the right building, and she went inside. Unfortunately, returned empty-handed.

- He is not here.

- Velvet Lotus then. He might be bothering Vesa.

Hailwic chuckled.

- She likes him. He's a decent guy. It's pretty hard for those here.

- It's survival of the fittest. Who I'm telling this to... You know exactly how it is.

- Actually, you would be surprised, Peter. Nowadays it's nothing like it used to be. It's way easier. Especially if you manage to get yourself a spot in a rat hunting party. All you need is decent equipment. Completely different story compared to your orc hunt.

- I have monstrous endurance, so this tempo is something normal to me, but I get why it was hard for you. You never hunted in this way. For the entire month without a day off.

- Sleeping on the ground was the worst, and food... Damn, I miss warm food...

- Ok, ok! Let's not start that discussion again. You are only making me hungry.

She laughed again.

We made it to the Velvet Lotus. Zo? was guarding the entrance. There was no line, just a couple of people hanging around like vultures. The banned ones. She exchanged greetings with Hailwic, and ignored me. The crystals on my cart got her curious though. She kept peaking at them when german blonde vanished inside the building.

- What? - I finally asked.

- You are not selling that?

- No.

- Why?

I didn't answer, just sighed loudly.historical

- Asshole - she mumbled under her breath a moment after.

I stood there for a long couple of minutes in awkward silence. Keeping an eye on potential thieves. They gathered to discuss among themselves something. I had no doubts what. I kept them in my field of view, just in case. At some point, one left, but the rest remained.

Finally, Will went outside, escorted by Hailwic.

- Hi Peter.

- Hi.

- I'll live you two. I'm dead tired - said the german blonde, and grabbed her cart to pull it behind the building.

- So... That's for me? - he asked pointing at the crystals.

- Yeah.

- Damn Peter. If you'll keep bringing me gifts like that, I'm gonna fall for you.

- Fuck you, Will.

- You wish.

- This is my line, you thief.

He smiled.

- Let's go and sell that pile.

- Yeah. I'll go with you, just in case. There is a couple of vultures here.

He quickly glanced around.

- I can take this much on.

- Without a sword? They are armed.

- Ok, fine. Let's go together.

The very moment we left the immediate vicinity of the Velvet Lotus, they surrounded us coming out of the alleys connected to the road we were walking. A group of banned losers blocked us from behind. There were maybe twenty of them. Probably all newcomers, cause the faces were unfamiliar. Their equipment looked used. Armors tattered, blades chipped.

One of the guys stepped out of the group. He had a sword in his hand. He tried to seem confident, but I knew better. He was nervous. Very nervous.

- Live the crystals, and run, then we will let you go!

- Fuck of! Before your get, your asses kicked! - was Will's answer.

He stepped forward to deal with them, but I stopped him by grabbing his shoulder.

- Let me do it - I whispered.

He looked at me and gave a slight nod. We switched positions.

- If you fuckers leave now, we won't hurt you! Just run! - he repeated himself.

Heavy breathing and nervous swallowing of spit contradicted his confident words. People behind seemed more relaxed not standing in the first line, but the tension still was very strong. I extended my arm and gestured him to come at me.

He hesitated. Looked behind, at his palls, then yelled and attacked me.

He was so damn slow, it caught me off guard. Being used to much stronger opponents I easily evaded the first swing, grabbed his arm and twisted it behind his back, then turned him to use as a meatshield. Everything in a single, fluid motion.

In the corner of my eyes, I saw Will, grabbing pudao from the cart, and blocking the losers on the other side of the alley.

- Tell them to fuck of, or I'll grab my weapon and gut you all, comprende? - I whispered to his ear.

He repeated my words with a trembling voice, but his palls were too eager for a fight, so I had to push him to the side, and take care of the rest. He hit the wall and knocked himself out.

Then a festival of slapping and tripping started. Yes. That was exactly what I did. I was dodging and backhanding, or tripping them. It was a terrific display of the power difference. They were like toddlers to me. Slow and weak. But that didn't stop them from coming. Getting up, and trying again.

A couple of minutes later they were out of gas, desperately fighting for each breath, staggering on their feet, or simply collapsed on the warm cobblestone.

- Wow - said Will, with my weapon over his shoulder.

Behind him, the rest was standing just as they were before it all started. Frozen by fear. He turned back, to take a look at them.

- This is the moment when you run away - he said.

They peaked at one another and just bolted.

- Let's go, Will. We have crystals to sell.

He smiled, threw pudao back on the cart, and grabbed the handles. We made it to the city center, and the score was finally fully sold.

- Thanks, Peter.

- Just... We will talk tomorrow.

- Fine. Are you gonna visit Nadia? Couse, I'm going back to Lotus. We could have a little chat there.

- No. I smell like crap and I'm tired. I'll visit her tomorrow in a more... presentable state.

He chuckled.

- Ok. Tomorrow then. Sleep tight.

- Thanks. See you.

We shook each other hands and parted our ways. He heading to Velvet Lotus, and me back home. Pulling the cart behind.

Day ended with 1 266 771 points remaining on my account.