Level-Up Apocalypse: Surviving With The Assimilation System

He turned his gaze away from the window to the young woman who entered the room, "What's up, Charlotte?"

On the bed closest to the window, she sat down, resting her hands against the sheets as she looked at him, "How're you holding up?"

For some reason, it somewhat bothered him to be asked that. It wasn't this specific time, but the many moments in which he was asked this question piled up, feeling unjustified.

"Listen, I know you're just looking out for me, but…I'm fine, alright? I promise," Finn assured her, wearing a faint smile.

"You know why I'm asking so often, right, Finn? You've been sort of distant for a while now. I can tell you're stressed and anxious–I mean, everybody is, but you especially. I know you feel responsible for all of us, but that's not your burden, alright?" Charlotte assured him.

Finn simply nodded, "I'm just doing what I have to do, that's all. It's not "too much'--it's what needs to be done for us to survive. I don't care about anything else but that–"

As he spoke his mind, admitting his foremost purpose, he was surprised to find himself enveloped in a peculiar warmth. The young woman's arms gently wrapped around his shoulders, giving him a light embrace.

"Charlotte?" He asked.

Being so close, he could smell her hair; somehow even at the end of the world, it smelled like lavender–a refreshing scent that made him feel warm.

He didn't know how to respond, seeing as a hug was really something that had become foreign in recent times, though he accepted it. As the young woman pulled away, there was a clear tint of pink to her cheeks as she brushed her hair behind her ear.

"Sometimes…I think a hug can help, y'know?" Charlotte remarked.

"Yeah, I guess so," Finn agreed, rubbing the back of head as he attempted to hide his own bashfulness.

"Sorry, was that too much—?" Charlotte asked, glancing around with a clear tinge of embarrassment.

Finn waved his hand, brushing it off, "No, no—thank you, really. I appreciate it."

The gratitude seemed to make her happy, as Charlotte smiled with flushed cheeks, nodding her head, "I'm glad it helped."

"Listen…It might be best to hold out awhile. I didn't want to mention this to the others yet, but I want to know what you think," Finn said.

"What do you mean?"

"More and more people like us will end up in the First Order—at least, I hope so. If we wait long enough, maybe we won't have to do anything," Finn theorized.

"Do you really think that can work?" Charlotte sincerely asked.

Giving it some thought, he couldn't exactly confirm nor deny it. After all, it was hopeful thinking.

"If I'm being realistic, I don't know how much longer this world even has. The only thing holding it together is the Storm King," Finn admitted, adjusting himself on the window-side seat.

"I was afraid of the same thing, too. We might be on a time limit here," Charlotte agreed.

"It's all just a mess. I really walked us straight into hell, didn't I? Magnus opposed coming here the most, and look what happened…" Finn recalled with a somber breath.

"Don't do that. It's not your fault," Charlotte told him, leaning forward with a furrow of her eyebrows.

Finn shrugged, "I have to take responsibility at some point."

"What's all this gloom, I sense?!"

The conversation was suddenly interrupted by the arrival of one such small, but loud girl who hopped up from the last step of the stairs.

Nova had a proud expression with her hands placed on her sides, though she even seemed to read the room after a moment, "Ah…Did I interrupt something?"

"No, you're fine," Charlotte told her.

"Anyway…" Finn continued. "I bet if we ask the old man, he'll know somewhere we can go to level up. Somewhere worthwhile, where maybe we can find some loot at the same time."

"Loot? Did I hear you right–? You said loot? Oh, count me in–! You're finally speaking my language!" Nova excitedly clapped her hands together.

Like an excited dog ready to go for a walk, Finn found the silver-pink haired girl right in front of him with a glimmer in her eyes, even having to lean back so as not to be so close to her.

"Calm down, would you? Save that energy for when we're out there," Finn said.

It seemed that the conversation was, once more, overheard as the old elf walked his way into the room, coughing as if trying to subtly convey their attention.

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Gurmo spoke up, "It seems you adventurers are looking for a place to improve your strength, and perhaps stumble upon treasure?"

"You guessed right, gramps," Finn confirmed.

Nova hopped up-and-down, "C'mon, gramps, you know where we should go, right? Tell us!"

"Settle down now, this old man's heart may give out…Anyway, you should head north, past the ashen battlefield. You'll find the Ruins of The Old King past the floating island," Gurmo informed them. "It's said there are powerful remnants of the primordial kingdom remaining there, still guarding the prime treasure of the Old King."

"The Prime Treasure? What's that?" Finn asked.

Gurmo fiddled with the hair on his chin, "Well, it's only a rumor passed through centuries…It's said behind the throne of the Old King, there's a hidden grove bearing a tree of divine fruit. When one takes a bit out of it, they obtain tremendous strength."

It all sounded to fit right into the logic of a game to Finn, presuming full well that this was a necessary requirement to facing the Storm King.

"Sounds perfect," Charlotte said.

Jasper appeared on the staircase, hearing the information, "Sounds kind of scary, but I'm in."

"Guess it's decided, then," Finn said, standing himself up. "To the Ruins of The Old King, then."