''Nick? How are you doing there buddy?''

Richard took a peek at Nicholas from the corner of his eyes, and waited for an answer for some time. Propping himself from the cold ground, he started to limp towards Nick.

''I don't know how to say this, but we can't stay here for eternity. Nadia is missing with all our stuff and we are injured in this damp shithole.''

Waiting for Nick to react to his words, Richard observed his surroundings for anything Nadia could have missed.

Thinking to himself that MMO games were realistic, ninjas do exist. Nadia really did loot everything usable before she left, leaving only the old lizardman spear and other junk.

Shaking his head and sitting near Nick, he sighed and spoke without expecting any reaction.

''You know... I too have been betrayed by my (ex) fiancé. It hurts like hell, and I am here in Spain because of it.''

Taking a brief moment to let his words sink in, he continued.

''She was having an affair with my friend. You really can't trust people these days... After a booze filled night on a boat full of single people and rejections, I was ready to go back home. Then all this shit happened.''

Immersing himself into the brief time he was in Spain, never would have he expected to experience such things: Battle through masses of zombies, cocaine fuelled bear, dungeons and so on. Richard contemplated for a while and looked directly at the downtrodden Nick.

''The world has gone to shitter... Humans' strong point has always been adaptation. The time for griefing can come later, but now we must get out of here alive.''

Patting lightly at Nick's shoulder, he stood up and offered him a hand.

Nick was still in daze, but his eyes were gaining some of the previous brightness. After a few seconds of silence, Nick finally grasped Richard's hand and was pulled back on his feet.

''Thanks for the pep talk, Richard. You are right: We need to get the fuck outta here.''

Seeing that Nick was ready to leave the dungeon, Richard felt at ease. At least it would be better for him to have a teammate, rather than continue forward alone.

''Can I just say one thing though? It has been bothering me for a while Nick.''

''Just come out and say it then, there is no need for considerations between brothers.''

Richard's lips curled up slightly upwards and he had a mischievous look on his face.

''You see... I really could see how you and Nadia got together, Dindu Nuffin & Dinsee Nuffin.''

Dumbfounded at the inappropriate remarks from Richard, Nick went speechless for a second.

''Motherfucker, you do know that is racist shit and you still continue with it! Maybe you will learn when I beat yo white ass!''

Speeding away, Richard laughed out and hid behind a pillar. Just in case Nick would start to use magic in anger. His objective was already complete: To pull Nick out of his own wallowing and self decrepitating.

Peeking behind the pillar, he could see Nick fuming with a red face. Giving him some time, he said he was sorry for his remarks and waited for Nick to calm down.

Seeing that Nick was somewhat calm now, Richard came out of hiding.

''So, where to from here?''

''Dunno man, get everything we can from here and my guess would be that blue portal.''

Searching once again the area for any usable items, Richard looked over the notifications that flowed to him before the explosion.

Title obtained:

Dungeon conqueror (Novice) Fulfilled condition : Clear the final boss of a dungeon Title passive skill- Darkvision has been added.

''It's dangerous to go alone, take this'' - Enthusiastic cat hoarder Level up [ 10 → 12 ] Spirit increased +1 [ 15 → 16 ] ✶ Richard Morrison ✶ Title Job / Class Deathseeker (+2 more) Harvester Level 12 Primary attributes Secondary attributes Skills Expand/hide Unspent attributes Strength - 24(+5) Luck - 7 Unarmed - 5 Sword skills - 2 10 Agility - 15 Charm - 5 Knife skills - 3 Ranged attacks - 5 Vitality - 18 Scythe mastery - 1 Inspect - 2 Stamina - 18 Reap and sow - 1 Cull - 1 Hp 232/232 Intelligence - 16 Harvest - 1 Darkvision -1 Mp 80/80 Spirit - 11(+5)

''Huh...'' Richard muttered and thought that even with all the hardships, it might have been worth it. With just the title skill, life would become so much easier for him.

''Hey Nick! It might cheer you up when you check your status and the system messages. I got a good haul.''

Hearing a tone brighter voice leaking from Nick, Richard knew that at least Nick was thinking something other than Nadia right now.

Finishing the thorough search around the boss room, Richard and Nick gathered everything they could use in a pile.

''So we have one spear, your scythe, zero potions left and minimal rations.''

''And our spare clothes, don't forget that.''

Facepalming himself, Nick was pretty fed up with the constant distractions from Richard.

''Yes of course we have all that...''

After sorting out the equipment salvaged from the room, the duo decided to continue forward. Agreeing that leveling up the status might cause some problems without any time, they decided to postpone it and stepped to the blue portal.

Blue skies and a familiar field came into their sight, and they both breathed a sigh of relief.

‘’Done. I am so done with swamps and narrow spaces.’’

Seeing Nick mutter about the greatness of open spaces, Richard decided to just be quiet for a moment to not spoil his joy.

Bruh… If you want to get stronger in the future, it is likely that even shittier places are on the table… Maybe he just needs some time before I can break the news to you?

Nudging Nick on the shoulder, Richard nodded and led the way towards the road.

First secure vehicle, then drive to someplace where we can get some motherfucking food… Why couldn’t that bitch leave us even some scraps in consideration for our teamwork…

Walking and joking around for an indeterminate amount of time and distance, the duo finally saw a pack of zombies that seemed to suit their needs: Fully clothed and relatively clean.

‘’Richard, I think we found our mark. Those decaying sons of bitches have pretty clean clothes.’’

Richard knew that nearby areas had not been looted yet by the looks of it and quickly took arms.

‘’As we talked before, just blast em and I’ll take care of the stragglers.’’

A glob of fire already started to form, and soon enough set the whole pack alight. Richard followed up on Nick, only to find out that his effort was not needed at all.

‘’Yo bro, how did you become so stronk? Did you get your class or something and just decided to keep it from me?’’

Grinning like an idiot, Nick rubbed his scruffy stump of a beard and shrugged his shoulders.

‘’I don’t know what you are talking about. I am just naturally gifted.’’

‘’Bro, don't be like that. You are so bad at lying… What colour is a fire truck? Because your face tells me the answer already.’’

Continuing on to the direction the zombies came from, the duo soon saw a small town coming into view. It was like finding an oasis in the middle of the desert when they saw almost intact stores like grocery, pharmacies and clothing stores. Even better news was they were surrounded by only a few larger buildings and a few smaller ones.

‘’Do you think the same thing as I am Nick?’’

‘’That this is a welcome surprise for a change?’’

Woefully shaking his head, Richard could not help but express his disappointment at his teammate.

‘’You should know me better already… I always say stupid shit when it is it’s time, so what could that be now.’’

A light bulb flashed in Nick’s head, and he already expressed his disapproval.

‘’Bro you can’t do that, it’s just too much. I know you were in Minneapolis but it was a political statement,’’

Seeing that Nick was already catching on, Richard could not help but nod in approval.

‘’See, you get it if you try hard enough. Let’s go. FOR GEORGIE FLOYDYNN!!!!’’

Looking at Richard’s back charging towards the grocery store, Nick felt like his chest was aching.

Why can’t this idiot take anything seriously… Although I can see him with the anarchists looting everything, he still doesn’t have to be so vocal about it… Whateva, if I don’t think too much of his jokes, he is pretty reliable otherwise.

Falling behind from Richard’s pace Nick realized that the apocalypse memelord was actually stupid enough to just go in without a proper plan, he had to start picking up speed to chase him.

Seriously, why do I have to babysit this crazy dude… It was so much better to just have only Nadia by my side. Alas, it was not meant to be.