Training

[The Married Woman Complete!]

[Quiet Steps (F) upgraded to Quiet Steps (C)]

[Description: With the Quiet Steps Skill, the user becomes the phantom of silence, a shadow in the night. Every footfall is muted, allowing the user to move through darkness and danger undetected. Agility is doubled while unseen.]

John's jaw dropped. The reward this time was incredible. Doubling his agility would certainly be useful. His fighting style as a rogue hinged on his agility, but it was his lowest stat until now. 

"Wow," he muttered.

"What's wrong?" Julia asked, walking up to him.

"Nothing. Just an unexpected surprise."

Julia nodded and went back to wake up Dalia. John had promised to train both of them. This apocalyptic world required Strength and they were lacking, but first, he would take a look at his status screen.

[John Sarack]

[Age: 21]

[Strength: 22.9]

[Vitality: 16.1]

[Agility: 10]

[Energy: 12]

[Skills: Quiet Steps (C), Critical Hit (F), Shockwave (E), Love Meter, Appraisal (B), Shadow Claw (D)]

[Skill Borrowing: Muscle Strengthening (E), Strength Buff (E)] 

John smirked, he could now use both Julia's and Stephanie's skills thanks to his Skill Borrowing, plus he had upgraded his Quiet Steps, but for now, Julia and Dalia needed their help.

John stood in front of Julia and Dalia. "We have to level up your skills. You two have good potential, but you need to focus and train."

"What can we do?" Julia asked.

"We need to work on your strength and agility. Your Strength and Vitality are pretty low. Let's start by focusing on the basics. Follow me," John said as he led the group outside the mall.

They stopped at a park just a block from the mall.

John grabbed a stick and threw it at Dalia. "Hit it."

Dalia cast her fireball, but it was slow and didn't hit the stick.

"You're too slow. Focus, concentrate on your target."

Dalia nodded and tried again, this time, the stick exploded into flames, leaving nothing behind.

"That's better. Keep practicing."

"Can I have a try?" Julia asked.

"No, your training will be different."

"Why?"

"Because you're a buffer and you need to focus on learning how to use your buffs."

"Okay."

John pointed at a tree. "I want you to hit it."

"With what?"

"Your fists. Use your buff."

Julia looked at him in disbelief. "Are you serious?"

"Yes, you need to be decisive and not hesitate. Trust your instincts."

Julia took a deep breath and ran towards the tree. She put all her weight into her fist and hit the log, knocking it back.

They trained like that for an hour, but then John spoke up, "great. Now we'll train with monsters."

"What? Are you crazy?" Dalia said.

"You need to level up your skills and that means killing monsters."

"How?"

"We'll hunt some goblins. They're weak and perfect for training."

They followed John to the intersection through the eerily silent streets. They heard a hushed sound there and the occasional clanking, but they were as silent as ever. He used his Quiet Steps skill and they crept up on a group of goblins.

"Alright, now use your buff on yourself," John said to Julia.

Julia cast her buff and felt a surge of power flow through her. She was stronger than before.

"Good, now attack them."

Julia charged at the goblins and punched one of them in the face. The goblin was knocked back and fell to the ground. She then kicked another goblin and sent him flying. Then, Dalia blasted a fireball, sending the remaining goblins running.

"Great job, you two are improving fast."

After a few hours of hunting, John decided it was time to begin creating that blockade. Thankfully, there was already half a barricade in place thanks to crumbled buildings and abandoned cars.

John took out metal beams and bricks from out of his inventory and they managed to block one side of the intersection, but since his inventory allowed only up to 50 kg, they had to go back and forth a few times. The streets now felt a little safer, but they couldn't let their guard down. Who knows when a monster would strike.

"Let's rest," John said, as they made their way back to the mall.

As they walked, John noticed Julia was quiet and distant.

"What's wrong?"

"I'm scared," she replied. "I don't know what's going to happen next. We can't stay here forever."

"I know, but we'll find somewhere else soon. I promise."

"But how long will it take? And what if Martin comes back for me?"

"You have me, now, don't you?" John said, smile on his lips. "Don't worry, I'll protect you."

Julia smiled and Dalia observed quietly. She still had no idea why Martin had left and sensed something was different with John and Julia. 

While Julia stepped out of the sporting goods store, Dalia sauntered next to John.

"John, can I ask you a question?"

"Sure."

"Do you..." she hesitated, her gaze locked to the marble floors, "...hate me for disappearing on you?"

John raised an eyebrow, "No."

"Really?"

"I was mad when you left, but I don't hate you."

Dalia sighed in relief, "I thought you hated me."

"Nah, it's all good. It's this world we're stuck in."

"Yeah," she paused, her thoughts drifting to Martin, "John, what happened with Martin?"

John shrugged, "Nothing."

"It's not nothing. You guys are acting weird."

John glanced at Julia, who was looking at the clothing store.

"It's a long story. We'll tell you when we're ready."

"Alright."

"For now, we have to focus on finding a new place."

"I'm sure you have a plan."

John smirked, "Of course, I always have a plan."

He thought back to his portable base. He needed to settle down somewhere. Hopefully away from Theodore, but he needed strength and he needed more people. He knew there were other factions out there, potentially as large as Theodore's people. It would be suicide to set out on his own.

For now, all he needed was to grow stronger, and that meant stealing some poor sap out of his girl.