19 Chapter 19 - Good Fortune!
"HAHA! Keep at it boys! This is the last cycle!" shouted Theo.
The other men are now hunting with a relax atmosphere and laidback attitude unlike the first time they are hunting the rabbits. This is because, after several rounds of hunting and retreating, even them are getting familiar with the attack pattern of the rabbit. Some are even yawning and others cast away their own swords to pummel the rabbits with their bare hands like a bunch of savages.
"Now fall back to the exit! Time to wrap it up!" said Theo. He was quite happy with their harvest today.
However, just as they were finishing up to knock the last rabbit, that rabbit suddenly charged forward with its ability [Rabbit Rush] towards one of the swordsmen and he dodged to the left. The resulting action caused the rabbit to hit a tree trunk behind and died a pitiful death.
"... Ummmm..."
Everyone was dumbstruck with their mouth agaped and eyes opened up wide.
"Ruuuuunnnnnnnn!!"
They shouted together while running like idiots with sacks filled with knocked out rabbits on their tow.
As they exitted the great forest, at first the villagers who saw them cheered on their energetic return. However, upon their closer look, it seems that around 10 rabbits were mad on pursuit behind their them with its eyes bloodshot. The rabbits are growling very loud and although it only seems to sound 'Grrr' or 'Brrrr' they seemed to be saying something like:
"F*ck! You humans dare to kidnap our kin! We're gonna bite your a*s off! Return our kin at once!"
The villagers are lining up getting ready to pull up the bridge once Theo and the gang were on it.
"Pull it up now!!" Shouted Theo.
"HUURAAAA!" all the idle villagers before were pulling the ropes as if they are going at it like a tug of war with their warcries. At the end of the rope, you could even see a cat biting the rope to pull up the bridge. It was quite a sight to behold.
'Broommm! Clank!' the wooden bridge was pulled up in a matter of seconds thanks to the concerted effort of the villagers and the cat. In fact, had the last man on the bridge were any slower in running, he would be catapulted into the air to land onto the next town!
"Saved! That was pretty close!" the men were panting and laid flat on the ground. They had never run so fast before in their life! Even getting chased by mountain bandits wouldn't make them run like lunatics. Most of their hair are now disheveled and unkempt, their previous valiant figures were instantly turned into that of a peasant with their clothes tattered to its extreme. With the exception of Jerald and Theo of course.
Jerald still maintained his valiant image although he was panting quite a little bit. However, when people shift their gaze to look at Theo, they saw him with his hands clasped behind, his figure seems to gaze up into the sky with his back facing them. Seemingly like someone contemplating the meaning of life. Thus, people couldn't see how he was panting so hard that his tongue sticked out like a thirsty animal and his eyes opened weakly with its pupil pointing upwards. It seems he would passed out at any given moment now should he move even a tiny bit.
The villagers behind him were all merrily cheering while some are throwing stones towards the opposite banks of the river where the rabbits congregate together staring at them in a hostile manner. It seems right now that their enmity would be irreconcillable.
"What are you rabbits looking at??! I'm gonna beat your children if you keep on looking at me like that!"
"Yeah! Go screw off somewhere you damned rabbits! You have been pestering off our farms for years! Time for a payback!"
...
The villagers felt like they are on cloud nine looking staunch and swelling with pride as they reprimand the rabbits from afar. Had they were on the other side of the river banks with the rabbits, well not to mention reprimanding, perhaps they would even be screaming, but in terror ofcourse. Seems like these villagers like to act tough thought Theo.
[Ting!]
[Congratulations on completing your hunt. You have received 110 experience points from your rabbit hunt. A bonus of 100 experience points have been added for the team effort and your leadership act. 200 RP have been added.]
[Ting!]
[Congratulations! Host has levelled up by 2 level! Host are now at level 4! 10 stats points have been given.]
[Ting!]
[Congratulations! You have managed to subdue the hearts of the people in Kol's Village! Your influence in the village has now reached 100%! The ability [Ruler's Mode] has now been unlocked!]
[Ting!]
[New varieties of items have been added to the shop!]
...
The series of notifications from the system made Theo smiled ear to ear and he soon forgot his fatigue. He willed towards the system to check his info.
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/// [IDENTITY] \\\
Name: Theodore
Level: 4
Job: Ruler
Age: 27
/// [BASIC INFO] \\\
Hp: 180/180
Magic: 80/80
Exp: 10/400
RP: 203
/// [STATS] \\\
Strength - 12 ( +5 )
Defence - 16 ( +18 )
Physique - 11 ( +2 )
Magic - 6 ( +3 )
Intelligence - 23 (+5 )
Agility - 14 ( +6 )
/// [SKILLS] \\\
Basic Sword Art (Lv1) +
Basic Magic Ward (Lv1) +
Time Decelaration (Lv2) +
/// [ABILITIES] \\\
Ruler's Influence (Lv2) (exp 0/300) +
Ruler's Kingdom (Lv2) +
Ruler's Abode (Lv1) +
Ruler's Mode (Lv1) +
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He pondered for awhile before deciding to distribute 3 of the stats points to Strength, 6 points to Defence and 1 point to Magic.
[Ting!]
[Strength stats has reached 20 points and Defense stats has reached 40 points. Hidden skill [Combat Awareness(Lv1)] has been unlocked.]
[Ting!]
[Magic has reached 10 points. Tier 1 elemental magic could now be learned by the host.]
Seeing that another two notifications had appeared, Theo couldn't help but to feel that he had finally hit the jackpot. The effort and numerous preparations he made for the rabbit hunt was totally worth it. Even spending his RP that left him into a pauper were soon thrown into the back of his mind. He didn't mind them any longer as he has benefitted a lot in the end.
"HAHA! I had to give my thanks to the whole rabbit species for this good fortune!" thought Theo inside his mind. He was grateful towards those rabbits and thus, he decided later on to eat their meat clean, until their bones sparkle like diamonds to express his thanks.
"Now let's check this new ability [Combat Awareness] first." as he willed towards the system to show the ability's description.
[Ting!]
[[Combat Awareness (Lv1)] can enhance the instinct of the host by 3 times. It will result in a smoother focus, thoughts and decision-making process during battle. It will consume 10 MP per minute.]
Seeing this description, Theo nodded to himself that this ability would definitely be useful for him in a pinch during battle. Next he shifted his view towards the new ability [Ruler's Mode].
[Ting!]
[[Ruler's Mode (Lv1)] will enable the host to view any conquered domains in a bird's eye view angle. In this mode, the host can micro-manage each domain and look at its overall development. This will be in terms of technologies, populations, income and expenditures as well as its cultures.]
"HAHAHA! Now this is what a Ruler should definitely have! The ability to micro-manage would mean I can place buildings and upgrades at any place that I want within my domain! These summaries too will definitely help me on setting up my goals for this village development to slowly turn it into a bustling city... And then... Just maybe.. into my own empire! HAHAHAHA!"
Clenching his fists tightly in his excitement, he was about to view into the shop section of the system when Jerald came over to him.
"Lord, on behalf of the men, I would like to thank you for conducting this hunt. From now on, we will listen to any orders you will give us." said Jerald with a subservient tone.
"That is true Lord Theo, I on behalf of the village as its village head would also like to express our deepest gratitude. If there is anything you need us to do, you would only need to speak and it will be our command to follow!" said Samo the village head in also a subservient tone but with a tinge of fanaticism in it.
"Bow towards the Lord!" shouted the village head.
In a harmony, all the villagers including Jerald and the men from the hunt bowed 90 degrees towards Theo in a show of acceptance and respect. In that instant, it seems that the sun has shone warmly onto the village that the sight it creates is beautiful and breathtaking. The grass and trees seems to become more green and vibrant. The rivers seems to hum the breath of an angel and the birds seems to chirp the songs of heaven.
Theo could feel their whole-hearted sincerity in their bows. Without hesitation, he also bowed towards them. As he stood up straight again, he felt that his heart are thumping with vigor and warm feelings flowed in it. With clenched fists, he decided that from now on..
This would become his place..
This would become his home..
This is his family!
With a cough, he gestured with his hands for them to stand straight as he soon spoke with a bright smile:
"Alright everyone! Time for a feast!!"
"YEAAAAA!!!" the whole village shouted with hands clenched and thrown upwards into the air.
At that moment, the cheering sounds penetrate the sky as it seems to reach the heavens.
...
Up in the grand heavens where golden rainbows and hums of heavens resounded throughout the realm, in a grand palace decorated with gold and jades, stood a golden throne, where a supreme cosmic entity sat on it.
His face seems to be full of glows, as his lips curl into a warm smile. This is Chronos, the supreme Ruler of Time and Space.
"I knew you can do it.." he said.
Then he began to stood up from his throne. As he stood, numerous cosmic entity bowed and prostrate on the ground in reverence towards him. If any person that is wise enough to know, they would realize that these prostrating entities were no other than Supreme Rulers of their own realm, Lords of numerous galaxies and Supreme Guardians of numerous planets in the mortal world!
The mere sight of them would shock anyone to death! Yet they bowed in reverence towards the one ontop of the throne. From this alone, one can imagine the ultimate power Chronos holds in his hands!
Then, he began to speak with an archaic voice, so ancient that it seeps through the bones of anyone who hears it.
"With my name, title and power, I hereby bless the lands of Kol's village to grow prosper! None of you and your subordinates shall interfere in that domain!" his tone strict and domineering as the lands seems to shake with his voice alone.
"We hear and obey!" shouted the numerous prostrating entities in harmony.
Nodding his head, Chronos sat back down on his throne and continued to watch Theo by the display in front of him. His gaze full of warmth, no longer showing that domineering aura before when he made his command.
"This is the best I can do.. I hope you will succeed.. forgive me.. my son.." he murmurred in a voice that only he could hear.
As that last sentence was spoken, it seems as if an infinite number of thorns were prickled onto his heart...
