Chapter 11

In a room that seemed the same no matter where you looked at, there are no indications of walls to know how big it is, it's simply one bright yet not blinding shade of white

In the middle of such a room stood a female figure with transparent body made of what seemed to be water, her "features" indicated for her to be of young age, but something about her presence made you think otherwise

A boy stood In front of her, gazing as if he had just seen he's death

...

*am not dead am I? why am I seeing you again?!*

I asked in the panic caused by my brain jumping to conclusions

*No you're not...talk about a cold welcome... I wasn't expecting this from the first blessed one I had in such a while...*

*you mean the water ma...*

*There is more to my blessing than a small resistance skill, you ungrateful kid*

*like what?*

Squinting her eyes, she frowns at me while taking a step closer

*um...*

Opening her mouth to speak and then immediately shutting it, as she looks me down and up

*hmm... so after all you choose the neo human huh...*

I nod

*well... you already know how they are perceived in this world, so I guess there is no point in warning you now, is there*

*no there's not, I already know that they see me as a demon for no good reason*

*everything has a reason behind it... Anyway, I'm not here to talk about that*

*what exa...*

Interrupting me once again she continues to speak

*from the moment you appeared, while most of the mortals may have not noticed anything, the pantheon has been in chaos...I thought I was the only one to be awaken for your case, but soon, one after another they all woke up... more errors showing up in the system, souls from random worlds have been barging into this one without anyone guiding them*

Pausing for a moment, she looked at me with a worried expression

...I'm at a loss, how am I supposed to make sense of this, and why is she even bothering explaining it to me?

*it's only appropriate for me to let you know, to warn you, for what's to come...after all it was under my choice that you were put under this world*

I forgot she could read my thoughts...wai

*wait a moment!... what do you mean warn me for what's to come?!*

*as I told you this mess has been happening since your error first showed up... and well... most of the gods don't have the best opinion of you...in short, they are suspicious of you, and I'm afraid they have already started interacting with this world...each one in their own way, to find what has been happening*

*is that why those guys from the church have been chasing me?!*

*not really... those filthy bastards have long cut their ties with the pantheon, they are the last to listen to the word of any god...their actions purely out of selfishness and greed*

*then why were they after me?*

*that's up to you to find out... I just came here to warn you... and also...*

Thelesse, as if browsing through an invisible tablet, started doing random movements with her hands

Now that I know how the status system works, it doesn't seem so weird...I wonder if she actually has a status, and if she has what level is she?

*there's no point in trying*

She spoke, responding to my wondering thoughts, while still working on whatever she is doing

But I tried identifying her anyway

____

Thelesse level: are you

Health: an

Distance: IDIOT?

____

... what was I even expecting?

Seeing my surprised expression Thelesse giggles

*very funny*

...

Just a few seconds later

*it's done* Thelesse says as she slides her hand in the air and touches a button I can't see

And suddenly a weird "window" appears

_________________________________

# #

A new quest has

Been given to you by

Your beloved God

Thelesse

Quest:

Fall off a tree, it has to be at

least three meters high

Reward:

Water manipulation lvl1

# _________________________________#

*a quest?* I ask as I read through it

*yes... one of the benefits of my blessing is that I can give you quests and rewards for completing them*

The reward is really nice, I can finally start using magic!

*why jump off a tree though?*

I ask in confusion, outloud

*well...I just wanted to give you the skill, just to help you a little bit, since I'm sort of responsible for this mess, but I had to add something for a quest to work*

*and of all you could think you choose that?*

*you can thank me later, bye*

On that short note, she waved her hand in the air and pressed something

Before I knew it my body had collapsed, my eyes closed...

Reopening my eyes, I'm greeted by my two friends and the nice smell of cooked fish

*you finally woke up* says Vendar as he hands me a fish that is pierced through by a small stick

*thanks*

...

Back to the small white room, we see Thelesse casually going through tabs and tabs of information, lists of names, numbers going up and down as she adjusts and plays with graphs

Suddenly she stops and sights, she tilts her head and scratches her head as if something is bugging her

*how long are you going to hide?*

She said... no one seemed to be in the room with her, so to who exactly was she referring

After a short moment of silence a distorted voice sounded from all corners of the room

*So, yO u. Noti,,ced*

The voice was like nothing you've heard, jumping from high pitches that humans probably can't catch to extremely low and loud ones

*how about you show yourself?*

Thelesse said as she proceeded to continuing her work

As soon as she said so, the image of her and everything around her started bending and being distorted, certain blank spots starting to appear as black circle

Soon space started sorting itself out, the blank spots gathering in front of Thelesse...who didn't seem to care all that much about it

In less than a second a black male figure had formed out of those things, standing abnormally tall, almost two times the height of a normal person...long neck, long arms and long legs, his body seems like it was stretched by force, skinny but with defined muscles

All around him the light would bend, like before distorting the image you see...he was something that really stood out in this all white room, like a black hole changing the trajectory of the light with its massive power and absorbing whatever comes in contact with it

*you of all people to get evolved...I find it hard believe*

Thelesse spoke to the man, taking her eyes off the tabs only for a single glance

*I Foo#und INteR,,est*

The man opened his mouth and slowly spoke, looking left and right, as if struggling to articulate his thoughts

*Is that so...just keep your hands off Daniel*

*N...OO. DAaNeeel fRiiEndzz WitHH Dein. I Woont [email protected] Him*

*I see... that's good*

Thelesse says as she smiles and stretches her arm towards the tall man

The man smiles back and lowers his head, till it can be touched by her arm...and she pats him

...A weird sight indeed, to see a small girl patting the head of a man that is almost 4 meters tall, like her own child

*our time will come soon... my old friend*

...

*is this it?*

I say as I touch the stone walls that we eventually reached

*most likely... but Daniel, the entrances are guarded, we two can't get in, the capital is the only place that would accept us in...*

*what if you two jump above the wall?*

This wall is nothing comparing it to the capital's

*that's the best idea you have?...there are guards all over the walls*

Vendar says in a mocking matter and then goes on to explain his own plan

...

We are now at the entrance, crowded almost as much as the one on the capital, sitting on the front of a carriage beside a merchant

The merchant gets closer to me and whispers

*Boy just pretend to be my son and don't worry about the others, I know the guards*

I nod

Vendar's plan was plain and simple, to bribe... my only concern is the church, but I doubt they can somehow recognize me

Good thing we sold all the things we got from the rabbit grind, just 3 silver were enough for him to accept... and we have 27 left

Enough to get us through for quite some time, but we'll definitely need more

It was our turn to pass, and as he said, he actually had affiliations with the guards

All the guards did was taking one look at the carriage and we were let through, which was exactly what we wanted since Vendar and Dein were hiding behind some blankets

*I'm surprised it was that easy* I say to the merchant

*it's all about knowing the right people kid, you see those guards were previously adventurers, I had hired them to guard me along a long transaction, 1 month of traveling with them was enough to earn each other's trust*

*I see, being a merchant must be really cool, traveling the world, meeting people and making relationships*

*it sure is kid, but to get certain things you have to sacrifice others, for example I have no place to call my own because I'm always on the move, and for that reason I can't have a sustainable family*

This guy, he helps us and also talks to me straight... he reminds me of the blacksmith back in the capital...they both treat me nice and fair, for no particular reason

*can I ask a question sir?*

*go ahead*

The merchant says taking his attention off the road and onto me

*why did you accept to do this for such a low price?*

Turning his head back to the road and thinking, he speaks after a short pause

*I would have went on and told you that if someone is offering something for an unsubstantial work on your part, you should always accept...*

*...but to tell you the truth* he continued while taking a somewhat sad yet calm expression

*you kinda remind me of my son, whom I haven't seen for quite a few years*

I was surprised to hear such an answer

*it sounds kinda crazy to help some random kids illegally pass through the gates for such a reason...but I'm not sure, perhaps I used you in my mind as a mirror of my son...since I haven't been able to do much for him, to make it seem like I did something for "him"*

*sorry kid, I'm bothering you with things that you don't have to worry about yet*

*of course not! I'm glad you're talking to me straight!*

*hahaha, I see*

The merchant laughs and gives me a rough pat on the head

This man is probably in his 40s, his face kinda chubby, though not enough to seem fat and also has a smiling orange mustache

He really just seems like a kind guy

...

After we reached the stable where the merchant left his carriage, we gave him the three coins and thanked him

*but really I was surprised to see two beastkins traveling with a human*

The merchant says with his charming smile

*they are the two I trust the most*

*is that so... Well boys, I have business to attend to, good luck with whatever you're doing, and be careful, as you have seen it doesn't take much for the guards to bat an eye, so you can't rely on them too much*

The merchant says as he turns around and starts unloading some of the stuff he had in the carriage

*sir?*

I ask

*what is it kid?*

*may I know your name?*

*hehehe, we haven't even introduced ourselves have we?...it's Sendol Kaloseen kids... remember it because this will be the name of the richest merchant in this continent, hehehe* the merchant says as he laughs

*mine is Daniel, and those two are Dein and Vendar...we'll be sure to remember your kindness sir Sendol*

*single names huh, easy to remember...well, see you in the future Daniel... and you two, make sure to not be found out*

We nod and turn around, going behind the stable, where Vendar and Dein cover themselves with hooded capes

...they look suspicious but that's the best we can do

*you got along with that merchant, didn't you?*

Vendar asks me

*well... yeah. Anyway, we should find a place to stay the night*

We should probably find an inn, and then gather information about how to get to our destination...that was our main reason for coming in After all

...

Walking in the main street and looking around, I can easily tell the difference from the capital, it still is pretty crowded but the people are more casually dressed, the buildings seem to be built in a more efficient and simple way rather than the ones in the capital which were obviously to show off

The roads are surprisingly clean, and the smell of cooked food coming from the taverns, traders have the sides of the roads covered with their goods while they yell their prices, guards patrolling left and right while people bargain with the sellers

All this noise and the crowd...it's perfect for us, since it's easier to blend in

...Suddenly a skinny guy bumps into me

*watch where you're going kids!* he yells, as he takes a look at us and continues to walk

*sorr...*

As I proceed to apologize, Vendar does something weird...he grabs the man by his left hand and turns him back

*what do you want you filthy kids?!*

The man yells back as he tries to take his hand off of Vendar's grip

Vendar stares at the man in a serious and angry look and says in a calm voice *Give it back...* as he continues to stare at him

*give what back you filth eate...!*

As soon as the man speaks Vendar strengthens his grip and a distinct sounds comes off his arm *kuk*

*guaagh!*

The man tries to suppress his scream by biting on his lips

*stopgh, stop, I'll give it!*

The man says, and Vendar lets go of his arm

I was kinda dumbfounded at the start, but it didn't take me long to understand

The man takes off his pants, a familiar pouch...and that is the one we keep our money in

Vendar grabs it in a quick swoop of his hand, and the man runs away

Vendar looking at me with the same angry look says *I'll be keeping this* as he puts the pouch in his backpack

*good idea, hehhe* I say with an awkward laugh

...

We are now inside our rented room...after a good amount of searching we found a cheap one, 2 silver a night...that was the cheapest one, and it sure gives us what we paid for, the room barely fits 2 small beds

*Vendar, Dein, I'll be going outside, is there anything I should buy?*

Vendar lays his head on on the wall and thinks for a moment

*can't think of anything...but take the money, just in case you find something*

He says as he throws the pouch at me

*I'm trusting you with it, don't you dare lose them*

*ok, ok, I got it*

Getting out and walking down the hallway, I reach an opening to a wide room, from where loud laughter and cheering comes

...yep we'll be sleeping beside a bar

Passing through the chaos I get out

The sun is ready to fall, and the streets are noticeably less lively, the traders are starting to gather their stuff and people starting to go into their houses, while the guards also appear to be less.

The church's presence is decreased by a lot, comparing with the capital...while we were walking from shop to shop, looking at the prices for rooms, we only came across two men who wore the clothes of the church

Now walking in the now calm streets I see a man like many others gathering his goods, and something catches my eyes

*old man, how much for that?*

The man looks back at me with a disinterested expression

*kid, a potion isn't something you can easily afford*

*how much?* I insist

*2 gold for a small vial*

Aw... this is indeed too expensive

*I see*

Now I can really appreciate the ones we were given from the healer we met at the forest

...

I was now returning to the inn, the sun had fallen and I was able to get some information about our next destination

The streets were now almost empty, and the only thing to light my way were the moons...it might not sound like a good source of light but in this world it is plenty

As I was watching the sky and appreciating its magnificence a shadow amongst the shadows of an alley caught my attention

At the same time a whisper came from that direction

*boy... I have what you need*

Taking a better look I see a hooded figure sitting on the floor

*who are you?*

I ask as I take a few steps closer

*that is not of importance, what matters is that I know who...or maybe "what" your friends are*

!! How did he found out?!

*you!*

I pull out my sword and point it towards the man

*ow, ow, no need to be like that*

The man says as he raises his hands, signalling me to lower my sword...looking a bit to the right I do see a guard coming , and I decide to hide it

*what do you want!*

The old man looks at me and gets his hood off

He is really old, his face covered in wrinkles and most of his hair gone

*do you see this necklace kid?*

He says as he shows me the one he is wearing around his neck, with a weird circular symbol carved in small metallic sphere that it holds

I nod

And the man takes it off

...as soon as he does something weird happens, I can't tell if it's my brain playing tricks on me or something

His ears just became that of a beastkin

*what's this?*

The man smiles as he quickly puts the necklace back on and his ears become human again

*this kid, is what we use to disguise ourselves and blend with humans...and guess what, I have two for your friends*

The moment I saw him take those extra ones off his pocket, I thought that I would give everything for them

...but I don't have much anyway

*I would really like to get them old man, but I only have 23 silver coins left*

*don't worry kid, that's enough...just tell your friends that it's a gift from their uncle*

*you sir are their uncle?*

I ask the old man

*no, but I am here under him*

*I see, I'll be sure to tell them, thank you sir!*

We sure are lucky

I take my pouch out and give him everything

The man gets up with a creepy smile on his face and says *good luck* as he disappear in the shadows

...

Getting back to the bar...I notice that it's still as loud as before here

*hey kid! You were out?*

A young man, the master of the place says as soon as he sees me enter

*yes, I went for a walk*

*you better be careful, it's not safe for a kid at night to be wandering in the streets*

The master says as he serves some beers

*thank you for your concern sir!*

I respond while getting through crowded tables to the hallway

Slowly opening the door I notice that both Vendar and Dein are sleeping for good, something that I find weird with all this noise

Seeing them sleep the way they do I can't help but find it kinda cute, seeing Dein hugging his brother's leg and munching his feet, while sometimes kicking him in the head with his own legs

The two beds stuck together so I hope I wont get my feet eaten in my sleep...

Laying on the bed and closing my eyes, I start thinking, about Thelesse was telling me...I wonder if the gods are watching each and every one of my moves, planning against me or trying to understand for themselves, what is going on... either way it's kinda unnerving, knowing that I'm being held responsible for their own incompetence

...as if someone as incapable as me could have anything to do with that mess!

Ow well... there is no point in stressing about it

If I get strong enough I won't have to worry...about no church and no god

...can I ever get to that point?, I wonder