The Rottengrip released a pained roar and its claws swung towards John, but John rolled away, dodging the Rottengrip’s attack and landing a slash on its back, the Rottengrip let out a blood-curdling screech and collapsed to the ground, its crimson eyes staring at John and its claws scratching the ground, but John wasn’t going to let the Rottengrip live.
He lunged at it with the Venomlash enveloped with the energy and launched a Critical Hit attack, the Rottengrip’s skull exploded and its brain matter splattered the street, John let out a heavy sigh and wiped the sweat off his forehead.
"Fuck, that was one hell of a fight," John muttered and took a deep breath, the Rottengrip released a weak and final screech before it died.
[Scourge Killed]
[3 Strength Obtained]
"Phew," John sighed in relief and stored the corpse in his Dimensional Storage, "this fucking System gives only three strength? Come on, man. I deserve at least 4," John chuckled and stored Venomlash, continuing his way towards Celeste’s house.
Soon, he arrived and climbed through the fence and into the backyard, his senses on high alert and his body tense and coiled, ready to strike at a moment’s notice, he sneaked around the perimeter of the house, staying hidden in the shadows and moving in the blind spots, keeping a close eye on the house’s windows.
He spotted Celeste kneeling in front of an altar, praying for the dead and John’s expression hardened, he crouched behind a bush and observed her for a moment.
Suddenly, Celeste stood up and turned around, staring at the window, John froze in place, hiding behind the bush and hoping that she didn’t notice him, but he wasn’t lucky enough for that, "is someone out there?" Celeste muttered and walked towards the window, opening the blinds and peering into the backyard.
John used his Haze Veil skill and blended in with the surroundings, his Quiet Steps silencing his footfall and his breathing, Celeste squinted her eyes, trying to catch a glimpse of whoever was outside, but she gave up after a few minutes and shut the window and the blinds, "must’ve been my imagination," Celeste said to herself and sat on the couch, taking out a book from under the cushion.
John frowned and kept observing her, his curiosity piqued and he activated the Web of Whispers skill, enabling him to see and hear her through the window. Once she settled in, John decided it was time to do what he came here to do and stepped away from the house, looking for any monsters to lure towards Celeste’s house.
Unfortunately, nothing interesting came his way so, John decided to return later and make his move the next day, but he was stopped by Celeste, who came out of the house, a plastic bucket in her hand and a determined look on her face, "who are you? What do you want?" Celeste yelled at John, catching him off-guard and pointing a metal rod at him.
"Whoa, easy, lady, I’m just passing by," John said and raised his hands.
"Don’t give me that shit, what were you doing outside my house?"
"Wow, she’s a feisty one," John thought to himself. She didn’t look like the type, but it seems she could take care of herself.
John cursed inwardly, he hadn’t even started and his quest was going awry already.
"I told you, lady, I’m just passing by, I’m sorry if I frightened you," John said and raised his hands, showing Celeste he was unarmed.
Celeste’s gaze moved over John’s body, examining him and she squinted her eyes, "are you a part of Theodore’s men?"
John scoffed, "No. Not anymore, thankfully."
"Not anymore? What does that mean?" Celeste asked, her guard up and her weapon pointed at John.
"It means Theodore and his men are a bunch of assholes and I’d rather die than be in the same team as them."
Celeste frowned and examined John again, she couldn’t understand how a man could hate Theodore so much, she heard stories about him, the way he and his men saved the survivors and built the shelter, she couldn’t understand why this man hated them, and she wasn’t going to believe anything he says.
"Are you here to steal?" Celeste asked.
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John shrugged, "depends."
"On what?"
John smiled and pointed at the bucket in Celeste’s hand, "you seem to be in a hurry to grab water, and I happen to have some in my storage. How about a deal?"
"Why would you do that?"
John shrugged and looked Celeste up and down, a teasing smile formed on his lips, "you are quite beautiful, I’m sure I can think of something."
"Hah, in your dreams!"
John chuckled, "alright, alright. I’m just kidding. I’m just trying to make amends. I don’t want any enemies."
Celeste hesitated, she didn’t know what to make of John’s proposal, she couldn’t trust him, but she was sure Theodore would give her hell if he knew about her little excursion, and the more she looked at John, the more she believed he was harmless.
"Why would you help me? Do you want me to repay you?"
John smirked, "Don’t worry, beautiful. I want nothing."
Celeste clicked her tongue, "don’t call me that."
John chuckled, "so, do we have a deal?"
Celeste hesitated for a moment and sighed, "do you have more water than me?"
"Much more, and food too."
Celeste stared at John, her gaze moving over his body, examining him and John chuckled, "what is it? Can’t decide? Or are you just admiring my hot body?"
"Shut up, show me ’storage’ of yours," Celeste snapped.
John chuckled and summoned piles upon piles of food and water causing Celeste to gasp in shock and disbelief, "w-what? How did you hide all that in your pockets?!" Celeste exclaimed in bewilderment.
"I told you, beautiful, this is my storage."
"What are you, an alien? I didn’t even think the system had stuff like this, and what’s with this amount of supplies? Theodore doesn’t even have this much..."
John raised an eyebrow, "he doesn’t? Well, looks like you made the right decision. Here, have some of this," John said, handing her a large amount of food and water.
"But!" he paused his movement before handing over the food and water, "under one condition."
"Ha, I knew it. You men all are the same," Celeste sneered and rolled her eyes, "what do you want?"
John shrugged and smiled innocently, "Nothing much, beautiful. Wait for me next time tomorrow. I just want to have a chat."
Celeste quirked an eyebrow at him, "just a chat? That’s all?"
"Yup," John nodded and disappeared from her sight, leaving the food and water behind.
Celeste watched John’s disappearing figure and knelt down, picking up the food and water, her expression conflicted and her eyes narrowed, "what a strange man."