I’ve been walking around these ruins for hours and haven’t seen a single soul. Where the hell did everyone go? I must’ve killed about a hundred of them the other day but there were so many there’s no way the rest could’ve just disappeared. At this rate I’ll never get the nomads approval and that means no puss puss. I decided to start following a pair of footprints I found. I’m no tracking expert but they look relatively new compared to other prints around here. Eventually, I came across a person. They were all alone, and upon closer inspection he looked familiar. I got too close and he noticed me. “Master!?” He called out. I remembered where I recognized him from now, this is the guy whose dick I shot off on the first night I first came here. He came running over to me and gave me a big hug and yelled out, “I so happy me found you!”
“Uhhh…” I have no idea how to react to this. He asked me, “What you doing here?” I said, “Just passing by, what’re you doing here?” He said, “I looking for new friends! Me lost old buddies, me hear there lots of people here but can’t find any.”
I told him, “Yeah same, I was just here the other day and this place was packed with bandits.” He asked me, “You kill all of them?” I said, “Nah but I did kill a lot of them, even the guys that were running this place.” Then he yelled, “Wow you amazing master! Me think the rest get scared and run away.” I said, “Yeah that’s probably what happened.” Why does this guy keep calling me master? “What you do now?” He asked. I said, “I dunno, Do you know where any old bandit hideouts are?” He said, “The prison.” I told him, “I’ve already been there.” And he replied quietly, “Oh yeah…”
He placed his hand on his chin and postured himself in a somewhat stoic thinking position. If he wasn’t dressed like a clown I’d probably take him seriously. “Hmm… MINE!” He screamed. I said, “Huh? What’s yours?” Then he yelled, “No, mine! Like diggy hole.” while making a shoveling motion with his hands. I asked him, “Oh is there a bandit camp in the mine?” He mumbled back, “Mhm.” Then I asked, “Sweet where is it?” He screamed and pointed, “That way!”
“Alright thanks.” I started to walk off but he followed me. I asked him, “Where’re you going?” He replied, “With you.” And I said, “Oh…” I wasn’t expecting him to follow me. I really hope he just wants to come and meet the bandits instead of hanging with me, I don’t wanna have to deal with this cuckoo head and I already know the nomads are gonna freak if I bring him back.
We walked over to the outskirts of the ruins. About a mile from where the old buildings started to end there was a large cave entrance with a small number of bandits standing outside it. We approached them calmly with our weapons holstered. The bandits drew theirs and tried attacking us immediately. “Wait you guys!” I said, “My buddy here is looking for a new group.” They showed no signs of slowing down. “Hold up guys just wait a second and listen.” They weren’t listening. I took my gun out and shot one of the bandits at nearly point blank range. I shouldn’t have let him get that close but I really wanted to give them a chance so I could drop off psycho man with them. I shot the other bandits that were outside and more of them slowly started to emerge from the cave as they heard the commotion outside. The psycho I was with had a large ball and chain that he flailed around with more coordination than I anticipated. He was able to fend off multiple bandits all on his own with ease. I guess it’s not surprising since he was able to survive all alone out here.
It wasn’t long until the bandits were cleared out. Unfortunately these guys didn’t have any good loot like my vest but I still got a good feeling about this cave. The nomads mentioned they can’t stay in one place for too long but this could be the solution to that. There’s only one entrance so if they could defend that they’d be able to live in the cave no problem. I brainstormed ways to keep bandits out of the cave then it hit me, we could set up some kind of doorway that can only be opened from the inside. And when the nomads come back from gathering supplies they could use a secret knock or passcode. As long as one person stays inside the cave at all times they should be fine. It’s getting late, it looks like the sun is about to set soon. I could spend the night here but to be honest, I still don’t trust that bandit that’s been following me around, I’d rather not sleep with him. I decided to try and hurry back to the nomads before nightfall. I couldn’t make it before the sun fully set, I tried to use the opportunity to lose the psycho in the darkness but he was on my ass! Eventually I gave up on trying to get rid of him. I don’t know how I’ll convince the others that he’s not a threat but I guess I’ll cross that road when I get there.
“So uh… What’s your name?” I asked. He said, “Me name Killer, it mean person who kills in me native language.” Who the hell named their kid Killer? And wait a minute, did it auto translate his name? I wonder if that happened with Voyd too. “Uhh nice to meet you, my name’s Jeff.”
We kept walking and talking but the conversation was a little weird. He kept asking me things like how many people I’ve killed and robbed. I’m having second thoughts about taking him back, this guy is not normal! I tried my best to steer the conversation away from death and destruction. I asked him, “Where’d you get that mask from? I haven’t seen any like it around here.” He said, “I find it at the beach!” I said, “Really?” And he replied, “Yeah!”
If he found that gas mask washed up on shore then that means there must be some modern society out there somewhere. I wonder if it’s on that other continent the goddess mentioned or if it’s one of the Islands. But why haven’t they come here? I know it’s dangerous but if they have gas masks and kevlar then technology wise they should be at least up to the level of our world during WWI. All I have is a gun and I’ve been just fine out here, if they had tanks they could take over this place easily so why haven’t they done it yet? I can’t come up with an answer for that but for now I need to think about what I’m gonna tell the nomads about Killer.
I couldn’t think of anything. When we got back the few nomads that were awake and standing watch made such a ruckus that everyone woke up and to no surprise none of them wanted Killer anywhere near them. I decided to make up a story about me saving his life then he swore his loyalty to me, it’s not too far from the truth and it should be believable enough. They were still reluctant however and I don’t blame them. They agreed to let Killer stay as long as he kept his distance from the group. Killer was fine with it so he went back and stood far away from the rest of us.
“Where’s the loot you promised?” One of the nomads asked. I said, “I couldn’t find anything useful to bring back but I did find something better.” They asked, “What is it?” I told them, “You’ll have to see it for yourself, I’ll take you all there in the morning.” Then one of the nomads said, “Oh no no no! We still don’t trust you yet!” I asked, “Why not!?” They said, “You said you would bring us back something useful and you brought nothing. Now you want us to follow you blindly? For all we know you could be bringing us to an ambush.” I told them, “C’mon! If I wanted to attack you guys I could’ve done it already.” The nomads hesitated to say something like they couldn’t come up with a rebuttal then one of them spoke up, “Well it doesn’t help that you came back with that thing!” He said while pointing at Killer, “For all we know you could be working with the bandits to get easy loot from us!”
These guys are pissing me off. They’re so unused to help from others that they think I’m more dangerous then someone who’ll attack them on the spot. I don’t know if I’ll ever gain these guys’ trust. I said, “Well do you trust your daughter? I could just bring her there tomorrow and she’ll tell you it’s legit.” The nomads thought for a moment and said, “Hmm… Yes, that should be acceptable. But remember, if we sense any funny business we have your daughter as hostage too.” Jeez, do I really look that old? I guess time flies in prison. I said, “That’s not my daughter.” They responded, “Wha-? Really? Who the hell is she then?” I said, “I dunno, I just found her.” Then they asked me, “Well, do you care about her?” I hesitated, “Umm…” I should just say yes. “Yes.”
“Alright then. It’s settled. You’ll head out with Robertha first thing in the morning and bring that freak along with you!” Everyone dispersed and either went back to bed or to their lookout post for the night. While everyone was sleeping in tents next to the wagon, Killer was all alone about fifty yards from the camp sleeping in the dirt. I kinda feel bad for him, he might be a hyper-aggressive weirdo with no social skills but he looks lonely over there in the cuck corner.
As soon as dawn hit we were woken up by the lookout men. I took Ro and Killer straight to the cave. On the way making small talk was difficult, probably because there wasn’t much the three of us had in common. Eventually Ro got tired of it and snapped at me. “Alright look!” She said, “I agreed to come adventuring with you guys but that doesn’t mean I wanna be friends. I’m only doing this to get away from my bitch ass parents that’s all.”
“What the hell!? I save you from those bandits and this is the thanks I get?” I shouted. Ro yelled back at me, “I never asked you to save me!” Then I said, “Yeah well because of me you’re actually gonna be able to go out and see the world instead of being stuck up in some ruins your whole life!”
“I don’t care about that,” Ro said, “I just wanted to have some fun before I die! And what the hell is up with this guy!?” Ro shouted while pointing at Killer. “What? Me?” Said Killer. “Yes you! Do you help all the freaks you come across?” Ro asked me, “Cus if you do I want no part of it!” She yelled. I told her, “This was a one time thing, Most bandits try to kill me so I kill them. But he’s different, he didn’t mindlessly attack me so he’s good enough in my book.” She replied, “Hmpf, whatever. Just don’t make me hang out with more weirdos like that.”
Goddamn why is she so rude? Killer’s standing right there and he’s like twice her size! What’s she gonna do if he gets angry? I definitely don’t wanna step in especially after all the shit she’s been talking. I should’ve tried to convince her that bitch was a good nickname. The worst part is I probably gotta give up on operation pull some pussy until further notice.
After some more silent walking we eventually made it to the mine. I showed Ro around and explained to her my one way door plan. “Yeah this could work.” She said, “And then my parents wouldn’t have a problem with me leaving if I know where to come back and find them.” She seems to have cheered up a bit. We kept looking around the mine, there was plenty of space to give people their own living space as well as a large area that could be used as a common room near the entrance. This place was perfect. We soon left and made it back to the camp before nightfall. Ro told them all about the cave and said if they let her leave, she’d promise to come back and visit. Her parents said, “If this place is really as good as you say it is, then we’ll let you go out adventuring.” Ro gave them a big hug and told them “Thank you.”
“Did anything happen while we were gone?” I asked. They said, “A small bandit group came by but we were able to hold them off without any trouble.” Then I asked them, “Was anyone hurt?” They said, “Yes but your friend was able to heal us no problem… Actually she’s also the one who scared the bandits off.” I replied in surprise, “For real?” They said, “Yes, her wind magic is incredible! It might even be on par with the other elves.”
“The other elves?” I asked. They said,“The elves in the forest east of here, everyone knows not to venture too deep into the forest or else the elves will get you.” Then I said, “Don’t you mean the forest to the west?” They replied, “Umm no it’s definitely to the east, it’s where the sun sets.”
Ohhh I see, in this world the sun rises in the west and sets in the east. That’ll take a little while to get used to. We decided to go to the cave in the morning and we spent the last hours of the day learning more magic from Voyd. When it was time for bed we all went back to our tents except for Killer who had to sleep in the cuck corner again. They didn’t need me for lookout duty so I was able to get the best night’s sleep I’ve had since I came here and I woke up the next morning nice and refreshed.
Isekai: God Let Me Keep My Glock 