Chapter 7

After summoning additional subjects with the summoning gate, Caelum decided to test his unique talent—the teleportation gate. To his amazement, he already possessed an innate understanding of its mechanics, as if the knowledge had been within him all along and suddenly surfaced.

Caelum stretched out his hands, and he visualized a teleportation gate forming before him. As he concentrated, the gate materialized. The teleportation gate shares similarities with the summoning gate but features unique engravings on the stones and a slightly altered color in its swirling portal.

"Did you see that? It's like magic or something"

"I've never seen anything like it."

The sudden appearance of the teleportation gate left his subjects in amazed. Caelum could see the curiosity and amazement in the eyes of his subjects. He decided to explain his unique talent to his subjects.

"What you see before you is the teleportation gate. Once I summon these gates, we gain the power to move instantaneously between two locations. Picture it as a doorway connecting our current spot to another point"

The subjects, captivated by Caelum's words, nodded in understanding. Sierra spoke up, "So, this gate is like a magical shortcut?"

"You could think of it like that." Caelum chuckled in response "With the teleportation in our disposal, we can swiftly travel far distance" He added.

Caelum proceeded to introduce the newcomers to the first summoned subjects, fostering a sense of unity among the diverse group. After the initial exchanges, Caelum gathered everyone's attention to share his plan.

"I've observed that other lords are making faster progress than me. To catch up, I intend to push our limits and explore the forest and plains. Yes, it comes with risks, but without risk, there's no reward. I want all of you with me. Our mission is to gather materials—wood, stones, food, and anything else we can find to aid our progress." The determined look in Caelum's eyes conveyed both the challenges and the potential rewards that lay ahead for their efforts.

"I'm also planning to increase our levels. If possible I want every one to be level 10 before the Novice Test begins. This way, we stand a better chance of survival" Caelum added.

"Don't worry. With the help of my unique talent - Teleportation Gates, we can swiftly retreat or return if the need arises," Caelum reassured, instilling a sense of confidence in the group by highlighting the strategic advantage they held.

As everyone geared up for the planned expedition, a realization struck Caelum when they encountered a group of kobolds. He found himself unarmed, relying solely on evasive maneuvers to avoid the kobolds' attacks. Recognizing the need for a weapon, Caelum decided to pick up a short sword that his subjects had discovered during their earlier scavenging of the ruins. As he held the weapon, it felt oddly perfect in his hands, like it was made just for him. Swinging the short sword through the air, Caelum felt a satisfying balance—it wasn't too heavy, nor was it too light.

"This feels like it was made for me" Caelum muttered lightly as he gazed upon the short sword.

Caelum told his subjects to follow him outside the safety barrier. Before they left, he reminded them to stay cautious and watchful of their surroundings.

Aric and Caelum took the lead in the expedition. Given Aric's expertise as a hunter and having previously explored alongside Caelum, he guided the group deeper into the heart of the forest. 

The group strolled through the forest, seemingly in peaceful exploration, when Aric abruptly halted them. Ahead stood a group of kobolds, eight in total, Initially appearing outnumbered. However, a closer look revealed a crucial detail—the kobolds were now equipped with armor. Most had leather protection, but a commanding figure among them donned a plate armor and carried an iron sword at its waist. The kobolds are definitely outnumbered by Caelum forces but they were not outmatched in terms of weaponry.

Luckily, the group remained unnoticed by the kobolds, providing them with a brief window of opportunity to strategize before engaging or deciding on an alternate course of action.

"Aric, take out as many as you can before they get too close to us," Caelum instructed, opting for the same strategy that proved successful in their previous encounter with the kobolds. "Galen, bring three guys with you and set up an ambush, just like before."

Both Aric and Galen nodded simultaneously. As Aric silently draw his bow, Galen gathered three men, each armed with an axe that they got from the ruins. The makeshift ambush party readied themselves, poised to strike at the opportune moment.

"Aric, shoot the kobold wearing the plated armor," Caelum instructed, recognizing the one in plate armor as the potential leader of the kobold group.

The herbalist Elyena hid in one of the bush since she's a non-combat type; she couldn't do anything and might get in the way of fighting, and she was only brought along to pick up some useful herb that they might passed through. Meanwhile, Sierra, the priest, positioned herself behind Caelum and the others, ready to provide support. The others, who have no profession, are armed with weapons discovered from the ruins such as daggers, axes, shields and other more.

Caelum, satisfied that everyone was ready, signaled Aric to release the arrow. The projectile swiftly sailed through the forest, initially targeting the kobold's heart. However, in a last-minute the kobold made a subtle move, causing the arrow to deviate from its course and strike the creature's shoulder instead.

Caelum stood bewildered, not anticipating that the arrow would miss its mark. The kobold's subtle movement had seemingly thwarted what could have been a fatal strike. Despite the leader kobold's injury, it swiftly instructed its companions to attack. The kobolds dispersed, charging towards Caelum and his group.

Aric swiftly unleashed his arrows, skillfully taking down two kobolds before they could approach too closely. the surviving kobolds closed in swiftly on Caelum's group, intensifying the impending confrontation. To their surprise, an ambush led by Galen and his group struck from hidden positions. Galen, wielding a spear with precision, managed to thrust it directly into the heart of one of the kobolds, swiftly eliminating it. Galen did not stop from that, after recovering his spear from the dead kobold he quickly slash a kobold into half using his spear. Simultaneously, the three men wielding axes engaged another kobold, hacking it into pieces.