Survival and Sacrifice: Rain’s Dilemma    

Rain assigned tasks to his troops, directing them to gather twigs, small branches, or anything useful for building a makeshift tent to shield them from the relentless heat of the sun.

He was determined to ensure his troops' safety and protect them from this weather or from being eaten in this barren landscape while he was in the real world.

Anyway by tomorrow, they would have better shelter and wouldn't have to worry about food and water.

Troop #1 brought back a mouthful of twigs, displaying resourcefulness and obedience.

It was a hardworking little chick. Rain was pleased.

Troop #2 found a tattered fabric swaying in the wind — a nice discovery.

Rain praised it for a job well done.

Troop #1 made a face. It didn't want to be outdone, and it struggled with a bundle of twigs ten times bigger than its body, barely able to carry them.

Rain acknowledged its effort, sensing that it wanted to prove itself.

"Good job." Rain scratched Troop #1's chin and the latter chirp happily.

Renewed with vigor, Troop #1 dashed off to gather more twigs.

Troops #3 to #5 picked up dirt in their beaks, presenting it to Rain eagerly, hoping for praise and pets as well.

"Uhm . . . I'll give you a thumbs up for effort."

Everyone were picking up random things like dried leaves, sand, and even strands of hair and fur. Some began arranging them to make a bedding and settled down for a rest under the shade of the makeshift tent.

However, Rain noted that the Aasimars needed food or at least water to avoid exhaustion and dehydration. Their delicate bodies weren't suited for this harsh climate.

Luckily, the tent was completed, although it barely accommodated the five chicks and seemed precarious enough to topple over with a gust of wind.

This wasn't exactly Rain's idea of adequate shelter, but it would have to suffice for the time being.

~chirp!~

Troop #1 fluttered out of the tent and perched at Rain's shoulder.

Rain somehow sensed what it wanted to convey, a peculiar feeling settled over him. It was offering him its space, which he found both amusing and touching.

Even if all five of them sacrificed their space, Rain still wouldn't fit inside that tiny tent. It simply wasn't designed to accommodate someone of his size.

"It's fine. I can withstand this heat. You go in there and rest first. I'll go find water for you guys, so stay right there."

Troop #1 refused to leave him alone, so Rain decided to carry it in his hands to shield it from the sun.

For some reason, this little chick seemed to have more advanced thinking than the rest, and its attachment to him was the strongest. Rain couldn't help but feel a little attached to it as well.

As they searched for water, Rain made sure to map the area. He had instructed the other chicks to gather any useful items they could find and reminded them to take breaks if needed before he left.

Rain was in a dilemma about finding water. This place wasn't a desert, so there probably wasn't an oasis here.

He could choose to wake up and fetch water from the real world, but he didn't have any Soul Elixirs to make the extraction.

Besides, he was concerned that it might take a while before he could fall asleep again if he woke up. Time passed differently in the real world compared to the Spirit Realm; six hours in the real world equated to one day in this realm, or so he read.

That was why it was always advisable not to prolong being away from your territory unless your territory and troops were at high enough levels to defend themselves for a few days while you're back in the real world.

But Rain didn't have that luxury of time.

Heck! He didn't even have a proper tent nor any fence. His territory was practically open for beast to maul over at his troops!

Rain massaged his head. This was the first time that he was so stressed from his entire year of existence. And it wasn't even about his safety, but the safety of his troops'.

Fortunately, throughout that four-hour task of gathering materials and constructing the tent, he gained 40 EP.

Rain didn't know if that was fast, but it did say that his territory would provide him double the EP due to its harsh living conditions.

Only 60 points more, and he could evolve one of his troop.

Rain was thinking of evolving Troop #1 first since it was the most logical out of the bunch and definitely a leader material.

Rain paused . . . what was he thinking?!

He was going to give up his title and territory tomorrow, so there was no point.

~chirp!~

Rain stopped as Troop #1 tugged at his hair, perching on his shoulder to easily peck at the short strands of his green hair.

Following Troop #1's pointed wing, Rain's eyes widened as he noticed what it was indicating — a large lizard-like creature, stealthily moving from stone to stone, blending into its surroundings.

Is that one of the many beasts roaming in here? Rain wondered.

"It looks like an ordinary tree lizard," Rain thought aloud.

Troop #1 fluttered its wings frantically and pointed towards its stomach, trying its best to communicate.

"Oh no . . . don't tell me . . . you're hungry?"

Troop #1 nodded its head up and down.

What does it want me to do? Kill it?

Rain felt his stomach churn. He had never killed a lizard before, not even the lizards in his apartment.

And how was he supposed to kill that thing? It was half his size!

~chirp!~

~chirp!~

Troop #1 gestured, and to Rain's amazement, he could understand it.

There was a common [Short Sword] in his inventory, part of the starter items the ball of light had given him.

But . . . could he wield and use it?

Rain didn't have time to think as Troop #1 bravely confronted the lizard, which was now approaching them –– fast!

"Hey, wait!"

It was too late. The Giant Barren Lizard had spotted them and hissed before it slithered towards Rain with alarming speed.