“You are sure it will not follow me back into the village if I need to retreat?” Joe checked again.
“They never have before,” Cristoff explained the idea of safe zones again.
Joe was having difficulty believing it was possible. Any of it.
The Safe Zones, the terrain that changed overnight, the Fifteen. What kind of world had he come to?
The mechanical spider he was watching was about half his height, made of gleaming metal with pneumatic pistons moving it about. It made for an intimidating sight.
According to his Analyze ability, the thing was only level five, so it should be safe enough.
“Wait here,” Joe said, trying to project strength to the assembled villagers.
He took a few careful steps outside the gate, the spider still ignoring him.
One more step, and he would be over the line and into the Forgelands. Looking down, he could see the edge of the hexes that defined the edge of the Village’s influence.
He stepped forward.
The spider spun to face him immediately, sprinting across the lava rock in a cacophony of metal legs.
Every instinct he had demanded that he run, but with everyone watching, he couldn’t.
He lowered himself and leaned into his shield.
The creature juked to the side, front legs stabbing forward and scraping along the plates that protected his legs. Several plates broke and fell away, vanishing before they hit the floor.
“Ha!” Joe twisted, slamming his shield into the spider and slashing down with his sword.
The vibration up his arm as his sword hit rendered his arm numb, almost making him drop his sword. The spider screeched and moved back. Joe moved after it, keeping blows raining down on it as he beat it to death, using the blade like a club.
When it eventually stilled, and he stood back, his sword was a twisted mess, with several large chips taken out of it. The level-up message was a relief, bringing with it a sense of accomplishment.
Chosen Paladin of the Goddess Lvl 4!
Power: 60 - 65
Mana: 30 - 35
Health: 145 - 140
He was still celebrating when a massive weight smashed into the back of him, sending him flying.
40 Health Damage
Joe rolled as he landed, casting Paladin’s Grace as he did.
Metal legs slammed down where he had been as a scream sounded from the Village. Joe rolled up, still walking backward to catch his bearings.
Four of the metal spider machines were between him and the Village, and he saw three more creeping around the side.
Annalise had apparently seen him fall and dashed out of the village.
She was currently weaving magic around her as the spiders closed in on her.
This was it.
This was his moment.
“For the Goddess!” He roared and cast Paladin’s Arms again as he began to run.
Three levels had made a difference to the spell. The simple iron and bronze armor rippled, growing thicker, as more plates slid into place and a pair of simple pouldrons covered his shoulders.
His shield thickened, growing a bronze reinforcement around the edge. His sword rippled, the metal reforming into a mace, with bronze rings up and down the handle that flared into a guard over his hand.
He slammed it against his new shield as he charged.
At the last moment, he activated his final skill, Paladin’s Grace.
His mace smashed into one spider as he brought his shield down on another. Both were smashed immediately. Joe waved the messages away and launched himself at the next enemy. His buffs, plus a new weapon, made the fight a simple one.
Within a few seconds, the first four spiders were dispatched. He stepped forward once more, his arm flying out and blocking the first strike of the ambush meant for Annalise. He saw her eyes widen at the clang, and then he spun past her, his mace an arc of rage that sent the attacker flying in pieces. He waved aside another level up and moved after the remaining two.
It was almost too easy as he now outleveled his attackers. His Power seemed to apply to all his physical stats at once. He moved faster, hit harder, and reacted easier.
The fight was over in moments, just as his buff began to fade.
“That wasn’t too bad,” Joe said to himself before turning a confident smile on the villagers. Open mouths gaped at him as he moved towards where Annalise was being held by her husband.
“Do you need any healing?” Joe asked her.
“No, thank you,” Annalise said. “I don’t know what I was thinking going out there.”
“You saw someone in trouble and tried to help.” Joe said, “An act of kindness that was greatly appreciated.”
He turned to loot his kills before his blazing grin broke free.
It was perfect! With this act to inspire them, the people would definitely respect him.
Touching each kill once was all that was needed. They dissolved into smoke, leaving behind metal bars, cogs, and even a couple of weapons.
Joe shook his head at the sight.
This really was a game world.
Chosen Paladin of the Goddess Lvl 7!
Power: 75 - 80
Mana: 45 - 50
Health: 160 - 165
Mana per minute increased to 1.25
===========
Joe spent the rest of the day near the Village, hunting for easy kills. It was not necessary to push himself too far; besides, the villagers needed him.
In addition to the spiders, he was able to find a strange metal worm that lived near the lava flows.
Unauthorized duplication: this tale has been taken without consent. Report sightings.
They were nonaggressive unless he taunted them, which allowed him to get close and strike a devastating blow, ensuring the fights were always in his favor. The best part was that these creatures dropped armor.
While he didn’t need it himself, the regular trips back to the village he made to donate the armor to the villagers led to a crowd building.
And each time, the villager thanked him with tears in their eyes.
By nightfall, he was sweaty, exhausted, and hungry. His last fight had led to a couple of additional spiders joining in. It was no risk, but it had left him with more loot than he could carry easily. So he improvised and used his shield as a tray to lay it all on.
What he needed was a bath and a good meal.
But Joe had one more job to do first. He found Cristoff waiting for him when he returned. The Mayor led him to the Village Stone and waited nervously.
Joe put his hand on it and was given two options. He could choose between repairs and upgrades or expansion. With several levels and over thirty kills for the day, Joe was feeling flush with Influence.
“If we could expand the village, we could attract more villagers!” Cristoff pushed.
“No one will come to a place that is falling apart,” Joe said confidently.
“I… understand, but the villagers could undertake repairs themselves,” Cristoff argued. “Only you can expand the village.”
Joe could appreciate where the Mayor was coming from, but he was wrong. Joe had come from a more advanced world and knew that living in these conditions was a poor choice. Joe knew better, so he chose what he thought was a better idea.
The influence wave left behind a stone house, larger and without a single mud brick in sight. The other buildings in the village went from mudbrick to decently clean-looking log cabins.
In all, it was a great upgrade, especially for a single day's work.
“I thought we were going to expand the village!” Annalise hissed to her husband. Joe lay comfortably in a metal tub full of warm water, soaking his sore muscles. He knew his senses were heightened now. That was the only reason he could think of to explain how he was able to hear the whispered argument two rooms away.
“I asked,” Cristoff said. “The Paladin said no one would come to such a run-down place.”
“We are overcrowded already!” Annalise hissed. “And once his leveling slows down, it will take weeks to get such a large amount of Influence again!”
Joe tensed. Why hadn’t the damn man said anything about that? He could have been convinced to change his mind.
Why did no one ever just give him the right information?
“It was his choice, not mine!” Cristoff snapped. “How am I supposed to convince a Paragon!”
“Did you tell him?” Annalise asked archly.
“He would not have cared,” Cristoff said tiredly.
“He might have if you gave him the choice!” Annalise said angrily.
Joe found himself nodding along with her. He lost track of the conversation as they moved further away from him.
When he finished his bath a little later, he found his clothes cleaned and waiting for him. It was unlikely his clothes would last forever; Joe just hoped he could raise the village level fast enough to never have to wear the rags most of the village seemed to use.
When he was done dressing and opened his door, he found Annalise waiting for him.
“Paragon,” She bobbed a curtsy, “Might I have a word?”
“Of course,” Joe said, “And please, call me Joe.”
“I was hoping to discuss the idea of expanding the village as soon as possible,” She said, looking down. “My husband said it was not what you wished today.”
“I wanted to raise the living conditions of the town,” Joe confirmed. He did not want to let them know he had heard any of their argument. Eavesdropping was rude, even if you didn’t mean to do it.
“The attitude does you credit,” She hesitated, “Joe. But with the overcrowding we have, it is land and houses we need most.”
“I see,” Joe sighed, “I just wish I had known that earlier,” He shook his head and adopted a humble expression, “I apologize and will expand the village just as soon as I can.”
“Really?” Annalise looked thrilled.
“Tomorrow, if I can.” Joe smiled kindly. “Just try and remember, I can’t do the right thing if no one gives me the information beforehand.”
“Of course, thank you!” She beamed.
At midnight, the change never came. It seemed they would live in the Forgelands at least for another day.
===========
Joe was sure his Paladin Charger wasn’t meant as a pack horse, but it was doing the job without complaint. It was now the third day that the Village had been in the Forgelands, and the pickings near the village were slim.
He had used the charger to get a little distance and scout where he could. His greatest find of the day had been some form of mechanical cat, like an iron tiger at level thirteen.
The fight had been long, with his shield eventually giving up the ghost, but he won by wearing it down with blows from his mace. Looting it had rewarded him with a pair of boots, a set of daggers shaped like the thing’s claws, and a backpack.
He hunted down another three of the cats just to hang the bags from his horse, loading it up with a huge amount of loot. The thing couldn’t run anymore, but it was still faster than walking. By the time he got back to the village, the sun was starting to set, and nervous faces were looking for any sign of him.
“Joe!” Annalise called, glancing around before running out to meet him. “We were getting worried.”
“Sorry,” Joe said, “Just trying to get the most I could for our village.”
He handed his mount off to the villagers to unload and sort the loot. They would take care of it and bed it down for the night. He was glad he didn’t have to do it; Joe was clueless about horses. One of his mother’s projects he had managed to dodge.
“How did it go today?” Annalise asked, summoning a glass of water for him.
“Fine, but I would be glad to see the back of the Foregelands for a bit,” He laughed. “There is only so much metal we can use.”
“When we expand, we can get a forge, and one of the villagers will be allowed to become a Blacksmith,” Annalise smiled.
“I think I have enough,” Joe whispered to her, “Shall we go check?”
Her eyes lit up, and she practically dragged him to the Village Stone.
The change in the village as the Influence rolled over it was immediate. The walls moved out, three new houses popped up, and a large hall grew in the far corner of the village.
Even better, the stone house was upgraded to a stone manor, with extra rooms and a whole new floor, complete with a small tower.
Joe ate his dinner outside, enjoying watching the hustle and bustle as everyone shuffled around, choosing who got which house. A small fight broke out, but it was broken up quickly when he sent Annalise over to be his voice in the matter.
There were still three houses that had double occupants, so Annalise gave them use of the hall. She was a good administrator.
The Forgelands remained at the change of the day. Joe just sighed.
The following day, as he went to head out, Annalise stopped him despite Cristoff trying to pull her back.
“What’s up, Anna?” Joe asked. He had heard Cristoff using that short form, so he did as well; she didn’t seem to mind.
“I mean no offense, but we still need more room,” She looked determined.
“I know,” Joe said, “I’m trying my best here.”
“It’s not your fault,” She said, shooting her husband a dark look. Joe guessed that the fight was still going on. “But if you take a party with you, their leveling will give you influence as well.”
“It will?” Joe said in exasperation, “Why didn’t anyone tell me?”
“It’s dangerous,” Cristoff countered. “If we lose people, how will we survive?” he shook his head, “Slow and steady, that’s the key.”
“I have some people ready to go,” Annalise said, “All you need to do is to accept their requests.”
“Who are they?” Joe asked. He didn’t want a bunch of people he didn’t know getting in his way.
“Two men, one woman, all with fighting experience, and me,” She blushed. “I can use magic for more than homemaking!” Another dark look at Cristoff.
“Sounds good,” Joe nodded. “But you stay near me at all times; I’m not taking chances with your life.”
“Thank you,” Cristoff said.
“Also, I will keep close to the gate, bringing enemies to you,” Joe said. “We’ll do this carefully.”
“You think we can do it?” Annalise asked, her eyes shining.
“Those spiders won’t know what hit ‘em.”
==========
His trainees were arrayed within jumping distance of the village gate as he approached, leading a pack of spiders. It was their second day, and already, they were starting to look more intimidating.
The dark-haired girl with the daggers had yet to so much as look at him, so he couldn’t say he had remembered her name. What he did know was that she was lethal. She was faster than the spiders already, taking them apart with quick lightning-charged strikes. Her class, Elementalist, was something like a magic-powered rogue. It was impressive. The Ranger next to her was already starting to fire into the mobs while the Berserker was hefting his axes with a hungry look.
Annalise simply stood, a halo of magic waiting at her fingertips.
Joe rode past them before jumping off his charger and slipping into place ahead of his group.
“Ready?” He asked.
“On your word, Protector,” The others replied.
“Now!” He said calmly.
“For the Paragon!” The others roared, and the party unleashed on the approaching creatures. It was another short fight, with Joe simply guarding Annalise and casting the occasional heal on the others.
Cheers and clapping sounded as they finished off their fourth collection of the day.
Villagers rushed past them to carry in the loot.
He felt the influence flow into him as the party leveled up. Those first levels certainly came quickly, he thought. He couldn’t complain too much, as he had gained a level while collecting their group of enemies.
Chosen Paladin of the Goddess Lvl 17!
Power: 120 - 125
Mana: 90 - 95
Health: 210 - 215
Mana per minute increased to 2.15
He brought the whole party with him when he visited the Village Stone and expanded the village once more. This time they gained not only the houses they needed but space around the outside of the walls as well.
The party was met with cheers as they emerged from the Manor.
Joe reveled in it as his party members all turned and knelt to him in a sign of respect.
“Thank you, Paragon!” They said in unison, the call taken up by the whole village in seconds.