Steel felt tired, exhausted and a little sick in the head. Three weeks has pasted since he escaped that blade demonoid. It is fair to say that those days weren't the easiest.
Caring River on his back like a backpack hasn't been easy. She isn't a bad companion to have on a journey. She's surprisingly nice, grows quiet whenever he is tired, never complains and doesn't even eat. She is like the perfect living parcel.
Steel is the problem between the two. He is just too weak to handle that added weight on his back.
River has reassured him that he is not at fault. So he doesn't have to blame himself for it. But her pitying him just worsen his situation. Damaging his ever so fragile ego.
It felt like the world itself was against him. First that useless devil slug, then a human showing out of nowhere and even getting a weapon. It all made him so much jealous.
Then he got stuck in a human camp. Because of some demonoid blade or something. Later he also had to deal with a darkness creature. That made him so mad but it escaped out of its grip.
The whole month has been a rollercoaster ride. Not that he knows what a rollercoaster ride is supposed to even be. He has never seen one.
After those big incident were over. His life never got any easier. Traversing through the jungle of west world while also being hunted down by devil spawns is not a pleasant experience. Ask Steel, he would let you know.
Steel also tried hunting a devil spawn or two after his last failed attempts. But nothing worked or goes his way. He needs more time to prepare and he never got any.
He also had seen many corpses of these devil spawns but he saw no darkness radiating from them. He could only feel sad and disappointed.
He would have given up a long time ago. But there is something that is waiting for him.
His beautiful sweet home.
He wants to sleep in the warmth and safety of his little apartment. He can just feel it. The end is so near. And after so much struggle. He is finally so close to the home that he missed so much.
The human community under Soulheart's protection. It is finally in his view. Steel almost felt emotional. River didn't give any reaction. She didn't even knew what he is even looking at.
Now it so close.
'finally, I can sleep and have proper food.'
With the new found motivation. He continued.
***
It took Steel another day to reach the walls of Human community and after that it was easy for him.
He can deceive technology pretty easily and hiding for humans is the usual part of his life. He takes pride in his elusive and cowardly nature. Can any other demon survive living all alone inside of a human community?
Probably.
Other demons could have their own twists and tricks. They could even have better abilities to hide in the crowed of humans. That would make his own ability look lame. So he doesn't really wanna meet any.
Steel also had a little worry in his mind. His elusive nature can make it hard to detect him, see him and sometimes even remember. It is a great thing but sometimes it is a pain.
He was worried that the landowner would forget about him. it had happened before and it took a whole day convincing her that he wasn't scamming her.
It didn't happen this time though. So No drama.
But finally, the anticipation is over and he has finally reach his humble aboard.
[It is…]
Steel panics. His home isn't that grand but he loves it. He doesn't want her to say something that would break his heart.
'don't call it small. Don't call it cramped. Don't call it bad.'
River finally completes her thoughts.
[…weird]
Steel sighs with relief.
'Better than calling it small. I'm used to her calling everything weird.'
Steel finally gave up on standing and falls to the ground after sitting River down from his back.
He can just sleep on the floor on his little ho-…No, beautiful home. It is peaceful and quite nice. But he should really patch himself up first.
It hurts so much. Few wounds are healed but new wounds have already took place of the past ones. Even all the muscles in his body are still soar. It will take even longer to fully recover.
All his supplies that he borrowed, not stolen, are all finished. His home probably wouldn't have enough things either. He would have to leave sooner than he wanted.
He sighs and looks at River.
She won't be going outside for a while now.
He still have time. Almost two years to deliver River to the West world. It sounds like a lot of time but it isn't.
Worlds are far apart and travelling by foot would take a whole life time. He doesn't spent his lifetime. Not that he can.
So one thing that he has thought about is using some method to travel the worlds. He isn't really sure how do one even travel through world. It would sure be expensive.
And the problem is his own limited finances. How would he ever afford something so expensive? Moving from one world to another isn't like going out for a walk.
He needs to start earning even more. That means even more work and pain in his future.
Steel is so tired of worrying about his future that he even forgets to tend to his own injuries.