Before reading this chapter, you need to understand that there are two different 'classes' this chapter talks about:
Class: represent archetype (or in this novel basically differentiate the weapon character use)
class: represents the hierarchy in society (ex: upper, middle, and lower)
***
The morning hit me like a speed train, and I tossed the blanket away, dragging myself up from the sofa. Yeah, I crashed there for the night since Ara slept in my room.
And that room was already cramped with Matthias and Jayden there.
Not that Gideon and Garcia's room was miles away, but they weren't thrilled about hosting the kid. The reason? Apparently, their room wasn't rated G.
Strolling into the kitchen, I wrapped my arms around me, feeling the chill of the morning even with the fireplace doing its best.
Damn! This is the second reason I hated winter.
I opened the fridge and found a soft drink waiting for me. A shot of sugar to fuel my enthusiasm for dealing with strangers today since it's not my thing.
After that, I geared up with winter clothes, a jacket, and my trusty spatial bag, I needed to grab that Anubis mask I left behind in some building or maybe just buy a new one?
"You're already set? That was quick," Garcia's voice sneaked up on me as I wrestled my boots on.
I turned around and said, "Yeah, can you help me prepare Ara? I can't babysit her."
Garcia sighed, contemplating her choice or whatever. "Fine, but you owe me something after this."
"Another round of booze, huh?"
"You read my mind."
Classic Garcia, always straightforward about her desires. But hey, at least she didn't throw some weird shit this time.
After what felt like a mini-eternity, Ara finally emerged, hand in hand with Garcia. She handed her over to me, and Garcia stayed behind as we ventured out of the cottage.
Everything draped in white, the kind of cold that stings your face. I looked down and found Ara's shaking like a leaf – winter attire not cutting it.
I sighed, what a pain. But she was my responsibility now, so I popped open the system – level 16, feeling like I forgot something crucial, but priorities first. The little shivering child needs something warmer.
The system has anything in it, from weapons, Artifacts, and even clothes. It was just a normal clothes though, didn't have any buff effect in it.
So I chose a winter jacket for a child, didn't know what kind of color a little girl would like. Clicked on the pink option – girls usually dig that, right? Ended up with this eye-burning neon pink thing.
After a while, the jacket materialized in my hand and I gave it to her. "For me?" she asked hesitantly.
I just nodded – actions speak louder than words. Ara slipped into it, looking like a walking highlighter. Off we went, leaving the cozy colony behind, headed south.
Midway down the road, I felt a gentle tug on my jacket – Ara, struggling to keep up. "Mister, can you slow down a little bit? It's hard for me to walk."
Ah, right. Kids have tiny legs and small steps. Fine, I slowed my pace, though it irked me a bit.
"Don't call me mister; my name is Seth, and I'm not that old," I protested.
Why the hell did every kid I met think I was ancient? Was there an "old man" sign on my forehead?
But for now, it's not something really important. South colony awaited, and I'd heard rumors from Matthias.
Apparently, they'd have a different system there, but not the system itself that made it, but a player-made class setup. Noble and commoner vibes. Hope it doesn't mess with my plan to reunite Ara with her dad's party.
As we reached the South colony, well, it turned out to be less dramatic than I expected. No kings, no castles—just another run-of-the-mill colony settlement. Talk about anticlimax.
But, my hopes for a chill stroll were promptly crushed by a couple of players blocking our path. Like some guard in medieval times inspecting us before we got into the castle.
"What business do you have in the South colony?" Ax-wielding dude was interrogated, clearly aiming to intimidate.
Cool, another ax user. If I found him in the wild, I would surely hunt him. I couldn't devour the last one and gathering these classes and skills felt like I was collecting a bunch of P*kémon cards.
Or no... Damn, thinking about Randy and how he'd probably shake his head at the mess I've become. Maybe it's time to bury my empathy and pretend it never existed.
"Here to find this kid's party member," I declared, shoving Ara to the forefront. The poor girl looked like she'd just seen a ghost. Living in this colony must be a rollercoaster.
What the use of some crazy class system, anyway? We were not in the medieval era anymore?!
Ax guy shot a menacing glance at Ara, then turned to his lanky buddy, "Recognize this little one?"
Skinny pondered for a moment before muttering, "Feels familiar. Kid, got an identity card?"
Identity card? What the hell was that? This colony becoming more weirder and weirder.
Ara fished out a tiny piece of paper from her pants, like a business card or something. Skinny nodded, granting us passage, "Alright, you two can go. Just don't pull any dumb stunts here."
I just nodded and hurried away with Ara. No need to mess with them. Sure, I might be strong, but facing a whole colony working together? it was a whole new nightmare.
"Ara, remember where your cottage is?" I asked.
Ara, with a nod, replied, "Yes."
Off we went, heading to the cottage that, surprisingly, turned out to be the same cottage that I lived in the North colony. Must be a small party like mine.
I took a deep breath and decided to face everything that life would throw at me. Knocking on that damn door was like summoning the apocalypse for me. Prayed it'd be the last time I stepped into this melodramatic colony.
The door creaked open, revealing a teenage girl with more piercings than common sense. Blue neon hair—typical teenager caught in an experimental phase.
"Amy!" Ara shouted and lunged into a hug. Phew, they were cool. Hopefully, I was off the hook.
But nope. Amy, looking all pierced and judgmental, said, "Where's your dad? And Gladys is MIA."
Ara, in a sobbing mess, spilled the sad news, "They're all gone. Sleeping forever."
Ahh... That woman I killed yesterday was one of their party member, perfect! Shit, I need to get out of here soon.
That meant I had to intervene in this conversation. "I'm here to escort Ara safely back."
'And I wanted to leave this place as soon as possible! So please just take her back.' this was the sentence I wanted to let out, but ended up not saying anything.
Amy's face twisted like she'd smelled something nasty. She yelled, "Guys, listen up!"
Two more teens sauntered out, all looking like rejects from a teenage rebellion club. Why did they form a party with their age group? Teenagers on a quest—brilliant.
"Benjamin and Gladys are dead and Ara wants back in." Amy declared, pointing dramatically. "Any takers to babysit? Victoire, perhaps?"
Victoire, another fan of piercings, her blonde hair blatantly dyed, burst into laughter. "Not me. You up for it, Jacob?"
Jacob, beer in hand and seemingly drowning in drunkenness, his punk hair resembling a bristle broom, slurred his response, "Nah, fine as I am."
"You hear that? You can get the hell out of here," Amy said, colder than a snowstorm.
What in the high school drama hell was this? It felt like watching teenage bullies.
But Ara held on to hope like a lifeline, her little hands clutching at Amy's clothes. She looked up with those wide, desperate eyes.
"You said we're friends! You'd protect me!"
Amy's face twisted into this nasty sneer, her face covered in piercings, showing how much she despised the whole thing.
Amy didn't hold back. A harsh shove sent Ara tumbling to the snow-softened ground. "Friends? We want you in for your dad. Alone, you're useless. Get lost!"
Poor Ara went tumbling into the snow, her bright pink jacket standing out against the cold whiteness.
That son of a bitch!
Enough was enough. Ara crying like her heart shattered wasn't something I could stomach. "But my father created this party," she pleaded.
"F**k that, kid."
The silence around us was heavy, only broken by Ara's muffled sobs. They retreated into the cottage, slamming the door. That was it. My limit.
Being an orphan back in the day, I was an easy target for bullies at school. This opera of cruelty stirred up something in me – a mix of rage, fury, and resentment that I didn't even know existed.
I never signed up for the kid to stick to me like glue, but hell! there was no way I'd let her go through this kind of suffering.
Today, after this absolute nightmare of a day, those punks were going to get what they deserved. That bitch, Amy was the first one to go.
But before unleashing my righteous fury, we had to hit the streets, door-to-door, searching for parties that might feel a twinge of guilt about Ara's situation and want to lend a helping hand.
Ugh! What a fucking horrid day