Chereads / Hero of Greed / Chapter 3 - Better Man

Chapter 3 - Better Man

This moment was soon followed by a weird period where no one was sure what to do next. Yes, they were plenty pissed at him and tired of his antics. Yes, he was still a massive asshole for risking their lives over his own greed. Yes, they questioned why they ever decided to follow him in the first place, let alone for ten years.

But ten years of fighting side by side, no matter the situation, means something.

Such a fact may be forgotten during the storm of emotions, but Gary's apology had calmed them down enough to the point where they were no longer sure how to proceed.

Brandus was the one who faced the greatest struggle. Both he and Gary were swordsmen who focused on dealing damage. This led to him suffering the most from Gary's blatant hogging of equipment, even though he viewed himself as at the very least equal to Gary in skill or ability to command the situation.

He was the one who had been the first to confront him. In fact, he was mostly responsible for all of Gary's injuries, although his teammates provided excellent help in beating him to a pulp. Even now, he still savored the cathartic release of teaching the dirtbag a lesson.

Despite his internal conflict, Brandus decided to be what he had always been these past ten years: the bigger man.

"You're lucky you meant that apology," he grumbled as he sheathed his blade. "Even if it is the bare minimum."

"You know, I always have been good at talking my way out of trouble." Gary laughed, before wincing in pain from his broken ribs.

"Don't push it."

"So... now what?"

"Now? If you are asking about how we get out of here alive, I don't have the slightest clue. I gotta give you credit, this is one hell of a death trap you've led us into, even by our standards."

"If you are asking about what we are gonna do about your sorry self, I've got a couple of ideas."

"Please tell me one of them involves a healing spell," Gary looked up with hopeful eyes. It was getting harder for him to fight off the dizziness that came with the large loss of blood.

Brandus gave a nod towards Gabriel, who trotted over in his gray robe and began the spell. Strange golden runes and patterns extended out from his praying hands and descended onto Gary's body, beginning the healing process.

The number of wounds decreased at a visible rate, and the sound of bones popping into place could be heard. It was not long until he was able to sit up from the cold granite floor and start stretching his almost completely healed body.

Being granted a second lease on life was an incredible feeling, one that only healing magic or a high-level potion could grant. One learned to appreciate that fact when they were brought back from near death.

The spell lasted only for around five seconds, but that was more than he could have asked for. Gabriel had little mana to spare, and they had long run out of mana potions.

"You really are God's little angel, aren't ya?"

Gabriel responded with a grunt before walking back to the waiting members of his team.

'It looks like I have a lot of making up to do,' Gary thought with a self-deprecating smile. He had pissed off his friends plenty of times in his life, but this one topped the rest. 'They still resent me, but I can't blame them.'

Putting those thoughts aside, he turned to Brandus and asked, "So, about the other idea?"

Brandus's rage was ignited once again.

"You dragged us into the middle of the demon country, and you haven't even told us what you did it for!"

Gary couldn't help but slap his head over the realization, before breaking out into a grin.

"You know how we aren't sure if we can make it out alive?"

"... We are all well aware."

"Well we better figure that out as soon as possible," He smiled ear to ear as he reached into his storage bag, "cause if we make it out of here alive, we're gonna be filthy fucking rich."