Chapter 53: Priroda

Looking at the large quantity of anti-air weaponry being mounted, I gulp unknowingly. I rise my hands defensively, raising my hands in the least threatening way I know. ‘Gazing down’ they didn’t react; this is really bad.

I have 2 options as far as I can see. Teleport to the closest telepad, wasting a whole day's journey; or braving heavy artillery. Choosing not to test the strength of my Armor I immediately teleport away. Cursing the fact, I wasted so much time.

With a heavy heart and an audible sigh, I restart my journey. I ended up flying through the night, making back the time as much as I can. I finally reached the town once more. Learning from my mistake, I quickly dig a hole; planting a telepad.

Utilizing it, I head home. I desperately need some sleep. Quickly eating a little bit of fruit, I go to bed quickly. I had a short, dreamless night. I set my alarm early to get this journey over with. Noting how boring it was, I stock up on books to read on the way.

Heading back to the new town, I remove the telepad. Deciding to head in to see what it's like inside… without a variety of weapons being pointed at me.

Coming up to the gate, immediately; “Hands up, you're under arrest!” I just had to jinx it hu.

Clearing my throat, “this is clearly a misunderstanding.”

They immediately point the blade at the joint between my helmet and chest plate. Not appreciating the threat, I take flight. Using a strong jump, I leap backward into flight. Screw this town.

It was my fault but still, I ant dealing with it. I continue on my journey, taking the long way round. Finding the road, I need to take I leave; only sparing a short glance. This town seems far more militaristic. Many internal walls and stations for weaponry. At least I learned, don’t fly over a town; it's bad.

Continuing down this rather straight and treacherous road. I quickly find it leads into a large forest. A nice change of pace, I do love a good forest; reminds me of home. Not my home on earth, that was rather barren. Just my spawn location.

Mentally imagining my home on earth. Lived in a very cheap area. Prolific drug and knife crime but it was home. Oddly, a rather large lack of alleyways. Yet people still found time and seclusion to hurt people; a mystery. My whole family lived relatively close together after I moved from my parent's home after all. My apartment was close to the town center. Great if you need a supermarket, bad if you’re a light sleeper. Admittedly I got used to it. A pin drop could wake me up, but a month near the town center. I could sleep through a nuclear explosive.

Thankfully after I moved a few years later, I got a semblance of my previous sleep state. It's far safer to sleep lightly, don’t want to sleep through a drive-through after all. Was worth it, the rent was dirt cheap.

Taking out a light read, reminding myself of the variety of discovered dimensions. A notable quantity being unknown to even me. Apparently, a branch of the royal family is rumored to have a portal to Ratlantis. Chuckling at the rather silly mod. I keep an eye on the forest since I know inventory pets’ dungeons exist. I want some leaf dungeons.

I forgot to check when I used to live inside a forest, so it would be wise to keep an eye out. I managed to get through a lot of the great book before faceplanting a mountain. Clearly, I wasn't as concentrated on the surroundings as much as I thought. I blame the really good book; we have all been there.

A mountain is a rather poor description, it's like a wave of stone just suddenly rises out of the ground before falling back into the ground. Noting in my new book to make a camera, these sights are awesome.

I sat on top of the curious ridge. Finding myself falling into a state of serenity. Meditating upon the stable stone wall. I find a warm, clean breeze passes me by. I don’t know how long I stayed there, but afterward? I felt peaceful, revitalized, and healthy. Like the best coffee in the world. Appreciating the sensation, I move on. Wondering what caused the odd phenomena.

Finding my way back to the road, I continue on. Quickly spotting another town on the horizon. As I got closer, I noticed large trees surround it. Wood walls between the trees. I suppose that’s one way to defend your town.

Settling onto the floor, not to startle the residents of this town. I come upon the gate. I guard in a rich green tunic. A tree embosses in gold on his chest. He addresses me casually, “Hello wanderer, what brings you here today?”

“Just on my way to another town, this town is really unique; what's it called?” Burning curiosity bleeding into the conversation.

A smile blooming on his face. “Yes, a very beautiful sight no? Its name is Priroda traveler.”

Clearly, he is very proud of the town. “How do they stop the growth of the tree from ripping the walls off?”

He chuckles lightly before responding. “We have a few blessed of nature. They guide the trees up not wide.”

Grateful for the nice guard, “Thank you for answering, may I go in now?”

Opening his arm towards the town, “Welcome to Priroda, enjoy your stay.”

Waving the guard goodbye, I head within. Noting the very lax security. I wonder if they have something assuring safety or invisible safety measures. The outside really sold the theme of the town. It was a beautifully woven jungle of plants. Houses are made from either wood, some kind of sandy material, or trees themselves. Is fire not a risk?

Fruit trees bloom along the paths and almost all stalls sell fruit, vegetables, and light meats like chicken. Clearly, great control of plants allows this town to flourish. Noting the stalls woven with vines, hanging mosses splitting over paths, and a variety of interestingly shaped trees allowing for some to traverse higher areas.

The whole town, beautifully screams ‘well planned’ and ‘creative.’ I would love to stay and truly experience the town but I have a date with a demon summoning coven. Finding the correct exit gate, I quickly leave. Noting to come back to visit sometime.

With that, I place a telepad underground for easy access back here. Before fully leaving, I noted a grumbly stomach. Instead of heading home for food, I head back into the town. Quickly grabbing some stall food. Noting a sweet smell, I follow my nose. Finding a stall selling apples, segmented and covered with cinnamon sugar; slow-roasted.

I buy a couple; my nose has never led me astray. And I was right, they were super tasty. I tipped the salesmen some silver as thanks. Slowly enjoying my food while I continue my journey.

Although it was a stupid idea to fly while deep throating a skewer for a low-down apple segment. Nearly killed me. Chuckling at my stupidity, I head on my way. Finding the forest quickly recedes; definitely artificial then. I will have to look into how they mess with plants. It's very cool.

As it's artificial I am unlikely to find a leaf dungeon here, I am not too sad though. Diving into another book, my awareness slips. Quickly finding myself within a small hilly biome. Noting a few cows on a ridge. Swooping in I grab the herd of cows for future use back home.

To not split the family, I went and grabbed a massive number of golden lassos. It was annoying, but I am not immoral, they are very close to their herd members and young. Aside from that, I didn’t see much inside the highlands. Keeping an eye on the sky I continued on. The waving hills were relaxing to watch passing by. Although I would love to actually have an autopilot. One day I will have that Kontron crystal, then I will have free rain over this world.

I was getting pretty tired of flying nonstop by that point. Setting down, I decide to have a nap on the hills. With the hint of wind and long grass. It was a picture-perfect moment I fell asleep too quickly.

I woke up rather abruptly, being unable to breathe. Shooting up from my grassy bed, I find a bird on my face. Shooing the damn pigeon off my face. The stubborn thing sat for a moment longer than it should of on my face.

It finally flew away, rather clumsily might I add. It has patchy feathers and an ugly bold head – Weird. Well, I am awake now, so let's continue, this world is massive after all. Continuing my flight, I realize I need a faster means of travel. But alas, that’s just laziness. I can virtually live forever and if I place enough telepads; distance is inconsequential.

With renewed vigor, I fly further, before quickly falling from the sky in annoyance. “Damnit, fine!” I will stop flying for a bit, I am getting exhausted.

Teleporting back to my town, I seek out Jengal. Knocking his door; his mother guides me to his room.

“Hey Jengal, how are you?” I say pleasantly.

In an agile leap, he runs in front of me; tone quick as a flash. “Look what I got!” ‘hands me 4 familiar white squares. He got the bloody presses for me; I didn’t even need to bother trading with the man. He continues to speak, pleases with my joy. “I thought it a waste of your time to go through a boring trade. So, I did it for you. He sold me it for 30 silver.”

Tapping the young man on his shoulder, “Thank you, buddy, I appreciate that.” Looking at him, choose one special reward for when you next see me, until then here.” Handing him a massive quantity of diamonds. “Convert all that to money, use it for both yourself and to do more trades for me.”

He really is a great person, going above his duties. He is definitely a better trader than me I suppose. Although money is of little value to me.

I was invited to dinner, to which I gratefully accepted. I enjoyed a lovely stew. His mother took half the diamonds, explaining she will help to convert them. Something about drawing the wrong crowd. She is surprisingly cautious; a good thing.

Heading out, I light glide through the market. Grabbing a new spice, the spice dealers know me by name now. They are very polite and in fact, told me today that they will try and contact me if they find unique or uncommon spices.

Thanking them for their generosity and their business I continue on. Picking up some meats and other food items for the home. Maybe I should make a cake soon. I am very good at it after all.

Writing down a note to get weighing equipment and a recipe book. At this rate, the book will be full in no time. A recipe book will be good. As much as I am a competent chef, I am not all-knowing. My recipes are back on earth. So, I can cook broad recipes that simply need intuition and a little bit of skill. But certain recipes that need precise quantities are beyond my grasp.

This is especially true for pastry food items. A good example being macaroons. An item that is a nightmare to get right. You have a few grams of some of the ingredients? Fail! Did you cook it for 1 minute too long? Fail! Did you cook it at the wrong temperature? Fail! It's truly a ruthless recipe and the most difficult without official training.

On a side note, the failures still taste good so it's not all wasted time, yet as a perfectionist, I cannot allow such a slight.

Having enjoyed reminding myself of the anguish trying to make macaroons in my crappy oven, I find myself home. Heating up some leftovers for dinner. Finding my pets playfighting on the island.

The night is approaching, I should get some rest. Finishing my diary, head to bed. Lightly reading to relax. I felt myself getting tired. Putting the book away this time I rest easy knowing I won't papercut my eyelid.