Necessary Villain

10 - Friends

"Heeeeyaaaaaaaaaa," I yawn and stretch as I wake up.

My back hurts a little from the hard ground, but I at least didn't get woken up prematurely.

"Task."

<Tasks>

<Slay the Goblin King in the castle>

(Time remaining: 702:52:45 hours)

Jeez, I slept for ten hours. The sky is still mostly dark, in a state of twilight. I stand up and look around at all the people peacefully sleeping on the cold hard ground.

Hmmmm. I'm gonna talk to whoever's guarding, it's better to learn more about each other if we are going to be stuck together in this place.

I carefully maneuver myself around so I won't wake anyone and head toward the entrance. While walking, I notice Lucas awake, having a quiet conversation with Julia, Amaya, Zayn, and a few others. He cheerfully waves at me and then goes back to talking. I wave back, smiling. Zayn, on the other hand, gives me a look that makes me think he wants to kill me. What an odd guy.

I arrive at the entrance and crack it open just enough to slip out. If I want to meet people and get to know them the best place to do that, without waking people up and pissing them off, would be to talk to the four guards.

"Hi," I greet them first as I close the entrance behind me.

"Oh. It's Axel," says Cynthia, the girl who screamed at the goblin corpses on our way here.

I talked to most everyone yesterday, but yet I only talked to two of the people out here; Maks and the person who greets me, Cynthia.

"What brings you out here Axel?" Cynthia asks.

"I just wanted to make friends," I respond heartily.

"Hahahaha," one of the men laughs. I smile and turn my attention towards him hoping to find a reason as to why my goal is funny. "Your mind is on making friends in this situation? That's commendable. I wish I was as good-natured and optimistic as you."

"What's on your mind?" I retort, wondering what he means.

I think I've found another weirdo.

"My mind? My mind is going over how to survive and what I'll need to do to survive, even if that may be leaving some people behind," the man responds with a solemn look on his face.

"It seems we have the same goal in mind," I quip back.

"Survival?" He asks, seeming confused.

"Yes, I think that's the same with everyone here," I affirm while looking back at the walls of the camp as if I can see through them and back at those still sleeping.

He puts on a look of disdain that seems to be aimed at himself, "I guess you're right, but I am only thinking of my survival and no one else."

"Where'd you get the impression I am thinking of others' survival?" I don't think that's the presence I exuded; I've done nothing to suggest that. I don't even think Lucas is focused on helping others survive. The only one here who I could say was truly thinking of other's survival is my savior.

"From what I heard, you sympathized with the goblin children," he explains. "In our uncertain situation, no matter what kind of goblin I face, I don't think I'll have a shred of sympathy for them. Mainly, though, you willingly gave away all of the resources you gathered to strangers, hogging nothing and not claiming any glory."

I should set the record straight with this guy. Doing so has no merit, but I'll argue nonetheless... "That's just a roundabout way of saying I'm kind. I'll thank you for the compliment, but I'll correct your false assumption. My priority is my own survival. For that, others' survival is necessary. I think my group members' thoughts align with mine, even Zayn, which is why we were understanding of sharing our findings."

The man looks down, causing his dreads to fall over his face, blocking his eyes. He looks lost in thought for a bit. The other three watch our conversation with some interest.

"Hmmm. I guess you're right. But... would that mean you'll leave people who don't provide use behind? That's what has been weighing on my mind," The man continues to look at the ground in contemplation.

"I..." I think about saying something optimistic like, everyone has a use, but I don't. I try to give him a confident answer, but my mind draws a blank, "I don't know."

"Sorry for forcing you to think such pessimistic things and you don't even know my name. I'm Cory Higgins. Nice to meet you." He lifts his head and makes eye contact while holding out his hand.

I take his hand and respond kindly, "It's alright. It must have been weighing heavily on your mind. I'm Axel Hart. Nice to meet you."

If this trend continues I'll be meeting a lot of weird people here. First the man who overkilled a goblin then somehow swiftly garnered the trust of everyone. Then the man who I can't tell if he wants to kill me or kill me (jokingly). Now, here's a man who instantly tries to probe my psyche upon first meeting all for his own self-affirmation. But at least Cory has some sense, Zayn is just weird and Lucas is scary.

Deeming that topic over I look over at the other three people here to greet them, one of them being the man who was left behind to watch over my savior

"I'm Li Jing, nice to meet you."

"I'm Cynthia, though you know that."

"I think you know my name as well, but I'm Maks. I'm still sorry for abandoning the man who saved you."

"Don't worry, you made the right decision." I can't deal with wallowing anymore, so please don't go there.

Maks doesn't let this opportunity to have the spotlight go to waste and looks as if he has something important to ask me he's been holding in for a while.

"So..." Maks's face turns serious, and he looks me dead in the eyes. It seems like whatever he is about to tell me could shake the foundation of the universe. "Does the girl in your group have a boyfriend?"

We all stand there dazed for a moment, processing what he just said.

"Hahahhahaha." Cory falls to the ground, rolling in laughter.

Li Jing blushes and covers her face with her hands, starting to laugh as well; while Cynthia just smiles.

"Seriously! That's what you said with that look on your face!?" I scream while trying to hold back tears. Will I find no normal people here?

Maks is not disgruntled and presses on. "This is a serious matter." The stern look on his face slowly grows more serious.

"How the hell would I know!?" I screech back in a high-pitched tone.

"Then at least tell me..." Maks speaks slowly.

Oh no. What is he gonna say now?

"What does she like?" He asks confidently.

"How would I know!? I met her less than twenty-four hours ago!" I jokingly scream back.

Cory continues to roll on the ground, laughing. I can't help but laugh along with them.

"Gather!!" Lucas's scream brings us back to reality, and we all head inside to see what plan Lucas is cooking.