Chapter 76 (1/2)

Derek stayed back on top of the hill, scowling down at them as the group proceeded to walk forward. He had to admit that they were disciplined, far above the level of even the regulars of the Freedom Fighters, as they settled into a crouch and moved in formation, but how much could a class really help in a huge melee like this? The numbers were stacked against them.

Like a ghost, a tall, orange haired figure appeared next to Derek. He spared him a glance. It was Lucifer, the only man in the Freedom Fighters that Derek had no confidence of being able to stand against. He was also the 2nd in command of the Freedom Fighters in all but name, leading the most powerful battalion.

“Is that them?” Lucifer grunted, wiping blood from his sabers.

Derek nodded. “Let’s see if classes are really worth all this trouble.”

****

Randidly’s hackles rose at the mention of Raina, but then he shrugged. She wouldn’t even be near him, she would just wait out for the food. But when they walked into the kitchen, there she was, sitting up on the counter, her legs dangling. Next to her a serious looking woman with pistols strapped to her waist stood, arms crossed.

“Oh, Raina! I’m such a huge fan. It is such an honor for you to taste my delectable cuisine.” Karlito said, bowing.

Raina rewarded him with a sunny smile. “Actually, I’m just peckish. Matilda here told me that her favorite dish was fish tacos, and when it came to fresh food, this was the place to come.”

Matilda, who Randidly assumed was the guard, just glowered, looking excited about nothing, fish tacos or otherwise.

Naturally, Raina’s gaze moved past Karlito to Randidly, who followed him through the door into the kitchen. Randidly looked towards the ground, feeling a small urge to smile and suppressing it. Mental Strength rose another level, and the urge dropped to almost nothing.

Randidly sighed his relief and began to move towards the supply freezer, to get the ingredients for fish tacos. He began running through the list in his head. He would need-

“Excuse me, were you at my concert last night? Back stage?”

Randidly paused, turning slowly. Raina had hopped down off the counter and was studying him, something strange in her eyes.

Nodding, Randidly said. “Yes, I was.”

The silence grew slowly, their gazes locked.

Then Karlito chuckled uneasily. “Honestly, who wasn’t at your concert, Ms. Raina? It was the event of the year! I wish I could get a recording, your music speaks to me-”

“Not everyone was back stage. And not everyone can just look at me with such mild eyes while I’m smiling at them, not since the system came to this world.” Raina said, her voice light. “...In fact, I don’t think I have met anyone that can. Not even that zombie Lucifer. What’s your name?”

To Randidly’s surprise, there was no power or skill in the question. No influence from the system pressed against him, urging him to answer. It was just filled with curiosity, and a yearning. And most of all, loneliness.

After an extremely long pause, Randidly answered. “...my name is.... Randidly Ghosthound.”

One of the great reliefs of Randidly’s life, in regards to the system, was that no longer would his name earn him strange looks. Raina nodded, as if this was the most natural thing in the world.

“Well, Mr. Ghosthound,” She said, the corners of her mouth quirking upward. “Would you like to have dinner with me?”

****