As Luméos explained that his gem-like eyes were linked to his god-level 'Identify' aptitude, which could supposedly appraise anything down to infinitesimal detail…

Heads popped out all around.

Alan didn't notice them because he was busy getting his mana back. Bobby stepped up beside him. The god didn't seem concerned with the twenty-three newcomers—whom Alan counted—that had effortlessly surrounded them.

They expertly used the dense jungle foliage to keep themselves hidden, yet made sure their darkened silhouettes were plenty visible.

A man approached deliberately.

He was on the older side, and was built like he could easily fill a doorway. Clad in a tailored black suit, his eyes were laser focused on his target: Them.

Meanwhile, when Bobby, in a burst of desperate hope, slipped a mirabanis fructus into Alan's hand, he shrugged and asked, “Think this is that Duke guy Tom warned us about? Maybe we should consider joining up.”

As if the burly man in front of them came to offer an invitation.

The cocoon behind them throbbed gently while the crack at the top slowly expanded down the middle.

Big groups weren't Alan's thing; either way, he got the feeling Duke had other plans. The approaching individual had a total of five enchanted rings and a wand in each hand, so he must have looted some people.

One hundred credits wouldn’t afford so much equipment.

I would love to fight Duke…but twenty-three against two hardly seems fair.

The man, presumingly Duke, stopped in front of him, at the edge of his falchion’s reach. Perfect.

Luméos, ignoring the situation, stretched his limbs then entered his meditative stage. The man eyed the glowing blue alien and glanced at the thrumming cocoon, but quickly returned his gaze to Alan and Bobby.

The man smiled.

“Hi Duke. How is the tutorial going so far?” Alan asked before the man could open his mouth. “Is there something that we can help with?”

Luméos tilted his head, mildly intrigued.

Duke grinned. “I’m flattered. It’s only been a few days, and I am already popular? Hopefully good things?” The man spoke calmly with a subtle Italian undertone.

“Something like that.”

“Well, as you may have noticed, I'm gathering as many capable humans as I can to increase our chances of getting through this alive. Join us and you'll have safety in numbers. But before that may I know your name as well?"

Alan had pretty much said everything he’d planned on saying and was now navigating uncharted territory. He wasn’t the best talker, but not that it mattered. Duke extended the invitation, but it was clearly not optional. And besides, Alan was already determined to continue doing his own thing, exploring the world and finding new and exciting challenges; he was not going to join them.

Bobby was practically jumping on his feet. It was obvious that for him this was a glimmer of salvation amidst an ocean of uncertainty.

“I’m Alan, and that’s a generous offer, thank you. Do you mind if I discuss it with my friend for a minute?”

“What’s there to discuss? With more people we can cover more ground, secure better resources. No need to be on your own out here. Besides, it looks like your friend is ready to join,” Duke chuckled. “But sure go ahead, no pressure.”

Alan smiled and nodded. “Thank you for understanding.” He pulled Bobby aside, keeping an eye on Duke as best he could.

“Let’s do it!” Bobby said.

Alan gave it some consideration. There were certainly advantages; they would most likely allow him to focus completely on fighting and he would be able to get a full night's sleep.

“I don’t know, remember what Tom said. Plus, you and I make a good team.”

An African American man with a lanky build, shaved head, and laidback swagger approached Duke and whispered something in his ear. Alan’s gaze moved across each one of the twenty-three men and women scattered around them, watching out for foul play.

“Yes, I remember his warning. It scares me, but to be honest, this jungle scares me more. With these guys as long as you pull their weight and do what they say you’ll be protected. It’s only twenty days or so.”

He’d hoped Bobby would explore this world with him, but deep down he knew this was better for his friend.

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"I can't join; I have to go through this tutorial on my own. But if that's how you feel, I won't stop you. Just be very careful, okay? If anything goes wrong, do what you did with Razor and Viper: run, run and don't stop. After all, you know where we're headed, and you know where you'll find me. I'll see you at the tree, brother."

“Alan, are you sure? We should both join. It’ll be safer. I’m sure you’ll still be able to fight just as much.”

He placed his hand on Bobby’s shoulder. “I’m sure.”

Alan and Bobby shook hands and pivoted toward Duke.

"Thank you for waiting," Alan began. "Bobby here will join your team, but I have to decline your generous offer."

“I’ll help the team as best I can!” Bobby said confidently.

Duke stared Bobby up and down, then sighed suddenly looking disappointed. "I'm afraid the offer’s off the table."

“What the hell. Why not?” Bobby complained.

What had changed? Was it the man who whispered to Duke? Had he said something crucial? Was he the actual leader? No, that couldn't be; he didn't look the part. Then again, Alan realized he wouldn't even know what "the part" looked like. He hoped that with Bobby joining, the matter would be settled, and everyone could go their separate ways.

"Let's just say you don't pass the background check," the man said with a short belly-laugh.

“You gotta be kidding—”

“Bobby, let it go,” Alan stopped him attempting to control the situation.

“You’re not welcomed. You’ve done time and I can’t trust someone like you.” Duke stated. “However, a small... tribute of your gear would be appropriate. A tax for the security we provide by merely letting you go."

At this point handing over some supplies would be the safest option. Joining them was now completely off the table. Alan found neither option appealing, anyway.

“Man, can’t you forget you saw us? Instead of standing around we should all be heading to the tree.”

Alan felt the weight of his falchion on his hand. He wondered if he should end it right there. Duke was within his reach. If he used both his Boon of Augmentation and Resonance Reveal he could surely take the leader out in less than a second. But the lanky man was standing too close, and would likely retaliate and have the advantage at the moment he took out Duke. And that was assuming Duke didn’t have any tricks up his sleeves.

"You're absolutely right. Quit wasting time and hand over your stuff so we can get going." Duke pinched the bridge of his nose. "Listen, I’ll make it easy for you. We’ll just take what we need, but you have to promise that you’ll stay calm. it's in everyone's best interest that you comply. There’s no need for you to die today."

Alan looked at his feet, hesitating for a mere second. What he really wanted was to fight Duke one on one; the man looked like a formidable opponent, but he knew it would be suicide.

Bobby jumped in before he could say anything. “No need. Here we have two health potions and four mana potions. You can have them all.”

His attention landed on the ring he wore and the promise that he’d made to himself. He wanted to summon an ounce of the courage he felt when facing the wolves and spiders, but it eluded him. Duke wasn’t like Razor or Viper either—who were mere thugs—Duke was a storm of sinister unpredictability.

“Wise choice. But also those boots and that sword—”

Fuck it.

“Bobby, put that down,” Alan interrupted. “That’s…” He looked up, locking eyes with Duke. “...not gonna happen.”

Bobby got incredibly nervous, taking one step behind Alan.

Duke’s face betrayed a reaction, clearly not expecting Alan’s backlash. It only lasted a fraction of a second, but it was there on his eyebrows.

“Is that so?” Duke simply asked. “Please take a look around, because we’re on a schedule here. Breath it in before you do something stupid. Like I said, I'm not in the business of killing humans, but I make one signal and the two of you are done.” The man was starting to get annoyed.

His plan was simple: first, dispatch Duke with a swift swing of his ultra-sharp falchion, and then crash into the man to his right to buy himself some time. For Alan to survive, two conditions needed to be met. He hoped first that half of Duke's followers would back down upon seeing their leader fall, and second, that most of them had teamed up to avoid fighting, meaning their boons and aptitudes hadn't improved much. The odds of his plan succeeding were low, but at least it offered him a chance.

“So tell me,” Duke sneered, his gaze lingering for a moment on Luméos, “what could the two of you—or that...clown—possibly do about it?”

He said the magic words. An incredible wave of relief washed over Alan as he realized they might have a chance.

Alan laughed lightly. Then more. Then for a moment he couldn’t control himself.

"What the... Actually, forget it." Duke started to raise a fist when, as if on cue, Luméos' imposing voice drew every pair of eyes toward him. Luméos stood up and made his way toward Duke.

"Words have repercussions, human."

“Oh, he speaks? And what type of creature are you?” Duke sneered.

“It's rare for beings of your... simplicity, to stand in my presence for too long. I've had admirers turn to crystal just trying to keep up.

“The type where you better get going while you can,” Bobby said.

“Bobby please…” The god said. “I’m Luméos, Beacon of Brilliance, God of Jewelcrafting. In case your paltry intellect fails you, know this; You have angered a god. Your insignificant little posse has but one option.”

“And that would be?” Duke asked, calmly.

Perhaps it was his imagination, yet Alan sensed a subtle change in Luméos as he spoke. The alien seemed to grow incrementally larger, and his natural glow intensified.

The air around Luméos rippled with energy as he bellowed, “WORSHIP ME!”

“LISA!” Duke snapped with a single loud and clear word. Instantly, a gentle woman with auburn hair, probably older than Duke, moved to his left side and also whispered something in his ear.

Alan felt Bobby’s breath behind him. His friend was on the brink of hyperventilating.

Duke raised his hand. He made a circular motion in the air with his fingers. Then he took a step back. Everyone in his group followed suit. "Pardon my ignorance, Luméos. We'll take our leave. Alan, be careful; this planet is not too large, and more than twenty days still remain."

“Can’t wait.”