Rod stopped as they got close to the outpost.

"Now, tell me again boy. There were four of those Purpleheart. We killed one, they got two in the outpost with the two girls, and one in the woods on the lookout," Rod asked to certify the situation.

Nate didn't consider himself one of the killers of the blinded man. Rod was the one who had done the killing.  Nate had just wanted to escape. But he didn't explain that to the old man. It only took the brief trip over to the outpost for Nate to realize that Rod was a unique individual.

"Ya, and the leader of the Purpleheart is pretty big," Nate said waving his hand over his head showing the man's height.

"Ooo...I like big ones," the old man said excitedly. He then got serious as he started to spell out his plans for Nate.

"You go kill the guy in the woods and I'll go get the other two," Rod said looking at Nate as if he wanted feedback on the one-sentence plan.

Something is really off with this man. Nate still didn't feel comfortable just killing someone. Not to mention he was never the one to put himself in possible danger.

The only reason he had tagged along was that Rod made it all seem like saving the women wasn’t a big deal. The unreasonably strong Rod was going to get rid of the three guys and save the women. Nate would be able to get his supplies and go on his way. Sounded simple at first, but now Rod was saying he was going to kill one of the Purpleheart tribesmen.

"I told you before. I haven't killed anyone before and really don't want to," Nate said firmly.

"Ahhh kid, you funny," Rod laughed, "Alright, I'll get the guy in the woods too. But ya got to come along for the ride."

After a moment of consideration, Nate agreed. He honestly was starting to become fearful of Rod. From the trip back to the outpost, Nate had learned two things. One, Rod was stronger than anyone Nate had ever met in his life. Two, Rod was crazier than anyone he had ever met in his life.

From the few incoherent conversations he had with Rod so far, Nate figured out that Rod was some sort of lone adventurer with a sense of justice. He also considered himself an Outsider. Rod didn't have a tribe but was friends with a few tribes and an enemy with a lot of tribes. He was pissed at the Purpleheart Tribe because they had killed one of his buddies in the Greyfor Tribe.

Nate spent most of the time following Rod trying to make sense of all the old man ramblings. Before he knew it, Rod had stopped.

"Alright kid, that Purpleheart fella is just over that way," Rod said with a smirk, “I’ll go get rid of him, then we'll head over to that outpost together. Okay?"

"Sounds good," Nate said just trying to placate Rod. It seems like he goes from one mess into another. At least Rod isn't trying to kill me.

Rod nodded his head, "Better get one on your weapons ready, kid. Just in case that one slips by me."

Nate didn't have a chance to respond since Rod was already gone. Nate found a good spot to stand before setting down his backpack and readying his spear. Although he didn’t think anyone could get past Rod, he certainly wanted to be ready since things didn’t ever seem to go his way.

A few seconds later, Nate heard crashing noises coming through the underbrush to the side of him. Heart racing he readied his spear. 

Rod burst through the brush killing himself laughing. He brushed Nate's spear tip to the side with the back of his hand startling Nate as he leaned in close to Nate's ear.

"Caught one for ya," Rod whispered before taking off into the distance.

Before he had time to react, more rustling in the brush was heard coming from the undergrowth to his side. Then, a fur-clad man wielding a knife and carrying a broken bow and arrow burst out from the scrub about 10 feet from Nate.

"Shit," Nate said as the man immediately lunged at him with the knife. Nate swung his spear towards the man but all he did was knock the man off balance with the side of the spear. The point didn't even come close to touching him.

The impact of the spear into the man's side caused vibrations to ring through Nate's arms. His grip on the spear lessened and the man took full advantage by knocking the spear free from Nate's grip.

Nate instinctively reached for his own knife at his side and pulled it free from the sheath.

The man seemed hesitant to move into close combat now. Or he just seemed hesitant in general. He kept looking off into the surroundings. Is he watching for Rod?

"Yous trash. Where that old bastard go?," the man yelled at Nate, "Broke my bow."

Before Nate could respond, the man lunged at him with the knife again. All Nate could do was swing his own knife to block the man's knife attack.

Stolen story; please report.

The sound of metal on metal drowned out a system alert, but Nate found a surprise when he yanked his knife back. The tribesman’s knife was still attached to his. Nate’s knife had actually buried itself into the other one. Weak steel.

He didn’t have much for another thought as an impact took Nate off his feet as the outsider tackled him to the ground. The man straddled Nate and rained punches upon him. It took all of Nate's strength to protect his face but some punches still hit their mark.

[You have been affected by ‘Concussed’ status. All mental stats have been reduced by half. Physical coordination is reduced. Vision impaired.]

[‘Calm Survivor’ class effects are active. All Stats are doubled. All experience earned is doubled.]

[A skill, ‘Concussion Resistance’, has been created]

[‘Concussion Resistance’ has increased to Level 3]

Nate felt on the verge of passing out. But in a split second, the man was off of him. Nate looked up to see the Outsider standing above him with a knife in his hand.

"Good knife," the man said as he twirled Nate’s knife in his hand before raising it up to plunge down into Nate.

Nate raised his arms to defend against the knife stab as an arrow penetrated the man’s chest. A look of shock flashed across the Outsider's face, but it was already too late. Another arrow hit him dead center in the head causing him to fall backward on the ground. Blood splashed down on Nate’s face.

"Damn, kid," Rod said hovering over Nate with a big grin on his face, "Thought you would do better than that."

Nate could barely get himself off the ground. He was so dizzy. That guy had beaten the shit out of him. His arms and face felt so bruised they were already feeling stiff. A system alert ringed telling Nate his class effects were no longer active.

"You'll do better next time," Rod said with a pause, "Don't worry. I'll get those other two for sure. You said there was a big one right?"

Nate wanted to curse Rod so badly. If he had his knife, he probably would have tried to stab the old man in the leg while still lying on the ground. But with the beating he just received, he could barely speak. He was so angry.

"Good thing I was here, kid," Rod said, "You would have died otherwise."

Nate looked at Rod again. If you hadn’t brought the man here, I wouldn’t have almost died. The man appeared to be in the middle of some sort of celebration over killing an additional Purpleheart tribesman. Nate couldn't tell if he had brought the man to him on purpose or if the old man was just flat out crazy. He was leaning more toward the crazy end. Is this what happens when you are alone out here too long?

Rod reached to his pocket and pulled out a few dark blue berries.

"Here kid, eat these and you'll be alright," Rod said holding out the berries.

Nate wasn't going to take them. He didn't trust this old man at all. Not after this incident.

Rod held his hand out with the berries for a good minute before saying, "Oh my bad, kid. You are hurtin’ pretty good."

He placed three berries on the ground next to Nate.

"I'll leave these here for ya. Those girls are probably pretty scared. I'm gonna go help," Rod said with a chuckle.

"Come over when you get a chance, I could probably use the help," Rod said before disappearing from Nate's sight.

"Ugh," Nate groaned as he made himself sit up. His face and arms were hurting pretty good, but the rest of his body was alright. The dizziness was what was bothering him.

[‘Concussion Resistance’ has increased to Level 6]

He glanced at the berries. Probably poison. Nate's tried to use his arms to help him stand but fell over on his side smacking his face again. His coordination was all messed up. He was just going to lie down for a moment. Nate sprawled out on the forest floor.

The next instant, the sound of metal being ripped apart in the distance caused a spike of adrenaline to rush through his body. The sound reminded him of a beast ripping apart the transport. Remembering what had just happened, Nate panicked. Maybe that crazy old man was going to bring another one of those Purpleheart men his way.

Nate didn't know what to do. But then he only had so many options. Lay on the ground until he felt good enough to move or just wait for someone to come kill him. Both seemed like the same option. Or he could eat the berries. Nate looked at the three blue spheres and activated his [identify] skill.

[Wild Blueberry – Level 60]

The [Identify] skill didn't really help, but the level of the berry was startling. The poison berries that Nate used were only Level 30. Nate had never seen a plant with a level this high.

The impacts of some sort of fighting could be heard in the distance.

Nate considered the situation again. Maybe it makes the pain go away. Then, he picked up one of the berries and sucked it into his mouth. Nate had confidence in his [Poison Immunity] skill. He also felt some sort of weird trust in the crazy old man.

[You have been affected by ‘Healing’ status. Effects of impairments have been reduced. 2 health gained per second.]

Nate had lost count of how many times he had been completely stumped by the events around him over the last couple of days.

[‘Healing’ status has been removed]

Nate’s head felt clearer. He pulled up his health to see if it had actually improved.

[Health: 81/130]

Holy shit. He had gained over twenty health from eating a berry. He quickly sucked down the other two berries and watched his health increase more. It was amazing. He could feel the pain in his face and arms lessen considerably.

[‘Concussed’ status has been removed]

[‘Healing’ status has been removed]

[Health: 118/130]

Maybe the old man wasn't as crazy as he thought. Nate could still hear the sounds of a fight off in the distance. Guess he is fighting someone right now.

Nate felt physically good but he was again left with some options to consider. The smoke from the outpost had apparently drawn the attention of a lot more people than just him. He didn’t know if another surprise was lurking out there. He could leave now and probably make it away from all this mess. Or he could go check on Rod and see what was happening at the outpost. Part of him wanted to start running away immediately. Another part of him was curious about Rod and the situation at the outpost.

Nate’s curiosity got the better of him. He walked over to his pack and began preparing himself for a fight. After a minute's time to get his preparations complete, he moved towards the fighting sounds. As Nate neared the clearing, his body grew tense in expectation of what was happening in front of the outpost.

Nate readied his spear and moved out into the clearing ready for action. However, what he saw in front of the outpost almost made him drop his spear to the ground.