The smoke slowly cleared, sunlight spilling into the crater. David's eyes fluttered open, his face sore but still intact. He groaned, tilting his head to the side. The massive boar lay beneath him, unmoving, and he realized he was sprawled across its body like some kind of triumphant hero.
David smirked weakly, lifting Sticky just high enough for the sun to catch it.
"I did it… I actually beat this monster and lived…" His voice cracked as he spoke. Then his grin faltered. "But, uh… why do I feel so… hurt? Maybe it's 'cause I landed on this fatass boar? Or is it deeper than that? My past… my family… my girlfriend… my boss? Or maybe it's that feeling of losing something I'll never get back…"
Dirt and dust shifted above the crater. Daryl's head popped into view, hair coated with mud and rocks stuck in it like decorations. He frowned down at the scene.
"Uh, Mr. Hawk… are you alright?"
David coughed, forcing a grin. "Y-yeah, of course I am. Why wouldn't I be?"
Daryl pointed downward. "Look at your stomach."
David blinked, lowering his gaze. His stomach was impaled by one of the boar's broken spikes, jutting straight through him. His smile froze.
"…Oh."
He touched his lips. His fingers came back smeared with blood. "…Oh."
He slumped back, eyes on the sky. "Well, that's it. Guess I'm gonna die. Probably headed straight to hell. Goodbye, cruel world… once again."
Daryl hopped into the crater, landing with a thud beside him. "Don't be so dramatic. I've got something that'll heal you."
He lifted David, who groaned in pain.
"DUDE, that f----- hurt!"
"Oh, stop crying," Daryl muttered, dragging him up like he weighed nothing.
David wheezed, "Easy, easy—my organs are supposed to be inside me!"
Instead of being careful, Daryl climbed out of the crater and dropped David on his back with a smack.
"OW!" David squealed, holding his side. "You donkey—"
Before he could finish, Daryl pulled out a red potion, popped the cork—then casually hurled it at David's face. The glass shattered, liquid spilling everywhere as shards cut across his cheek.
David shrieked. "OWWWW! YOU BASTARD!"
He scrambled up and grabbed Daryl by the collar, shaking him. "Why the hell would you do that?! You son of a bitch, that hurt even more! You could've just—JUST made me drink the damn thing!"
Without a word, Daryl gut-punched him.
"OOF!" David folded over, collapsing back to the dirt.
Daryl dusted his hands. "Be thankful, Mr. Hawk. I could've been evil and left you to die."
David groaned, pressing his stomach. Then his eyes widened. The wound was gone. Perfectly healed. He blinked in disbelief. "…I'm healed?" He leapt to his feet. "I'M HEALED?! Oh my god—YES! HAHAHA!"
He spun in circles, pumping Sticky into the air. "THANK YOU, DARYL!"
Daryl muttered, "Mom," under his breath and walked away, dirt still stuck in his hair.
David turned to call after him, but then a sudden chime rang out. A glowing screen appeared in front of him, floating in the air.
"Whoa! A… level up screen?!" His eyes sparkled. "I leveled up to level 2!"
Text scrolled across the display.
New Skills Available:
1. Tongue of Liar – Easily deceive NPCs with lower intelligence. (Beware: higher intelligence targets are much harder to fool.)
2. Slime Blaster – Shoot slime from Sticky at enemies.
3. Stick Sword – Transform Sticky into a blade capable of slicing with ease.
David's jaw dropped. "Holy… this is… amazing." He rubbed his chin, thinking. "Two and three would help me fight more… but do I really feel like fighting after nearly getting skewered by a giant bacon monster? Nope."
His lips curled into a wicked grin. "But number one… with that, I could lie, scam, trick people… make them pay me money! I'll be rich. RICH! And not just rich—supplies, gear, food for Sticky… I'll be unstoppable!" He laughed maniacally, startling a bird from a nearby tree.
"Tongue of Liar it is."
Another screen popped up:
Stats:
Strength: 3
Agility: 0
Stamina: 0
Magic Affinity: 0
Stat Points Remaining: 3
David whistled. "Okay, okay… can't be weak forever. Let's spread it out a little."
He tapped the screen, putting his points into Agility.
Updated Stats:
Strength: 3
Agility: 3
Stamina: 0
Magic Affinity: 0
His HP, once clinging to 1, jumped back up to 15.
David stretched, feeling lighter. "There we go… all done. Look out world—David Hawk is back, baby!"
David finally caught up to Daryl, still brushing dirt off his cloak. The old man, standing beside his donkey, clapped his wrinkled hands together.
"Well done, you two! You just saved our butts from being turned into monster chow."
Daryl puffed out his chest. "Yes, indeed we have. Now… I could've sworn you said something about a free ride?"
The old man blinked. "Ah, yes, yes… about that…" He scratched the back of his head sheepishly. "I, uh… need a little help lifting the wagon back onto its wheels first."
David tilted his head. "That's it? Pfft. Should be easy enough."
"Right," Daryl agreed, rolling his shoulders. "Let's do it together."
The three of them crouched down and put their hands under the heavy wagon. On the count of three, they pushed upward.
Nothing happened.
David's arms quivered immediately. "Holy Jesus, this thing is heavy! What do you have in here, old man, a family of elephants?!"
The old man grunted, veins bulging on his forehead. "Eh… my arms aren't what they used to be…"
They struggled, panting, sweat dripping, the wagon still refusing to budge.
Then the donkey strolled up behind them, calm as ever. It ducked its head under the wagon, gave a little grunt—then lifted the entire thing like it weighed nothing.
All three men froze, jaws hanging open.
"…You've gotta be kidding me," David whispered.
The old man blinked once, then twice. "Good job, Donkey!" He patted the animal's neck proudly. "Tell you what, how about I buy you some carrots later?"
The donkey actually smiled, then nodded its head up and down.
David rubbed his eyes. "…Did that donkey just… smile? And nod?!"
"Yes," Daryl said flatly, already walking toward the wagon. "Don't question it."
A few minutes later, the wagon was back in order, the donkey hitched, and everything ready to roll. The old man wiped his brow. "There we go. All set. The donkey's ready to take us out of here."
David slumped against the side. "About time. My arms feel like noodles."
The two climbed into the back of the wagon, settling onto the rough wooden seats. As the wheels started to creak forward, David leaned back with a sigh of relief.
Then, a soft ding echoed in his ears.
[Relationship Score Updated: Daryl Tetsu — -98 → -81]
David's lips curled into a smug smirk.
Daryl narrowed his eyes. "Why are you smirking like that?"
David glanced at him innocently, still grinning. "No reason. No reason at all, Daryl."
Daryl scowled, crossing his arms. "Tch. Suspicious bastard."
David chuckled under his breath, eyes glinting. "Oh, if only you knew…"
And the wagon creaked onward into the open road.