Setting Goals

Chester paced behind Yue in silence, his steps matching the rhythm of his racing thoughts. The gravity of the situation weighed heavily on his mind, and he couldn't shake the mix of emotions that consumed him. The possibility of perma-death loomed over their heads, a constant reminder of the perilous world they inhabited. A deep sigh escaped his mouth. 'This shit's heavy." While Chester had accepted the notion of perma-death as an inherent risk of their journey, he couldn't escape the guilt that gnawed at his conscience.

'That damn old man, after all those airs he put around scaring the crap out of me with that pressure he goes and does that.' The circumstances had brought him and Yue dangerously close to that outcome, and he couldn't help but feel responsible. Every time he looked at Yue he would now think of a painful reminder, the sacrifice of all those villagers he exploited to leach xp, under the cover of righteousness he had instigated a battle they could have just run from.

Every time Chester stole a glance at Yue, his heart ached. He knew the burden of grief she carried and the loss she had endured. 'Oh boy, this is going to hurt like a bitch.' Her resilience in the face of tragedy only intensified his desire to make things right, to find a way to ensure the survival and well-being of their clan. He couldn't allow guilt and sorrow to paralyze him; instead, he had to channel those emotions into productive action. 'This isn't me being guilty, I just fell for her.'

As the boat gently carried them away from the dangers they had faced, Chester made a silent vow to himself. He would honor Yue's uncle's sacrifice by committing himself to the establishment and growth of their clan. If he could create a clan structure akin to a guild, he realized, they could leverage the collective strength and resources of its members. By forging connections and forming alliances, they could increase their chances of survival and navigate this world. 'She had formed alliances but we got wiped before reinforcements arrived.'

With newfound determination, Chester pushed aside his doubts and fears. He understood that they needed to move forward, moping around would render their struggles meaningless. It was time to rise above their circumstances and create a reputation out of the chaos. "We can spin this around, to get established we can use the warnings of the demonic threat in our favor. Even if this isn't a game, the existence of Qi implies that there must be good items capable of harnessing it.' Chester resolved to become the catalyst, the driving force that would ensure the Yue clan thrived, despite the challenges they faced.

As Chester gazed at the moon, its soft glow casting a mesmerizing reflection on the river, his mind was consumed by a myriad of thoughts and emotions. He felt the weight of his own powerlessness in the face of Yue's immense loss. The tragedy that befell her family had shaken him. He wanted to offer her solace and support. 'Yup, like a bitch.' There was an internal struggle within him, a battle between his genuine desire to help and the stark reality of his own limitations. He was a stranger in this foreign world, barely able to fend for himself, he didn't even know what the difference between his mana and Qi were, let alone how to begin with establishing a clan and provide for the remaining survivors. 'She can manage it, I'll start with the framework I'm familiar with and leave everything to her once it's done.'

As he finally gathered the courage to approach Yue, the moon's reflection in the river served as a silent witness to the inner transformation that had taken place within Chester. He was no longer just a survivor; he had become a beacon of hope, driven by the desire to honor the sacrifices made and to pave the way for a brighter future. 'I don't intend to aim high, just enough to be unbothered, a small region where the people follow my values, and once I gather strong allies we can turn the clan into a guild. No one fucks with the white mage.'

Chester walked towards Yue and he instantly lost his line of thought. He focused and brought his head up to look at Yue, her gaze fixed upon the moon's reflection, he couldn't help but feel his heart speed up. 'Calm down, Heart.' They had both narrowly escaped a terrible fate, bound together by their shared experiences on this treacherous journey. 'We've been through shit together. Why are you nervous' The full moon reminded him of their initial encounter, when hope still flickered within their hearts. Chester tightened the grip in his now sweaty hands.

He took a deep breath, steeling himself for the conversation that lay ahead. He knew that offering his assistance to Yue and the other survivors was a daunting prospect, but he couldn't stand idly by. He had to try, even if the odds seemed impossible.