Since the window between our first pop back to Loistavadvaar, and the second one was rather short - maybe a few minutes - some of the new citizens showed up around the device, due to the ruckus we made on our first visit.historical

I noticed Tihana and Daniel talking. Tam was pecking the ground more as a habit than to eat something off it.

- I'll get The Great One, and you should upgrade yourself in the meantime - I proposed to Druoag.

- Fine by me - he responded, and went to put his hand on the sphere.

- I'll get him - Daniel clearly overheard us, as he proposed to go instead.

I nodded.

Meanwhile, Tihana and the legendary chicken got closer to me. She smiled, but it was quite an awkward one. I tried to respond, but I bet it didn't go any better.

- How is the hunt? - she asked, and examined me more carefully, probably for any wounds.

- It's very good actually - I responded. - The spot The Great One pointed me at, was a bullseye. We got a few ghosts there, but now we will split to maximalize our income. And stop looking like that. I'm not hurt.

I almost laughed as her face turned all red. She pouted, then averted her face.

- Soon this will be over - I then added.

- I can't wait. This place is nice and everything, but...

- But boring? - I asked.

She nodded.

- Very boring. I'm just playing around with Tam, or trying to speak with others, but... It's not the same when I have people of my age around - she confessed.

- I'm getting stronger by a lot. Soon we will be able to face the witch and kick her ass, so your life will normalize - I assured her.

I made sure to have a confident smile on my face, as I spoke those words, but the truth was, that I wasn't so sure of our success. The Great One was the strongest of us, and he got bested by her. I wasn't so sure if I and Druoag will be able to make enough difference to get her.

But that was information she didn't need to know. It was a worry reserved for me, and maybe others who were going to battle.

- I'm sure you will win - she said with confidence. - From what I heard you were... are an amazing person.

Her cheeks were still red as she spoke that. Those words... I don't know really why, but made me feel very warm on the inside. I suddenly felt a surge of new energy to face the adversities.

- Of course - I said to her.

Then the sound of Druoag stepping from the device reached me. He was rather heavy, and it was actually easy to hear him walking.

- Time for me - I said to her, and not wasting any more of it, headed to sell my core and put my hand on the sphere.

The two crystals brought me 513 472 665 396 000 regular points and 22 341 class points. Combined with my savings it put me at 866 894 330 741 000 regular points, and 37 844 class points.

It wasn't enough for the upgrades I was looking forward to, so I decided to save it. At this point, I didn't need any more tricks in my repertoire. I needed to push my strengths further, and that's why I decided to gather more points and finish the 'Wrath of the void', unless I was able to gather enough points to evolve 'King of shadows' into 'Shadow emperor'. Only then further pursuits of other classes had any sense.

In my mind upcoming fight with the High Queen would revolve around a single opportunity to deal a blow that would finish her, before she would finish us, and for that I reacquired power.

For a moment, I also thought of putting everything straight into strength statistic, but the gains from skills seemed more powerful. I didn't do any math to back it up, as it was kinda impossible, so all that was feeling-based.

I replenished my strength, losing a bit of points, but the amount was insignificant in the grand scheme of things. Then I got some food.

As I opened my eyes and made the paper bag with my dinner fly to my hand, using 'Telekinesis', I spotted The Great One, with Daniel, walking towards us.

Munching on a cheeseburger, I went to meet with them - just like Druoag did. Tihana was the last one to follow, keeping a bit of distance. She clearly wanted to be a part of the conversation, but also wasn't sure if we would allow that.

- I need a good hunting ground for myself - said the massive alien as soon as the group gathered.

- I'll point you to one - was The Great One's reply.

Without wasting any more time, he headed to have a good look at the gates, placed in the area. Druoag followed him, leaving the rest of us, which encouraged my fake daughter to properly join me and Daniel.

- So, how is the hunt going? - asked the man.

- Good. I was lucky so far, but who knows how it is going to change from now on. I need a lot of points to make this work. I increased my power by a lot, but in the end, who knows what that bitch can do - I said, and very quickly realized that Tihana was around. - Sorry, it slipped.

She rolled her eyes.

- I'm not a child. I'm familiar with worse words - she assured me.

- Then when this is done, we are going to have a long conversation about your language, missy.

She shook her head while Daniel straight up laughed.

- Like father and daughter - he pointed out.

p - Yeah - left my mouth. - I don't want to sound like an asshole, but I've wasted enough time here. The ghosts won't hunt themselves, so I'm gonna take this to go - I raised the bag with the rest of my food and went to work.

- Time is ticking - said Daniel.

After that I departed, leaving the two behind in the Loistavadvaar, as I returned back to the massive mountain of the ruble, which I and Druoag left, back in the place of our clash with the undead.