Another Stupid Isekai

- Ha, you heard that? Did you hear that, Will? You are jealous - Nil pointed his finger at Will.

- Why would I be jealous?

- Maybe because Vesa dumped your ass? - asked Alica, hiding behind the glass she was holding in her hand, almost bursting into a lough.

Boris didn't even try to stop himself, he just exploded into giggles, almost falling on his chair.

- She didn't dump me! We are just having a little misunderstanding, ok?

- Oh, she didn't? - Alice pretended to be surprised.

It was kinda fun to watch their bickering. A prof to what close they became. I would probably enjoy it way more if not the shame I was feeling because of the presence of Eshe.

- She didn't. We are just... Just taking some time, to think things through.

- I didn't even know you two were together - I said.

- Wa are, A.R.E. together. Just having some more space. A breather.

- A breather? - asked Alice. - That's interesting because I remember her yelling 'And never come back again', and throwing a glass at you.

- She is a very lively woman. She wanted to give me that glass and thought it's a good idea to throw it.

It was so much bullshit, that I just snorted, making others laugh out loud. Will seemed a bit hurt.

- Yeah, yeah, yeah. Just lough. Fuck you guys - and he showed us all middle finger.

- And who has a brick face now? - asked Sanders.

- Will The Brickface, it has a nice sound to it - said Boris, nodding to his own words.

- Fuck you.

We laughed some more, but the inevitable question returned sooner than anybody expected.

- So a break for a whole week, then? - asked Alice.

- Aren't you all a group that hunts in the canyon? - suddenly asked Eshe.

- Yes - Nil confirmed, the smug on his face was showing how proud he was of himself.

If you were to ask me, completely rightfully. There was a huge difference between just going out to hunt, and live for an entire month around enemies. On top of that not just any enemies, but one of the strongest we know about.

- Many look up to you.

- Do they? - he asked. - What about you? Do you also look up to us?

She twisted her torso, to face better, and leaned towards him. For a second I thought they are gonna kiss. I bet Sanders thought the same, but she froze right before.

- I admire strong and hardworking hunters - she said.

- Are you one of those Followers? - asked Nobuo.

She turned from Nil, to face the samurai.

- I actually am.

- It's easier to seduce hunters than go out there yourself - Hailwic pointed out.

I couldn't help but notice a note of spite in her voice.

- I know exactly how hard it is to hunt. I do it every day. I know that I might look like I'm just here in the club trying to leech off others, but you shouldn't judge the book by its cover - she said with a little smirk of confidence on her face. - I look up to our messiah.

Then she looked at me. It suddenly became very awkward for me.

- That sounded like a challenge - Nobuo pointed out. - Are you trying to tell us that we are not working hard enough?

- I come from a very rough background. I would probably have nothing if not this pretty face of mine, and long legs. I've been very fortunate and got myself into modeling. It was not easy, but the very moment I got my chance, I promised myself to do what I can to achieve success. I worked hard. Very, very hard, and it bore fruits. Not only this, it made me shape this philosophy that I observed not only in my life but all around. If you want something, you need to work hard for it, and then, most of the time, you will achieve it.

- So you are suggesting that we are not working hard enough for what we have? - asked Boris. - That's a dangerous assumption, girl.

- You are on top of the food chain of this city. If you want to stay there, you better try your hardest, because there is plenty around that follow the footsteps of our Messiah and are not taking any breaks - she replied to that.

She wasn't scared at all. There was so much confidence in her every word and move, that I actually started to feel threatened. I cleared my throat to stop it before it escalated too much.

- There is time to fight, but there is also time to rest. If you fight exhausted, then you die - said Nobuo.

- Yes, of course. I agree completely. You should aim to be at this place where you are constantly challenging yourself, but also not can sustain it. Otherwise, you will fall apart. I've seen it many times. So, let me ask you, are you in that place?

- Ok, that's it, guys. We are going back tomorrow - said Martin with a big smile on his face. - Let's show them!

Boris laughed and pointed at Eshe with his finger.

- You are really something. Not what I was expecting at all - then he grabbed his mug and rose it in the air. - To people like you.

Everybody else, including me, followed that toast.

- So then when are we going? - asked Alice. - Crystals are nice, but we do need a rest.

- Two days more - said Nobuo.

It was more like he already decided for everybody else, but nobody was protesting. Knowing the guy he ascertained the first logical date possible. I also noticed a little change in him. He seemed more focused than ever. Maybe he realized something about himself just now?

After this bit of stressful talk, we returned to partying like it never happened. Eshe never looked at me through all of that, even once.

She had her way with people. It was like she was our old friend. We joked around some more,  drank, and even danced at some point when the music got a little bit more lively.

I really enjoyed that night.

Those few days came to an end with 9 698 050 points remaining on my account, and forty-two class points.