As the sun should, it sets. Days end early in Laputa.. I decided to spend the night in another school's library, away at the windows where the sunlight doesn't shine. In other words at the back of the room. After the altercation I ended up staying at another school a few blocks away. It was as cozy as it was gonna get. It gave me time to read till the moon was up. Plus it was a good time to eat dinner. As crusty as some of the books were, some of them were in good shape. It was good entertainment and also useful stuff to know later on. Some of them proved useful to even use the Reference spell on.
Yet I never thought I would be happy to be reading a textbook in rundown library. I even managed to find a survival guide and some other things from the hobbies section. Gardening and plant books were some of them. But it was there I managed to stumble upon a wildlife and animal watching books. I figured that maybe some of them may be of help when hunting out here. One by one I ended up using Reference spell on them for my Scribe. Yet while reading, I managed to get some information about bears. According to one of the books, bears happen to be omnivores hand happened to be found near streams and lakes in order to fish. However they do eat meat of other animals as well such as deer and goat. But in the end my best vote was to find them near riverbanks.
But as night came, it was time to hit the sack. Apparently this was actually a given warning for me when I was at Hunter's fangs. Whenever traveling alone, it was best for you to stay hidden at dark places where people won't find you. This also means to not light a bonfire. It may scare away animals but not people. Often times bandits and raiders use this as an opportunity to get an easy score. Yet honestly I never figured that information from the Hunger Games would apply here. But then again I am stuck in an endless battle royale in real life. I guess that was really the main reason why bandits attacked us when we were still in L.A. We were just easy picking in their eyes. Plus I wouldn't actually be surprised now that some raiders happened to get a hold of some military grade weapons...not now at least. It looks like anybody would do anything just to get something out here. Heck, I wouldn't even be surprised people would start fighting over a bag of dog kibble right now. All I know is that, things happen; yet all the more they will escalate as long as I'm staying here.
I then received a dream. It was different from my usual nightmares. I was at the moon and in front of me was Tsukuyomi. She was looking at the earth as floating by comes Laputa. "Go up north." She says, "At the city area you will find various bodies of water. You will find something." I looked at her as the sudden information didn't make sense. "Is it a bear?" I asked. The goddess walks up to me. She wore a rather curious look at her face. Tsukuyomi then looked at the horizon. "I do not know but it is odd. Go look at it for me, will you?" Tsukuyomi requested.
But as I was sleeping in the middle of the night, I was woken up by a loud noise. It was the sound of some gunshots at the distance. I crawled slowly as I gently peeked with some small binoculars. There was a campfire at the distance and sparks at the horizon. There were gunshots and people were getting killed. At the horizon I can hear people screaming. I was happy that I took Oliver's advice but all the more happy Tsukuyomi woke me up. My location was at the other direction. I guess this was my motivation get out of here. I wouldn't want to be the next guy to be picked off dead.
I began my journey again at day two but not as good as I hoped. It was a pretty rocky morning for me as I woke up with the sun not shining as I barely even slept. On the bright side at least I didn't dream if fix mask guy... Maybe the lack of sleep didn't trigger a dream sequence with him.
For breakfast I had a trail mix bar and whatever water I had left from my canteen. It only felt like common sense to head up north to get some water either way. I couldn't even find any water to begin with since there wasn't any around. There was even a possibility for there to be groundwater with the dense vegetation around me. It would have been a good idea to dig for a well but then again I couldn't avoid the fact that I had a few days till the due date of the initiation.
I may have been demonfolk but it doesn't mean I can't die. But on the bright side I was able to find some good roots to chew when I was wandering around the tall grass. It made me feel thankful that I was able to find something that might help me out with the sweet flavor in my mouth. But then again I owe it to my job class to be able to store a lot of information in my scribe. Then again I kinda owe to Mr. Williams for teaching me this when I started hunting with him. However, even with the roots it wasn't actually enough to make me full neither to keep me hydrated.
But after walking in the dense forest suburbs, I managed to reach the city area of Detroit. It as another city in ruins. I felt that I was gonna cross Mordor but the only thing on my way wasn't a huge gate but a large wrecked bridge with the Detroit river partly dried up. Half the water level sunk and it looked like there were a few good boats left. I didn't know how to use a motorboat but I did know how to use a kayak. But as I was about to use one, I saw someone at the distance. I went to prone position and checked it out on my binoculars. There was a guy in the middle of the river paddling to the other side. But as soon as he was about to make it halfway, a fish with a round head and a razor like jaw broke the boat in half and dragged the survivor down. Sadly I didn't know how to identify this fish. The Ark Index may have been a good guide to mythical monsters but there was barely any fish in the book, especially fish as scary as that. The only option was to cross the bridge. The bridge was already far but it would have to do. Honestly I should have done it in the first place. But there was the question how is there a body of water in a continent levitating thousands of feet in the air?
Yet then again… why did the man used a kayak in the first place? It was actually there when I was exposed to another threat entirely. I checked on my binoculars and saw the reason why. There turned out to be a reptilian bipedal species on the bridge. Their heads looked reptilian but as it turned out they were mammals and had hairless skin. Surprisingly they had a nose that much looked like a dog as much as their ears and feet. But their hands looked like claws that you would see from an iguana. These turned out to be kobolds. They are tribal folk that exist much like cavemen. The species was intelligent as a chimpanzee but more brutal. With my own eyes I saw them slit the throat of a female survivor. There was a group of eight full of male kobold with leather wraps and clothing. With their spears it got me thinking that they might have been a hunting party.
To see such a grotesque group of species was an eye opener. Reminded me of a book series Tyrell wanted to get into. In response to the event, I decided to go another route to avoid the trouble. I started to walk around the city and go to the next bridge. It might take long but it was better to be safe than sorry. However as I walked around the city I was getting hungry. While walking I noticed a rabbit pass my way. I took a shot at it but the rabbit was able to dodge. To trick it, I decided to used a Curved shot. The shot was slim but it was enough for the arrow to cut of one of the tendons of its foot. I then took one of the arrows on the floor and grabbed a hold of the animal. It was still alive and squeaking for help. I gulped some air and got my knife ready. "Sorry little fella. Nothing personal." I mumbled.
Fast forward a half hour later and I was roasting rabbit on top of a fire. As inconspicuous as I was, I was cooking in an alley. My food was almost ready until I could hear a twig snap. Worried I could get the jump I moved up my katana a little to allow a better quickdraw. Slowly I crept around to find my pressure. But as I was out in the open I noticed something that didn't light my interest till now. It was the entrance to the subway. I took out my flashlight and illuminated a bit of light down the path. It looked as if the subway system didn't hold any damage and looked stable. But as I was about to walk inside for a closer look, something grabbed me from behind and threw me to the side. "Are you insane?! What kind of an imbecile wanders off to a dark tunnel alone?!" My pursuer shouted. I then looked up and drawn my sword. To my surprise, it was out of the ordinary as he used a spear to block my swing. It was a dark green, muscular lizardfolk clothed with leather and metal armor. Lizardfolk are as the name says. They are anthropomorphic creatures that established intelligence much like a human. Only that they are covered in scales and have a head, tail, feet and claws much like a lizard.
The lizardfolk then noticed my stature and his anger turned into dumbfounded. The expression changed as he got a good look at me. "Human?" He mumbled. The lizard folk then took a good whip of me. The lizardman takes a good whiff of me. "Terran? I guess that makes sense." He says, "Not many mortal humans wander around here alone without getting themselves killed." The lizard folk's stomach growls. He gives a big sigh as he holds his stomach out of hunger. The lizardfolk then smells something in the air. "You wouldn't be happen to share, would you?" He asked me.
It was only a few minutes later that the both of us were eating under the same fire. I halved my rabbit with him and in return he gave me some water for my troubles. "So what guild are you from?" He asked. "I'm not actually in a guild yet. I'm in the middle of signing up on one." I replied.
"Initiation request? Been there before… had to bring a boar with me."
"Yeah, mine's a bear."
"A bear? Sounds like you got into a heck of a job class."
"I'm actually doing this for my freelancer class."
An awkward silence brews. But soon it interrupts in laughter. "That's quite a lively class you got there, no wonder you look fresh." He says, "Not my cup of tea but it fits you." The lizard folk takes a flask and pours me some Mead to lighten up the spirits. "The names Gram, Gram Blackfoot. Hunter class, tier two: Stalker. Oak Cinder's guild." He introduced himself. "I'm Rin Kamiyama. Freelancer Class, trainee. Currently under Hanami." I greeted.
Every job class has tiers and ranks to establish some kind of job experience. They serve more as a title and a way to give people appropriate job request when needed. It is often where the guilds use this to teach new techniques to other members when needed. For hunters, the lowest tier is scavengers with the highest as Huntsman. It applies to other classes as well depending on what they wish to pursue. At the third rank, hunters can choose specialize in being a trapper, prowler, or long range. Trappers use traps to hunt, prowlers are close to mid-range means, and long ranges use mid to long range weapons to hunt. But my class had linear ranks. It was a straight line for promotion. The lowest rank for a freelancer would be the wayfinder with the highest being the Chronicler. The higher the rank you have as a freelancer, the more advanced magics and skills you will be able to learn.
It was there Gram looks at me very oddly. He had this expression that felt rather curious. He stands up and circles around me. Gram then lifts my arm and opens my mouth a little with a stick. "That Richard is an eccentric one." He mumbled. He then let's go of me and goes in deep thought. "You know Richard?" I asked him. "He's known across Cletus and a lucky one if that." Gram explains to me, "The Terran has an eye for talent and many other things."
"I didn't realize that he was that popular." I said dumbfounded.
"Well he does have a god of Fortune alongside with him. Some Exploration Guilds even invite him around, hoping his luck rubs on them."
As shallow as it really was, it did sound practical. Most people living at Cletus were more focused in staying in Cletus rather than sticking around outside. Living in Cletus was already expensive but it was better than living outside the city. The settings were pretty harsh and food could be either be gained by either hunting or gathering. Most people would actually prefer to live rather to die. If it was vague but had money on it, then people would go for it just to sleep on a bed and food to eat.
Now Gram was at thought and looked at me. But looking him made me reach to a question. "So why did you decide to help me? For sure it would have benefited for you to just get my supplies and run." I asked him. It was then Gram gave a big sigh and did a hammer-fist on my head. "Idiot, we're all trying to survive here. Why bother to kill each other?" He replied. It was a simple answer but an honest one. It kind of showed me that people still had a bit of morality out on this wasteland. He then takes an extra swig of gin and finishes his meal. "A bear looks beyond your experience. Can't you just go for something else?" He asked me. "I can't do that. I need this paper to form a mark in order to be accepted." I told Gram.
The lizardfolk then lets out his hand. "Let me see that piece of paper." He told me. I give my request slip. Gram then takes out some special reading glasses. They could be a magic item since the paper was blank. But after a bit of reading he looked satisfied. "It doesn't say you're supposed to do it alone." He says, "I'll help you out for one simple favor."