"Wee"
"Ah you must be thirsty, have some water"
utz passed her a hollowed bamboo bottle with water in it. This way of storing water is popr among the ninjas.
utz was well aware such a day would arrive so he had stored the daily 10 Litres of water past the three days.
''Hehe, so you are finally charmed by me, huh?''
Selena thought that utz was trying to woo her but she couldn''t be more wrong. Everything was going ording to utz''s n.
utz would have passed that bottle to anyone who would have volunteered first irrespective of the person. It was just a small measure to tempt more people to join in.
Steve who was observing this scene from the sidelines nodded in appreciation. ''Free samples is it? an old trick but it is always effective''
Steve had more or less figured him out. However, one thing that he wasn''t able to weed out was that the whole thing about searching for a water source was a big fat lie.
utz was running against time. He didn''t have the time to search for freshwater especially when he himself held onto a never-ending source of water.
As to why he wanted to leave the safe point and venture into the wilderness? He had his own thoughts.
"Can I join too?"
A girl in her mid-teens came up. Her showing up wasn''t taken in a good light by the audience.
Death seemed certain for them as soon as they left the protective field. They wouldn''t be able to help either. It would be good if they didn''t hold him back.
"I have already mentioned my terms. Whoever joins get a liter without further discussions"
utz words shattered everyone''s expectations.
It would have made sense if utz picked the adults but taking the little girl along as well? They thought he was either simply joking or was going to use them as meatshields.
They didn''t even think over it a second time.
They didn''t bat an eye to use utz of such actions. However, they couldn''t voice out their thoughts.
On one hand, they were thirsty as hell and on the other hand, they were scared of the dangers that lurked outside the walls of this ce.
On a third note if they don''t find a water source soon they would die anyways.
Pointing to the fact that utz was willing to take even a cripple outside they knew that the fate of those who followed him would be that of a meat shield.
They thought that the girl was foolish for following utz. However, utz thought otherwise.
"Anyone else?" utz called.
"What do you mean by exploring the surroundings?" a man who didn''t belong to either side asked.
utz calmly replied, "For three to four hours every day, you will explore the surroundings for water and anything that might seem useful for survival. You will hunt if necessary."
"Will you tell us the location of the water source once you find it?" a paranoid man asked.
utz smiled.
"A price for information!" said utz.
Code of the Shinobi! You have to pay for information if you want any. This was what he was taught ever since he entered Hellfeim.
What they could earn at the ruins was extremely limited.
To earn something, you must be willing to ept the risks that follow.
The more risks you take; the more profits you could gain.
There was nothing you can get for free.
The people began whispering amongst themselves.
Whisper: "What should we do?"
Whisper: "For now let us send someone to his group whom we can trust. We will find out the location of the water from him"
Whisper: "Nice n but who will volunteer"
Whisper: "Don''t look at me. There is no way I am going"
The popr question arouses in everyone''s mind. "WHO will BELL the CAT?"
"I will volunteer"
Surprisingly, Bill made his move. It was quite unexpected as utz thought he would continue his rivalry with Bruno.
"Are you sure? We''re not going out to y," he replied sarcastically.
He thought of others before himself before he made his decision.
His kind normally didn''tst long.
Nosy people like Bill were usually the first to die.
''But if he survives, he will grow to be a great influence.''
Miki Shirogane was like that.
Everyone acknowledged that she had the talent of a real soldier.
However, it was very rare to find someone like Shirogane.
Even if they did survive, in the abyss like Hellfeim, they will eventually have a changed personality.
utz was sceptical that Bill would survive.
utz was unaware of Bill''s true intention. If no one from Bill''s group volunteered they might have to wash their hands off of any discovery that utz might make.
However, everyone was scared to their wits and so Bill hesitantly decided to volunteer.
Bill''s decision calmed everyone''s hearts.
They didn''t want to deal with utz. Following him was thest thing they wanted to do.
Moreover, Bill was most suitable for the job since he was the strongest of the lot. So Bill''s survival rate was high.
However, Selena who had guessed Bill''s intention thought otherwise.
''Fools''
Little did those fools contemte that if something were to happen to Bill what would be of them. Bill was theirst line of defence, their only hope to survive.
Putting him in a life-threatening situation could only make things worse.
If Bill were to die, there would be no one to help them since Bruno has decided to work separately.
They would be at the mercy of Steve and utz.
Although she didn''t know anything about utz moral character but she did know about Steve.
If they be dependent on Steve their worst nightmare would be a reality. And she believed that utz and Bruno would not butt in if that were to happen.
She herself wasn''t in much of a stable position but she believed that utz would save her.
--
Author''s thoughts:
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