After waiting for around another half an hour she had rushed towards them, having seen them approaching, faking her worry about where had been, although some of it was real, without taking care of Gabriel, she would lose some of the means to gain EXP.
Even with her 'worry' she was pushed to the side as Asher had taken Gabriel inside, caring more for his little brother then to even say a word to her, not even telling her to be quiet, a she usually would.
Knowing she would just get pushed away again as Asher tended to Gabriel, she left to go do some more odd jobs around the village. If she was just going to be ignored she might as well try to maintain her advantage on the leaderboard, especially with how the EXP leaderboard opened along side of the Levels leaderboard, just not announced.
That damned 'Ghost' had the guts, to almost never use his EXP unless someone got to his level! He was practically teasing them with his EXP gain! She had been paying attention to his EXP as well, just to see if she could remember a way he could be gaining so much, all when he wasn't even mention in her last life, or well, timeline with how things are going.
But Mia could never think of a way he could gain so much, unless he was always in the forest, but even then he wouldn't gain EXP so quickly unless he had a Talent related to EXP gain.
Even that didn't work in her mind, if he was never seen in Sub Rosa, and he was always in the forest, with an EXP related Talent of Skill, he would be dead by now. Especially since it had been a while since the last extermination, and Players don't get a second skill that shows them as 'Awakened' to this world's locals until they reach level five!
This 'Ghost' was only at level four!
Shaking away the thoughts swelling in her mind, she instead focused on getting more EXP. He'd probably level up soon again.
Second place, her original timeline's first place, was close to reaching level four. The moment MɸrningStªr reached level four, 'Ghost' would probably level himself to level five. He had enough EXP for it after all. So much more then he needed for the level up, and since EXP leaderboards weren't announced as a thing no one would know about them.
That was currently the only thing that was keeping them from calling that 'Ghost' a cheater, and hacker. She had seen how this would go with MɸrningStªr. The only reason they weren't calling either of them this just yet was because that this happened at around the same time.
With the two of them being around the same level, and leveling at around the same time, this was the only thing keeping everyone away from complaints.
Although this would definitely quickly change if anyone were to find out about the EXP board since they'd probably tell everyone about it in the Global Chat. Causing a large problem once everyone would see 'Ghost's' EXP.
With a sigh she picked up a box, continuing an odd job she had started earlier and said she'd come back to finish.
-Asher Greystorm POV
Having placed down his brother on the hay bed, and carefully draping blanket he had recently brought off a travelling merchant. Making sure he was warm, although he soon noticed more fruit under his clothes due to the bulges. Carefully taking out the fruits, he unexpected had found a pair of gauntlets.
Never having given these to his brother, it did worry him. Carefully taking it and putting it on the nearby table. He'd examine them later, just to make sure they were safe. Maybe let his brother keep them, after all he would need to learn to defend himself at some point.
Although, all of these situations that were being created were far too similar to that of the other villages, especially Stonebridge.
He had heard things about kids suddenly getting weapons and rushing into danger head first, even if they could die. But these stories.. He knew what they really were, These were 'Players' from the other world.
But they also usually came in groups and batches, no other stories and rumors had been passed around recently, so hopefully his little brother just found them, and just really wanted to explore... right...?
Gabriel wasn't actually replaced with one of those freaks, right? His little brother hadn't been mentally killed off and replaced... He wouldn't have. He would've been acting like an adult if he was. Unless it was one of those 'roleplaying' freaks that replaced him, but still, they wouldn't be able to act just like a child? Right?
But he did seem out of place when that Beast attacked...
No, it's still his brother, even if not mentally. They're still related, he shouldn't think like this. Plus, Players are usually easy to trick, and they can be useful.
This wouldn't be a complete mess, right?
-Meanwhile: In the not so bustling, and rather dreary village, DarkVale-
MɸrningStªr, having long left the newbie village due to how he was treated, was treading the volcanic and ash filled landscape around him. Although, he would come back later if some sort of interesting event would happen to occur. But that probably wouldn't happen anytime soon.
Continuously surviving an environment that most wouldn't had given him large amounts of reward EXP. Especially when he managed to hunt something down. But what really worried him? Was the fact he had come across no bodies of water once after he left, if this continues he'd need to go back. Or he'd die. Food was fine, he could hunt small animals, and he managed to identify multiple edible, but rather burnt looking plants. All with his luck. But still not a drop of water, it hadn't even rained once during his time in this area of the game!
-Asher Greystorm POV
Having thought it over for what felt like hours, but was rather, just a few minutes. Asher made his decision, even if his brother had been replaced by one of those freaks, from the other world. He'd still protect and care for him, they were still related to blood, and Gabriel had once been his little brother.
But if he were to turn on him, betraying him like all those freaks usually would... There would be no regret, not a single regret in his further actions.
Letting out a sigh, he went to examine the gauntlets properly, he had already looked over them earlier, but his thoughts had been clouding his judgement, so he decided to take a second look.
They were just made of normal black iron, small bits of bronze. Normal, easy to find, often sold anywhere. Barely held together well enough to be better then stated as a simple metal glove.
It wouldn't sell for much, even if he put it in an auction house. At best, maybe a few hundred copper? Maybe a single silver coin? Probably not. Better to let Gabriel keep it as a first weapon and a way to protect himself then selling it. Asher was already making more then enough money for the three.
Thinking about three, where was that girl. He felt a little guilty, think of ignoring her worried face the moment he got home. But he convinced himself that it was natural to favor his brother. She'd probably gone off to work for more coin to take it off her mind anyway.
Asher had seen how she would often come back with less money then her jobs would usually pay, probably spending some on herself.
But since she always brought some back with her he didn't mind. As long as she worked for her keep. Asher wouldn't pay a single glance at her if she didn't take care of Gabriel when he wasn't home.
Although it was clear she did a horrible job today, not only had she left him alone for so long he got bored enough to leave the hut, but also adventure into that damned forest. What type of punishment should he give her?
Perhaps sleeping outside, or no meals for then next day? Maybe he could also have her spend the night dealing with that stinky shaman, he'd probably have her gather herbs for the entire night, maybe that stinky shaman would even get her to go to the outskirts to get that minty smelling herb that even he hated to go near.
That stuff smelt so strongly that he hated going near the shaman's hut simply because of the way it smelt, it was also the reason that while he was alone, or at least no one would hear him, that he called the shaman 'stinky' because he always had a small amount on him for various reasons.
Putting the gauntlets back down onto the table and standing up, he went over to cook something for Gabriel once he'd wake up. Only to find that tonight's meal had already been made.
That girl wasn't completely useless. At least she could make coin, cook, clean, take decent care of Gabriel, and she helped out around the village. She was useful for keeping up appearances of the benevolent prodigy of the Village.
Although, if it made the oncoming Knights think of him with an even better character that would be ideal as it would mean that they might allow him to being Gabriel with them.
This would ensure that if he wasn't actually replaced by one of the freaks that he would be safe, and if he was, Asher could keep a better eye on him.
-Time Skip a few months~
During this time, Gabriel had gotten to level five, but so had Mɸrningstªr. But he wasn't so worried about it, he was going level himself again soon.
Mia had reached level four, barely, and was very close to reaching level five, but she had long been pushed out of the leaderboard, this was due to most of them reaching level five and level five was the max until the Knight Event where children would be chosen to go to the academy as they would have 'awakened their Talent'.
Asher had been doing his usual routine, although now he was keeping a closer eye on Gabriel, suspiciously, but also slowly losing that suspicion due to him still seeming to be acting like a normal child.
-Knights POV
As of the King's orders, they had been reluctantly travelling around the kingdom to search for Talent Awakeners. Having not found a single one just yet, compared to the few groups of Awakeners the other Knights sent out had found, they were getting stressed.
Having seen quite a few different villages they had found none, and unfortunately if they didn't find at least a few different Awakeners, they would probably be ridiculed. This group of Knights was also on their last strings, barely even keeping their rank due to their strength.
But if they couldn't fulfil orders, no matter their strength they would be demoted sooner or later.
This was their last pitstop to get through within their route, so if they couldn't find at least one Awakener... The poor Knights were extraordinarily stressed by their own situation, it would be best if the Awakener would have some family member that was younger then the Awakened age because that often meant that the little one had a chance to Awaken as well.
They might get rewarded for that, but that was even if they were allowed to bring the kid with them. Hopefully they could, because then if the kid would end up Awakening they'd get, well, hopefully get another reward.
"The village should just be a couple of hours away, we'll be there soon."
-Gabriel Greystorm / Theodore Ashford
During this time, despite reaching level five, and clearly having the ability to reach level six, if he could he would've but the level restriction was stopping him from doing so.
At least he kept his rank as first on the leader board, during these months Asher had also been teaching him how to fight, that having brought along an extra income of EXP. Although he wasn't able to sneak out of the village again during this time as the area had been fully repaired and built up slightly more.
Despite this, at least he was being allowed to go out and 'play' with other children now. They were annoying to say the least, constantly pestering him, asking to play more then he wanted to, and also trying to share toys with him that he'd never even want. But he played along, pretending to be a social butterfly to his upmost ability.
Having found that most of them were far too upbeat. Although he had come to like one of the other kids. His name was Mateo, a decently quiet kid that often kept to himself.
He had quickly come to like Mateo, often just sitting near each other, or reading with the books he had managed to convince Asher to get for him.
It was amusing how Mateo would give him quiet almost silent thanks, not only for letting him read the books, but also teaching him how to read said books having never been taught before.
He had even found out that he could transmit some of his EXP into Mateo after some trial and error.
He had been quietly giving Mateo a decent and constant flow of EXP after finding that out, if he were to leave the little village, he might as well take Mateo with him since they got along quite well.
Gabriel had even gotten to get Mateo to level five during this time before slowly stopping, just enough that Mateo would have enough to reach level six later, while also not giving him more then that, as to not possibly cause an over flow.
And with how the rumors and whispers of Knights coming to take away talents to the capital, he really wanted to go, and if he could, he'd bring the kid along for the best results, after all the more allies the better.
Having long made up his mind with this, as a couple more days went on, he could see and hear more signs of the rumors becoming more frequent.
- Greedy Villagers' POV
These claims had become a frequent occurrence. One villager even claiming that they say someone on a horse that very previous night setting up camp just outside of sightlines.
Although some thought it could be bandits, others had indeed thought that they might be the King's Knights in the rumors. Having heard from other nearby villages that Knights had been coming by to inspect villagers. Even smaller places as Sub Rosa.
Some Knights even showing up in places like DarkVale, the area was always completely covered in ash! If they were willing to go there, why not this small village that wasn't too hard to get to, but just out the way enough that it never really developed?
If these Knights really did show up, their small village would gain some sort of respect, and if they did take someone away, it would definitely be their Asher! He had already taken down a Beast at his young age, even if it wasn't a strong one, it was still a Beast.
Maybe they'd even take his little brother Gabriel, the lad had been rather talented in his learning recently. There was even a small rumor that he might be a young Talent Awakener, such as his brother due to how quick he learnt compared to the other children.
Gabriel had also been teaching another kid as well, having also been learning quickly, maybe even three children being taken away? Even better!
The more that were accepted by the Knights the more resources the more Sub Rosa could gain from it. Maybe they might even take that orphan girl that Asher had taken in. She had been quite useful, if anything they would at least let him take her as some sort of servant if she didn't Awaken a Talent she could still be of use.
That would be for the best, Asher would definitely also remember where he came from, so he might even send over some extra resources and coin!
Even if the village would lose many pairs of hands, they would gain status and possibly gain better status then other Villages nearby if none of those kids were taken from them!
It was a great, great way of profit.
With this they would feel in debt to the Village for raising them, and they would never understand that they might just be tools and pawns. Especially if they get into the special academy that nurtured all sorts of Talent Awakeners.
If anything? They might just come back and even chose to live here after they complete their service! Even better, give them a chance to get married, have kids, those kids would have a higher chance of Awakening compared to others, and if they did? Even more respect and influence!
It would be truly wonderful if they were to Awaken their Talents during the Knights' visit.
-Mateo POV
During his time being cared for by Gabriel he had come to one big conclusion based off of how he would react to things. Gabriel was sheltered. Very sheltered.
Gabriel had never seemed to be in a fight, acted like a pushover if he was ever told to do something.
He, much like himself preferred quiet solitude. But pretended to be a social butterfly when he was with others. Even pretending to actually like being touched by others during play time. He clearly didn't like it, you could see it if you really paid attention.
Despite all of this, Gabriel did seem to like his company, probably because he never pushed to suddenly touch him, or try to start a yelling match because he lost a game.
In fact he was even being taught how to ready by Gabriel. It was nice.
Sometimes Gabriel would even bring snacks. Although most of the time he would give most of the said snacks away, barely getting to have any of his own snacks he had brough to have for himself. So Mateo had started meeting his new friend before letting Gabriel go to the others to make sure he actually ate something.
Gabriel was a good kid, a good friend, unlike everything that's happened to him before, Gabriel actually cared for him.
When had he come to this conclusion? He had already come to it the moment he figured out that Gabriel actually cared and wasn't just acting.
It was so different from what he was used to, having gotten used to the beating and reprimanding. Just for simply crying at times. But this? This was actually kindness. A kindness Mateo had never once experienced before. He wanted to keep it, all to himself.
He needed to keep it. But with what seemed to be a test from the very Knights that hate them, he might not be able to. Unless he managed to get a Talent. He probably wouldn't, he had never before. But he could, he had never met Gabriel before, yet now he had.
He could practically change things, Awaken, follow Gabriel if he did to, if he didn't he could just refuse to leave the Village. Simple.
He wasn't going to let that source of kindness disappear. Not just after finding it.
~Chapter End