As the first rays of dawn painted the sky in hues of pink and gold, Knox stirred from his slumber to the gentle melody of chirping birds and rustling leaves. Emerging from his tent, he was greeted by the sight of Sara and Timmy engaged in animated conversation, their faces alight with excitement.
Before him, a scene of enchanting beauty unfolded: colorful banners fluttered gracefully in the breeze, their vibrant hues dancing in the morning light. A rustic table adorned with freshly picked wildflowers and flickering candles stood as the centerpiece of the celebration. The air was rich with the tantalizing aroma of freshly baked pastries and savory meats roasting over an open fire.
Sara's eyes sparkled with anticipation as she caught sight of Knox, a broad smile spreading across her face. "Surprise!" she exclaimed, her voice ringing out like a chorus of bells.
Knox's breath caught in his throat as he took in the scene before him, his heart swelling with gratitude for the lengths his companions had gone to to make his birthday memorable.
Timmy, his face beaming with joy, bounded over to Knox, a bundle of energy and excitement. "Happy birthday, Knox!" he cried out, his voice filled with genuine warmth and affection.
Sara approached, a small gift cradled in her hands. "We wanted to ensure you had a day to remember, even here in the heart of the wilderness," she said softly, her words carrying a depth of sincerity that touched Knox's soul.
Sara presented Knox with a finely crafted leather-bound journal. The cover was adorned with intricate embossed designs that seemed to dance in the flickering candlelight. The pages within were pristine, inviting Knox to fill them with his thoughts, dreams, and memories.
A lump formed in his throat as Knox ran his fingers over the supple leather and marveled at the craftsmanship. It was a gift that spoke volumes of Sara's understanding and appreciation of his love for writing and reflection.
With a heartfelt smile, Knox thanked Sara for the thoughtful gift, his eyes shining with gratitude. Holding the journal close to his heart, he knew it would become a cherished treasure, a tangible reminder of their bond and the memories they had created together.
Overwhelmed by their thoughtfulness, Knox accepted the gift with trembling hands, his heart overflowing with gratitude for his friends. "Thank you, both of you," he whispered, his voice choked with emotion.
With a shared laugh, they gathered around the table, the warmth of their friendship enveloping them like a comforting embrace. They shared stories and laughter, savoring each moment as they indulged in the simple pleasures of good food and even better company.
As the sun climbed higher in the sky, casting a golden glow over their celebration, Knox couldn't help but feel a profound sense of gratitude for the bonds that bound them together. In that moment, surrounded by the beauty of nature and the warmth of their companionship, Knox knew he was truly blessed.
Following the birthday festivities, they resumed their regular schedule. Every morning, they rose early and began working tirelessly until the sunset. The team would then gather around the table to enjoy their evening meal, and after dinner, they would rest and recharge for the next day's work. However, Knox incorporated a new habit into his routine and began writing in his journal before sleeping. He found it helpful to reflect on his day, process his thoughts, and set intentions for the following day. Despite this change, everything else remained the same for the next two weeks, with each team member working diligently towards their shared goals.
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As the morning sun cast a warm glow over the campsite, Knox turned to Timmy with a curious expression. "You said you hit level 30, Timmy?" he inquired, his tone laced with a hint of excitement.
Timmy nodded enthusiastically, a proud grin spreading across his face as he pointed toward the creature lying motionless on the ground. "Yeah, just now with that kill," he confirmed, his voice tinged with satisfaction at the accomplishment. “What level are you now, Knox?”
—-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Level: 37
Titles:
None
Achievements:
None
Skills:
Double Tap: Makes any hit, hit twice. Uses 5 Mana per use
Goblin rage: Increases all stats by 5. Uses 1 Mana per second.
Acid Manipulation: Cast a ball of acid. Uses Mana based on size.
Ethereal Form: Fade out of the physical realm. Uses 5 Mana per second.
Stat Points Available: 0
Speed; 60
Strength; 50
Endurance; 40
Durability; 40
Mind; 75
—-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------“Well, I'm level 37,” Knox replied, a determined gleam in his eyes. "It's still early in the morning, so we can probably get away with packing up now and returning to our journey toward survivors."
Timmy's expression brightened at the prospect of continuing their quest, his eagerness evident as he nodded in agreement. "Sounds good to me," he chimed in.
But as they began to gather their belongings, Timmy couldn't help but voice the question that had been nagging at him for some time. "I haven't asked you earlier because I trusted you, but why are you so confident that we'll find people in the higher zones? It doesn't make sense to me," he admitted, his brow furrowing in confusion.
Knox paused, considering Timmy's question carefully before responding. "Because that's what my dad told me," he admitted, his voice tinged with nostalgia and uncertainty.
Timmy's skepticism was evident as he arched an eyebrow in disbelief. "Your dad told you that there are people in higher-level zones?" he questioned, incredulous.
Knox nodded slowly, his gaze fixed on the horizon as he wrestled with his doubts and uncertainties. "No, he told me that in an emergency, all the higher-level fighters gather in the higher-level zones to strategize," he explained, his voice trailing off as he struggled to articulate the reasoning behind his father's cryptic words.
"Why would they gather in high-level zones?" Timmy pressed, his curiosity piqued by the revelation.
Knox fell silent momentarily, his thoughts drifting back to his father's words. "My father didn't tell me," he admitted, his voice tinged with regret. Sara suddenly popped out of nowhere.
Sara couldn't resist the urge to playfully startle Knox as the morning light filtered through the canopy. "Boo," she whispered into his ear with a mischievous grin.
Startled, Knox jumped back with a yelp. "Gah! Why are you scaring me like that?" he exclaimed, his heart still racing from the sudden fright.
Sara chuckled softly, her eyes sparkling with amusement. "I thought it'd be funny," she teased, her playful demeanor contagious. “So, what were you two talking about?”
Regaining his composure, Knox recounted his conversation with Timmy, relaying every detail of their discussion. Sara listened attentively, her brow furrowing in thought as she processed the information.
After a moment of contemplation, Sara proposed, "Maybe it's because higher-level individuals grind in high-level zones? Which means that they are almost always close to the high-level zone."
Knox nodded in agreement, considering Sara's insight. "Well, it doesn't matter anyway," he replied with a shrug. "All that matters is that we should get going and find them."