Chapter 12

The Path

I never ran this fast in my entire life, but it’s not like I had that much opportunity anyway. I seriously thought I was going to fly with the way the wind attacked and glided over my face. I ran so hard that I couldn’t even feel my toes touching the ground.

The d-dead that was approaching Isshan was slow, but it has the advantage of being closer to Isshan. It was groaning and intently looking at Isshan, as if she was its dinner. I didn’t shout to Isshan to disturb her ritual.

Isshan:

Benedictus Danetos, Novo deus. Gloria tibi.

Blessed be Danetos, God of Change. Glory be to you.

Isshan stopped reciting and her eyes were gradually opening. I felt a sense of relief, like a heavy weight was removed from my shoulders. The d-dead has still no intention of stopping, I quickly analyzed the situation and thought of a way to capitulate on the incoming danger to Isshan’s life.

I threw my sword down and rushed to Isshan.

“Isshan!” I shouted.

Then she quickly turned to look at me. The d-dead was feet away and I grabbed Isshan’s hand. I hugged her and twisted our body so that my back will be exposed to the d-dead. All of this happened so fast that before Isshan can grasp of what was happening something had bit my right shoulder.

“Aarrrrrrrrrrrrrgghhhhhhhhhhhhhh.” I shouted.

Critical hit!

You have been cursed. You will turn into a walking corpse in 5 minutes.

“Cripple!” Isshan shouted with her terrified eyes.

I felt the d-dead’s teeth dislodged into my shoulder, then it bit me again.

Critical hit!

It was now chewing my shoulder savagely. This sacrifice better be worth it. I thought while trying not to think of the pain.

A light appeared and somehow the gnawing pain on my shoulder stopped.

“Urg! I feel sick.” A voice said from behind me.

Your curse has been lifted.

Ting!

Quest: Murika Town’s Curse.

Murika Town is a small town located south of Birek Mountain ranges. People from Murika were farmers and hunters. They worshiped, Birek, the god of mountains. The town was blessed with bountiful resources like fish, lumber, plants and animals.

Unravel the curse that is haunting the people of Murika Town.

Difficulty: D

Rewards: Isshan intimacy would increased

Quest completed!

You have leveled up!

Intimacy with Isshan increased significantly.

Tears flowed in the eyes of Isshan that allowed the light of the moon to play a trick on it that it sparkled in radiance.

“Y-you saved me.” Isshan said but her voice trembled a bit.

Intimacy with Isshan increased.

“Ti’s my duty, milady.” I said as if it was nothing.

She wiped her tears and her pale lips bent.

“Thank you!” she said.

Mayor Borin came to us with his overjoyed plump face.

“The curse has been lifted. Thank the gods!” he shouted.

Gods? Your gods allowed your people to turn into monsters and I beat the crap out of them. Thank me.

Ting!

Side Quest Discovered.

Quest:Keep Mayor Borin alive.

Borin Tian was the appointed Chief of Murika Town. He handles the development and various administrative duties inside and outside the town.

By saving the appointed chief, Murika town will be able to start anew.

Difficulty: D

Rewards:

Fame

Intimacy with the people of Murika Town

Ting!

Side Quest Completed.

The curse have been lifted. You have kept Mayor Borin alive and the Town of Murika can now rise from the rubble and start anew.

The people of Murika is now indebted to you.

Fame increased by 200.

Intimacy with the people of Murika increased.

You are now the Hero of Murika.

Ting!

You have acquired the title of Murika's Last Hope

No. of Available titles: 1

Equipped titles: None

Strength + 5

Agility + 5

Vitality + 5

Intelligence +5

Dexterity + 5

Wisdom +5

35% off discount to any merchants in Murika town when equipped.

“Thank you! Seeker Isshan and Traveler Cripple.” Borin said and bowed several times. “But, I am afraid our town suffered great losses and can’t reward you handsomely.”

“It’s alright, Mayor Borin.” I said but thought differently. Are you kidding me?

The d-deads returned to their previous state after the curse was lifted. Though, the one killed by us remained dead.

“I am sorry, Mayor Borin. The one we killed did not managed to return back alive.” I said with my apologetic voice.

“I was prepared for it. It was us or them. To be honest, I’d already lost hope that our town will be restored. But thanks to you and Lady Isshan we can live in peace again.”

Mr. Threbo nodded.

For an NPC, he was quite understanding. Impressive.

“What the hell happened to the town?” Said one of the villager as they saw the pile of burned tables and chairs.

“I remember being bitten by a ghoul.”

“Yeah me too.”

They remembered the curse and how they turned into a walking corpse but they don't remember what happened afterwards.

It was a long and tiring night and we decided to rest.

“Let’s worry about the mess tomorrow.” Mayor Borin suggested.

I logged out of the game.

***

It was late afternoon when Ari and the rest reached Murika Town using the west gate.

“The hell happened to this town?” Van asked.

Some of the villagers were dragging the corpse outside the gate. Other corpses were loaded in the carts and being pushed outside.

Ari ran towards one of the villager.

“Mister, what happened here?” he asked.

“A terrible curse did this, young man. But it’s over now. Talk to our mayor, he’s one of the people who freed us in this curse and he's looking for help.”

“Where is he?”

“At the town square.”

They entered the town and saw houses that had been ransacked, broken windows and doors. They saw several thick Black smoke extending upward in the center of the town.

When they reached the town square, several burnt corpses and wood, blocked their way. The villagers were removing the blockade piece by piece.

“Looks like a blockade.” Joan pointed out.

Zath nodded.

They stopped walking when an old man came running towards them.

“Hey, young ones! Would you like to help us?” The old man said. “I am Borin, mayor of this town.”

“What happened here and what seems to be the problem, sir? and ” Ari asked.

“A curse with an unknown origin inflicted this town. I am afraid our town is very vulnerable right now, young man, we need someone to defend our city from monster during the night. Can you help us for at least tonight?”

Ting!

Quest: Defend Murika town from possible monster night attack

Murika town had suffered great losses. In order for the people of the town to get on their feet, they need to feel safe.

Duration: 24 hrs

Difficulty: D+

Rewards: Fame

“We may be young sir, but we will not only defend your town, we will also defeat any monsters that dared to attack.” Ari said.

Quest accepted!

“Yes, I believe in you, young man, for our town hero is quite as young as you.” Mayor Borin said.

“Town hero? Who is he?” Ari asked.

“He said people call him Cripple. He fought thousands of walking corpses and slain them all. If not for him, this town is gone.” Borin said.

“Eh, Cripple?” Ken said.

Ronne and Rinne looked at each other, Reica eyes gleamed when he heard the name Cripple, Joan raised her eyebrow and John just nodded.

“Urg. While were doing boring dungeons, that guy was having a blast.” Van said.

Ari just laughed.

“Whoah, amazing all by himself?” Mari asked.

“Well, I did helped a bit, little miss.” Mayor Borin laughed.

Mari pouted when the Mayor called her little miss.

“Father!” Someone shouted behind Ari’s squad.

When they all turned to look who it was, they saw a young man and behind him was a group of adventurers.

“Oh, Bohr. Thank Biren you’re alive. I thought I'd lost you in the curse.” Mayor Borin said as he approached his son and hugged him.

“Father, has the curse had been lifted? How?” Bohr asked.

“Yes. Where have you gone?”

“I went into the city and asked for help father.” Bohr said as he pointed to the people behind him.

Mari walked closely to Ari and whispered something. “They are second years.”

Ari turned to Mari. “Eh?”

One of the adventurers who seemed to be their leader came forward and asked Ari.

“Who’re you?” he wore a bluish heavy armor and a shield at his back. He has bigger built than John the knight who is the biggest in their squad.

“He is the cheeky brat and his squad who got lucky defeating the Minotaur.” Said one of his companion.

Van growled but Ari held his hand to stop him.

“I’m Ari and this is my squad.” Ari said.

“What outfit?” he asked.

Ari scratched his cheek and looked to Joan.

Ari’s members sighed.

“42nd Infantry Battalion 6th company 1st platoon, under Lt. Kino.” Joan said.

“My name is Joharris Johnson and this is my squad. 39th Infantry Batalion, 2nd company 1st platoon, under Lt. Raj. Did you finished this Extermination quest?”

“No, we just came here.” Ari said.

“Thought so, you guys can’t possible beat a Rank C+ extermination quest.” Joharris said.

Ari and the rest said nothing but Van was boiling up in anger.

“It seems like, we had wasted our time coming here, let’s go.” Joharris said.

“Aye.” Said one of his member.

“I want to punch that guy.” Van said.

“Haha. My arrow will reach him first before you can punch him.” Ken said.

Joan sighed.

Ari then turned to Mayor Borin. “Mister, Where’s Cripple now?”

“Oh, he’s gone. He left early in the morn.”

***

“Thank you for saving my life.” Isshan said to me.

“I promised your father to keep you safe.” I said.

She turned her head down.

“We could stay here for a while if you want.”

“Oh no, I have done my duty here. Let’s head back to my tribe.”

“Okay.”

Mayor Borin thanked us and wished us the best. He also told us to come visit the town sometime soon.

Isshan and I started our journey back to her home. She was awfully quiet during the travel so I tried to ask her.

“Mayor Borin said you were a Seeker. What exactly is a seeker?” I asked on the off-chance that the hidden class might be a seeker.

“I’m not yet a Seeker, but I will be soon.” Isshan said. “Seeker pursue the truth. They are the disciples of the forgotten god of change, Danetos.”

Forgotten god? “Danetos?”

“Danetos is our patron god. He is the god of change." Isshan said enthusiastically. " Before this world came to be, there is what we called Tenebris, the realm of gods. In it lived thousands of gods and goddesses." Isshan looked in the sky. "In this realm, the greater gods ruled over the lesser gods."

“Is he among the greater gods?”

“Yes and a powerful one at that. He was the thirteenth son of Urek the Maker, the most powerful god in Tenebris.”

Thirteenth son, huh?

“Why was he forgotten?”

“Danetos strongly disagree that it was the duty of superior beings to rule over the lower ones. But rather, he believed that it was the superior being's moral duty to guide rather than to dominate.”

“Then, he rebelled?”

“Danetos wanted change. He persuaded his brothers and sisters to look past their dogma that had been perpetuated over a thousands of years and widen their perspective." Isshan said with tinge of sadness in her voice. "But they just laughed at him. However, once an idea has been planted, it can never be removed. The lower gods who were suppressed for a thousands of years decided they had enough. They heralded Danetos as their champion and they rebelled against the greater gods. The seekers before me called it the Armageddon, the Apocalypse, Ragnarok, the twilight of the gods or the Genesis, but one thing for sure was that, it brought forth a new epoch.”

“So the rebellion failed.” I said.

“Yes. Danetos and the lower gods despite their numbers were outmatched to the combined power of the great gods and goddesses. Stripped of his power, he was then banished into this world. The greater gods also removed the memories of the lower gods who had supported him before banishing them as well into this world.”

“Are you might possibly suggesting that the beings who lived on this world were the lower gods and goddesses?”

“Yes. Elves, Dwarves, Orcs, Humans, Spirits, Formars and others races are all lower gods, but we grew weaker over the course of history.”

“Hold on, something doesn’t make sense."

“What is it?”

“It took Danetos a thousand years to realize the inequality between the greater and lesser gods. I don’t think such heavy realization just pops up on his head. Something or someone must’ve provoked him to changed his ideals.”

“You are sharp, Mr. Cripple.”

“Yeah, I get that a lot.”

“A lower goddess named Krishta had captivated his heart. They say that her beauty even rivaled the goddess of beauty."

It was always a woman, huh, thhe cause of downfall of every man. So even gods were susceptible to the curse, that is woman.

"Was she also banished?"

"Yes, but Krishta’s love for Danetos prevailed and she remembered Danetos even after they were both banished. Krishta told to the other lower gods the deed of Danetos but nobody believed her. That is why Danetos was forgotten over the course of time.”

“And your people were descendant of Krishta, that is why you remembered him.” I said.

She stared at me for a while, and she nodded. “And to this day, we seek evidence or anything that will prove to the other races the existence of Danetos and his deeds”

I nodded.

“Your turn.” She said.

“My turn?” I asked.

“Yes, what is your objective in helping my father?”

I stopped walking and faced her. She was surprised at the sudden stop and I noticed she flushed and looked away when I stared at her.

Its better to tell her the truth now. “I was hoping to obtain a secret that only your tribe knows.”

“Oh. You were talking about the secret of Danetos’ trial. After you bring me back, my father may allow you to take the trial.” She looked straight at me. "But, I warn you, no one had succeeded in completing the trial."

“How many had taken it?”

“My father said twelve of different races had taken it and failed.”

“So if your father allows me to take the trial I’m the thirteenth.”

“Yes.”

“Just like Danetos.” I said.

She looked into the sky then faced me with a subtle smile. “Yes, I pray that he’ll favor you and pass the trial.”

“Thank you. But what do you think?”

“Hmm? Think of what?” Isshan asked.

“Will I fail or not?”

She stared at me. “I am sorry, but I think you will fail. It was an impossible trial after all.”

“Impossible, huh? Nevertheless, I think I’m still going to try it. ” I said then continued walking.

"You don't understand. The trial changes as Danetos' see fit."

"It might be wishful thinking but you cannot crossed out the possibility he will make it easy for me you know." I said and smiled at her.

"Uhm-, maybe."

Chieftain Ishul and his men gathered around waiting for us. His scouts must've told him we were coming.

I bowed. "O' mighty Ishul, son of Ishod, the Beastslayer and Chieftain of Forma Tribe, I have returned to fulfill my promise."

Ting!

Quest: Ishul's prodigal daughter.

Find Ishul’s daughter and bring her back safely to the tribe.

Quest Difficulty: D

Rewards: Unknown

QUEST COMPLETED

You have returned and with you the daughter of Chieftain of Forma Tribe.

Rewards: Ask chieftain Ishul.

Isshan with her head held low, stepped forward and went to where her father is. Ishul then raised his spear pointing to the sky. "I, Ishul, son of Ishod, The Beastslayer and Chieftain of Forma tribe acknowledges your accomplishment and obligated to reward you." Ishul said with a clear and low voice, "Gold, weapons, tell me what you want and I shall grant it to you as long it is within my reach."

Before I could say anything. Ishan spoke for me. "Father, he want your help to finish the Trials of Danetos."

"SILENCE!" Ishul roared. "You do not speak for him."

For a second, he had a bloodshot eyes and his voice echoed throughout the mountain. Isshan lowered her head even more.

Woah, what are you trying to tell me Isshan that you risked your Father's wrath? Is it possible to ask or the chieftain's help?

"O' mighty Leader. I would like your help in completing the Trials of Danetos." I said.

"What you ask of me is impossible, young man." Ishul said as he looked to his spear then to his daughter, "However, it seems like my daughter thinks you are worthy, for that I will present you with two choices, young man."

"Pray do tell, mighty chieftain of Forma tribe." I said.

"Normally, the trials are your means to prove yourself to our god, Danetos. If he thinks you are worthy, he will appear before you. But, if you are confident enough and consider yourself worthy before the eyes of our god, then I'll give you the means to appear before Daneto."

"But will he appear, I mean Danetos, if you provide me the means to talk to him." I said. However, I got this feeling that it won't be that easy.

Ishul looked serious and his eyes narrowed. "Only if you are worthy, young man." Ishul paused. "Only if you're worthy."

Now, I regret not watching those videos of Spectre members taking on this quest. The most logical choice here with a higher chance of success is to take the trials and prove myself. However, my chances of passing all the trials are slim, since I have neither the fighting prowess of Jeehan nor the vast experience of Lt. Kino nor the other qualities of other Spectre members.

Ishul hit the ground with butt end of his spear. "What will you choose young man? Will you persevere to the bitter end and take the harder path or are you confident enough to think you are worthy to take the easier path. Choose and regret."

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"What the hell is wrong with this author? Its already been twelve episodes and the MC has no class yet."

finally.