For me it was very awkward I don't know how Maria felt. Then it became even more. Hope started to talk about my progress in game and Mia always made question after question. It seemed that Maria was also interested in hearing about my adventure so far.
Then she started talking about my fight with the Rage Beasts. If I didn't do it myself I would have thought that killing them would be impossible, from the way Hope described it. She exaggerated way too much. While she was talking all excited Mia asked and then what happened, and then what happened.
I had a feeling that I was a movie character. I signed when it finally ended. I didn't like to be a center of attention. Or to be more precise I was never one. In school when we were still young there were times when The Nerdy Trio was somewhat center of attention but we didn't care about that and there were three of us, so we didn't feel embarrassed at all.
, Professor Novak I didn't know that you were this good." said Maria with questioning gaze.
, Well, neither did i." That was the only thing I could find the strength to say, as I took a big sip of soda.
, It would seem that I really need to take that offer about playing together with you." said Maria.
, Uh, um" words got stuck in my mouth when I heard her , yes, of course, it would be very nice to play together. Judging by my experience so far it would be very hard to play solo. By the way, how are the two of you doing professor?" I asked thinking about her's and Anna's progress so far.
, We are both Level 5" she said , and you don't have to call me professor when we are not in school, just call me by my name."
, Well then you can do the same" I said, thinking yesss, we are on first name basis now.
, Then we can all play together." Said Hope with Mia nodding beside her.
, We will see, if we can find each other in the game then that is possible." I answered.
We talked a little more and than we said goodbye and went each other way. While we were returning home, Hope glanced at me from time to time giggling by herself.
, What is so funny?"
, Haha brother you are so dense, you like her don't you?"
, Like who, what do you mean?" I tried to sound as convincing as possible but Hope wasn't tricked.
, Haha it was obvious from the moment you saw her, why do think me and Mia wanted to eat?"
I wanted to say because you were hungry, but then I remember the way two of them looked at each other and talked something in quiet voices. Of course, they did it on purpose. What hunger they even didn't finish their meal in the end. What is Maria going to think about that I wondered?
, Why did you do that, what if Maria didn't allow Mia to eat with you?"
, But she didn't, didn't she, maybe she also likes you brother."
Could it be? I mean we were working almost half a year now, I could have noticed something. Or maybe she is the same as me, not having the courage to talk to the opposite sex. But that is not possible I thought, she is very beautiful and smart, she could have any guy she wanted. Who would have thought that she may like me? Maybe I do have a chance with her. I must ask her on a real date soon and maybe I will find out.
Wait a minute, was this I date then? Was it? I don't know if it counts when your sisters are with you. Never mind, at least I saw her and talked with her outside the school. That has to be something.
When we got home, Hope told are parents that I will have a girlfriend soon. My parents almost jumped from the couch. I tried to explain to them what actually happened, but it seemed like they didn't hear anything.
When I finally pacified them and told them what exactly happened, my mother just smiled nodding her head vigorously and my father said:
, Son your time of youth finally came don't waste it just go for it." It almost sounded like a command, and I could see that mothers eyes said give us the grandchildren. I swear they really said that.
Whole lunch went through with my mom and dad asking Hope about Maria. What is she like, is she pretty and so on, and so on. I could only listen and nod my head when the two of them looked at me. I could only wait for lunch to end to go to my room and go into the game.
Entering the game I again asked myself was it really a date.
First thing I did when I entered the game was to go into the temple pray, then I went to get my provisions for today and to fill my flask at the well. Then I went to Donar's smithy to get the rope. Walking to the smithy I was thinking is there anything else I need to have for hunting but also for the future when I leave the village. I had a weapon, vest and pants, my money pouch, one big leather bag for the herbs and little spade for digging herbs, one small bag for food and my water flask. What else do I need? Shoes would be good, rope for certain, one bigger leather bag for food and one more water flask. Maybe a proper belt would nice so that I can hang the spade on it and anything else I could get in the future. Well, I will try to find something useful when the merchant arrives in the village.
Donar was in his smithy hammering the metals on the anvil, sparks flying everywhere. He didn't seem to mind them though. All those years in the smithy, he probably got used to the fire. His fire resistance must be pretty high. Building resistance to the elements must be very hard in the Age of Gods.
, Boy what brings you to me today?" said Donar as I showed up at the smithy entrance.
, Hello Donar, Chief said that I could get some rope from you, I need it to pull the beast from the mountain back to the village when I hunt them."
, Is that so?" asked he, more himself than me , Come inside, you will find several ropes hanging on the wall, take one of them."
He continued hammering and left me to what I got here to do. I didn't want to loiter longer than needed so I went in to get the rope. One the walls there were all different kinds of weapons and farming tools. Mostly there were swords, spears, and axes some shields and a few metal armors. On the farming end, there were shovels, spades, pickaxes, and little plows. I found the rope on the wall took one and went outside. When I asked Donar how much he just waved aside one of his hands and continued his work. I said goodbye and went towards the mountain.
As I was walking to my hunting spot I looked for herbs, trying to raise my skill, and also to have more herbs in reserve. From time to time I could see and hear different kind of animals from the forest, and the sky. Since my encounter with that strange bear, it seems that my senses became more open than before. Was it because I didn't want to be surprised like that again or something else, but the fact is that I could see and hear more than before.
I could hear the leaves fluttering from the wind, insects buzzing here and there and birds singing from the tree branches. In a moment I could see a squirrel climbing one tree holding something in its tiny paws, looking around like a little thief that stole something it didn't belong to them. High in the sky, I could hear the cry of an eagle. It was circling in the sky with its big wings waiting for a pray to show itself somewhere on the ground.
The higher I went the sounds became quieter until the only thing I could hear was eagles cry and strange growling. When I finally arrived at the spot near the clearing only the sound of Rage Beasts could be heard.
What surprised me at that time was that there were three of them walking around that clearing. It would seem that my visit from yesterday didn't pass unnoticed. One thing after another, there are always some problems. If all three of them rush at me at the same time I would become their food in a blink of an eye.
This time an elaborate plan was needed if I wanted to kill off three of them. Looking carefully I noticed that one of them was a boar. At first, I was surprised, but then I had an idea. It seemed that Rage Beasts don't discriminate between different species. If there were a rabbit Rage Beasts they would also be here, I thought. But Rage Beasts are usually big and predatory animals.
So one boar and two wolves. Boar will be easy but if those two Rage Beasts in wolf clothing attack at the same time it would be dangerous. But I decided to take a risk and try to catch them at the same time.
To do that I would need to prepare. I am going to dig a hole and try to make one of the wolves fall in. Will that be enough I don't know but it will certainly buy me some time. I had all day to prepare everything so I decided to return quickly to the village and get something which could help me in hunting them.
I run as quickly as I could back to the village, which made the guards look with extreme caution in the direction I came from. They gave me an even stranger look when they saw me running back with the shovel and pickax and rushing back to the mountain. Several players which were passing the gates at that time also gave me a strange look. One of them even asked have I found some treasure when they saw digging tools.
, One boar and two wolves." I responded politely and continued on my way. What was their reaction I don't know, but I could faintly hear two words from behind me, crazy and fool. Maybe it seemed that way, no one would dare to hunt like this, at least not in my village. How will they react when they see me coming back with my catch in tow. Haha, they will be jealous for sure.
But first thing first, I need to catch than before returning triumphantly to the village. When I came back I first checked if they were still there. They are still here, good, it would seem that they won't move from there for now. Nevertheless, I still have to be cautious not to alarm them in any circumstances.
Now I need to find a place to dig a hole big enough for a wolf to be trapped in. Walking around this part of the forest I finally found a good place. There were two trees about three meters apart, and then a little clearing with no trees. After that came more trees and there were no more any clearings.
I decided that I will make a trap at the center of it, and lure them in this direction.
I leaned the shovel on a tree, took the pickax, pulled my sleeves and started working. Hard work, here I am. Did you miss me?