For the first part of the journey the group traveled for a day and a half without taking a break. Shaman pointed the group in the general direction, which they should travel and gave Abel the responsibility for finding the exact location. Both Shaman and Abel were connected to the spirits in nature, and they were able to communicate with them.
Shaman communicated with the spirits to find the general location of the source of demonic beasts. However, as they got closer, they would rely on the ability of Abel more. In addition to pointing the group in the right direction, Shaman provided the group with animals to ride.
Currently, Zane sat on the back of a large wolflike magic beast. The magic beast’s fur has a mixture of green, gray and brown. Which changes colors depending on its surroundings. The magic beast was called a khalfan.
Khalfans are magical beasts unique to the wanderers and they’re the only group of people on Kaleem capable of controlling them. In addition to camouflage the khalfan has the ability to hide the presence of themselves and their rider. This ability helped the wanderers travel, hunt for food and protect their people. This ability helped Zane and the others avoid battles against the demonic beasts in the area.
“We should take a break. The khalfans could use a break.”
The person that spoke was a man experienced with commanding the khalfans. Although Zane and the others were riding on the magic beast, they didn’t have the ability to control it. When the man called for a break, he brought the magical beasts to a stop in a clearing and everyone turned to look at Zane.
Everyone agreed to let Zane be the leader for the group. Zane didn’t want or ask for the position, but he didn’t put forth much resistance before accepting the decision. Everyone agreed that Zane deserved to lead because he was the strongest. Zane didn’t completely agree with their reason for making him the leader, but he didn’t try to correct them either,
“Sure, let’s rest,” Zane said.
Immediately, the wanderers got off the magic beast. The five wanderers in the group began setting up camp for the group. Blake, Blair, Star and the other people the town lord sent to join the search tried to help set up camp. Sadly, they weren’t as experienced or efficient as the wanderers and only ended up getting in the way.
Setting up camp required the group to clear the area of debris. Then they created wards, traps and alarms for protection. Next, they needed to settle the khalfans, start a fire and pitch their tents. The wanderers did most of these tasks on their own. Star and the others only had to set up their own tents and take a seat by the fire. Oh right, the wanderers also set up logs to sit on.
Zane had a tent that he could use, but he didn’t bother setting it up. He didn’t plan to sleep. If he needed rest, he would get it by entering meditation on the ground or in a tree. Once the fire and logs were set up, Zane and the others gathered around the fire.
“Time to eat,” Ayesha announced.
“I’ll begin talking to the spirits,” Abel told the group. “Please do not disturb me or else I will have to restart, and it will take longer for me to find the source of the demonic beast.”
Abel took a few steps away and entered a meditative state after he received the acknowledgment of everyone. Ayesha was digging her bag taking out some meat and cooking utensils. The other members of the group followed her actions and began bringing out some of the food they prepared.
“How often do you all need to eat?” Zane asked.
“What do you mean?” Blake asked.
“When people increase their tier or when they reach the next major stage on their path their need to eat decreases. All of you should have eaten before we left, so why are you eating right now?”
“At our current stage we can stop eating for two days before we get hungry.”
“Speak for yourself,” Ayesha said. “I need to eat at least once a day.” Zane remembered he saw Ayesha munching on some food while they were riding through the forest.
“Ayesha is different,” The man who controlled the khalfans spoke up. He recently finished giving the magical beasts food and was walking to the fire. “Due to her physique and other factors she needs to eat more food than the average person. Most people at our level of strength only need to eat every two to four days. Longer than that and it negatively affects our performance.”
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“Huh, I guess that explains why you almost died of starvation,” Star said to Ayesha.
“Please don’t bring that up. I don’t even want to think about that.” Ayesha face was twisted into a grimace. “I’ve never been so hungry in my entire life. I don’t want to experience that feeling ever again.”
“How can I not bring it up?” Star replied. “After all, it was you starving that led to us becoming friends.”
“She’s the starving girl you told me about?” Blake asked.
“Now I’m interested.” Blair spoke in an excited tone. “You have to tell us this story. I want to hear every detail.”
Star explained that she found Ayesha in a barren region by another city. Star was exploring the area with a group of her fellow mages and a few warriors. When she saw Ayesha, she was passed out and was about to be eaten by a magic beast. Star killed the beast to save her and fed Ayesha some food after she woke up.
Ayesha explained that she was undergoing a rite of passage. She was supposed to wander on her own and find her way back to her people. Ayesha traveled into a barren region and was fine at first. There were plenty of magic beasts to kill and a few plants to eat.
Further into the barren region, magic beasts and plants appeared less frequently. Eventually, there was nothing left for her to eat. The obvious decision was to turn back, but Ayesha was determined to keep moving forward and that’s exactly what she did. She kept moving forward until she passed out from hunger and exhaustion.
Since then, Ayesha always made sure she had plenty of food on her. Everyone enjoyed hearing about Ayesha’s story and lightly teased her about her foolish decision. A few of the other members of the group shared some of the foolish and embarrassing decisions they made in the past as well.
Zane didn’t volunteer any embarrassing information to the group. However, listening to the conversation made him more relaxed and let him feel closer to the group. After an hour passed Abel rejoined the group and told him the information he received from the spirits.
“I’ve located the exact location of the source. If we leave in an hour and travel through the night, then we should be able to arrive at the location by noon.”
The way Kaleem tracked time was different from Zane’s world. However, the difference was small, so Zane easily adjusted. The group looked to Zane to see his decision and he asked them all a question.
“Do any of you feel tired or need to rest?”
“We’re fine. We can all easily go a week without rest.”
“Then we leave in an hour. Everyone should look over their weapons and equipment. Our goal may not be to fight, but make sure you’re ready for one.”
Everyone agreed with Zane and separated to make their own preparations. Some people entered meditation and others checked their weapons. Ayesha did neither. Instead, she approached Zane, took a seat next to him and gave him an inviting smile.
“So, we have an hour. I say that’s plenty of time to have some fun.”
Looking into her golden eyes, Zane admired the fierceness they contained. Not only did he admire it, but he was also affected by it. But he wasn’t affected by it deeply and he easily refused Ayesha’s request. After all, this wasn’t the first time she asked for a spar.
“You’re still too weak. Even if you were strong enough, now isn’t the best time for us to have a spar.”
Ayesha let out a groan before she questioned Zane. “Well how strong do I have to be before you agree to fight me? Gaining levels is faster than how I normally grow stronger, but it still takes a lot of time.”
“I’m not worried about your level, but your skills. Get at least one tier one skill to level forty-nine and then we can have a fight.”
“Forty-nine huh. That should be a bit easier. Okay once I reach level forty-nine in one of my skills were going to battle it out and I won’t be taking no for an answer.”
Zane smiled as he watched her walk away. After Ayesha found out about Zane’s strength, she had been pestering him to fight her. Of course, Zane was willing to fight, but he wanted to wait until she got stronger. Otherwise, he wouldn’t enjoy the battle as much.
Once everyone was ready the group got on the khalfans and continued the journey. The group didn’t encounter any danger as they travel through the night. The darkness and the khalfans hid their presence well. As night turned to day, they attracted more attention which slowed down their journey.
They were attacked by magic beasts and demonic beats which slowed them down. Although Zane didn’t like the delay, the members of his group weren’t as bothered by it. The magic beast and demonic beasts didn’t have levels, so Zane didn’t gain experience from them. However, the members of his group did.
Star and the others found out they were able to gain experience from beasts without levels a few days ago. They traveled into the forest and were surprised to find out they were gaining experience. Zane didn’t notice this earlier because he killed all the demonic and magical beasts that Star and the others met when he traveled with them to her hometown.
Zane was unclear about why they were able to gain experience, and he didn’t dwell on it. He simply sat back, let them gain experience and enjoyed the journey. Eventually, around noon, they reached the edge of a cliff.
Looking down, they could all see a large number of demonic beasts gathered in a valley. In the center of the valley Zane saw a familiar object that made him pause. At first, Zane thought his eyes were deceiving him, but a system message quickly appeared to let him know they were not.
You have received the Purify the Den quests. Would you like to accept this quest? Yes, or no?