67. Quick Response (Patreon)

“No,” Kaidu snapped, not even a breath later.

“No thank you,” Ikara said softly.

Rowan looked up into the taller man’s eyes and shook his head firmly. “We came here to climb the Tower on our own. We don’t need a combat class to drag us along like dead weight.”

Gills backed away, putting his hands up. “Whoa, whoa, okay, I got it. I got it. Just trying to offer help, you know?”

“We don’t need your help,” Kaidu replied, eyes narrowed.

Gills narrowed his eyes at Kaidu. “Dang. You all put up with him?”

“Can you stop harassing our close-combat specialist? He’s already high-strung enough as it is,” Rowan replied, dumping the food onto three plates. After a second, he picked out the burnt bits with a fork and put them onto a fourth plate, then nudged that one at Gills.

Gills laughed. “Guess I put my foot in my mouth. Got it, got it. Thanks for the food, though. I thought I’d have to suffer through cold cuts and white bread tonight!”

“I didn’t find tortillas, but it’s better than nothing,” Rowan explained to a silent room. He distributed the rest of the plates and sat down on the counter. Ikara crouched on the floor, and Kaidu leaned against the wall, glaring at Gills over his fajitas.

Jeez, this is awkward. He pressed his lips together and took a bite. Not bad. A little burned, but…

“You’re a lone wolf? Travelling alone?” Rowan asked, to make noise as much as to change the subject.

“Mmm. I don’t need a team, and honestly, team members just get in the way.”

“Hope you’re prepared to gather a thousand points on your own,” Kaidu muttered.

Gills laughed. “That makes the game fun. It’d be boring if I only had to gather, what, two hundred extra-and-some over my clones? I could do that in my sleep.”

“So you won’t mind if we take out your party members,” Kaidu said flatly.

“Be my guest. Actually, please. I’d hate if one of them beat the game and kicked me out of it early.”

“You’re pretty confident,” Rowan said, frowning.

“What can I say? I’m the best.” Gills spread his arms wide and gave him a self-assured grin.

“If we weren’t here, Kaidu could’ve taken you,” Ikara muttered.

Rowan looked at her, tired. Why is everyone trying to start a fight? We can’t beat him. Or should I say, he seems willing to forgive and forget, and I really want to get a few hours of sleep tonight…

“No, I gotta say, I am pretty impressed by our Hairdresser over there. If not for the stat gap, I’d have been in a real pinch! Honestly, I hope you guys pass. I want to see how strong you can get. It’s no fun being the strongest if no one can challenge you.”

“What about the Hero?” Rowan asked, already knowing the answer.

Gills snorted and rolled his eyes. “That trash? Maybe in another ten levels he’ll be worth looking at. As-is, it pains me to see the waste.”

Ah, yep, that felt good. Rowan chuckled to himself and shook his head. I shouldn’t enjoy it, but damn… as much bullshit as Terry’s given me lately, he can take it.

Kaidu set his plate down with a thump. “Rowan. Help me with a bed.”

“Huh? Uh, sure.” Rowan scraped the last food off his plate and hurried after Kaidu.

“Need some muscle? I’ve got more than your little friend there,” Gills offered, tapping his flexed bicep.

Kaidu stopped, then nodded at his end of the nearest bed. “Gills.” The other end. “Rowan.”

“Oh, c’mon,” Rowan groaned. Still, he knelt. Gills knelt opposite, and they lifted it.

“Where to, boss?” Gills asked.

“Outside.”

“Outside the room?”

“The Haven.”

Both Rowan and Gills paused and looked at Kaidu. Can we even leave? Rowan wondered.

He shrugged. “Outside the room is good enough, if that’s all you can manage.”

“I’m guessing this is my bed,” Gills said with a laugh.

Kaidu nodded.

“Ah, fair enough. Wouldn’t want me to go all Lizzie Borden on you, right? I’m not that underhanded, but hey, I get the caution.”

Gills and Rowan settled the bed against the wall, but Kaidu shook his head and pointed at the door.

Rowan sighed. “Seriously, Kaidu, the joke’s—”

“Blockade the door. We don’t need any more Gills getting in here.”

Gills and Rowan exchanged a glance. Gills shrugged. “I mean, prettyboy’s got a point.”

A flash of motion. Silver at Gills’ throat. Kaidu narrowed his eyes. “Call me that again.”

“Hey, chill, chill. Just a compliment, dude.”

“Gills,” Rowan sighed. Do you really need to wind up Kaidu more than he’s already wound?

Gills rolled his eyes. “Whatever. Sorry. You’re the one making me sleep by the door, but I can’t even get in a cheap shot?”

Kaidu drew the blade back, flicking it into his sleeve, and crossed his arms instead. “No.”

Gills chucked and muttered something impolite under his breath. “Seriously, how do you—”

“Bed?” Rowan prompted. I’m tired. I want to sleep. The two of you can catfight later.

“Yeah, yeah.” Gills lifted it lazily, and they shifted it over to the door.