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nI told Mex and Nushi to head back to the Keep and let everyone know what was happening. Before they left, I asked Hydie if I could talk to her.

nI wanted to pick her brain about Beeno and see what I could do to make her more comfortable. Clearly, she was very stressed out, and I don't think she understood what was going on.

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"Yes?

" Hydie asked after she joined me in the back storage area I had used to enter Dao's tent.

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"I wanted to ask you about Beeno. She seems distressed,

" I said to Hydie, but she rolled her eyes to my surprise.

nNot the expression that I assumed I would get, and then Hydie took in a deep breath. After letting it out in a long sigh, Hydie shook her head and then looked back at me with a grin.

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"Nushi told her about all of us and our relationships with you.. Now she thinks that she is going to be standing in a long line. The girl just wants to be able to spend time with you, and I get it, so I think you could maybe do some stuff with her,

" Hydie explained to me, and I nodded my head.

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"Well, thank you. I didn't really think about it,

" I said, but as I did, Hydie came up and put a cool blue hand to the side of my face and then kissed me.

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"But you did think to ask me about it, so it's okay. I know that you have a lot still to do, but I think you should take her with you,

" Hydie said as she laid her hands on my muscled chest, looking into it.

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"Yeah, I guess I did just get some rest, but it's past midday, and the sun is working its way towards back down to the horizon,

" I said as I casually stroked Hydie's hair.

nHer hair was massive and almost reached the ground. Running my hands in it was like running my fingers through a thick gel, but Hydie shook her head and stepped back from me.

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"There is still plenty of the day left, and really, there is nothing on this island that would even blink at you. I even feel slight intimidation from you, and I know you and have felt your kindness and passion,

" Hydie said, kissing me again before turning to leave.

nI was left standing alone in the storage area, and I thought about what I would do with the rest of the day. I would take Beeno with me, but the question was what to do.

nI think you should deal with Tiga, but I think that should be saved for tomorrow. You have two days, not including the rest of today, then you need to get off the island.

n'What is the reason that I need to get off so fast? There are other things that I need to take care of, and it will be hard to fit them all in.'

nThe island will force you off the island by increasing the power levels of everything but only by one rank. The difference in power might not seem that much and won't affect the Demon, but it will put everything else into a rage for about a week.

n'An entire week? That is beyond wild, but they won't be Demon's then! What will happen to the other ones?'

nLet's not find out! While that is fine for you as long as you get off the island, the remainder of the island's denizens will be under constant attack during that time. Even if they survive, a good number of the island's population will be reduced, and most of the island will be destroyed.

n'Has this happened before?'

nYes, but the demons don't have to eat, so it never affected them. If anything, it made them stronger and fed them. The only way for it to stop early is for the hero to die, and I don't think that is something to consider.

n'Sure, well, I am going to have to deal with Tiga and her father tomorrow, and then I will make my final rounds on the last day before I leave. Do you have some sort of timer set for that?'

nYes, and I will keep track of everything. I also am creating an Elemental Chat Group within The Rancher System. Seems that with your new knowledge, I am getting a bit more access to different parts of the system. There is an operating system underneath it all, and it has some options that could help.

n'Did you just say

"Elemental Chat Group

"? What the hell does that mean? You had better not be signing into Grinder or and Tinder!'

nI do what I want! What are you gonna do about it? Don't be stupid; this isn't earth, and it has no access to it. There is an internet of sorts here, but it is entirely blank, and I have no clue where all the signals are coming from, but there is something like worldwide Wifi here.

nI wanted to think that was strange, but I could see something like the internet that had been so ingrained in our minds showing up.

n'So, what does that mean for you, me, and everyone else?'

nNot sure, yes, I can only work on building things from the inside, you will need to create things to use to be able to use them. Nothing about it will be easy, but I am sure with the girls' help, you will be able to figure something out.

nThat was true. There were many things that the girls would be able to help with, and I was sure to meet more in the future.

n'Okay, well, I think that I will take a look at the Gnolls hideout. I am very curious about it. I am not sure if it will be a good place to take Beeno, but it could be worse.'

nDon't forget about the demons after at the center. Even if Beeno doesn't want to do it with you yet, there will be one or maybe one hundred women willing to take her place.

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