Author notes: See? It's not late. I said it would be next week, and it's still next week!

Okay it is late... The chapter is seriously one of the shortest in quite a while being only 5,300 odd words. It just took a while to write for some reason. Something also feels off about the chapter, I don't know what though. Just like with most of my other chapters it's how it was originally intended with a few tweaks from listening to your feedback. I don't know, maybe it's just me.

I also had trouble naming this chapter since much doesn't happen.

Anyway since some people seemed a bit confused as to the whole strength thing, like why can't Ellena with all her stats utterly crush everything. Originally I was just going to explain this along with the actual in story reasoning behind it, but since that would be a massive spoiler I wont.

However if you want to know without story spoilers then I'll put it in a paragraph after the end of the chapter explaining the system, well hopefully explaining it. Some might consider the explanation another sort of spoiler so I'll mark out the paragraph in case you don't want to read it.

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~Day 71~

With Alvir and I mostly recovered from the fight the other day I thought today was the perfect time to test out what Alvir and Verros can do. Verros claims he can beat one of Kols lieutenants and around a dozen other bandits singlehandedly.

Since we were on the edge of the forest already it didn't take long to find a nice open plain a few hours away. He took a spear from one of the felled bandits before, which he was using today. It wasn't exactly in the best condition, but he told me he has only trained with a spear previously.

Since I knew I had more strength than the both of them I decided no to use a weapon. Nodding at Verros to attack, he thrust in to action.

His spear stabbing towards my body, shifting positions with each thrust, the speed in which he could pull back and thrust again was quite incredible, it was difficult to dodge. Well, I managed to dodge every attack, but I did have to concentrate. He made a few swipes every so often as part of his fighting style, one of which caught me causing me to stumble. I was quickly on my feet however and the spear... Well it broke.

Verros stared at his broken spear, then back to me. He then scratched the back of his head and shrugged his shoulders. It would seem that didn't really bother him too much. He told me he would repair the spear then make it his own. I don't know why he doesn't just make one from scratch personally.

So I found that Verros has the speed and skill to catch me at least once in a one on one fight, and the strength to put me off balance. So he is most definitely stronger than the average human. It just makes me think of Kol. It didn't really cross my mind during the battle, but wasn't he really strong? I don't think I've ever met a human in this life or my previous one with that much strength. Oh I'm sure there are more that are just as powerful or more so in say the Empire or something. I mean, aren't even the Heartguard meant to be quite powerful?

Regardless, if I can't even beat a 'Bandit King' how do I expect to defeat Lavias? I really need to get some training done myself really.

Back to current situation, it was Alvirs turn. However... He refused to attack me, I know he can understand me, but no matter how many times I told him to attack me he just lay on the floor whining. It's nice how he can be so loyal, but it's kind of frustrating.

Since he wouldn't attack me I pointed him at some trees... He ran head first straight in to one... He didn't manage to destroy it, but there was a significant dent, as far as I can tell he has the strength of a Grey Wolf Alpha. Or at least the closest equivilant. So it looks as though the evolution path he is going down suits him perfectly.

We got on the move again. Alvir sat in the back with Verros who was quite happily working on his spear even as we jumped around and drove over bumps. Every time a tough looking monster walked past us Alvir would jump out to attack it. He was keeping up his training, unlike me. I think; now that I have a human travelling with me, I could do something similar to Alvir and have Verros lead the wagon for a few hours. For today at least, I'll let him concentrate on his spear. Besides I haven't spotted a single monster that would do much for me at this point. I'll have to wait until I reach the Demons territory before any real training can begin. It's one of the few things I know about that Continent, before the Monster Continent the most powerful Monsters lived in the Great Rurrian Forest and the Demon Continent. It's one of the reasons the Demons have the stereotype of being more powerful than humans, they're not really born that much stronger. It's just that they have more powerful monsters to contend with which means they get more powerful with time. Anyway, it should be a good spot, and I'm planning to stay for a while.

"Oh." I let out an exclamation of shock. We just came to the edge of a large hill, ahead of us was a deep valley with an interesting looking town, a rather beautiful looking town. Rivers snaked down either side of the small valley with various waterfall scattered around too. Built around the waterfalls without destroying their flow were various houses embedded in to the sides of the valley. The village consisted of elevated cobbled roads and bridges.

It was an incredibly pleasent looking settlement, and a nice change to sleeping on the floor. "What do you think? Want to spend the night there?" I pointed a question to Verros in the back of the wagon?

He peaked over my shoulder. "Ah. Rose Valley, it's actually where I've been living for the past few months."

"The past few months?" I cocked an eye.

He nodded. " I live in a tavern for a few weeks then move on to a new town or village. I only stayed here for so long because... Well, look at it." He gestured towards the beautiful village that looks like it belong in a painting.

"Uh.." I turned to see Verros scratching his head. "I was wondering if we could stay a few days actually, I have some... Things I need to take care of before we move on." If I wasn't mistaken he seemed to be blushing.

I stifled a smirk. "A girl, by any chance?"

He turned his head away. "Yes."

I smirked. "well, we still have a few minutes until we reach the town, so you can tell me all about her." I urged the horses forward at a slower pace than usual. Verros sighed and told me about her, as little as possible. I managed to get her name and a few other things out of him.

She's a human, her name's Cara, she owns the villages general store despite only being eighteen. Incidentilly this is also how I found out Verros was only thirteen, as he told me he was too young for her. To be honest thirteen seems a bit young to be fighting for your life, but he's got the strength and maturity to make up for it. Anyway, he started openly courting women as soon as possible, as, well his father wanted him to.

He's not exactly bad looking, but he's lived in a different culture for all his life, so he didn't realise openly telling women he needs a wife doesn't give the best first impression. In fact in the few years he's been living in this different culture Cara was the first woman not to be put off by him. I don't know why he didn't just change his tactic if it took two years to not just scare off the recipient, but what do I know?

Anyway, instead of leaving after the usual two weeks were up, Cara compelled him to stay. She even said she would wait for him to reach the age of fifteen and not take any lover until then.

It warmed my heart really, so I told him he could stay if he wished, but... He told me he wanted to leave, when he saw my puzzled expression, he explained why...

She couldn't have children. It was just something she was born with. She was married at fifteen to a soldier and her husband and her tried for two years. They only stopped trying as her husband died in battle.

The problem is he needs to gather the courage to tell her than he can not marry her, as he needs to carry on his bloodline. By the God's it's messed up. The one time he falls in love and he can't even be with her due to his responsibilities.

As much as I want to keep moving, I can't deny him at least the chance to explain himself to this Cara girl, besides, this isn't the worst place to relax. It'll also give the chance to finally make myself a new leather overcoat.

Verros had turned silent by the time we reached the village entrance, however... I did too as we rode through it. There were human villagers as you would expect, but there were also Beastkin, monsters, dwarves even a few demons and I'm pretty sure I saw a lake Elf.

A few villages stopped to marvel at me, but it wasn't the usual worried look I see on those we ride past, it was more awe, or... Lust, well I got that before too.

Quite a few came up to greet Verros too, all happy to see him still breathing. I got a lot of thanks from people glad to see the boy still alive. Verros was smiling, but he also kept fidgeting and glancing about.

He seemed relieved when we reached the Inn without coming across Cara, well it was already dark, so she was probably locking up or already at home.

The Inn had a few patrons scattered about drinking or sleeping, but it was mostly empty. Most would be home at this time.

"Verros, You're alive!" A feminine but gravely voice called out from behind the front desk. As she came in to view my eyes widened. She, was a Dryad. Different to me or Ellephwen, but definitely a Dryad. Her skin was pale green and in place of hair dozens of tightly woven branches stuck out of her head pointing backwards.

"Yes Miss Relihoth. I was actually saved from bandits by one of your people." Verros motioned towards me. The Dryad, Relihoth, raised her eyebrows.

"Oh my. A Virga Ferrea..." She exclaimed with genuine surprise.

"Wait, you know what I am?" I tilted my head.

She scoffed. "Every self respectin' Dryad should know the Virga Ferrea."

My heart began to beat quicker. "...Why is that." I asked hesitantly.

For a moment she just stared at me without saying anything. After half a second she smiled and broke the silence. "Because any self respectin' Dryad knows their own evolutionary options luv." I blinked a few times before Relihoth started laughing. "Hahaha! Did you think there would be some deeper meaning behind my words, luv? Sorry other than being tough I don't know much about Virga Ferrea." She began cleaning a flagon behind the counter. Great, not exactly the great reveal I was expecting, 'The queen of the Dryads was a Virga Ferrea!' or something like that. Do we even have queens?

"Anyway, what can I do for you two?" She grinned.

"I just want a room, do you allow pets?" I asked.

Relihoth looked dumbfounded. Then began laughing again. "Do you just not pay attention to your surroudings?" She managed to say a few words through her laughter. "Did you not notice how this village is filled with all sorta folks? You think we'd be against 'pets'?"

I wanted to scream. How did I completely gloss over that? I completely forgot about what I saw outside as soon as another Dryad came in to my view. Okay, be calm. It was stupid of me, but that's all. "I was meaning to ask about that actually. Why is a Dryad allowed to own an Inn? Why are so many monsters allowed to live freely here?"

"There ya go. The question we always get here. Honestly the truth ain't all that interesting. We're so far from the capital or any other cities that patrols just don't bother coming here. So humans had to rely on who they could, over time that lead to monsters living with them, safety in numbers and all that. Truth be told it's been pretty peaceful recently, but we're all used to this arrangement now." She explained scratching her nose.

"So just a room, eh? For the two of you? I still have your old room untouched if you would rather have that Verros." She glanced over at him.

"Eh? You do? How come?" He seemed excited.

She chuckled. "You've been living in it for the past few months, it's filled with so much of your stuff I can only see it as your bedroom if I'm honest."

Verros gasped and ran up the stairs. "Thank you, thank you so much." He shouted toward Relihoth as he passed her.

"What's got him so excited?" I asked her.

"That room is filled with his stuff right? He's a warrior, what do you think his stuff is?" She smiled mischeviosly.

"Weapons and armour?" I guessed.

She nodded. "Precisely. Last time we saw him he ran in to the forest to hunt and only had a bow on him, he's probably just glad his spear hasn't been thrown away." After smiling for a few seconds, her expression turned serious. "So about these bandits. Mind explainin' to me what happened?"

I was surprised by her sudden change of tone. Then again we are talking about a surprisingly powerful bandit just a days ride from this village, there's no way they've never had a run in with Kol. I sat down on a stool nearby to explain to her what happened between me and the bandits.

...

"That bastard Kol... I had no idea."

After I finished my story those were the only words to come out of the Dryad standing opposite me's mouth. "So you know who Kol is?"

She nodded whilst looking deep in thought. "We know him. Comes here once a month to extort money of us. Seems like we had it easy." She grabbed a seat she had hidden behind her desk and sat down. "It's a shame you didn't kill the lot of them." she sighed.

"I made a deal, that's all I could do." I replied.

"A DEAL WITH A BANDIT!" She raised her voice shocking me. Is she angry!? She sighed again. " listen young lady. Kol is a bandit. One of the better ones, if there is such a thing, but still a bandit. There isn't much chance he intends to keep to the deal. Or he'll at least find loopholes. Besides, even if he does stick to it, he can't do anything about his men that aren't with him. What about raiding parties? They can come back and claim they honoured the deal, and he can pretend to belive them. It's what scum like them do best." She placed her arm on my shoulder. "You see what I'm saying? There's not much honour in criminals. You did what you could, but you probably didn't change anything..."

...

Didn't change anything... I thought about those words as I tried to get to sleep in this new bed. Am I really that naive? No, no I don't think so. After I fainted I expected to wake up dead, or at least tortured in some way... I just, the way he behaved, honouring the deal like that, it made me want to trust he would honour it completely. It's not like I can watch his every move, I have my own things to do. I can't help worrying now.

If I ever see Kol again, I'll have to ascertain whether or not he truly is honourable.

~Day 72~

*knock, knock*

I stood outside of Verroses room, it was dawn and I wanted to make sure to talk to him before he left to find Cara. After a few fumbling sounds behind the door it opened in front of me.

"G'mornin." Verros rubbed his eyes mumbling. "Why are you here this early?" He complained.

I pushed past him in to his room. Indeed there was a long spear resting against the wall and a full set of battered leather armour. The spear was made of a wood I haven't seen before, it was a silverish wood. The blade ran down one side of the pole making it almost look like a halberd or something. "I'm going to spend the day making myself a coat and a bit of armour. I wanted to ask if you wanted anything before you disappear."

A troubled expression crossed his face. "I'm honoured that you would think of me, truly. But I am forbidden from using weapons or armour made by anyone outside of the mountain clans." He apologised.

I can't tell whether the Mountain clans are strict or not... Either way, I guess that's out of the question. "It's fine. Oh, by the way before I find a good spot to work in, I just wanted to tell you we're leaving tomorrow morning. So get your affairs in order." I smiled and placed my hand on his shoulder. I still get bouts of odd feelings, being so much taller than most humans. Towering over people isn't exactly as good a feeling as you'd expect.

Verros scratched his head before bowing and running out the room. After waking Alvir up from my room I headed to the wagon picked up my equipment and some leather and headed round the back of the inn. Relihoth told me I could use a section of the garden behind her inn. It was quiet and had a beautiful view. As Alvir happily bathed in the sun I got to work.

First off I wanted to make a new coat, I was feeling a little self conscious just wearing a relatively revealing leather chest piece. Alvir didn't mind the fact that I was using a wolf coat as the inner lining, it's just the way he is. Unlike my previous coat I decided to give myself proper sleeves this time, it might make it too hot, but the weather should be changing soon. It's still the season of the sun, but we were already over half way through it by the time I was born.

I gave myself a multilayered collar that could wrap around my neck. I also decided to try and give the coat a slightly fancier design. At around lunch time Relihoth brought us some food and remarked at how quickly I was making it. To be fair, I'm not exactly making proper equipment, my armour is very crude, effective, but crude. I really just want something to cover myself up with more than anything.

By the time I finished the coat the sun had already reached the horizon. It was a dazzling landscape. Birds flying across the sky, a gentle breeze brushing the grass field stretching across the valley still left in front of me and a warm, red glow covering the clear sky. The uplifting laughter of children reached my ears, it seems Alvir found some playmates. It's an image that warms the heart. Well... It also panics mine, I know I can trust Alvir around children, it doesn't stop me worrying though when I think about some of his past exploits.

I originally planned to also attach a few pieces of armour to my coat, for my shoulders and wrists, but I don't have enough time today. I'm sure I can get Verros to steer the wagon for a day or two.

I cleared up all my equipment and put on my new coat. It was warm... Not exactly comfortable, but more than tolerable. I found Verros drinking in the inn, I've never seen anyone so young drinking ale, but I'm not going to stop him. I sat next to him and ordered one myself. "How'd it go?" I asked.

His head drooped. "She, uh... She cried." He replied.

Well sh*t... It wasn't going to well, but still... "You alright?" I faintly smiled at him.

"It's the first time I've felt any anger towards my father since he died..." A huge sigh escaped the boys lips. It's not his Dads fault, well It is, but his Dad's gone, he doesn't have to obey him... Then again, I would probably be no different in his position.

"Well, drink up, and sleep well. We're leaving in the morning, but i'll let you sleep in for a bit." I patted his back.

He nodded weakly.

After finishing one drink I wished Verros and Relihoth good night and made my way to my room. It was only one drink, but it helped me drift off to sleep in no time.

~Day 73~

Surprisingly Verros woke up before me. He was knocking on my door at first light. He seemed quite eager to leave as soon as possible.I obliged him and after giving Relihoth a large amount of money for Verroses bill, we got the wagon ready.

Half the village was there to see us off, well Verros off, he seemed to be quite well liked in the village. He's a polite, strong young man, so it's not much of a shock. I did notice a black haired girl in an apron near the back of the group glaring at me. my guess is that's Cara. Seriously, don't glare at me, it's genuinely not my fault.

After a few farewells and a few tears we managed to head off. I stayed silent as I thought it was polite, they didn't know me after all, it was Verros they were seeing off. However I did catch a few of the villagers glancing at me with red faces, not all of them men either. Not that I mind the affections of anyone, I'm just still not used to it. Although you'd think they would be used to Dryads living with one and everything.

As we neared the edge of the village I noticed the one villager that I most expected to see us off. Did she want to say goodbye without the noise of a crowd I wonder? We slowed down when we came to her.

"Did you come to say goodbye, Relihoth?" I asked her.

She gave me a small smile. "I wasn't entirely honest with you, when I said there's nothing special about Virga Ferrea. It's because I'm not certain that I joked with you, but to tell you the truth in the thousand years I've been alive, I've only met one." She saw my confused face and carried on. "Dryad are a rare species at the best of times, there's less than a thousand of us in all three continents. So of course variants would be rare, but to the point the Virga Ferrea is? No there is definitely something special about them, I just don't know what."

I scratched my head. "And you couldn't tell me that before? It's not like I just found out i'm going to evolve in to a god attribute monster or something."

Relihoth looked embarrassed. "It was just embarrassing to give you such a vague statement luv. I just couldn't let you leave without telling you what little I know. "

I paused for a moment. "well, thanks anyway. I hope we can meet again at some point."

She waved her hand. "Me too luv. Always nice to see one of my kind."

She kept waving as we rode in to the distance. What she said wasn't exactly groundbreaking to me, I knew how low the Dryad population was already, and it's not the first time I've been told I'm 'special' or 'unique', it just doesn't bother me. It bothers Verros however, by the look on his face. He looked deep in thought.

Since we were back in the countryside I sent Alvir out to hunt and train. I gave Verros the reigns and got on with making the rest of my armour like I was planning yesterday. He just kept us on the road heading south.

...

As the day grew dark I had finished my new armour pieces, it felt a little uncomfortable, but at least it added protection. Throughout the day Alvir had gone up from [Lvl 01] to Lvl [06]. It seems he still levels up at quite a speed. I would guess that's large in part my fault. As I cooked dinner Verros also did some training, although he just attacked a large tree, his spear was incredibly sharp, it pierced the tree with almost no splintering. He told me it was his family heirloom, which is why it's such a hardy weapon.

Verros complimented me on my cooking, which surprised me. It's just about average really, i've improved recently, but I would really like to find a proper chef or something to travel with me. He would have to be a very strong chef though... Does that exist? Chef seems like a civilians job rather than say an adventurers.

Before going to bed I took a look at Samoras notes. I wouldn't say I was becoming fluent, far from it, but I think I could at least get the gist of any conversation I have with Goblins in the future.

When I finally got in to bed Verros was already fast asleep and Alvir... Well he was chasing a butterfly. It was a relaxing atmosphere and took me little time to fall asleep.

~Day 74~

It would appear that my prediction is right. We are definitely leaving the season of the sun. How do I know? Well waking up soaking wet was my first clue...

The reason it took me so long to wake of course, is because I'm a Dryad, so I'm kind of half tree, which means water is very good for me. It rejuvenates and invigorates me. In fact if I were walking around naked I would welcome it, unfortunately I like wearing clothes. Which is mostly leather, granted.

So that's my excuse for why it took so long for me to wake in the middle of the rain, and for why anything we took outside of the wagon is either ruined or very, very wet. What I want to know is why neither my loyal wolf or my loyal warrior woke up.

I stood up, walked over to where Verros was sleeping and angrily kicked his side, I may have used a little too much strength as he flew in to the air and in to the side of a tree shattering the bark. "OOOOOF!"

Well, I knew he was awake now... He stood up in a panicked haste. "WHAT HAPP- Oh..." His face sunk as he pieced together what did happen. He catches on quickly...

Verros ran to everything outside of the wagon and began shaking it off throwing it in to the back of the wagon. The roof of the wagon was completely waterproof, so anything inside was fine. Unfortunately, I never put Samoras notes back last night... I left them out when I went to sleep.

So of course they're ruined... Or at least they should be, but there they sat, completely dry next to where I slept. Don't tell me Ellephwen or Samora put some sort of magical protection on them? Well, I can't think of any other explanation for why normal paper sat in front of me bone dry in the middle of a rainy day. I'm not going to complain.

After everything was put in the wagon we attached the cover for the front of the wagon. Two poles that could attach to the front which could hang the front flaps of the wagon over the head of those sitting out front. There was nothing to cover the horses, poor things would have to get quite wet. Although they didn't seem bothered about the rain, looked quite happy really. Not that I can tell differing expressions on a horse.

...

None of us felt like doing anything outside of the wagon, even Alvir whined when I told him to go train. So he just sat in the back watching the rain, I must admit I've always found something beautiful and relaxing about the rain when watched from a dry position. I used to sit by the window watching it when I was human, often falling asleep.

The night was already upon us by the time we found somewhere we were willing to sleep. None of us wanted to sleep in the rain, well I didn't mind too much, but thanks to the human in me I would rather be dry. Anyway, we found a nice cave, it was dry and it was large enough to have both the wagon and us inside. What's more a few monsters slept in it including a few Mushmen. It was a little cramped, but it was warm and dry. After dinner I decided to tell Verros bits of my past, just enough so he could understand what was happening. I realised that as my companion he probably shouldn't be left in the dark. Of course I don't know if I can trust him fully, so I left out certain parts, such as this not being my first life for instance. It seemed to take his mind off of having to part with his first real love, which is something at least.

When our conversation finished we both went to bed, all the monsters in cave followed soon after, they couldn't sleep when we were talking. Needless to say, with the relaxing pitter patter of rain just outside the cave, it didn't take anyone inside long to drift off to dreamland.

~day 75~

The rain had gone away and the sun was back, it wasn't as warm or as bright as a few days ago, but at least it wasn't raining. That doesn't mean it's a good day though... We came across something that sickened me.

About halfway through the day we came across an upturned carriage. Several dead bodies lay around us. Two fo them womens. Their clothes were torn and their bodies abused...

Sh*t...

I can't tell if this was done by Kols bandits or a different group, but, sh*t....

I want to track down the bandits that did this, I want to ask them, I want to know... But the bodies are starting to smell, they must have died a few days ago which would mean those that did it are long gone. I could be hopeful and say that it was before Kol gave the order, but that would be naive of me... Even more so than I've already been.

There's nothing we can do here. I bit my lip in frustration. A hand placed itself on my arm. "It's a sour taste, when you can't do anything." Verros looked at me with sympathetic eyes. "But when you can't do anything, it's also not your fault." I forgot. It was only a few weeks, but Verros was enslaved, right next to the hut that the bandits used for their... Pleasures. He must have had to witness to many disgusting and horrifying things, and he had no way to stop them.

"I'm sorry. You probably thing I'm pretty pathetic, huh?" I slumped against he wagon.

"Not at all. You care so much about a strangers life. It's a rarer thing than you'd think." HE gave me a reassuring smile.

I smirked. "Thanks. We'd best bury the dead, since the bandits seem incapable." Verros nodded in agreement.

It took a lot less time to bury these few fragile human bodies than it did to bury all those massive beasts I used to hunt in the dungeon. After we were done, we made a few nameless gravestones and rode away on our wagon without another word.

Since there was still the risk of rain, I hung the wagons rear flaps to hang over the back. We set up underneath what little room we had underneath the makeshift roof. before bed I practised a bit of earth magic. The gauntlets I made out of earthen armour were a heat of the moment thing and I haven't been able to reproduce them yet. So I wanted to practise making earthen armour appear where I wanted it to.

I managed to get it to just appear on my arms, but I couldn't shorten it to just my wrists. Verros kept up his training of stabbing trees, whilst Alvir fell asleep. Since there wasn't much rain today he had been hunting for the past few hours. He grew from [lvl 06] to [lvl 09].

After a brief half hour of looking over the maps the Queen gave me to make sure we were going the right way, I also went to bed. I don't think I'm exactly good at reading maps, but we're heading south, so we're mostly heading the right way.

I fell asleep still feeling frustrated from earlier, I don't know how, but I want to stop Kol, the permanent way. There's no way to tell for definite that it was his men that did it, but stopping any bandit, especially with that kind of power seems like a good idea.

The only question is, how?

[Name: Ellena]

[Age: 74 Days]

[Species: Virga Ferrea, Dryad]

[Height: 7'-3"]

[Sex: Female]

[Title/s: Kin of Ellephwen, Wolfmother.]

{Level: 55]

[Health: 5845/5845]

[Mana: 764/1450]

[Stamina: 5354/5354]

[Hunger: 5353/5354]

[Attack: 4836]

[Defence: 6769]

[Magic Attack: 1538]

[Magic Defence: 2907]

[Skills: [Pain Resistance lvl 10 (Max)] [Poison Resistance lvl 8] [Mind Resistance lvl 2] [Venom Resistance lvl 7] [Night vision lvl 10 (max)] [Amplified Vision lvl 8] [{Mushroom Helmet lvl 55}] [tough stomach lvl 7] [Unarmed Combat Expert lvl 5] [Polearm Journeyman lvl 7] [Demifoot lvl 2] [Warriors Heart lvl 36] [Warriors Will lvl 25] [Warriors Strength lvl 24] [Greater Regeneration lvl 4] [Guardian lvl 8] [Dryads Charm lvl 6] [Skinning lvl 5] [Tanning lvl 4] Up! [Leatherworking lvl 3] Up! [Carving lvl 2] [Earth Magic lvl 5] [{Wolfmother lvl 7}] Up!]

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Author notes: So there ya go. Did the chapter seem weird to you in anyway? It might be because I spent a lot of time creating characters for the village, most of which are still in my head and only used one of them for a few sentences... Well, there is a possibility that our characters will return to Rose Valley at some point in the future.

Anyway:

So yeah simply put instead of the system having direct stat comparisons, it goes up like, I don't know a hill or something? I'll give an example, someone with 100 attack could deal about 10 times the damage as someone with 10, but someone with 1000 attack would only deal about seven or eight times the damage someone with 100 would do. So the reason Ellena doesn't utterly destroy any human she comes across is because she isn't like 400 times as strong as them. The difference gets less and less the higher the stats. Such as there isn't much difference between defence of one hundred thousand and two hundred thousand. However stats can reach the point where they're ridiculously powerful. Likewise the reason she can still be harmed by weapons is because they aren't part of the stats coming in to question. If the bandits were just punching her she would feel almost nothing. I didn't exactly explain it brilliantly, but there's a basic explanation without story spoilers.

Also I finally got my first advanced review and reached 400 followers! So thanks guys, I feel as though I don't even deserve 100 followers, but I'm not going to complain to taking one small step closer to my dreams :D

Thanks for reading guys. I hope you don't have as big a problem with this chapter than I have for whatever reason. *shrugs*