He had not descended into the dungeon for a week now. For this, he had two important reasons: first, the wound received in the battle from which he had barely survived thanks to luck, and second, the unbearable pain in his muscles.
He thought it would pass, because when he had regained control of his body, there had not been such strong pain – only later did he understand that it had been shock. When he woke the next day, every cell of his body ached, demanding more rest, and he could not refuse.
He could not even go to Naaza for healing potions, and what's more – he could not even get out of bed, let alone that. Thus he spent a week, lying in bed and doing nothing.
«I need to eat normally.» — He thought, looking at his reflection in the mirror. It was such a terrible sight that it hurt to look at. This week, he had eaten nothing, and it had led to consequences.
He looked as if skin had been stretched over bones. If it weren't for his muscles, he would be afraid to imagine this picture. Quickly taking a shower, he lay down on the bed and took the sheet from the table.
— And how are we supposed to learn Elvish?
— Why do you need to learn it? Just find an elf and have her translate. What's so hard?
— No. He said…
— So what? That doesn't change the point.
But however hard he peered at the sheet, he could not understand what was written there. Throwing it on the bed, he quickly dressed and headed for the exit.
— Where are you going?
But before he had gone far, he felt an intent gaze in his direction. Under such a gaze, he felt completely naked. He looked around, but could not find anyone, peering into every corner. But it was all in vain, until this feeling completely evaporated, as if it had never been there.
«Again!»
— What's wrong with you?
— I felt someone's gaze! And you, didn't…
But, understanding what he wanted to say, he fell silent, realizing how stupid it sounded, for he could not feel that gaze – after all, he was only in his head. Looking around a little, he continued on his way.
— So where are you going?
— All our equipment was taken by… those people. So we need to go back.
Leaving Orario, he opened the map and began studying it intently. He remembered roughly where it was, but he did not want to spend a lot of time searching for it, so he had no choice but to ask.
— Do you remember where it is?
— How should I know?
— What?! Are you mocking me! How can you not know, if you used this map to get back?
— Aaah? Really?
— Yes!
— Then I remember.
At these words, his eye began to twitch. He perfectly understood that he was being mocked right now, but could do nothing about it. Looking around, he saw strange looks from people passing by and leaving Orario, especially from the guards.
«I should have gone farther away.» — he thought, understanding how it looked from the outside: a scrawny guy, who looked like he hadn't eaten in a month, started talking to himself.
But it no longer bothered him as much as before. He had somehow stopped caring about the looks thrown at him. He had either gotten used to such attention, or had copied someone again. But he quickly pushed these thoughts aside: he did not want to clutter his head with useless information, and again focused on the map. Kane's answer did not keep him waiting long.
After the confirmation, he immediately headed to the place Kane indicated. It did not take him much time before he was there. The smell of rot confirmed it.
Going in the direction where the smell intensified, he finally arrived.
— Caw. Caw. Caw.
— Shoo! It's mine!
Driving away the crows, he could finally examine the attackers, well, the smaller part of them. While they made their way here, Kane had given him a rather logical idea: search the corpses for valuables or money.
— Ugh.
Turning over a corpse, he felt the smell intensify so much that he held back with all his might from releasing his morning snack. When he saw the maggots completely covering the corpse's back, Kopii's face twisted in disgust.
— How vile.
— Come on, search him; what are you stalling for?
— No. I won't! Ugh!
— What?! You think the debt will pay itself off?
He froze at the mention of the debt. Without thinking long, he overcame his disgust, returned to the corpse, and began searching it, trying with all his might not to vomit, which went rather poorly, and not even a second passed…
— Bleaargh.
He emptied his stomach. After vomiting, he could not disagree that it had become easier for him to search them, but not for long, as he emptied his stomach again, now fully clearing it.
— One down. Ha-ha. Now the second.
But he could search this one more calmly, but found nothing useful at all, except arrows. After hesitating for a second, he still decided not to take them simply because they reeked of rot. But before he had gone far, he came back, took the arrows, and headed for the entrance to this structure.
He could not understand what it was – either a castle or a fortress. He somehow did not care. He was mentally preparing for the coming sight and smell. If the smell was like this in the open air, then he was afraid to imagine what it would be like in an enclosed space.
Before he had even gone ten meters, such a pungent smell of rot struck his nose that hints of tears appeared at the edges of his eyes. But, trying to ignore the whole smell, he strode forward until he reached the room where it all had happened.
— Ah, how pleasant.
Collapsing onto the bed, exhausted, he did not regret one bit that he had come back here, for he had not only retrieved his equipment but also earned quite well. From this, a smile of relief involuntarily appeared on his face, for he had not had a penny, and he did not want to ask Naaza for money.
Reaching for the sheet, he again began studying the amazing patterns that he did not understand one bit.
— And how am I supposed to do this? Why are you so sure I can copy the elven language?
— Well, I don't know? Maybe because that's your skill. You somehow copied cooking skills.
— But isn't my skill passive?
— No, what are you, stupid? You copied the essence of monsters, after all.
— And that? That was an accident. An exception to the rule.
— If you don't like it, you know there are two ways left to solve this problem.
— Well, I'll try… Who's stopping us from trying.
— Ahah, ah hooo! Ran away! I knew I shouldn't have listened to you! – Catching his breath, he said.
— What else did you expect? Have you seen yourself? Who would even like it if a monster like that stared at them without taking its eyes off, and all red like a tomato? So I'll ask again: what the hell are you doing?
— Well, if you would be quiet, I would be more focused on trying to copy her knowledge, but no, you have to describe every curve of her body, what you would do to her, and in what positions. Why are you doing this? Are you doing this on purpose, you bastard?
— Well, of course, blame me, who else? Who else could be to blame if not me? I'm the one who started following an elf around like a puppy, not taking his eyes off her for a second. Of course, it's all me. I admit, caught red-handed, I admit. W-e-l-l d-o-n-e!!!
— Are you mocking me?
– Me!? How could I dare, your highness.
— There he is!
Before he could fully rest, they began chasing him again. He had been doing this for several days now, and perhaps rumors had already spread about some pervert following elves, or worse.
— Ran away again!
— Do you think you'll get away with this so easily?
Hearing the footsteps growing farther and farther, he climbed out of the ruins, but first scanned the area for ill-wishers.
— I'm not doing this anymore.
Having firmly decided, he began heading back home. Regretting the wasted time.