Her inquiry into my Gift caught me completely off guard, landing with the force of a sledgehammer! It was the one question I hadn't been expecting. Even Anne and the other team members hadn't asked about it. It was Katie who finally dared to raise the question.Her voice, innocent as it was, had unintentionally attracted the attention of everyone present. Their eyes turned in our direction, filled with curiosity, and I knew I had to come up with something. A torrent of thoughts rushed through my mind, trying to form a coherent response.However, they all ended in the same panicked thought: ‘Oh crap, what do I say?!’“Oh, yeah. That’s true… I’m curious as well,” Peter chimed in, leaning in our direction, his interest piqued.Daniel, though busy with shrinking objects, glanced at us from time to time, his eyes betraying his curiosity. Larry remained silent, but his enigmatic Alignment meant I couldn't take his silence at face value.It was clear that everyone wanted to know.“I-I’m sorr
We continued on our journey, maintaining our usual formation. Anne was often behind me, her watchful gaze fixed intently on my movements. At the forefront was Katie, vigilantly scanning for monsters, with Peter's steadfast support.The others formed a balanced, airtight defense around us, taking care of our flanks. More than once, I felt Katie's eyes on me, a mix of curiosity and perhaps even a hint of envy.She seemed to long for the attention Anne bestowed upon me, a thought I found rather amusing.'You can have her for all I care… it’s not like I like having this overbearing woman around me,' I thought to myself, almost wailing at the idea.Our path led us to encounters with a few more Hobgoblins, though fortunately never all at once. The group dispatched them with the same proficiency as before, their movements seamless and practiced.We took pauses, of course, not only to work around the limitations of Daniel's Gift but also to accommodate the physical endurance of the team.Well
The realm was awash in a kaleidoscope of brilliant colors, an ever-changing dance of hues that seemed to transcend the boundaries of imagination. It was an environment unlike anything that could be found in the mundane world, a dazzling spectacle that could only be compared to the breathtaking beauty of the aurora borealis.This vast expanse, a realm that seemed to exist beyond both space and time, was filled with bright lights that illuminated every corner. These lights were vast and beautiful, painting the surroundings with an ethereal glow that evoked the glimmering stars of the night sky. It was as if a multitude of rainbows had converged, casting their vibrant reflections in a perpetual display of magnificence.In the midst of this celestial grandeur, massive figures floated, shrouded in white light that pulsated with an intense radiance. These were beings of another order, entities that had transcended earthly forms and limitations. They levitated effortlessly in the air, if ind
As our journey neared its end, we approached our destination - a Camp. But this Camp wasn't what one might typically imagine. Instead of roaring bonfires under the open sky or a heavily fortified military stronghold, this Apocalypse-era Camp held a unique charm of its own.Unlike conventional notions, this Camp wasn't sprawling; it was housed within a tall building. This structure had been repurposed to resemble a fortress, albeit a rather crude rendition considering the early stage of the Apocalypse. I couldn't help but think that it might improve over time.Standing amidst the ruins of other structures, the Camp building towered above, a lone sentinel against the desolation. I surmised that the scattered remnants of neighboring buildings served as potential barriers, a safeguard against potential monster attacks - although such threats seemed remote in this green zone.The makeshift gate, a stark contrast to the surrounding decay, caught my attention. Crafted from durable materials a
My vision was somewhat blurry, but I could make out the expression she gave me. Her warm, soft hands held onto me tightly, and I could feel the warmth of her grasp. The firm, encouraging voice she had embraced me, and I couldn't help but tremble due to the emotion I was feeling.I was trying my best to hold it in before my shaking would give me away... oh, the pure amusement I was having!‘Psych! This was just too hilarious!’They had all made entirely wrong assumptions by giving me their pity and attention, just like I wanted.Not only that, but the almighty Anne pulled me to her side and openly declared my acceptance into the new family, with a multitude of witnesses present to boot!It was a great feeling, being able to manipulate such simple-minded people into acting how I wished.Looking at them now, waving at the people who welcomed them, and smiling genuinely and happily... I already knew before, but this just emphasized it more.‘They’re idiots!’I wonder how they would have re
"Take care till we return, okay?" Anne said to me, with her usual caring look.I smiled back, nodding in response.And so, Katie split from the group, taking me past the hallway while Anne's group climbed higher up the stairs.‘I suppose the leader’s office is on the topmost floor. He must be an egoist, taking the highest place in the building.’ I smiled internally.Katie walked close to me, looking ahead as she avoided eye contact with me for some reason.‘Is she shy now that we’re together alone? Hehe, how cute.’Still, being alone like this had its advantages.“Katie, erm… what kind of guy is the Camp Leader?”She looked at me, slightly stunned by my question, then her face fell into deep thought. She appeared to be thinking of the best way to explain the man to me.‘It’s a good thing I have Katie here. She’s still a young girl, so she was sure to give me pure, unfiltered information.’“Well
"Of course, I’m the leader here, so I must be aware of anything that occurs within this place, including the new faces that appear." Charles narrowed his eyes as he spoke.Anne let out a subtle sigh, her thoughts momentarily acknowledging Charles's formidable leadership qualities. His sharp intellect and adeptness at handling situations were undeniable. However, there was one aspect of his character that never failed to rub her the wrong way – his controlling demeanor."You have some explaining to do, Anne."Charles, she mused, had an innate need to maintain a tight grip on every aspect of the camp. He justified it as a necessary hierarchy to instill order amidst the chaos of the times. While Anne couldn't wholly disagree with his perspective, she often found his level of suspicion rather stifling.Yet, despite her personal reservations, Anne recognized the urgency of clarifying the situation, not just for herself, but for the sake of her team and
"You are all dismissed," Charles declared, his authoritative voice cutting through the air.One by one, the members of the expedition team filed out of the room, leaving only Charles and his vice president behind. The weight of the recent revelations hung in the air, and Charles allowed himself a moment of solitude to reflect.As the door clicked shut, Anne's lingering gaze caught Charles's attention. Her words, delivered with an undercurrent of subtle reproach, echoed in his mind."You should remember who we have to thank for all of this," she had said, her tone a mix of acknowledgment and reminder before she exited the room, leaving the space to its silence.Charles remained seated, his fingers tented as he steepled them beneath his chin. The dim light cast a play of shadows across his features as he contemplated the complex interplay of events.The corners of his lips curled slightly, a wistful smile touching his expression. "Of course