40 Abandoned Goblin Settlements (2/2)

Not bothering with the rest, Rydel did the same. Slivia shrugged and examined the kari crystal, sifting through many ideas of simple accessories she could craft from it. Troni nodded, following the party captain's lead and secluding himself for the night.

Brunar hesitated before he called out to his master, stopping Maynard from escaping a conversation. ”Master, please let me speak with you about some things.”

”Very well, just make it fast,” said Maynard, suppressing a yawn.

”Has something happened between you and that new hero?” Brunar tried his best to speak respectfully about Jack in front of Maynard, knowing that his master might discipline him if he didn't.

Maynard's face twitched, not expecting such a question. He pondered for a moment before answering, ”Brunar, it's about time for you to begin journeying on your own. There's not much else I can teach you and you'll catch up to me soon enough, so I see no other reason for you to keep following me.”

Baffled by Maynard's statement Brunar asked, ”What does that have to do with this?”

”I'll be honest with ya. After this mission, I'll start journeying with Jack. I'm not sure how long this will last, but I'm certain it will be for a significant period,” stated Maynard.

”Huh!?” Brunar shouted in response, catching Slivia's attention because she had yet to hide away in a hut.

”Like I said, I'll be journeying with him for a while.” Maynard shrugged casually, not wanting to explain anything further.

”But, but…” Brunar had no way of understanding how great the benefits of following Jack were and no one was willing to tell him due to his distrust in Jack. The young samurai quietly muttered something while containing his rage, ”What did he offer you? He must have some treasure you're after… If so, then why not just take it from him? He's too low leveled to stop you.”

Maynard frowned deeply. Not only was he mad that his disciple wouldn't respect Jack, but his proposal of extortion was also ugly in Maynard's eyes. ”Brunar…”

Setting his spite aside, Brunar started to clear his head when a hand struck his face. It wasn't strong enough to fling him through the air, but it left a pure red handprint on Brunar's right cheek and made sure that Slivia could hear it. Maynard continued, ”A samurai must never act such a way, at least no samurai I call my disciple.”

Hearing Maynard's words felt like being struck by lightning to Brunar. When his master had become more lenient with him after reaching lv. 20, Brunar had begun to have more freedom to act alone. While in this position and having some minor fame within the association, he had found many ways of extorting others, some instances being minor and others being major offenses to his master's humble teachings. This was the first time he had let any information about that slip in front of his master.

”Master, I apologize for such unrighteous thoughts. Please, forgive my unruliness,” begged Brunar while kowtowing. He understood how straightforward his master was and his quickness in delivering judgment. Trying to retain his position as the number one disciple, he fell back into the act of playing nice.

Squinting heavily, Maynard's expression was a little ugly. ”Watch your words and actions. You know better than others, so act better than others.”

”Yessir!”

”I've already told you my answer, now get some sleep.” Maynard didn't look back to his bowing disciple as he entered a hut. No matter how he tried, he couldn't shake the feeling that Brunar had been playing him the whole time. However, he quickly destroyed that thought, sure of that he was wrong based on all the time and experiences the two had shared as master and disciple.

Jack was in his hut with a small fire to the side near a wall. He had pushed most of the ash outside, leaving him a small space just big enough to lay down. Above the flame was some unihorn rib meat on a tall skewer, which was leaning against the wall for leverage. Bowser was gnawing on the small bones from the monster remains in the ashes, enjoying the new taste he discovered.

Sighing, Jack stared at his achievement screen and its most recent update.

[Find the tomb: in progress]

[Find the tomb of G0blin_Sl4yer within the second level of the azure mine. Reward: 18 skill points, access to his saved data.]