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They left in twenty, not five, because a few people had an exaggerated concept about the bare minimum. Somebody with mechanics skills removed the bus's horn, improvising a handle and connecting it to a few flashlight batteries.

First, they went through the woods for about three-quarters of a mile. The honks, an abominable noise, did their job of scaring any predator lurking in the forest; there were no more attacks. Once they passed the tree line, they saw the village.

Tucked at the foot of a hill and surrounded on three sides by a river, it looked more like a small town, with houses displaying dark beams and white lime-painted walls in between. It had a ten-foot tall stone wall around it and one access, a bridge. On it was a welcoming committee: a plump middle-aged man with a long black coat and a thick silver necklace, with an armed guard behind him.

The first advanced to meet them. "Welcome to Krivoburg, adventurers," he bowed. "I'm the mayor, Prosek Ludanowski. Her Highness Kiara told us to help you with everything necessary."

"Is she your goddess?" Irene asked.

"Goodness, no," the mayor crossed himself. "She's an Archetype."

"Let's not go into religion," Vincent whispered to Irene. “Who knows the local standard for burning people at the stake. Thank you, noble sir. I assume we are to be lodged in your pleasant village?" he said the last words aloud.

"Indeed you are," the mayor said, kneading his fingers and smiling. "Free food and lodging for no matter how long you want to stay with us. Please follow me."

The man turned on his heels like a whirlwind and proceeded into town at a brisk pace. The guard remained behind, which meant he was guarding the bridge. The group walked for ten minutes on the main street, a twenty feet wide avenue paved with stones, reaching a central square. Just before the open space was an inn, three stories high.

"It's all yours," the mayor gestured for them to enter, opening the door. "The staff knows you're coming. Make yourself comfortable. I'll be back for dinner."

"Welcome, welcome," several voices called from inside the resort.

Ten attendants, men and women, rushed to take the luggage and show them to their rooms and the facilities. Vincent was put in a room with the young man who had argued with Irene. The toilets were common, one at each end of the corridor. They contained a wooden bench with a hole in it, probably giving it to a waste recipient in the basement, and a pitcher and a basin for hand washing. Vincent had seen similar facilities in some of the castles they visited.

Downstairs were two large bathrooms with wooden tubs and showers, one for the ladies and one for the gents, but the priority was given to the group of immigrants, who stayed in squalor for days.

To his immense pleasant surprise, there was toilet paper. After relieving himself, Vincent went to take a short shower, activating a lever and letting out water from a sprinkler. The soap was more fragrant than expected despite looking like it was made for laundry. When he returned to the room, his roommate lay on one of the beds, hands under his head.

"You think there's a way to get back?" the man asked, taking out his sunglasses. The sun was beginning to set.

"What's your name again?" Vincent asked.

"Lukas."

"The question, Lukas, is not about whether we could return home; it's if we'll be able to survive here."

"You mean this world is dangerous?"

"If it looks medieval and has monsters, it must be… We need to stick together and find more."

"I dunno their technology level, but I could assemble explosives in no time. And maybe make some big guns… I'm both a chemist and a metallurgist."

"That's good news," Vincent nodded. "What's the deal about all you bright people in one place? Is it on purpose?"

"Of course," Lukas laughed. "That's what the foundation is for, bringing talent together… Irene's parents are the founders."

"Really?" Vincent gasped. The girl didn't give the impression of being a spoiled and rich brat. On the contrary, her sagging clothes were working to hide her natural prettiness.

"They're billionaires, but in the lower digits… very socially active, though, old money and stuff… You think the foundation is behind the abduction?"

"If it was the case, there would be a way back," Vincent said. "No way they'd let their daughter get stuck on an alien planet, right?"

"Yeah… No way… If her folks are in it, I bet Irene doesn't know. She's a decent person. We argue often because I don't like rich people much…"

You like them enough to take their money, though, Vincent thought, and then there was a knock on the door.

"The dinner will be served in ten minutes," someone announced.

"Pff… I hoped there was time for a bath," Lukas sighed.

"Go for a shower," Vincent said. "I don't think anyone would notice if you're five minutes late."

"Thanks. See ya."

While Lukas beelined for the lavatories, Vincent went to the main hall. Two rows of tables were laid on the sides, with a central one in the middle. The mayor sat there, plus somebody who looked like a priest and another man in his late forties, the old-soldier type. Next to them sat Irene.

The narrative has been illicitly obtained; should you discover it on Amazon, report the violation.

"Come here," she beckoned, showing Vincent a free seat next to her.

Servants ran around, bringing a round of small glasses filled to the brim with reddish alcohol that smelled of apples. The mayor raised and clinked his glass with a spoon to demand attention.

"Honorable guests, fellow officials," he began. "I drink to your arrival. May you thrive and reach cap level," he raised the glass and sipped. More or less enthusiastically, everyone followed his example.

Irene rose to reply to the toast but barely opened her mouth when the shining silhouette from the forest reappeared, announced beforehand by an increase in the overall luminosity.

[Kiara (Archetype of Light and Fortune)]: Adventurers! I am happy to see you safe.

"I want to go home," one of the younger girls yelled.

[Kiara (Archetype of Light and Fortune)]: If you wish so, ways to return will reveal themselves… in due time. Meanwhile, here is your next Quest.

"What do you mean?" the girl asked, but the woman disappeared anew, replaced with a blue text that blinked in their eyes and didn't vanish until they read it. “Hey! Come back and answer me!”

Group Quest: Protect the nearby village from pests and roaming monsters. Kill five hundred beasts within a month. Rewards: various. Research the ways of Stellarthterra. Rewards: knowledge.

The sturdy-looking man from the central table advanced in the middle of the room. "My name is Thomas Thickskull, and I’m a police sergeant," he spoke in a deep voice. "I will procure you the best weapons and armor we have, and my men will assist you in your Quest…" he paused, looking around. His eyes clearly conveyed: 'For goodness sake, please don't ask me to babysit you; you're adults.'

Irene jumped up the second the sarge sat back. "Don't lose hope, guys. You heard the lady. There's a way back home; we'll find it. Meanwhile, we should collaborate with our hosts to the best of our abilities and have a briefing every evening."

"Cheers," the mayor said. He had sulked during her first words and rejuvenated on the last.

Vincent also clinked on his glass; the room was now filled with anxious small talk. "Folks, relax. Let’s start with the second quest. Intel gathering. You’re the smart people, so you're on that. First thing tomorrow, I’ll bring the rest of our luggage, with some help from Sarge Thomas. Is it OK with you, Sir?"

"It can be arranged," the man shrugged.

"Thank you. That's all, guys, enjoy your food."

"Ahum," the priest cleared his voice, throwing a stare at Vincent. "We still have to do the prayer, young man."

"Sorry, your err… eminence?" Vincent lowered his head between the shoulders.

The mayor and the sergeant stood up, a sign for everyone to raise. Only Lukas tried to sit, mumbling something about being an atheist, but Jong, the Korean archer, slapped the back of his head and pulled him up by the ear. The priest started an incantation. The words made no sense to Vincent. They sounded weird, but fortunately, the prayer was short.

You have unlocked the skill of Quiet Leadership (Passive, Elite tier). With few but wise words, you manage to make others follow you. Increases the stats of your followers by +1. +4 in every stat for yourself as long you have at least 30 followers. Evolvable at levels 50 and 100. The current skill level is estimated to be 14.

The door to the kitchen opened, and the attendants came in, dextrously putting food and drinks on a large table, buffet style. The main course was a stew with hot fresh bread along it. The latter was delicious, the first bland but edible. The white wine was not to Vincent's liking, but the beer was among the best he ever had, which was a feat in itself. His back relaxed, and he leaned on the chair, pretending to doze while listening to the rumor.

Slowly, layers of discussions started to distinguish themselves apart. First, there was the general chat of the abductees, speaking in English. Many were afraid, which was normal. Others were excited to be in a world that had supernatural phenomena. Names like Plank or Lorentz flew everywhere. At first, Vincent thought they were group members. Only when Einstein was mentioned did he realize the truth. He dismissed those voices, concentrating on the other chats.

The occasional Common Tongue had a buzz and a delay because his ears replaced the words with concepts, and the brain showed him the ideas and meanings behind them. It was not like hearing a translation into a language he knew, no. He heard foreign words not resembling anything familiar, and he understood them. Better and better, as a matter of fact.

Spanish floated around, too, from the immigrants. They were from the Philippines and were still confused about where they were. A long, painful voyage to reach a better place, ending in disappointment. Dorel and Jorge were trying to calm them. The kids ran all over the room, chasing the inn's large tomcat, who was fat and had no desire to play, trying to save himself by hiding under the tables, not the best place when pursued by a bunch of children not much larger. The feline, though, had the decency of not scratching his assailants, stoically resisting the urge to vomit and letting himself be thrown around in the air.

You have unlocked the Animal Empathy skill (Passive, Elite tier). You feel the mood of the animals around you. You can detect hidden predators in an area of a hundred yards if they observe you with malicious intent. The current skill level is estimated to be 10. Evolvable at Skill levels 50 and 100.

In Vincent's opinion, that was a neat skill, but he tried not to dwell on it. The last layer of talking was the one that interested him the most. The locals' real tongue. He could understand it because it was a mix of Czech with a little German, an old version for both, but quite evident.

They were on another Earth, parallel or alternate universe or reality, but still an Earth. Twenty miles to the east was Prague, only named Pragwyn here. The capital of Beauhemia, vassal to the Hungarian kingdom. That meant they had arrived at an equivalent point in space to the place they were at the moment of the abduction. Their location was considered the boondocks of the country, near the western border.

For the rest, the discussion revolved around them, the newcomers. The sergeant considered them whimps. Using a form of magical inspection, he concluded that only three persons among the Summoned had martial training: Vincent, the woman with the gun, and Jong. The fact they were called Summoned showed an intention behind their arrival, thus, an abduction.

There was a plot to arm the group with crossbows and make them hunt weaker pests, hoping to unlock basic combat skills or classes for them.

Both the priest and the mayor understood English, which was probably an acquired skill because they translated bits of group conversations they considered important to the sergeant. All three were dumbfounded by the topics, as many words involved quantum physics and genetics.

You have unlocked the Spying skill (Passive, Rare tier). Your presence and attention are barely noticeable, and you are prone to finding secrets. Your current skill level is estimated to be 30.

Vincent wasn't the only one who understood what the notabilities spoke about. Opening his eyelids for a second, he met Irene's eyes. There was a deep frown on her face.

As the desert arrived, and it was apple strudel, Vincent pretended to wake up, enticed by the scent. The mulled wine accompanying it was a good opportunity to claim he was dizzy and retire after he finished eating. There was no protocol for that; everyone was leaving at their own discretion.

Once in the room, Peter changed into a new T-shirt and boxers and threw himself on the bed. He forgot to pull the curtains, and the light in the sky was too bright for him to sleep easily. The asteroid belt shone along the moons, eerie and mysterious.

Are those inhabited? A sudden thought pinged in his mind, observing seas and clouds on the satellites, then he fell asleep, awaking only for a brief moment when Lukas returned.