The next day, with his increased stats and with a little practice to get the hang of the sudden increase in abilities, he was ready.
He woke up earlier than usual so he could prepare for a long journey, but he also woke up the others. They though didn't ask him about anything as they pretend to be asleep as Jason made a lot of noise, mostly for fun, but there was an acception. After he was completely ready and did one last check on all the things he needed he descended the treehouse and was ready to leave when the fox spoke to him.
( I think that it's better if you wait for a while. )
Jason frowned and was about to ask if there was anything wrong when the fox spoke again.
(It's your sister. She seems to want to say something to you.)
Jason was surprised for moment before he just shook his head slightly in understanding. He waited in that position for about five minutes before his sister also slowly descended from the treehouse.
"Brother.....why?"
Jason froze as he heard that. He was expecting something like ' Where are you going? ' or ' Be safe or something?' , but he didn't expect that. That single , lonesome ' Why? ' made him tense up as if he was a kid who got caught doing something he shouldn't. He tried to think of something to answer with, but strangely he couldn't. It was as if that single word question, didn't have an answer. Jason of course didn't give an answer to something that he didn't know, and so they both waited in silence.
Seconds passed like minutes, and Veina was the one who made the first move. She slowly approached Jason, and each step she took was clearly heard by Jason who tensed up more and more, until he felt a hug. Veina was giving him a tight hug from the back.
"Why....why do you fight? You're a Farmer, you're not a Combat Class. If one day you don't return......I...I don't even want to imagine it." said Veina in a shaky voice. Jason could notice her worry and could even hear that she was sobbing slightly, but he didn't know what to say.
He looked forward and saw the morning sun slightly penetrate through the crown of the forest. It was such a magical sight that it made Jason forget the situation for a moment, until he was brought once again back to reality.
"Veina....my sister. You know that I can't always he there for you right? " calmly said Jason " As you've seen, this is a dangerous world. Danger is hidden just around the corner, and if you're weak you will most likely suffer. So, you may not like it, but....I have to go."
Jason easily got out of her hug and with quick steps moved forward.
"Brother!" yelled out Veina as she followed him for a little, but stopped and headed back. She looked in distress as she seemed to want to follow Jason, but seemed to also be afraid and couldn't move forward. This of course was heard by Jason as he became angry, but didn't stop or turn his head back.
............
Twenty minutes later Jason and the fox were heading towards the place they had noticed the orc yesterday. They were silent as they moved slowly through the, cool, shady forest, listening to the sound's of numerous bird's up on the trees, but they were not there to enjoy the view.
"Are we close to the place you noticed the orc yesterday?" quietly said Jason to the fox who answered imediately.
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(Yes, we're close. It will take us only a couple of minutes to reach the place. ) answered the fox as silence reigned again. Jason in the meantime was thinking of how to respond if they meet an orc on this expedition, but it was most likely to not think about what happened. And so the two of them moved forward in silence until they finally arrived at place where the orc seemed to have stopped.
Jason simply looked down and saw the hoofprint. It was somewhat faded, but it was still clearly visible and it showed no sign of anyone trying to erase it.
"This is the orc you noticed yesterday right?" said Jason as he turned to look at the fox.
(Yeah, it seems like that, but I'm not sure. All orc's smell the same to me, but I'm sure that this is an orc.) the fox answered confidently, and Jason nodded , not noticing the look on the foxes face.
" Good, so that means that the tracks will lead you to where it is. Lately they have become very active around here so today we shall trim them down a bit. I'll also see to what extent my archery has improved." slightly smiled Jason as he thought about gaining some experience. He had been stuck on level four for some time and he felt that achieving level five was not that far away. No one in their right mind would not want to become stronger.
"Shall we go?" excitedly said Jason to the fox who just answered with a simple yes.
..........
In the forest, inside an old house made of rocks, two figures sat crosslegged opposite each other partially obscured by heavy smoke that didn't want to disperse.
The two figures silently sat seemingly meditating, but that was not the strange thing. One of the figures was a very old goblin white a wrinkled face completely covered with swirling faded tattoos that looked strangely very much like a humans. It was wearing a very nice purple cloth that covered it's whole body, and it was holding one meter long staff with brown gem in it.
On the other hand there was a huge, around 2.2 m tall and muscular ork with two tusk's about ten cm long coming out of its lower jaw. It was wearing a heavily polished, dark blue full plate armor which made it look like a tank, or maybe a monster that parents warned their children about.
They stayed that way until the smoke cleared up from the room and the first the speak was the ork.
" Respected Faik, leader of this goblin tribe, I ,Moro ,leader of Lana tribe of orcs , humbly greet you." said the orc in a deep voice as he slightly bowed his head. The old goblin also reciprocated in the same way and bowed.
"Mmmm...uh.... leader Moro, I'm honored by your presence her and even more happy for finally creating an alliance between our tribes, but unfortunately this was an alliance out of desperation." said the goblin as his big eyes opened wide." The gnome tribes have gotten significantly stronger in the last month and there has already been two orc tribes and one goblin tribe that has fallen by their hand.
While we were bickering away with each other, the gnome tribes have banded together to wipe us out and they even received help from humans. The disgusting humans, the Dark Church has provided them with weapons, armor and even Items. They have grown to strong as it is, and I can't imagine what would happen in one more month." said the goblin as he clenched his staff.
"It is as you say, respected Faik. The gnomes have become a problem that we can't handle alone, and that's why this alliance is crucial for our survival. In the last week I have deployed my best scouts around the forest to seek the tunnels of those damned gnomes and I've found many, at least hundreds of hidden entrances all around the area. "
"Hundreds?! That many?"
"Unfortunately, yes.
It seems that they have prepared for this for a long time, but I shall not give them the satisfaction. I've decided to strike them as soon as possible with the might of our forces , cutting in their stride in the process. If we do that we shall certainly be victorious in this battle." said the orc proudly as he raised his fist.
"Of course...of course that is the correct way. We shall go with your plan, Leader Moro. My in force are willing to help in stoping those damned gnomes."
"I'm glad you think the same way, Leader Faik."
Both smiled, but they both had their hidden agenda.
' Mmm...hmmm.....Leader Moro, you're still to young to see the while picture. Now that we have created an alliance not only will the other tribes not support us, but we have also been noticed by the gnomes. If we fight with them and win, there is no guarantee that we shall survive the aftermath. Surely the other tribes with strike us down as soon we finish the fight.
Well, I guess that sacrificing you shall bee enough for my tribe to survive.'
' Hmph, puny goblins that are nothing but vermin. After the other orc tribes witness my power in annihilating the gnomes they shall certainly follow me and we shall cleanse this forest of you. Then, I shall rule this forest and bring my great grandfather's dream to fruition.