The Cub Pack helped move the carriage closer to the tree line. After the event that transpired, we wouldn't make it to Brittlemar before the gates were closed for the night, so we'd be camping out about a mile up from where we were, to avoid predators coming for the blood.

  The Pack had also stripped off all the identification badges to denote their Cultivation Paths, as those were intrinsically linked to you by the System, and could be used to turn in bounties. You could always tell it was claimed rightfully, as when a wrongdoer dies, a red slash goes through the emblem, the more slashes the higher the bounties. These all were an arrangement of 1's and 2's with leaders having 4 total.

  It was decided that I would get 35% of the loot fairly distributed except for the bandit I dispatched. They gave me all his loot, one Card Emblem and 3 Cards that didn't dissipate, but I couldn't bring myself to look at them. I shoved them in my pocket.

  ‘I don't know if I want to put these in my binder.’

  I grimaced. I knew I was probably being silly, and maybe it was something that could help me now, but it felt wrong, tainted somehow, thinking about using the Cards gained through plunder, self defense or not. I numbly went to sleep on the floor of the carriage, deciding it was necessary.

  ___________________________________

  -Radwin PoV-

  Radwin had his fair share encounters with interesting people, but Syil seemed to take the cake in almost all categories. He was calm with a somewhat arrogant air, but he seemed honest. And that honest kid, -his new friend- was suffering, reasonably so.

  ‘It's well known that we have to take out a bandit raid or two for the first year. Even my Pa made sure I'd be aware of that.’ Syil however, had this air of purity around him, like fresh laid snow.

  Radwin had been the one to comfort Syil after his victory, but it probably wouldn't feel like one. He'd stayed there till The Cub Pack reconvened from looting and assessing the damage, and Syil seemed to be spiraling down a dark rabbit hole. Syil just kept muttering rapidly in hushed whispers, to which he received a sturdy slap from the Party leader, her eyes only held remorse and sympathy, her words cutting, yet kind, to bring him back from the brink.

  After the battle was done, Radwin could only think about what he could have done better. He'd copied an aspect of Syil’s spell to distill, desperately hoping to save them or give Syil an advantage. The only problem is the recipe update in his record never came, and without the recipe, the chances of the same effect coming out was low. Radwin was aware he'd always be a backliner with his skill set and natural proclivities, but he didn't know how draining it felt only being able to watch till the right moment. He'd hated the thought of it when he'd awoken, and if not for the combat he'd just survived, would never have really understood the utility he provided.

  ‘Next time I'll be able to help him more.’ Determination blossomed in Radwin. He'd be strong enough to never let his friends down.

  _______________________________

  This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it

  I wasn't sure how long I'd slept, but the morning sun was starting to peek through the treeline. It had seemed they decided to let me sleep instead of taking part in the watch. I was grateful, but felt more of a burden that way.

  I slapped my cheeks and took a few steadying breaths. “I should catch up on notifications. System?” A tone on the verge of pleading.

  -You've Kil…-

  “Not that one!” I screamed out. I could hear the others rushing to see what had happened. Radwin popped his head in first.

  “Have a nightmare?” He seemed unsure of how to start, and we lapsed into silence.

  “I think I'll be alright, Radwin, just a few things I'm not ready to face yet,” I tried to reassure. My smile felt flat, even to me. “I think I'll just try to skim my notifications, and avoid the battle log for now.”

  Radwin gave me a knowing smile.

  “I'll be outside. If you uh, don't want to be alone?”

  I didn't even take the time to think it over.

  “Thank you Radwin. I promise if it's too hard to bear, then I'll try to share the burden.” The words felt hollow, but they were honest. That seemed to have calmed him down, as he just waved a goodbye on the way out.

  ‘I don't imagine we'll be here for much longer, let's start back at my last General skill.’

  Basic blunt nullification (Unique):

  -You just never learn do you? Now, what did that poor ceiling do to you? And good job with those Bunnies champ.

  —Blunt damage below a certain percentage of your current condition is nullified.

  —-Unlock Condition: Just a Small Gift.

  It was a nice break from the usual fluff the System gave, it even gave me a chuckle I really needed.

  “Yeah, I was being a real turd there for a bit.”

  -System milestone met-

  -General Skill Unlocked-

  Heightened Awareness.

  -Effect: You've run yourself to the brink time after time, or fought with desperate determination.

  -In the heat of battle, senses expand slightly. Rare moments of insight may take root.

  -Unlock Condition: Survive 3 close combats or Survive more than 20+ debilitating blows in one combat.

  -You've [Redacted] Exp earned: 24-

  “The System seemed to try to be empathetic, but pushed the notifications anyways.” It was hard to fight the relief I felt.

  -Party Disbanded!-

  You are no longer in The Cub Pack Party.

  That seemed reasonable, since I wasn't awake to share my Generals and Passives.

  ‘I wonder when we'll head off, I want safety.’

  Notifications handled for the time being, I tried to leave. The System had one last message for me.

  -Skill evolution path discovered.

  -Ice Slash → Chilling Ripost.

  Conditions: 1/50 riposts achieved with Ice Slash.

  It was a nice last pat on the back for what had been a horrifying experience. It was time to leave the carriage, and see when we would be taking off.

  The Cub Pack had built a fire during the night, and were sitting around it, chatting and having breakfast. They turned to look up at me, the Party Leader speaking up.

  “We were just waiting on you, sleepy head.” The words came out with a reassuring smile.

  “Won't be much longer till we get back on the road, so just relax and we'll take it from here, yeah?”

  “Yeah, I'll do that.” I hadn't the spoons to do anything else yet. My mind kept going to the Cards in my pocket, jabbing little lines in my legs.

  “It’s Jessamine, my name, that is.” She pointed at the two men next. “Rough looking one on the left is Rook, he's mute and swears mostly in sign language. On the right we have Laurance, don't let his looks fool you, thin and meek he may look, he can clean out your coin purse during a game of cards.” Rook just grunted, while Laurance just chuckled, giving me a thumbs up.