Introduction: George’s routine

*clank*

*stab*

George raised his sword which was stained with the goblin's blood and peaked to his left to see how much experience points he gained. Then, he shouted "the Loot", once he screamed this word, the un-fighting group start to collect the objects that dropped from the corpses, and the most significant of which are the Goblin's skin and teeth. He started to wield his sword till the trees around him are stained with blood; then he glimpsed a wooden board that made him remember the previous heroes who divided this woods by putting a wooden bar so they would know at which level they are in. due to an old previous accident, our hero doesn't want to exceed the limit 20 which has been put by the previous heroes who determine the wood's difficulty level, he decided not to be reckless and proceed without purpose.

George stopped and by his side there was a plate reads LV 20, which means that this is the utmost limit he can reach. He glance behind and there was no one had ever reached to his place except his childhood friend who was so busy in torturing the Goblin before ending his life. George interfered and finished the Goblin, and scolded his friend for his bad habit.

"Why!! We are in danger every day because of them". Then he smiled "Alright, I admit that I exaggerate sometimes".

"Listen Gara, whatever happens to us, don't you ever forget that because of those who preceded us, we are living in bliss. We have to repay the debt to the city".

Gara: "the debt, the debt, how long are you going to repeat this word. The city is living at its best state ever thanks to you". Then he sighed "I will not go through this conversation with you again. Don't we need rest to guard the gate?"

The gate in this world is unsolved mystery and we are suffering difficult life because of it. A forsaken city that usually nobody goes in or out, and this made us risk our lives in the woods; luckily, this woods is called "the poor's forest" because it doesn't have anything of value here or in the advanced levels, there are monsters ranked dangerous for us. Because of this life, there is a merchant breaking the rules and using us.

Gara said sarcastically "you forget to put your fake smile"

"Never mind, everything is fine. The gate has been opened since 10 days and nothing happened"

Worry climbed George's face before he could wipe it with a pretentious smile.

"Never mind, everything is fine. The damned gate has just opened its doors and nothing else has happened. And now 10 days have passed".

They were interrupted by the arrival of the rest of the group. Gairo approached them, and before uttering any word, they sensed his arrival from the annoying noise of the huge amount of chains he wear to keep the small creatures away from the corpses.

George interrupted him before he talks: "I can predict your words. You are going to say why you didn't wait for us and why there are corpses horrifyingly killed".

Before starting with his usual scolding for Gairo, people from the group come and interrupted him "we want to fight, we don't want to be one of those groups who remove the skin and collect objects from the existed monsters".

Before the discussion get more serious, Gara went to rest by the far tree and George received all the demands patiently.

Gairo was still waiting… then he burst "why he wants help! You must see your experiences, it is impossible for you to reach this place without George. You should be patient and be grateful because the city will not go through bad state thanks to him and his patience. He can stand humiliation when he goes to the merchant. Maybe you didn't see how our city is treated outside, they see us as the demons that came out from the gate".

No one answered Gairo and he continued screaming "come on, gather the Loot and let's go back to the city".

George: "never mind, he cares about you. Even I promised you that you don't need to fight as long as I am here. All I want from you is helping me for the city's sake".

During their way back, all the groups were at the front except for George and Gara. They went to the merchant who always waits for them at the woods' entry. There was nothing out of the rules in the dialogue with the merchant. Since the city is not allowed to trade and the dealers are not allowed to deal with the city, the merchant can use this situation and buy the Loot with a very cheap prices.

The merchant looked at the Loot disgustingly even his luxurious handkerchief couldn't prevent the smell "what is this! How many times I've told you don't bring me Goblin's skin, and above all this one is distorted. Haven't you told me that you are going deeper in the woods?"

George bowed his head and did as he told Gara, do nothing and bear everything "I know, but please be generous and I promise you that I will try to pass the limit 20 again".

The merchant: "I hear this every time. Do you know that I could stop coming here and let your city starve to death".

George: "No sir, please. I promise you to bring something better next time".

Gara said: "as you know the woods doesn't have Goblin. There are trees and amphibious creatures, lots of it. It is you who have insisted on the Goblin at first".

George stared at Gara to silence him.

The merchant: "so now you are teaching me my business and trade. Did I ever interfered in your job and what you are doing there? I am a merchant and all I had to do is to buy what is useful to me and nothing else".

He took out the money and gave it to George.

George wondered with perplexity: "this is half of the amount that we have agreed upon".

The merchant: "this is what I see convenient. If you don't like it, you can look for another merchant".

Gara poured out his anger on the nearby tree.

George: "this is not the first time. It is really annoying that we have to go through all of this because that gate is located next to our city".

Gara: "No, we have to go through this now. We are 36 years old and we must prepare someone to take this upon him. No one will thank us for the work we do. Everybody wants to live comfortably without exerting any effort".

George: "indeed, we are 36. Don't you see it is a suitable time to find a woman to live with till the end of your days?"

Gara: "you are always a fool. When you don't have an answer, you change the subject. Remember that I do this because you are my friend and I don't want to see you falling alone".

George: "don't forget that those who preceded us have trained…"

Gara interrupted him angrily "yes, yes, those who preceded us have trained and prepared us to take this responsibility. You do this under the excuse that you don't want anyone to suffer what we suffer, but then what? Who is guarding the damned gate now? It is you! Who goes to the woods and receive all the danger? You! And who deals with the deceitful merchant? You!"

George: "I'm not alone, you are with me. Don't forget that".

Gara let out a sigh then continued: "let's go back. Go to your wife and daughter and have some rest, then come back to the gate. I will be waiting for you there".

All the people of the city are thanking George and ignoring angry Gara.

-----------------------

During my way back home, no matter how much fatigue and exhaustion I feel, I know it will disappear once I arrive. Today is my little daughter's birthday and I hope not to be late, but seeing the city in a good state provide me with energy indeed. Luckily, my house is far from the city center. Every time I go through there I feel at ease. All I hear during my passage is gratitude and respect, and fortunately they gave me cake for my daughter.

"George!" I know this voice, it is the sheriff. I turned quickly and went to him, I saluted him and we chatted a little as usual. I asked him if we are able to adjust the state of the city. It seemed that I took a long time and forgot the cake on the table outside, and when I came out, the kids have eaten it. Actually, that would made me angry but an old memory from my childhood came to my mind, and it silenced me and I just laughed.

*George's house*

He arrived to his humble home, and his wife Maria pretended that she was beating him because he was late for their daughter's eighth birthday. She pretends to beat him so Mona could come, defend and forgive him. Then, they all burst into laughter because of the over usage of this trick.

Maria and Mona blocked their noses as they were pushing George from behind to go and take a bath before party. They gathered around the table and the decorations of the belated party surround them. It has passed only 10 minutes when Maria scolded him: "don't peak to your watch, you have break till 12am to go to your work at any time from now".

George "No, I am thinking of Gara, he is guarding the gate now alone. What if something happened, what will happen to the city".

Mona: "but uncle Gara is with you since you were young and he is strong like you although he is scary".

Maria said laughingly "he is always angry because of your dad who is doing everything for others, so that is why the people of the city don't approach him" then she get back to normal "even I understand the reason behind his anger".

Mona: "don't worry daddy" she exposed her left arm "look, I don't have experience points now, but when I grow up and become strong like you, I will let you rest and I will continue instead of you"

He patted her head "but don't become stronger than me and embarrass me in front of everyone"

Maria said with a freaky smile "healthy food is the way to strength".

In fact, I didn't enjoy the food and I am sure that Maria knows that, because lately there is a horrifying feeling overwhelms me every time I leave Gara alone at the gate.

Mona: "why getting close to the gate is forbidden? My mom always rebuke me when we go to play next to it".

Maria: "that's right… I can't stop thinking of what happened to some of the guards in front of the gate whenever you go to guard it".

George: "don't believe the rumors… I have completed now 5 days guarding it and nothing happened to me or Gara".

Every time I try to lie, my voice tremble. Thankfully, Maria is the only one who knows about this.

Recently, Gara acts strangely. Although our schedule is tiring lately, but when we are guarding the gate he doesn't sleep and I find him staring intensely at the gate till I fall asleep.

After we have finished eating, I stood up and said goodbyes to them. I held Mona and said: "I know that you are mad, I can distinguish angry people thanks to Gara, but you must know that everything I do, I do it for you".

Maria frowned and hugged Mona "you mean you do it for the city then for us".

Maria: "Mona, your dad is still living in the past. You should get strong and make him proud".

Mona said with her blue eyes full of tears: "uncle Gara is training me every time to become strong and let you rest at home" then she ran to her room. This means that she left me with my furious wife… oh God.

"Maria…I know that you are angry because I am late for our precious daughter date, but as you know …"

Maria; "the city… I know, I know. But your daughter has become 13 years old and all she remembers is that her dad was late because he was fooling around in the city and brought nothing to her"

I didn't have any answer… whatever I say, there is no real excuse because Mona didn't live as we lived.

"So Maria, could you make her happy and at the same time tell her a little about the past. I know it is too soon for her and I promise you that I will take a break tomorrow and I will be with you all day".

Maria is the best woman in my life, she hugged me "even if no one understands… I will. Don't forget your friend Gara".

I left and let Maria handle the rest.

Maria: "you can now stop pretending strong".

I can hear them from behind the door, I can hear my daughter crying… everybody spending time with their families now. I know that I let them down… I know that, and Maria knows that I don't want Mona to live the same hard period that we went through when we lost most of the syndicate members.

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Important information in this chapter

The woods contains lots of creatures and they are distributed in every limit. The deeper you go in the woods, the more chance you will encounter dangerous creatures.

The dark gate has been around for a long time and the city suffers because of it. Nothing is allowed to go in or out of it, and every month they are provided with necessary resources to meet their needs but it is not enough.

The limit = LV

Whenever the limit's number gets higher, the risk becomes greater.

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