POV Raizen

So, I wasn’t able to advance again last night, but I had a feeling that would change the next I tried. Part of me felt like I could just plow through that barrier last night but one more night wouldn’t hurt.

Anyway, the notification came as expected, and Richard was discussing it on our short walk to training.

Ding! (Previously Muted due to state)

Stage 4 of The Tutorial Begins Tomorrow

Defenses will be Tested

Prepare

“What do you think it means?”

“I don’t know. It could be our personal defenses, but I have a feeling it will be the Outposts.”

Richard makes a good point; the defenses of the Outpost being tested make the most sense.

“Yeah, that makes sense, but I wonder what about people who don’t live in an Outpost, are they going to have whatever defenses they have tested too? Actually, are any of them even alive? How would they have been able to cultivate without buying manuals from the store.”

“Maybe there are other ways to access the store. If anyone shows up when the beacon gets turned on, we’ll probably find out then.”

“Probably.”

After that, we got to the training grounds and as usual had our separate training sessions. I did however notice that Brandon was not among them…Richard didn’t mention him this morning, but I guess he won’t be ready after all.

Anyway, training was once again just heavy sparring between the Outpost Leader and I, which usually be the end of it, but he had something to say.

“Training will now be in the evenings, and only if you are able.”

Well, that felt kind of random.

“Is there a reason why?”

“You will soon find out.”

Of course, he vanished right after that as expected. After gathering my things, I stood to the side waiting for everyone else, as I thought about what the Outpost Leader said.

Training is only in the evenings, but only if I’m able. I wonder if it has something to do with the next stage. Maybe we get attacked in the morning or something? Hmm

“Hey, Raizen.”

It was Lance who broke me out of my thoughts. Everyone had gathered around me after their training was over.

“Hey. Ready to go?”

“Yep, but question for you. Did the Outpost Leader tell you anything weird? We got told training will be in the evenings now and to take recovery seriously.”

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“Yeah, he said something similar…what do you think Richard?”

“I think we’re going to have to take this next stage a lot more seriously. Based on what we're hearing, it is probably safe to assume the Outpost will likely get attacked in the morning, so we need to be ready.”

“Then we should handle everything we planned for today a bit quicker. Are the teams ready?”

“Pretty much, but I don’t know if Brandon is...he went into one of the rooms last night and hasn’t come out since.”

“I’ll come by after freshening up.”

Everyone then dispersed, while I walked back home. I didn’t know what Brandon could possibly be doing in the room that would make it, so he hadn’t left even once, but I hope it worked out. Not even including the new Dungeon, just having another 2nd Cycle Cultivator will be a big help in the coming days.

Anyway, it didn’t take me very long to clean up and make my way over, and after a knock, Richard was opening the door. Actually…speaking of a knock.

“I just realized you no longer have to wake me up. Since the training is in the evening now.”

“Oh yeah that’s true…wait what about the potential morning attacks? We’ll probably all get woken up by whoever is on shift at that time.”

“Ah…never mind. How’s Brandon?”

“He is still in the room but he says he’ll be ready shortly. I have no idea what he did though.”

“Probably just drank a bunch of health potions.”

“Yeah, we tried that once and had to stop after two. Just a single sip from the third one brought way more pain than what we were already feeling.”

I didn’t respond after that. I respected Brandon’s determination and was hopeful he would make it through. While I was confident, I could protect the members of the team well enough for just 10 of them to fight 60ish coordinated Goblins and then three big ones, it would still be better if Brandon was there.

It took around 10 more minutes before the door opened and Brandon walked outside. He looked different.

His body, which was previously devoid of any visible scars now had plenty of them. His eyes carried a sharpness that wasn’t there before. He now looked far more dependable than he did previously. I don’t know what he did, nor do I care to ask, the only thing that matters is that he succeeded.

“Ready?”

“Ready.”

“Alright bring the teams together we have a lot to discuss.”

After saying that, both teams gathered. Richard would be leading one group into the Green Den, and I along with Brandon would be leading the second group into the Goblin Outpost. We discussed the details of each endeavor and tried to come up with any contingencies should anything weird arise.

This was mostly for the Goblin Outpost as everyone here was very familiar with the Green Den and how it behaved.

Meanwhile, the Goblin Outpost could throw some different things at us. I had a good understanding of what to expect but it didn’t hurt to be prepared. It was mostly Richard leading this part though as he was clearly a better commander than me, but I was making sure to pay attention to what he was saying. I had to learn somehow.

Anyway, we got all the details figured out and we were now on the way to the Dungeon. We didn’t have to worry about Goblins attacking us on the way but in the future we would, so we behaved as such.

I was out in front while the others were running behind me in two lines of 5 while Brandon brought up the rear.

Since we didn’t have to stop once, it only took a few minutes to make it to the entrance of the Dungeon, and we would’ve gone in right away but…

“Sorry guys it will be quick!”

Lance had to pee.

He disappeared into the forest and came back just as quickly but of course, it wasn’t without consequence.

“Really Lance? Are you a child?”

“Yeah Lance, are you? Why didn’t you use the bathroom before we left?”

“Alright guys I get it, I get it, can we go now?”

I watched them bicker a bit, but we didn’t have time to waste.

“Alright. Let’s refocus.”

I waited until they quieted down and I could tell the playfulness from before was gone before I continued.

“Good. Let’s not wait any longer, Enter the Dungeon.”

I went first and one by one they all joined me in a pre-determined order. Brandon was the last to arrive. We did this after finding out that while the teleportation felt instant to us, there was a tiny window after accepting the prompt where our bodies could still be touched.

Obviously, this would mean the last person to teleport in wouldn’t have any protection but that’s why Brandon was the last to arrive.

“Good we are all here, everyone remembers the plan? I will wait a few minutes for you all to circle to the back of the Outpost, afterwards do not exit the forest until you a minute or two after you hear my distraction.

“From there, enter the Outpost from the back and immediately head to the front where you should come up behind the Goblins.

"Brandon, you will make decisions on the fly should anything happen unexpectedly. Everyone understands?”