Chapter 111: Returning to the Village
Whoosh, whoosh, white mist, white mist spreading over the wilderness, mist so thick you can't see your hand in front of your face...
Where is this place?
I stood in the mist, looking around blankly.
Here? Where exactly is this? And where should I go?
My heart was as lost as the white mist before my eyes.
Suddenly, at the end of that white mist, an extremely dangerous aura emanated.
A white phantom, a white phantom that shouldn't be able to appear in the white mist, slowly emerged with a faint outline at the end of the mist, in the depths of my heart.
Opening my eyes, what came into view was the dark top of the tent. I slightly rubbed my eyes and found that the light seeping in through the gap of the rough canvas door was so dim.
Isn't it not even dawn yet?
Long-standing experience allowed me to immediately determine the current time. I let out a long yawn, stretched, and tried hard to get my brain and body, which hadn't fully woken up yet, to coordinate.
However, since I've already woken up, there's no reason to go back to sleep. I sat up, threw off the Beast Hide Blanket, pulled my body out of the warm covers, and after slightly tidying my messy hair, I put the blanket, which still held residual warmth, into my Inventory.
"Ah, ah, it's indeed still early."
Lifting the tent flap, I immediately felt a chill rush over me. The morning on the Plains, even in the hottest season, carries a strong chill. Fortunately, this bit of chill is nothing for a Class Changer.
At this time and place, the army of Monsters was only a few thousand meters away from me. The Bonfires lit by the Fallen were very conspicuous in the early morning when the sky had just begun to lighten. After tidying myself up a bit, I seriously began to consider my future. To be precise, it was just today's itinerary. I'm not the type of person who can think very far into the future.
Yesterday's Battle with Blood Raven, the ease of it was far beyond my expectations, instead creating an unspeakable sense of emptiness. But I didn't become arrogant enough to set my Target on Bishibosh. That kind of purely masochistic behavior would be like trying to fill this emptiness with depression; it would only make things worse. This was the conclusion I reached after carefully observing the Monster army from the front for nearly an hour yesterday. Although I really wanted to imitate Comrade Little Dragon of Changshan from the legends and charge in and out seven times, after calculations by my not-so-developed Brain, I found that what I could probably achieve was only one entry and zero exit, along with a bonus of five high-quality Wolf Hides and one high-quality Dried Rattan for home travel, hanging clothes, and drying quilts. (awkward)...
Therefore, I could only splendidly ignore Malin's wishful thinking. I hope he won't hide in the Jungle and cry because his idol is shattered. Amen.
Thinking of this, I immediately had the idea of returning to Vita Village. And doing what I think of has always been one of my characteristics. After packing up the Tent, I rode Light Snow and leisurely walked towards Vita Village. The dim Plains, the gentle cold wind, the solitary riding figure, made me intoxicated by a feeling like "ancient road, west wind, lean horse." Unfortunately, comparing Light Snow to a lean horse is truly rude, and it's dawn now, not dusk.
Speaking of which, that dream this morning was really realistic. That dense mist felt as if it was still lingering before my eyes, making me involuntarily reach out and grab a handful in front of me, only then did I laugh wryly.
With a relaxed and leisurely Pace, I don't know how much time passed. When the first ray of morning sun shone on my Body, the entire miniature of Vita Village finally appeared in my eyes. For the people of this Act, it's not considered early now. Many people are already up and working. Looking from afar, they were like Ants surrounding a sugar cube.
Has it already started? Looking from afar, I, who had already learned of Druv's plan, was not surprised. They were carrying out Fortifications. To be precise, they were digging a Ditch that encircled the entire Village, just like a Moat. The only difference was there was no water inside. This giant Ditch can effectively stop the Monster vanguard, which are cannon fodder type mass-produced Creatures—the footsteps of the Fallen army.
As for City Walls, to be honest, they don't have much effect. Don't look at the Wooden Fence of the Rogue Encampment and think that things like City Walls are very reliable. The role it plays is definitely more for peace of mind than practical use. Although it seems like you are firmly "enclosed" inside and it gives a strong sense of Safety, in Fact, even the weakest Fallen can Hack through it with a single strike. It's just like trying to stop airplanes and cannons with City Walls in the Original World. This is the Diablo World, a Reality where Combat Power is far greater than that of the world I originally came from. Common sense from the Original World is often not applicable here.
Arriving at the Village Entrance, this Moat, which hadn't started construction before I left, had already been dug into a giant Ditch several meters deep. Although Vita Village isn't considered large, it's only been a short two or three days. To be able to achieve this extent is because the Workers here are all Adventurers with energy to spare.
What I saw around Vita Village was covered by some excavated Yellow Earth. The originally beautiful and peaceful Village had become like a messy and dirty construction site. Under the nourishment of the morning dew, everywhere was slippery Yellow Mud, and the dense, crisscrossed Footprints on top. This Situation made Light Snow , who is very clean in non-Combat situations, occasionally let out muffled whimpers, while shaking off the sticky wet mud from under its snow-white Claws. Hehe, better you than me, Light Snow , just bear with it. I don't want to step on this cold wet mud either.
Fortunately, the Village Entrance was relatively clean. After some hesitation, Light Snow still came to the Village Entrance with a swaying Pace. Only then did I leap down, and without giving the Dumbfounded Adventurers nearby more time to examine Light Snow , I put it away.
A Guard at the gate finally woke up from his daze. A few days ago, he had only watched from afar and hadn't felt that imposing Might rushing towards him. Now at such a close Distance, he truly experienced the strong Sense of Oppression brought by that Giant Wolf and the Master riding on it. It almost made him not know where to put his hands, fearing that he might accidentally make this Strongest Expert before him, whom he could never hope to reach, turn that sharp Gaze onto himself.
Therefore, he could only constantly, constantly lower his Head, with a humble demeanor, welcoming this person who had rendered great service to Vita Village and was also the de facto controller of the entire Vita Village. Whether it was the Giant Wolf Mount, or being the first person in the history of Sanctuary to independently kill Blood Raven as a Melee Transferred Person, all were enough to make him feel worship and Awe. Perhaps many years later, he could still loudly Show Off to others in a noisy Tavern: "I once welcomed that Lord and spoke kindly with him."
"Fan... Lord, wel... come back."
In Fact, he only glanced at him and quickly lowered his Head, and also because he was too nervous, he only stammered out seven words.
"Mm..."
I responded with an ambiguous Tone that was neither close nor distant, secretly thinking to myself that this must be the Standard Tone of a Superior. I glanced at the unfamiliar Guard. He kept his Head very low. I felt the Atmosphere was a bit strange.
I didn't pay attention either, just paused for a moment, then passed through the Guard and walked inside. Most of the Adventurers in the Village were already up. Although Vita Village also has a Training Ground—in this chaotic era, even a Farmer or Herdsman will also undergo some necessary Training if they have time, which might save your life at a critical moment—the simple Training Ground here doesn't enter the Discerning Eye of Adventurers at all. Or rather, they just couldn't bear to mess up this poor little Training Ground. So most Adventurers just gathered in groups, exchanging their respective Experiences, feeling a bit like replacing martial arts with discussion.
However, it seems I didn't appear at the right time. I was a bit puzzled to discover this Fact.
Why did the place I approached immediately become quiet?
In my imagination, having eliminated Blood Raven and rendered great service, returning to the Village would normally be met with heroic support and welcome. At the very least, there should be countless Words of Praise. Although I don't like this kind of scene, I should say at times like this, my thick skin, comparable to Doug's, would suddenly and strangely become thinner than a piece of paper. Therefore, compared to a lively and boisterous welcome scene, I prefer plainness, as this makes it easier for me to adapt and feel more comfortable.
To deal with this imagined situation, I even came up with several ways to handle it, but it seems none of them are needed now. Isn't the Atmosphere at this moment precisely the "plainness" I was expecting?
No, this isn't "plainness," it's tranquility...
The surroundings were quiet. Inside the Body wrapped in that huge Cloak, I could even hear my own footsteps, my own heartbeat and pulse. Eerily quiet, it can only be described as extremely abnormal.
Why is this happening?
As I walked, I couldn't resist secretly glancing under the cover of the Cloak's hood, and finally discovered what was wrong.
If it were normally, these Adventurers would definitely look at me with either curious or respectful gazes. Regardless of their mood, I could feel those countless burning gazes. But now, they just took one look and would immediately lower their Heads or avert their gaze. Which means I'm not feeling those gazes that make me uncomfortable all over anymore. This is the abnormality.
After reaching this pleasant conclusion, I continued exploring out of extreme boredom, finding that their gazes were still burning, even more so than before. Then, what prompted them to react like this? I thought about it, completely puzzled.
Actually, what I overlooked was that in the eyes of these Adventurers, besides the burning intensity, there was also something else, a gaze named Awe. It was precisely the added "awe" that made them unable to brazenly scrutinize the person before them anymore. Special Action Team Member, Direct Superior, the first Melee Adventurer to independently kill Blood Raven—these combined were enough to make them rise from "respect" to "awe." Under Akara's deliberate guidance, this Mysterious Druid wearing a Cloak had unknowingly begun to gradually exude something called Authority in the eyes of the other Adventurers.
Forget it. Anyway, I feel pretty good about this Situation. At least I won't have to endure those burning gazes anymore, and I don't have to worry about strangers constantly running up to greet me while I can't remember their Names, feeling very awkward.
But while satisfied, a sense of isolated loneliness and emptiness arises. Humans are an Animal that can never be satisfied. I am no Exception.
With a contradictory mindset of half satisfaction, half loss, I arrived at the Base Camp of Vita Village, which was the Large Tent used by Druv.
It was still the same group of people. It seems Lars has also gradually Integrated into the Leadership and is gradually being Accepted by others. I couldn't help but feel happy for this Black-Bellied Paladin, who was both a teacher and a friend.
"Ooh!! Look who's back, our great Hero Wu Fan!!"
Among those present, Doug, who was least interested in these complicated trivial matters but had nowhere else to go, was Restless/Mischievously pacing back and forth on the side. So he was the first person to notice me come in. After seeing me, his gaze immediately brightened, and he immediately rushed up and fiercely hugged my shoulder. That affectionate Tone was full of sincere blessings, making me, who had just walked in from the cold wind, feel a warmth that reached my heart.
The others also expressed warm greetings regarding my return, especially Druv. Being able to eliminate Blood Raven, an Enemy who made him restless day and night, it's no exaggeration to say was enough to reduce the casualties of this Battle by more than one-third.
"Well done, Wu..." He patted my shoulder, his Large Hand steady and strong. And the others were also looking at me with smiles. The same smiles and Attitude as always gradually filled up the isolation and emptiness I felt when I first came in.
"Naturally." I responded to them with a smile that was three parts pride and seven parts hearty.
"Even if you don't believe me, you should believe Lady Akara's Vision, right?"
"Oh right, Wu~~, you absolutely must Summon that white Giant Wolf of yours for me to see later." Yihana, who was also a Druid, changed her usual steady Older Sister image and said in an Act Spoiled manner, her eyes full of tiny stars.
"Alright, alright, anything is fine, just don't use that Tone again." I rubbed the goosebumps all over my Body, looking at Yihana with fear and trepidation.
"Wu, even I, her Husband, haven't enjoyed that kind of Tone, haha... Although it's a bit scary, you should be content, haha..." Under the pleasant Atmosphere, even the usually steady Druv was rarely so hearty.
"What are you two saying!! Say it again and see?"