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The survivors don't seem to have much time to rest, many people are milling about. Everyone not seriously wounded is currently busy; either caring for those less fortunate or moving from house to house, bringing necessities to the main building of this settlement.

They stare in awe at the golem when they notice the big guy looming above everyone. But I have different worries to pay them attention.

-What's going on, how could she ask about leveling up like she doesn't know what I'm talking about? She just did, even twice during this fight with each of her classes - we felt and saw her use a new skill.

Tilting my head at her suspicious gaze, leaning on the long spear - thoughts and possibilities are running fast through my head. There is no way—

I might have said something I shouldn't have.

"Levels- Oh, do you mean like what the Guild uses when ranking their members with those fancy orbs?" The old man comes to the rescue. He seems to have finally relaxed, most of the tension leaving his body, steel eyes now calm. -Sigh, That's one less worry for me, at least it is not some sort of secret or taboo.

A half elf approached us but the man keeps his distance not wanting to interrupt our talk. I saw him use some sort of healing ability earlier - very limited but interesting, so I did keep an eye on him. Doesn't seem like a priest though.

"—Right, those things. I remember now the adventurers gloating about that stuff in taverns." The witch, now at level 13, briefly glanced back at the man and mulls over something in her head, furrowing her brows even harder as she looks back at me. "You demons have a similar ability to gauge peoples power like this? Or did you get your claws on one of their orbs?" Apparently she came to her own conclusions.

-A lot of what happened at the alchemist's tower make more sense now.

"Don't know what are those orbs you are talking about, but I guess you could say so. I can tell your power- to some degree at least." I'm secretly relieved about more then one thing right now. We need to learn more.

"A very useful Skill." Marcus nods at that with a thoughtful expression, while the woman narrows her green eyes at me even more - she is basically squinting at this point, and then shifts uncomfortably when I check her out again—

> Human, Caroline. Fire Witch (13), Soldier (7).

-A lot of soldiers around.

And it's not that great man, not unless you know how to interpret what you get from it. Level can be deceiving as not all classes are equal - and just look at my golem, what I get from Identify is the result of the spirit inhabiting a level 20 golem created via the Control Rod, not the being's actual power.

> Control Rod: Create a golem, up to level 20 with available material. The construct is able to, and will follow simple commands of the owner. It can be given a degree of autonomy with proper enchantments or used to bind a compatible spirit. Charges left: 2/7

—Caroline looks to be in her early 30s' but her light makeup is running after the intense fight, so I can't tell for sure; soot now also covers her face and some of her auburn hair was singed by the fires. Something tells me that seeing her in this state, covered in dirt and sweat, is a rare sight.

I'm tempted to show her a mirror to see how she reacts. -Hell I might actually do it to stop her starring.

Most of the people here are humans. I've seen a family of gnomes in the inn earlier, during the ritual; but other them them there is not much variety, and they didn't seem like the village's residents based on their clothing. -I like them small folks, no need to crane my neck up talking to those.

The mad alchemist was one of them as well, and even back there wasn't much taller than me. -Crazy bastard.

"M— *cough, must be the smoke, sorry." Jarred... I need to watch this fool or he might say something we will both regret. "Maybe, you could reconsider. Of course, just as promised I will answer all of your questions, but we don't have much time. I also need to prepare if we are to move out soon."

Mhmm?

"Just call me Red, it's fine already. What do you mean, are you leaving? Moon is gone and the night got dark-" I look around, yeah the place got hit pretty hard but most of the buildings were mostly intact, except for one that collapsed during the fight with the turtle zombie.

I would expect them to rest now and recover after the intense evening.

"Like I was saying earlier." He looks at me exasperated and sighs, "An undead horde this far south is bad news for everyone, we can't stay here long when more might show up at any moment - so we will be leaving as soon as the dawn breaks." He glances back towards the inn.

The pregnant woman from earlier was done bandaging the resting people, just as the waiting half-elf has taught her earlier, and also makes her way towards us.

"The town of Carvell should have been between us and the mountains from which these cursed creatures are coming from. I don't like it - we should hurry." The other two grow solemn and serious at the reminder.

*Ehem Caroline clears her throat. "The merchant is right, If- if something happened there— if the rumors were true, we might soon be swarmed with even more of the cursed." She motions for the lightly armored soldier medic to join them. Her demeanor all professional now. "How are things going?"

"We are almost done, did what I could to ease their pain and stop the bleeding. The gnome was kind enough to share some of their potions and thanks to that Gregory will likely make it - he will have to ride on the wagon though." He reports while looking like he needs some sleep himself. "With our limited supplies there's not much else we can do before we reach the port. Everyone is tired."

Both look relieved by the news and Caroline lets out a long suffering moan, while kneading her temples. "Please make sure the men get at least some rest before sunrise, the road ahead will be hard on all of us." He nods and walks back toward the inn after asking Marcus to find him soon, as he still needs to patch him up. "-I need a drink." At those whispered words the Old guy puts a callous hand on her shoulder, offering a small comforting squeeze that makes their apparent boss close her eyes.

Anyway— It seems there is something funky going on with the System. Without the woman drilling holes in us with her stare, I can now gather my thoughts - and if current theory is right, I should likely keep my mouth shut. I'm sure they all have it; people use skills all the time and I even witnessed them level up. Heck the guy back in the tomb went and evolved his class into a paladin right in front of me... But was not aware of it?

It never came up in any of my conversations before; I've simply assumed that to be a norm in this world, and maybe a bit of a taboo to discuss other people's status. As far as I knew using Identify on everyone could have been considered as rude. -What possessed me to congratulate her anyway?

Too much thoughts running through my head, that's what. And she did look awful after doing a great job of keeping them alive, so I slipped.

Speaking of that skill - it might not come prepackaged with the system as I initially thought; too many novels I've read had it as a staple starting ability so it affected my judgment. And now I'm almost sure that Identify is involved with how we get to access the menu. No wonder the demon obsessed creep was so excited at my ability to identify everything, and how much of a help I actually was to him without me realizing it. The question is how valuable of an ability it actually is.

Stolen novel; please report.

-Eh, he should be dead so that little secret is likely safe — unless he 'confessed' everything to the church... Fuck.

Meh, what are they going to do? Not like this should be unique to me anyway, maybe not even that rare - what are we even worried about? Boss-lady and the old man even mentioned 'the guild' using it, or at least something with similar effect.

Meanwhile Jarred's lover - or at least I assume that's whom she is, joined us in our little moment of reflection. -Right what was her name again?

"Elen, how are you feeling? Is everything alright?" Yes, that. Good job you fool, seems you were able to win the girl in the end.

"As fine as I could be after all that happened, *aahh~" She sighs with a sad smile after they embrace lovingly. "Some relaxing trip to visit your family this ended up being. I was actually looking forward to the boat ride." She offers a small laugh at the man fretting now over her fatigued appearance.

The meek embarrassed look she gets in return brightens her up a bit.

"So will M—" His finger springs to her mouth, Jarred delicately interrupting and silencing her. -Oh, you motherfu-

"Red, still didn't agree on coming with us, but I hope we can make a deal." There is some silent communication going on there, with just their eyes. I don't think is is a Skill, but it sure is a nice skill for a couple to develop.

I'm still going to give the two a piece of my mind after we are alone.

With those words we are again the center of attention.

"Thank you for saving us– Red. Ah, I was starting to worry back there at the inn. A cat wasn't what I was expecting to see; but I like the flowers." She bows to me slightly while supported by the man. "Again, thank you very much for your help."

She looks up and gazes at the elemental behind me with clear awe and fascination twinkling in her blue eyes.

And well, I got an answer to one of my questions - at least few months have passed, judging by her advanced pregnancy. And I can only shake my head.

"We had a deal and I still still need my payment, about coming with you..." We are under attack—

...Her big doe eyes are looking at us with so much hope that I suspect a real Skill is being used - even if we didn't notice any mana stir inside her that would indicate such. Ugh!

Now I see why the fool was so desperate and heartbroken back then. She has that aura around her that is really hard to refuse... Or is it due to the pregnancy? Scary. They said it had an amazing power, something mystical - a true miracle even back there, in the world with no mana...

Damn.

——

The people are currently busy, packing and wrapping everything up. It is not just the caravan and the few travelers that are going to run away when day comes - this whole place is being deserted, as locals load up what carts a wagons were left after the undead's raid.

After getting some answers from the four of them I ended up with even more questions. -My flowers should be fine for two more days It will take them to reach their destination, a small port town. We planned for a trip to the wastelands anyway, and that might have taken just as long.

I open my small, silver pocket watch - it comes with a nice chain, and I smile. This used to belong to Jarred, but will be so much more useful to me in hell, where keeping track of time became one of my biggest issues. Without the countdown that came with backlash, we were once again oblivious to how long everything took us.

Maybe it is the remnants of humanity in me, but I still think time has value. Immortal or not.

I will have two more days to ask about important things - and check off some of the positions from my growing list of questions, with all the people in the caravan at that. Status related stuff should be treated with more caution than anticipated though.

As a bonus, we were also promised one of the small carts they have after the escort is done. -It was hard to haggle this bit with Elen around, she sure knows how to negotiate; as expected of a merchant's wife.

That is going to help me move my stuff back to the tower, after we figure out how to protect it from miasma - a pretty good deal, all things considered. We will be able to gorge ourselves on the ambient mana of the mortal world for two more days as well, should get me a point or two in Magic attribute - and that's still not all! When Jarred gets safely to his family in the empire, he will be summoning me again.

We have another list, one to make my new skill more versatile.

As always, the description on Animal Form is misleading; my red ass was never summoned using a rat as an offering, yet I'm certain we can take that form due to all the essence I consumed back when staying with the old Hag... That was the original reason for taking it; being able to scout the ruins near our lair with a small body, one that can get inside the pipes and out on to the street level via a relatively safe route they offer, similar to how that abomination moved around.

To reach places that others couldn't - and get to the loot still hidden there.

-Treasures buried under the desert, ah I can't wait.

So, rituals aren't necessary it seems, just the essence consumption part. -Odd. Still, this should make it simpler, with using a proper procedure just as the description wants there should be no issues. If there are more deals to be made at that time, we will negotiate.

This whole misadventure turns out to be highly profitable.

...

Since everyone is busy, we decided to use this opportunity to take a look at the old shrine at the back - the magic there is fascinating to my Mana Sense. There is still the matter of our golem to solve as well.

Moss covered stack of rocks greets us in the small garden behind the inn; unsurprisingly weather didn't do much damage to it, the thing likely didn't change over the many years since some people raised it in the past - a small alcove was created with a wide, flat stone resting at the top to serve as a roof. -I think those were called shale, or was it slate? Inside an unassuming looking shard lays there, protected from the elements. The fist sized piece has a slight green tinge to it.

An older woman is kneeling in front of the structure while bowing her head.

She turns around when we approach with my silent companion, and I can now see fresh berries and grain was offered together with her silent prayer. So it does see some visitors on occasion...

-Well, not for long.

The spirit was able to feed on the spilled blood of the people who fought and died here tonight, but until then it was in a pretty weakened state - sleeping most of the time to conserve its power. We can feel its connection to the stone shard enshrined in here, and then via the enchantments put on the stones, linked to the land itself.

It's a damn shame we likely won't be able to keep it - the big guy is quite strong and could be very useful for guarding the tower...

Unfortunately I'm pretty sure it wouldn't last long in hell, that place will ruin this shard, or at the very least corrupt the spirit. We aren't going to experiment with this now, since its help was greatly appreciated - saved us a lot of trouble when dealing with the undead and putting Gamera to rest. Also seems pretty chill.

-So we won't be taking you to hell big guy, don't worry. Still...

The whole situation with the raising dead, it seems to be much more dire then we thought at first. According to the rumors flying around that the four of them gathered, the kingdom is facing a pretty dangerous threat; people might not visit this place for a long while and the undead may find the weak spirit. Maybe there is nothing to worry about, and it won't be affected by them passing; it will just sleep through the turbulent times like many time before.

But we don't know enough about this necromantic stuff to chance it, they wield miasma in the end - even if we aren't familiar with this variety it is still a virulent power.

This is also a learning opportunity.

The woman looks up with puffy red eyes - she was crying not long ago. Something in her gaze shifts when she sees the golem though.

-A cook.. and an earth witch apprentice at level 3, huh. She looks too old for that kind of stuff, but what do I know.

"Demon." She inclines hear head at me in a greeting, a small bow follows.

"Mhm, what troubles you mortal?" I acknowledge her with a small grunt as we make our way towards the tiered stones. -That sounded kind of wrong, yet so right. "You come here often?"

"Leaving your home - a place you've put down your roots, is never an easy thing to do." Her voice filled with sorrow as she looks back to the shrine and the treasure hidden inside.

"Sorry I can't relate; we live in hell you see..." Well, maybe when we are done setting up I might change my mind.

I reach out my claw toward the small space meant to house the guardian spirit of this land, the woman gasps at that - she looks almost ready to stop me.

> Elemental Heart: This shard of stone binds an elemental spirit to the mortal realm.

-Yeah, I don't know if it was born here, or if someone brought the thing here. Right now it is chained to the shrine and with it to the land beneath our feet. Old mystical runes are carved on some of the stones - very old stuff, seems almost primitive, yet it holds a lot of power.

Very interesting.

My senses trace the faint wisps and streams of power that create an intricate web, which then spreads into the earth — and I'm pretty sure we can unravel it.

"Heh, I guess not everyone is able to find a good place to call it their home." She offers with a small, dry laugh after my hand stopped a few centimeters before reaching the reliquary. "But I love this land; hoped to rest my bones in its embrace when the time comes... and now— we have to run, or there will be no resting even in death." She lowers her head, before continuing after a deep calming breath.

"Gamera was a dear friend to me. Ever since I was a child that would sneak out of home to play in the marsh, I woulds always try to seek it out— to rest on its shell as we traveled the swamp. Th-there was so much life in the old thing— and now." Fresh tear makes its way across her cheek. "Thank you for burning what remained of it. May his ashes find peace in these lands, even if I have to leave soon. I came here to pray for that."

"Who says you have to leave forever? Won't you return to this place when it is all over?" I ask while examining the inscription left inside of the small shrine.

This kind of magic is new to me, but it is not incomprehensible.

"I'm an old woman. I've seen a lot - this? It won't end soon, and we still have to live through these turbulent times. That might not be as easy either." She *sighs while looking around. "I will miss it dearly." She wipes her tears. Looks like she want to keep talking but we will need to focus for a bit.

-Yes, I'm sure this can work, what do you say big guy?

"You see, this place used to be a temp—"

Mana starts to move; the magic of this place now listens to me as we find the key runes. Alright, I've got it mostly done.

A smile blooms on my demonic visage and I glance back at the woman. "Why not take a piece of this land with you then?" Her eyes grow wide when we grin at her, like they could just pop out of her head at any moment. "–Keep its heart safe, until you or your family return one day. So that it can then heal after everything is over." I take out the shard of stone and present it to the woman, it's warm to the touch.

And she cries again — a slightly different kind of tears this time.

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