Chapter 173: Food Stuffs and a Stiff Hand

Shigure sat in his tent going over the same numbers he had been looking at for the past several days.

"It is not enough… We simply do not have enough food to last us the remainder of the tutorial. Even with the higher levels not having to eat thanks to their status, it still will not be enough."

Shigure sighed as he leaned back in his chair, wondering how they were supposed to get through this. There had already been people trying to force others to give up rations. But it was between the sub-level 10 craftsmen so it was easily dealt with for now.

But what would happen when the higher-level fighters began to have the same problem? Just because they didn't have to eat as often did not mean they didn't have to entirely.

Before he could dwell on it again for much longer, a voice came from the tent entrance.

"Lord Shigure! There is a problem at the south gate!"

"A problem?" Shigure asked, getting to his feet, Uta appearing next to him in a puff of inky smoke.

"There seems to be an unknown person asking to see you. No one can identify him, but he came with Sir Bear and that man's party," Uta explained before they left the tent.

Exiting, Shigure gave a nod to the guardsman, walking past him to the rampart quickly with Uta in tow.

"Is he trying to force himself in?" Shigure asked.

"N-no, he… He is making jokes," Uta professed.

—------

"So then I said. 'Looks like it's time for this bug to fly," Drake said in a deep hoarse voice.

"That wasn't even funny, did you really say that to a monster 5 levels above you? Did it even understand you?"

"Well, I didn't really say that one. I did beat the crap out of it though. Give me a break I was in the middle of a heated battle, forgive me if my quippy nature didn't take over!"

Drake fell back on arms, sitting on the ground with the two guards sitting across from him.

"So there hasn't been any problems except the food stuff?" Drake asked.

"No, nothing major, a few people trying to rough others up for food. We did have a few Ghouls come around. But Lord Shigure took care of them quickly," the guard answered, tearing into the meat, "Wow this is good!"

"That's ganna be a few hundred F-Rank Crystals there fella," Drake smirked.

"What?! Now that has to be a joke!"

"Nope, I'm robbing you," Drake laughed, pointing a finger gun at the guard.

Drake smiled and pointed his finger past the guards now.

"Put that thing away! You're going to kill someone!" Shigure shouted as he scowled at Drake.

"Heyyyyyy Buddyyyyyy," Drake chuckled, blowing out his finger gun and putting it away, "How ya been. How's life?"

"Ugh. I thought it might be you… I take it you were the one who took down the Monster we received a notification about, ending the tutorial?"

"Awe, don't be so glum. It's been weeks since we've seen each other Shigure! Aren't you going to tell me how much cuter I look?" Drake grinned.

The guards had since stood up and moved to the side, hiding their pieces of meat that Drake had bribed them with. Enjoying the back and forth the two were doing.

"No. But thank you for defeating the monster. You have given us all an amazing title, but what is it you want to speak to me about," Shigure asked, ignoring Drake's joke.

"Wow, you've really put on some chops," Drake said, giving a whistle and standing, "You sure you're ok with speaking out in the open like this?"

"There is no reason not to, anyone who has any problem with me in charge is long gone. I am curious about what has happened to change you to such a degree if i must admit, but that is something you I'm sure are comfortable with speaking about?"

"Nope. I won't be saying anything on it. Inner circle stuff, you understand I'm sure."

"Fine. If you would be kind enough to make it quick, we are currently dealing with a major food shortage," Shigure sighed.

"What? Not going to try to muscle it out of me? You sure have grown in these last weeks little Shigure."

"I am not going to be goaded into fighting someone who can take down an E-Rank. Given that it was the last monster for the tutorial to recognise it ending I am very sure I would stand no chance, but a later spar would be appreciated."

Drake whistled again, crossing his arms.

"Wow, you really did grow up. Good for you. As for what I wanted to talk to you about. I found out what happened with all the animals. And I know where they are."

"Is that so? Are you going to ask for something in return for the information?" Shigure asked calmly.

"Is that the kind of man you take me for?"

"That is exactly the type of man I take you for, yes."

Drake flinched stepping back slightly.

"That's hurtful…"

"It was intended to be…"

"Fine. It's to the south east, you can find it if you travel about a day's worth. You could probably make it in a few hours given your level. There's a collapsed tunnel leading to the underground Hive for the Tyrant Ants. Most of the remaining ones are around level 20s so be careful on your way there, they travel in swarms. I could tag along if you want," Drake offered.

"No. I should be sufficient, and I do need the experience. Thank you," Shigure said, bowing his head slightly, "With this, we will make it to the end easily… Is there anything else?"

"Uhh…" Drake was slightly stunned by Shigure's candidness. Just what happened to him during their time apart.

"For the moment nothing, but we should speak about the alliance you proposed earlier," Drake said, losing his playful tone, "There's a lot we need to discuss about what comes next as well. The tutorial sponsor was the Matriarch of the Dragons and I have a bad feeling about what is coming for us."

"Matriarch of Dragons…? Understood, I will come to find you in several days after I have gathered enough food for the outpost."

Shigure bowed again and turned back to the Outpost without a fuss. Uta only spared Drake a glare before evaporating into mist.

"Well, that was no fun… I at least wanted him to try something…." Drake pouted, putting his hands behind his head, "Oh well, time to go make food I guess."

Turning around Drake walked back casually to the camp that was being set up.

"What made you change your mind about the alliance? I believe it to be a poor deal for us," Natto said, bringing up the subject.

"The world is going to be much different once we are out. We knew that, but knowing I have a target on my back from a Dragon that can circumvent the system. I'm not sure if it's smart to try to go it alone. I'm convinced more than ever that we will need stronger people for what's to come, and that I need to be at the top. And until I'm proven wrong it's going to be my plan going forward. I won't stand for our world to be picked clean by someone who thinks of us as toys…" Drake responded, grinding his teeth.

"Quite the change in character indeed… I believe the ambition is good for you in the long run. But you must get a handle on your changes quickly. Thirty days will pass in a flash," Natto advised.

"I know. I have a lot of skeletons in my closet right now. And only so much time to get over them…" Drake sighed, his body relaxing, "I'll be leaning on you a bit."

"It is what I am here for, you stupid buffoon."

Drake smiled, reaching the end of the camp.

"Alright foodie time!" he shouted, the sounds of cheers reverberating through the small camp.

—---

"Mrs. Wallen! Mrs. Wallen!"

"Yes? What is it, honey?" the woman asked.

"The front fighters are getting into an argument again over loot. It looks like it's going to turn into a fight," the boy explained.

"Oh? What have I told those little kids about sharing! Can't they let a woman rest in peace!" Mrs. Wallen's attitude made a 180 as she got up from her seat leaving the steaming food on her table.

Leaving her tent she moved from the dungeon safe room that the rest of the non-combat participants had been camped in. As she weaved through the camp, everyone made sure to say hello and greet her.

Everyone knew Mrs. Wallen. She was like everyone's mother. She was kind when you met her, but fierce when she had to be. The first instance of the entire tutorial almost broke out into a war. She had taken the bull by the horns quite literally.

There were a variety of Races in their tutorial. Beastmen, Elves, and lower Celestials. And they were at each other's throats often at the start. But no one fought when Mrs. Wallen showed up. They knew better.

The first person to try to challenge her made it out alive, but not with their dignity intact. The poor man who stood up to her after berating a kid half his age got the beating of a lifetime. And the shame that came with it. He was disciplined in front of the whole tutorial one-handedly.

More tried from every race to challenge her for top dog only to be put on a metaphorical leash for their troubles.

No one knew her class but they were very familiar with her backhand, and quick chancla trigger.

Mrs. Wallen walked through the dimmed hall, the sounds of yelling back and forth echoing down it as she went.

Eventually, she reached the command tent as they named it. The tent was made for the front part leading the dungeon dive of their tutorial. There were a few participants who had earned an Assistant and they had found out that their tutorial was one of the more unique ones.

Entering, the arguing quieted down as everyone's eyes went to the entrance.

"What's the problem, children?" Mrs. Wallen asked.

A large Bullman didn't meet her eyes, his brow beginning to sweat.

Mrs. Wallen looked to the side, a beautiful fair-skinned woman beginning to shirk away, her long ears drooping down.

"Come now, tell Nanai. I'm tired and want to eat my soup in peace. Diyos ko…"

"Mom… We're grown adults, we can figure this out on our own without you-"

Mrs. Wallen's hand raised, and her son's mouth clamped shut.

"I didn't raise you to not show respect to your mother! I asked what is going on that a boy has to come get me to quiet down adults! You should be ashamed of yourselves!" she yelled.

Mrs. Wallen's son, Travis, shivered. A wry smile on his face.

"What is the problem?" she asked again.

"W-well," Travis began explaining, "We've reached the last floor of the dungeon. But there is only one person who gets to have the kill achievement. We are all debating who it's going to be."

"Ay! Susmaryosep! You all are really getting so upset over a little title!" she huffed.

"It's not just a title you o- Mrs. Wallen!" the elf in the corner shouted, "It comes with massive stat bonuses. The previous bosses all gave flat bonuses to stats. This being the last one, we're sure it's going to be much larger!"

"Den, flip a coin," she answered flatly.

"What?" many of them parroted.

"Flip, a coin," Mrs. Wallen said again.

"You want to leave it up to luck, Mrs. Wallen?" a man asked from across the room.

"Why? Would you rather you continue to bicker like toddlers? Sige, yes flip a coin I tell you. Or maybe I should just pick myself?" she scoffed.

"No!" the whole room screamed.

"Sige! Don't you yell at me punyeta!" Mrs. Wallen yelled back, her hand going for her cudgel.

Everyone including Traves shrunk back slightly giving wry laughs and smiles.

"Den, flip a coin and beat that monster. I want to be home already and watch my soaps. See my son, yes?"

"Mom… Your soaps aren't running anymore…" Travis chuckled.

"Don't tell me what I already know Travis! I have Tevo!"