Chapter 83: Curios conversations

Having accumulated a terrifying sleep debt; I slept until the afternoon of the next day. I know scientists argue about said ‘sleep debts’ but if you don’t sleep for long periods, you sleep longer when you finally succumb.

Recalling all the news outlets and random scientific videos I watched in hopes of having a better night's sleep. All repeating the same few pieces of advice before adding on their own piece. Relax, make sure you comfortable, no blue light before bed, no phones, eat an hour before bed, let your room be a little cold, and a massive load more small bits of information. Simply impossible for anyone working any meaningful amounts.

The funniest part about the terrifyingly large checklist is the fact reading said checklist before bed breaks one of the rules. Having broken through the morning exhaustion while thinking over the topic; I begin my day.

Stretching in similarity to a cat before getting my body moving. A little bit of movement helps drive away lingering tiredness, virtual reality in my last life helped this immensely. Just stick the thing on and play, nothing more complicated than that. Recalling buying that expensive ass quest with my bro, split the cost and everything. A battle royal to figure out who got to play it… I let him win; he was more excited than me to play it.

I suppose having died… means he has full ownership now, I hope… he takes care of it. Those little fights for random stuff, I miss them. Leaving my room and going for a job, pushing thoughts of home away. Home is gone now… no point lingering; good memories that’s all it is now.

This place has been mostly good memories as well, great people, awesome food, and general freedom for almost anything. Suddenly feeling a cold shiver as my hands become clammy with sweat, yeah best not to think on that little scar of my time here either, it's not productive either; so, let's rock and roll.

Turning my light jog into a full sprint, running around my island before collapsing in a hot sweaty mess at my door. Between breaths, I begin to think about what needs doing today, aside from the mayor's final ship. First, let's whip up the final ship, an easy build given one has already been made. After that? Well, the islands up to date in maintenance, and I don’t really have any major plans. I’ll take some time out of the day to grind some magic experience; maybe work on a better experience spell.

Saying hello to Jengal sounds like a bit of fun, haven’t seen him in a little bit. Okay ship first, quickly teleporting back to the field housing the ships. World shifting back into clarity I find a rather startled young man in front of me. Grasping his chest while breathing deeply, perspiration drips down his golden complexion. Stepping back, “Sorry, didn’t know you would be here when I teleported.” Holding out a hand to help him, he looks at my hand then at me before screaming “Sorry!” and running away at Mach 10.

“Oops.” Looking around, a massive quantity of people are milling around, measuring the ships, writing, and carrying building blocks. Spotting a few ships in construction already; very quick. Realising I’ll have an audience while crafting my next ship; I best work hard. Focusing my mind on the act, checking my materials, and grasping my builder's wand – I begin.

In record time, whizzing around like a housefly; blocks appearing quickly. The builder’s wand making the construction a cakewalk once the foundations were in place. Enjoying the stares of amazement as the ship comes into shape extremely quickly. While building I hear a murmur from a younger builder, “Why don't we just let this guy do our jobs; he's pretty quick.”

An older gentleman in rough leather replies, “Pal, that there is a pro; expensive, let him do his thing and get back to work you, tea maker.” As he slaps the back of the young builder jokingly. They both share a slightly forced laugh before getting back to their respective tasks.

Dusting off my armor before descending to the ground, “all done; not a bad time I suppose.” Now let's go visit Jengal, walking along the damp grass leading to the town. Man, this grass would suck if my armor was all-inclusive; covering me head to toe. Nodding in appreciation at the builders working in such damp terrain; harder workers than me.

Finally reaching the cobblestone paths of the town, and appreciating the drier stony paths. Walking along them allowed far more traction than that slippery grass. Knowing me it was a matter of time before slipping on my ass.

Mindlessly thinking about random things before coming to a stop. Senses returning, I find my autopilot has found me in front of Jengals house, scary but fine; ‘knock, knock.’

“Hello, coming; on way, don’t worry.” I hear in a barely audible quick tone. Shaking my head at Jengal before the door opens to the energetic gentlemen.

Dressed in smart black clothing, a small piece of jewelry hanging from his collar with a sweet smell around him. “Going somewhere?”

He looks around, “Me? No, nowhere; practicing, trying clothes for a date.” He says in a slight fluster.

Chuckling at his broken voice, “Don’t worry, you look and smell great; now you busy? was just popping round to hang out.”

Slowing down noticeably, “I've got a couple hours to burn, come in.” Ushering me inside like a high priest to his flock. Looking to the side I see his mother working on carving some kind of metal cube… “Jengal, what does your mother do as a job?”

She perks up slightly, looking over; “Could just ask me.” An annoyed tone filling her voice.

“Sorry, sorry; my own social inadequacies, so… what do you do?” Being as apologetic as possible.

“Everything, I do everything.” She says before getting back to her work. I look pleadingly at Jengal, he doesn’t notice and just continues walking. I’ll ask another day, doesn’t look like I’m getting an answer.

Sitting down on his sofa with him. He sets down a small number of biscuits for our consumption. Removing my helmet to eat the ginger-like biscuits. Looking over I see Jengal staring, realization hitting me… “You haven’t seen my new appearance, have you?”

“Nope.” He answers emptily while staring through me.

“Consider is an example of what genetic modifications will do to your body.” Watching his head dip into an absentminded nod.

“As cool as I look, shouldn’t you stop staring by now?” Starting to feel unnerved at the attention.

“Sorry, you just look a little like my dad with those eyes.” Narrowing my eyes slightly, confused more than anything.

“That’s odd, why did he have cat's eyes?” Jengal suddenly shying away a little, confliction filling his face. “You don’t have to tell me if you don’t want to.” And with that little bit of social manipulation, he spills a little bit of his secret.

Relaxing slightly, “He didn’t speak much about it, he was a… te… test subject. Always covered the eyes with heavy glasses to hide them.” His mood falling slightly.

“I’m sorry I didn’t mean to…”

Shaking his head and forcing a smile, “Don’t worry about it.”

“Can I ask where he is now?” Immediately regretting asking as his eyes look a little wet.

“No, you cannot.” In the hardest most aggressive voice, I've ever heard from him. Even his mother looks over having heard it before getting back to work.

“Alright, no problem. Whatever is behind it, sorry for asking.”

His mood quickly bouncing back he returns with some deflection, “So… whats with those ships the towns talking about?”

Smiling slightly, “Trying to improve the transportation of this place, carriages are garbage.”

He laughs slightly, “Not that bad; I've spent over a month in one before. Slow but effective, you will never ascend above their popularity; not with the air hazards.”

“Do tell, what air hazards?”

“Well, you got harpies, air flying thingies, and dragons. Some over nasty things too but generally they are very place specific.” He says while gazing blankly at the wall to think.

“Whats air flying thingies?” Curios of such an oddly broad yet specific mention.

“Yellow blobs of stuff, pop out during bad storms. Bad omens and they are hell if you hit one while flying. Seen what happened once from a carriage, dragon banged right into the yellow ball; the dragon went down like a rock from the sky.”

“Sounds like a giant mine in the air?”

“They move, and alive too… I think; generally speaking, they move and stick to warmer climates.”

“Interesting, shame you haven’t got a name I could look into.” He just shrugs.

His mother speaks from behind me startling me, where did she come from? “We don’t have a name for them, some call them flying bombs others dragon’s bane. No one ever got close enough to one to actually figure out what they are or anything we could use to officially classify them. All we know from carriages during traveling and hearsay is they are nearly invisible from above so dragons hit them often and their blast radius is massive. Although it generally doesn’t damage the terrain for some reason.”

“Something to avoid while I fly then.”

They both nod, “Definitely.” His mother says before shooting a glance at Jengal. Flinching at her gaze before removing his flying belt and putting it on the side.

As quickly as she appeared, she disappeared. Turning to Jengal, “So any thoughts on your reward?”

“Well… It feels wrong to get anything more off you. You are so generous you have upped our living standers for the lower to upper-middle class.” Looking at me with an unreadable expression... a pregnant pause filling the room. “From what you pay me you could find an army of people to look for the stuff you need… not just… me.”

Shocked by his words, I didn’t feel that generous. “Errm, sorry… why am I saying sorry? You’re getting paid a bunch.” Chortling at my own silliness. “Look, if it's so much of a bother use the damn money to hire the people for me. Tell you what here,” I say before a loud ‘clank’ rings the room as I drop a large number of diamonds on the counter. His eyes glistening like jewels, “Hire a team of people and hunt down rare and unknown items along with anything I ask specifically for.”

He hesitates briefly, before carefully stowing away the jewels. If you too generous just double down until it's too much to care. After the gems were put away, he nods, shooting his mother a look before going off to do something in his room. He returns with a wooden box holding 6 Tarma roots, “Damn boy, thanks. I don’t need any more after this but thank you; this will do nicely.” Closing the well-crafted wooden box, tracing my fingers over the wooden swirls carved into the box. Clasping the lock closed and throwing it into my bag of holding.

“Jengal, you know; thanks, I don’t just appreciate your hard work but your friendship… so stay safe and have a good one,” I say before leaving; a hand full of biscuits I hastily munch on before exiting his house, with few other pleasantries exchanged.

Walking away from the house with conflicted emotions, was a bit heavy-hearted compared to my normal interactions with him, something happened… I don’t know what. One day I hope Jengal will trust me enough to tell me. Steadying my heart rate as I leave the vicinity of his house towards the market.

Finding comfort in the business of the market that rarely sleeps. It's startling the difference between my past and current life. From an introvert who despises social interactions to someone who finds comfort in other people. The difference is strange even to me, I wonder why it changed.

While I'm here, I’ll grab some food, see if the spice merchants got anything interesting.