230 The Neccesary Steps (2/2)
His footsteps stopped. Turning around, Jack stared at the still emotionless God. ”And what would those be? Wouldn't that be a waste of my last question?”
Daruun showed a subtle smile as he shook his head. ”Thanks to your efforts and your recent tomb raiding, you've now got seven hundred and fifty-nine skill points. Do you think it's best to buy an immensely powerful spell or to distribute them amongst a few spells that are less powerful yet quite practical?”
”Just tell me already since you know best,” whined Jack.
”What I recommend is that you level up both mana capacity and mana regeneration first, which will take 320 skill points. Then you should buy Spatial Disruption,” advised Daruun. ”This will aid your entire party at once and create the ideal environment for teamwork. As for the remaining 39 points, that's up to you.”
Jack scoffed, ”Wouldn't Revivification be a better choice?”
”I wouldn't recommend it.”
”I see…” Jack showed no hesitation as he opened up his skill list and purchased Revivification along with upgrading mana capacity and mana regeneration to lv. 6.
Daruun sighed and shook his head. ”Very well… Good luck.”
As Jack reentered the barren, sand-covered world under the dark night sky, he was tackled to the ground. Before Jack could do anything fox saliva painted his face. ”Bowzer, calm down.”
'Did you find it?' Asked Bowzer.
Jack nodded and neared Appa. The giant bird lowered his wing and allowed Jack to climb on, followed by Bowzer. In moments the three of them vanished as if they themselves had become stars in the distant firmament.
*****
A knock sounded on the locked door of the Heavenly Palace Inn. There was no reply. Again, knocks came from the door.
”I'm coming, I'm coming,” a distant voice rang out. A few moments passed till the door finally opened up after the lock was undone. ”Thanks for choosing… Oh, it's you, Jack. What took you--”
”I'm off to bed…” Exhausted both physically and mentally, Jack brushed past Martha and trudged up the stairs.
He stayed quiet as he passed numerous rooms and soon turned a door handle, finding his own personal space. Deep breaths filled his stomach and lungs, gradually calming him. In his tired state, Jack forgot to release Bowzer, leaving Jack alone in the pitch-black room as he struggled to drift to sleep.
Hours passed and the sunshine quietly crept through the foggy window covered in morning dew.
”Jack… Jack…”
Something heavy started to weigh down Jack's chest, enough to wake him up when accompanied by the gentle calls of his name.
Jack tried to wipe his eyes but found himself unable. Something was on top of his arms, as well as his body. As he cracked his eyes open, it took a moment for Jack to clearly see the woman laying on top of him. He blinked. He noticed that she was still clothed and wasn't trying to do anything but shake him awake. ”Eliza… What do you want?”
”It's time to wake up,” Eliza smiled as she sat up beside him. ”If you're tired and sore I can always give you a massage?”
”Maybe later… For now, just let me rest…” Jack mumbled as his dark and tired eyelids heavily fell, shielding Jack from the morning sun's rays.