Striving for Perfection

The wheels of the train are pounding in a rhythmic and calm manner. A cold, wintry wind howls outside the train wanting to overcome the heat. The bag is quietly and imperceptibly located under the shelf on which I am lying. My eyes are closed, my leg is hanging off the seat and still hurts after being wounded, my hands spontaneously folded on my chest and my head remained lying on the hard seat. Tranquility, satisfaction, silence, ten

"Mr. Sir Boss?" Rising asked, drawing my attention.

Tension.

"What?" I answered the question with a question after I slowly opened my eyes.

"We're going to some base, right?"

"Yes." I answered shortly, hoping that this conversation would be over.

"I don't doubt you in any way, Mr. Sir Boss, but why are we doing this?"

With an exasperated sigh, I moved from a recumbent position to a sitting position and put the card on the folding table. Unfortunately, part of the large Equestria map, which was supplemented with a tourist map of Manehattan, could not fit on the table and began to hang to the floor. I didn't attach much importance to this and decided to do more important things. After looking around the room and seeing only Flying holding his bottle tightly and Rising who was watching me closely, I began to explain the situation.

"When you all went home, I stayed at the military base and spent Christmas there. The next day, I was attacked by a squad of three mercenaries with the aim of killing me. The first attack was defeated by me despite the hangover. After the attack, I decided that I had to eliminate the threat as soon as possible before it was too late. Then, after a series of inept investigations conducted by me personally, I found out that the mercenaries from Cleansing Sword were engaged in this. I'm sure that someone ordered these mercenaries, so I plan to break into their database and look for documents. This is my situation in short. " I explained, pointing out which places I was in. Starting from a military base and ending with a further destination. Mercenary base.

"What does it mean to break into their database? Do you really have a plan? " Rising asked, trying to digest the information received.

"I don't have a plan. Speaking in fact, the situation is disgusting. There is no intelligence, two-thirds of the personnel have no weapons, the fighting takes place in the mountains and in the cold." I said, stating the fact. Seeing that none of the thestrals understood anything, I decided to say it in simpler language.

"I do not know anything about the base, and even more so about how many people are in it. I do not know how to use you because you are trained as I am to fight without weapons. Plus the cold mountains themselves are in a dangerous environment." I said in simpler words in response to which there was a sigh of understanding in the carriage. But immediately after realizing the situation, Rising had a new question.

"But we can't just attack without a plan. We can't, can we?" Rising asked, addressing me and expecting some kind of reaction.

"I repeat. I have no information and you have no weapons. The best solution is to leave you at the train station and act alone. " I said, eliciting an instant reaction.

"Leave us so you can escape? No, I won't let you. You promised a drink at the end of December and I'm going to get it. " Flying said while continuing to hold his bottle.

I didn't promise anything to anyone.

"Yes! I mean, not exactly for the same reason, but I'm going to stay with you anyway. Whether you want it or not." Said Rising charged with confidence from Flying.

Motive number one: To use alcohol-based substances. Motive number two: Not detected. The logical method of confrontation: Ineffective. The use of communist rhetoric: Unavailable due to the opponent's low intelligence. Counteraction method: None.

My brain told me to fuck off, so I had to admit defeat. "If you idiots die, it's only your fault."

After my remark, the conversation exhausted itself. All questions are closed, the winner is determined, opinions are expressed. I was about to lie back on the shelf, but my stomach rumbled, hinting that I hadn't eaten anything. I ignored it and lay down on the shelf to rest or at best sleep. But of course Rising couldn't help but pay attention to this.

"Mr. Sir Boss, why are you starving?" Rising asked with sincere incomprehension.

"Because you bought watermelons. The product has a sweet taste. There's no way I'm going to eat sweet food. That's why I eat green apples and green bananas." I answered by turning on my side and looking Rising in the eyes.

"I won't even ask." Flying muttered softly.

"You're not going to starve, are you?" asked Rising, hoping for a negative answer.

"Of course not."

"Hooray." Rising said softly after calming down.

"I'll just eat those I kill during the assault." I finished by evoking various emotions in Rising. From indignation and misunderstanding to a little relief.

Such illogical conversations take a lot of mental strength. I need to shift my attention to others. And I have an idea.

"Listen Rising, I noticed that you are interested in me. Is that so?" I asked while I was moving back to a sitting position.

"Well, like something like that." Rising replied evasively.

"I'm offering you a simple and stupid game. I will let you ask me questions that I will answer, but after the answer, I will ask you questions.." I explained, causing Rising great enthusiasm.

"It's not even a game." Flying muttered while continuing to hold his wine bottle.

"By the way Flying why don't you drink your wine?" I asked, drawing attention to this fact.

"I'm waiting." Flying answered briefly.

"Wine gets better with age. Is that what you mean? "

"You can call it that, nerd. " Flying replied, barely holding back his laughter.

"Rising start. " I ordered while holding the bridge of my nose with two fingers.

"How did you become captain of the Guard? " Asked Rising after much deliberation.

"They saw the potential in me and offered me a place in the armed forces. Before taking office, I was to train hard for several months. you satisfied with this answer," I said with a bored look.

"Yes, quite." Rising said with a little disappointment in his voice.

"Okay, so I can make my move. How did you get into the army?" I asked, emphasizing the word "you".

"Um, can I have another question please?" Asked Rising starting to experience stress.

"Do you have something to hide?" I asked, starting to put pressure on the thestral. So far, only morally.

"No, I have nothing to hide! It's just, um, I kind of don't want to talk about it." Said Rising trying to justify himself.

Trying to bring him to the surface will be hard. It's not worth that much effort.

"Okay, I'll ask another question. What should be considered normal and should be allowed?" I said, thus making a concession. Judging by the fact that Rising has relaxed, he is very grateful for such generosity.

"Probably everything that makes someone happy." Rising said uncertainly after a long thought.

"Well, I accept this answer. Your move. " Said nodding contentedly.

"What do you dislike about others? " I asked Rising as if it really mattered to him.

"Annoyance, superstition, manipulativeness and modesty. " I said without thinking.

"I see. Your move. " Said Rising copying my phrase.

"Why were you in Manhattan and chasing me? " I asked, making Rising nervous again and even a little ashamed.

Seeing this, I sighed wearily and said, "Forget it. I refuse my question."

Rising had already opened his mouth to say something, but Flying cut into the conversation. "Have you had sex?"

"Are you really interested in this?" I asked, looking at Flying like an idiot.

"This is the only interesting question." Flying replied, looking at me with maximum seriousness.

"No, it wasn't." I said, getting ready for how this idiot would react to this.

At first he tried not to laugh. After a couple of seconds, his eyes began to water and his mouth miraculously remained closed. The next second, the dam broke and he began to laugh loudly, almost hysterically. I put my hand on the folding table and thus propped my head. Flying is still laughing and is not going to stop anytime soon. Seeing and realizing this fact to the full, I sighed in disappointment and directed my gaze out the window. A second later, I heard a copy of my sigh from Rising.

Outside the window, among the howling wind, flying snow and hopeless darkness, a small light appeared. Looking closely at it, I realized that this light is a railway station. While the laughter continues in the carriage, the railway station is getting closer and closer. Soon you will have to leave the warm room and go into the terrifying, bone-chilling cold. Most likely, this light of the terminal station will be the only memory of warmth for many hours.

Don't escalate an already bad situation. Just survive there. Survive at any cost.

The train began to slow down, informing that the last moments of warmth remained. Flying managed to calm down but still laughs softly every time he looks at me. I took my equipment bag in advance and hung it over my shoulder. When the train finally stopped, I took a breath to gather my strength and signaled with a thestral that it was time to move out. After making sure that everyone was ready, I took the first step out of the train.

Immediately after getting off the train, I felt under the local weather. Huge drifts of snow ankle-high. A strong wind that continuously hits in the face. And as a dessert, a terrible cold penetrates the body to the bones. Neither a coat, nor a T-shirt, nor gloves, nor even trousers are able to protect from the cold of this caliber.

"It's terribly cold here." Flying complained.

"Please tell me you were joking. Do you really have a plan?" Rising asked hopefully.

"Okay, listen to my plan. I called this plan the most ingenious name of all. "&". The essence of the plan is very simple. Survive in the cold & survive the battle if it happens & get to the enemy base. All the plan is made, we can go." I said before turning abruptly, scattering the snow to the sides and starting to walk to the approximate location of the base.

The Thestrals quickly gathered their strength and began to follow me across the snow-covered field. On the way, despite the desire to leave my hands in my pockets, I pulled out a map and began to constantly check it. The wind actively tried to pull the card out of my hands, but I grabbed it tightly. The cold only got stronger and more merciless as I walked away from the station. From the cold, I involuntarily began to chatter my teeth and breathe intermittently. Turning around, I saw that the railway station was no longer visible and visibility had become almost zero. Fortunately, the two Thestrals continued to follow me. Looking at them, I saw that they endure this cold not without difficulty, but everything is exactly easier than me. And the snow is getting higher and higher with every meter.

"Sir?" Rising asked quietly, getting a little closer to me.

"What?" I asked, struggling to cope with the terrifying cold.

"How are we going to climb the mountain?" Rising asked, trying to shout over the wind.

"Why do you ask?" I answered the question with a question.

"Because she's right in front of us." Said Rising pointing his hoof forward.

I turned around and saw huge mountain ranges in front of me. The higher I raise my gaze, the scarier it becomes to realize the fact that it will have to be climbed. After looking at the map, I began to look for solace in it. No consolation. To get to the mercenary base, you will have to bypass one of the mountains. After examining a number of mountains on the map, I was able to see a convenient path to the base passing between two mountains. If you believe the map, of course.

"Well, we won't have to climb the mountain. We'll get around it. Full speed ahead." I said, pointing my hand forward. After my words, I heard a sigh of relief that miraculously managed to break through the wind.

I continued walking through the snow with the hope that the adventure would end soon. The snow has already become knee-high and is getting higher and higher. Inch by inch. When we went out on the trail between the mountains, the wind faded into the background. The mountains with their titanic backs blocked most of the wind and allowed us to look at the surrounding views with open eyes. Even the snow level dropped a little, as if it was telling about the right path. Looking ahead, I saw my goal. Concrete structure with a long canopy and a single steel door. Seeing this, I gathered my strength and began to run to the mercenary base.

When I got to the door, I immediately realized that it was locked and it would not be possible to break it by a rough method. Turning my head back, I saw that the two accompanying Thestrals were able to get to me. Even their fur couldn't fully protect them from the cold. Focusing on the door lock, I immediately figured out how to open it.

"Flying, crack this lock," I ordered, pointing my finger at the lock.

"You're lucky I got fucked up by this frost." Said Flying in his hoarse voice while taking out a burglar's kit from his bag. Judging by his quiet grumbling, it will take a long time.

I took a few steps away from Flying to let it run smoothly. Rising sat down next to the door to catch his breath. After taking a few steps, I began to look around in order to occupy myself with something. The wind has already ceased to be a problem because it is not able to bypass the mountains. Snow has settled on the rocks and its small lumps regularly fall down. If something serious starts here, an avalanche will become inevitable. My stomach rumbled and reminded me that I hadn't eaten anything today.

They must attack. At any moment.

Suddenly, there was a sound like dozens of mechanisms that were simultaneously relaxed after a long strain. I saw the sky filled up with dozens of crossbow bolts that were aimed at one target. On me. I quickly made a rune that created a shield around my body and prepared to dodge the hail despite my injured leg. I took a step to the left and turned the body to the side, thus dodging a small batch of crossbow bolts. Then I jumped back, forcing the bolts to line up in a long track. I hit my back on a rock and an incalculable number of bolts are still flying at me. I took my bag off my belt and put it in front of me as a barrier. The bolts began to stick into the bag, but not one could get through. Unfortunately, some bolts were able to hit me thus knocking out my magic shield. But at least I'm alive.

Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed that Flying began to actively crack the lock and Rising looks at everything that is happening with a mixture of shock and fear. I threw a bag in their direction so that it would not interfere with me. The bag, riddled with many bolts, landed safely next to the thestrals. I started looking around to find those who shot, but I didn't find anyone. It's like the bolts came out of nowhere. In the distance, I saw a familiar couple running out from around the corner. A Minotaur with a dagger and a Minotaur with a two-handed sword. Big and Thin. Fish and meat. This time Big is wearing his helmet and moving like he's really ready to kill me. He used to move lazily and without motivation.

Big shouldn't have recovered so quickly. After the test of will, I had to recover for several days. Something happened.

While the crossbows were being reloaded, the two minotaurs were able to get closer and immediately began circling around without words. This time they seem to understand each other perfectly and are able to act as a team. Big took a step forward and the next moment I realized that a lump of snow blocked my view. With a sharp wave of my head, I threw the snow off my face and saw that Big had already swung his sword. He came at me with incredible speed and force from which I could barely turn away. I found myself on the side of Big, who struck with crushing force where I had previously been. He immediately got his bearings and turned around and brought down a second blow on me, this time from the side. Through the piles of snow thrown into the air, a deadly blade reflecting sunlight appeared. I took a step back, thus allowing the blade to pass by to go into a counterattack. I abruptly took a small run-up and jumped into the minotaur first on the torso and then climbed onto his back.

I wrapped my left arm around the opponent's neck and fixed it on the bicep of my right arm. With a titanic effort, I was able to bend the metal and start to really strangle the enemy. With his free hand, Big hit me right in the face causing my nose to bleed but couldn't knock me out of the saddle. Abruptly, I felt something thrust into my back, forcing me to relax my grip for a second. Big threw me off his back and turned around and kicked me in the side. The blow threw me many yards away and made me roll on the rocks with my back.

The impact on the rock stopped my flight and made me groan in pain. Before I had time to recover, a second volley of arrows had already fallen on me. I got up on two legs with great difficulty and clenched my teeth to endure the pain. Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed that the door to the mercenary base was already opened and Flying was nowhere to be found. At the same time, Rising is still standing next to the door and was paralyzed with fear. I took a deep breath and prepared to dodge.

I grabbed the very first crossbow bolt and using it as a dagger began to beat off the rest of the bolts. Moving as fast as possible, I barely had time to knock each bolt aside. The bolt could not withstand such a load and soon broke down, but was able to neutralize almost all threats. I grabbed the last two bolts and clamped them between my middle and ring finger. I turned my attention back to the two minotaurs who were preparing for another attack.

They can't attack while crossbow bolts are flying.

Big took a step forward and I instantly reacted and ducked to dodge a lump of snow. In response, I lifted several crossbow bolts into the air with the help of magic tentacles and sent them into the air with a palm strike. I quickly turned around and got close to his partner. Thin tried to stab me with a dagger, but I blocked it with a bolt clamped between my fingers and hit him in the neck in response. The blow was strong enough to pierce the armor and leave a bolt in it. Thin took the dagger with a reverse grip and tried to stab me in the neck. I ducked and grabbed the bolt that was sticking out of the enemy's armor with my hand. The bolt worked as a lever and was able to break the straps under the armor that connected the helmet to the rest of the armor. The helmet flew off the armor and I struck at the open head. The Minotaur was disoriented for a second, so I was able to grab him and offer the stolen dagger to his neck.

I turned around to force Big to capitulate, but I saw a very uncomfortable picture in front of me. Big repeated my hostage-taking technique, except that he took Rising hostage and put a two-handed sword to his neck, which he holds surprisingly well with one hand. Crossbowmen don't shoot, the wind howls over the mountains, we stand and look at each other.

"Are you sure that completing one task is worth it?" I asked, trying to play on the connection between the partners.

"This is no longer a task. This is personal." Big said with an unusually pronounced hatred for him.

"A woman?" I asked, hoping that my assumption was wrong.

"I wanted to ask her out after the assignment. But now she's constantly shaking and barely talks. I'm going to take revenge." Big said, bringing the sword even closer to Rising's neck.

I wonder what exactly finished her off morally. My conversations or the torture itself?

"So you think you're going to kill a random horse now and then we'll be even?" I asked, trying to understand his logic or lack thereof.

He hovered a little, as if it was inconvenient for him to talk about it from this angle. I looked at him and quickly made a conclusion.

Yes, everything is exactly as I thought. Absolutely illogical thinking.

"I suggest you use your head and let go of a random horse." I said, hoping to end it all without collateral damage.

"No way." Big said, pressing the blade against the hostage's neck so hard that he let out a thin stream of blood.

"Hurry up and get it over with. Complete the task!" Shouted his partner who was in my grip.

So I'll have to act.

Instantly, without warning, I plunged a long dagger into the head of my hostage. The dagger went through the chin, the brain and came out on the other side of the skull. I quickly pulled the magic tentacles out of my hands and grabbed the opponent's sword with them. With a sharp jerk of my hand back, I was able to pull the sword out of the Minotaur's hands and even shake him. Rising turned out to be smart enough to break out of Big's grip and run away from a decent distance. Big, as if morally crushed, fell on one knee and began to say something to him.

I shouted to Rising before the Minotaur had time to come to his senses.

"But. . ." " Rising tried to object, but I interrupted him.

"The order is not discussed!"

He looked at me as if he was really worried, but after a second of reflection, he nodded and ran into the open door of the mercenary base. I tried to run up to Big to finish him off, but another crossbow volley fell on me. I took the corpse of the Minotaur and started holding it above me as a shield. To dodge all the bolts, I had to rotate and constantly change the position of the corpse. Suddenly, among the dense wall of crossbow bolts, Big appeared, running straight at me with a furious growl. I didn't have time to dodge, and he rammed me with his head, sending me into the nearest rock. I hit my back on a rock, but I only managed to see Big, who managed to come up at point-blank range. Despite the lack of weapons, he began to beat me, striking me all over his body. Barely remaining conscious, I was able to repel his hand and counterattack with a punch to the face. The free second was enough for me to deliver several blows that forced the opponent to take a few steps back.

I gathered all my strength and tried to get into a fighting stance, but abruptly started coughing with a disgusting wheeze. Looking at the snow below me, I saw a puddle of blood that I had created with my cough. The crossbowmen have already managed to recharge and send another volley of bolts. I tried my best to dodge, but I could only take a couple of steps. A barrage of a dozen crossbow bolts pierced into various parts of the body. I tried to look up at the approaching enemy, but it turned out with reservations. My ears started ringing, my eyes started to fog up and my body just refuses to move. The armored Minotaur pulled his arm far back and brought down a crushing blow on me. The impact slammed me into the rock and pushed the bolts even deeper into my body. When I opened my eyes, Big appeared in front of me, who picked up his two-handed sword and was going to finish me off. I managed to pull out the first thing I could find in my pocket. The sword went through the alpha core and pierced my chest, piercing through it. Suddenly a terrible tremor passed through the mountains.

Huge piles of snow and rocks fell on me. I didn't have the strength to resist and was forced to watch the impending avalanche mixed with a landslide. Big had already pulled his sword out of me and was running after the thestrals. In the next second I realized that I was still alive, but at the same time I was covered with snow and stones. One particularly large boulder was located right on my back and miraculously did not break it. After so much damage and blood loss, my eyes began to slowly close.

Must continue. It's just a test on the way to perfection. I have to keep going!

I started clinging to the ground with all my might and trying to get out from under the rubble. But no matter how hard I tried to get out, all attempts were in vain. Trying to get up using your hands is useless because of the titanic weight of the boulder. The weight was too strong.

Suddenly, something changed. The cold disappeared, the weight ceased to be felt and the wind seemed to become just a pleasant breeze. Suddenly, as something both real and impossible, a figure in camouflage came out. Grandfather seemed to be returning from hunting, whistling a cheerful melody and carrying a rifle on his back. Out of the corner of his eye, he noticed and, as if alive again, came up to me.

"On the edge of danger, right?" Grandpa said with a sneer when he got close enough.

"On the edge of everything. Science, philosophy, danger, and so on." I corrected it while I felt a literal emptiness inside.

"Decided to shave like a real man, huh?" My grandfather asked, putting his hand on my almost bald head and sitting down next to me.

"Long hair is inconvenient." I stated the fact.

"That's exactly why I'm not afraid of baldness." Grandfather said before he fell silent.

It's a hallucination. Need

"You know I can hear everything, right?" Grandpa asked in response to which I raised an eyebrow.

"In fact, now you see your soul that has taken on the image of a being that you are ready to listen to. You're a smart boy and you know that your real grandfather has been buried six feet underground for almost six years."

"What do you need?" I asked, trying not to pay attention to the fact that I don't feel emotions.

"You can't experience emotions without a soul, do you understand? Right now I'm standing in front of you and trying to make you think."

"Wait, wait, why did I feel emotions last time? And why didn't you reveal all the cards at once?"

"Because last time I wanted to make everything as realistic as possible so that you would think. Last time I didn't reveal all the cards because I hoped that you would understand what it cost you and would no longer put yourself in such danger. I know that only your grandfather is able to change your mind. Other people can only create doubt, which you will immediately dismiss. But you still haven't realized that your instinct for self-preservation has completely burned out."

"What did you say?"

"You didn't think that this fire on your skin was free, did you? In order for something to burn, you need fuel. The first time you burned your instinct of self-preservation. Seriously, did you really think that starting this investigation without any help was a safe thing to do? No! You started this investigation because the mercenary attacks annoyed you, not because you wanted safety. "

"What now? " I asked after I had processed the information.

"Unfortunately, you or, more correctly, your brain with all your will does not allow me to just quietly leave the body, so you have to make a choice. Your answer will determine what exactly you will lose. Or you can choose not to make a choice at all and die. Believe me, even though I am a soul, I do not know why I need to ask you questions and why I become stronger after these questions. It's just nature. Anyway, here's my question. Do you really think that individualism to such an extent as yours is good? You are not a normal, almost crazy sadist who is not able to live peacefully in society. Do you want to reform?"

"I am not normal only as long as there are people who adhere to morality at the top of society. If someone else stood at the top of society, then I would be normal in all respects. I am a free person who does, thinks and loves what I want! I am a beacon of perfection!"

The soul that took the image of my late grandfather sighed in disappointment and linked her index finger with her thumb in such a way as to create a semblance of tension. Before hitting me hard on the forehead, the soul said, "Just so you know. This time your brakes will burn out."

After a click on my forehead, I again felt the hellish cold, a Titanic weight on my back and the wind howling over the mountains. The wounds began to heal with a hiss, but something strange began to happen in the chest area. The alpha sphere, which was pierced through and rested next to me, seemed to have found a new owner. The skin, along with the muscles and vessels from the area of the wound on the chest, began to stretch to the sphere by themselves. They joined together into something like a hand and grabbed the alpha sphere. With one sharp movement, they inserted the sphere into the hole in the chest. After the sphere connected with me, I felt something indescribable. It was as if a new perception of reality had opened up to me. It's as if the whole world is filled with infinitely thin invisible lines that are constantly moving and bending. Even now, while my skin is just starting to burn, these lines are increasingly moving away from me.

I put my hands on the ground and with a sharp movement threw off the boulder. I quickly jumped out, but this action was met with a sharp response from a new sensation. Because of my movement, the mysterious lines began to move faster, as if they were parting in front of me. But due to the fact that I feel even the slightest of their hesitation, such a movement has become incredibly painful. It's like it's overloading my brain with so much information. Suddenly, I heard another volley of crossbow bolts being fired at me. At the same time, the invisible lines did not react to the bolts. I grabbed the nearest crossbow bolts that were stuck in the ground and threw them so as to repel the rest. The bolts collided with each other and began to spin in the air until they fell to the ground.

Having dealt with the bolts, I looked at where they came from. I saw only drifts of snow and rocks, but the lines drew clear silhouettes. It was as if there was a line of soldiers on the mountain who were reloading their weapons. I took the first step towards the invisible soldiers, but the lines began to move actively, which caused me to lose my balance and almost fell.

These lines overload my consciousness. But what if I reduce the load on perception? Like close your eyes?

I closed my eyes and took another step towards the invisible soldiers. This time, instead of complete disorientation, I just experienced a moderate headache. Satisfied that I could find a solution to the problem, I cracked my knuckles and jumped up to the invisible soldiers.

I will destroy them all.

In one leap, I got to the hill where the soldiers were located, or rather a little to the right of them. Guided by the lines, I punched one of the soldiers right in the head. My fist punched through the metal helmet and collided with the skull. I felt the entire front part of the skull shattered without experiencing such power. Taking another step forward, I grabbed two of my opponents and with a sharp movement pushed their heads off the ground. I felt the lines curving around the rest of my goals. It was as if they had just realized that they were being attacked. With a sharp kick to the chest of one of the soldiers, I threw him into two comrades. There are five still alive. Guided by the lines, I was able to release two magic arrows that successfully managed to kill a total of four opponents. I ran up to the last opponent and faster than he had time to do anything, I hit him on the head with such force that it disconnected from the body.

Next to those who died, the lines straightened, and the silhouettes disappeared. Judging by the invisible lines, there is no one alive in the next few yards except for a few creatures underground.

But as always there is a problem. Without sight, I can't even find the entrance to the mercenary base, let alone enter it. But if I open my eyes, my perception will be overloaded. I need to figure out how to reduce the load on perception in another way. Oh, I have an idea!

I opened my eyes and began to approach one of the fallen soldiers very slowly. Very slow movement allowed me not to lose my balance and get to the fallen dragon in armor. I slowly took two crossbow bolts from him and removed the tips from them. Although the snow cooled my skin, an unnatural blue fire was still breaking through from under my hands, just in smaller quantities. I took the tips and with an effort was able to crumple them to something similar in shape to earplugs. I put improvised earplugs in my ears and, as an experiment, took a sharp step forward. Again, complete disorientation was replaced by a moderate headache.

I turned around and saw the entrance to the mercenary base from a great height and jumped up to it. Landing right in front of the entrance, I threw large masses of snow into the air and started running deep into the mercenary base. At the base, I was first met by a staircase down and then a long thin corridor on the ceiling of which lamps were hung every few yards. Continuing along the corridor, I saw such a familiar figure of a minotaur in armor with a two-handed sword walking along it. He turned around and stared in shock at the figure running towards him. He muttered something, but I couldn't see anything because of the improvised earplugs.

Big swung his sword at me, but I grabbed the blade with two fingers in such a way as not to touch the pointed part. I pressed down on the sword and one crack after another began to run through it. The blade of the sword broke into many pieces and left Big without a weapon. I focused my weight on my left leg and delivered a crushing blow to my left side. Big's armor buckled under the impact and he himself flew into the wall. Before he could recover, I kicked him in the chest. Big broke through the wall with his body and ended up in some other room.

I jumped over the hole in the wall and looked around the new room. There are many boxes with various inscriptions in the room. "Provisions", "Weapons", "Armor", "Medicines" and so on. Paying attention to Big again, I saw that he was trying to get to his feet. Quickly closing the distance, I hit his chin with my knee and put him on his knees again. I grabbed his helmet and jerked it off his opponent's head. Having deprived Big's face of any protection, I struck another blow right in the face. By some miracle, he was able to survive this blow and get off with a simple impression in the wall.

Just now I felt something strange in the lines around Big. If all lines have a clear silhouette, then Big has a larger body and is uneven in many places. As if there is more in some parts of the body than in others. Suddenly, my brain making its way through the headache made a guess.

Magic. Someone helped him with the help of magic to get back on his feet faster and go into battle.

Big desperately got to his feet to continue the fight. I was instantly right in front of him and put all my strength into one crushing blow. First of all, it was fragmented. In the second place, the skull was broken. Finally breaking through my head, my hand came across something soft, but it was quickly destroyed. I pulled my hand back and saw that in place of the Minotaur's head there was only a hole made by my hand. Naturally, the minotaur did not survive after such damage and fell to the floor. No deathbed speeches, no second chances, and even more so no mercy. I'm sure he would have done the same to me.

Now I have to find my idiots.

I stepped over the hole in the wall and started walking towards the two silhouettes that loomed due to the distortion of the threads. Taking step by step and trying to restrain the increasing headache, I began to move through the mercenary base. Turn by turn, corner by corner, an endless road of bright satellites. At the end of one of the corridors, I saw a door slightly ajar, and behind it I felt silhouettes of familiar thestrals looming out of invisible lines. I kicked the door off its hinges with a sharp kick and entered the room. I saw Flying sitting against the wall and drinking his bottle of wine. Rising huddled in a corner thinking that it was a danger, but when he saw me he relaxed a little. Rising muttered something, but because of his improvised earplugs, I didn't hear anything. I waved him to stop and pulled out the improvised earplugs.

"What did you say?" I asked, pulling the earplugs out of my ears.

"This." Rising squeezed out of himself, pointing his hoof at me.

I tilted my head to the side and looked at me. The entire lower half of the coat and trousers is stained with some kind of green liquid and the upper half up to the chest is stained with blood only in some places remaining clean. In addition to the image, pieces of meat and bone fragments stuck to the hands. I wiped my hands on the nearest wall and tried to shake the liquid off my clothes. Unfortunately, the liquid has already dried on the clothes and has become inseparable.

"I'm in a playful mood right now, so I'll ask. How do I look? " I asked, spreading my hands to the sides.

"If you imagine that it's paint, it's not so bad. " Rising said as if he was surprised by this fact himself.

"Better than your old sullen look anyway. " Supplemented Flying by stopping drinking for a second.

"Weren't you going to wait?" I asked, paying attention to the fact that he was drinking wine that he wanted to keep longer.

"I already have." Flying answered briefly.

"Waited?"

"Yes."

"Okay, why are you staying here?" I asked, deciding to get busy.

"I saw this thing and thought it was a very important thing. This is for me and my success. " Said Flying pointing his head at the map on the wall before starting to drink wine again.

"Actually, we found her at the same time. " Rising said as if correcting his comrade.

"It doesn't matter. Let me see. " I said, pushing aside the Thestrals and coming closer to the map.

A massive Equestria map with new borders hung on the wall. The southwestern part of Equestria was signed as the Poison Rose. Manehattan and several adjacent territories were signed as Scarlet Legion. Large areas in the north and east including the mountains were signed as Cleansing Sword. The rest of Equestria was signed with the proud name League of National Revival. There was also a thick gray stripe with a question mark on the map between the league and other territories. In addition, some interesting information was indicated on the map. For example, many mines in the south that are not even included in the territory of the Poison Rose were signed as being owned. On the territory of Scarlet Legion, it was indicated that the port should always be open for League of National Revival. In addition, there was a massive safe under the map.

"Closed?" I asked without even going to the safe.

"Closed. " Confirmed Flying.

"Can you open it? "

"I've already tried it. It's the first time I've ever seen such a thing, like there's not even a keyhole here. How should I open it? " Flying asked as if he really wanted to hear the answer.

I bent down to the safe and looked at it. The safe has a strict black color and a mechanical digital lock. After taking a closer look at the safe and remembering that I am anyone but a burglar, I began to think.

Shoot?

With special care, I began to create a tiny arrow rune smaller than a tennis ball. The arrow flew out of the rune, but immediately after colliding with the safe, it ricocheted. I dodged a stray arrow and put Rising, which was in the risk zone, on the ground with me. The arrow made a hole in the wall at the place where Rising's head used to be. He looked first at me, then at the hole in the hole and swallowed nervously.

Okay, that was a bad idea. Plan b. Try to knock down the door.

I got up from the floor and went back to the brazen safe. This time I started hitting the safe on the part close to the hinges. The first blow made a decent-sized dent in the safe and caused serious pain. The second blow forced my fist to collide with some kind of second layer that turned out to be impenetrable. The third blow caused even more pain in his knuckles. The fourth blow. The fifth blow. The sixth blow. The seventh blow. The eighth blow.

"Calm down, nerd!" shouted Flying grabbing me by one of my hands with two hooves. This scream worked like a brake and I was able to stop. Exhaling, I lowered my arms and got to my feet. I looked at my right hand. After eight blows, the knuckles began to bleed and the unnatural blue fire became even bigger.

"What's wrong with your hoof, Mr. Sir Boss?" Rising asked with excitement in his voice.

"First of all, it is correct to say the hand. Secondly, this is a very long story from which you need to know only one thing. When the adrenaline finally wears off for me, it will become infernally painful, and I don't want that. Therefore, we need to take action. " I said, heading out of the room.

"What exactly needs to be done? " He asked Rising as if he was ready for anything.

"The two of you will carry the safe and this card. I'll carry provisions and medicines. " I said, taking a step out of the room. But the disorientation that made me lean against the wall reminded me of a nuance.

"The plan is changing a bit. You go ahead and tell me when you find a hole in the wall. " I said before closing my eyes and focusing on the lines.

The lines took the form of two thestrals, and guided by these forms, I began to follow them. Due to the behavior of these lines, I cannot determine whether the thestrals carry a safe or not. It remains only to trust them. In general, in general, now I can only feel myself and them, which means that I am now comparable to a disabled person. In order to function normally, I need to turn off one of the senses or sight or hearing.

"You mean this hole?" Flying asked, turning his head somewhere to the side.

I opened my eyes and cautiously took a couple of steps forward to check the hole. Looking into the hole and seeing the familiar boxes, I nodded and shouldered two boxes. One with provisions, the other with medicines. Putting the boxes on my shoulder, I closed my eyes again and gestured with my head with the thestral that it was time to go. They continued walking around the base until they started climbing the stairs. I very carefully, taking small and slow steps, began to climb the stairs.

I felt the cold hit me right in the face and at the same time I felt the burning sensation on my hands become a little less painful. I heard someone open the bag and pull something rustling out of it. I felt like a smaller silhouette that most likely belonged to Rising took a few steps forward and became the leader of the group. I sighed, focused on not falling and began to hope that Rising would not lose us in this snowy wasteland.