A Unexpected Threat

Father and I decided to depart after finishing our lunch and creating a makeshift map to the three essential shops we needed to visit: a general store, a pharmacy, and a hardware store.

Khush: "Before we leave, Dad, I think it's crucial to unclaim some properties that are not essential for survival here."

Father: "Why?"

Khush: "Because we may need to claim some properties on the way to the shops to stay safe from monsters. Additionally, we'll have to claim the shops and put them on lockdown mode to ensure that neither monsters nor humans can steal anything from them."

Father: "Ok, I currently have 11 claimed properties. How many should I unclaim, 3?"

Khush: "You need to unclaim 4, one for each store and an extra one in case we need it. Also, Christine, I need you to stay 15-20 meters ahead and above us to scout for any monsters."

Christine: "Sure thing. Since you've given me the map, I'll scout ahead and let you know if I find anything."

Khush: "Mom, can I talk to you for a moment?"

Mom: "Of course, go ahead."

Khush: "Not here, inside. I want to check on how Shrasti is doing."

Khush and his mother then went to Shrasti's room

Khush: "How are you feeling?"

Shrasti: "What do you think?" Cough-cough

Khush: "I can see you're not feeling well, which is why I'm asking."

Shrasti: "If you can see that, why ask?" Cough-cough

Khush: "Why are you screaming at me? I just wanted to ask my sister how she's feeling, but you're being childish about it."

Shrasti: "Just get lost if you're done. "

Khush: "Yeah, yeah, I'm leaving. I'll be back after I get medicine for you."

Mom: "Please be safe out there, honey."

Khush: "I will be, Mom. I promise."

Khush's mother hugs him after hearing that, and he starts to leave.

Shrasti quietly says, "Be safe out there and thanks."

Father: "Are you ready, son?"

Khush: "Ready as ever, Dad. Let's depart now."

Khush: "Where's Christine? Is she controlling a fly?"

As Khush finishes his sentence, a fly begins buzzing in front of his eyes.

Khush: "Is that you, Christine?"

The fly moves up and down, almost as if nodding in response.

Khush: "Alright then, let's get going."

Father and I proceed downstairs and towards the general store.

Khush: "So, the general store is just 2 streets from here, right?"

Father: "Yes, we should hurry and head there. Christine, if you can hear me, please scout the general store and check for any monsters along the way."

As they make their way from their street to the main street, a fly lands on Khush's nose and then on his right ear, signaling them to stop immediately, take cover, and open the notebook, which they promptly do.

Khush: "Christine, I've opened the notebook. Land on it and tell me what happened. Father, while I'm communicating with her, please claim this property as a precaution."

Father: "Okay, good idea. Ability - property claim."

Following this, Christine, controlling the fly, lands on pre-written words. Firstly, she lands on "Monster," and then she lands on "alert," continuously moving back and forth between the two written words.

Khush: "'Monster alert?' Christine, please calm down and explain fully."

Then she lands on 'sorry'

Khush: "It's okay, now tell me what happened."

Christine first lands on the letter 'I', then on the pre-written words 'saw', followed by the numbers '2' and '6'. Then she lands on the words 'goblins', 'near', 'general', 'store', 'and', 'orc'.

Khush: " 'I saw 26 goblins near the general store and one orc. ' You saw 26 goblins near the general store? How many orcs?"

She lands on the number '1'.

Khush: "One orc. Okay."

Father: "What did she say?"

Khush: "She saw some goblins and one orc near our destination."

Father: "Oh no, what should we do? We need the supplies urgently. Should we cancel it? But what if they destroy everything?"

Khush: "Take a deep breath, Father. I've already formulated a plan for this situation."