Earthling in Uncharted Dimensions

Chapter 80: Back to Eturt

No turns or twists were needed. No rerouting was necessary. Lee reached their destination without a hitch.

Since Lee chose the path with least displacement, they did not enter via the road. The guard on the north-eastern watch tower noticed a number of obscure figures walking towards the village and sounded the alarm. Spearmen and archers of the village became alert as they had recently repelled a bandit scout lurking their area.

When the unfamiliar face of Lee became visible to the guards, they frowned upon noticing the crowd behind him. This small-scale wandering tribe had goblins, orcs, elves and dwarves with them. The presence of children ranging from age of 4 to 14 confirmed their guess that they are non hostile.

Paulo came running to the wall as he heard the alarm. He climbed the wall and peered at them. He saw Lee, but could not recognise that it was him. Ever since Lee used 'Alter' on An and himself, no one could catch on their identity.

"Who are you people? Stop right there and identify yourself!"

As Lee and his companions came out of the woods, Paulo shouted to halt them in their tracks. Lee raised his hand over his shoulder and gestured to halt. He took a few steps forward and spoke-

"You may not remember my face, but you can recognise my voice!"

Though Lee altered his appearance, his voice was unchanged. Paulo was visibly surprised as his brows rose high and then came back to a frown.

"Your voice is familiar, but I need proof. Just because your voice mimics him, we cannot let you inside."

Lee laughed aloud and took out his blade.

"If you don't remember this blade, then your name is not Paulo!"

In the extended right hand of Lee, lie the blade with its signature molten wavy pattern. A single glance of its strangeness brought the scene of a massacre to Paulo's brain. Under his awe and gasp, he muttered-

"Lee, it is you!"

The gates were open and the crowd was welcomed inside. The villagers were awestruck to see so many people coming in like one big family. They had their doubts, but chose to believe in their village head.

Paulo was the most surprised. He can never tell that it was actually Lee who is standing in front of him. As the crowd came in, Paulo rang the bell and villagers' attention was caught in its sound. When he conveyed that this man was in fact Lee, none could believe their eyes. A month has not passed since he departed from the village, and now he has a group of subjects with him. The villagers almost screamed at the first glance of Fero, but found that the predator was behaving like a pet near Lee. In the eyes of the villagers, Lee had an air of mystery around him.

--------------------------

=====

6 P.M.

13480 Essence harvested.

=====

-------------------------

Hours of darkness were at close as the sky wore deep shades of red. The dusk was beautiful with its vibrancy reflecting boundless through the cloudless sky. The crowd of 142, An, Lee, Paulo and the villagers were sitting on the grass patch surrounding the natural fountain at the center of the village.

Except for the existence and involvement of the system, Lee narrated all that had happened since the day he left Eturt. The villagers were expecting such a daring and adventurous journey from Lee, but those rescued from Alls never thought that the one who guided them was insanely overpowering!

"....since they don't have a place to stay, I could only think of this village as a refuge."

Lee concluded his narration. Paulo did not mind what others thought, so he declared that the village accepts the newcomers. He also added that they could use some of the orc's strength, goblin's nimbleness, dwarf's blacksmith expertise and elf's proficiency in agriculture. He indirectly stated that it was a win-win situation.

When Lorin fell, the village of Eturt did not receive any refugees. Due to the status of a village, people headed straight to the neighbouring cities. But unknown to the city residents, Eturt village was developing at a good rate.

Paulo turned to his good villagers and asked them to take one or two to accommodate in their homes. Mothers and young girls were the ones to first step forward. They came towards the female survivors and cheerily took one or two to their homes.

Doctor was still not able to believe that he was Lee. When he heard about what happened in Alls, he gladly stepped forward and stated that his home is big enough to house 12 more people apart from him and his wife. Lee felt gratified by the comment as his mistress took the hands of the female goblins. She nodded at the hobgoblins to follow them. A rushing warm sensation enveloped them as they moved towards the storeyed house.

The villagers took the doctor's lead and the guests were taken with utmost delight. The sky darkened it's face as Lee, An and Paulo were left near the fountain.

"Fero, was it?"

Paulo crouches down and skimmed his fingers through Fero's brown fur. The spotless, stripeless fur gave the feeling of wild in his palm. Paulo straightened his back as he looked at Lee. He glanced around to check if anyone is near.

"It might be fate that sent you here. The village is having a tough time. We-"

"Let's move to somewhere safe and continue."

Lee cut Paulo off in his words. Paulo nodded and walked to his home as Lee and An followed him.

Paulo's home.

Mrs. Paulo had taken great liking to the two little goblin girls as they sat on her lap. She combed their hair as the goblettes sat on the couch. The hobgoblins were inspecting the house as they were surprised to see detailed carpentry on the chairs and table. Two of them were sitting on the floor with little boys on their laps. An sat next to Mrs. Paulo and shared her experiences.

Outside the home, in the courtyard. Paulo conveyed the recently occurring distress and damages. Fero lay on the ground, next to Lee's leg.

"We can understand why the bandits are scouting the village. But what is happening to territorial beasts? Even a wave of Sweagles came swooping in and took a few cattles away."

"The beasts are more sensible. Tell me about the bandits."

Paulo explained the sightings of bandit scouts in the area. They have been more in the last three days. Lee brought a piece of paper from his study room. It marked the approximate sightings of the scouting bandits. Lee deduced that they are possibly in a south-west direction. Lee assured Paulo that he will take care of it. But in return, he only asked for the safety of the homeless men and women.

"They are now one among us. You don't have to worry about them."

Lee smiled and stood up. He excused himself and notified Paulo that he is going for a walk outside the village. Since it was Lee, he had nothing to fear about. He nodded and accompanied Lee to the gate. Fero jumped up and followed Lee like an obedient pet.

=====

7 P.M.

13480 Essence harvested.

=====

--------------------------

'D, what is this glowing plus sign next to Fero's name?!'

[Click it.]

Lee probed at D as he walked through the woods. Fero was alert of the increasing darkness. He followed Lee closely. Fero felt like it was his duty to keep Lee safe, but darkness was Lee's playground.

Lee clicked the '+' sign he saw next to Fero's name. A panel showing the stats of Fero opened up.

======

Name: Fero.

Age: 3 years.

Species: Split-jaw Hyena.

----------

Health: 185

Strength: 189

Vitality: 175

Agility: 187

Defense: 128

Endurance: 181

Sense: 173

Intelligence: 131

Resolve: 145

======

[As Essence is the very core of sentience and life, you can use your Essence count to upgrade anyone related to you.]

Lee paused and glanced around. He had been walking towards the west of the village. He raised his head and saw the pitch black veil almost entirely covering the sky. The faint light from the horizon had reduced to a sliver.

"Fero, let's go back."

Lee turned around and said. Fero wanted to stay in the wild a few more, but he reluctantly gave consent as he turned back. Through the same route, Lee came back to the village. Heading towards Paulo's home, Lee asked D about what lies further into the south-west side of the village.

[Perhaps, have you forgotten about your acquaintance living in Silentwood Forest?]

-------------------

==========

Name: Lee

Age: 20

Title: Grim-reaper, Soul Liberator.

Fame: 3784

Essence: 153093 (7 P.M.)

Money: 7416 Gold, 2396 Silver, 86 Copper

----------

Partner: An

----------

Companion: Fero (+)

----------

Health: 320

Strength: 320

Vitality: 320

Agility: 320

Defense: 320

Endurance: 320

Sense: 320

Intelligence: 320

Resolve: 325

----------

Immunity:-

Greater Poison Immunity (1887/1000000)

Medium Lightning Immunity (6601/10000)

Medium Air Immunity (4136/10000)

Lesser Sedative Immunity (35/100)

Medium Fire Immunity (2407/10000)

Medium Water Immunity (1067/10000)

Medium Ice Immunity (1791/10000)

Medium Rock Immunity (756/10000)

Affinity:-

Greater Poison Affinity (12081/1000000)

Greater Lightning Affinity (15034/1000000)

Medium Fire Affinity (0/10000)

Medium Water Affinity (0/10000)

Medium Ice Affinity (0/10000)

Greater Rock Affinity (11975/1000000)

Greater Metal Affinity (11974/1000000)

Medium Sand Affinity (286/10000)

Greater Nature Affinity (11984/1000000)

Medium Air Affinity (1165/10000)

Greater Sound Affinity (12371/1000000)

Greater Dark Affinity (11998/1000000)

Medium Light Affinity (0/10000)

Medium Death Affinity (286/10000)

Medium Gravity Affinity (1004/10000)

Medium Space Affinity (1004/10000)

----------

Mastery:-

Absolute Blade Mastery

Absolute Nunchuck Mastery

Medium Bow Mastery (997/10000)

----------

Cultivation: Peak stage Core Formation realm

Qi: 0/1100

Mana: 0

----------

Skills:-

View

Foresight

EsGen & EsConv

Flight - F (4/5)

Home Planning

Spotless

Information Transfer

Taming - G (0/1)

----------

INVENTORY:-

QUESTS:-

MAP:-

SHOP:-

ALTER:-

==========