Chapter 29: A feeling
"The third choice is the best one, isn't it?" Leon glanced at Celes and the black skeleton's levels, inferring that the third option was the most sensible.
To say nothing of high-level existences, the skeletons of unknown numbers regularly patrolled the surroundings and were ready to fight upon hearing a command. It already surprised Leon that he'd received those quests from the system. Wasn't it like some higher existence wanted to test their strength and potential by throwing them into the pit?
Feeling a sudden coldness and disappointment, Leon corrected his words. "The most reasonable choice."
He didn't need someone to tell him that Louise looked at him this way. However, Leon also felt some of it coming from the inside, as though he couldn't believe what he'd said.
It was an odd feeling, similar to the arrogance Leon had experienced before The Oracle.
Perhaps, his body adapted faster than his soul yet again. In this situation, with the vampire woman chained by similar chains, Leon finally found someone similar to Louise — the existence that surely would increase his strength and give him her unique skill.
"You seem to disagree." Leon retracted his eyes and looked at the scarlet fox.
Louise shook her head, not agreeing with her master. "I said nothing, master."
Knowing it was pointless to argue with her, Leon thought about Louise instead. She hailed from this world, spent at least twenty years training close combat and fire techniques, and her whole potential was legendary.
Even if she didn't have memories of leaving her family, Louise wanted to fight and seize copious rewards from the system.
It went without saying that both would receive less if they turned around and notified authorities. And besides William and his group, who else could Leon warn about the skeletons and their doings?
With just one wrong move, Louise would lose a chance to become stronger and shrink a distance from her real self.
Leon also would lose a lot.
"We don't have much time. I can't see the black skeleton's eyes, so he's sleeping. Check the skeletons' patrolling patterns and when there's the longest interval in between. Also, don't stray too far away from me." Leon hated it, but he'd decided to drop the third option.
Hearing those words, Louise's expression brightened. "Master… It's not that I want us to fight to the death… But if we give up on those quests, we'll take way too long to achieve our goals. We're different from others, aren't we? We can fight the black skeleton and his army!"
She turned around and went to spy on the skeletons.
With his eyes reflecting Louise's back, Leon gazed at her until she disappeared, then whispered to himself, "Our goals… At this point, I'm not sure anymore what I really want."
Besides wanting to contact some guilds and leverage his crafting potential, Leon purposely didn't give too much thought to his future. He knew what stopped him and was more or less fine with it.
It was natural to fear stuff, wasn't it?
"I can't back out now." Leon threw a random excuse, then focused all his talents on solving the problem before him. "Vampires and skeletons."
He opened his book of the monsters, reading again about the undead. After confirming his information, Leon opened a new page about bloodsuckers.
His eyes ran left and right, blurred. It appeared as though Leon was faking things, pretending to read instead of properly gathering information to craft a plan. It wasn't the case, of course.
With all items, skills, and intel, Leon understood what he had to do. Many would rely on their luck and reactions to unexpected things, such as the black skeleton awakening, to stop them. However, people often relied on their guts and that feeling within them, didn't they?
Leon recalled the interview after his first championship victory.
[Mr. Leon! The final teamfight was phenomenal, and your performance exceeded everyone's expectations! But, could you explain to the viewers why didn't you immediately join your teammates?]
[I felt like waiting would allow me to sweep the enemies easier. Just a feeling, you know? You can call it a killing instinct or whatever. Every pro player at the top has at least felt that once. When it courses through a pro player, he knows what's best and can efficiently execute the best combos. I always feel ahead of other players. I feel it more than others… That's why I'm the best player in this tournament. That's why I'll be the first player to win five championships in a row. And I've decided to do that on different teams, too.]
[Thank you for sharing this with us, Mr. Leon! But is there a need to change teams? Wouldn't it be better to continue with your current teammates, the reigning champions?]
[No, they're dogs.]
[Huh?]
[Jealous dogs that can't shut up and appreciate someone else's hard work to carry their heavy asses. I'd rather stop being a pro than play with them next year. Oh, what's up with those surprised faces? All of you are-]
Leon's eyes twitched as he recalled that moment. He wasn't the best teammate in his first two years, but the same went for the guys who played with him. It was more than just jealousy of others that Leon complained about and dealt with. He faced many different teammates and people, showering them with frustrations and misunderstandings.
He was wrong, and so were others, and fortunately, Leon understood all of it now.
It was mainly because of one person whose occupation took care of players' mental.
Leon simply became a different human after having time with a sport psychologist.
She taught him more about people's hearts and kindness. For that person, Leon wanted to become a better human and pro player, and her smile kept encouraging him to try to understand others.
He also managed to snatch most of that smile for himself later.
"I'm back, Master!" Louise returned to her master's side and gasped as Leon's eyes brimmed with confidence. He appeared way different from his uncertain self, and his handsome features provoked her in a good way.
Louise stuttered as bashfulness took over her, "W-What quest did you pick, Master?"
Leon chuckled and cracked his knuckles, "I feel like saving that woman."