"My home isn't much but I didn't feel the need to waste resources on upgrading seeing I wasn't planning on staying here," James said a bit embarrassed. Draven walked in and looked around the home it had a roof, four walls, a door, and a fireplace where you could cook. Draven turned around to his dad looking pissed. "Why do you get to start in a village with your own private house while I wake up in the damn woods having to hide/sleep inside trees to survive?" Draven yelled out pointing a trembling finger at James. James ignored his son's temper tantrum, "So you woke up in the woods what happened after that? Tell me everything that happened."
Draven sighed as he calmed himself down he really was mad just not at his dad he felt scammed after seeing how everyone was living here. In the end, he put those feelings to the side and began to explain everything that had happened this past month without leaving out a single detail. He explained the system and how he fought a group of goblins on the first day. James's expressions were a mess going from intrigued to shocked as he learned about the Level 5 hobgoblin Draven defeated at Level 0. Draven went on to talk about his skills and multiple races and his magic.
Now it was James's turn to feel scammed. Draven talked about the crab incident, the beginning of the story made James laugh but his expression turned pale when he heard about the boss crab coming out of the lake. He went on to talk about his finding of the carved love symbol, which caused his Father to have a very grim look on his face. It was a roller coaster of emotions but Draven didn't want to leave anything out. When he was done James slumped back into his chair as if he had actually been riding a roller coaster until now. "From what I've seen no one has a second race nor do you guys have a system I think we should keep that between us" Draven stated.
James sucked some air into his lungs and then breathed out a long sigh before answering. "I agree if word gets out you are special and super strong you will get a target painted on your back. It's ok to be strong but if it is generally accepted that you are so far out of their league that it is impossible to reach you they will form a group to try and take you out. "Pfft they could try" Draven snorted "The average level I've seen walk around here is like level 1 does no one go out to level up?" Draven asked with a genuinely confused look on his face.
"I think it's time I explained how things work here," James said as he went on to explain in detail what he had experienced this past month from the terminals and the orb hunters to how people were treated for being scared to fight and the rule of not attacking fellow villagers or risk getting teleported away. Draven got excited when he heard about the professions and the class terminals. He needed to visit those as soon as possible. But when he learned about how the average person was treated in the village Draven felt a bit angry.
"The strong will always take advantage of the weak. I wonder what it would take for people to just work together." Draven said not knowing if he should feel sad or be mad at humanity. James nodded we are all strangers here, you and I are the only people in the village who know each other and everyone is focusing on their survival. James got up and started the fire he had a grill hanging over the fire pit and he started forming the meat in his hands and placed it on the metal grill.
"I guess the next question is what do we want to do now?" James asked while he began flipping the burgers. "My initial plan once I found a town was to grab all the professions and pick a class so I could continue leveling up. After that gather as much information as I could and hopefully find you or some clue that you're still alive. I didn't think any further than that." Draven answered honestly. "That's right you don't have a class yet! I can't believe you survived all this time without having a class." James said while looking back at Draven. The burger patties were done so James pulled out some bread out of his pack and placed the patties inside the bread.
"Sorry don't have any ketchup" James laughed as he handed Draven a burger. Draven immediately started to devour the burger, each bite tasted better than the last Draven was so happy that a tear was starting to form in the corner of his eye, James had a complicated look on his face after Draven asked what he was thinking about he said "I'm not sure what we should do after you learn your class and professions. I want to help the people here but that would take a long time and I think it's important we stay ahead of everyone in power. I have seen what happens to people that are weak and that can't happen to us."
Draven thought about it he was looking forward to seeing people again and he really didn't want to go back to being alone. He had his Dad now which was amazing but he didn't know how to deal with this problem he was an introvert before and spending a month alone in the woods didn't help his communication skills either. He had to decide between leaving with his dad and focusing on getting stronger fast or taking the time to help all these people not only get over their trauma but also become strong and dependable allies.
"I'm not sure how we can help them Dad" Draven finally said. "it's not that I don't want to I do and seeing that you're the strongest person here and I'm double your level I'm not worried about anyone overtaking us anytime soon so strength isn't the issue. It's these Orb Hunters thinking they can do whatever they want. Seeing that you guys can't hurt each other that means you have to live with them how do you plan on helping the rest of the town if they are still being controlled by the orb hunters?
"Well, they mainly allow themselves to be treated this way due to being hungry they have no way of earning this world's currency to buy food as everything worth anything is in the training grounds. so if we provide them with food the orb hunters will lose control over them. Also not being able to hurt each other is not exactly true you can hurt and even kill people in the training grounds as it doesn't count as being inside the village which is another reason people are afraid to go there." James explained.
Giving people food isn't a problem i can gather food easily but that doesn't fix the underlying issue. We are in survival mode and people need to wake up and get with the program. I'm willing to help them get stronger but if they choose not to accept our help or do not want to change afterward then we do not need them. They would only hold us back instead of helping us move forward.
"Don't be so harsh Draven every society needs noncombatants like craftsmen and traders to thrive nobody is useless and some will need more time than others to adjust they just need the opportunity to present themselves to figure out where they fit in so they can grow. But as of right now they feel trapped and lost especially the younger ones. What we need is a leader to inspire the people, show them a better future, and provide them with security the rest will come naturally." James lectured.
Draven took his father's words to heart he was right what was the point in becoming the strongest if the rest of humanity if you can still even call it humanity dies out? Thinking harder on the subject he realized that this is how the orb hunters see the rest of the people in the village. A bunch of useless people that aren't needed. Had he woken up in a village and not forced to fight would he have had the courage to go into the training grounds? he wasn't sure. He could have easily ended up as one of those starving willing to do whatever for food.
Making up his mind Draven answered "Let's help them but we need more people who can help delegate are there any orb hunters that aren't jackasses? James nodded as he finished another burger. There are a few who keep to themselves and don't bother anyone like me who would take our side if I talk to them. Most will agree to us leading after seeing how strong you are as well." James said. "Good, we should talk with them and then rally the village for a town meeting," Draven said while stuffing his face with another burger. He had already inhaled 3 burgers at this point. It was Dravens turn to slump back into his chair as he rubbed his belly. "I'm stuffed, Do you mind taking me to the terminals we can go find your friends afterward.
James nodded "Well all the terminals you need are either in the adventurers guild or pretty close to it so grabbing them all shouldn't take too long." James replied. James went to the table to look for a rag but then remembered it was in his bag. "Just give me a second if we don't clean this up this place will get filled with ants by the time we get back," James said while opening up his bag. Draven chuckled "Don't bother I'll take care of it" Draven replied as he opened a window to the small home and summoned a gust of wind that picked up all the crumbs and dust in the place and blew it all outside of the house.
"We good to go?" Draven asked smiling. James didn't know if he should laugh or be shocked at the fact Draven used magic for something like cleaning or the fact that he actually cleaned something. "well I know who is doing all the chores from now on" James chuckled as he slapped Draven on the back. "off we go." James said as he walked back out to the street only to want to immediately turn back around. In front of the house stood practically the entire Village waiting for them to come out. As soon as they exited the house everyone turned around and stared at James and Draven expectantly. "I think they are waiting for you to give them some answers Draven," James whispered to him. Draven was not prepared at all and if he was going to be a leader he needed to give the impression of one. He was getting a bit nervous seeing all these people look at him waiting for him to say something.
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"Treat it just like a guild meeting tell them how it is and don't let the noobs talk over you." He thought. After taking a deep breath Draven cleared his throat and spoke to the crowd. "I know some of you have questions for me, I will answer them to the best of my ability but before anyone speaks out let me say a few things first. I did not wake up in a village such as this, I woke up in the forest and have survived on my own until now. You all are the first humans I have seen since waking up so I do not know where any of your relatives are and no I have not found any other villages or I would be there right now."
Draven took a moment to look at the crowd many started to drop their gazes in disappointment hoping to hear news from another Village. seeing this Draven sighed but continued his speech. "Yes, James is my father I am very lucky to have found him. On the outside of these barriers is a river leading to the north and west of the river is a very large forest both are filled with monsters ranging anywhere from level 1 to level 10 other than here I have not yet seen any other safe zones. Do any of you have questions that I have not yet answered please raise your hand."
No one raised their hand and instead started shouting out random questions about relatives and calling him a liar as there was no way he landed and survived in the forest outside of a town… etc. it started to get out of hand so Draven activated Draconic Aura for a second and everyone got quiet, so he turned it back off. "This is my final warning raise your hand if you have a question that hasn't already been answered if another person starts shouting nonsense I will no longer be in the mood to answer anything, if you don't believe me then leave. Whatever I say to someone like that doesn't matter anyway.
This time some people raised their hands. Draven picked on a large man with black fur and a tail. Wolf man what's your question Draven said pointing to him. "How were you able to find the village your father was in? Is there some trick or terminal out there that told you where to go?" He asked. "No I have found no terminal outside of the village I can't say for certain that none are out there but I assume those only exist inside of a town. As for finding my father that was a coincidence if I had to guess I would say something went wrong when I arrived here and landed in the woods near here instead of in the village.
Many hands dropped after answering that question. Draven called on a little girl who looked very skinny but still had her hand raised. The crowd immediately groaned and whispered things such as why is that useless brat asking a question. Draven ignored them and told her to come closer and ask her questions. She walked towards Draven and started to rub her hands nervously before speaking. "Since you survived out there do you think others like my mom could have landed and survived out there too? Draven's heart sank into his chest he didn't want to hurt this girl even more than she already was.
Draven walked up to her and ignored the ugly looks everyone was giving the girl as he placed his hand on her shoulder. The girl flinched expecting him to hurt her taken aback Draven looked at all the other children in the crowd and they were all malnourished and wearing dirty torn clothes this made Draven feel even worse. "How old are you" Draven asked the girl. "I'm 11" she answered back. Nodding Draven answered, "I don't know if your mom is alive or not but anything is possible and until you have searched every village anything will stay possible." The girl seemed saddened as if she was hoping for a better answer but she nodded and walked back. Draven was surprised at the girl's emotional fortitude she did not cry nor complain about his answer she simply accepted it and left it at that.
Draven decided right then he wasn't going to leave the helpless kids to their fates, if someone didn't do something these kids were not going to make it another week. Draven could hear a few people calling bull shit and saying things like "he just doesn't want to tell us where they are!" While others threatened to force the information out of him. "And with that question time is over, anyone who wants to try to act out their threats is more than welcome to try I'll be out on the training grounds later today feel free to come at me." Draven calmly stated while smiling "Furthermore my father and I have decided that changes are in order in this village it sickens me to see the state so many people and even children are in. We will provide food this evening at the entrance to the training grounds and we will also personally see to it that all who show up are leveled up.
No one will have to starve or be forced to do inhumane acts just to survive anymore I have a lot of food and can get more at any time. However, anyone my father disproves will not be welcome to join nor will I allow anyone who has been taking advantage or has been mistreating others because they gained a tiny bit of power. I will not waste my time with trash, you know who you are don't bother showing up. To all of you who have been treated so poorly this past month find the courage to take this first step into changing yourself so no one will ever treat you like that again. I will expect you to pull your weight after I train you, of course, keep that in mind."
James looked at his son full of pride he knew at that moment he raised a good man who wouldn't turn his back on those who truly needed help. "Your mom would have been proud of you" James whispered into Draven's ear. Draven just smiled at that. "You know these people better than I do make sure no shitheads end up in our group the rest are getting power leveled tonight to level 5," Draven whispered back. "Who the hell do you think you are?" A tall skinny but toned man with black scales moved in front of the crowd. "You think you're something special? You think you're better than us because you woke up in the woods?
These useless weaklings are nothing but a burden they are too scared to fight and just want handouts. You want to feed the brats go right ahead but the women belong to us." Snake Man passionately said. As he caressed the chin of a woman standing next to him. I won't allow you to get our women killed while selling them fantasies of getting strong and independent. They are much safer with us. wouldn't you agree sweetheart he said holding the woman's shoulder tightly. Who instantly nodded.
No need to worry i will personally be handing out Xp orbs everyone will be level 3 before even entering the Training grounds. I will also ensure everyone's safety for those who don't believe me you may still attend and eat your fill and watch I'm sure I will be able to easily change your mind after you see how safe it is. Will you really give us food just for showing up? A woman called from the back of the crowd.
" I will and I will continue to ensure everyone is well-fed from now on without asking anyone to do anything degrading. I will however expect that everyone eventually becomes productive either becoming an orb hunter, craftsman, farmer, etc... and I will help you achieve those goals but everyone will do their part. I believe that is the only way how we are going to be able to survive in this new world. That is by coming together as a whole instead of whatever is going on here. The Snake man had a look of pure rage on his face even the woman who was nodding to anything he said before had removed herself from him and walked to the other side of the crowd. "Who died and made you king? you think you're just going to come here and take over and we are all just going to bow down to you?" He said nearly yelling.
"No one needed to die i simply decided that I was going to make these changes i am the strongest here and I don't like what I'm seeing so I'm changing it. I have the means to help everyone so I will. I won't force anyone to do anything and if everyone wants me and my father to leave then we will but until that happens we will be taking over and see to it that people especially the children are being taken care of while creating a functioning society."
"Your days of using and abusing that little power you have and trust me it is insignificant to do whatever you want with these people is over. The question is what are you going to do about it?" Draven replied with a grin. Snakeman was getting furious his eyes were turning red with rage while he clenched his fist. He then looked around at all his orb hunter friends and began to smile. "That's for me to know and everyone here to find out when you don't return from the training grounds tonight. Or do any of you want him to take away our precious whores?" Many of the men began to laugh. "That's right these whores are ours! One man yelled out. "Who else is going to suck me off after a long day of hunting monsters it's the least they can do!" another man called out.
Draven felt his blood boiling over he started to walk towards the men brave enough to spout that garbage, he pushed some magic into the lightning seals in his legs until they began to glow. Seeing Draven getting mad James rushed forward to get in between them. "George like my son said if you want to act out a threat meet us at the training grounds and we will see who doesn't make it back. James said sneering at the black-scaled man. "Oh we'll see alright. I'll make sure to bring all the boys, the women aren't going anywhere."
James was having a hard time getting his anger under control as well he knew the women were going to be too scared to come forward after hearing this. So James addressed the crowd. "All of you know who I am, I am the strongest Orb hunter in this village. My son is many times stronger than I am, Believe me when I say if you choose to follow us we will protect you. Have no fear and retake your dignity and your life. Your only other option is to stay here and be used and abused by these so-called men who will do nothing to help you. They want you to stay weak and powerless, don't allow them to control you anymore! Meet us at sundown at the entrance of the training grounds we will take it from there."
After a few seconds nearly all the children, craftsmen and women began clapping and cheering the rest were shedding tears as they had finally been given hope to escape the hell they were living in. While many of the orb hunters had a deadly expression on their faces. After a few moments, the cheering stopped nearly all of them had a newfound resolve and determination in their eyes. Draven nodded to his father "Nice speech old man I'll leave being the leader position to you from now on." Draven said laughing as he pushed all the responsibility on his father. James just ruffled Draven's hair yea right that job is all yours now I'm fine being an advisor though he said laughing. He then led him through town to the adventurer's guild.