Accidental Healer

I probably should have felt a little annoyed with Mischief, he was getting into a bad habit of getting people riled up.

Then again—Enora wasn't shooting water anymore and seemed mostly calmed down. Maybe not totally at ease though as I noticed her eyes drifted back and forth between Mischief and Myself.

I shrugged apologetically and pointed to Mischief. "Enora. Meet Mischief. Mischief, meet Enora."

She nodded her head toward Mischief slowly, still guarded.

"She reminds me of Maridus."

"That's because she's a dark elf like he was." I felt it was a bit unfortunate that I wasn't able to use telepathy like he was—as it was, Enora heard my response.

I glanced at her sideyed. If there was a reaction, it was imperceptible.

It made me wonder though, was it possible she was from the same planet as the bandit leader? If there was more than one planet of Dark Elves, were there more human planets?

I'm sure there were, in a universe with infinite planets there must be. Not wanting to divulge more on the topic I decided to steer the conversation in another direction.

"Anyways…I have a present for. We earned a reward I thought you might like." He huffed, but his ears perked up. "It's almost like it was made just for you actually. Three incrementally harder anomalies. I figured it would be an ideal place for your cat people to level, in a controlled environment."

His shoulders slumped. "What? Aren't they getting any better?"

"Not even a little. Honestly, they might be getting worse. You should be proud of my patience, I really just want to kill them all."

I laughed. "You better not! I nearly died so you could have them—just use the anomalies, we'll see what that does. Just…make sure to take a wide berth of the city on your way though, alright?"

He looked away towards his territory. "I didn't know….they weren't worth it. I'm going to find that witch—she'll regret ever seeing you." There was a dark flash in his eye.

"I know." With a half smile I changed the subject. "I came to let you know that we're going to use the adjacent territory for new joining factions."

He shrugged. "Should be fine—the little ones tend to stay close if they know where I'm at."

I figured it wouldn't be an issue, the territories were large with plenty of room to roam. "Once this raid is handled, I'm planning to visit the other factions around us on my own."

Mischief studied me.

"Layton…Why not wait until we can go together?"

I glanced at Enora again, not sure if I wanted to share my feelings like this—but the raid would be coming soon and I wouldn't get another chance with Mischief for a while.

"We found a possible way to find my parents—a way to connect with other human factions." More firmly, I added. "I'm not waiting, every day that I wait…I'm just not waiting."

He shifted his weight, seeming to choose his words. It was rare for Mischief to be unsure of himself.

"Just don't be stupid. If someone is trying to kill you, kill them, don't try to be their friend."

I cocked my head. This was new.

"Are you…worried about me?" I grinned.

A low growl rumbled from his throat. "I'm worried you'll be stupid."

I decided to accept my small victory and not push him further. I already knew that Mischief cared, he just showed it in his own way.

My hand rested on his shoulder, by now even sitting on his haunches he was eye level. His amber eyes seemed to gleam. They were a strange contrast to the elegant powerful shoulders of lean chorded muscle, his fur was sleek and soft.

Mischief had become a loyal and faithful friend, someone I had grown to trust deeply. Not for the first time, I thanked younger Layton for choosing to heal him in the trial dungeon.

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"I'm not me if I'm not just a little stupid."

***

The next raiders did not cooperate.

We weren't even able to start a conversation—the second the centaurs exited the portal they galloped straight through the clearing charging the line of dark elves.

To our new allies' credit, the charging monsters did not cause them to panic.

Like the professional soldiers they seemed to be, they leveled their weapons and unleashed several volleys before the pounding hooves reached the front lines.

Skills, launched from both sides, lit up the battlefield and shouts of battle echoed through the valley.

Jared built a wooden platform earlier where he would occasionally spectate raids. Now it was being used by myself and our other elites. From here we could see the whole field easily.

Unconsciously, I drew tranquility and gripped her warm pommel tightly. Forcing the dark elves to face this raid had been my idea, but it didn't make it any easier for me to watch our—hopefully—soon to be allies fight while I stood at the sidelines.

Ellison nudged me from the right. "This is the right choice. Look, they are handling themselves well and are well supported."

His reassurance helped and I let my grip relax.

They were doing well. The centaurs were a poor match. It seemed they'd hoped to brute force their way into a victory. Focusing on raw strength without bringing along any magical support, hoping that their heavy armor would be enough.

It wasn't.

The elves were exceptional marksmen and while the armored and shielded spear units held the line the rangers were free to aim for slits in helmets, and gaps where the armor allowed for joint movement.

Enora was especially impressive. Her water bolts seemed to work almost like homing missiles, finding every vulnerability.

With shields from Elise and myself and the victory was all but assured.

Level up

I grinned. Part of the perks of being a healer was that the system counted my contributions in a battle.

Me gaining a level also meant that when everyone earned two levels from the last reward, I had maintained my current progress to the next level. Which meant it was a true two level bonus.

Level 34.

I looked at my status sheet, two more levels before I hit level 25 in my fighter class and gained my second class.

That reminded me, I still hadn't assigned my 15 free stats and fighter class bonuses.

My constitution was lagging, not quite to 150 yet, I shoved all free stats there and the fighter bonuses into strength.

With my status screen still open I waited for the rewards from the soon to be completed raid.

I didn't have to wait long.

Congratulations! You have defeated the second of three raids. The next raid will commence in one week.

Rewards calculating….

Calculations complete: Armor molds, 500 UBC's, Special Objective.

Special objective: You are currently bordered by five territories, in one week that number will increase to seven. Absorb two faction owned territories into your own—peacefully.

Reward - Rare grade.

An armor mold—right on brand from the system. After getting blasted by the cyclops, acquiring quality equipment had been weighing heavy on my mind. The problem? Damon and the other armorers had been struggling. This was a fantastic reward.

500 UBC's were good and every little bit helped, but the last?

A new objective as a reward? That was interesting. The system was essentially doubling down on its preference for diplomacy, and the reward? Rare grade.

I was already salivating.

And with the raid completed? It was time to get moving.

Jared was already briefed on my plans, and he knew that I intended to fully integrate Enora and all the dark elves. He had more than enough muscle to make that happen.

We'd entered the next, more dangerous phase of the new world and our hard work was paying off. There is no way I would have been this confident leaving if we hadn't invested in faction members.

Once I delivered the armor molds to Jared, who would create an objective for Damon to earn them, I was on my way.

Or I was about to be on my way when I heard my name shouted from behind. Curious, I spun on my heels.

Sadie and Xander jogged towards me.

"Wait up!" Xander called.

Great.

I hadn't spoken a word to either of these two since I told Sadie she was a bad leader. Understandably they had tread lightly around me since then.

Part of me was tempted to ignore them both, but I knew I couldn't. So I let them catch up.

They'd both reached class evolutions by this point so they weren't even breathing hard after the long sprint.

Since I had no idea what they wanted I waited for them to explain themselves. An uneasy look passed between them.

"Yes?" I tried not to sound annoyed—I was annoyed.

Neither seemed to want to be the one to speak first. I waved my hand urging them on.

"We were wondering if—" Sadie began reluctantly.

"Can we go with you? We'll give you all of the UBC's we earn if you let us." Sadie glared at Xander for cutting her off.

My mouth fell open. Were these two serious?

Xander had nearly started a full on fist fight with Alex the first time they met—which would've been a decidedly stupid decision considering he was twenty levels lower at the time. And Sadie who essentially thought I was an uncaring Jackass were now asking me if they could join my mission?

"I know, I get it. We didn't meet on the best of terms." Sadie looked every bit the scolded teen playing with her dark black hair. "It was a weird way to meet, and we want a chance to show you were better than that."

She reached out and took Xander's hand. I cocked my head.

Wait—we're these two an item?

Holy crap…we're they really asking me to be a third wheel for my own mission?