Strongest Among the Heavens
Chapter 302: Making Friends

Chapter 302: Making Friends

"So you buy a new pair of clothes...every day?"

"Yeah," Pauline said. "Why?"

"...it’s nothing."

’She really hasn’t changed.’ Kazi shook his head and let out a small laugh. Crossing his arms, he peered down at her and couldn’t help but laugh again.

"What?" Pauline asked. He just kept chuckling and laughing. "Is it really that bad?"

"Nothing, nothing. You probably shouldn’t tell your friends you do that, that’s all. They’ll make fun of you."

Pauline tilted her head and locked her arms behind her. "You think so? I feel as though people liked it when I tell them."

"So you told them you get new clothes everyday?"

"Uh-huh."

"That you buy clothes for one day and then throw them for new ones."

"Well, I don’t throw all of them out. I keep the ones that I like."

"Still weird."

"It can’t be that weird. Nobody else until you mentioned it being weird."

"They were being nice, Princess."

"Now you’re sounding like my father..." Pauline unlocked her hands and put one to her chin, thinking. "...are you sure we haven’t met?"

"Oh, look at the time! Let’s eat."

Mornings after breakfast were pleasant. Kazi wouldn’t call it his favourite time of day. However, for Pauline, it most certainly was. The Yumboes were the opposite, struggling to wake themselves up. They were nocturnal creatures that danced and partied at night. Today, the players were the same, rubbing bleary eyes and clearing up alcohol gargled throats.

Syliva, surprisingly, wasn’t hung-over. The opposite, really. She was already drinking.

’She should definitely get that liver checked out. There’s no way she’s living long with how much she drinks.’

"Good job everrryone." Syliva wiped her mouth and swayed up to Pauline, jabbing a thumb to her face. "You, my friend, did a good job."

While her personal space was invaded, Pauline sincerely appreciated her words. "T-thank you!"

"Give the lady some space." Pulling her back was Jackson who sighed and kept her back. He smiled at Pauline and said, "But I do agree. You look like the shy type. Hrm, maybe not shy but...humm...how do I put this? You’re not as tickled as a speckled pup."

"You talk funny," Pauline said, smiling.

Jackson’s smile twitched. "Talk...funny...?"

"Yes. Did I say something wrong?"

Say something wrong?’ Kazi glanced at Jackson, snickering. ’Nope.’

Jackson burst into laughter. He laughed so hard that he doubled-over and nearly teared up. "Haa..." Pauline looked very confused and waited for him to calm down. "Hahaha...!"

"Did I say something wrong?" Pauline whispered, asking both Kazi and Sylvia.

"He is American. Americans can be weird," Sylvia said.

Kazi noticed Sarah waving them over. "Looks like they’re leaving," he said, turning heads.

Akihiko and Kenzo were young and eager. They wanted to leave ASAP. Since they had been here for a week, the next gate was opened. Kibiwott and Remmy were the same.

"Ah, before you guys go!" Kazi jogged up to them. "Let me send you friend requests."

[ Friend request extended to Akihiko. ]

[ Friend request extended to Kenzo. ]

[ Friend request extended to Kibiwott. ]

[ Friend request extended to Remmy. ]

[ Friend request extended to Sarah. ]

[ Friend request extended to Emma. ]

It appeared everyone listened to that one preacher near Maria Street in the Recreation Sector that advised new players to change their names to include only their first name. Surnames could lead to easy identification from guild recruiters and information brokers. However, the past week had been full of ups and downs, trust and mistrust, and now...

"I forgot about the adding friends feature," said Akihiko. "Sure."

"Same."

[ Friendship with Akihiko accepted! ]

[ Friendship with Kanzo accepted! ]

"Sure," Kibiwott said, accepting it with a click.

"If I ever need back-up, I’ll be sure to hit you up," Remmy added.

[ Friendship with Kibiwott accepted! ]

[ Friendship with Remmy accepted! ]

"If you ever need some gum..." Emma accepted. "Be sure to message me."

"Yes! I-I mean, the message part, not the gum," Sarah clarified. "I’m always open to help."

"Tell that to Sylvia," Jackson said, "the little lady might need a miracle gum to get over her problems."

"Little lady?" Sylvia rolled her eyes. "Okay, big man."

[ Friendship with Emma accepted! ]

[ Friendship with Sarah accepted! ]

"See ya." Those were Kibiwott’s last words before he disappeared. Akihiko and Kenzo gave peace-signs as they left while Emma and Sarah waved.

Kazi stared at his own window box. Seven days of partying and it was over.

[ Party 2 has disbanded! ]

[ Return to White Abyss? ]

Almost over. One person remained: Pauline.

"What are you going to do?" Kazi asked Pauline.

"I think I’m going to go home," Pauline replied. "Go to school, sleep in, and then...I think I’ll hire a trainer."

"I would say good luck but I don’t think you need it. You’ve gotten strong, Pauline."

Pauline was smiling red. She did not seem good with compliments or maybe Kazi gave out too many. "Thank you."

The accelerated program, from his understanding, was created as a way for players to be able to learn as they traversed the Heavenly Tower. The professors were super flexible and understood when and why assignments were delayed. So Pauline staying here for a week was no issue.

"Oh, Couma!" The little Yumbo was tugging at Kazi’s leg. Smiling, he went down to her level. "What’s up?"

"Will you come back soon?"

"I will. Promise." Kazi’s smile widened. "I’ll bring my friends too. Ms. Sun-young and William would love the festival stuff."

Couma grinned. "We can’t wait!"

It was at this point that Kazi realized that all the Yumboes of the village had gathered. Little white creatures that went up to his thighs and were jammed together in the hundreds. The nocturnal creatures that hated the sun were up and smiling.

"Thank you!" the Yumboes said together. "Here is our gift!"

From the back were mutters and whispers. Slowly, he saw something riding the wave and coming forward. Kazi, still kneeling down, shifted himself. The something in question was a white bracelet with a pink orb.

"This is a bracelet gifted to us by the Yumboes on Goree Island," Couma explained. "It will increase your magic power at night. I hope you enjoy, Kazi!"

"Ohh." Kazi clipped the bracelet onto the wrist. At first, he thought the material was metal but no. It was silk. Silk sewn so tightly that it was as smooth as metal.

[ Item equipped! ]

[ Equipment Name: Silk Bracelet of the Yumboes

Rank: C

Magical Might: 25

Buff applies only at night. ]

Its effect was nothing special but...

"I can’t accept this. This means a lot to you people," Kazi said.

"And your help means a lot to us!" Couma said.

"Yeah!"

"You were awesome, foreigner!"

"Take it, take it! We love how it looks on you!"

"I think you should take it," Pauline urged. "They look happy about it."

He sighed with a smile. "I thought the days of me receiving gifts from villages were over. I guess not." He put a hand on the bracelet. "Thank you, everyone. I mean it."

"Bye-bye!"

[ Return to White Abyss? ]

The smiles were infectious. Kazi waved and waved, wanting to prolong this scene for just a second longer. Pauline was right beside him, doing the same. Before he could finally click yes, one last window appeared.

[ Drona urges you to take his blessing. ]

[ Accept Drona Style: Khadgavidya? Yes or no? ]

He ignored the divine offer and returned to the White Abyss.