I pulled up my pants and looked out of the window. The others were not in the room, and I felt rested except for the injury on the left side. Checked out from the window and could see citizens dressed in different clothing like in the 1900s, still dark, but is it morning?

  Grabbed the rest of my stuff and went down to the floor beneath, where Tinker was sitting in a small chair and playing with a couple of things. I went into the shop area, where several vamp...crawlers wanted to touch the window but couldn't, and the drooling didn't make me feel any safer. Goth woman, Torfudge, and Mejni were looking at...IS THAT A TREASURE MAP?

  "Hey! What are the three of you doing?"

  They looked at me like I was disturbing their moment together, and Mejni stared at me, clenching her big boobs with a smile on his face. He must really want to die today, like never before.

  "We are going through the map of the town leading up to the woods towards the castle." The goth woman explained.

  I wish, for a moment, it were a treasure map. It looks old; that should have been a treasure map.

  "I am sorry! I never got your name?" I asked.

  She saluted and said:

  "I am sorry that I forgot to introduce myself. I am Lady Fanny Kantarell, from the famous Kantarell family in Valiant and the daughter of the slain Witch Fantasia Kantarell."

  What in the flying fuck, does everyone here have fucking tragic pasts, especially the hot chicks? I didn't even ask for a freaking family history spoiler, knowing that her mother is dead.

  "Oh!... Eh, I am..." She interrupted me, "I know who you are, Berk Van Polan, Freelance private investigator and brother to Zark Van Polan. The failed son of the famous Lark Van Polan, who helped create a haven for the citizens in Paladin Woods by sacrificing his life for the cause."

  Geeh, I do feel a little bit sorry for my brother. Everyone hates me, but everyone seems to know him as a big loser.

  "Right!... You are correct, Fanny!"

  I would usually defend my brother, but it is unnecessary to discuss with people who do not understand. He may be a loser in others' eyes, but to me, he is my Hero and a great Private Investigator. He doesn't get scared by anything, like when he came to the depths to free me, reaching out his hands to help. No fear whatsoever in his eyes, I have never seen him get scared of anything. He may be powerless, but he has a will that is hard to find in anyone else, and he likes helping people. When I think about it, I remember when he told me he would free me, the main problem being that he always keeps his word, and I am not even in Paladin anymore to know what he is really up to.

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  It is a good thing; it is good that she mentioned my brother. I know that I should do everything in my power to survive, even if it means all the others here will die. The only goal is to get the princess; she breaks the curse, and we return home, even though I am really unsure whether we will make it out of all these situations.

  I moved to the desk and looked down at the map. I need to show the Witch that nobody messes with the Van Polans and that we are strong and not a bunch of a-holes.

  "What are we looking at?"

  Both stared at me, and I felt a little bit like I disturbed their meeting. Tinker walked in wearing a vest with a lot of pockets.

  "I am finished! Thanks for the materials, Fanny!" She said which made me a little bit worried when she mentioned materials.

  “Wat es reedy?” Mejni asked, which surprised me as it was more or less the first time I understood his question.

  "This, everyone, is our bomb vest. We can throw bombs in different directions when we release the pin. The best part is that on my right side are the exploding ones, and on the left are bombs filled with different magic spells." She explained.

  I tried to keep my cool and not go berserk on her, as she seems to have a couple of screws loose.

  "Eh! What are you going to do with the bombs exactly?" I asked her.

  "Well, we need to get out of the store and run towards the castle. Are we not going?"

  Calm down, Berk...Keep your cool. It is only the idiots you are traveling with; they will probably all die on the way. Take a deep breath and explain to her to be more cautious about things that are exploding. If she explodes and dies, there is nothing you can do about it. Let the shit play out. I took a deep breath before I told her:

  "Good! I am glad that you want to join us in this journey. I appreciate it!"

  I hope she blows herself up for even making bombs inside an area that is not safe.

  "Can we go through the plan?" Fanny said, sighing, as our so-called team doesn't look like we agree with each other that much.

  Taking care of an unhinged assassin and then taking now we have a psycho bomber, who we do not know yet if she is a mass murderer.

  Fanny pointed on the map and pointed with her finger the direction we have to take. Turn left, then left through the alley, go two blocks, turn right, then left. It doesn't look that hard if the streets are empty.

  "Hello Team Van Polan!"

  Shit, that is the voice of the box. I turned around as it interrupted our meeting, and I had a bad feeling about this.

  "Yesterday, we added more enemies as Team Van Polan joined the town as you are playing on Level Impossible. To make it fair with new enemies added while there are already Crawlers in this town, I have added objects to help out with your progress on the road that you will take on the map. The road will not become easier; quite the opposite, injuries can result in instant death."

  Oh wow! The box was so clear there, why does it sound like it plays a game with a riddle? Screw the box.

  "Ignore the box, let's go through the map again." I told everyone, and as I turned the box, it said," This is critical information for you, Van Polan. You are the weakest and the strongest in your team. Will you be reliable enough to keep your team safe until you reach the end of the stage?"

  Turned back to the box that pissed me off, and it floated there for a couple of seconds before disappearing.

  We went back to going through the map, and I glanced around at everyone. I shouldn't care if someone dies. I have not forced anyone to follow me; why should I be the one responsible for everyone's lives?

  Should I go alone? Is that a better choice? Maybe nobody will die. It's not my fault; I did not choose this.