Chương 79: Interlude: The Right Side of What Comes Next

Sasesh leaned against Earl as they pushed through the swamp, his arm draped over the larger man's shoulders. Each step jarred something deep in his torso, a sharp, grinding discomfort that made even breathing feel painful. Earl didn't seem to notice.

"Man," Earl said with a short laugh, adjusting his grip, "you're lighter than you look." Sasesh exhaled slowly through his nose.

"I'm using a skill."

"Oh?" Earl glanced at him.

"That's actually pretty neat."

"It reduces my weight," Sasesh said, voice tight. Earl barked a laugh.

"Kinda useless outside of this, but hey, at least it has one use." Sasesh didn't respond. Instead, he pulled up his health bar. HP: 140 / 390 His jaw tightened. He hadn't expected it to hurt this much. Damage in games had always been abstract. Just numbers ticking down on a screen, nothing more. This… this was different. Every movement reminded him that this wasn't some game. This was real with painful and deadly consequences. But if Earl hadn't rushed in like an idiot, none of this would have happened.

He wouldn't be injured. He wouldn't be dealing with this. Sasesh's gaze flicked sideways. Charging the salamander head-on. That fucking moron. They broke through the last stretch of swamp, the trees thinning until the wooden palisade of Camp Persistence came into view. Rough-hewn logs rose into a defensive wall. Earl slowed.

"Well," he said, shifting Sasesh slightly.

"This is your stop." Sasesh grunted and pulled away, forcing himself upright. The sudden loss of support made the world tilt for half a second, but he steadied.

"Yeah," he said as he walked away on his own. Earl didn't seem to care. He rolled his shoulders and glanced back toward the swamp.

"Guess I'll head back out," he said.

"Plenty more things to kill." Sasesh walked away without another word and made his way toward the gate, each step more painful than the last. Behind him, Earl was already moving, disappearing back into the swamp with barely a pause. That reckless fool. The gate creaked open as Sasesh approached. Two guards stepped out, brows furrowed.

"You're back already?" one of them asked.

"We thought you left for good."

"I was injured fighting a salamander," Sasesh said flatly.

"I need healing." He didn't slow and they moved aside as he passed between them. The moment he crossed fully into the camp Sasesh's body snapped backward as if struck by an invisible force. He slammed into the ground hard, the impact knocking the breath from his lungs. Pain followed, sharp and violent, erupting through his body like burning shrapnel ripping through him all at once. His flesh burned, his ears rang, and for a moment he couldn't breathe.

"What—" He coughed, dragging in air as the sensation faded just enough for him to think. His entire body trembled as he mentally pulled up his health bar. HP: 85 / 390 His eyes widened as he looked around in a panic. What? Where did that damage come from? The guards rushed over, hauling him back to his feet.

"You alright?" one asked. Sasesh winced as they lifted him, his body protesting the movement.

"Healer," he said through clenched teeth.

"Now." They didn't argue. With one on each side, they half-carried him through the camp toward a small wooden structure tucked near the center. The building was crude—little more than planks hammered together—but it was enough. They pushed through the entrance of the medical hut. Inside, the air was thick with the scent of herbs and something faintly metallic. A few rough wooden beds lined the walls, each occupied. Sasesh's gaze flicked across the room— And stopped. Kyle lay on one of the beds, unnaturally still.

A clean strip of cloth wrapped tightly around where his leg used to be. Sasesh's eyes lingered for half a second before he looked away. At least he isn't awake. The guards lowered Sasesh onto one of the crude wooden tables, the rough surface digging into his back. He suppressed a grimace as he shifted slightly, trying to find a position that didn't aggravate… everything. Footsteps hurried toward him.

"Sasesh!" Amanda rushed to his side, her expression tight with concern as her eyes swept over him.

"What happened?" she asked quickly.

"How did you—""Later," Sasesh cut in, his voice thinner than he would have liked.

"Hard to talk." Amanda hesitated, then nodded.

"Right. Just—hold still." As if I have a choice. She placed her hands near his torso and began muttering under her breath, words too soft and quick to make out clearly. A pale green glow gathered around her fingers. Sasesh watched her through half-lidded eyes. He scoffed internally. Why rely on words? Why not just force the mana through your channels directly? It was a slow and inefficient way to cast a spell. Then again, not everyone had his control. Not everyone had been given a rare class.

The System had recognized his potential from the start. She probably couldn't cast without chanting. Amanda's magic settled over him, seeping into his body. There was a strange pressure in his chest, then it released as his bones shifted beneath his skin. A sharp pop echoed faintly from his ribs. Then another and another. Sasesh inhaled sharply as his chest expanded more easily than it had since the fight. That was so much better. Amanda exhaled in relief.

"There we go, your ribs should be mostly mended now." Her brow furrowed as she examined him more closely.

"You've got burns too," she said.

"Fresh ones. What happened out there?" Sasesh opened his mouth to answer— The door creaked open. Both of them turned toward the sound as Richard stepped inside. He wore the same placid smile as always, his movements unhurried and controlled. His gaze swept briefly over the room before settling on Sasesh. Amanda straightened slightly.

"Richard—I didn't expect—""Is he stable?" Richard asked calmly. Amanda blinked, then nodded quickly.

"Yes. He'll be fine. Just needs some rest and a bit more healing."

"Good," Richard said, inclining his head slightly.

"Then I would like a few moments alone with him." Amanda hesitated, just briefly, then nodded again.

"Of course." She stepped back, gesturing for the other healer to follow. Within seconds, they were gone, the door closing softly behind them. Silence settled over the hut. Richard didn't speak immediately. He waited, listening as the faint sounds of the camp filtered in from outside. Only when he was certain the other patients were still unconscious and no one lingered nearby did he turn his attention back to Sasesh. Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

"How did your little excursion go?" he asked lightly. Sasesh narrowed his eyes, choosing to remain silent. Richard's smile didn't change.

"I must admit," he continued, "I'm a bit surprised to see you back so soon. Less than a day, wasn't it?" His gaze drifted over Sasesh's body, taking in the injuries, the faint scorch marks along his body. A soft tsk escaped his mouth. Sasesh's irritation flared.

"What?" he asked. Richard tilted his head slightly.

"It appears," he said mildly, "that you may have violated the terms of our contract." His words clicked into place in Sasesh's mind. The fight with the salamander. The compressed earth had erupted outward when the creature broke free. Fragments had scattered in all directions and some of them had struck Earl. Sasesh's eyes widened as the realization settled. That blast of burning pain he felt when entering Camp Persistence hadn't been a random attack out of nowhere.

Richard watched the understanding dawn with quiet interest. Sasesh's jaw tightened. Even accidental damage counted? What kind of fucked up contract did he sign? Richard's voice remained calm, almost conversational.

"It is an effective deterrent," he said.

"Ensures cooperation. Prevents… unfortunate incidents for all involved." Sasesh said nothing. His mind was already moving. The contract had a restriction—but a localized one. He hadn't experienced any backlash while outside the camp. Only once he crossed the camp's threshold did he suffer consequences.

"Now," Richard continued, stepping a little closer, "I believe you understand the importance of restraint." Sasesh met his gaze, eyes sharp despite his condition.

"I understand," he said. Richard studied him for a moment, his placid smile unwavering.

"Good. Then since you'll be staying here I'll reinstate the contract. It's been less than 48 hours so you don't even need to lift a finger." Sasesh saw Richard's eyes glaze over for half a second as he paused. Then Richard spoke again, his tone softening just slightly.

"You've had a difficult outing," he said.

"And you're clearly not in any condition to return to the wilds just yet." Sasesh felt something brush against his mind. It was subtle and smooth, a thought not entirely his own, yet one he found himself agreeing with.

"You should remain within the walls for a few days," Richard continued.

"Rest and recover. Reconnect with your group." The pressure increased. Sasesh felt it more clearly now. Something was pushing against his mind. He felt his thoughts begin to dull. Maybe I should stay a while. I do need to rest and recover. It would be so much easier here, safer. Sasesh's eyes narrowed almost imperceptibly. Something felt off—but he couldn't pin down what. He focused inward, anchoring himself to the steady flow of his own mana emanating out of his core. Going back out like this would be inefficient.

An unnecessary risk while he was injured. Sasesh kept his expression neutral as he let the thoughts wash over him.

"…A few days," he said slowly. Richard's smile widened just a fraction.

"Yes," he said.

"Just until you've recovered. Then you can try going out again and fight monsters to your hearts content." Sasesh inclined his head slightly.

"Yeah, that sounds good," he said. Richard held his gaze for a moment longer, then nodded.

"Good," he said quietly.

By the time Sasesh stepped out of the medical hut, the sun had already dipped below the treeline. Cool air brushed against his skin, carrying the scent of fire, damp wood, and faint traces of cooked meat. The camp had settled into a quieter rhythm. Fires burned low, voices muted, movements slower. He rolled his shoulders as he walked. The sharp edge of his injuries had dulled into a manageable ache. His breathing came easier now, no longer catching on every inhale.

Sasesh made his way through the camp, his gaze drifting over the layout. The wooden palisades. The ramshackle buildings. The clusters of people gathered around small fires. Staying here for a few days wasn't a bad idea. His steps slowed as he spotted them. His group sat gathered around a modest fire, its glow flickering across their faces. For a moment, he simply watched them talk and laugh together. Then he stepped closer and heads turned. He met their gaze and the shift was immediate.

The easy conversation died as he approached, and silence settled over the group.

"About damn time you showed up," Kranti called out, breaking the tension.

"We thought you were dead or something." A few quiet chuckles followed, though they carried an edge. Amanda must have told them he was back.

"We heard you ended up in the medical hut," Bryan added.

"What happened?" Sasesh didn't answer immediately. Instead, he accepted the thin wooden slab Nadean offered him, a few chunks of roasted meat resting on its surface. As she handed it over, she shot Bryan a brief, warning look before turning back to Sasesh.

"Eat," she said simply. He took it without hesitation and lowered himself onto a nearby log. The first bite was better than expected. The conversation slowly resumed around him, though it took a few minutes for the tension to fully fade. They spoke of small things at first. Of life before the System. Familiar stories retold in quieter voices. Sasesh listened more than he spoke. He'd been gone less than a day, but he'd missed this. Time passed. The fire burned lower, embers replacing flame.

One by one, members of the group stood, stretching, muttering quiet goodnights as they drifted off toward their sleeping spots. Eventually, only two remained. Sasesh and Nadean. The silence between them stretched, filled only by the soft crackle of dying embers. Nadean shifted slightly, her gaze fixed on the fire.

"We should talk," she said finally. Sasesh leaned back slightly, resting his weight against the log.

"About?" he asked.

"About the fact that you left without saying anything." Her eyes lifted then, meeting his directly.

"Why?" For a moment, Sasesh said nothing. Then he looked away, his jaw tightening.

"…I thought the group was holding me back." He exhaled slowly.

"This place—the Tutorial, this System—I see it as an opportunity," he continued.

"An opportunity we need to take advantage of. If this is just the Tutorial then we need to grow stronger." His gaze drifted toward the dark beyond the camp.

"I didn't think waiting around here was the best way to progress." Nadean's hands clenched slightly in her lap.

"So you just left," she said.

"Without even saying goodbye."

"I thought you and everyone else would try to stop me. I thought I'd do better on my own," he said.

"Or with someone stronger. Someone who could keep up with my ambition. With my rare Class."

"And?" Nadean asked quietly. Sasesh huffed softly.

"And I was wrong." That got her attention. He leaned forward slightly, elbows resting on his knees.

"Fighting with Earl, the guy I left with, was… inefficient," he said.

"We had no coordination. There was no structure to how he fought. He just rushed into nearly every fight and hoped it worked out." His lip curled faintly.

"Clearly it didn't." He glanced at her.

"With you all, it was different. I didn't have to think about every little thing. Bryan held the line. You covered angles. Professor Sanders called out the tactics. I could focus on controlling the field and doing damage. I didn't realize all of that until it wasn't there." The fire crackled softly between them.

"I won't leave like that again," Sasesh added. Nadean studied him for a long moment. Some of the tension in her shoulders eased but he could tell something still bothered her.

"…Good," she said finally. Silence settled between them again. Nadean shifted slightly, fidgeting with the edge of her leather armor.

"There's… something else," she said. Sasesh glanced at her. She hesitated then met his gaze again.

"It's about Cade." Sasesh stilled as he felt the blood drain from his face.

"You told the group he died," she continued.

"That those men had just killed him out of nowhere." Her eyes sharpened.

"That wasn't the truth, was it?" Sasesh's expression hardened slightly.

"How would you know that?" he asked. Nadean met his eyes.

"I was there," she said.

"I heard everything that happened between you two that night. I know that he wasn't killed by those two men. I know that he left because of what you said. Because he didn't want to be a burden on the group." Sasesh's eyes widened.

"You—what?"

"You and Cade were too busy arguing to notice me," she said.

"I wasn't trying to eavesdrop at first. I couldn't sleep so I was using my stealth skill to test its limits. Then I overheard the two of you arguing." Sasesh stared at her for a moment, letting the silence linger.

"Why didn't you say anything before?" he asked, his gaze dropping to the dying fire. Nadean's expression flickered.

"I assumed you had your reasons. There was always tension between you two, even before the Tutorial." she said. Heat crept up Sasesh's neck, darkening the skin beneath his cheeks as he looked away.

"…It's complicated," he muttered. Nadean leaned back slightly, crossing her arms.

"Then explain it to me. It's not like I have anything better to do," she said. Before Sasesh could answer, the embers dimmed just enough that the shadows around them seemed to deepen, stretching longer across the ground. Nadean's posture stiffened. Sasesh felt it a second later, a subtle shift in the air. A presence that had not been there before. Someone was standing just beyond the edge of the light.

Richard stepped forward from the dark as though he had been there the entire time, his expression as calm and unreadable as ever. The orange glow of the embers caught the edge of his face, leaving the rest swallowed in shadow. Neither of them had heard him approach. Richard's ever present smile widened.

"I believe the two of you may be interested in a proposition." Something cold slid down Sasesh's spine. Nadean's eyes narrowed.

"A proposition?" Richard inclined his head.

"You're both ambitious. Capable. More perceptive than most of the others here." His gaze moved between them.

"And I find myself in need of people who can recognize opportunity when it presents itself." Richard took another step closer, his polished calm unwavering.

"There are… changes coming to Camp Persistence," he said.

"Unfortunate ones. Growing pains, you might say. The sort that could be very dangerous for those caught unprepared." The night around them felt suddenly quieter. Even the crackle of the embers seemed distant. Nadean's posture remained stiff.

"What kind of changes?"

"The kind that creates a unique opportunity for growth." Sasesh felt something brush against his mind again. That same gentle pressure as before slipped through his thoughts like silk drawn over a blade. A quiet weight settled behind his eyes, warm and inviting. The instinct to resist rose immediately but before it could bloom his thoughts dulled beneath the soft insistence of something not entirely his own. Richard's voice remained calm.

"When the time comes, I'd like to offer both of you a chance to be on the right side of what happens next."