Chapter 3: 3: BAMBI? NOPE!

'I'm Laura.' The girl with the pixie cut says as our group steps into the forest. 'Do you think we'll ever find a way home?'

I frown as I look at her. She looks young. Around the same age as Kyle? I can't blame her for asking that question, though. I've been wondering the same thing. 

'We'll find a way. No matter how long it takes.' I reply. It's best to give her some hope. Not just for her but for myself as well. Got to have a goal in this fucked up situation. I groan when we're finally fully under the canopy of the forest. 'Is it just me, or did it just get warmer?'

'I feel it too.' David sighs as he wipes the sweat pouring like a waterfall over his brow. I shake my head as I look at him. This place is going to be hard for him. 

'Same,' Laura grumbles. 'I thought the shade would make it easier.'

Her pale skin is already starting to turn red on her face and shoulders. I usually tan well, but I'll probably burn a few times before my skin gets used to this heat. Branches and undergrowth rustle and snap beneath our feet as those in the front glance around nervously.

'Kyle, what should we be looking for?' Sam calls out from the front.

'Could be anything.' Kyle calls back. 'Depends on what the inspiration behind this place is.'

'So, anything that moves?'

'Pretty much. Just be careful that whatever is out here isn't waiting to ambush us. Just look for anything that seems wrong.'

Great advice. I sigh as I roll my eyes at the back of Kyle's head. Everything seems wrong here. The leaves on the plants are large with orange rings on them. The vines are twisting masses of purple and blue. What part of this is normal?

'So, why did you pick the Tame option?' I ask David as I study him closely. It was bugging me that he didn't choose Confuse. I thought for sure he would go down that route.

'I thought it sounded good. Back home, I have two dogs.' David sighs as he gets a faraway look in his eyes.

Ok, so he's an animal lover. That makes sense. He probably never got along well with others due to his looks. Now that I could understand. I used to get bullied myself as a kid until around the age of fifteen. I had always been active, just not in popular sports. But once I turned fifteen, my muscle started bulking up instead of staying just toned. 

I wore baggy clothes, so I don't think anyone noticed. Until it was too late. Some guys ganged up on my friend, and I just snapped. I couldn't take it anymore. By the time the fight was over, I'd seriously hurt three of them.

After that, people just avoided me. I was never sure if it was because they feared me or thought I was a bigger freak than they initially thought. Oh well, I can't complain. I still had my close friends, and nobody bothered us after that. The only thing bullies understand is violence. Once they know you're not an easy target, they back off. It's just not worth the hassle to them.

'You know,' I say as I scratch my cheek. 'If you tame something, you'll be expected to use it to fight. I wouldn't get too attached if I were you. It'll only drag you down if something kills it.'

David's eyes go wide as he glances at me. I guess he never thought of that. It would be better if he comes to terms with that now rather than in the middle of a fight. Maybe I misjudged him? I thought he was a creep with the way he looked at Sam. But he doesn't seem like one now. In fact, he seems gentle. I sigh as I scold myself. 

'Wait.' Laura suddenly says as she stops walking. Her voice was little more than a whisper. I frown as I glance over my shoulder at her. That's when I notice that David has stopped as well. Both of them are trembling as they look to the right of our group. But there's nothing there.

'Everyone! Hold up!' I shout when I realise nobody else has heard her. 'Something's up with Laura and David!'

Kyle quickly stops the march as he stares at the pair. His gaze wanders to the forest. 

'You guys ok?' I ask as I place a hand on each of their shoulders.

'I can't explain it.' David whispers, his breathing ragged. 'But I feel like there's something dangerous coming toward us from that direction.'

I frown as I glance back at Kyle, who shrugs his shoulders. He heard David. I stare into the forest where they're looking. But I still can't see anything. No, wait. What was that? Something dark just moved between the trees. I'm sure of it.

'Enemy!' Kyle shouts. 'Body users line up here! It's coming from that direction!'

Shit! I grumble as I grab David and Laura by the arm before dragging them behind the Will users. I don't like this. Whatever I saw was big. How does Kyle expect them to fight that thing when we don't even know what it is?

'It's coming!' Laura suddenly screams, and the tension in the air becomes so thick I can feel it.

I gaze through the others lined up in front of me as I hear something crashing toward us. Oh shit! 

'Hold the line! I'll trap it!' Kyle screams as I stare at the hideous creature.

It's a stag. But it has grey fur with black stripes. My eyes go to its two pairs of barbed antlers and eight legs. It takes all I have not to run. The creature roars at us, its maw opening impossibly wide to reveal two rows of sharp fangs!

'Fluid Earth!' Kyle shouts as some strange things with his hands. 

The stag is almost upon the front line when its front legs suddenly sink into the ground. Its colossal body crashes into the mud as it releases a sharp screech! Fuck! I feel something trickling out of my ears. Suddenly, everything sounds muffled.

Kyle makes another gesture while shouting. The mud turns solid as the frontliners rush to the stag's sides. Some pick up broken branches as they start laying into the creature. However, the makeshift clubs break against it. 

'Get back!' Sam shouts as my hearing becomes clearer again.

I gape as she punches the stag's jaw while avoiding its antlers! Crack! The sound of bones breaking reaches my ears as I look at Sam's fist. Damn! She's totally fine! It was the stag's jaw breaking that I had heard!

Sam doesn't waste any time as she follows through with a jab from her left. Pummeling the stag's snout. The others follow her lead and start punching and kicking the monster's ribs. Crack! Crack, crack! Its bones puncture its own hide. Large gaping bloody holes appear on the beast as the frontliners don't let up.

I shake my head at the scene. How can they be capable of that? Of course, I understand it's their body stat, but that's not what I'm talking about. It wasn't that long ago we were all living ordinary lives. But here they are, fighting a monster and getting covered in blood like it's a typical day!

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I frown as I think about that. Is this human nature at its finest? Or did something happen to our mentality when we arrived here? Now that I think about it, nobody panicked too much. That's right, this isn't normal. Everyone accepted this too quickly, including me!

Suddenly, the stag lets out a long, sorrow-filled wail as its body bursts into specks of white light. I stare at the mesmerising scene as Sam picks something up off the ground.

'Yo! I think we got our first red crystal!' She shouts as those around her cheer. I can't help but shiver at their enthusiasm. This place is definitely doing something to us. 'Hey, Rick! Think we can get a spear?'

I frown at Sam's enthusiastic request. 'What would you pay me with? We only have one red crystal for the entire group.'

My response causes a few angry glares to come in my direction. But I won't budge. I look at Kyle and raise my eyebrow. He was the one that suggested I get paid for anything I make in the first place. 

'Rick's right,' Kyle sighs as he raises a hand to silence Sam before she can complain. 'If we start to take advantage of him right now, why would he help us later when we really need it? Besides, if we ask him to make it on credit, that'll cause someone to be in debt. I don't think that's a good idea.'

'We'll buy a spear from him when we kill another one.' Kyle continues with a frown. 'For now, we'll need to treat the crystals as a tribe resource and decide where to spend them as a group.'

Thank you, Kyle! I grin as it dawns on me that maybe my stat isn't so bad after all. Right now, I'm a vital member of this tribe. Without me, they won't have anybody to make their weapons, clothes and housing! I chuckle slightly at the thought. I start planning what I'll use my future crystals for.

A grin appears on my face as Kyle shepherds everyone back into position before we continue our march. Wait, what if we run into others like us? Or what if other people appear as we did? I frown as I consider the implications of that. 

Some of the others must have realised it by now. Kyle made a mistake by putting all their eggs in one basket with me. It would make more sense to have at least two people with the Soul stat. That way, there's a backup if something happens to one of us! Damn! If more people arrive, I'm sure Kyle will correct that mistake. I need to capitalise on my situation as much as possible before that happens!

I'm definitely going to charge more when it comes to structures. For now, though, it's best to keep my prices low. That way, once everyone has a weapon, they'll be able to kill more monsters. Then, I can jack up the prices.

That's right. I need to play this smart. I nod happily at my thought process. All sorts of ideas run through my mind as we come across another stag. This time, I'm not worried. They've already proven they can handle this. 

I watch as the same scene as before unfolds. Kyle traps the beast before the others punch it to death. I can only sigh at how efficient it is. Well, maybe not. It would be better if everyone could kill these things on their own. But there's safety in numbers.

I don't doubt that before long, everyone will break off to do their own hunting. Yep. I definitely need to put my plan into motion before that. My mind wanders to the spider bone golem in my forge. I'll need to buy it and make sure nobody knows. That way, I can use it for hunting while I keep up the appearance of being weak. It only makes sense that I make sure they can't easily replace me.

'Rick?' Kyle asks. 'Are you listening?'

Hmm? When did he come up to me? Damn. 

'Sorry, what was that?' I ask as I rub the back of my head.

'Can you make a spear for Sam? We have two red crystals. One for the materials and one to pay you.' 

I nod my head as I take the crystals from Kyle. I notice he's seriously studying me as I place them in my pack. Does he suspect something? No. He's probably just concerned that I was spacing out. I sigh as I go through the motions to use my skill.

'Soul Forge.'

The purple altar appears before me as I navigate my options. Primal Spear. A weird sensation runs through my body as I feel the energy in my body trickle down to my hands. Damn!

'It's going to take a couple of minutes.' I say as I get a vague sensation of how long it will take for the item to form.

'Ok, everyone, take a break.' Kyle says as he turns to the group. 'Laura, David, let us know if anything is coming. It seems like your Mind stat has a built-in danger sense.'

'Sure thing.' Laura replies with a smile as David nods. 

I catch Sarah talking to one of the guys. It looks like they're hitting it off, but she keeps glancing at me. Are they talking about me? They're probably not happy about paying me for stuff. I can already see the looks of disdain on the frontliners as they stare at me.

Go ahead, stare all you want. I get it. You guys are doing the most dangerous work, but I'm benefitting from it. I can't blame them. I'd be pissed in this situation too. Oh, it's ready.

A rugged shaft of wood appears on the altar with a sharp, stone tip. How the hell is that stuck on there? It looks like the two different parts are fused together. Somehow, I don't think this weapon is really made of wood and stone. 

'Finally!' Sam exclaims as she rushes up to the altar and grabs the spear.

I give her a slight smile as the Soul Forge fades away. There's a stiffness in my shoulders again. I groan as I stretch them overhead while the others admire the weapon. It gets passed around as everyone gives it a few practice thrusts.

I quickly check my pack, and sure enough, only one red crystal is left in it. Well, I could hope, couldn't I? I shake my head as I ponder what to do with it. Probably a good idea to hold on to it for now until we find out if we can turn them in at the store. If that works, I need to understand their worth in credits.

'Good job, everyone!' Kyle beams as the spear is passed back to Sam. 'Hopefully, this'll make things go faster. Let's kill as many of these stags as we can. We'll head back to the coast when we start to lose light. I don't know about you, but I don't want to get caught out here after dark.'

Kyle chuckles nervously along with the others. 'Let's get moving!'

As everyone forms back up, I notice a concerned expression on Kyle's face. What's he worried about? Has he noticed something? I glance at our surroundings, but nothing seems out of place. Maybe it's just my imagination. 

'You coming?' David asks as he flashes a smile at me.

'Yeah, let's go kill some monsters!'

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