Teemao accepted his request in no time, he didn't seem like a calculative boy. Majid overjoyed inside in contrast to his pitful guise, he was confident he could at least make out a lying boy. "Fellow student Teemao, come here, although it's not much please accept this...". Majid was proud of this idea, he can further improve his impression. Men were, after all, were a cool creature, especially youngsters, you can become brothers in no time for small things. one might argue that being stupid, but that's not the point. Anyway, as a bonus, he could even get something in return. He spent only a few days in this world, but he was sick of those nuts, even the foxes didn't hunt for some meat. Teemao was cheap though, or maybe he had nothing to offer, Majid hid his disappointment with a weak smile. "Fellow student Xiaode, excuse my rudeness,..." Teemao looked awkwardly at him, "you're really in need of some care". Majid hid his humiliation, as he looked at the bright side, at least the boy was caring for him, he was making progress. "Indeed, I lost myself in my worries, thank you for your care..." Majid shrugged his shoulder and smiled. Majid tried hard to make some small talks, seeing as the boy was a serious type. He asked him about the situation of the clan, and his beloved family. Teemao didn't have much to say, other than rumors about his uncle's prospect of succeeding the patriarchy. Majid was still thinking of other ways to stop the news of his survival from leaking. He thought of inviting Teemao to stay with him, they can go to school together. He dropped the idea in no time, it might make the boy suspicious, jeopardize his safety, and his plan of entering the school. So he tried all kinds of sorcery he saw on youtube on the boy, to further convince him. Their budding brotherhood didn't last long though, Teemao excused himself. Majid wasn't about to stop him either, the boy personality, his reaction, he was convinced the boy would keep his secret, or at least keep it for a while. Even if he did run his mouth, whether people believe him or not is another story. He himself has serious matters to attend to. "Take care fellow disciple Xiaode," Teemao waved at him with a smile. "Yeah, take care…" he smiled back. Majid looked at Fiery, he was relieved, she was ignoring them, if she tried to stop Teemao, it would be a clear red flag. Well at least now she would hesitate, she knew a lot about humans, so she should know they would hunt her down if she backstabbed him. In reality, they would reward her, but she doesn't have to know that, he smirked. Seeing Teemao off, made him realize this situation might repeat itself. In the worst-case scenario, he might meet his enemies. He thought of disguising himself, for one he could cut his hair short, they have varied haircuts in this world, but they all orbit around a long hair or none. Some shave all their hair and leave long locks of hair at the back or the top, they make all kinds of braids and all other exotic styles. But funny enough no one thought of cutting his hair short as if it was some kind of sin. So he gave up the idea, it would draw more attention instead, he let go of this disguise idea whole. Meeting people in the forest, naturally, draw attention, and his eyes were just that special in his clan. Even little Teemao was able to recognize him like that, despite his homeless look. But he can't waste time on this now, he can think of another solution after he finishes the Quest. The void left by Teemao was filled by other worries. It was the last day, sometimes he felt ready, the next moment doubts rip his belief. Majid meditated many times to calm down, it didn't take long for his worries to return, persistent like a fruit fly, buzzing in his mind, breaking his train of thought. He doesn't have much time yet he can't think of anything useful to do. The time was hurrying as if a stopwatch was rolling in front of his eyes, pressuring him to finish his job. He continued his training, it was his only way out, the effort, the pain in his muscles, didn't give his mind the chance to wander. This time though, it was useless, he wasn't making much improvement, how much progress can he make anyway. He made more mistakes, his worries crippled him, the more he struggled in the mire, the deeper he sunk. He had moments like this in his previous life, school tests, and interview. He entertained the idea of failing, it's wasn't a big deal. This way of thinking won't work here though, failure means death. He tried to accept this possibility and adorn it. But no amount of fortune favors the brave idioms, nor risk is the soul of adventure motivation talks could badge his mind, it turned a deaf ear to any of that sh*t. Indifferent to his suffering, the sun was rising, as an urge crept on his mind, obsessing him slowly, yes why should I take this risk in the first place? he wanted to escape, it wasn't worth it. His eyes wandered aimlessly, as his mind was crafting a plan, can he overrun Fiery, what if he exhausted her stamina, yes he can make his escape at night. But she was sensitive, so he started to observe her, to find a flaw, he was left speechless though. He throws the white towel right away. Even though her eyes were closed, recovering peacefully, her ears were constantly following him, looking for a signal like he was some kind of a satellite. What should I do, his escape crumbled, he was back to square one. Oh man, I can't even pray nowadays, no no, a little bit won't be a problem, heh. His daily routine wasn't working, what else could he do, something that could comfort him. The worst before a test is a sleepless night, even worse is losing your confidence, he can't let this continue. His only hope was the system, the more he thought about it, the more annoyed he was. He was thankful to tears for having it, but under his predicament, he couldn't help but complain. Why can't you give me some short term quests! the system offered only quests that need a long time of training to complete, the rewards weren't helpful either. The quest that wasn't long term, was in hard mode and was the source of all his pain. You should now how games work dude, give me some beginner level staff. The system accepted his request and generated a new Quest. It even gets out of its way and made some unnecessary restrictions, but it was ok as long as the Quest was easy. Looking at the reward, he felt a little bit bitter. . . Quest: Evade more than 10 Fiery's strikes in one session. Notes: session limit: 2 min tries limit: 4 times time limit: 12 hours. Reward: body tempering cultivation manual . . He asked for another quest, the reward wasn't something that can benefit him, time-wise. But the system was adamant unless he finished this one, or the time limit is reached, he won't receive any other quest. The system took the whole gaming thing seriously, so he has nothing to say to that. The quest wasn't hard nor was it easy, he needed to break his record of 10 successful evasions. The tricky part lies in Fiery, on one hand, he can't make her lose her stamina, on the other hand, he was limited to 4 tries. Surprisingly the motivation somehow helped his mood. It was no surprise, games were able to distract him from his depression in his past life. He gathered his focus, taking deep breaths, he didn't look directly at her, it was the method he comes with during these days of battering. He couldn't follow her anyway with his eyes, instead, he followed her general direction. His soul was his eyes at a 3-meter radius around him. Fiery didn't make his job easier either, it adapted her attacks, entering and exiting his range, making surprise attacks. The quest wasn't asking for successive evasions, so he was able to make it by the third try. He asked the system for more quests, most of the rewards were some simple knowledge gathering that he could do by himself. Few were some basic analysis, he was pleasantly surprised, it wasn't something impressive that he can't do, but it would save him the pain and the time, oh time he needed. He revised things that would grant him immediate benefits, but he wasn't getting what he hoped for. He kept completing them nonetheless, it distracted him, and let him keep moving. Mid through the afternoon, he sat down near a tree to recover, his minds found its chance to churn again. This time at least, it comes up with something useful, he jumped to his feet. 'Yeah! this is it!' he strode over to Fiery. "I need to see the Ape location!" He asked her to lead him to the place, it wasn't far so she did. She stopped as the features of a wide clearing appeared behind the trees. She didn't want to advance anymore to avoid provoking the Ape, but she promised she would keep an eye, and engage if things turned awry. He didn't like the idea, but he can do nothing about it. He proceeded alone, the density of the woods reduced until a rocky texture was visible behind the trees. He looked around, climbed a longer tree, and hid behind its branches, as usual, surveying the area. A rocking range stretched for hundreds of meters not disturbing the forest, as the vegetation casually covered every nooks and corner of it. At the end of the clearing, a dark cave was noticeable at the bottom of the hill. It was far looking small, he felt the threat hidden inside, was closer than one can imagine. His heart pounded as the dark hole stared back at him, what if they fought the Ape inside. This idea never crossed his mind, god knows how it looks like. Most likely it's a restricted terrain. He would be finished in no time when he got cornered, no this won't do, definitely not, that wasn't the fight he imagined. Even if he's not cornered, even if he was hesitant, he elaborated on a fighting plan. This new variable might ruin his whole preparations. Even though he wasn't confident in his plan, it was still way better than the unknown, he can't even escape if shit hit the fan. No, he must change the battlefield at all cost, they must lure it outside. But how can they do that, what if it insisted on fighting inside, the mere thought weakened his legs. He hoped the ape was some arrogant young master, otherwise, things gonna get complicated. Coincidence, or destiny, the ape made its appearance. Its gray fur grows in the darkness as if exiting a space portal. Fur hid most of its body, except its chest down, from afar the semblance of muscles filled it. That was all he could make out from the afterimage left in his mind as he looked away, keeping a note on it by his peripheral vision. His otaku archive was full of red flags against keeping eye contact. Only when the Ape turned back, disappearing in the depths of darkness, that he noticed he wasn't breathing, a deep frown grows on his stiff face. He didn't dare to stay any longer, taking a last look at the area, he rushed away. Now, he has a bigger issue to think about, he met with Fiery and they hurried back, she stole some stares at him, his mood was down all along. By the time they came back, the sun was resting on the ground, hugging the horizon with an orange hue, as if comforting the living, biding its farewell. Majid didn't pay that any heed, he didn't say anything as he found his way up to his branch. He sat on a lotus position meditating, from here on he needs to arrange his cards right!. ----------- A man got on one knee before a water spring, he cupped water in his palms and brought it to his mouth. He stood as he finished drinking and looked to his fellow. "Lao bo, let's go" they strolled away from the spring, a scarred man was looking around, it was Lao Ji. His face was turning back as they walked, fixated on something, a branch was laying to the side. Squinting for a moment he stopped before he walked back and he squatted down beside it. He picked the branch up and started to roll it, his eyes following it like it was magnetized, he pressed the branch against the dirt... again and again... distinctive traces were left behind, he smirked as he looked at Lao bo "What do you think!"