Chapter 50 - The Villagers' Choice

Just before he left, he casted 3 "Basic Fire Blast(D)" to destroy the corpses.

He did this to make sure those who came after won't be able to tell how they were killed.

Naga bones were like soft cartilage and conveniently turned to ashes from the fire blast.

Kiel told Xue Er to carry the heads he had strung together with random vine he found while he picked up the tridents.

After making sure everything was to his satisfaction, he turned and headed towards the Village located uphill.

The trip was uneventful but the path was treacherous due to the slippery mud.

The trio took 3 hours to reach the gates of the Village just before the night fell.

The Village defenders have spotted them early. 

They had closed the gates and rallied the defenders.

As he neared, he could see they were all surprised seeing 3 humans walking out from the forest.

Stopping just before the village gates, Kiel shouted:

"I have some gifts for you guys, aren't you guys going to open the gates to welcome us?"

As he did, he took the heads from Xue Er and tossed it to the defenders over the gates.

He heard panicked screams and curses as he heard things fall and the sound of mud splashing after the head went over the gate.

However, before long, a firm voice shouted for the defender to calm down and everything went quiet.

A few minutes later, the big gates creaked open and a big muscular man walked over with Kiel's gift.

"Who are you? Why are you here?"

Boki the Village Chief barked as he looked at the trio cautiously.

"My name is Kiel Sinclair. We are here to help." Kiel put on his brightest smile.

"And why would you do that?"

Boki countered.

"Well, we are sent by the Gods to prove ourselves. Either we pass or we die."

Kiel replied solemnly.

"Prove it. Prove the Gods' sent you"

One of the warriors demanded while the rest of the warriors broke into murmurs.

Kiel smiled and calmly asked

"And how do I prove myself?"

The crowd was silenced. No one knew what to say.

"Let's go in first before we continue shall we?"

With that Kiel strode forward as the crowd automatically made way as they were still at a loss as to how to get him to prove himself.

"Show us you are worthy!"

Boki demanded as Kiel reached the centre of the soaked bonfire.

Kiel turned around to face him while smiling.

He casted "Basic Fire Blast(D)" at the bonfire which immediately dried up all the wood and started to burn crazily.

Then, Kiel hooked a finger at the Chief.

Boki pulled out a massive hatchet from his back and stood facing him with weapons at ready.

Kiel primed "Basic Fire Blast(D)" to form a massive ball of fire burning in his palm then "Instant Step(S)" behind Boki and held the ball behind his head.

"Should I release this?" Kiel calmly asked as he watched the Chief's hair curl from the heat.

The chief held his hands up and conceded, then Kiel stopped the spell and the fireball dissipated.

Seeing Kiel's one -sided performance, the village warriors knew they couldn't win but weren't convinced.

Looking at the unsatisfied faces, Kiel pulled out his sword from his ring. 

Amidst the round of gasp of surprise at the sudden appearance of the sword, Kiel smiled at the Chief and asked:

"Care for another round? No spells."

Boki stood in silence observing Kiel trying to gauge his strength and before he could reply, his son Kai stood in front of his father with his spear.

"Let me." Kai stood in front of Boki and stared defiantly at Kiel.

Kiel remembered the courageous but brash boy. 

He smiled and decided to demolish the boy who had bullied him a lot in his past life.

As Kiel nodded, Kai immediately took 2 steps forward and stabbed his spear at Kiel's torso.

Raising his sword, Kiel parried the spear away as he took three steps forward.

With his left hand, he grabbed at the spear and with his knee, he kicked towards Kai' stomach.

The movement looks smooth and fluid but once the knee connected, Kai flew up about 1 metre curling like a shrimp before falling down on the floor on all four.

As Kai was grunting in pain, Kiel spun the spear and stabbed it next to his neck.

"Anyone else?"

Kiel calmly asked.

As the crowd cowers, Boki stood out and announced:

"We've seen enough, what is it that you want?"

Kiel looked at the thickly build chief straight in his eyes and replied with a cold face:

"Help you so I can complete my trial.

You should have noticed, the Nagas are getting more aggressive lately.

In 2-3 months, it will get much worse and 6 months from now, your village will be wiped out.

If you wish to have any hope of surviving, you need to start making changes now. 

Or your village will burn.

My main trial is to subjugate the Nagas. 

However, your village condition after that will determine how big my rewards will be.

So it is in my best interest that I save your village.

And I have decided to save your village.

But I am a reasonable man, you get to choose if the experience will be pleasant or very unpleasant.

Regardless, I promise the experience will be unforgettable."

Out of the corner of his eyes, Kiel could see Soeyoon's stunned face with her mouth slightly agape.

Behind her, Xue Er was not doing much better, 

He could see both girls whisper for the level clear requirements and were carefully reading the screen in front of them.

Just as he was about to fake coughing to remind the girls, the Village Shaman, Tia, walked out from the back of the crowd of women and children towards them.

The old woman looked directly into Kiel's eyes firmly as she walked.

As she came before Kiel, she replied:

"You have very clear eyes and they told me that you believe all you said were the truth.

I have spoken with the spirits and they show me clouds of blood looming over our village.

I believe you. Please guide us and we will do our best to assist, please protect us"

After that she bowed.

With that, everyone bowed and she added:

"Let's get you rested then we can discuss more on what to do next."

After saying that, Tia signalled to a few girls in the crowd who then made their way to him and made a welcoming gesture.

Kiel took a side glance at the old woman and when they made eye contact, Kiel gave her a wide meaningful smile.

He did not say anything as he followed the guide to his resting area.

Kiel and the girls were led to a nice hut next to the main hall.

As he entered, Kiel went and sat leaning against a pillar and motioned for the girls to use the straw beds prepared for them.

After the two girls settle down, Kiel mumbled:

"I hope they don't do stupid things."

He then looked at the girls who immediately straightened up and said:

"You two rest up. Regardless of what happened tonight, your boot camp is starting tomorrow."

Then he closed his eyes to rest.

Though he was asleep, he was fully aware of everything happening around him. 

What happened during the night would decide his next course of action and show the real attitude of the villagers.

Now, he could only wait.