Eventually morning was here again, and it was time for another defense of the Outpost. The only training they could help me with kind of went out the window after I reached the 6th Cycle, so I didn’t bother putting up a wall of flames to encircle the Outpost.

Instead of waiting for them to reach me, I simply let my flames flow freely and ferociously through the forest. Like a surging river, anything that I deemed an enemy was quickly engulfed and seemingly drowned in black flames. Despite their sheer number and willingness to run through the flames in an effort to reach me, it would never be enough.

I’m sure someone else in my position could most likely easily fall into a dangerous line of thinking. That they were ‘extremely strong’ or ‘OP’ as people like to say. It might even be hard to convince them they weren’t. Here I am casually standing in front of an Outpost with around a 100 people depending on me to keep them alive. Every single one of them putting their trust in my abilities.

And thousands of Goblins putting that trust to the test, a number that would easily kill every single human in this Outpost multiple times over. Yet, it was fairly easy for me. This was no test, or even a proper challenge.

Yet I knew better.

This was just a Tutorial.

This was just a taste of what could easily happen once we were home. What if it was thousands of Qi Refinement Goblins instead? What if their leaders were in the Core Formation Realm? Would I still be able to stand here casually? No, I’d likely die.

There would be no dover, no second chances, no wait let me try again, nothing. I would simply just die.

So, with that being said I refused to let these small victories get to my head and just appreciated it for what it was. I am stronger, and I have certain advantages due to being an Infernal. That is all.

Eventually the last of the Goblins were dead, and the notification signifying a successful defense of the Outpost appeared. Ignoring it I went back inside to find Chao, who was in the room that was being lent to him. He seemed scared.

“Is everything alright Chao?”

“Yes…sorry. I felt…something, but one of the others assured me everything was okay and that it was just you defending the Outpost. I’m alright…ready to go when you are.”

Hm…weird, but if he says he’s ready then whatever, I guess.

“Alright let’s go.”

He didn’t come here with anything other than the clothes on his back, but he was leaving with a pouch that contained food pills, a bottle of water, and a basic Tutorial sword. Outpost G knew how to handle guests. Anyway, we were seen off by just Richard and Irene. I asked Richard to let the Outpost Leader know I would be missing training. Though I’m sure he knew I was leaving, but just in case.

Chao didn’t know how strong I was per se, so he did question why I was the only following him, but Irene assured him that I’d be enough. Of course, even she didn’t know I reached the 6th Cycle, but it didn’t matter.

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Moving on, Chao didn’t really have a say in the matter and decided to just go with it. Not that he had a choice as he both needed and wanted to return to his group.

Eventually we left and we were slowly jogging our way through the forest.

It was a silent, and slow jog for about 15 minutes when Chao asked for a break.

“I need a moment...”

He wasn’t panting heavily or anything, but I guess this makes sense since he hadn’t even reached the 1st Cycle yet. I think I forgot. This would take forever. How did I forget about this…

“Get on.”

“Huh?”

“I need to take you home and return before the defense tomorrow. No time to waste. Get on.”

“But…”

“Chao. Get. On.”

I don’t think I ever planned on bullying someone into accepting a piggyback ride from me, but the Tutorial changes people…

Ahem, I lowered myself to allow Chao to climb up and once he finally did, I stood back and adjusted myself accordingly. Huh, he was light. Like really light. I barely felt anything. He might as well not have been there. That’s the 6th Cycle for you.

I didn’t bother saying anything else, and just began running. I knew the way to the Green Den, so I didn’t need directions up until that point, which meant the journey went by rather fast.

Chao was silent the whole time, but he seemed to be doing fine.

Not long after, I was near the entrance to the Green Den. I stopped to let him get off and drink some water.

“Recognize the area?”

“…No…not yet. I was likely unconscious when passing through this part of the forest with the fellow who saved me.”

“Alright, I’ll jogging a bit slower from this point, stop me once you recognize the area.”

I was once again giving a piggyback ride as I began jogging past the Dungeon. Sean described the path he took, and I was doing my best to follow it. It was basically just keep going past the Dungeon but slightly to the right, and if I went in this direction for some time I’d eventually reach the general area where he found Chao.

And that’s exactly what happened. 45 minutes later.

“Ah I know this spot! I remember stumbling my way around this area after getting separated from my brother. Run in that direction for a couple of hours and we’ll eventually reach the group.”

“Got it.”

I didn’t waste any more time, and just moved according to the directions. Making sure not to move too fast so that he wouldn’t miss any details and lose our location.

I traveled like this for around three hours.

We only took two breaks during that time for Chao to take a food pill, use the restroom, and drink some water.

I will hand it to him, he didn’t complain once after we began moving like this. It was a little boring just running through the forest like this, but we were both content to move in silence. The only thing that surprised me was the lack of Goblins. We weren’t attacked once. And I don’t think I was moving fast enough to make them give up and not chase me without at least trying. Kind of weird.

Anyway, a little over three hours later we arrived. In the distance, I could already see the makings of a small camp, and I had long since been hearing the hustle and bustle of said camp.

Of course it took Chao a while longer to see that far, much less hear them but he saw them soon enough.

“Ah we’re here. Can you let me down?”

I kind of forgot about that…ahem I quickly let him down and we slowly walked up to the camp. The core of the camp was located in a very tiny clearing in the forest. From what I could see, the area was mainly taken up by the large campfire in the middle. Then around it and spreading into the forest was a number of tents. And that was pretty much it. Yep, I was thankful for the Outpost. I expected it, but we weren’t just allowed to waltz right on up.

Eventually a few people noticed our approach and walked out to meet us, it only took a moment for them to recognize Chao.

“Chao!!! Your back!! Everyone!!! Chao made it back!!” It was a party of 2 that approached us, and one of them made that big announcement. Eventually what looked like the entire camp was surrounding us and being happy that Chao returned.

I was almost an afterthought.

Almost.

“Who is this Chao? Did you find him in the forest? And where is Chen? Is he coming later?”