In the end, the group left Frederick's house without knowing what to do. Jake was determined not to join the guild, but he was an exception. Karina felt that she shouldn't express her opinion since she was a newbie and Jake wasn't exactly fond of her due to the assassination attempt. Meanwhile, Lana and Louise were troubled. Leaving the group of someone who helped them so much seemed like some sort of betrayal, even though Jake had already prepared for that and actually was motivating them to join the guild. However, staying with him might also cause problems for Jake since the number of monsters that approach them is most of the time determined by the number of party members. Sooner or later, due to his stubbornness and pride in making the monsters focus on him all the time, it might make Jake get killed, and the girls would feel guilty over it.
"My group is going to return to the dungeon in ten hours, while we pretty much can handle things there by ourselves, you should rest to be able to act if the need arises," Adam said. "See you later."
Jake had been pretty rude to Frederic and Luke, but given that those two didn't mind it, Adam didn't mind as well, so he was treating everyone as the same as before. He was even willing to let them get the rewards of the mission for free…
"I am going to meditate outside the base in the meantime," Jake said. "You guys should use this time wisely and think things through."
The girls nodded. They really needed to use some hours alone to consider everything… Once Jake got away enough from the base, he sat down on the top of a hill where he could see everything around and then began to meditate while training Flames of Wrath. He wasn't the type to second-guess himself, but right now, Jake couldn't help but wonder if letting the girls alone was the best idea. They wouldn't be exactly alone, but they would be surrounded by people they didn't know a single thing off…
"I don't have time to get all sentimental…" Jake muttered. "They came here of their own volition, and I am not their guard."
Despite saying that, Jake couldn't negate that he survived and won many difficult battles thanks to their support. Still, Jake's pride was telling him that he would manage by himself in some way or the other. After all, by himself, he could focus on dodging instead of blocking.
"While I am determined to fight alone if I have to, I still need to develop my basic abilities," Jake nodded to himself. "Lesser Vampirism still has long ways to go and for long-ranged attacks, Flames of Wrath still is very limiting… with Hyper Body, I probably can fight for long periods of time, but I suppose I will need more against bosses."
Class: Squire Lv 21 (+ 02 UP)/ Gladiator Lv 16 (+ 02 UP)/ Swordsman Lv 15 (+ 03 UP)
Race: Golem/ Wild Mantis/--
Fame: 8510
Health: 375/466 (0,29)
Mana: 254/321 (0,29)
Stamina: 338/432 (0,29)
Strength: 300
Dexterity: 44
Speed: 180
Intelligence: 09
Endurance: 199
Control: 05
Mentality: 38
Luck: 37
Recovery: 180
Willpower: 38
Coins: 266622
Status: 00
Skill List
Active Physical Skills: Bash Lv 15 (+ 03 UP), Dash Lv 11 (+ 02 UP), Mana Blade Lv 22 (+ 02 UP), Sonic Thrust Lv 04 (+ 03 UP), Concentrated Strike Lv 11 (+ 03), Explosive Touch Lv 01,
Passive Physical Skills: Hyper Body Lv 22 (+ 02 UP), Flames of Wrath Lv 23 (+ 04 UP), ????, ????, ????, ????, ????, Pain Resistance Lv 13 (+ 03 UP) Lesser Vampirism Lv 14 (+ 01 UP), Improved Recovery Lv 20 (+ 03 UP), Stamina Boost Lv 17 (+ 03 UP), Strong Arms Lv 10 (+ 03 UP), Quick Legs Lv 10 (+ 03 UP), Alert Lv 09 (+ 02 UP), Bleed Lv 13 (+ 03 UP), Health Bonus Lv 08 (+ 03 UP), , Craft Lv 03 (+ 02 UP), Enhanced Recovery Lv 05 (+ 02 UP),
Spells: Appraisal Lv 18 (+ 02 UP), Meditation Lv 19 (+ 03 UP), Repair Lv 03 (+ 02 UP),
Support Spells: Fire Resistance Lv 23 (+ 05 UP), Heat Resistance Lv 22 (+ 05 UP), , Mental Armor Lv 01,
Classes:
Combat: Hunter Lv 01,
Non-Combatant: Blacksmith Lv 01
"Hmm… looking at my status, it is play obvious that I am receiving too much damage against magic and poison," Jake nodded to himself. "I need to improve in that aspect, or things might get messy."
Jake wondered if he should use the poison he gathered from the snakes and train his resistance or if he should sell them. Considering that Luke didn't offer him any gear, he probably won't sell him anything really decent above his current equipment. He would focus on giving his guild mates the chance to get stronger using them, which was understandable.
Since that was the case, Jake decided to use the poison on himself instead of selling it. At least a small part since they might come in handy later. He also spent the day using Flames of Wrath on himself, but while they didn't burn his body, they still wounded him and increased his pain resistance.
"It seems Flames of Wrath, despite its name, it is a non-elemental attack," Jake thought.
In the end, after practicing until the sun started to set, Jake returned to the base and then saw some members of the guild preparing to clear the dungeon. While they couldn't obtain the special class more than once, many of them were ready to go. Soon, the girls appeared and then didn't say anything. It looked like they didn't find an answer to that situation yet…
"Well, like Frederic said, you don't have to answer them right now," Jake said. "Their doors will always be open for you, so you can keep going like this until you feel that is possible."
"Why are you so dead set in not joining a guild, Jake?" Lana asked.
"Guilds have hierarchies, and I don't want to be at the bottom of any hierarchy," Jake replied. "I want to feel like the king wherever I go,"
"Please, answer seriously…" Lana said after she facepalmed.
"If you didn't accept that answer, I doubt that you will accept the next one," Jake said. "It is just a gut feeling… my instincts are telling me not to join any organization. I feel like I am going to regret it later."
"What about this party?" Lana asked.
"A small party like this is another matter altogether," Jake shrugged. "Besides, if any of you cause trouble, I feel like I can handle it."
In the end, it seemed like Jake operated with the assumption that everyone would cause trouble for him. That was why he wanted to be a solo player. It was quite the sad way of thinking, but no one could criticize him since that didn't bother anyone…
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