Warm Flames

Heading back to the same spot where he was before, Lucius noticed that Tom had left, and in his place was Reni, engaged in a conversation with Kevin.

"Lucius, I didn't know you would come," Reni said, sounding a bit uncomfortable, feeling as though he had betrayed his nephew's trust.

"We decided at the last moment, and it's good for experience," Lucius replied, understanding that everyone had their own opinions and choices. Reni had invited Lucius to join the group he was with, but he wasn't fond of large gatherings.

"We found a few more creatures in the mines, Kobolds. Now, at least we know there is another race apart from Goblins and Humans, with the wolves and other animals in the forest," Lucius informed them.

Taking out a cooked boar meat, Lucius started to bite on it, savouring the taste while Reni was lost in thought, contemplating the information they had learned.

"Well, I have to go. Take care, see you later, Kevin," Reni waved and left, sensing that Lucius was not in the mood for further conversation.

With Reni gone, Lucius turned his attention to Kevin, curious about the discussion they had just had. "What was he talking to you about, Kevin?" Lucius asked, watching the back of his uncle as he left.

Kevin sensed Lucius' discomfort but trusted him enough to answer honestly, "He told me that we can join him. He wants you to follow him, basically to protect you at the same time," Kevin explained, keeping it simple.

"Really now? Why is he poaching, going behind my back?" Lucius muttered, feeling annoyed that Reni was making decisions without involving him in the process.

"Why does he not join us if he wants to protect us so much?" Lucius asked, puzzled by Reni's decision.

"Have you ever asked him to join? Knowing you, you probably didn't," Kevin replied, lowering his voice slightly as he made the observation.

Thinking he indeed had not asked him, Lucius realized that he was conflicted about Reni joining their group. While a part of him wanted his uncle to be with them, he also had concerns about how Reni's approach might affect their growth. He knew that he needed to become stronger to survive in this world.

"I guess not," Lucius replied, taking a bite of his food and eating in silence, lost in his thoughts.

Their contemplative moment was interrupted when Emilia walked up and sat next to them. Despite being in bandages, she carried herself with pride and determination.

"What's up, Kevin? Hi, Lucius," Emilia greeted them, weakly waving but with a sense of pride in her demeanour.

"Hey, Emilia," Kevin replied warmly, and Lucius nodded in acknowledgement.

"Good, you managed to level up and grow stronger so Kevin and Lily won't have to act like babysitters for you," Lucius said to Emilia, who had a proud expression on her face.

Upon hearing Lucius's words, Emilia's proud expression faltered, and her face fell, while Charlotte, who had also heard it, simply smiled in reply.

"You are in a bit of a mood I see," Lily arrived, cleaning the blade and looking at him.

The group turned their attention to the exchange between Lucius and Lily, sensing the sparks that seemed to fly between their eyes. However, despite the tension, Lucius took a deep breath and managed to calm himself down. None could argue with this crazy sword maniac and win.

"Let's start a campfire, and Talon, you can go ask around and get information about any metal, asking to trade it for various items," Talon nodded, being one of the most social, and he left to fulfil the task.

"Kevin, are you near level 4?" Lucius turned to look at Kevin, who nodded in response.

"That must mean Lily is soon at my level. That's good," Lucius thought aloud. He then addressed Charlotte, "Go and ask for some fire. Fred had a torch, so just bring one back so we don't have to rub sticks together." Seeing Charlotte leave, he opened the system panel to check the stats.

[[Name: Lucius Maxwell]

[Age 36/200]

[Level 5 Exp 360/500]

[HP 105/150]

[MP 80/100]

[Free Attributes 4]

[Strength 16]

[Health 15]

[Agility 13]

[Intelligence 10]

[Mana 10]

Skills 'Empowered Luster', 'Steelwork Forge', 'Swiftstep Slash'

Gold 36

"Seeing a new skill called 'Swiftstep Slash (self-created),' he examined it closely. The description read, 'User gathers momentum, dashing forward and slashing at the same time. Distance and power depend on user abilities. Can be used with other skills to create a stronger effect or weaken the effect.'

Seeing the last part, he had used the skill with Luster, making it deadly in a straight line. However, if he used it with another skill, it might weaken the overall effect. He had to be careful not to make them overlap in the same domain. For example, he could not use it with another movement skill as it counted as one.

Then he noticed his health had dropped a bit because of the wounds he got, but the experience and gold increased.

Buying the store in the crafting district had cost him 100 gold, leaving him with 36 gold in his possession after adding the gold earned today. The battles against the goblins in this encounter had earned him a total of 260XP.

Feeling a bit weaker due to the pain in his arm and the various injuries he had sustained, Lucius gathered some firewood while waiting for Charlotte to return with a torch. Once she came back, they ignited the campfire and took seats around it to enjoy some food.

As Lucius looked around, he noticed other groups of people doing similar activities. A fire truly had a way of bringing people together with its warm flames, providing a sense of comfort.

Closing his eyes and leaning against a stone, they enjoyed the silence amidst the distant murmuring. They arranged a guard watch rotation, and as Lucius felt a bit fatigued, he decided to take a short nap to prepare for the night raid.

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[Greetings Readers, Small Note]: I have been working on something, and it's finally done. I have put the map of the first zone feel free to check it out in the auxiliary chapters. It contains a small sneak peak of what will happen in the later on chapters!