Chapter 6 - Sailing Without A Care In the World

Chapter 6 - Sailing Without A Care In the World

They were definitely in the setting of a novel-turned-manga series. Colton surveyed the peculiar purplish blue sky with concern. Fortunately, there were no storm clouds in sight, but his senses told him they should start heading for the nearest safe peninsula or mainland area they could find. The problem was that he needed a map to access, so Colton had no idea where to go.

How should Colton mention this to Kellen? From what he remembered of Kellen, he dealt with logic. Therefore, his finding out that they'd wound up in a setting for a manga novel might need to be revised. However, if they wanted to survive, they had to do so. So how should he do this? "Hmmm, what do you think of novels or mangas?" Colton hated to bring it up, but it was now or never.

Kellen glanced at him sideways. "I've read a few in my spare time. I think one in particular resembles this place, doesn't it?" He frowned in concentration. "Survival to the Purgatory Waystation, wasn't it?"

That's the one. "Yeah, but how are you sure we're in it?" Colton was bemused.

Kellen shrugged with a mocking grin. "Hmm, I guess it is because in normal circumstances," He cocked an eyebrow at Colton, who sighed. "We'd be kicking each other's asses right about now if we'd run into each other under any other scenario."

Unfortunate but true, Colton nodded. "So why did you decide to come with me rather than remain with those weirdos?"

Kellen grimaced. "I'm no fan of what they were into." He shuddered. "A single deity civilization? Give me a break. That will wreck our entire ecosystem."

Colton agreed with him. "Yeah, I wasn't having the best of luck in the real world. Still, I wouldn't trade it for this situation."

Kellen sighed. "For what it's worth, I do have a map I can check." He glanced at Colton. "Try saying 'status window' or something like that." He shrugged when Colton gaped at him. "I was the one who played video games for a living." He coaxed Colton. "Give it a shot."

Well, he supposed it wouldn't hurt. "Fine," Colton muttered. "Status Window." It popped up quickly.

Colton checked his stats and saw something else that puzzled him. Love interests(?), enemies (?), what the hell was this garbage? He gave Kellen a baffled stare. "Err, is this a manga or a game setup?" Colton didn't remember any of this coming up in the series at all. "Did we end up in an alternate timeline after all?"

What was this? It was coming off more of a game with the multiple possibilities of lovers and enemies turned friends. None of this made sense to Colton, nor didn't incline him to look further. He grunted in disgust. Ah, wait, there was the map. "Err, we're nowhere near a safe zone, and I feel we're close to a storm break soon."

Kellen nodded. "So, did you see your stats? What do you need to work on?" He grinned. "Or did you get caught off guard by the mention of multiple love interests and enemies turning friends?"

Ooff, it was embarrassing that he'd figured out what happened, and Colton sighed. "No to the first two mentions," he shrugged ruefully, admitting, "and yes to the rest."

Kellen laughed. "Just focus on the stats and what you need to improve on," he advised. "I'll help you with the rest."

Colton was hesitant but figured it would be good to follow his advice. "Uhm, all right." What could it hurt? I'm more clueless than I want to admit right now. "Stats, ah, what the...talk about pathetic." Exasperated, he shook his head. "Hmm, some of this I can't do anything about until on solid ground."

Colton sighed because he was definitely at a loss. Then, he noticed tasks he might be able to complete while on the raft. Now things were looking better. Colton checked out what he needed to do and sighed. "Damn, good thing I can balance fairly well."

Kellen laughed. "I know, right?" He was whistling a carefree tune that made Colton shake his head in amusement. It was the theme song to a popular anime, though not one he'd watched. Oh, right. Where was the map? He sighed. Ah, there it was.

At least now, Colton knew where they were located. The problem was he needed to find out where they were headed. "Current route?" He tried to see if that would work.

Success!

Now, Colton could track where they were going, and it wouldn't distract him from what else he could do.

"So, you found some more material?" Kellen watched his actions with bemusement.

Colton sat cross-legged next to the mast that held their single sail. "Yep, there are some tasks I can complete." According to the directions, he should make at least one more in case an emergency tore up the one he'd cobbled together earlier. "I found the material in the inventory."

Kellen chuckled slightly. "You're acclimating faster than I thought possible," he said, relieved. "I'm happy because it will make our survival much easier."

Therefore, it behooved him to ensure he was included. He shrugged with a smile. "Adaptability and flexibility can get you acclimated quickly. the opposite will get you killed." There must be other factors at play that Colton needed to learn about.

"I suppose I should've checked out certain things on that window more thoroughly." Either that, or he was dense as a brick. "However, I felt I should prioritize survival right now since we're practically afloat in an ocean filled with flesh-eating monsters."

Colton watched Kellen out of the corner of his eye, curious to see how he would react to his comment.

Kellen grimaced. "Eh, those won't be too difficult to deal with." He shrugged. "I've got the weapons to deal with them." Kellen frowned at Colton. "Take a look at the lovers/enemies tab when you have the chance." His shoulders slumped. "We've been placed in some interesting circumstances." Kellen looked displeased and morose about what he'd discovered.