The group was already burying the corpses of the Dreads that they killed a while ago. It usually was a boring and gross task. But at that time they were more cheerful than usual. All of them, except Rick, had smiles on their faces; even Clay, who was the most introverted one, was glad because of what happened.
Although he didn't show any clear emotion about Dean's previous feat (after all, it wasn't really a big deal for him), Rick was also glad that the boy was struggling to get better in order to contribute to the group.
"You finally did it, man! I can't even believe it!" Hector said, laughing out loud. He was digging the place where they would bury the corpses. Because of their chatting, the work was going slowlier than usual, which was something that did not please their leader, but he didn't say anything.
"Of course he would do. After that frustration he got before, I was sure that he would just cry and stay in his tent for the rest of the night, but he actually began to train his swordsmanship! That's the kind of determination that not all brats out there can do, after all! I mean, transform your frustrations into fuel to do better the next day is a virtue!" Kevin was as excited as Hector. Also, he was in a good mood because he didn't get harmed on that battle as much as he got on the previous one.
He could pull through well against two Dread snakes of the 6th generation, and that alone was an amazing feat. Not be caught by their poison was already good enough, but one needed to be skillful to leave the battle just scratched.
"Yeah, you did well, boy. You could even unlock a basic ability of your "Willpower" out of nowhere. Probably that's because you trained your body these days. Train your body can nourish the "Willpower" as well since it is connected with your mind and body. It was just a thin layer of energy that covered the edge of your sword, but it was good enough to pierce the Dread's skin." When Clay got to talk about something, he was always straight and concise. It was even surprising how that guy could be so smart.
'No wonder he is the favorite of Rick. At least, that's how it seems when you look at those two.'
Dean was working with them to dig that hole. They were nearly finished. Do such effort was a strain to their tired muscles, but while chatting they nearly forgot about that.
"Thank you, everyone. It's good to be complimented like this, hehe!" He had a bright smile on his face. Smiles always were the most beautiful feature of Dean.
"Don't be so arrogant right now, Dean. You did something good, but there is a lot more to improve. After all, you are still the weakest one of the group and didn't catch up with our powers. You don't even have a spell, yet." Clay spoke, straightforwardly.
'When he needs to reserve his words for himself he doesn't do it. Man...'
"He is right, brat. You are still just a grain of sand in the sea. The layer of "Willpower" that you created was worth someone less than a beginner, and your swing wasn't a clear and technical one. There is a lot to improve. Also, that Dread wouldn't die so easily for such a weak attack. You need to be grateful for Clay and Hector to have had worn him for you." Rick was the one talking now. He seemed to be pleased that Dean finally could kill his first Dread, but he wasn't going to let them stop the development of Dean's power by giving pointless compliments.
For Rick, tough criticism was the best way to teach someone who wanted to be a real survivor.
Dean was feeling kind of dejected now, but that wasn't the most important thing. The fact was that he surpassed his old self and now was a little bit stronger than before. He knew that, if he kept with the same mindset and constantly trained his body and mind, so improving his "Willpower", he would be able to impress Rick someday, or even surpass him.
"Yes, Rick. Don't worry, I am sure that I have got this!" The confident look on his face made Rick click his tongue, then turn to look around.
Dean was getting used to that behavior. He was now trying to assimilate those actions just like he assimilated his father's.
'Everything that Rick does is for my safe, after all. He wouldn't have had told me that I need to improve if he wasn't worried about my strength and capability to take care of myself alone. In the end, he is helping me to be a survivor just like them, training my mind to be impenetrable.'
After a long chat and some rest, they could finish burying the corpses. Afterward, they continued their walk in the black fields for a while.
Because of the fight that they had a while ago, and due to the numerous enemies, which made this pack even more dangerous and difficult to fight against, Rick's group needed to spend more time fighting than he expected. It caused their arrival at the refuge to delay by half an hour.
The group was climbing a huge inclination, which marked the end of those extensive black fields, just to start a vast tableland on the lands that followed in front.
Some kilometers in front, several degrees below that slope that they climbed, Dean saw a set of houses made of concrete, stone, and wooden. It seemed like the villages that Dean saw in books before. It was small though, and at first, he thought that it could be due to the distance or perspective.
The boy, though, got flabbergasted once he noticed the truth about the refuge he was seeing there. His jaw dropped slightly and he frowned.
"How... How can it be?"