Claire and I were quiet for some time. Both of us were lost in our own thought. Try as I might I could not wrap my head around the number of people dead. Also, the way the System just… callously announced the death of billions.

  I guess if I take into account the description of the System, it really did not care about the individual. Its only function was to maintain the balance. I just could not help but think of the humans who died.

  Mothers and fathers who left children orphaned. Brothers and Sisters. Friends. Lovers. They all had hopes and dreams, lives. All that was taken away by the System to achieve balance,

  I wanted to hate the System. I wanted to rage against it and hate it but how could I. If we, humans, conducted ourselves better, the System would not have to correct our situation.

  Indirectly, or directly, we were to blame.

  “I don’t know how to feel about this. Angry, guilty, sad or just numb.”

  Her voice was laden with grieve and I shared it.

  “I know what you mean. I have so many feelings and I…”

  She placed her hand against the barrier, and I placed my hand against hers. I could not feel her hand, but it helped. I could see it helped her as well.

  “All we can do is to do better in the future. We must do better.”

  I nodded, “I agree with you, one hundred percent but the cost… It is just so high.”

  Neither of us said anything about our fears that our family and friends may be part of the population that was deceased. I think, and I could only speak for myself, that saying that aloud would take the hope we had away. The hope that they lived.

  We tried to talk about other things, but the conversation was stained and soon both of us sighed and gave up.

  “I think we should just call it a day and meet again the day after tomorrow.”

  I nodded, “That would be nice.”

  We said our goodbyes, and I walked back home. I had to remind myself a few times to keep an eye on my Mini Map and to be more aware of my surroundings.

  Luckily, for me, nothing bad happened. I reached my apartment and just fell on my bed. I did not feel like eating or even taking a shower.

  I felt numb but knew I did not have the luxury to wallow in self-pity. That would get me killed.

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  I woke the next day feeling groggy. I did not have a good night and when I did sleep, I had horrible nightmares. I dreamed about my family and friends, and they were running from me and no matter how much I called out to them, they did not hear me.

  I showered and stayed in the shower for a while. I made peace then to accept the situation and to move on. I owed it to myself, Claire and my family. I owed it to my friends and the planet and all of humanity to make this work.

  With resolve, I dressed and ate my breakfast, again hoping for coffee with a side of bacon and eggs. Or a nice omelette.

  My plan was to walk to the far side of the barrier and map it, hopefully find another neighbour. I was going to continue with my plans.

  I left my apartment and walked to the area I wanted to begin mapping. I, as always, kept an eye on my Mini-Map. I was in no hurry to advance as I had the second part of the quest to get done before level 7, but I did need a food and water package. I needed to kill at least one Kobold.

  I had to wait for some Kobolds to pass or ducked behind a vehicle here and there. I reached the last place I mapped and took out my Mapping Crystal.

  I was busy with my mapping when I noticed a different red dot on my Mini Map. I had to be the Level 6 Kobold. I hesitated for a second but decided to go and have a look. It was better to know your enemy than to let fear make it more powerful and scary that it was.

  I very carefully made my way to the red dot. From behind a vehicle, I peeked out and saw the Level 6. It was taller than the Level 5, and it carried a Glaive. I identified it and read over the description. This Kobold would be even more difficult to beat.

  I would have to practise a lot to have any hopes of defeating it.

  I sighed deeply and watched the Kobold disappear around the corner. I went back to my mapping and kept and eyes on my Mini Map as well as to peak into the area next too mine. One of my objectives was to meet with more neighbours.

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  first Royal Road chapter of each pair. The second one won’t have pictures. If you want to see all the art together (or earlier), it’s on Patreon with the combined chapters!