Hunger? Cracked lips and a throat parched so dry you relished the taste of your own blood? The lungs burn with ragged breaths as your fingers claw at the ground, desperate for an escape? Or legs so spent they refuse to run, leaving you stranded on a rock barely wide enough to die on?
That was Eustace. His report stated he often shirked his duty. Yet, shirking duty was not the same as a coward who abandoned his teammates, thinking that his salvation would be beyond those of the helpless cries of the weak.
But now?
He was nothing more than a cornered rat. And rats never last long in the desert.
Below, a hundred or so Cactuaroid – a plant-based monster type that resembled an overgrown cactus – roused. Their thorned limbs unfurling with a sound like splintering bone at the coming sunlight.
At night, these monsters remained dormant, but by daytime, they became one hell of an aggressive enemy if any Players trespassed their habitat. And Eustace, one way or another, found himself in theirs.
The blond’s bloodied fingers hastened, digging into the rock as fast and as silently as he could. He didn’t even dare breathe. One wrong move, and the monsters would detect him.
Jin, riding on Fenrir, observed the scene further away with some interest. Yesterday's event still played vividly on his mind.
If Eustace hadn’t ditched the Cleaners and instead informed them of the incoming Twin-Tailed Desert Scorpion swarm, so much could have been avoided. No one had to suffer needless injuries, more so if they were the unawakened ones.
"We're lucky no one died yesterday. All because of him."
“Cowards, my lord, do not belong in our pack.”
Was it fear?
Perhaps so. Everyone has experienced it many times in their life. Run away, then. Run away as far as you can. To continue surviving. But before you decided to run away, give the others the chance to do the same. To survive.
Jin exhaled through his nose, releasing the anger from his chest. But disappointment was an anvil proven harder to remove. He didn’t expect Eustace to move mountains or soar across the sky.
Hell, he didn’t even expect competence. Basics worked. And reliability too. The kind that even Shinohara – a few years his junior and with near-debilitating stage fright – delivered blind and without thinking.
But Eustace?
He had chosen fear over duty. Cowardice over responsibilities. And in this world, fear and cowardice have got people killed.
A coward does not belong in the pack.
Fenrir’s word also echoed the truth Jin was keeping inside his heart. Eustace should never belong in his team. Late last night, while discussing their next moves, Old Man Sid even suggested that Jin to leave Eustace out. Consequences, he said, of his own action. It should have been worse for a coward who ran away, saving his own skin but harming everyone else.
But Jin was here for one reason – his promise to Chairman Heihachi. He was to make sure that these three failing examinees passed their exam one way or another. And to do that, he needed Eustace alive.
But first, that scout needed a lesson he’d never forget.
Jin's eyes glinted as an idea popped into his mind. “Time to wake up the bad boys.”
He amalgamated with Fenrir using the skill
He ran across the rocky desert toward the Cactuaroid group. Once they detected him striding toward their home, the monsters shifted their attention to him. Those that were still in their nightly slumber, awakened, and immediately their thorny limbs aimed at Jin.
But he wasn’t worried in the least. He could avoid their attacks with ease, even when it came as a thorn hail. If it proved too much later on, there was the shadowsea to escape into. Meanwhile, the other Shadow Wolves ran circles around the Cactuaroid.
It was an easy task for them as the Shadow Wolves were resistant to physical attack and most magic attacks except for light, which they’d receive double damage. Though they didn’t engage with the Cactuaroid, their presence alone alerted their enemies.
“Now!”
Within a blink, Jin and the Shadow Wolves scaled up the very rocky formation Eustace was on. The Cactuaroid, with no means to climb up, shot its thorns from the ground.
Eustace’s scream filled the air. With that scream alone, the enemies were alarmed by another presence within their habitat. Watching the scene unfold, Jin chuckled before he escaped into the shadowsea.
There was a famous Confucius saying: ‘Repay injury with justice and repay kindness with kindness.’
And Eustace received his comeuppance for what he did to the Cleaners yesterday. It didn’t kill him outright, but it still hurt the scout enough to reconsider his future actions with more care.
“And that is your lesson, Eustace!” Jin said after he had saved the scout from being turned into a walking human porcupine. “You ditched those under you and put them in mortal danger. Yet, when you are in one yourself, what word did you call out again? Help, was it?”
“I-I’m sorry. I d-didn’t mean to abandon them. I thought-“
“Your thoughts mean nothing if those you’re responsible for are dead!”
Jin’s voice echoed through the desert. He had enough of cowardice to last him a few lifetimes. Eustace huddled, crying his heart out. But Jin wasn’t going to let it go anytime soon.
“If I didn’t have the ability I have right now, instead of failing, you’d become a murderer.”
“Murderer?” Eustace’s sob stopped. That one word jolted him back to life. “B-But I didn’t kill anyone!”
“You didn’t because I fucking clean up your mess for you! And you expect to become a Player like this? Putting harm in others’ way just because you hated your role?”
Eustace’s eyes widened, muttering incoherent words. Even then, his intention was clear from the beginning.
“Oh. I know everything about you. Your background. Family. Do you expect me to take on this ridiculous role of babysitting a group of adult children without knowing anything at all?”
This narrative has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. If you see it on Amazon, please report it.
“I-If you know, why did you put me as a scout? I hated it! I never want to be a scout!”
Jin scoffed. “And then what do you want to be? Murderer? Player Killer? Leech?”
“I-I-“
Jin cut him off. “You know my class, right?”
“Herbalist, I think?”
“You do know, huh? So, tell me again why a class more suited to the Artisan type has to lead a bunch of inbred and save your arses while at it? Emilia, Ka Fei and you.”
Eustace’s gaze dropped. Though his mouth was moving, no words came out.
Jin crossed his arms. “I hated this job. I even rejected it at first.”
“So, why did you even take it, Frank? You’re better off without doing anything for us.”
“Maybe. But someone wise enough said that people deserve second chances. You happened to be one of those people.”
“S-Second chance? Me? W-What did I do-”
“Oh, shut it, will you?” Whether you believe it or not, I don’t care. My role here is clear.” Jin brought out some potions and dressing from his inventory. “Here, take this.”
Jin tossed a healing potion at Eustace’s feet. The boy took it, gulping the contents down in one go. Vigour soon returned to him.
But there was still the issue with the Cacturoid’s thorns, sticking like a sore thumb on Eustace’s body. A walking pin cushion. The sight amused Jin somewhat. He plucked one spine from the blond’s forearm, and the pain caused him to shed tears.
“Cry all you want,” Jin said, his voice low. “You ditched those under you. And now you know how it feels to be left behind.”
“I’m sorry. I really do,” Eustace cast his glance at Jin’s feet. “And t-thank you. Frank. I mean it. Second chances and all.”
Jin said nothing else but kept dressing the injuries. Eustace tried his best not to scream from the treatment, but a whine or two still escaped from his lips. Tears streamed down his cheek.
Once Jin finished with the treatment, they set off back to the campsite where the others were on foot.
“Frank?” Eustace called out before they left the place. “Do you know why I hated being a scout?”
“Don’t know. And don’t care,” he said, packing his dressing kit. “Not my place to dig my nose in more than needed.”
“I-It's just that it's so scary being alone. Up front. Ahead of the rest. There’s no safety there. Only solitude in the most dangerous part of the world.”
“So? What about it?”
Eustace's eyes widened. “What do you mean? Isn’t that the worst thing that can happen to anyone? Being ordered to your death?!”
A smirk crept onto Jin’s face. “Were you scared when the Cactuaroid attacked you earlier?”
“Of course!”
“Did you think it’s the worst thing that can happen to you?”
Eustace nodded.
“And who put you there? Me?”
Eustace’s breath stalled. It was his own choices that had led him here. Not Jin. Not fate. And definitely not because it was his role. The weight of it crushed his chest like a boulder.
“It’s not your task, team position or your class that determines who you are inside. If you’re a coward, even if you’re the Valkyrie herself, you’d put everyone in danger. There’s no changing that.”
“T-Then what can I do?”
“I don’t know,” Jin shrugged. “You’re an adult now. So, find the answer yourself.”
His expression then turned serious and cold. Eustace froze as the man’s stare bore deep into his soul.
“Remember this." Jin's words rang across the morning desert. "You’ve had your second chance. Next time you choose cowardice and endanger others because of that, I’ll end you myself. And no one will mourn a coward’s corpse. Or to seek justice."
***
Old Man Sid was already waiting for the two to return by the campsite, breakfast done and ready. But eating as soon as they reached was not on the agenda. With Jin’s urging, Eustace went to the Cleaners under him and apologised for his cowardice and mistakes.
“I-I’m sorry,’ he stammered, bowing his head as low as he could. “I thought I was doing the right thing. But I was wrong.”
According to Eustace, he saw the Twin-Tailed Desert Scorpion army marching toward the group from far out. Not wanting to put any of the Cleaners under him in any danger – and knowing the enemies were sensitive to sound – Eustace took the role as decoy. He could outrun them and disappear.
Unfortunately, he didn’t account for other probabilities that might jeopardise his foolish plan. Especially four pairs of feet made for a stronger shockwave that angered their enemies compared to a pair. And westside was the worst direction he could take, too, as it led the enemies to Emilia’s side.
One of the Cleaners, a girl with a bandaged forehead, crossed her arms. “Wrong? Damn right you are!”
Eustace flinched.
“Yeah!” another added. “At least tell us what’s coming! You left us for dead! No words. Nothing! You call that a team leader?”
“If it’s not for Frank coming to save us,” the girl with a bandaged forehead continued, “Instead of breakfast, we might have funerals. What are you going to tell our loved ones?!“
“I know. And I… I won’t do it again.”
“Whatever reasons you have for running away, cowardice or heroic, it’s useless unless it works.” Jin came with a bowl of chicken porridge in his hand. After eating a mouthful, he continued. “Unfortunately, you fucked up. Spectacularly.”
Old Man Sid came over. “And the same goes to you bunch too. Frank and I had given you enough information regarding the monsters, and yet, what happened? You’re supposed to be my best guys. So, act like one!”
The four Cleaners dropped their shoulder in silence before walking away. Eustace stood like a statue, with his head still bowed.
“Go and take your breakfast before it's cold.” Jin patted Eustace’s shoulder.
“D-Do you think they will forgive me?” he said without lifting his head.
“You've got to earn that yourself. But want a tip?”
Eustace straightened his body immediately, eyes shining with hope.
Jin cracked a smile. “Bring them their breakfast. As they say, a full belly makes anyone merry.”
“Really?! T-Thanks, Frank!”
The blond dashed toward the pot, serving on the tray not four, but eight bowls of chicken porridge. Looking at him like that, Jin was quite relieved.
“The boy needs to learn his lesson,” Old Man Sid added as he slurped a mouthful. “So, do you think he learnt anything?
“For his and our sake, let's hope so.” Jin took another spoonful. “Else, I’ll be damned.”
“If it’s any of that infamous lesson of yours, that boy is truly converted. Give him time.”
Jin smirked. “He’ll have lots of time. But then again, he’s the least of our trouble now.”
He turned his attention to Emilia, who sat by herself far away from the rest, eating a loaf of bread. Like last night, no one offered her any food. Nor did anyone approach her for anything else, even to start a small talk. She was a queen without a court – her nobility meant nothing inside the RIFT. Even being the lowest-rated one, this was still a brutal and unforgiving world.
And Jin was about to do the same thing. Before the RIFT consumed her, it would be better if he did it first.
“Everyone, listen up. We’re going toward the pyramid today. Since there are only two of us Players and ten of you, instead of dividing into a group of four each, we will go as a whole. Old Man Sid has agreed to this. So, after breakfast, we move. No more delays.”
“What about the other group? Are we leaving them to that shit-talking Player?” one of the Cleaners asked.
“So far, they’re safe with Ka Fei. As long as they move as planned, we will meet them by the oasis at the pyramid’s base. Latest by this evening.”
Half an hour later, everyone finished preparations and stood ready. Even Eustace, who looked terrible when he returned to the campsite, now had a more vibrant look. He discarded his leather scouting gear and donned light battle armour – a breastplate over a leather shirt, a gauntlet, and a sword.
“You decided then?”
Eustace nodded. “You’re right. My Class doesn’t determine my role. So, I want to stop doing what others tell me, especially if it goes against my will. I want to do what I want to do instead.”
He unsheathed his sword and gave it a quick swing. Sharp and precise as if he had trained using that weapon for the longest of time. A weapon that most Scout Class Players wouldn’t use, as it was deemed too slow and bulky.
“Oh? And what role do you want to play?”
“A stealth-based attacker. Hit, run and hit again. Until my enemies fall.”
Jin patted Eustace’s shoulder, and that made the scout, now playing the role of DPS, happy.
“Also, they accepted my apologies, Frank. I thought they’d never forgive me for what I did,” he said with a big smile. “You’re right. We talked over breakfast, and I promised them, over my own life, I’ll never repeat the same mistake.”
“That’s excellent. But remember, you’ve used your second chances. So, make it count this time.”
“But Emilia…” Eustace glanced at her before turning away in the opposite direction.
“What about her?”
“I still can’t talk to her. To apologise. She looks pissed off, and that scares me.”
“Let her be. Unlike you, she hasn’t apologised to anyone for her selfishness. So, we’re going to leave her alone. For the sake of the group.”
Jin was true to his words. The two Players he mentioned were Eustace and himself, leading the group. Emilia received no further roles, not even the menial duties, and thus was relegated to the back. Even when the Cleaners stopped to map the area or search for resources, Emilia remained alone. She didn't approach Jin or anyone else.
“She’s sure is a stubborn one,” Old Man Sid said as they took a lunch break. “Nobles are sure pain in the arse, alright.”
Jin snorted. “Tell me about it. Other than Elyzabeth, who acted more like a commoner than a noble, the rest were outright narcissistic and obnoxious. To the point I start to question what do they bring to the world to act so big and mighty?”
Old Man Sid turned his attention to Emilia. “Judging from the way she acted, I’m sure as hell the girl didn’t do anything that earned that status herself. Life’s sure is good being a descendant of a noble family, eh?”
“A noble that doesn’t lead or support those around them will fall,” Jin said, his voice cold and harsh. “And she will fall. Sooner or later.”
However, the next to fall wasn't Emilia von Lowenhald, but – to Jin's utter lack of surprise – Wong Ka Fei.