The two-individual sat right next to each other with an open book. The book that they are reading is not the one that Nesbitt left but one of the books that he has in possession. Due to the possibility that it might be too difficult to read, so changing to a much easier version would be smarter and helpful for someone who just started learning how to read. Bob points out to the words while the saying it and the other repeats it. There were hardly any complications. It might have been the crystal sphere helping this once lifeless sack of straw read, affecting its memories about not forgetting any.

Bob was surprised with how fast that its going that after an hour of reading he can almost pronounce every word from the book. The only problem they encounter is that Jack wanted to shout for joy every time he learns a new word and how grateful he is to Bob for it. Seeing as the scarecrow is now adept to reading he left him alone to practice while he checks up on the farm.

He walks outside and see that its almost noon. The sun wasn’t as harsh as it was yesterday making it easier for him to roam. Clouds now covered the sky and the gentle breeze helps soothe his mind. He still couldn’t believe what was happening.

‘Jack, became sentient and even knows how to read. Things I’ve heard only in stories were right before my eyes.’

A small grin crosses his face as he plays with the thought of what else does Jack have in store. He walks over to the faucet turning it on and sees the field being dowsed, slowly. The wolves are playing under the shade where the animals are resting. After observing them for some time he went back inside the house where Jack is heavily invested in reading.

“What does beta mean?” Jack turns to Bob

“I don’t know…what are you reading?” Bob walks over to see the book that Nesbitt left. He was surprised that Jack can already read without his help when they just started a few moments ago. He looks over at the book and began to read it to understand what the word beta means.

“The game will launch in full in 3 months after beta…” Bob voice weaken

Sudden sweat made tracks across his face, like remembering a terrible nightmare.

“What does it mean” Jack inquired again.

“It means we have 3 months to prepare they attack this place again…” He replied.

Bob hurriedly left the house and went to the shed. He grabs his bow and a handful of arrows. He grabs his axe by the stump right next to the machete. Placing the machete in it sheath and on to his waist. Solely grabbing the axe by his right hand. He whistles, then running to him are Agta and Atga wagging their tails. Very eager to do something with him. Almost forgetting he grabs one of the torch and straps it to his back

“My lord where are you going?”

“To the cave, we’ll need resources like yours.”

“What for?”

“An attack, we need to defend this place and we only have 3 months. I’m leaving this place in your hands for the time being. We’ll return at sundown.”

The scarecrow seems confused but accepted the orders. Looking at the 3 of them running towards the forest on the bottom of the hill.

Upon reaching the entrance to the cave he is sweating profusely. Bob walks slowly, lighting the torch with a flint that he also obtained from the shed. Waving the torch around the entrance to see the inside. It was pitch black which made move much slower. Treading through the dark slowly he was able to catch his breath. The smell of mold began to be more prominent as he gets deeper. The wolves are right next to him, not deviating to far from him and barking at times when he is close to a ledge. Then a hint of light caught his attention.

‘That must be the other end.’ Bob thought as he progresses towards it.

He felt a little tremor coming from the direction of the light. The wolves snarl as the tremor comes closer and closer to them. Then Bob recognizes the same glowing red sphere attach to a boulder.

“There you are.”

Bob whistles and Agta rush over to distract it while he runs on another way to extract the crystal sphere from it. He grabs one of the boulders that serves as its arms and slowly climb to the top where the crystal is while still holding on to the torch.

The boulderlike-creature is chasing Agta and Atga and is able to avoid all attacks made directed towards them. Being big makes it easier for them since the movements are slower. But each strike makes the cave rumbles.

The small tremors are making Bob slips added to the moss that are growing on the boulders. Enduring the pain, he climbs further despite not having fully recovered from the wounds that he had received from the adventurers.

The creature made another attack and now rocks are falling from the cave as they move further away from the light. It then made a stop and raises both of its arms above its head, before slamming it on to the ground. The tremor reverberated inside the cave and a crack on the floor opens underneath them.

Bob couldn’t see it since he is almost on top of the boulder and the light from the torch is blocking his view. But the wolves bark and howls warned him that something was wrong. They circled around the creature and tries to lure it into the light to get away from the crack, but the creature lunges at their direction causing the floor to be break.

The crystal sphere is at arm’s length but when the floor cave in both the creature and Bob fell to a lower part of the cave. He stumbles across the creature and his torch falls down to a puddle. The place where they had fallen is damp. Bob inspects his surroundings and found luminous crystal all over the place. But there was no time for him to be in awe. He hears the howls of the wolves from above but he couldn’t see them from his position.

The bow he took with him snaps from the fall and the arrows scatters on the floor. His axe was by the creature who has now fully recovered from the fall. He brandishes his machete and run towards to recover his axe before running towards the wall and then jumping back at the creature.

The machete pierced the crystal at it side and with the axe he tries to remove it from its place. It was successfully removed causing the rock to fall down with it.

“…Finally” Bob said before sitting on the ground and catching his breath.

He picks up the crystal sphere by his feet and observes it. It looks similar to the one that Jack has with the exception of the crack that he made in order to obtain it.

The wolves finally found their way to him.

“We got one!” He said excitedly as he pets them. “We’ll need more…” he added in a saddened voice.

Another tremor vibrated coming from the direction of the luminous rocks. Creatures the same as he had fought earlier but much smaller and different glow radiating from the crystal sphere attached to them. Its blue light coalesced with its form making it look mystical than the moss-covered boulder.

It grabs one of the rocks near it and throws it at them. They were able to evade it but soon the others decided to do the same. It hit Bob by the legs causing him to stumble and falling almost close to them.

He looks up at the creature who holds off their throws and whispered.

“3 months…”