I awoke to the sound of clanging in the kitchen and a savory aroma in the air. I got up off the couch and investigated, figuring that was probably the lady. Speaking of, I should probably find out her name.

Upon entering the kitchen, I saw the oven alight and the woman searing meat on it. I was a little bit curious how she managed to cook without electricity, but decided to hold my questions.

A little bit later, we were both seated in the kitchen and enjoying some finely cooked steak. The stillness hung heavily in the air for a few minutes as we ate the meal, save for the sound of our chewing. Finally, I broke the awkward silence.

“I’m sorry, I never introduced myself properly. I’m Seamus-” I hesitated for just a moment. “- and thank you for saving me.”

Her face stretched into a grin and small crinkles appeared around her eyes.

“I’m Agnes, and it was no big deal. Thank you for buying my merchandise,” she replied, before narrowing her eyes.

“You paid on credit. Now, I won’t get that money.”

I raised my hands in surrender.

“Yeah, sorry about that. I guess it wouldn’t matter anymore, right?”

“I suppose you’re right,” she grumbled.

She cleared her plate and I followed suit, dumping it into the sink.

“So, what are you planning on doing today?” Agnes questioned.

I thought about it for a couple of seconds, mulling it over in my head. On one hand, I could go and try to defeat the goblin dungeon again. That would probably not be a very smart idea, but it is one nonetheless.

The second option is to stay here and try to rescue survivors. With more people, perhaps it would be easier to defeat the dungeon later.

Finally, I could just stay here. That really wasn’t an option, but it held some merit. Of course, it would be hard to be entertaining, which would likely spell the end of my revivals.

“I’m thinking I’ll go through the city looking for survivors. Should I send them here, or somewhere else?”

“They should go somewhere else. My house is not suited for people. I haven’t even cleaned!”

I nodded, then rose from my seat. The streets outside were mostly empty, but as I opened the door I checked behind me and saw Agnes peering over my shoulder.

“I’m going alone, you’re too-”

She cut me off. “Are you daft? I’m coming with you.”

“No you’re-”

“Are you forgetting yesterday? I don’t even know how you managed to heal from those injuries, but you are clearly daft if you think that you could handle those creatures alone,” she interjected, not letting me get even a single word in edgewise.

“And I’m not some helpless old woman! I have my secrets too, mister, ‘I can take on a whole horde of invaders’,” she huffed.

I stood still in disbelief. Had I just been scolded?

“Uh... okay, you can join me then,” I replied, shock coloring my voice.

“Then let’s go! Time’s a-wastin’!”

I shook my head, but went ahead and gathered my equipment.

Some time later, we were both standing at the door. She was holding a sword and shield, surprising me. You would think that the weight would be too much, but apparently she was stronger than I had previously thought.

“You ready?” I asked.

“More ready than you are!”

“... Okay then.”

I twisted the handle of the door, revealing the outside world in all of its glory. That is to say, a dirty, empty street.

Stepping out, a wave of disgust swept over me. The nauseous fumes in nearby houses made my nose cry out in agony. I swiftly returned to the house, unable to stand the stench that pervaded the streets.

“Do you have any nose blockers?” I asked while pinching my nose.

“I can go look,” she offered.

I nodded in confirmation as she turned back and began to rifle through various piles of junk in the room. They were mostly full of random household items that wouldn’t be helpful given the current circumstances, but a couple garnered my interest.

A small pile in a corner held a couple of blank journals, which I figured could be helpful for later. If I can write things down, perhaps it would be easier to remember. I searched around in a couple of piles before finding a pen I could use for it, but I’d say it was worth the few minutes I spent on it.

While she was looking for something to allow us to traverse the streets, I sat down on the couch and in the moody light began to write. I scribbled down notes, such as particular events that held significant meaning, or various people I should try to interact with or avoid.

I was so focused on writing that I didn’t notice Agnes before she walloped me in the shoulder.

“WHAT WAS THAT FOR!” I yelled.

“You were too absorbed in your writing, even after I called your name out a couple of times.” She shrugged. “It’s the natural progression.”

I rubbed my shoulder and winced.

“That fucking hurt,” I whined, but put away my journal.

She held out a pair of earplugs.

“Stuff them in your nose, they should work well enough.”

I hesitantly grabbed them and plugged my nostrils. She did the same for herself. Once more I went back to the door, this time with less trepidation than before.

The streets were the same as I had seen the night prior, save for the stench that I continued to smell, albeit dulled by the makeshift nose plugs.

The streets remained void of monsters in the near vicinity, so we crept along the streets in silent trepidation. An unnatural fog hung low on the city, coating my face in fine mist.

I was no stranger to unfamiliar territory, but this was the first time I had scouted an area with somebody.

Thump.

I internally groaned. Could she be any louder?

Thump.

I turned around and glared at her, then brought a finger to my lips. She winced in shame, but then just shrugged.

Just then, a loud scream broke the stillness of the city. A shared glance, followed by a nod, had both Agnes and I sprinting down the nearest alleyway.

It’s go time.