We make it to about the halfway point of the plains before another patrol spots us and charges. This patrol group is bigger, with a total of eight driders, half melee and half casters. As the eight driders and eight undead charge towards us all I can think is that this will get me to level five.

Bones and I cut down the undead easily and then we move to engage the four melee driders. The four casters I leave to Asuna and Kechara, they shouldn't have any problems. I cut down my two melee driders by the time Bones finishes his first one, so I help him with the last one.

4 Skeletons defeated! 100 Exp gained!

4 Zombies defeated! 80 Exp gained!

8 Driders defeated! 800 Exp gained!

Congratulations! You have gained a level!

Level 5: HP +200, DP + 100, Stat points +5!

Spells: Holy Word Level 3, Holy Light Level 3, Bless Weapon Level 2!

New Spell: Repel Undead Level 1!

Abilities: Holy Aura Level 3!

New Ability: Crusader Mount!

'Yes! Leveling up is an awesome feeling!'

After looking around to make sure there aren't any more patrols nearby I take a look at my level. Now that I have leveled a few times I can tell that each time I level the exp needed doubles. So even with as much exp as the driders give after another level or two it is going to slow way down.

That is pretty much what I expected though, it is similar to the level system in most games. So far we have only run into the undead driders, it makes me curious about the living ones. Not only how much exp they will give, but where they are hiding.

Last time I only saw them after I had fled the city, which makes me think either they are slower to wake up, or farther away. It could also mean there are less of them, or that the controller values them more. No matter what the reason, the fact that I am only seeing undead makes me worry vaguely.

The fact that this all might be a tactic to lure me in deeper does cross my mind. After the last time I was here the controller may have prepared for me to return. However, I am not going to let that stop me, I am here to level up and get stronger.

'Speaking of strength, I should check my new spell and ability while I have a chance. Repel undead?'

Repel Undead

Level: 1

DP Cost: 50

Causes all Undead within 100 feet to flee for 1 minute.

'That could come in handy if I get surrounded again! What is Crusader mount?'

Crusader Mount

DP Cost: 200

Summons your mount to your location!

Chosen mount is granted bonuses to all stats.

'Oh? It's similar to the paladin's mount from D&D! That is awesome! Although, it doesn't really help me right now since Lizzy isn't here.'

I am pulled out of my thoughts by the fact that we have reached the edge of the orchards. Kechara immediately picks a handful of fruit and tosses them in her mouth. I am not sure if she is just hungry or if she remembers the fruit and missed it.

As I am wondering about it I take my first few steps into the orchard. Then suddenly the ground right in front of me moves as something climbs up. I draw Blitz and attack before I even get a good look at the thing.

Small Beetle defeated! 10 Exp gained!

Once it is dead I can get a better look at it, it is one of the beetles I found digging a new tunnel. I remember having trouble killing one last time because of how hard the shell is. This time Blitz tore through the shell without any problem.

Before I can even begin to think about why it was here another pops up nearby. It immediately starts running away and lets out a shriek as it does. Instantly dozens more pop up out of the ground and they also run away shrieking.

Small Beetle defeated! 10 Exp gained!

Looking around I see that Bones killed another beetle, Kechara and Asuna haven't moved. It seems the shriek was very painful for the two of them with their sensitive hearing. It is only as the beetles move away that the two of them are able to recover.

Well, if the controller didn't know I was here yet, it does now. I am guessing that is why the beetles are here, they are an alarm system. Now that we have tripped the alarm I am guessing things are going to get more interesting.

However, despite my expectations we make it to the lake shore without seeing a single enemy. My guess is the controller is going to let us get deep into the city before springing whatever trap it has planned. Luckily the canoe I made last time is still sitting where we left it.

Unfortunately, Kechara is bigger than the canoe, no way is she going to fit. Asuna and I barely fit on the thing, so I end up dismissing Bones. I am expecting Kechara to fly along with us, but to my surprise she decides to swim instead.

Once she is in the water she tucks her legs and wings and swims around like an alligator. While I am still slightly worried that there might be something living in the lake she seems perfectly happy. Come to think of it, this is the first time she has had a chance to try swimming.

As I start paddling the canoe across the lake she happily swims circles around us. Considering her size we could almost skip the canoe and just cross the lake on her back. While I don't intend to try it I will keep it in mind if we end up running for our lives again.

Several times as we cross the lake Kechara dives underwater and it makes me worry every time. From the satisfied look Kechara has on her face I am guessing she is catching fish. When we get close to the island she swims ahead and climbs out first.

As the canoe lands on the beach Kechara suddenly shakes like a dog spraying water everywhere. Asuna quickly jumps out of the canoe and runs out of range as fast as she can. As I climb out of the canoe I wipe the water from my face and give Kechara a dirty look.

If anything my look just makes her more pleased with herself, the little brat. Before moving on I decide to see if the canoe will fit into the backpack Yui gave me. I quite like my little canoe and I regretted having to leave it behind last time.

It makes me happy when the canoe does in fact fit into the backpack. Not only does that mean I can take it with me, but I won't have to run back to a specific spot to escape the island. With that sorted out I guess it is time to see how bad the city itself is.