The family showed up in the house all grumpy, obviously because the day, like many before, went terribly for them, so the fact that I asked them to sit down to talk straight away caused a small rebellion.

Some wanted to take a shower first, and others complained that they are hungry, but in the end, they did listen. We sat by the empty dinner table, and I told them how the situation is unfolding. Then I proposed a way out.

- I know you won't like this, but it's them who started playing unfairly. As you know, I spoke with Will and Daniel, and it was actually their idea - then I sighed. - I'm waterboarding you a bit too much t this point. What I'm trying to offer is, that I'll help you hunt in the hardest possible areas, because those are the only free ones at the moment.

Silence answered me. All, except Celestine, just stared at me, while my wife looked at the rest, expecting somebody to say something, but nobody did.historical

- I think it's a good idea - she said finally, breaking the silence.

- I think so too - Carmelita jumped on her words.

The rest didn't seem so keen.

Tihana sighed, then rolled her eyes. It looked like her whole body was rejecting the idea. In a different situation, it would look quite funny.

- At this point, I don't care anymore - she finally spoke. - I got five fucking orc crystals today. Only because we ran like mad to get them.

- People were all over the canyon - John explained.

- We had to steal some kills to come back with anything - Leonel said. - It's complete madness. People are sleeping in the middle of hunting grounds.

- We ran all the way there, spent there maybe five minutes, sprinting the whole time, and then had to return, because there was no point in staying there any longer - Tihana added.

I slowly nodded, taking in all the complaints.

- I'll book a spot today, and take you there tomorrow morning. You will kill what you can kill, while I'll just make sure you are safe. Does that sound good? - I asked.

- At this point, I don't give a shit about fair play - Tihana said. - Let's kill everything, then show those bastards where their place is.

- I told you, it was never gonna be fair - John butted in. - Not with people like them. I knew a few back in the day. They only care about winning, so then later they can brag about it.

I'm not gonna lie. He impressed me with those words. Why? Because he was a person like that in the past, but now he was able to see all the mistakes he has done. It was basically like admitting his flaws from the past straight to our faces. A clear indicator that he has changed.

- So it's decided - Celestine jumped off her seat. - We can finally wash up and eat!

After staying that she left. The rest, still grunting, and mumbling followed her. I was left alone. I sighed, then went to the kitchen to make some food.

We spoke some more while we ate, and then I went straight up to Will's house. Obviously, I invited myself in. I found my friend in the kitchen, preparing a coffee The machine was buzzing loudly, but despite that, he was talking over the phone, somehow not carrying about the noise.

- I'll call you back. I have an uninvited guest at my house - he said when he noticed me standing I the entrance to the room.

Then he hung up.

- What do you want? - he asked me.

- I persuaded them to agree - I lied. - There is no time to waste, so I need to book a hunting ground for tomorrow.

- And you obviously don't have the app, do you? - he raised an eyebrow despite the question being very much rhetoric. Then he sighed heavily. - I'll get you one for tomorrow. Those days I'm the one who can go there anyway, so the places are free anyway.

- Thanks. Not want to be too meddlesome, but was it Vesa you spoke with? - A smile appeared on my face, as I pointed at the phone he put away.

- Yes, but it wasn't what you think. Daniel gave me a good idea, so I decided to go with it. We will start rumors that particular people are behind the overbooking of the hunting grounds. She agreed to help me arrange it - he explained.

I nodded slowly, contemplating what he said.

- It's actually a good idea. Especially when it's the truth. Having the support of those unaffiliated with either us or them might come in handy later. Cause I bet the whole thing will end rather ugly - I pointed out. - If Blue is behind this, then it won't end here, no matter the outcome.

- I would rather resolve this peacefully, but I'm not gonna let this city be controlled by some outside forces. Especially not by Blue. If it has to get bloody, it will get bloody, but that doesn't mean we should just go with it as out the first option - he said.

- We hesitated back then with this guy. I hope we both learned our lesson, and won't fuck up this time. That's all - I informed him.

- This time we have Daniel, and that guy has a very objective perspective on everything. For now, he wants to deal with the tournament, then we will see. Hopefully, he is the difference we needed - Will said.

- Yeah... Anyway, I'm going home. Just tell me where I should go tomorrow morning - I told him.

- I'll send Tihana a message. She will know - he responded.

Then I just shadow walked back to my place. The first thing I did was to inform everybody about the fact that everything was arranged. I also told my oldest daughter to expect a message from her fake uncle.

That was basically the end of the day, as nothing more interesting has happened. I spent most of it thinking about Blue and the situation because I just couldn't stop. The sleep wasn't coming either, so basically a whole night went in such a way for me.