Chapter 113: Stirring
Unconsciously, the Sun had already quietly set. In this Act without electricity and lacking entertainment, if there was nothing else to do, most Civilians who couldn't afford Magic Lamps would start preparing to Rest after eating Dinner, in order to save Firewood and Lamp Oil and prepare for the next day's labor.
Druv's Residence naturally had bright Magic Lamps, but the Monsters outside could attack at any time, so to conserve sufficient Energy, we didn't dare chat too late.
Druv's Squad naturally rested in the Base Camp, while Lars', Sak's, and the other Squads each had their own temporary Residences.
"Wu, you haven't found your own place yet, right? Why not squeeze in with a few of us? It's not one of those cramped Tents, you know." Lars said, bringing the Barbarian Brothers with him.
Hmph, I gave Lars a disdainful look. Drag me down? No way! Who doesn't know the snoring Doug makes when he sleeps is practically a humanoid mobile speaker?
"Forget it, in that case, I'd rather sleep in a Tent."
"Wu, you're getting less and less lovable. I remember when I first met you, you were such an innocent young man." Seeing that I didn't fall for it, Lars sighed a bit dejectedly and walked away with the Barbarian Brothers. I wished him insomnia tonight, my dear Uncle Lar.
After everyone else left, only Lin Ya and I remained.
"Let's go too." I glanced at Lin Ya. The two of us walked one after the other on the path in the twilight, our elongated shadows intertwining.
"How was it? Lars and the others are pretty nice, right?" I turned my Head, breaking the subtle Atmosphere at the moment. Bringing Lin Ya this time was just to let her meet Druv and the others. As for asking Druv to look after her, I would naturally bring that up privately. I wasn't so foolish as to say it in front of Lin Ya.
"Yes, they are all very kind Seniors." Lin Ya nodded vigorously. Being able to meet these Advanced Transformed Ones was indeed something worth being happy about for her.
"That's good, hehe." I lowered my Head and chuckled twice. The Atmosphere fell silent again.
"That..." This time, Lin Ya spoke first.
"What is it?"
"I heard from Senior Lars that you haven't found a place to stay yet, right? That... if you don't mind, you... you can come and stay at my place..." Lin Ya lowered her Head so much it was almost buried in her Chest, which was sticking out from her Mage Robe.
"Huh... Huh!!?"
"Of... Of course, it's... it's not just with me. My... my Teammates are... are also there." Lin Ya realized her slip of the tongue at this point and hastily explained, waving her two small palms desperately at me.
"Is that so? Thank you for your kindness. But I think I'll pass." Looking at the flustered Lin Ya, who was like a little Rabbit, I couldn't help but feel an urge to 'rub' her little Brain.
"Oh, is that so?" As if she felt she had worried for nothing just now, Lin Ya lowered her Head somewhat listlessly, letting her dark green long hair gently slide down her cheek and hang over her Chest.
"We'll stop here." I said, looking at the fork in the road ahead.
"Okay." Lin Ya responded softly. She glanced at me, then walked towards the road where she lived.
"Wait." Looking at Lin Ya's somewhat dejected figure, I suddenly chased after her.
"Ah, look at me, I almost forgot again." I patted my Brain, looking a bit troubled by my lack of progress in remembering things.
"Here, this is a gift for you."
I smiled and took something out of my Inventory and put it in her hand. Then, without waiting for her to react, I strode away along the other path.
Lin Ya was startled by my sudden Action and didn't know what to do. She stared blankly at my departing figure, and it was a while before she reacted. She lowered her Head and stared blankly at the Item I had put in her hand.
Orb
One-Hand Damage: 2-5
Durability: -
Staff Class: Fast Attack Speed
+3 Warmth
After being stunned for a long time, she tightly held the Orb close to her Chest. A hint of confused and complex color flashed in her pure and flawless eyes.
Following the lingering Light of the twilight, I surveyed the scattered buildings around me. Whether they were stone houses or Wooden Houses, white smoke was rising from their low Chimneys at this time. The fiery red sunset glow, the peaceful little Village, the simple fences along the dirt path, and the sparse cottages with smoke curling up from their chimneys, it was like a secluded paradise, intoxicating me for quite a while.
However, I wasn't here to admire the scenery.
When I arrived, the Old Man named Butu, who claimed to be one of the Village Elders, repeatedly asked me to stay at his house. I remembered I had indeed agreed at the time. Now, I should fulfill the Agreement, lest he keeps thinking about it. However, I hadn't notified him beforehand, so going over so Presumptuously, I wondered if it would cause him any trouble.
This is the place.
In Front of me was a stone house. Black-brown asphalt stone and gray-white concrete ash formed the main colors of this stone house. The roof was covered with things like straw stalks. This house must have some years on it; even the hard brown asphalt stone had been slowly worn smooth by time, becoming shiny. The Crevices exposed by the peeling gray-white concrete ash were occupied by some moss-like plants. The entire house looked like an Old Man weathered by time.
Passing through the simple fence outside the house, some round logs were piled against the Courtyard Wall. Besides that, there was a wooden frame that looked like it was used for drying clothes, a well, and a small Vegetable Patch. That was all.
"Knock knock..."
"Who are you looking for?"
After knocking on the wooden door a few times, a clear Voice immediately came from inside. It sounded a bit familiar. Then, the sound of footsteps gradually Approached the door, but the necessary vigilance was shown, and the door was not immediately opened.
"Excuse me, is this Elder Butu's house? I am Wu Fan. Do you remember the Agreement from a few days ago?"
After I finished speaking, the Atmosphere instantly froze, and then there was a crackling sound, mixed with continuous shouts of "Grandpa...". Hehe, it must be Butu's Granddaughter. What a clumsy girl.
Soon, the door was opened. Appearing In Front of me was Butu's simple Old Face, followed by a small, hazy figure. That must be his clumsy Granddaughter.
After being welcomed into the house, there was inevitably a round of hospitality. Fortunately, I was quick-witted. Seeing Butu pulling his Granddaughter and wanting to kneel down again, I quickly helped them both up. Was this Old Man trying to shorten my lifespan? I thought with a headache. That's why I shouldn't have agreed to him in the first place.
"This Old Man didn't know that Lord was a Special Operative (meaning a Special Action Team Member, which is what Civilians call them) and Presumptuously asked Lord to stay in such a dilapidated place. I am truly ashamed."
Butu's face, which was already full of Wrinkles, was now like a dried-up orange peel.
"Not at all. I was originally planning to stay in a small Tent. Your Request truly helped me a great deal." I said sincerely.
At this moment, Butu's Granddaughter brought over a large, dark Wooden Bowl in her hand, which was still steaming.
"Lord, it's just simple food and Tea. If you don't mind, please eat some." Butu's face showed a look of fear. It seemed it was indeed the usual meal of an ordinary family.
I took the Wooden Bowl and glanced at the girl In Front of me. She looked more and more familiar.
"Have we met somewhere before?" I asked curiously.
"Lord, the Tavern, it was at the Tavern."
Butu's Granddaughter, Velas, said somewhat stiffly. She hadn't expected that her most admired idol was actually the benefactor who allowed her father to rest in peace, and he was even going to stay here. Her Brain was in a state of confusion right now, filled with complex emotions: joy, Sorrow, panic, fear...
As soon as she said that, I immediately remembered. The Waiter who greeted me at the Tavern, wearing something similar to a Maid Outfit from my Original World, her sweet and clear Voice had left a very deep impression on me. Now she had changed into simple attire, no wonder she felt so familiar.
While observing the girl, I also glanced at the Surroundings. The inside of the house wasn't plastered, and like the color outside the house, it was black-brown. This house was large and had many things, but it was well-organized and didn't appear messy at all. Against the innermost Wall was a small, dark fireplace, with a faint spark burning inside. On the opposite Wall hung some pots, and below them was a simple small stove, as well as other daily necessities. Besides these, there were also four other doors. (If you're interested in the house's structure, you can refer to the empty houses outside the Rogue Encampment in the Game, though they won't be exactly the same.)
On a Table next to the stove, there was food that had just been prepared, but the portion was only enough for two people. I looked at the Wooden Bowl in my hand, thought for a moment, took some Jerky out of my Inventory, handed it to Butu and Velas, and said with a smile.
"If you don't mind, please Give it a Try of the Jerky I made myself?"
"How can this be..."
I looked at them seriously: "You think it doesn't taste good?"
"Not at all..." Seeing me say this, Butu could only take the Jerky from my hand. Velas then also carefully took a piece and ate a few bites gently with the elegance unique to girls.
"Lord, can you tell us about your experiences?"
The Atmosphere was silent for a while, then Velas suddenly asked in a soft Voice. She found that the Lord In Front of her didn't seem as difficult to Get Along with as rumored. Coupled with the Feeling of Approach she had experienced at the Tavern, it finally gave her the courage to speak.
"Of course, no problem."
I was very happy about the change in Velas's Attitude. I might have to stay here for a while, and I didn't want these two people to treat me like a God or Demon and worship me. In that case, I'd rather stay in a small Tent.
The Leisurely Time didn't last long. Early the next morning, I rushed to the Base Camp, only to find that everyone was already there except for me. Everyone's brows were deeply furrowed, and even Doug, who was usually the most casual, had become serious, which made me feel secretly uncertain and surprised.
"Wu, the Monsters have already started to move..."