This summer, we can't go out to see a movie, we can't go to the pool, and we can't even go to a funeral in some cases. What's left but fanfiction? Oh, and video games. Which is what I did in quarantine. On that note, Tomas the Betrayer would like to thank certain Hunters who helped me defeat a Behemoth in 'Monster Hunter World'. I know they will never see this, but after spending a month trying and failing solo, it was so very pleasant to find perfect strangers willing to help me. I have never played online before, partly because I am a solitary gamer by nature, partly because I never had a game that would let me, and mostly because I was afraid. Afraid that if I sent up an SOS Flare, no one would respond because I was an unknown entity that nobody cared about. But they did. They came to my aid when I called, and while we failed the first time, on the second outing that blasted Behemoth fell, and in such a short amount of time I finally realized why people like multi-player quests in the first place. Seriously, we beat it in just 12 minutes when I could only get it to the last room with 5 minutes remaining at best. Those Hunters renewed my faith in humanity. That being said, I extend my heartfelt gratitude to:

angry_face0_0

Dry_Unknow

kin-gami

TAde 413

Royalguard 23357

Welkin Gunther 219

opaopaoha

Tomas the Betrayer thanks you all. Main Quest Achieved. Hunt on!

With that out of the way, let's move on to other things. I got a copy of 'Goblin Slayer' manga vol. 8, which told me it was time to muster my resolve and tackle 'The Mind Goblins' once again. With recent developments in the story, I managed to cobble out three more scenarios to fit into this tale, and let me say, I'm mightily pleased with all of them. They really embody my sense of humor, especially the last one. The quarantine actually helped me out in that respect, because thanks to it, I only had to wait a month in between new manga purchases. That's quite a short stretch!

Speaking of manga, did anyone else feel like Ohda was really dragging his heels with several of those 'Assault on Onigashima' chapters during the lockdown? It was as if absolutely nothing important was allowed to happen. Who gives a flyin' flip about the Tobbi-Roppo, or whatever they're called? In fact, Kaidou's whole crew is flat-out boring. Just a bunch of biker-animal-hybrids who look stupid and pose no threat. Nothing like the panoply of eerie and intimidating fighters that Big Mom could call upon. Although Tomas is really looking forward to seeing Sulong Carrot face off against the Candy Sorcerer Perospero. Oh, that is going to be such a grand tussle! I hope they put up a good hard fight, both of them. And who thinks Yamato might be someone we've seen before? Not that I'm really interested, he was kind of dropped on us out of nowhere. His own father doesn't think much of him. I'm more interested to see if that shape-changing fox will join the battle! Animal Kingdom, unite!

I'm frustrated that so many people in this country have died from Covid-19. It seemed unlikely only a few months ago. Guess there's a reason Tomas never became a doctor, eh? Wouldn't want to place your life in my hands. But your dreams? Now, those I will gladly accept. Hope you enjoy this new chapter, and pleasant dreams!

Honesty is the best policy.
Don't believe everything you read.
A bird in the hand beats two in the bush.
Homilies are for the birds.
Laugh and the world wonders why.