Chapter 24

One Percent...

I waited to see it drop to zero...but...It never did. My health stopped at 1HP, as for the Forest Mutant, it wasn't as lucky, it's health bars dissipating and it began to glow. I took a couple steps back as it shattered, my sword falling from where it's back was and landing straight into the dirt. I walked over as I picked up my sword from the ground, it dematerialized into polygons as it was readded into my inventory.

I looked over at the dagger in the ground, picking it up as i wiped the dirt off of it, still drenched as I put the dagger back into it's sheathe. I then switched my weapon from the dagger to my 1h sword, feeling the strap around my chest again. I then looked and ran over towards Sato, remembering that he's still at the tree.

"Sato!"

"I'm still here...Ow shit..."

I hurried over to Sato as I helped him up, wrapping one arm around the back of my neck. "Thanks, I don't think we'd get out of that if I didn't give you my potion." He remarked as I began walking towards the settlement.

"hey, did you hear me?"

"I heard you, I also think that it was kind of selfish of you to give me your only potion."

"Well...You're a better solo player than me Kirin, It was either you or we both die."

"..."

I didn't respond to that as I sighed, smiling a little as I muttered, "Thanks...". we continued as we walked back on a pathway, the rain beginning to lighten up as it was now mainly a cloudy night. We walked through the darkness as Sato had a spare lantern in his inventory, giving us some way to see better as we kept walking.

"So...Are you doing better?"

"What?"

"Well y'know, after Rina's...incident... Are you doing or feeling any better?"

"I...Huh...now coming to think of it..."

"Hmm??" Sato raised an eyebrow.

I took some time to think about it as It suddenly hit me, I haven't been myself since Rina's death, always waking up at night, hearing her voice, feeling like I see her in the distance, It all adds up.

"I think I'm starting to finally find some kind of peace with it."

"that's great, it's a good start for you." Sato remarked.

"Yeah, I guess it'll take more time but, it's starting to feel like I'm finally starting to move on from it."

Sato chuckled a bit as I looked at him, I couldn't help myself but smile a little as we arrived at the Mirshe Settlement. "I can take my leave from here, Thank you for coming to my aid Kirin." Sato thanked, I bowed politely, replying, "It was the most I can do for a friend Sato.".

We both smiled as we then headed our separate ways, our party disbanding as I headed into the Inn once again. I quietly walked up and went into my room, walking to the bed as I flopped onto it, falling asleep.

RIIIIINNNGGG!!!...RIIIIINNNNGGGG!!!

I tried reaching for the alarm as I tapped it first try, still tired as I tried to go back to sleep. KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK! I opened my eyes a bit as I rolled onto my back and sat up, getting up and walking over. I opened the door as I was rubbing my eye.

It was Toru, fully awake and energized as she smiled at me, I however was not in the best mood as I wanted to sleep. "Morning slee-" before she could finish I slammed the door in her face, this made her jump a bit as it caught her off guard, she scoffed as she knocked lighter this time.

Tap tap tap tap tap

The sound of footsteps came to the door again as I had opened the door for the second time, a bit more irritated than before. "Kirin hear me out this time." She asked in japanese, I yawned, replying "What..." She seemed excited as she held out a map, it certainly caught my attention but I was too tired to even go on an expedition.

"I found this map in market! We'll find something good!"

She said fondly excited about what they could find as I nodded, "Good...just...jus..." I was falling forward a bit as she tapped my head and I jolted standing straight. "Just wait for me!" I said instinctively as Toru was a bit skeptical on a sleepy Kirin. "welll.....just...get ready Kirin-Kun." she said as she left and I closed the door. 

I began equipping my armor as they still had dirt on them from last night. I walked out and went downstairs as she was waiting. "You ready?" Toru asked as I nodded preemptively, she then took the lead by grabbing my wrist and heading outside of the inn and out of the Mirshe Settlement