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Volume 2 upgrade specialist chapter 20 - a sudden proposal

After giving Alice my coat to cover herself and checking her for injuries we began walking. After a few minutes of trudging in the direction of the base carbones grew impatient.

Carbones: climb onto my foot, little one. I will fly us there.

Saying so he offered his foot forward. With his colossal size he could fit both me and Alice onto his foot.

Solomon: thank you, Carbones.

Earlier on he had told me to refer to him as such. He dislike being titled as great. Stepping forward Alice and I stood on his foot, holding onto the base of his leg.

Carbones: hold on tight little one.

Giving his warning he spread out his wings. Within seconds of taking off he was already soaring over the tree's. Having been scared by the sudden speed Alice grabbed onto me. Wrapping one arm around her I pulled her into my chest.

Solomon: don't worry, I've got you. Look at the view.

With reddening cheeks Alice looked out at the sea of tree's. Occasional lights would flare up in the forest making it look like a starry sky. Looking down as we passed one of these light I caught a glimpse of two creatures fighting. The lights emitted were the results of these battles.

Carbones: is this the base?

Looking ahead I saw the waterfall that marked our base.

Solomon: It is. could I possibly ask a favour.

Carbones: what is it, little one?

Solomon: could you remove some of these dangerous creatures from the area. Though they pose no threat to me, they are fatal threats for my allies.

Carbones: I can do that, brace you ears little one.

Slightly expecting it I covered my own ears, as well as the ones of the distracted Alice.

Carbones: RAAAAAAAAAAARRRRRGGGGGGHHH

After a sharp intake of air Carbones let out a soul shaking roar. The sheer power of it caused the waterfall to momentarily fluctuate. At this point we were practically floating over the base. Looking down I could see the mass panick caused by his appearance.

Solomon: thank you.

Flying into the waterfall he let out a molten stream of fire. As the two forces collided together steam sprayed forth. Having broken through the waterfall the molten flames sprayed forth into the cave behind it. After a few seconds the fire had greatly increased the size of the cave, as well as its temperature.

Flying in Carbones landed in the centre of his newly made cavern. Getting off of his leg I began to guide Alice out of the cave. The appearance of a dragon as well as the sudden flight had left her drained.

Solomon: I will be back to see you tomorrow morning, thank you for agreeing to help me Carbones.

Carbones: think nothing of it little one, we both benefit from this. You have no reason to take my help so seriously.

Though he said so, I could tell that he was happy I had taken his help as a personal favour.

Walking out of the cave I was greeted by Gareth and Aries charging towards me.

Gareth: LEADER?

Aries: SOLOMON?

Seeing me they became dumbfounded.

Solomon: hey, I suppose I have a lot to explain. But first, let us get some fresh clothes.

At this point they both paid attention to the state of my and Alice's clothes. Aries cheeks reddened as she looked away, whereas Gareth simply lowered his head.

Gareth: sorry, leader. We will go calm down everyone else.

Taking Aries with him they left to inform everyone that they weren't in danger.

Alice having mostly recovered came with me to get changed. Arriving at our tent we entered our separate rooms to get changed. After changing I sat in the common room of the tent waiting for Alice. She came out wearing fresh clothes, carrying the coat I gave her in hand.

Solomon: have you calmed down now?

Alice: I have.

Breathing out a sigh I continued.

Solomon: I'm sorry Alice, I said I'd protect you. But now I'm upsetting you, and even putting you in danger. I've failed you.

Clenching my fists the dark emotions within me began to swirl. focusing themselves on my hatred for myself. Before I knew it Alice had dropped my coat and flung herself at me. Wrapping her arms around me, she pulled me into a tight embrace.

Solomon: huh?

Alice: you haven't failed. I'm safe now. You protected me. If you didn't chase after me I wouldn't be alive. You can't be perfect all the time, but as long as you always try your best to protect me you'll never have failed.

With these heartfelt words from her the mental anguish of failure had disappeared like wisps of smoke.

Solomon: thank you Alice.

Alice: it's okay. I have to something to say. When I was almost killed all of my regrets came to the forefront of my mind. All of the opportunities I had missed. Among them there was one that stood out.

Pulling herself slightly away from me she looked me in the eyes. With her deep emerald eyes pulling me in she spoke.

Alice: I love you, please go out with me?

Her sentence was like a key, opening a door in my heart. A flood of emotions welled up within me. All of the feeling I had suppressed to be a "good" leader were released. Among them the strongest was the affection I held for Alice. At first it was a small nugget, but having been fostered by the time we spent together, it had grown into a boulder.

Solomon: I, I will.

Before I could react she pressed her lips against mine, bringing us into a deep kiss. With our bodies pressed together I could feel her heartbeat. Badum badum badum. It was a fast, rhythmic thumping. After a few seconds she pulled away from me, leaving me shocked.

Alice: that was my first kiss.

Bringing her hand up to her lips she looked extremely cute.

Solomon: mine too, you'll have to take responsibility for that.

Hearing what I said she blushed.

Alice: really, but aren't you a couple of years older than me. I thought you would be experienced in this and even,, other things. When she finished speaking her cheeks reddened even further. I thought she looked extremely cute like this.

Solomon: haha, I told you before didn't I? I was a neet before coming here. I've never had a girlfriend let alone had sex.

When I said sex Alice looked away, embarrassed.

Solomon: as much as I like this situation I have to go talk to everyone outside.

Looking down Alice took note of the position we were in. She had her body pushed against me, and one of my legs between her thighs.

Embarrassed she quickly stood up.

Alice: alright then, let's go talk to everyone.

Even though she was bright red she tried to change the subject.

Solomon: are you sure you want to go? You were almost killed not too long ago.

Alice: what kind of woman would I be if I couldn't accompany my man.

Shortly after saying so she reddened even further, looking like a tomato. Despite this, the look in her eyes was resolute.

Solomon: all right then, lets go.

Standing up we both left the tent. Gareth had gathered everyone at the base of the waterfall. Though they were gathered everyone was nervous. Though they had been told it was safe, an existence that could squish them like bugs was not far away. As we approached, Gareth and Aries came over to greet us.

Seeing Aries, Alice's eyes spat venom. She came closer to my side. Grabbing a hold of my arm and holding it to her chest. Though she did not have a huge chest to a virgin like me it was extremely effective.

Gareth: hello leader.

Aries: h, hi Solomon, care to explain what that thing was.

Solomon: I will, let me explain to everyone.

Walking in front of everyone I began to explain the situation. Using the clamour about Carbones, I avoided having to explain about the reason we were out there in the first place. Having received the message about there gained points all of the people readily accepted the news.

Now knowing the details the fear they felt towards Carbones was transformed into reverence. With such a strong creature protecting them they felt that even if the mission couldn't be completed a great amount of points would be awarded to them.

Though having this complacent attitude was bad there was little I could do to change it. Having explained everything Alice Gareth and I made our way back to our tent. On the way back Gareth asked us

Gareth: if you guys want to have some fun I can stay in another tent.

With both of our faces reddening we denied we would do anything like that. After reaching the tent we went into our separate rooms. with the long event of the day having sapped my energy I fell asleep within moments.

drifting once again in dreamland, long forgotten memories began to arise. I had a brother a year younger than me. he had always been the prodigal son. compared to me the neet black sheep of the family. despite this he revered me. always believing I was better than him. I had one memory that always repeated itself.

when I was 17 I had gone out to a party with my younger brother. though I was a neet he always encouraged me to come with him to parties. At this party, we had both drunk a decent amount of alcohol.

On the way back we had gotten into an argument. He was saying that I was better than him yet I said that he was better. As we walked down the road arguing he said one thing that I hated.

Younger brother: but you're my older brother. You have to be better than me.

This always made me feel like shit. Having someone who was so much better than me at everything tell me that I supposedly was better. It was a horrid feeling.

Under the fog of alcohol I became angry. lashing out by punching him. As he was caught off guard I hit him full force making him fall, straight into the road. At this point a car was passing on the street. Realizing all to late I watched as my brother fell before the car.

It was like time had slowed. I saw every detail of the emotion in his eyes. At first surprise, then fear, then hatred. The most pure hatred I have ever seen. As he was an inch away from death he spoke one last word.

Younger brother: why?

That memory was forever stuck in my dreams. It was like I was reliving the moment over and over again.

after an untold amount of replays something in my memories changed. After being hit by the car his body wasn't broken or battered.

He was fine. Finally breaking the cycle I felt relieved, until my brother approached me. Even though he was wearing ebony black armour I could still tell it was him. This was the armour he was wearing when he killed me. I was frozen in place as he pierced my heart with a flaming grey sword.

Staring at the hatred in his eyes untold fear overwhelmed me. My very soul felt like it was under the attack of a god. My very being was at the mercy of the pure hatred within my younger brother. Terrified I screamed out my fear.

Solomon: AAAAAAAAGGGGGGGHHHHHH