Day X: Back to the Clearing

At this point, I got used to the Sphere appearing in my dream-like state.

It pulsed 16 times

[1 600]

I was so sick and tired of my sore body, that I immediately went to fix my exhaustion. It ended costing me 1 200 points.

[400]

I was tempted to straight up go and upgrade my stats, but I knew that I needed food more than anything. I had real cravings to put something in my mouth that is sweet, oily, and filling.

[Essential Nutrients]

Now I was left with only 200 points. I still had my injured foot, and I needed 600 to heal it. No doubt it cost more now after all the walking.

I realised something when I reflected on my condition and the fights. I was clearly very dexterous and had great stamina, considering the constant travel and fighting from dawn to dusk. All while being injured.

It clicked in my mind. My constitution was way too low compared to my dexterity and stamina. It simply meant that my body could't keep up with my stamina. Dexterity seems to be fine though, but I got an image that my hip dislocates when I dodge - all because of my weaker constitution.

This made me decide to dump all 200 points into constitution. Now, you could argue that I should spare points, but I was thinking of survival. I was simply desperate.

I upgraded my constitution 6 times for 180 points. That left me with only 20.

Satisfied, I removed my focus to wake up.

_______________________________________

The moment I woke up, I felt completely different. I felt on top of the moon! I haven't felt this rested and energetic since the moment I got here.

My pleasure was quickly interrupted, since my foot was being poked. In front of me, stood a few guys, all with clubs. Marcus was up and stood on my other side.

"You shouldn't sleep so deep out here in the forest, lad."

The guy in front was older, with a long grey beard. He looked fit though, and seemed like the leader of this small pack.

"Where are the rest of the group? We saw you guys depart to find the weapons almost a week ago."

I just stared at him, and all the trauma resurfaced. He must have noticed my face.

"Don't worry about that now lad. Let's go to the clearing. I'm Ben"

He held out his hand, and helped me to stand up. I grabbed Marcus as we started walking. His elbow was healed, so I guess he had enough points from all of yesterday.

"Did no one else return yet?"

Everyone looked at me, curiously. Old Man Ben answered before anyone could ask a question back.

"Not since we left there. We went out a day ago to hunt more goblins."

I looked at Marcus. I felt guilty. The man hasn't spoken for days now, and his face looked completely blank. Expressionless.

Dan. I still couldn't fathom what happened. Should I have told them to run when they larger group of goblins appear? Why did 11 armed goblins show up that close to each other? What was that beast? What happened to the forest?

My inner turmoil was broken by Old Man Ben.

"Young lad, I can see it on your face. Let your thoughts go somewhere else."

Something about what he said, calmed me down, but I didn't know how to alternate the flashing images of Dan's mushed remains.

"Tell me what's your name" Old Man Ben asked me.

"I'm Jack." I answered without hesitstion nor thought.

"And you?" He directed to Marcus. But Marcus seemed like he didn't listen.

"Hey man, are you okay?" The guy closest to Marcus reached out to his shoulder as he asked.

Suddenly, Marcus screamed. He swung a wide punch, knocking the guy out.

I was so confused, I froze.

Marcus was drooling, his eyes wide. He went down on the guy, to deliver another punch.

Old Man Bruce were already on his way to tackle Marcus, which he succeeded. Marcus tried to fight him too.

"Keep him still!"

Three others and I went to hold Marcus down. I held his left arm back.

Old Man Ben took his club, and smacked it through Marcus' jaw, knocking him out.

"His eyes... It seems like severe PTSD." Old Man Ben indicated, and I just nodded.

"We- he- I-"

I stuttered, trying to tell them what happened to Dan and Marcus, to justify that he wasn't himself.

"I understand. It's okay, you don't have to talk about it."

I nodded again, like a child listening to his grandpa.

Two carried their knocked-out friend while Old Man Ben and I carried Marcus.

"Thanks" I muttered to the old man. He smiled and nodded.

No one talked after that. The situation became serious and everyone wanted to get back and figure out what went down.

_______________________________________

Somewhere after noon, we passed by another group of hunters. They noticed us, and screamed to greet the old man. He seemed quite popular.

It made me think how society at the clearing could have changed while we were gone.

We reached the clearing eventually. There were only around 30 people this time. They noticed us quickly and came to help carry the men.

I saw the two other guys lay down their knocked out pal. They looked exhausted and they stretched their shoulders while groaning. When I put Marcus down, the old man was also groaned and went to the pond.

I immediately recognised the state of my own body. I felt great! It only felt like a walk with a bit of luggage. Sure, I was thirsty, but I could easily continue this type of walk until late night.

The upgrades worked, and my stamina were definitely coming in hand.

My hill was still sore, but it didn't get worse while I walked. I just imagined that upgrading my constitution to the same level as my stamina and dexterity, would make me feel like superman. Would I be able to become as hard as steel?

My thoughts were broken when Marcus woke with a groan. He stayed on the ground though, and looked completely... Not okay. The man was damaged, and I didn't know what to do.

"I just asked the people at the pond, they said that a few of your group returned late last night. Something about an owlbear or something ambushed you"

Old Man Ben came up from behind me.

"Where are they? Are they okay? Is Travis among them?"

I loaded him with questions. At that moment, hope that I didn't kill everyone, filled me.

I know, it wasn't my fault, and you're right. But I wasn't alright back then.

"Calm down young lad. Why don't you go talk to Samuel? You can find him behind the boulder. Don't worry about your friend, I've dealed with plenty of veterans back home."

I looked at him, unsure. One of the men in his group spoke up behind me. I remember he had a big smile.

"Ben is a veteran officer from the Afghanistan war. You can trust him"

That sealed the deal. I nodded solemnly, and then went of to find Samuel behind the boulder.

He was busy making a stone tool of some sort, sitting in the only shadow of the clearing.

"Samuel"

I said, in a deflared voice. He perked up, and his expression became one of joy.

"So you are alive! Is Marcus okay?"

I swayed my head.

"Ben is looking after him for now. But his mental health is in bad shape. It looks like he healed his body though."

He nodded.

"Good. You should take some rest, and drink some water. Travis returned yesterday, but he went out to hunt for points this morning. He told everyone what happened."

I nodded and followed up with a dying question:

"Who else made it back?"

Samuel looked solemnly at me for a few moments, and finally said:

"Hannah, Victor, and Tessa also returned. The rest are confirmed dead."

My mind raced. I felt my blood drain from my face.

"Be careful. Tessa blames you for what happened. Travis told everyone that he's certain you are innocent. People here are growing more tense and divided by the day, and they might pin their frustrations on you."

I didn't know what to say. How would I ever be able to look Tessa in the eye? Marcus already lost his mind over Dan.

"Take a rest here in the boulder's shadow, and wait for the bigshots to all return. I'll stay with you."

I nodded to Samuel and did as he said after quickly drinking water from the side.

It was probably 3 to 5 hours until sunset, so I couldn't sleep. I didn't feel tired at all, but my mind was completely drained. My mental state was still processing what happened.

What is this place? Why did it change in the east? What is this damn ball of light appearing in my sleep? What are its limits?

There were so many unanswered questions, and I doubt people knew what to make of all this.

I ended up listening to people talking as they drank from the pond, on the other side of the boulder. They were asking the same questions I was.

Some of them also wondered what was the upgrade at 10k points. Would it give answers? Others also discusses what the tome could reveal. They also spoke about what they should upgrade. It all sounded boring so I zoned out.

It seemed that everyone experienced the Sphere the same way as I did, but it sounds like most people are getting just enought points for food and little upgrades.

Where I laid down, I had a good view of the mountain. It was South-East from the clearing.

I made up my mind. I will go to the mountain and climb it. I need to know where we are, and the vantage point from there would be insane.

These were my thoughts as I drifted to a warm midday sleep.

I ended up with no kills that day, and only 20 points on my Sphere.