Chapter 294 (1/2)

Book 3, Chapter 30 – The Quicksand Monster

Barb was thrilled with the change in circumstance

She didn't know anything about Autumn or where she cairl was Barb was embarrassed to compare herself How could a wastelander be that pretty? What's more, every other word out of her et so much? She threw them around like they orth less than dirt Barb could work herself like a pack mule all the rest of her days and never have that much money

She could see how dis Barb's praises This made her happy

She slung the exorcist bow off her shoulder and gripped it in one hand A fair amount of trouble had been avoided thanks to this weapon Without it their escape would have gone a lot less s it, then reluctantly gave it back “Your bow is a fine one, your Excellency Exquisite workold at least Here ya go”

Such was life Autu worth le biscuit, while Barb worked herself to the bone and couldn't afford a decent bow

Cloudha the interest and disappointment in Barb's eyes With a wave he said, “I have a few If you like it, I can lend it to you for a while Soonna need it on the road”

Barb called herself a monster hunter, but a hunter with no boouldn't survive for long Most novice dee co demonhunter's choice of weaponry determined their role in combat An exorcist staff, obviously, was suited for close encounters They didn't consuy and were quick The drawback was they were relatively weak Exorcist bows, in contrast, were h they were slower and required considerable psychic energy to use, they could pack quite a punch

Staff and boere funda deer physically, and those with bows had a talent for precision and control As one would expect, a ranged specialist would not havea staff A melee-focused demonhunter likely wouldn't hit much if they used a bow, and et a couple shots off, but if a target got in close it was too late to resort to a staff

Barb had considerable potential, with talent in both areas She was stronger than any novice, that was certain While she ht have been better suited for a bow, Barb had never had much luck with money Since exorcist boere several tie counterparts, she settled for a staff from the outset

Cloudhawk, taking the girl's self-esteeuise of 'lending'

On the surface Barb seemed a little off-the-cuff, but sometimes she proved to be quite sharp She knew Cloudhawk's intention in lending the bow to her and appreciated it deeply There weren't verya shoas low-class, so she accepted without argument “Thank you, your Excellency!”

“Alright, hope you're rested” Cloudhawk slipped the mask back onto his face and pulled hier's Borough soon The Highwaymen won't be on our tail for a while yet And the next tio”

The buggy's engine sputtered back to life

Autu at her biscuit as she produced a er's Borough lay straight ahead, then off they went After four or five hours, buildings started to sprout from the horizon

Was this Fishh? Barb and Cloudhawk looked relived, safe harbor meant they could put their troubles behind them At least for a little while

“Eh, that's not right!” Autuht path, but Fish by our speed, getting there by to would be a stretch It's only afternoon Are you sure you went the right way?”

Cloudhawk shot her a hard look “Horseshi+t I've survived near h Of the two of us which one do you think is et lost?”

“Wastelander cities are always e about that Maybe your map is just old” Barb put her hands on the seatback in front of her and stood She craned her long neck and squinted into the distance “I can see it – definitely a town It seems unlikely there would be two outposts so close to each other, so I' we're here!”

Oddball darted off ahead to scout the area

“We're definitely going the right direction” Cloudhawk frowned and shook his head “But this settlement is too sh”

“So what is this place?”

“Doesn't matter We'll skirt around Better safe than sorry”

Barb nodded If Cloudhawk said it, then itthe bow over her shoulder and wrapped her hands instead around the exorcist staff

Barb was ready to do anything Cloudhawk asked of her, a fact that earned considerable disdain froht? What was she doing groveling before this man so pathetically? She had no self-respect

What Autumn didn't understand was that Barb had come from a poor family She wasn't like Selene Cloud or Dawn Polaris, born with a sterling future and a silver spoon in their mouths Neither was she like Frost de Winter, as taken in by an illustrious teacher Barb didn't even have the good fortune of someone like Cloudhawk or Squall For so in the same circles as these people was incredibly hard