STATS
Strength: 17
Speed: 18
Endurance: 15
Intelligence: 20
Mana: 700/700
Perception: 25
Kai increased his strength and speed.
STATS
Strength: 19
Speed: 20
Endurance: 15
Intelligence: 20
Mana: 700/700
Perception: 25
At dawn, the group prepared to depart. Thorne, the demihuman with wolf ears, helped pack supplies stolen from the traffickers, weapons, potions, and maps. Dren, still bound by the ice ropes that Roshia periodically renewed, moaned about his fate, but no one paid him any attention. Allice occasionally shoved him to make him move faster.
The liberated prisoners followed in an irregular line, some limping from old wounds, others leaning on one another for support. Dren, the bound prisoner, stumbled ahead of Allice, his face pale and sweaty under the constant threat of her gaze.
"We have to move fast," Kai said. "Fir's village isn't far. There we can rest, heal the wounded, and decide what to do next."
Roshia nodded, cradling Elara, who had begun to fall asleep in her arms.
"Fir... yes, the chief helped us before."
Allice gave Dren a light shove to pick up the pace. "And this idiot needs a cell. We won't leave him loose for a single second."
Lyla looked at the group, mentally counting heads. "There are many of us, but if we maintain a good pace, we’ll arrive before full nightfall."
The return journey was arduous but fueled by their newly gained freedom. They crossed the river with caution, using Roshia’s magic to create temporary ice bridges. The jungle, though just as dangerous as before, seemed less hostile now, yet the buzzing of insects and distant roars served as constant reminders of its peril.
The freed captives shared stories with Allice, Lyla, and Kai. A dwarf named Grom spoke of lost mines, while a young elf, Lira, sang melodies to keep their spirits high. At sunset, smoke from the chimneys of Fir's village was sighted, bringing a collective sigh of relief. The elevated huts on stilts, connected by vine bridges, emerged from the vegetation.
The inhabitants came out to greet them, eyes wide with surprise at the large group. Chief Fir descended from his hut in the center.
"Kai, Lyla, Allice, Roshia... and a crowd. Did you find the camp? Is this...?"
Kai explained the rescue, detailing the battle in the caves and the liberation. "We need shelter, food, and healers. And a cell for this trash," he said, pointing to Dren.
Fir gestured to his guards, who dragged Dren away. "Come in. Our village is humble, but open to those in need. Let’s get organized."
The village bustled with activity. Inhabitants brought woven blankets, fresh spring water, and stews made of roots and poultry. The wounded were taken to huts converted into infirmaries, where they were given healing potions while an elf used healing magic to close wounds and soothe infections.
Kai and Lyla stepped aside, centering themselves near the main fire.
"It was smart of you not to use your healing magic, we don't want anyone to become suspicious," Kai whispered.
Lyla smiled and sat closer to him. "I know. You aren't strong enough yet to reveal your identity. You still have a long way to go, sweetheart. But you’re improving fast." She gave him a soft kiss on the cheek.
His lips quirked into a subtle smile, but before he could respond, Fir, Allice, and Roshia joined them, with Elara sitting on her mother’s lap, greedily eating exotic fruits.
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"Thank you for all of this," Roshia told Fir. "Without your map, we wouldn't have found the ruins in time."
"It was the right thing to do. Those traffickers have been a plague for years," Fir replied. "But now, with this rescue, I’m sure we’ve dealt them a heavy blow, even if ending the black market entirely is nearly impossible. It is the evil in people."
"We know, but I promise to do everything I can to try and end it, even if it takes my whole life," Kai responded firmly.
Fir nodded with pride. "You are someone very special, Kai. You live up to your name."
Kai was surprised for a brief second but quickly hid it. "Do you know the hero Kai?"
Fir laughed. "Of course. In fact, he was a great ally to us. He was such a... kind boy." For the first time, nostalgia reflected on Fir's face. "He saved my life, and this whole village. That’s why even though we are within the territory of the Genesis Kingdom, we don't follow their religion. When the hero disappeared... they tried to reimplant it here, but we refused. And so it remains to this day."
"Wow, it seems the hero was very well loved," Kai responded, seeing Lyla look at him with a smile, further proving her point that Kai was deeply cherished.
As they spoke, a new face approached the fire. She was a demihuman woman with feline features, pointed ears, and a slender tail, dressed in tight leather clothes adorned with feathers. She carried a longbow on her back and a sword at her waist, her yellow eyes glowed with curiosity. Her name was Mira, a village scout who had just returned from a patrol.
"Talking about the great hero, eh?" Mira positioned herself in front of them. "When I was little, he taught me almost everything I know. He was like a father to me."
Kai looked her up and down, a mix of confusion in his mind as he faintly began to remember.
"I heard what you did," Mira said, sitting down without an invitation but with a friendly smile. "Freeing so many... impressive. I’m Mira, the best tracker in this jungle. If you need help hunting or exploring, I’m your woman."
Still somewhat confused, Kai noted her confidence and the way her eyes scanned everything, as if she were always on alert. "Welcome, Mira. I’m Kai. Your skills could be useful. Do you know the routes to Athelgard well? We came from there, but the journey was long and a total hell."
Mira nodded, biting into a fruit. "Like the back of my hand. I’ve traded there several times. Planning on going?"
Lyla intervened. "Yes, these freed people come from a village on the outskirts of Athelgard territory. We want to take them back and help them rebuild if necessary."
Mira leaned forward, interested. "I can guide you. The jungle changes, but I know the safest and fastest paths. In exchange, maybe you’ll let me join your group. This village is peaceful, but I’m looking for adventure. And you seem to have it in abundance."
Allice laughed softly. "A tracker like you would be valuable. Welcome aboard, Mira."
Over the following days, the group grew closer. The liberated prisoners recovered, Thorne, the wolf demihuman, helped with the hunts alongside Mira, sharing stories of his village before he was captured. An elderly elf named Sylva educated Elara in her magic to keep her entertained. Roshia and Lyla spent time together.
Kai, for his part, trained with Allice and Mira. Mira showed him jungle tricks she had actually learned thanks to Kai’s first life, how to read tracks in wet mud and how to use vines for improvised traps. In the evenings, gathered around the fire, they shared laughs and plans.
Kai felt a warmth growing within him, not just for Lyla, whose casual touches he now returned with genuine smiles, but for this new sense of community. Elara grew very close to Kai, seeing him as a hero from a storybook. One night, she asked him to tell her a story.
"Tell me about dragons," she said, snuggling up next to him.
Kai improvised a tale of a hero who defeated beasts to protect his people. As he spoke, real memories surfaced, past battles and lost allies. Lyla watched him, looking proud.
After a week, once the injured were sufficiently recovered, the group prepared to leave. Fir gave them extra supplies.
"Come back whenever you wish," Fir said. "This village will always be a home for you."
With Mira officially joining them, the group marched back toward the outskirts of Athelgard. The journey took less time than the trip from Athelgard to the jungle, thanks to Mira. She proved her worth by guiding them through hidden paths. Thorne and other freed men joined the night watches, strengthening the bond of the group.
Finally, they reached the outskirts of Athelgard. The forest opened into green meadows, but as they approached the village, the smell of old smoke and destruction hit them.
The village was completely in ruins. Houses were burned to the ground, the central well was demolished, and animal carcasses were scattered about. There were no signs of life, only ash and silence.
Everyone observed the scene, what were once their homes were now nothing. Although the pain was present, everyone had mentally prepared themselves before arriving that this was the most likely outcome.
The group explored the ruins, and that night, around an improvised fire, they gathered together. Roshia, her eyes red, spoke first.
"This was our home. Now... nothing. But we cannot give up. We must rebuild."
Thorne nodded. "We have strong hands. Materials. But we need a leader. Someone to unite us, to protect us."
Everyone looked at Kai.
Sylva spoke. "Kai, you freed us. You guided us here. You are the hero this world needs again. Be the leader of this new village."
Mira smiled. "I’d follow you. You have the fire in your eyes," she added.
Lyla squeezed his hand. "You know you can do it. It’s who you’ve always been."
Kai looked at the group, hopeful faces, wounded but determined. He felt the weight, but also the certainty.
"I accept," he said firmly. "We will rebuild this village. We will make it stronger, a refuge for everyone. No one else will suffer like we did."
Applause and murmurs of approval filled the air. Kai stood up, outlining plans, collecting wood, assigning roles.
[ SYSTEM MESSAGE ]
New Quest: Rebuild the Village
Reward: +300 XP
Kai smiled internally. This was only the beginning.
The following days were filled with hard work. Kai directed the efforts, Thorne and Mira hunted and scouted, Roshia and Sylva used magic to reinforce structures, Allice trained guards, and Lyla motivated and gave wise advice without revealing too much of her divinity.
Little by little, the village was reborn, new huts, a perimeter wall, and a repaired well. Elara planted flowers, the little girl, along with the other children, symbolized hope.
At night, Kai spoke with Lyla about the future. "This is what I always wanted," he said. "A safe place."
"And you shall have it," she replied, curling up against him.
