Chapter 11

Making their way now with a trained hand as they unlocked the bedroom door and down the stairs the issue was of all to get outside the house.

Can we go through the front door? Tom suggested while looking in its direction

No its way to locked up and we don’t have any skills that would allow of us too. Our only option is to go out the same way the Brown Hair Rat Clan came in James complained almost to himself

It was even not so much a challenge to get on the window itself since it was nearly right to in height the top of the faucet. Even with it metal James still felt uneasy standing on top of it and that was because his fear of heights came back with a fury. While he struggled to relax to do what he needed to Tom just came straight up, impenitent to wait, and hopped to the window ledge.

It seems while he gains my intelligence he does not get my fears just keeps his own James decided that explained Tom’s over attachment to his parents while he was mostly fine with it.

That pause on the faucet allowed James a moment to think about how far the both of them had already come power wise. No normal baby would be able that distance even if it was short was carrying a toy block. That toy block was now being reached to James.

We all got some issues so just grab on and I will swing you over Tom offered while shaking the block a little to grab it.

Can you stop with the shaking, it’s only making things worse jeez… With shaking hands of his own James grabbed on tight was pulled over next to Tom on the ledge.

The height from where they were standing to the ground below was around six feet but they were still able to see the ground from the lights in the streets. Looking down made James fears hit their highest yet. Tom tried talking to him but James was so focused on himself it wen in one ear and out the other,

It’s okay, I have health points now so that means I can get really hurt, kill some rats, then level up and be completely fine James repeated that to himself like someone reading the bullet points of a grocery store list. Eventually his fear started to slowly lessen then all of a sudden it dropped a noticeable amount.

Skill [Fear Resistance] acquired

James you okay? You are not sweating buckets anymore. Hey look your eyes opened! Wait why do you have such a disgusting grin on your face

Now standing proudly on both of edges of the window and his fear James explained what had just happened. It was only a short time to explain but by the time he was done Tom looked annoyed.

Why do I even help you…? Tom sighed why rubbing his bald head with his free hand

Because right now I am only in his situation and all the other ones that are going to pop up because you miss your mommy and daddy. It’s completely fair that painting goddess give me something for all this effort. Now make sure my liquor bottle is tight on my back before we head down.

A quick check of the straps later they lowered the only thing that could make up most of the distance to the ground: Big Blankie. While they were strong Blankie had to be modified so they could climb down so some scraps of cloth and two more level of [Leatherworking] later it was all set. The side that had the foothold he put in was the inside so if his parents ever looked they would see nothing. The foothold were just enough of a loop with each side sown to Big Blankie.

You first, after all this is your mission James offered the first step below as Tom looked down.

I get the feeling that you just don’t trust the footholds Tom guessed at how quickly James was to offer

Great guess Tom you’re completely right, I figure that f it can hold you I should be fine now hurry up it won’t be dark forever Quickly stepping out of the way so that Tom could get down.

Tom agreed to head down first so he turned himself backwards and felt for the first foothold. Once he found it he slowly put pressure on it until he moved his other foot onto another. Now on his stomach and with James holding on for no useful reason expect for moral support he was ready to let go. The footholds were holding so he moved on until his was just holding on to Big Blankie.

It looks like that skill of your works, so no more waiting it’s your turn now the person who had a grin on their face was Tom.

Left with no more excuse James made his way down as slowly as possible making sure to triple check each step was where he thought it was. Even gaining [Fear Resistance] did not completely remove fear, just lessened up given it was only at rank 1 level 1.

Hey why are you speeding up? James worried when he noticed Tom making his way more quickly down caused Big Blankie to shake even more.

Without even answering Tom sped up even more and was quickly standing on the ground. James watched as Tom touched the ground but did not let go with his hands and that’s when he figured out what was about to happen.

Don’t you dare you vindictive little shit! James said in vain

Down below Tom started to shake Big Blankie harder and harder making James freeze in place just to hold on. With a haunting laughter from down below he knew he had to keep moving or else this would keep going.

Looks like Revenge will be my motivator for tonight As James resolved himself to press on from the shaking onslaught.

Skill [Fear Resistance] Leveled up

The issue was that it was shaking so much that without some sort of climbing skill he could not move so that idea was dismissed. Instead he gave up and with the best push off he could started to fall. A little under three feet from the ground James did not feel like it would be safe for the current him so he aimed himself to fall on what he hoped only looked like a bad choice: Tom.

Falling on top of Tom did up being much softer then a ground, so much so James even bounced a little before they were both on their backs breathing heavily.

Looks like I was right, you would be too scared to climb. Just so we are clear that is my win Tom said flatly

I completely disagree, did you see my landing? That is what winning looks like: From above and nothing you can do about it James said in the same tone as Tom

For a minute no one said a word, just looking at the sky above. That was when James noticed the stars in full view for the very first time. Unlike the books he read as a child they look no different than the ones from his previous life. And while he never wanted to fly up and reach for them they were nice to look at.

It started with a small laugh from Tom then James quickly joined in. Laugher harder until they could laugh no harder. They helped each other up after a minute and each had an aura of resolve about them.

Well lets go save your Mom James lead the way to the drain while they both carried the things they indeed to bring with them.

The drain was fairly close to the window so the hard part was removing the lid so they could get down. Before James could say anything it was understood that this was a problem only Tom had the strength to hopefully solve.

While I don’t personally know how to do this I heard lifting with your back helps James offered some words of advice he was told many times but never did in his past life.

Around the edges of the lid were small opening that normally a crowbar like object would go in to lift up but given Tom’s size his hands were just small enough to fit up as well. Flexing muscles he did not know he had and using strength or nearly a normal male the lid ever so slowly started to move. While that was happening Tom started to scream in protest for his muscle to get the job down until with a thud the lid was slightly popped out. James helped at this part to push it to the side enough so they could go down.

Great job Tom you really are a freak. So rest up now because it’s time to go down