The Last Experience Point

To truly understand all the differences between Earth as he knew it and modern-day Galterra, Jimmy would need to live here a great deal longer and do a lot more research. Until that point, he couldn't tell you with any degree of certainty the current value of a second chance. But back home? On Earth? In a world where most people didn't get a first chance, let alone a second one? It was an opportunity you'd have to be a fool to squander. It would be a true test of his worth.

If I fuck this up, I really am quitting for good, Jimmy promised himself. The fact I get another shot at this after not even a full day…I just can't screw this up. I can't!

He knew he'd never be able to forgive himself if he blew it a second time. How could he? It wouldn't matter what anyone said to him, either. If he had to be bailed out on another raid—or worse, cost people their lives—then he was just done with this shit. Nothing would change his mind at that point. He didn't care what spawned around him or how perfect an opportunity arose. If he didn't redeem himself here and now, he was done with this. So…yeah, he couldn't fail. No matter what!

But Zach wasn't making this very easy for him.

Clearly, the kid wasn't happy, and he was definitely a little nervous despite trying to hide it. But really, Zach didn't need to be. He was getting himself all worked up over nothing. From the overly serious look in his eyes to the way he was staring at the T9 boss, his reaction was just so unnecessary. And the only reason he was even stressing like this was because he just didn't understand what Jimmy actually wanted from him; instead, he was drawing conclusions and getting way ahead of himself. The same was true of Kalana, who was also starting to freak out a bit.

At the moment, the Elvish girl was alternating between yelling at Jimmy and volunteering to "take Zach's place." This naturally led to Zach starting an argument with her, insisting that such an idea was flat-out not an option. Obviously, that only caused them to argue even more. But both of them were totally misunderstanding things, yet it was difficult for Jimmy to explain this to them while they were too busy yelling at one another. It also didn't help that the rest of the raid had begun demanding answers from him while he was busy trying to get Zach and Kalana's attention.

"Nah-uh," Kalana said to Zach, her tone adamant. She was responding to something Jimmy hadn't managed to overhear.

"This isn't an argument," Zach replied to her. "Enough, Kal!"

"It is an argument," she insisted. "Baby, you're not fighting that thing alone. I won't let you! Either you let me help, or umm, or I'll fight it all by myself."

"You're not going anywhere near that fucking thing. Look, Jimmy knows what he's doing. I don't know why he needs me, but I'm willing to trust him on this."

Kalana stood her ground. "Okay, well um, does Jimmy know that right now you can't even do your special power thingy and won't be able to do it again until tomorrow?"

Zach, whose index finger was lifted as though he were about to confidently say something in reply, lowered his hand and seemed to freeze for a few seconds before saying, "That's actually a good point. Maybe Jimmy doesn't realize that I can't use my Unleashed Phase."

"Even if he does, I still don't care. I'm not just gonna sit back and let you—"

"Kalana, Zach, please!" Jimmy shouted. "Will both of you just listen to me for fuck's sake!" They turned their heads his way. Having finally managed to draw their attention, Jimmy realized he might only be able to hold it for a fleeting moment, so he acted quickly. He made a waving-off gesture with both his hands and said, "I do not want Zach to fight the boss, so this whole conversation is a dumb waste of time."

There was silence from the two of them for about eight consecutive, uninterrupted seconds, and then Kalana squinted as though confused, and so too did Zach. "You don't?" she asked.

"No, Kalana. In fact, I don't even need him to go anywhere near that thing." Jimmy pointed at it. "I only need his war mount. That's the only thing he's got that I care about right now."

Zach looked puzzled, but also relieved. "Wait, really?" he asked. "My Kralzek's Beast is all you actually need from me?"

"Yes! But you two just keep on yelling and shit and I can't get a word in."

"Sorry," Zach whispered. Then, once again speaking at a normal volume, he asked, "But why do you need my war mount?"

"Because," Jimmy explained, "it's the highest level 'thing' we have that can't feel pain."

"And that matters because…?"

Jimmy grinned. Finally, a question he actually wanted to answer. But rather than reply directly to Zach, he spoke over the Comm, as this concerned the entire raid. "Summon your mount, Zach. I'll explain while we get things going."

Thankfully, Zach cooperated without a fuss, and he activated his ability. Now, standing beside him on all fours was a massive cat covered in orange and black stripes; two large teeth jutted out from its mouth, which seemed to release a constant drip of drool that ran down both of its cheeks. It was a vicious, dangerous-looking tiger, and it was also the highest-level entity here on the raid with them.