Chapter 06: First Mission complete

Luck was actually on their side or whatever happened at the place where Adam found arrowhead might have been insignificant. The group managed to reach open fields of the stronghold by afternoon.

Adam noticed it had thick walls made of stone and a large area around it is actually grassland. He heard one old adventurer explaining to someone else, that this place and surrounding the villages are the actual origin of the Crimson Empire. That is the reason this place had great security and high defence.

There are many roads leading to different areas from the stronghold and the surrounding area had a considerable number of small campsites. Adam realized this place is actually a busy place, although it is not at the same level with West Coast city, to an area without a town the number of caravans and people gathered are extremely high.

Once the reach the intersection between the roads small group of guards stopped the carriages and Karina who had experience immediately went to them, Adam realized he was lucky to travel with this group as he had no way of proving a passable identity unless his clothes give him some kind of miracle to impress the guards.

Adam really wanted to see the Stronghold which was the origin of the mighty Crimson empire, he realized this place might have a history more than several thousand years, but now he lacks time.

“Master Adam” her tone ha changed from awareness to great respect when addressing him as she learned he can use space magic, but the latter is confused how did he become master Adam.

“We are going to camp here tonight would it be convenient for you to stay with us and move tomorrow?”

Karina also seems to be in a hurry as she also decided to camp out in the open rather than entering the stronghold. But Adam wondered why they are going to set up camp now. And the leader of the adventurers sensed his doubt.

“Group of Empire Cavalry will be moving to Westwood village; it will be good to travel with them” she explained patiently expecting some response from the man of few words.

“Something happened?” Adam wondered if something big is happening while he is travelling toward the place. Empire calvary is the highly mobile elites of the Crimson Empire and he didn’t think that they will act recklessly for no reason if it is like that, he felt like it’s better to find his own way to get to the Westwood forest.

Karina’s eyes suddenly lit up she felt like achieved a great victory, this man finally asked a question. She couldn’t help but to smile. “Four people have gone missing in the Westwood village Mr. Adam, honestly we are also going there for the same purpose, there is high reward for solving this matter” She was not afraid to disclose this, as only adventurers are eligible for their quest rewards and she did not believe even if this man is truly powerful he can solve this matter alone.

Adam on the other hand much more relaxed after hearing the news, in West Coast city there are more than fifty refugees missing. ‘probably because it’s a small village and disappearance of four people must be a big issue’ he thought and there was the fact this is the area of the origin of the empire itself. So, it is not a big issue to see they are giving priority to this.

They camped with many other people who are staying outside, Adam still relied on Mr. Han’s food and his half awake half sleep method to spend the rest of the night.

Next morning journey was much more relaxed for almost everyone, as the group of calvary made their way much safe. Empire calvary is a unit of next level, unlike normal calvary of Black Dragon empire, these warriors rode giant horned buffalos. Adam believed that normal horses will not able to charge carrying these men anyway.

Even Adam had to admit it was good to have a reliable group to travel. According to Karina who’s travelling with Adam today, even without these troops, roads from stronghold to villages are often patrolled by the military and much safer. Yesterday incident is already reported to the stronghold by Karina and today the investigations will happen on the location.

Adam didn’t feel much optimistic about this though if the other party had seen their group, they might be much more cautious from now on. And if they are strong enough and got provoked by the military, there is a good chance Karina might get ambushed on the way back. But Adam kept these to himself as he felt that others are more experienced and had more knowledge on these parts of the world.

……………….

Only a couple of hours later from the start of the journey, Adam noticed the vast tree line ending the open fields. This time the High pass mountain was much closer and the thick trees extended all the way to the endless mountain range.

"Mr. Adam we are about to enter the Westwood forest” confirming his theory Karina gave him an assuring smile.

“The village is inside the forest?” Adam is really amazed by the boldness of these people. He had to admit, even though the Black Dragon empire was military-focused country compared to Crimson empire, where people born with an innate talent for battle, they are far behind. Still how bold is to build a village inside the forest. Especially in a forest bordering the unexplored mysterious mountain range.

“Mr. Adam don’t be surprised. Most of the villages in the area are inside the Westwood forest. But none of them are located too deep, just in the boundary” Karina gave him a satisfying explanation.

“Our military mostly trained in these forests areas by hunting and fighting, that’s why some nations look at Crimson empire as barbarian lands” she continued “Still that is the reason our people are strong, even if young people born in the cities they have to stay here for at least year if they want to join empire’s army”

‘No wonder’ Adam looked at the Empire calvary group in front of the carriage, they looked much stronger and gave a weird sense of pressure compared to normal city guards. And by no means city guards are weak, he can’t imagine how strong are the empire knights and guardian knights.

Not long after they entered the path covered by the tree line and the same metallic sound rang in his brain.

-Mission – World is cruel than what it looks, Survival is only for the strong.

- Mission target – Learn to survive

- Mission Progression – Arrive at the West wood forest within one week. (Complete)

- Mission assessment –

                                          Arrival time (3 Days) F ->C

                                          Believer’s prestige established C ->A

-Final Assessment - A

- Mission reward – Authenticating as first mission (calculating reward)

- Attribute points – 2   Skill Points – 3       Ability points – 2              General points – 3000

-Special survival skill selecting – Host is not suited to survive in the environment

- Draft survival ability – Wolf Transformation (Basic)

- Host wish to receive the reward now? (Receive)

- Please wait for the second phase of the mission patiently

Adam felt happy, worried and confused at the same time. The mission is completed but there is a second phase? He was expecting this anyway. He didn’t accept his reward immediately ‘what if I become a wolf forever’ he didn’t want to be like that. However, reply from the system made him speechless

- Please check your skills and ability’s and their description from corresponding windows without   making assumptions

- System assessment – Host’s rationality is below average

‘What kind of assessment is that I was just wondering’ he complained silently before checking through the system

-Host Name                     -                 Adam

-Attributes

Strength                          -                 G

Agility                             -                  G

Spirit                                -                 F+

Intuition                           -                 F+

Attribute points – 2     Skill Points – 3       Ability points – 2              General points – 3000

- Attribute points detected please select an attribute to level up

‘Does it really affect me? And what should I upgrade” he started to wonder ‘Maybe I should wait he thought looking at his poor strength and agility

Next, he wondered if he has any skills, weirdly enough he had two skills

Tracking (Basic) – Host is able to track and analyze fresh tracks (Upgradable – General points – 800 Skill points – 2)

Cooking (Basic) – Host is able to prepare a simple meal, nothing special (Upgradable - General points – 200 Skill points – 1)

He had points to upgrade tracking which will be at least useful but cooking is not going to help him much so he decided to save some points and decide later. Maybe he will be able to learn something related to combat

As for the Abilities, since he didn’t accept system reward there was none, he felt pity for himself. Because both tracking and cooking are the things he learned as a child and system count them as skill, that means he has no combat skills at all.

“Master Adam we are here” he suddenly heard Karina. Next moment he was stunned looking at the giant village in front of them. ‘Can this be called a village’ sure the buildings are crude, roads are crude and only wooden wall, but the number of buildings extending far made him realize there should be at least several thousand people here if not more.

‘No wonder they say Crimson empire originated from here, if all the villages are like this there is no doubt about it’ Adam thought looking at the large number of people he can see through the open gates of the village.

Calvary made their way straight into the village while the rest of the travellers were stopped at the gate. Adam noticed clearly the village guards are not inferior to West Coast city guards, maybe even better. Harsh conditions in the wild truly make tough men. He saw even the normal men in the village had something more than the natives in the West Coast.

He got off the carriage with the others and within moment Village guards, calvary and even normal people all noticed the unusual person in the group ‘as expected’ Adam sighed within. System clothes bring too much attention if he was in something normal no one will notice him with small build compared to most men in the group. Even with his six-foot-tall figure is quite average without these clothes.

However, now Even the captain of the Empire cavalry turned back and started to approach him making Adam feel helpless ‘Fuck what to do’ he can feel his palms sweating.

Lucky for him, Karina is hellbent on winning Adam’s favour immediately stood up to Captain ‘Captain Carl, master Adam is with us” she then got close to him and whispered something, Adam had no idea that she was telling them that he is a 9^th tire mage. However, he saw clearly the giant man named Carl’s eyes lit up.

“Master Adam allow me to introduce myself, I am Carl second captain of East Stronghold Calvary. It’s an honour to meet you” Adam lightly grabbed his extended hand “Adam” he simply didn’t want to say about Wolf God part.

“Mr. Adam are you here to look into missing people?” he asked hopefully. Adam was about to say no when the system made its move first

-Optional Mission – Since you have established the prestige as a man of the god it’s time to defend innocents

- Mission target – Find the reason clues about missing people (within 3 days)

- Mission Reward – Depending on the performance extra rewards will be added

- Mission Failure – Losing the prestige of the God will affect future missions

Adam gritted his teeth and muttered one word while cursing at the system 'what prestige I feel like a conman'

“Yes”