Kip was surprised to see a girl lying on top of the bus. He thought no one would come back here after everything that has happened. Hmm, but how come she’s hiding up there.

“Hey, are you alright?” Kip asked. The girl teared up again.

Kip scratched his head. “Can you come down first, I won’t hurt you. I just wanted to hear what happened her yester night.”

Hazel stopped her tear, she clearly didn’t expect to see anyone here. Wait, he asked for what happened?

“You weren’t here when the attack happens?” She sniffled while asking. “No, I was separated before everyone blacked out. Do you need help getting down? “It’s alright. Please wait for me” Raven quickly replied. She didn’t want to be alone after what happened. It took her a short while to get down. But she just couldn’t seem to get out of the bus. The corpses are out there. Kip saw the fear on her face, his slime cleared the bodies outsides anyway. It gained a skill when in the process as well

Slime skill: Meat eater

Your slime has developed a palate for meat

Strength +5 when figthing creature with flesh

This skill has just increased his chance of surviving for what he had in mind today. “It’s alright, I cleared the corpse. You can come out”. Hazel peeked her head outside the bus door, seeing what Kip said was true, she breathed a sigh of relief.

“I saw you getting rid of the corpse with something, what was that?” “It’s my pet slime” He grinned. Due to time constraint, he didn’t manage to introduce bubble to Raven before he left. Hazel was the first person who showed his pet to. She wanted to say that his pet looks nice, but seeing what it can do make her stomach uneasy.

“Would you mind telling me what happened last night?” Hazel sat down, and Kip followed. She then describes the entire event that happened yesterday. He could tell it pained her to remember the gruesome death of her classmates. After hearing her side of the story, Kip confirmed with what he already guesses.

“Looks like the plan is going forward after all” he said grimly. “Umm, do you mind me asking if I can join your group if you have one?” Hazel asked softly. She was very afraid that he would say no. No one would accept her anyway. Why would they? Hazel was useless. She was a coward. Kip was stunned, he notices Hazel was not a confident girl. He didn’t have an issue with that. However, she needed to contribute if she wanted to join him. Kip wasn’t soft hearted. He knows the importance of having someone trusted behind his back. Hazel could be one, but she needed to toughen herself first.

Kip gave a soft laugh, and looked straight at her eyes “My name is Kip. If you want to follow me there is a few rules you need to follow. I need to protect the safety of my group after all.” Hazel was dazed for a while; she rarely has anyone who looked at her like that beside her parents. His eyes seemed warm, and dependable. Hazel didn’t realise she was staring. She nodded her head eagerly.

“Alright Hazel, I will not force you to do anything that will harm you. And I promise as long as you got my back, I will protect you with my life. Is that okay?” Kip told her, extending his hand. Hazel blushed, she didn’t know why. What he said truly warmed; she could tell its wasn’t an empty promise. Holding his hand with both of her “Yes, I’ll believe in you”. Kip looked around and told her “We are going back to the base first, It’s a lot safer than here. Could you salvage what we could use around here. Don’t worry about the food, most of them has been looted anyway.” Hazel agreed, and they quickly got to work.

She collected her clothes, and moved from one bus to another to search. Hazel was scared still, and she dread the smell of blood. But Kip had showed his trust in her, so she wanted to overcame her fear not disappointed him.

After a while, all Kip and Hazel could salvage was some snack bars, and blankets left behind by others, everything else was looted clean. They then headed back to the cave base. “By the way Hazel, how did you get on top of the bus in the first place” Kip asked. It was nagging at him that she got up there without anyone noticing. It must have been before and not after the Uromeck attacked.

“I’m not quite sure myself, I had a feeling that something bad was going to happen?” Hazel said. “A feeling?” “Yes, do you remember the panel that appeared when everything started? I got one shortly after, saying that I received a skill called ‘heightened fear’’; It gave me a warning when I’m about the meet danger”

Kip was surprised, he didn’t think Hazel knows about character stat, much less gaining a skill. “Ah, that how it is. You are quite fortunate, this little guy here is a skill as well” Hazel glanced at Bubble, it was dragging itself a lot faster now that it levelled by eating. She knows it’s cute appearance can be deceiving. Noticing Hazel facial expression, Kip explained “Don’t worry about her, she is harmless” “It’s a she?” “Ha-ha, yes. We are almost at our base now. We also have a girl in or group. Her name is Raven. I think you guys will get along just fine.”

Hazel didn’t know why, but her heart was feeling unease when she heard about the appearance of other girl. Due to not dating anyone before, she was completely unexperienced when it came to love. Nodding her head, she followed closely behind Kip.

Noticing Kip was back, Raven ran out to welcome him back. But frowned when she saw a girl behind him. “Hey Raven, this is Hazel. I found her back at the buses” Raven was confused, she thought he was only going there to observe, and not inviting anyone back. She wanted to tell him she has gotten her throw to beginner level 7 now, and even went to the Red Mango tree he told her about!

But she waited for him to settle down. “He must have a good reason for inviting that girl. I hope he is not smitten with her because of her chest” Raven was staring at Hazel while Kip putted his loot away. A girl jealousy can be very scary, especially one with unsure feeling such as Raven. Hazel timidly put her head down, she didn’t like being stared at. But being the newcomer, she knows this was bound to happen somewhat.

Kip looked at the girls, seemingly completely oblivious to the showdown between them. He then narrates the events that happened to Hazel, and why he decided for her to join the group. Listening to his story, Raven softened her attitude toward Hazel by a lot. She didn’t know how terrifying Uromeck was, but she knew it was nothing short of describing a demon. “That’s all that happened. Raven, do you mind taking care of Hazel for now. There’s something I need to do”

“Are you going somewhere “both girl asked, before realising what happened and let out a soft laugh.

“I’m going to fight those monster” Kip stated.

“YOU CAN’T” Hazel cried “It’s too dangerous”. She knows what those monster was capable off, she had personally seen them in action after all.

Kip smiled, but he didn’t seem happy. “I wanted to see if I can rescue the hostage taken by them, don’t worry. I’ve killed those creatures before”. Hazel was confused, how strong must Kip be if he was able to defeat those monster. Regardless, she can’t let him go. Before she could say anything else to stop him, Raven putted her hand on Hazel shoulder, signalling her that Kip will be okay.

“Don’t worry, I’ll be back. Don’t get outside at night. That’s when they hunt” Kip said goodbye to both of them, and quickly left the cave. His back seemed lonely and dependable at the same time.

Hazel didn’t know how long she stared at the entrance. But Raven broke her out of the trance. “He’ll be fine, I’m Raven, and you are” “Hazel, I know he is strong, but those things” She paused. “Trust me, I know you are worried for him, but he saved me as well. So trust me when I say he knows what is doing”. Holding Raven hand, Hazel took a seat across her.

She then listened to Raven story before she me Kip, and how he saved her from the bull monster. Their side of stories did have a lot of difference, but one thing they can both agree with; is that Kip was a guy worthy of their trust. They then chatted about many things. Raven showed he how the character stat screened work and was surprised to know Hazel also have a skill like her. Hazel then had some of the red fruit, and took a bath while Raven scouted. They were far apart, but their concern for Kip was the same. The girls now were very close, but they haven’t told each other the question they wanted to ask the most: How do the other girl feel about Kip?