AN: Another lackluster Carys chapter. Greeeeeeat.

Gosh am I biased. Actually, you can just see this as the character King_Cobb writing this.

Cobb: Here's what Carys was doing. Who cares. She's not important.

Carys: Unless you want to know what a scythe-blade to the rectum feels like, you'll tell my part of the story.

Cobb: Okay! Okay! Just keep that thing away from me.

Chapter 170

On Horseback

[Noman]

Following our stunning defeat at the hands of the Paragons, we slept in shifts, and often with one eye open.

The Paragons carried wool and beds around and built tents with practiced ease. It reminded me of a line of soldiers, running through camping drills until they could set up and strip down a tent in seconds. It spoke of a disciplined crew with experience.

Compare that to the three of us and our crudely constructed cobblestone box. Simple to set up, but annoying to mine away, and Carys warned us that our campsite better be just as we found it come morning. She didn't want to leave any trails or evidence.

Shifts were business as usual. Someone had to stay up and watch for Mobs or Griefers or cultists. The problem was that we had twice as many people on watch; one from the Paragons and one from us.

How could we not? Carys attacked us out of nowhere, proving we couldn't be lax anymore. We kept our distance from their camp and slept in shifts, watching the Paragons just like any other threat.

The downside was that we got exhausted easier. Excluding Carys (who left her underlings take up watches in her stead), the Paragons had ten people to swap shifts with. That meant that while one of us had to stay awake, we watched three or four people change shifts before doing the same. Many hands make light work. They were getting more shut-eye and we were suffering for it.

It was a restless, nerve-racking night. The first of many. Together, we dismantled the stone shelter we built (long after the Paragons finished packing up), and finally set out on our steeds… a comfortable distance away from the pack.

Part of it was safety, but another part of it was Soul getting Cat-Face to follow. The feline had no chance of keeping up with a horse with its smaller legs.

"Ugh, come on, Cat-Face." Soul grumbled. "Get the lead out!"

"I told you this was a bad idea. You should have just swallowed your pride and left it with Brett or Cara or something." Floyd sighed.

"No. Screw that guy. Cara's okay, but I don't want anything more to do with the Silver Intent." Soul was stubborn. "Cat-Face just needs to learn to keep up. TROT FASTER, DAMNIT!"

Cat-Face's stubby legs moved at the same established pace, it's expression the epitome of indifference.

While Soul clicked his tongue, I brought my horse alongside Floyd's and began to chat.

"Cobb and Lenz will be setting off today."

"I know." He fished out his synced map and gazed upon the white blips. "They have an early start."

"You think they went through a 'pecking order' situation like we did?"

"Hard to say." He looked at the back of Carys' head from her position at the front of the pack. "Carys likes to prove her strength, so maybe it was just her thing. Even so, the only notable guy on Cobb's side should be that Baltic guy, and he came across as more of an elderly advisor."

"They're still outnumbered."

"Which is why we'll keep an eye on our maps." Floyd waved his. "In case anything should happen."

"I'm betting Carys has a way of monitoring her other group just like we do."

"Yeah, she wouldn't trust Cobb not to start something." Floyd frowned. "She might have a synced map or some Bounty Day communication device we don't know about."

"If so, you think she'd let us communicate with Cobb and Lenz?"

"That's cute." Soul chimed in sarcastically.

Dejected, I tilted my gaze towards the back of Snow's neck and trotted along.

Since our synced maps were new and had yet to be explored, we couldn't see past the Ringwood region. From what I remembered, though, Exter was far to the west. Further than Dover Plains. To get there, we'd either have to cut across the plains or else brave the Redbone Desert, which was suicide without enough food and water. Carys never shared our travel route with us. It would be safer going across the plains.

Somehow, that made me think Carys would choose the desert. Hopefully we could find out from one of the other, easier to talk to Paragons.

Speaking of which, one of them slowed up their horse so as to approach us. It was Anibal. The thief. I instantly placed both hands on the artifacts at my belt. I had been keeping them there lately. Easier to draw. Floyd and Soul closed ranks around me, scowling at the dark-skinned beauty.

"Awfully jumpy, aren't we? Don't tell me you guys are still hung up about yesterday?" Anibal rested a hand on her hip, cocking her head to the side.

"You attacked us out of nowhere." Floyd shot back. "Call us crazy, but I think we're warranted a bit of distance."

"That was just a little tough love to show you who's boss." Anibal dismissed with a wave. "Carys runs a tight outfit. She has to keep people in line, you know how it is."

"Actually, we don't."

"Oh, yeah, sure." Anibal scoffed. "You're telling me your boy Cobb never intimidated you into knuckling under?"

"Never." Floyd, Soul, and I said at the exact same time, the synchronization surprising.

"Oh, come on." Anibal laughed jokingly. Then, when our expressions didn't break, the mirth slid off her face to be replaced with confusion. "Seriously? How'd he keep a Hacker and an artifact wielder in line without any beatings?"

The casual way she said that had me flinch. "…Is… that what Carys considers normal? Regular beatings?"

"No! I mean, well, yeah," she conceded sheepishly. "But, I mean, I made some stupid mistakes. Tried her temper when she was real angry. Challenged her once or twice. It's normal. She can't have people questioning her judgment. She has to prove to the others she's strong; otherwise the whole chain of command comes undone."

"It's not like that at all with us." Soul replied. "If that noodle-armed fisherman tried to challenge me, I'd body slam him into the ground." Cat-Face meowed in agreement.

"Then why do you follow his orders?"

"Because nobody acts for the guild's best interests more than him." Soul nodded. "He looks out for us and he doesn't quit. Even now, after everything that's happened to him…" He trailed off.

"Anibal." Noman chimed in. "Cobb never wanted to accept this alliance until we talked him into it. He might lead us, but he isn't the final say. We all have a voice. It isn't like what you and the Paragons have with Carys. You follow her because of the strength she holds over you. We follow Cobb because—"

"We're friends." Floyd finished before scowling. "He doesn't think of me as a threat. He doesn't think of us as weapons."

"Well, maybe he should." Anibal fired back. "The artifacts are weapons, and the Hackers have powers most don't. Pretending you're something you're not might spare your feelings, but this is war. Maybe if you let loose more often, you'd have stood a chance against Carys yesterday. If you're unwilling to use everything in your arsenal, then you don't deserve to fight beside us."

"You want us to let loose?" Soul sneered, drawing his axe. "Come on, then. You and me. No Carys to hide behind."

"Clearly I wasn't talking to you, Felinophile. I don't see any dark lines or almighty artifacts on you." Anibal smirked. "You know that owning a cat is a sign that you're lonely and single?"

Cat-Face was thrust into Anibal's face claws first where he proceeded to shred into her like a scratching post. She recoiled with a shout, covering her face.

"Good kitty." Soul pet the purring feline like a comic super villain while I hastened to throw out a splash potion of healing for the thief. She rubbed her face and fixed her ruthless black eyes on Soul and his cat.

"You better keep an eye on your pet, Soul. We wouldn't want anything to happen to it, now would we?"

Cat-Face trembled in Soul's arms and Soul quickly shielded it from the thief's view.

"Anyway," Anibal fixed her short black jacket, "I came over here to tell you we'll be stopping in the Ringwood village of Westmarch tomorrow at around noon. Since the village is two days away, however, we're going to be moving throughout the night. We don't rest until we hit the village and we don't stop or slow down for anything. Not even your cat."

With her piece said, Anibal steered her horse back to the group of Paragons and left us in privacy.

"You heard them, Soul. We have to keep up." Floyd said. "We have to leave Cat-Face behind."

"And here I thought the Endward Cult was pure evil. How can you even think of leaving this adorable feline face behind?"

Again, Soul held up Cat-Face who meowed indifferently. Floyd clutched his chest at the kawaii levels of 'HNNNG!' radiating off of it. He was strong, but the big round eyes of the fluff ball were beyond his ken.

"Hnnng! Fine. Just… just give me the cat and I'll use Speed to keep us ahead of the pack."

"You're the best!" Soul deposited Cat-Face into Floyd's arms before shaking a reproachful finger. "Now take care not to drop him. And scoop up his back legs with your arms to tuck under his body. And lift evenly with both arms. Both arms, I said!"

"Okay, geez!"

"Is this really the best use of your power?" I questioned. "Won't you burn out your Hack after forty seconds?"

"That's forty-six seconds. I've been improving my upper limit." Floyd boasted proudly. "And the recovery period is shorter. I'm hoping that by the time I can manage a minute of uninterrupted Speed, the Hack will sort of… cement? I don't know what you call it, but it'll mean no more burnouts. This is just like training."

"Well, if you're sure." I watched as smoke enveloped Floyd and his sclerae darkened. The sinister summoning of dark powers was somewhat diminished when factoring in the cat bundled in his arms. Soul took hold of Floyd's horse as the blue-haired Hacker dismounted.

"Here goes."

And in an instant, Floyd blurred forward. Past us, past the Paragons and their horses who neighed at the rush of wind. Kalmarin's gaze flickered and his eyes narrowed towards the direction Floyd had gone.

While I checked my map to see how far he was running, Soul let out an exclamation that stole my attention.

Cat-Face was rubbing his cat face against the leg of Soul's horse.

"What the… did Floyd forget to—?"

Next instant, Floyd was back, eyes wide and Hacker smoke still swirling around him. "Soul! I'm so sorry! I went so fast that Cat-Face disintegrated in my arms! Just, poof, and he was gone! That's never happened before! You've gotta believe…" His gaze tilted down. "…me."

*Meow*

"He didn't disintegrate you just forgot him." Soul picked up Cat-Face again and pressed him more firmly into Floyd's arms. "There. Now hurry up. Your timer's-a-ticking."

"But… no, but I…" Floyd looked utterly flummoxed looking between the cat and Soul. However, with his Speed Hack's time running out, he had to get some distance. He whirled around and darted off in another blur of dark smoke.

And then, not a second later, Cat-Face appeared at Soul's feet before he could remount his horse.

"Alright, I think I see the problem, now." Soul frowned. "Buuuuut… just in case I'm gonna have him run again." He bundled the cat in his arms. "Because it's funny."

Again, Floyd returned. He saw the cat and wordlessly grabbed it before speeding off for the final time. I watched more carefully at Soul's feet, as did Soul, and caught sight of the phenomena firsthand.

Cat-Face just… blinked into existence at his feet. No lead up or anything. He wasn't there, and then he was there. He meowed serenely before Floyd darted back and his Hack finally burned out.

"Oh come on!" He whined as he fell to the ground. "What the hell?"

"Seems like Cat-Face is a teleporting cat." Soul said as he stroked his pet's back and listened to the rumbling purr.

"Maybe all pets are like that." I suggested. "They warp back to their owner if they get too far away."

"But I left Cat-Face in Ringwood while I went to Zeppil and there was no problem before."

"…Maybe because you told him to stay?" I guessed.

Curiously, Soul put down Cat-Face and held up his hand in a staying motion. The cat sat down placidly. Then Soul urged it to follow, and it did.

"Huh." He mumbled before cracking a grin. "You know what this means?"

Soul shot forward on Long-Face, easily outstripping the Paragons in formation. Floyd and I followed on our steeds, and, following closely behind in sporadic blinks and trots was Cat-Face, as indifferent to warping about as it'd be licking itself.

"Make way, losers! I have a teleporting cat!" He shouted happily. "Last one to Westmarch is the weaker guild!"

The Paragons shared a look before Carys gave her horse an angry spur, pushing it to go as fast as it could to catch up with us. The rest of the Paragons followed her lead.

Our convoy of horses raced through the woods, weaving through trees and over hills in our journey west. We'd have plenty of daylight before having to worry about Mobs, but with so much ground to cover, we couldn't slow down.

With Carys chasing us on horseback, it was just like old times.

[Denzel's Grove]

Wynn and WorkingMann sat across from each other in his bedroom. Wynn in a chair and Mann atop his bed. The decorum was unorthodox, but this was his house, after all.

Wynn's eyes were tinged red and she was still hiccupping to herself in the aftermath of her unrestrained weeping in Mann's embrace. During which, she apologized for her failures, condemned her own worthlessness, and painted a vivid picture to Mann on what went on the night of the Wither attacks. The deaths of the Captains, the council, the King and his heir. The prisoners freed and Executive Ember's overwhelming might. The Tragedy of Ringwood was retold in all its evil.

Mann listened to it all, his expression growing graver as it went on, until, by the end, his brow shadowed his blue eyes and his gaze was tilted down in mourning.

"That's… quite the tragedy." He muttered quietly, his hands clasped before him in prayer for the fallen. "And Miles… despite his fear, he went so far as to offer his life for Deo's."

"He never should have." Wynn said with self-loathing. "It was my duty to lay my life for theirs. And I… I failed them." Her eyes slid shut. "I failed them all."

"Now don't say that."

"It's my fault—"

"It was nothing you did, not you did nothing." He consoled, getting up from the bed and striding over to stand before her at eye level, his hand gently tilting her head to look at him. "It was Ember that took those lives. And her alone. Don't wallow in the cloying mire of self-loathing, or else you'll do your enemies' job for them and lose the next battle before it even begins. You can't be expected to deal with new problems if you're still carrying the old ones."

"It's so easy when you phrase it like that." Wynn lamented. "But are there not Captain candidates more fitting than I am? Stronger and more clever? More deserving of the mantle?"

"If you're speaking of the candidates from Nitebane and Carys_Angel's ilk, I'd have to say no." His eyes were sharp. "I don't even have to meet them to know what sort of reign they'll usher in for Ringwood should they claim the throne. They'll make Ringwood militant."

"Maybe militant is what we need." Wynn began. "The Endward Cult need to be repelled, Your Benevolence. Training the populace—"

"—Training the populace isn't the problem." He remarked. "I know the Paragons. Joining with them is fine for aid and a stronger defense, but they won't stop there. They'll enforce martial law on the citizens and train them into a private militia, to be used at Carys' leisure. Should a Paragon claim the throne, the people of Ringwood would become cannon fodder against the cult. Carys won't care about preserving their lives; she'd do away with them all if it meant dealing a body blow. So long as their revenge is sated, the Paragons will sacrifice anything. Even, as you told me, team up with former enemies, like your friend King_Cobb… who is actually not a King—very confusing—"

"So then we need a new King." Wynn said eagerly. "If you come back to the throne, there won't have to be a vie for power between us and the Paragons. They can apply as Captains and the council—as I promised them in exchange for aid—and the monarchy can remain in your hands."

"I agree. We do need a new king." Mann stated. "A new king, Wynn. Not some feeble old fuddy-duddy."

"You were beloved in your time!" She countered, her argument at the ready. "You're still beloved! Nobody would challenge you if you took the throne."

"Tough times require a tough ruler." He fired back. "The role of old kings is to nurture and guide the younger generation. What Ringwood needs right now is a battle-hardened king—or queen—who's survived the worst the Endward Cult has thrown at us. A man—or woman—with unquestionable honor and a love for his—or her—people."

Wynn's hands reached for her rapier and twisted around the blade as if she was trying to wring it dry.

"Don't do this to me." She begged. "Don't make it out like I'm the right choice."

"You'd be a great—"

"No, I wouldn't!" She shot up, startling the king into taking a step back. She slapped a hand into her chest, her expression tense. "Think about how I feel about all this! I failed to fulfill my duty and am being rewarded for it! Deo should be Queen! Miles should have survived if I couldn't stop Ember, and Deo should have survived if I couldn't save Miles. I should have given my life for either of them like Showers! Instead, I failed them both! I'm alive, I failed them, and now I'm expected to be made Queen!?" She shook her head vehemently. "I don't deserve it!"

Mann remained silent for a long while. His blue eyes were locked on Wynn as her chest rose and fell, barely holding back sobs. It looked like he was doing some very fast thinking, deciding on what best to say.

And ultimately realizing there were no words to help Wynn regain her confidence. Even if he thought she was the best candidate for the role, she had to want the job herself.

Finally, Mann let out a tired sigh.

"Very well." He stood up to his full height. "I will return to Ringwood."

His words filled Wynn with hope. "Really? You'll return to the throne?"

"Not quite." He said carefully. "Retired kings cannot reclaim the throne like that. It was a law put in place to prevent those in power from losing it to more favorable past kings. In other words, I can't just walk up to the throne."

"Then… what do we do? There's no council to pick a new king." She was all that was left.

"There is a precedent," he began, "for the selection of a king in the event that there are no heirs, Captains, or councilmembers."

"Really? I've never heard of that?"

"That would be because it was before your time." He explained. "It was only ever used once, and it was used to elevate Notch to the position of first monarch of Ringwood."

Wynn's eyes widened as Mann launched into an explanation.

"Three candidates contested to reign over Ringwood. The three of them were skilled adventurers and equally beloved by the citizens. And, fearing a deadly duel that would leave two of them slain, they arranged for a set of challenges to prove who possessed the superior Mind, Body, and Heart. Whosoever passed the King's Trials would be acknowledged as the rightful Crafter for the job."

"So Notch won?" Wynn asked. "He had to if he became king, right?"

"Yes, he won. But the trials were taxing." He noted gravely. "They pushed the three candidates to their mental, physical, and emotional limits. Three of them died before it was through."

Wynn's heart froze, but she raised a questioning brow. "Three died? But you said—?"

"The kings were allowed a Second—an ally—to assist. Notch's was Ciro_Che, who later became Captain. One candidate died, as did both candidates' Seconds."

That meant Ciro was the only Second who lived. And to hear someone equal in skill to Notch perished to the King's Trials…

And now Her Benevolence—out of practice and elderly—was going to have to endure the same.

"You can't." She whispered.

"On the contrary, I'll have to." He said tiredly. "We'll all have to. Carys' Paragons will be candidates just like me. We'll all be within our rights to vie against one another in the King's Trials. They'll be the same challenges Notch had to pass."

"Is this necessary?" Wynn asked carefully. She was overjoyed that Mann agreed, but not if it imperiled his life like this! "Taking the Tragedy of Ringwood into account, nobody would protest for a new precedent to be established. You're a beloved former king. The people would welcome you—"

"They'll want me, but not need me. Like I said before, they'll need a strong monarch to put their faith in during these troubling times." He nodded solemnly. "The sheer difficulty of these trials will demonstrate which candidate is truly deserving of the title of king, just as it was centuries ago. Notch is held in such high standard. Nobody will condemn a monarch that has passed the same trials he had."

"But Notch was… Notch! Your Benevolence, you've been in retirement for too long. You can't compete against Carys' handpicked Paragons. You won't stand a chance!"

"Hmph. These contests are more than just about physical strength, Captain." He said with dismay. "They are designed to test mind, body, and heart. If the Paragons think it easy, they will be in for quite the surprise."

"Your Benevolence, please…" Wynn moaned. "There has to be another way. A safer way."

"What citizen will accept a king rising to power safely?" He retorted. "The people of Ringwood have suffered a great loss. They're looking for a shining strength to guide them. They want their fears for the future assuaged, and what better way than by a monarch passing the bar set by Notch centuries ago? These trials will happen, Wynn, and whoever wins, Ringwood will have a strong king and be stronger for it."

Wynn gripped her rapier in frustration. This wasn't at all what she wanted for Her Benevolence. Why couldn't he just call himself king and be done with it? He was right, though. The citizens would respect the victor of the King's Trials. Nobody has faced them since Notch, and his reputation was still held in high standard, even within other Kingdoms. Passing the trials had its benefits. It would mean the winner would be the king Ringwood needed.

But she couldn't let him face it alone.

"If you're serious about doing this," Wynn resolved herself, "may I participate as your Second?"

"Worried I don't have what it takes?" Mann frowned.

"No, no. I didn't mean—that is to say, I…" She cut off as he chuckled good-naturedly.

"I'm just teasing. You're right that I'll need the help. I'd be honored to conquer these trials beside you, Captain." He held out his hand and Wynn tentatively took it and shook it.

"First order of business is to return to Ringwood. We have three weeks until the Paragons and their reinforcements arrive. That'll give us enough time to scrape the Kingdom back together and train this body back into some semblance of shape." He grew winded from a mere flex of his arms.

"We've got a lot of work to do…"

[Carys]

They may have had a head start, but we have the faster horses. I thought smugly as my Paragons and I passed those three fools. Seems the wind got knocked out of Soul's sails. How sad.

It was half past sunset. Still half a day of riding left before reaching the cultist occupied village of Westmarch. How did we know it was occupied by cultists? The missing persons' cases coupled with large imports of ink sacs from the Western Ocean. You needed ink sacs for black dye, and you needed black dye for black-dyed leather caps.

Usually, I would skirt around cultist occupied villages to avoid detection as much as possible. Now more than ever since my identity as the Angel of Death was out there. But this was the perfect chance to do a little fishing with my latest bait, as well as partake in a bit of interrogation.

I'd tell the three once we got there about what they'd do. Until then, I was content to show the overwhelming difference in our skills by besting them in a race they instigated.

With the night came the dark. Mobs began to spawn across our path. Zombies and Spiders were hardly a problem to avoid, but the Creepers and Skeletons were hazardous to the untrained rider. I pulled out my bow and dexterously shot any creatures that dared to stand in my way, Dyson, Devers, and Buckner doing the same.

Not to be outdone, the Beginners cleared the Mobs before them using the black spikes fired from Floyd's arms. MultiAura, he called it. Any Skeletons that fired back were blocked by Noman's shield, and Soul just smashed through any opposition with his axe.

Not one of them used a bow. They relied on one another too much. That was a weakness, considering their archer was with the other group.

Speaking of which, tonight would be the first night of the eastern group setting off. I checked my map in between dealing with the Mobs and noted with satisfaction that all the blips were accounted for, even the hidden ones stalking them from the shadows. Furthermore, Baltic sent a map message in Morse Code, signaling that all was well. No trouble from Cobb to report. Seems the fisherman was playing nice… for now.

We'll see how long it lasts.

I definitely had a hold of his three friends, though. They wouldn't dream of starting something so soon after that thrashing. Not while it was still fresh in their minds. They were jumpy and skittish around me all day. It was adorable how they slept in shifts, thinking I'd kill them in their sleep. I wouldn't do that.

Well… maybe if Cobb were here I'd be tempted…

A Zombie crossed our path and I swiftly dispatched it with my scythe. Nothing could slow our ride to Westmarch.

Nothing but a report from Jillian over in Nitebane.

I slowed down considerably when I read the news coming from her Morse Code map blip. Apparently, a set of new Enchantments were discovered following the latest Bounty Day. The people in Nitebane were in a frenzy over it, spending the accrued EXP from the factories to discover the secrets of Channeling, Impaling, Loyalty, and Riptide.

Unfortunately, the new enchantments were uncompatible with any existing tool or weapon. The enchanting specialists believed it had to do with a new tool they witnessed from the Bounty Day vision—the trident—but the tool proved elusive. No known recipe for it and no Bounty Day knowledge on where to find it. They were still working, but research would be slow-going.

The idea of a new weapon interested me. Tridents were in the same polearm family as scythes. Maybe I'd even feel more natural wielding one.

It was something to look forward to.

Jillian also had questions regarding our group splitting up. I hoped Baltic would explain it over on his end so as to not worry the woman. He was always the more patient one.

[Floyd]

As we rode along and I dispatched Mobs with my MultiAura, I couldn't help but glare at the back of Carys' head, reminding myself of how useless I had been during the fight yesterday. She and her Paragons paralyzed me without much effort, and right after I promised Cobb I'd keep everyone on our end safe.

He made me in charge for a reason. It couldn't be Soul who was prone to violence and recklessness, and it couldn't be Noman who was prone to peace and passiveness. Cobb knew me the longest, and he knew enough to entrust me with protecting everyone despite Noman having the artifacts.

The Paragons think they have me all figured out. I thought to myself. They think they know what my Hacks are. They think I'm controlled by my own power. Well, I'll show them.

The Paragons weren't the only ones who learned something from that fight. When Kalmarin had thrown all those Weakness and Slowness Potions down, I noticed that, while Kalmarin was slowed, he could still move so long as his Hack was active. So long as his Strength Hack was active. Same way I could move at normal speeds when I was hit with a Slowness Potion, albeit weaker from the Weakness Potion.

The Speed Hack could counter the Slowness effect, just as the Strength Hack could counter the Weakness effect. Didn't that mean the two combined could make a Hacker immune to the two potion paralysis combo?

That's what I wanted. Immunity. No more getting frozen. No more having to worry about splash potions. I wanted to manifest the Strength Hack, like Kalmarin and Thed and Null. But Hacks were tied to deep emotions.I remembered the three facets taught by Sandra and Winslow. Willpower, Muscle, and Emotion.

"Hacks are commanded through Willpower..." I muttered to myself, willing my MultiAura to bubble to the surface.

"...strengthened like a Muscle..." I muttered next, remembering all the training I put in so that activating it was second nature.

"...and evolved through our thoughts and Emotions." The surge of righteous anger pooled around my arms as dark vapor and shot forth razor sharp spikes that riddled a hapless Zombie to death.

There. I knew the steps. I had a basis to start from. I just needed to mold my thoughts and emotions into the kind of Hack I was looking for. The Strength Hack.

I want to be strong. I thought to myself, chanting it like a mantra with every gallop of my horse. I want to be strong... No, I am strong. I am strong.

Hacks were mind over matter. There could be no wanting from me. I had to believe with all my heart that I was strong if I wanted that power.

I am strong. I am strong. I am strong.

Inventory (Floyd): 1 Mob Head {Creeper}, 1 Iron Sword, 1 Diamond Helmet [Projectile Protection IV], 1 Diamond Chestplate [Projectile Protection IV], 1 Diamond Leggings [Projectile Protection IV], 1 Iron Pickaxe, 2 Iron Ingots, 64 Steak, 58 Steak, 2 Sticks, 31 Coal, 20 Torches, 1 Fishing Rod, 1 Furnace, 1 Crafting Table, 1 Minecart, 1 Bed, 1 Boat, 1 Diamond Boots [Projectile Protection IV], 16 Gunpowder, 16 Ender Pearls, 2 Ender Pearls, 1 Splash Potion of Invisibility {6:00}, 1 Bucket, 1 Map {Minecraftia}, 1 Book {Citizenship Information}, 1 Paper {Ringwood Entry Pass}, 1 Paper {Zeppil Entry Pass}

[EXP: 32]

Stratus the Horse

Inventory (Soul): 1 Diamond Axe [Sharpness V], 1 Iron Pickaxe, 64 Iron Ingots, 28 Iron Ingots, 20 Flint, 12 Gold Ingots, 1 Milk Bucket, 1 Diamond Helmet [Protection IV, Unbreaking III], 1 Iron Chestplate, 1 Diamond Leggings [Protection IV, Unbreaking III], 1 Diamond Boots [Protection IV, Feather Falling IV, Unbreaking III], 1 Crafting Table, 1 Bed, 1 Furnace, 24 Torches, 34 White Wool, 58 Dirt, 64 Cobblestone, 62 Cobblestone, 32 Jungle Wood Planks, 1 Armor Stand, 64 Steak, 9 Cooked Mutton, 1 Map {Minecraftia}, 1 Book {Citizenship Information}, 1 Paper {Ringwood Entry Pass}, 1 Paper {Zeppil Entry Pass}

[EXP: 25]

Long-Face the Horse

Cat-Face the Cat

Inventory (Noman): 1 Diamond Sword [Sharpness I], 1 Diamond Chestplate {Severe Shield}, 1 Leather Boots {Bottes Zephyr} [Dyed White], 1 Green Shield [Beginners], 1 Flint and Steel, 1 Milk Bucket, 6 Buckets, 2 Cobblestone, 1 Bed, 1 Crafting Table, 5 Ender Chests, 16 Ender Pearls, 5 Ender Pearls, 1 Nether Star, 60 Steak, 3 Phantom Membranes, 1 Splash Potion of Healing II, 1 Book {Citizenship Information}, 1 Paper {Zeppil Entry Pass}, 1 Paper {Akasha Entry Pass}, 1 Map {Minecraftia}, 1 Enchanted Golden Apple, 1 Diamond Helmet, 1 Iron Chestplate, 1 Diamond Leggings, 1 Diamond Boots

[EXP: 26]

Snow the Horse

AN: Soul learns that cats can teleport to their owner unless you tell them to sit and stay.

I'm a bit tired, and this lackluster Chapter ain't helping. Sorry. Next Chapter will be interesting, though. Count on it.

To make up for it, have an Omake that I totally didn't have my arm twisted to write. Non-canon, for obvious reasons.

Omake: What Could Have Been

Cobb and Floyd were just declared wanted criminals by Nitebane. Ringwood was no longer safe. The Beginners had to flee the kingdom, and there was no better time than now, while they were planning to obtain the airship for sale in Zeppil.

Wynn was saying her final goodbyes to the trio within the hidden Inhouse. Erin was there too, eyes watery that Cobb was forced to leave… and the others, of course.

This wasn't fair. Cobb was the kindest, noblest, smartest, cutest, and most oblivious guy there was. How could Nitebane call him an Endward Cult Executive? If it wasn't for them, he wouldn't be forced to leave before they even had a chance to grow closer.

Now Erin had to watch him run off on an adventure, sure that he'd meet hundreds of thirsty girls. Then, he'd reciprocate feelings with one of them—an adventurer, like him, not a housekeeper, like her—and the two would heroically slay evil together followed my tender moments. Oooh! It burned her up just thinking about it!

…No.

No, she couldn't let it end like this. This was her love she was talking about. If she was willing to just step aside and let it fade away, then how much did it really mean to her? She wanted to be with Cobb. She was no adventurer, but she would work hard to be the kind of woman Cobb would want by his side!

"I'm coming too!" She blurted out before Cobb, Floyd, and Lenz could leave. Everyone looked at her with wide eyes.

"…What was that?" Cobb asked.

"I'm going with you. I want to be an adventurer—no, I want to be by your side, Cobb." She implored, rushing over and grabbing him by his hoodie. "Please. Make me a Beginner. I promise I won't be a burden. I'll learn how to defend myself. I know I will so long as I'm with you."

"Are you NUTS!?" Wynn bellowed, coming over and grabbing her crazy housekeeper. "They're going to be on the run and you have zero combat experience! I can't allow you to risk your life!"

"You can't stop me, Miss Whispers." Erin responded fiercely. "I'm going, even if I have to drag myself on hands and knees."

"No offense, Erin," Cobb began, "but I think Wynn's right about this. We're going to be on the lam, spending every day together..."

Erin blushed.

"…shunned by society, only able to find solace in one another…"

Erin placed a hand over her chest to steady her beating heart.

"…facing life or death situations on the daily, causing us to cast aside inhibitions and just do whatever we want. We'd become slaves to our whims. Swept up in the heat of the moment, bursting with anxious energy, desperate to relieve stress…"

"You're not helping!" Wynn shouted as Erin started to breathe heavily with her tongue hanging out, drool dribbling down her chin. "Cobb, Erin's infatuated with you! That's the only reason why she's recklessly suggesting this!"

"…What?" Cobb was taken by surprise, blushing himself. "Erin, where is this coming from?"

"You mean you never saw the signs!?" Floyd asked incredulously. "Were you taking stupid pills whenever she was around?"

"Well, now that you mention it, I always thought it weird how she'd sleepwalk into my bed every night. Erin, you'd become an adventurer just to be with me?"

"Of course I would." She reached out and touched his hand, sliding her small fingers between his. "Maybe this is just a crush, but I genuinely want to grow closer to you. Being with you makes me happy. Isn't it that simple for relationships to start?"

"I… I mean, I wouldn't know." He admitted shyly. "I've never been in one."

"Do you not want to?" She asked, her voice trembling and her eyes watering.

"I… I don't know…"

"Cobb. No." Wynn chastised. "Don't go along with this. Think about what's right for Erin, a housekeeper with no combat experience, going with you while you're hunted down by bounty hunters."

So what? People used to think Cobb had no experience, yet he used what he knew to fight and even took out a Hacker. It was Erin's choice if she wanted to risk her life, and she was willing to change for him. He'd be a heartless monster to shoot her down. Plus, it sounded like she was going through with this whether she got his approval or not.

"Please, Cobb." She pleaded. "I want to give this a chance."

"Well… if you're sure… I won't stop you." Cobb conceded.

Erin squealed in happiness before enveloping Cobb in a tight hug. "Thank you, thank you, thank you! You won't regret it, I promise!"

A Skeleton was marching forward, lining its bow up to shoot Soul. However, its shot was thrown off after a stream of eggs came pelting at it.

"I've got it pinned! Finish it off!" Erin cried while flinging the eggs. Floyd darted in anddispatched it with his sword, finishing the skeletal archer off for good.

"You know Erin, you have a good throwing arm." Lenz praised. "Instead of eggs, have you thought about chucking splash potions? You could be the guild's alchemist, providing support with potions or else weakening our foes."

"Is alchemy hard?"

"Brett's done it a bit." Floyd supplied. "You need nether warts and water bottles as a base. A brewing stand to cook them. Oh, and blaze powder. Brett's been complaining about the latest Bounty Day requiring blaze powder as fuel."

"Then you need a lot of ingredients." Soul ticked off his fingers. "Magma creams, sugar, fermented spider eyes, redstone dust, glowstone dust, gunpowder, golden carrots, glistering melons, Ghast tears, etc."

Erin was hurriedly scribbling the list down on a book and quill. "Heating up ingredients, many of them consumables. So, it's just like cooking?"

"…Some drug makers call it that, yes."

"Alright, so I just need a brewing stand and blaze powder and then we can cook!"

"…Ahhhh."

When the group reached Jolin, Erin demonstrated her haggling prowess and got the Beginners a good deal on the Grass Blocks unearthed by their Silk Touch Shovel. With so many emeralds, they were able to secure the brewing supplies Erin desired.

"Okay, so, what should I make first?" She asked eagerly. "Swiftness? Strength? Regeneration?"

"How about we start with a nice Potion of Healing?" Cobb suggested.

"You got it!" Erin cheered, getting right to work. She set down the brewing stand and filled it with water bottles, blaze powder for fuel, and a nether wart for the base. She shook with excitement as it bubbled away, already combining gold nuggets with melon to make the glistering melon.

While Cobb was watching her work, he felt a tap on his shoulder. He turned around and was greeted by a familiar pretty smile.

"Jade? Is that you?"

"In the flesh." She presented herself. "It's been a while since I saw you. How've you been?"

Erin looked over, her expression darkening as she took a look at the green-haired woman chatting up Cobb. She took out a spider eye and angrily fermented it with sugar and a brown mushroom. Once the base Awkward Potion was made, she added the glistering melon.

"Nice try, Jade, but there's no way you don't know I'm a wanted criminal."

"Okay, you got me." She said playfully. "But I know you're not a cultist Executive. That news from Nitebane is a bunch of lies. I've heard how you saved Halstatt. A hero like that could never be evil. Plus, I've been helping you stay a step ahead of the authorities and bounty hunters since you left Ringwood."

The Healing Potion was made, and Erin quickly slipped in the fermented spider eye while weighing between the glowstone dust and the gunpowder. Maybe if she had more time, she could use the glowstone dust, but right now the gunpowder was the priority.

"So… you were that green-haired Crafter? Why would you do something like that for me?"

"Well, I'd like to join your guild and help you out." She leaned forward, fluttering her eyelashes prettily. "If you'll have me?" She added innocently.

"Uh… I… I mean…"

"Hey, Cobb! I finished the potions! Here!"

Next thing anyone knew, three Splash Potions of Harming were chucked at Jade's face. She cried out from the nine Hearts of damage, rubbing to clear her eyes, and unknowingly fumbling off the railing of Jolin's suspended bridges. The last thing she cried out in her fall was:

"How'd she know I was baaaaaaaaaad!?"

"Oops, my mistake. I made Harming Potions. Guess I need more practice." Erin bonked herself on the head cutely while Cobb looked over the railing at the pile of gear that used to be AceOfJades.

"Erin… you just killed a woman!"

"No. I squashed a bug." She replied darkly.

Cobb took a step away from the housekeeper, thoroughly terrified.

There. Erin as a Beginner. Don't you feel happier now knowing it never happened?

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