That day started roughly. My body was in terrible condition. I slowly accumulated damage from not eating enough, sleeping on the floor, and not wearing enough clothes. On top of that, yesterday, those assholes beat me up. It was super hard to get on my feet. Mornings became the worst because of that.

Pain in the joints and muscles was terrible. My spine in the loin area was screaming at me when I tried to move, but I had to force myself. Fortunately, with each step outside I could feel a little bit better, to the point that I actually could do some stuff.

Before I went out, I obviously picked up my equipment but didn’t take the bowl with me. It was annoying to give it to someone to hold it for me.

I did take the long route to the city center. So long, I actually came from the gate side. I passed a few groups of hunters already going into the woods. The rest was still getting ready. Among them, I saw Aisha’s group, and also Will. We nodded to each other, briefly.

I bought some food. Since it was too late to be first out there, I actually decided to get some meat and take my time. That decision made me regret not bringing the bowl with me. In the end, I just ate it with a bit of dirt, and poor seasoning. Everybody was on their respective ways by then, so I actually was the last one to leave. I took some food with me, to have a snack while walking. I picked oranges for their juice. Overall food was 14 points.

Walking through the city I was making sure nobody is following me since I was planning to take crystals from the woods and hide them somewhere in ruins. Several checks made me almost sure I wasn’t. I fulfilled my plan and hid the crystals inside the still existing barricade. Nobody was willing to clean it up. Then I went hunting.

My condition was so bad, that I knew I can not stay for too long. I couldn’t afford to make the same mistake twice. Especially now, when my new ‘friends’ would wait for me at the gate.

It took around three hours to meet the first goblins. Even if it was only a few days, I kinda got used to making my way through the forest. It was not awkward anymore to stop and listen or spend several minutes while crouching down and trying to ascertain if the wind was moving the bushes, or a little green goblin was actually there. I didn’t have to focus on it anymore. Maybe because of a subconscious vision of death lurking at the back of my mind?

The group consisted of three. Two armed in clubs, and one with a bow. It was kinda risky to fight them, but I didn’t want to spend another three hours walking around. In the end, I took the risk. I hid and waited for them to get closer. It took around half an hour, I think. It was a long wait, and I was sweating a lot, afraid to be discovered too quickly.

The ambush worked. I jumped out and took down first on very quickly, then rushed to the bowman, and knocked the weapon out of his hands before he could even put an arrow on the bowstring. Then I bashed him in the face with my shield. It was an awkward strike but still managed to knock him down. Then I had to parry the incoming blow of the third charging goblin. It was easy. I kicked him and turned around to archer. One strong swing was enough. Finishing the last one was just a formality.

I was getting pretty good at killing them. It was not that hard when I could anticipate most of their movements.

With a score of three crystals, I started to head back. At some point, I could hear another group of hunters joyfully walking between the threes. Their moods seemed to be pretty good. Even though, I kept my distance. Since I had no idea what to expect, avoiding them seemed to me as the smartest choice.

When I finally got inside the city walls, a group of ‘friends’ was already waiting for me. They were armed with our usual wooden clubs, strapped to their waists.

– Hey, my friend! Peter, was it? – Nacho yelled as soon as he saw me. – We’ve been waiting for you. Arent you happy seeing us? Where is your smile? A can’t see it. Smile for us. Aren’t we all friends? We even returned from our hunt earlier to greet you.

– No. We are not, and we will never be friends. What do you want?

He started to close the distance between us. I was just standing.

– Oh, don’t be like that. You are hurting our feelings. Am I right? – He looked back at the rest.

They were laughing.

– You made us upset. You shouldn’t be so mean to us – he continued.

– Fuck of. You, and your so-called friends.

He was in arms reach from me by then, and he punched me in the face. It was not a strong punch, but still enough to make me stumble a bit.

– I think you should pay us for such rudeness with some of your crystals, Peter. How about a half of your score? I think it sounds only fair.

– Fuck off – I said, but still picked a crystal of my pocket, and gave it to him.

He was annoyed.

– Only one? I think you are trying to fuck with us. That’s a stupid move.

[0)ᴠᴇʟ He took the crystal and came even closer to check my pockets. Then he took out the remaining two.

– You are not a good hunter Peter, are you? Only three? Others go in groups, and they at least bring that much. You are alone, don’t have to share, and that’s all you got?

He returned one stone to me.

– We will be taking those. Oh, and next time you should try harder.

– Fuck off asshole. You keep beating me up and expect me to bring you more? I can barely walk because of you!

I yelled at him. It was a mistake, and I knew it, but just couldn’t hold my anger.

Nacho swung his hand to hit, or slap me but stopped in mid-air, and just smiled instead. Then he left to the rest of his group and started to head to the city center. All that without a word. I followed soon after them.

Upon reaching our destination, we sold our crystals and bought food. I took a piece of meat and two oranges then started to head back to my place. I was very tired and fell asleep soon after my regular stroll to the hideout.

Day ended with 683 points on my account.