World of Karik: A Game of Villains 80 I'm ready

Turns out that I had forgotten how cool it was to level not only attributes but yourself as well. At first, I was afraid that when the ordinary and deception levels become different, Arcobaleno would disappear. Fortunately, that didn't happen. Synchronization was gone, but the skill itself remained. There was nothing holding me back now. Feeling the adrenaline, I enthusiastically killed Drowned Men, Kappas and Ribbon Snakes. When I finally realized that I had spent a lot of time at the swamp and that it was probably well past midnight, number 8 proudly stood next to line of text that said Level.

Having reached the camp and sleepily greeted the sentries, I collapsed onto the rags in my cave and immediately fell asleep. I didn't even bother getting undressed.

Rudely shoving me in the side with his fist, Innokenty woke me up, making me jump, eyes wide opened.

"Wake up, Petrovich is calling you," he muttered with displeasure.

I sat in an uncomfortable position, absentmindedly staring into nothingness for a few minutes. My head hurt as if I had too much alcohol the night before. If it wasn't a hangover, what was it then? A rough awakening? Magnetic storms? I waved my hand, as if chasing away the silly thoughts, got up with a heavy sigh and headed for the exit.

"I see you didn't waste your time," Petrovich nodded instead of greeting me. "You at least won't be sent to respawn immediately."

"I'm glad to see you too," I said, trying to smile but ending up grimacing.

"You are leaving right after breakfast," the lancer said emotionlessly. "You'd better to start getting ready now, so that you're not in a hurry later. Have you decided who will you be taking with you?"

"I have," I nodded. "Semyon, Sergey, Cyril and Vlada. Lena, too," I added. Her skills could come in handy. Having thought it through, I decided that another "neutral" fighter would be useful in the campaign.

"Strange choice," Petrovich was genuinely surprised. "I didn't think you'd take Semyon."

"No matter how complicated our relationship is, I admit that he's a good fighter," I explained. "Moreover, I have a plan, and I need someone you can trust to some extent at least."

I then told him about my "message delivering" system.

"Not a bad idea," Petrovich grinned. "But this is not an army or a revolutionary party. Devil himself knows how these "messengers" will behave. But you're right. If something goes wrong, I'll be informed."

After discussing the keywords and the phrases with him, I calmly left and decided to have breakfast. Everybody was eating in silence, exchanging short and meaningless comments from time to time. Petrovich had apparently already declared that a research expedition was being prepared. Everyone was clearly nervous as no one was eager to go exploring the unknown.

"Well," Petrovich started talking as soon as he had finished eating, "I remind you that today a group of soldiers will be going to the Forbidden City. If they are lucky, they will not only come back, but also bring something interesting that will help us get to the distant forest."

Everyone listened attentively to our leader and, as if in unison, intently frowned. I felt wary.

"Cat is appointed the head of the expedition," Petrovich continued. "He will act as my plenipotentiary during this campaign. Therefore, you have to obey him as well as me. I hope that that's clear."

Well done, man. He made it all crystal clear at once. Working in his name, I'll be able to keep my teammates on a short leash. Obviously, not everyone liked that. Semyon squinted and looked at me with clear hostility in his eyes.

"If you hear your name, go to my place. We'll hold a briefing there," Petrovich said, addressing what everyone dreaded the most. "Vasily, Vlada, Lena, Semyon, Cyril, Sergey, Igor, Stepan, Egor, and Anton."

The "volunteers" either shuddered or shook their head. Only Vlada looked as if she wasn't bothered by this news.

"Others are free to go," the leader finished the roll call and stood up.

While we were following Petrovich, others were looking at us silently, as if we were going to war. Damn it, I didn't think the others would take it that way! They also seemed secretly happy that they weren't chosen. Innokenty was absolutely calm because he knew that there was chance that we would've chosen him, broken tombstone and all.

"I won't give you much time to get ready," Petrovich started the briefing. "You constantly carry all your stuff with you. Cat, you have to provide everyone with the potions."

"Wow, you know alchemy?" Egor exclaimed, looking at me with wide eyes. "Can you invoke homunculi?"

Thinking himself funny, he burst into laughter. Igor and Anton gave him judgmental looks, making him calm down. Seems we'll have a hard time with him.

"I know," I nodded. "Olga has prepared everything in advance, ask her."

"Excellent," Petrovich said approvingly. "Did everyone hear that? You can ask Olga for your supply of potions. You have fifteen minutes."

"We won't need more," Semyon replied.

"By the way, Semyon," Petrovich added, "stay for a few minutes."
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"Why?" he inquired.

Instead of answering, Petrovich glared at him in such a way that Semyon immediately forgot about his stubbornness and sat down onto a gnarled tree stump that served as a chair.

"Semyon, your task is to help Cat maintain order," the leader appealed to the ex-cop. "You two should get along at least while you're on this campaign. I trust you both, and I don't want you fighting. Is that clear?"

I nodded, Semyon murmured something inaudible. I didn't hear what he had said, but Petrovich was satisfied.

"And keep an eye on Igor," the lancer said all of a sudden. "I don't like that guy."

"Can I smack the kid around? At least a little bit?" the police officer grimly asked. "He's crazy. There were a lot of guys like him in my district. He could make big mess and make it difficult for everyone."

"Don't be cruel if it's not needed," the leader interrupted him. "But if he tries to show off, don't feel sorry for him. Go get the tinctures; I'd like to discuss something with Vasily."

Semyon looked at me suspiciously but didn't linger.

"Come back to the detachment, Cat," Petrovich said, looking straight into my eyes. Well this is... Unexpected. "Going to the distant forest without you will prove troublesome."

"Is that all?" I asked.

"What did you expect?" the lancer laughed. "Don't get too cocky, Cat. As for Vlada... keep an eye on her. She's a good woman; she will prove to be helpful one day."

"I get it, Petrovich," I nodded and stood up, intending to leave. "Don't forget about the codes."

He thoughtfully nodded in response, and I headed to the meeting point. We decided that it would be a place near the gates of the new camp. My team was already waiting for me, abruptly stopping their conversation as soon as they saw me. Here we go again...

Chapter end