Chapter 172: Apes

    Jacks led Rayna out of the Adventurers Guild. He had seen all he needed to come up with a plan for the woman. A plan she would come to hate, but he guessed that Derek would be all for the plan. If you had the correct mental fortitude, nothing would help you get stronger than getting your ass kicked over and over.

    His next destination was the teleport building. Now, he wasnt planning on taking her to a different city, he just needed to confirm something. When they got there, he had Rayna wait outside while he went in.

    Jacks waited for Shelby to finish instructing a group entering the city, then walked up.

    To what honor do I ow The Crimson Blade for his visit today? Shelby asked with a cheeky smile.

    Jacks rolled his eyes. Are those apes still in the same spot as the last time I was here?

    Apes?

    The Cudgel Apes. You know, those level 120 beasts that nobody wants to clear because of their health and defense. Jacks explained.

    Oh those apes. As far as I know. Theres always a quest to cull them on the Adventurers Bounty board. Never gets picked up, so it ends up becoming a mission. Shelby explained.

    Thanks. Jacks turned and raised his hand in farewell.

    Wait! Shelby called out. What about those drinks?

    Jacks looked back. Im busy for the next few days. Ill come by sometime after and we can go. Without another word, the former captain turned back and left.

    Cmon. He said to Rayna when he came back out. Two more stops, then well get you trained.

    What is my training? She asked.

    Just some beasts outside the city. We need to start today, before that bastard starts sending goons after us. Id guess we have a week before it isnt safe to go outside the city without Derek. Jacks explained.

    What?

    Just because that old bastard wont do anything to Derek and his companions inside Savannah, doesnt mean he wont send people to wait outside in ambush. We need to get you capable of defending yourself, and quickly. There arent many assassins like Bones and Ogre, so if we can get your stats to upper Gold Rank or Platinum Rank, we shouldnt have to worry too much about it. But we have to be quick. You dont want to rely on Derek for everything, do you? Jacks said.

    Of course not. Thats why I want to get stronger. Hes already saved my life twice. Once from a dying state.

    Jacks nodded. Then we need to hurry. Were on a clock.

    Jacks then led Rayna to an Alchemy shop that he remembered being competitively priced. Again, he went inside and left Rayna waiting in the street. After dropping a mindboggling amount of gold, it wasnt long before he was leading Rayna through the city once again.

    As they approached the edge of the city, they stopped at an empty plot of land with people all around, taking measurements. Jacks breathed a sigh of relief. Good, now I wont have to go find anybody.

    Jacks found Rudy talking to a guy with a hooked-nosed and walked over with Rayna. Rudy!

    Rudy turned in the direction of his voice. Jacks. What are you doing here?

    Was hoping to find Derek, buy youll do. Jacks said. Me and Rayna are going out to train. We probably wont be back for a few days. If were gone longer than a week, then you should start to worry. I just wanted to let Derek know. I should have bought a communications crystal, but its too late for that. Just let him know. Okay?

    Umm sure. Rudy said. Ill tell him when he gets here.

    Great. Jacks looked at the land. I take it discussions went well?

    Rudy smiled. Well, indeed. He said. Having an Onyx Badge sure does go a long way in getting things done for cheap.

    Jackss eyes never left the battle. He stayed at the ready just in case something happened.

    After some time, many of the cuts on the ape had healed, and Rayna was heavily panting. This was what Jacks expected to see. The womans reactions were becoming worse and worse, until soon, one of the fists connected with her thigh.

    Jacks heard the bone snap and the pained yell that followed behind it. Throughout the entire fight, he could tell that Rayna was fighting with expectations that Jacks would step in if it got to be too much. And he would. Only his definition of too much was different from her definition.

    Rayna fell to the ground with the ape towering over her. Jacks! She yelled.

    Still, Jacks did nothing, but he very carefully watched the actions of the ape with held breath.

    The ape raised his cudgel like fist, and Jacks released a sigh of relief. The ape brought its fist down, and with a sickening crunch, crushed the womans ribs in one blow. Instantly, Raynas state changed to dying.

    Jacks quickly acted. The apes separated from the rest of its body, leaving a bloody trail behind. Jacks lifted Raynas head and poured one of the potions he picked up from the Alchemist down her throat. A while later, she coughed and grasped at her ruined midsection.

    Why? She muttered.

    Jacks handed her a healing potion. So you stop relying on others, and rely only on yourself. Its holding you back. Now, drink this.

    She drank the potion, causing her injuries to lessen in a short amount of time.

    Meditate. He commanded, and she did.

    A couple hours later and she was back to fighting condition.

    Jacks pointed at another ape. Again.

    But

    Go! He commanded.

    She got up and went in for her second fight.

    Time blurred, and two days passed. Jacks poured another Revival Potion into Raynas mouth and waited for her to wake up. It was the ninth time this had happened. The woman managed to defeat multiple apes in the two days, but occasionally, one got a lucky it. Thats all it took for it to win.

    There were a couple of instances where Jacks had to interfere to keep the ape from hitting Rayna with a critical hit and causing instant death. But he kept a close eye on the fighting, so there was never any real chance of her dying.

    Soon, Rayna woke from her forced slumber. She stared incredulously at Jacks. Really?

    What? He asked with a toothy grin.

    You could have just told me we were doing this to gain an Award.

    Jacks chuckled. Do you like it?

    Rayna snorted as she gulped down a healing potion. Why does it have to be called Damsel?

    Because thats what you have been. He answered. Now, hurry and meditate. Youve got more apes to hunt.

    Wait! What? Rayna shouted. I thought we were just getting the Award.

    What gave you that idea? Jacks answered. Youre killing apes until we have to leave. The more you kill the higher level you get. Even with your failing, your levels are increasing rapidly. If you hurry, youll be able to get to level 100 before we have to leave. Now, meditate.

    Rayna huffed. You''re evil.