Chương 25: Familial Ties

"Okay." Jeremy said. Grim stood in his room, the place was spotless compared to himself. His bed was made and everything had a place, as if it was meticulously organized. That was surprising to her, she hadn't been in his room much before and had expected something worse. More typical of a teen boy. He himself was wearing mismatched clothes and had no sense of a style, but everything was clean.

"You're gonna go next year anyway, why not come—Wait what?" Grim asked. He turned around in his computer chair, his hands fidgeting.

"I said okay, I'll come."

"Just like that? It's dangerous, you know that, right?" Jeremy shrugged, "I don't think you'd ask me unless you knew you could do it."

"What do you mean by that?" Grim frowned.

"You're not coming to me for help; you already know you can do this on your own, which is the only reason you're asking me to come," Jeremy said, seeing right through her. She raised her finger and then put it down. When had she gotten so predictable?

"Okay. You got me there. In that case, get your things; we'll go down to the store and get you some gear. I'll buy." Jeremy stood up and went to his bed. He crouched and pulled out a thick locking case from underneath, he brought it on top of his bed and opened it. Inside there was a full suit of gear. A vest which had several plates was stored in the middle, with arm and shin guards to the right of it. By the faint glow coming off the main vest, she could tell it was enchanted.

"How'd you get all this?" Grim asked, her mouth open. Jeremy smiled, satisfied with himself, "Large inheritance mixed with a side of overwhelming anxiety over death. I tried to get a gun too but I can't get a license until I'm 18."

"How did I never know about this? Does Louis know?"

"Yeah, he actually helped me get most of it, for a good price too. I don't know from who, but he apparently knew some people." She shook her head, she didn't know what to do with that information. She went over to the armour and ran her hand over it, it hummed lightly in response to her touch. It was steady and calming as she laid her hand on it. Hazel could probably figure out what it did but she wouldn't bring her out here.

[CEDE] could've also been used, but it was useless if she didn't know what she was looking for. Not that she could use it anyway with it being burnt out. What she did know was this must have cost a fortune, a chest piece and arm guards, both enchanted? She didn't even wanna know.

"How much did this all cost?"

"Everything," Jeremy smiled.

"I'm broke."

"Well that was stupid."

"Almost as stupid as going into a Gateworld unauthorized?"

"You're so annoying." Jeremy smirked, self-satisfied that he'd gotten under her skin.

"When are we going?"

"Tonight, if you're willing. I need to buy some supplies first and a weapon, but it shouldn't take me too long. Once it gets dark, I know a place we can get into."

"Woah, woah, tonight? Are you sure? I thought we'd have some time to train or something? Watch some videos, give me a diagnostic on what we're up against?" The narrative has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the infringement. Grim narrowed her eyes, "I thought you said you weren't worried, besides, no need to train. If I could kill these things by myself, then you should have no problem."

She didn't bring up the fact that she'd already been enhanced by two boon dice, she probably wasn't stronger than him yet. The strength gap between a relatively small woman and a lanky teenager wasn't impossible to overcome even naturally, but it'd take at least her advancing to be sure. Her exercise routine had been inconsistent during her recovery, but she'd already seen a huge increase in ability. She could now jog for an hour at a comfortable pace, and she'd felt some definition in her arms and abs.

"I know I just thought we'd have more time and not rush into things. I'm going to need to research a weapon I can get my hands on and what's the most optimal for fighting."

"We're not rushing into anything. There's going to be one more person with us, and don't worry about a weapon. I've got a spear from a C-rank Lizardman you can use. It's too big for me, but it should work for you."

"A spear? That should work—wait, what? How did you get that?" Jeremy flipped around before she could reply and started typing on his computer. After a moment he clicked on a link, and it started displaying a video of the incursion at Centennial Park.

"This was almost two weeks ago... I remember you didn't leave your room for days, and when I did see you, you were all fucked up. Were you there?" She shrugged.

"You can't shrug at me, that's not an answer!" He turned back to the video and hit play as it showed surveillance footage of one of the creatures attacking someone.

"Oh my god, how are you alive? Like ten people died here."

"I got lucky, doesn't matter. What matters is I have a weapon for you to use if you come. Tonight. You can keep it."

"I can keep it? Holy shit, yes. I'll be there. I'll get my stuff ready, then just let me know." Grim nodded, "Good, keep this a secret. We can't let anybody else know. Any more questions before I leave?" Jeremy thought about it for a second, "You mentioned someone else is coming, who is it?"

"You'll meet them later tonight, for now, prepare." Grim opened the door but hovered in the frame.

"Oh, also, one more thing."

"What is it?"

"I killed it," Grim said.

"Wha—" She cut Jeremy off as she closed the door behind her. * Grim and Hazel entered a large shop that was filled to the brim with various trinkets and pieces of gear. Each one glowed faintly and was supposed to be enchanted with some sort of Boon. They sat on piles, on tables or in wooden crates stacked on top of each other, while others were locked behind glass displays. She knew from experience that anything with actual power was going to be locked up or hidden away in the restricted section of the store.

The stuff that was left out was either benign or mostly useless. Sure, they'd have their purposes, but most things they could do would be better replicated by technology. The real scam of the place was that they didn't have the items identified yet. There was a counter where she could pay to have them identified for a small fee. They advertised it as a treasure hunt, and occasionally there'd be something worth more than the price tag already on it but most of the time they were useless.

She followed Hazel as she walked up to one of the wooden crates and picked up a winter glove made of cotton. She waved it around for a second before putting it on.

"Huh, it cleans itself. That's cool."

"Not for a hundred dollars, it isn't. Come on, all the cool stuff is in the back." Grim started walking but stopped once she wasn't following her. She turned around only to see Hazel had picked up a small box and was thoroughly examining it.

"Woah, this one makes chocolate chips if you breathe on it." She blew on the box and then opened it up. Grim wasn't close enough to see what was inside, but judging by the way she put whatever it was in her mouth, she was guessing she was telling the truth.

"Listen, I'll buy you chocolate chips, lets just go," Grim pleaded with her.

"Can I try?" A little boy put out his hand beside Hazel. She leaned down beside him with a big smile as a woman tried to pull her son back, "Of course you can! Look, all you gotta do is breathe on it and you have unlimited chocolate. How cool is that?"

"I'll be in the back if you need me," Grim said to deaf ears, Hazel didn't even flinch. Her very own shadow, completely obsessed with her, had forgotten she ever existed over an overpriced piece of trash that made chocolate. She wasn't offended, not at all. The doorway had a caution sign above it and a list of warnings. She ignored it and walked in.

"Hello! What can I get for you?"