Chapter 17

The sun would come out soon, but the mist was still lingering. I activated the < Touch of Gaia > to absorb energy from the mist. Nothing happened at first, but then,

"Ohmmm!" I almost vomited due to the massive pressure. I fell to the ground kneeling. Wow! That was some intense power; something left my nose and my upper lip. I rubbed it with my right hand, which was still dirty. The dirt on my right hand was sticky with the blood it rubbed off the nose.

So much power! Too much power! My body is not strong enough to take it.

I looked at my belly, which was larger than yesterday. My body desperately wants to go back to its previous shape; I wonder if it will ever get used to the new shape. My handsome days should be over for a few days. After getting the ability to absorb energy from the Air, I think I can waste my belly fat anytime I want. So I wasn't too worried about it.

To be completely honest, < Touch of Gaia > is not an attack skill. It's a support skill. I have played enough games to understand that. The problem is not with the skill; the problem is that I don't have any skill that can be treated as a primary attack. I realized it a while ago, but the sword served its purpose to attack. Now that it's gone, I am finding myself feeling naked and helpless. Although, after gaining more levels, my body seems harder and stronger than before, my fists are still weak compared to a dedicated weapon, and I need a weapon now. I also need a skill that is focused on attacking. The other skill I have is valuable but scary to use. Considering the situations, we are constantly in, it is very dangerous to use that.

I turned back to go inside the house. Before anything else, I need a weapon. My hand-to-hand combat skill is almost none. Although sword skills aren't any better, having a weapon gives an extra layer of confidence. I could even do with a staff or a spear too. Spear may be a stretch; it was already a stroke of massive luck that I got that sword at that time. It would be great to get something that can work as a staff.

I looked at the rising sun. The mist is fading. I turned around and entered the house.

Lucy was sitting with her eyes closed, resting. Regis was laughing and talking with Aria. Dana and Linda sat in a corner with their backs to the wall. They also looked pretty tired. Nothing surprising. Walking the whole day and then having to wake up before even sleeping properly would make anyone tired. Luckily I didn't feel tired, which meant the girls didn't need any more rest.

I started to pack my bag and put it on my shoulder.

"Can we rest a bit longer?" Aria asked; behind her was the frowning Regis.

I looked at others, except Lucy, who still had her eyes closed; other girls were looking at me with a plea in their eyes. I felt bad a little. "We will have to rest again a few hours later. Otherwise, another day would be wasted. If all goes fine in the way, we will reach the mansion today in the evening."

Nobody said anything; Regis kept on frowning at me. He is probably wondering why I was acting all mighty after the embarrassment outside in the hell. But from what I can feel, I am the leader and not a weak one anymore. I now have the strength to act mighty, at least during the night in the mist.

The girls started packing, and everyone was ready within ten minutes. Lucy didn't say anything as she followed us outside.

"Now again, keep on walking!" Aria said as she sighed.

"I never asked you to come with me in the first place," I said to her. She didn't look at me, just lowered her head and stood with the others.

Suddenly a rifle appeared in Regis's hand, and he aimed at one of the nearby houses. The sun was still rising; it cast a long shadow from the house. Regis was aiming at one of the corners.

"Come out while keeping your hands where I can see them," Regis shouted. He didn't sound like he used to. There was a clear distinction between his voice and now and how he usually liked to talk and have fun. Bloodlust! Seeping from his voice. No response from the corner of that house.

"Wait!" Suddenly there was a shout from behind the house. "I am coming out." Then a middle-aged man with a kitchen knife in his raised hand came out. A middle-aged woman and two children followed him. Regardless of the condition of their dresses, they looked more composed and not like some thugs.

Regis looked at me, but I wasn't going to say anything. It's better for him to talk. I do not have the same bloodlust in my voice that he has.

"What do you want?" Regis said to them, didn't lower the gun even the slightest.

"We came to check." The man said. The woman hugged the two children. "Early in the morning, there was a lot of commotion." He looked at the ghoul's dead bodies and shuddered.

"Anything else?" Regis said.

"Nothing. I will go back." The man turned back. The children looked in his eyes with a plea. The little boy was going to cry from the look in his eyes. The woman hinted something at the man then the man turned again towards us. He dropped the knife and went to his knees. His eyes expressed his unwillingness and his helplessness.

"What do you need?" Regis lowered his gun but kept it in a position so he could shoot anytime without much delay.

"We need help." The man said. "We can give you food. We have lots of food. Please take us with you. We will help with all the odd works." Although the man said it, I don't think he had any experience with doing odd works.

"We don't need any extra baggage. More people means more presence, and more presence attracts more problems." Regis said. Dana and Linda clutched each other's hands while Dana covered her mouth. She wanted to cry, for Christ's sake. I got pretty annoyed as I frowned while looking at her. Stupid girl.

I looked back at the man. He didn't say anything else. The older boy came to the side of his father. He seemed to be feeling shame seeing his father kneeling. But the man didn't budge.

Regis looked at me. He knew this decision was mine to take.

"We cannot take you to where we are going," I said. "Stay here; we will bring another group from the city within a week or two; you can come with us at that time."

The man looked at me. I tried to keep my face as cold as possible. Showing weakness is never a good idea.

"I thank you, mister." He cupped his hands. I have no idea where this man learned to kneel and cup his hands. I guess time changes people. He looks like he used to be a white-collar. I know people like him. But for him to drop this low, bring himself this low, this is the end times.

"But some advice, do not make any noise at night. I heard you last night even when you are inside, and I know the ghouls will too give enough time." I said to the man. "Also, it's better not to have any light at night."

"I will keep that in mind." The man said as he picked the knife, which made Regis stiff a little, but he turned and grabbed his wife's hand and went out of our sight. That woman wasn't bad. She looked attractive. The man was a fool to bring her outside. I shook my head. Any other group with a little less moral obligations would have taken the opportunity. I hope they don't fall into the hands of one of those groups.