Before long morning arrived. At some point I did manage to find a spot big enough to lay down without crushing anyone. I also learned that people in direct contact heal one health every forty minutes now instead of every fifty. I know this because I managed to gain another 20 experience points throughout the rest of the night. Some of the people on my back are recovered enough that minor healing is all they need now.
As everyone began to wake up and wonder off all I could do was wait here. Well, I could leave whenever I wanted but not without causing a scene. I did get up walk around a bit. As much as I could anyway. There were still a few people on my back who hadn't woken up but with my new size they weren't likely to fall unless I intentionally made them fall. Those healers yesterday were smart and put those with the lowest health towards the center. As I walk around, I look at where I was laying and realize just how big I've become. I now leave an imprint on the ground if a stay in one spot for a while. I guess technically I always did but now it's rather obvious.
At my current rate of growth how much longer will it be until the ground can no longer support my weight. An odd thought but there really doesn't seem to be an upper limit. Not only that but I'm also growing faster and faster. Before I can get too carried away though I'm pulled back to reality by the sight of a familiar pair of healers. Oh, this is gonna be golden, I think to myself preparing to greet her properly for the first time.
Slowly and deliberately, I turn to face her directly making sure to look her directly in the eye. "Good morning" I think to her while reaching out with my telepathy. She stops suddenly and the expression on her face is everything I could have hoped for. I do my best to not let it show but internally I can't stop laughing. Her face goes through several emotions at once before finally settling on a mix of aw and confusion. Then she notices my size and It's clear from the way her face distorts again that she managed to convince herself that she had imagined the last growth spurt.
"My apologies, I didn't mean to startle you" I think at her. This sends her down another mental spiral before finally recovering enough to respond. "Good morning" she in a somewhat questioning tone. says aloud though luckily, she thinks the words before saying them allowing my telepathy skill to translate them. The other healer looking concerned begins questioning her. As he does, I send a telepathic link towards him so I can understand both sides of the conversation.
Stolen story; please report.
After convincing the other healer that she wasn't crazy and more importantly wasn't being controlled by me, they began to gather the people and take them back to the clinic. As they do I introduce myself and find out that her name is Yuna. A strange name but then I'm sure my name sounds strange to her as well. I then explain that while I do love the free experience from healing the sick and injured, that being the main reason I followed her group to begin with. I also get bigger with each level up. Ending by saying that I don't want to accidentally destroy buildings.
It isn't until the last of the injured are returned to the clinic that I realize that I never lost contact with her the entire time. Meaning that the clinic must be nearby. Shortly afterward she says that she is going to go check on her other party members and I lose connection with her. Being alone with my thoughts suddenly seems unbearable. I didn't realize how much I missed being able to have a conversation. After what feels like an eternity, but was probably only ten or fifteen minutes, she returns with the rest of her party.
They're looking at her as if she said the ground is made of water. I quickly reach out and establish a mental connection with each of them. "Hello everyone" I think in as commanding a tone as I can muster. This causes me to internally laugh once again as I watch the various reactions. The other lady, who I later learn is named Vivi, just stands there studying me. Her face going through the same rollercoaster of emotions Yuna had earlier.
The funniest reactions are from the two men though. The tank despite still being injured draws his sword while taking a defensive stance. His name is Harold and just like Mark he initially only joined Yuna and Vivi because the guild demanded parties of at least four for the more dangerous thus more lucrative quests. Speaking of Mark, or twitchy as I shall continue to call him, he is currently holding his bow with an arrow nocked looking around frantically as if expecting an ambush. In the middle of the city. In broad daylight. Hince why he shall be forever dubbed Twitchy.
After giving them a moment to calm down We're able to make proper introductions. After a bit of small talk Twitchy, who seems to have a good eye for measuring distance, confirms that I will no longer fit in the side streets anymore. They then talk about various ways to get me outside the wall. building me a personal gate is suggested. I remind Yuna that I would quickly outgrow it so it would be kind of pointless. It's then suggested that they just bust a whole in the wall. That's unrealistic for a number of reasons. Not least of which is that it would get them in trouble with the city guard and leave a huge hole in the cities defense.
Eventually I just decide to build a ramp with as gentle a slope as I can manage given the confined space I have to work with. Once I'm over the wall the slope back down is much gentler. I pause for a moment to return the land inside the city to how it was. I also make sure to do the same for the land outside the city once I'm officially back on the ground. Wouldn't want someone finding a sneaky way into the city.