Raising his gaze to Rose, he understood that it had not helped. He felt a little foolish.
– Ahem, ahem, but I admit my mistake, that I lied to you. But I did it for the common good.
Looking at him skeptically, she said:
– And what good, if it's not a secret?
– So that you wouldn't worry about me. So my lie was justified. – He smiled, hoping to lower the tension, but from Rose's face, he understood that it had only gotten worse, and he had no choice but to try to change the subject. – You could have congratulated me on setting a new record for leveling up.
Narrowing her eyes at Kopii's remark, she said: – Yes, forgive me for such an abrupt start to the conversation... Congratulations on leveling up.
– Thank you. – After a pause, he continued: – Well, I'll be going; I don't want to distract you from your work any longer. – he wanted to talk with Rose a little more, but the intent stares in his direction irritated him to the depths of his soul, and he could no longer bear them. He did not like it when all attention was focused on him alone, because of this he wanted to leave as quickly as possible.
But Kopii knew that it would not help. Now everyone knew him; wherever he went, he would be recognized everywhere. He could not relax anywhere. He understood that with time, everything would return to normal. But he was already tired, very tired of all this.
Leaving the guild, the problems of his popularity faded into the background. Right now, it was important for him to find a way to control the thirst. After Miach's words that his rapid growth might be somehow connected with his skill "copying," the most fitting hypothesis appeared to him: where his thirst had come from. He had simply copied this feeling from the monsters back then in the dungeon.
– Or, maybe, I copied the will of the dungeon. – Kopii had heard many times that the dungeon was alive, so why not.
He exhaled.
– If this guess is correct, then what does it change? – He had always thought that if he learned how it had appeared, all problems would be solved. But it was quite the opposite: he had learned where it had come from, or he thought he had.
But he still had not found a solution. He had even more questions than answers. And what if copying was a passive skill? These thoughts frightened him the most. If it was true, a passive skill, then wouldn't he copy everything? He did not want to copy everyone. If he had copied the feeling of monsters, then could he, without knowing it himself, copy the feelings of other people? Their abilities? Their experience?
But Kopii immediately dismissed these thoughts. If it were true, then he would have copied the feeling of greed from Gedo or Canoe, even from those very merchants. They had all been obsessed with money. But he had not become like that. Then, perhaps, this was a false guess.
Or he had felt aversion to such people; because of that, perhaps, he had not copied them? But he did not like monsters either. Now Kopii was at a dead end: the more he thought, the less he understood how it had happened.
Or, perhaps, this skill was conscious? He simply needed to think, to concentrate on something, and then, perhaps, he would be able to copy.
– Yes, that's brilliant! I need to test it. But what should I copy? – Kopii pondered, stopping in the middle of the street. His gaze darted about, trying to find something interesting. Merchants, people hurrying somewhere, someone walking with bags, someone simply strolling. Some lingered their gazes on him, but quickly returned to their business.
It dawned on Kopii; his eyebrows rose, and a smile appeared on his face, unexpectedly for himself. – What if I can copy an equally strong feeling, so that it suppresses my hatred and thirst? – The more he thought about it, the more he understood that this was a very good idea.
But there was one problem. What feeling could suppress this? How strong must this feeling be?
– What are you standing here for, Kopii?
– ?
Turning towards the voice, he immediately understood who it was. And he could not help but smile.
– It's you again, Raven. There are too many coincidences, don't you notice? Two days in a row you find me. Are you really following me? – Raising an eyebrow, he asked, trying to hide his smile, looking at that silly and naive face, full of joy.
– Of course not, it's just a coincidence. I was just heading home; I needed groceries. – Kopii lowered his gaze and noticed the bags, which were filled to the brim.
– Have you found a familia? – Raising his gaze, Kopii asked.
– No, Kopii, but I'm close to it, or so I think. Well, I've already tried to join a familia, but so far everyone has refused me. But I see nothing terrible in that; after all, what is a hero's path without difficulties?
– I see. – The more Kopii looked at Raven, the more he noticed that his face was reddening. – Isn't it hard for you to carry such big bags? You've probably been walking for a long time.
– It's not hard for me; for a future hero, it's nothing.
– Really? – Raising one eyebrow. – But your face says otherwise.
– You know, Kopii, it's just hot today, that's the problem.
– Fine, you've convinced me, I'll help you. – Approaching Raven, he reaches out to take a bag, but Raven pulls his hands away.
– It really isn't hard for me. – But ignoring his words, he snatched the bags from his hands.
– You must learn to accept help, Raven. You probably live in some inn? – Kopii asked, expecting Raven's answer.
– No, Kopii, you're mistaken, I have a house.
– A house? – He looked at Raven skeptically; he could not believe it. How much money must one have to buy a house?
– Where did you get so much money? You're deceiving me.
– Money? No, I got it for free.
– What? What do you mean, for free? – Kopii asked without understanding, certain that he was being mocked.
– Well, follow me, I'll show you, and you'll understand everything yourself. Let's go faster. – He had no choice but to follow him.
– And by the way. – Turning to Kopii. – Kopii, congratulations on leveling up.
Looking intently into Raven's eyes, he said with a barely noticeable smile.
– Thank you.
– You can't imagine how surprised I was when I learned that my only friend here managed to set a new record for leveling up. They talk about you at every step.
The more they walked, the more Kopii understood how he could already have a house.
– Isn't this an abandoned district? – Continuing to look at Raven's back.
– Yes, Kopii, I spent a whole day finding a more or less suitable place. You can't imagine how hard it was for me. We've arrived. – Raven turned to Kopii: – Welcome to my humble abode.
– But isn't this a collapsed building?
– No, Kopii, let's go. – Approaching the ruins, he began moving a plank aside, and there was a passage down.
– Is this a basement?
– Yes, you're as perceptive as always. But can one live in the basement of a ruined building?
– Of course, you can, Kopii, if it has air and doesn't leak, then it's the best place, Kopii.
– But this building is broken; do you think it's normal to spend the night somewhere where everything could cave in? – Descending, Kopii said.
– I checked everything, Kopii, don't worry.
– And how exactly did you check? Did you jump on it? – But Raven fell silent, but after a while spoke.
– Yes, well, that's not so important, Kopii.
– Are you serious? – Having already entered the basement. – It's rather cozy here, – Kopii noted, looking around the room.
– Yes, I just did a thorough cleaning here. There was so much trash. Can you put my groceries over there? – pointing at a small table, he said.
Having put the things down, Kopii pondered: wasn't this the ideal test subject for his copying? He was a rather good person, if, of course, he wasn't pretending.
– Well, as a token of gratitude, I'll cook something to eat; you can't refuse food, Kopii, it will be a token of gratitude. – Taking out the groceries and starting to cook.
Kopii did not care about the food; he wanted to test his hypothesis. He wanted to copy Raven's joy. Staring intently at him, Kopii tried with all his might to concentrate on Raven, as if there were nothing else in this world but him. Time passed; Kopii still had not taken his gaze off Raven.
– Are you alright, Kopii? – Finishing his steak, Raven asked, looking at Kopii's tense face. – You're looking at me strangely; what, didn't you like the steak?
– I was just thinking. As for the steak, it was quite tasty...
Before Raven could open his mouth, Kopii preempted him.
– I have to go, Raven, thanks again. – Getting up, taking his plate to wash it, but Raven stopped him.
– I'll clean up.
– ...
– ...
– Alright. – Handing him the plate and starting to head for the exit. – Bye.
– Bye, Kopii! You can come by any time.