6 Chapter 5: Trouble
"Woah! .... [Blacksmith Mastery] at level 3! ...."
"Hahaha! man ... this is a first for me .... someone who are at the age of 6 .... already reached level 3 ! ...."
It's already been a month after Kiritsuka Rei wake up in this world.
And the one who spoke with him right now was Ray Houston. They finally got reunited after his long sleep as they are now talking inside Rei's mind.
After Rei told him that he got up to level 3 on Blacksmith Mastery, Ray went suprised and laughed in happiness.
But then the laugh stop as his eyes looking at Rei while smiling.
"So ... what do you want to ask ? .... Kiritsuka-kun ..." Ray asked.
"Since I already acquired the minimum of strength.... you should tell me .... when will the attack happen ...."
"Hmmm .... before that let me see that ... first ....."
As Ray asking that, Rei looking at him and slowly close his eyes as he sigh.
".... [Status] ..."
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[STATUS]
NAME: Kiritsuka Rei
JOB : Blacksmith
TITLE : "The Reincarnator", "Time Traveler", "Quick Learner"
Level: 1
[HP: 200/200]
[MP: 90/90]
[FATIGUE: 0]
EXP: 0/1000
STATUS POINT : 0
__________________
STRENGTH : 9
AGILITY : 3
VITALITY : 4
INTELLIGENCE : 3(+5)
SENSE : 3(+5)
SKILL
<PASSIVE>
Blacksmith Mastery Lv3
Sword Mastery Lv2
Battle Instinct Lv1
Super Growth LvMax
Fire Magic Lv1
<ACTIVE>
Fire Lv2
Horizontal Slash Lv1
Vertical Slash Lv1
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Ray eyes widen seeing Rei's status so far.
"Dammit .... I couldn't be impressed more .... after looking it again through your memories .... it makes me think that the whole world sure is unfair ..."
"....." Rei stay quiet after hearing those words, and indeed it's seems very unfair for him to get those.
"But well ... I don't blame you for that .... and I'm glad that you are the one who took my place ...."
"Houston ...."
Ray slowly smiled at him and clapped his both hands.
"Well enough about myself and for the information you need, but before that what date is it today ?..."
"Hmmm... it's day 23th on the 4th moon."
"I see 23rd huh. I will tell you now...the attack will start at 25th, that's mean it's 2 days from now ...."
"So you mean, I need to attack them first before it starts?"
"Yeah .... but well I will wish you luck ... and I'm sorry I couldn't help much." Ray nodded and suddenly tapped Rei's shoulder.
"It's fine .... I understand it and I will do my best to protect our precious family ...." Rei smiled at him.
"Heh, good...well off you go .... it's already morning now."
After the conversation is over, Rei wake up from his bed and reach his hand towards his right eyes that have golden yellow color.
"Only 2 days left huh .... I already acquired [Horizontal Slash] dan [Vertical Slash] skill .... the only thing I need to do is level them up ...."
He slowly checking his status again.
"Even though I'm still in level 1 .... my status goes up on everything I do ...."
"Because of those swinging sword and body training my [Strength] went up to 9; [Vitality] goes up to 4; and [Agility] goes up to 3"
"While my both [Intelligence] and [Sense] goes up to 3, because of reading some books and memorize some stuff .... and since it's added with my [Title] it will be 8 ...."
Rei sighed while looking at his status again.
"I guess I couldn't be suprised anymore of this [Super Growth] skill ...."
He slowly get up from his bed and went to the closet as he change his clothes, his eyes glanced at a certain item.
"Well I guess it's fine .... at least I could make this ...."
His hand reach on the item and pulled it out from his closet, it was a robe and a glove ..."
=======================================
[Beginners Warm Cloak]
Grade: Uncommon
Type: Cloak
Vitality: +5
A robe made for protecting, the robe itself have a durability to withstand attack and it have additional effect which is giving warmth towards who wears it and it's great to use it when it's cold night.
=======================================
=======================================
[Beginners Battle Glove]
Grade: Uncommon
Type: Glove
Agility: +3
A glove made for battling, it's also gives a comfortable feelings towards who wears it.
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"Although they are [Uncommon], it's too bad that I couldn't get any skill from it. Maybe I was lucky on that time."
Rei slowly stretched his arms and looking at the village through the window.
"Oh yeah if I remember, Emily told me that today we're going to meet with the other kids...but who is the other kids?"
"Hmmm...it's probably just some innocent kids like Emily."
Rei laughed it off and smiled while thinking of it. But then....
***********
"Heh! do you think you are confident of being stronger than me!" a kid who have tall feature said.
"Yeah! just like the boss said!" a kid who wears a glasses said.
"Boss is the strongest!" and a kid who have fat body said.
'Uhhhh... I'm starting to regret this ...'
The group of kids who mocked Rei are these three, the glasses one is Hans, the fat one is Bob, and their leader which is the tall one is James.
'If I remember in Houston's memories .... these three always together ... and what a suprise that they always mock him for being weak ....'
While Rei in his thoughts as he stay quiet, James got irritated that he didn't get any response from him.
"Oi! don't ignored me!" James said in irritated tone.
"Hmm? ah, sorry about it ... I was lost in my thoughts ..." But Rei replied with a smile as it seems he doesn't care about those mocking.
"Grrrrr .... I challenge you to a fight!" James shouted.
Rei looking at him in silent as he sighed.
'What a kid ....'
"Ahem, but do I have a reason to fight you ?..." Rei asked while raised one of his eyebrows.
"Yeah! there is–" James suddenly stopped his sentence as his face looks panicking.
"Wait, did you just pick a fight with me without a reason?" When Rei said those James got startled.
Suddenly Rei felt someone tugging his clothes from behind. He glanced his eyes to his back to know who is it, it was Emily who seems hiding behind him all the times.
"Hmmm? what's wrong Emily? ..."
Then suddenly they gone quiet and James expression gone pale after noticing Emily was behind him all the times.
'Hmmm? why he react like that?...'
"A-ahem .... w-we're going fight n-next time! come on you guys!"
"W-wait for us boss!"
'Hmmm? was he .... blushing ?"
Before James and his group walk away, Rei saw a glimpse of it as he chuckled.
'So that's what it is .....'
Emily slowly tugging his shirt again.
"Onii-chan .... are you fine? ...."
Rei smiled at her and gently stroke her head.
"I am fine .... so don't worry .... and how about we play first before going home ..."
"Mhm!~" Emily nodded cutely as Rei was blushing a bit.
'Dammit .... she is too cute ....!'
After that they both played together as if there's nothing happen today. But the Rei didn't know what about to happen after that....
***********
At the same time when Rei was playing with Emily. James and his gang having a group talk to one of each other.
"Dammit .... why must Emily be there ...." James said in irritated tone.
"Then how about we secretly take Ray out before Emily around ...."
Bob said while eating his snacks, but then he was hit by James on the head.
"Ouch!"
"Are you stupid! that's not manly at all!"
"R-right boss! ...."
"Hmmm .... I heard that Ray got hit by a monster ... maybe you shouldn't pick a fight with him ... if you don't want Emily got sad ...."
For some reason Hans said something reasonable, which it makes James gone quiet.
"Aghhh!! I forgot about that ...! But then how can I make Emily noticed me ....!"
The groups start thinking and the one who spoke first was Hans.
"Then .... I suggest .... instead beating her older brother ... how about we go to the forest and show her something interesting ...."
Suddenly both James and Bob looking straight at Hans.
"I-i mean it just a suggestion ...."
"Hmmm ... no ... that's a great idea!" James approved as he tapped Hans shoulder with smile.
"But the problem is ... how can we go out without a permission from the adults ...."
"Indeed ... they won't approve us to go to the forest .... hmmmm ...."
In the midst of thinking, Bob suddenly raised his hand.
"Ummm ... I know how to get out without the adult noticed ...."
"Huh?! Really?!" James looks suprised.
"Wait Bob ... how do you even know there is ...." Hans asked.
As Bob start explaining it.
"Ummmm .... it was at afternoon when I was walking home .... I saw .... Ray was heading somewhere else ...."
"I was curious ... so I followed him from behind .... and I saw him ... went inside the wall ... through a hole ..."
They both quiet again but then James tapped Bob's back.
"Great job! Bob! Now we know how to get out and know Ray's secret ...."
James giving off a wicked smirk on his face when thinking about it. But Hans was in his thoughts and stay quiet.
'But why would Ray went out from there ..... no ... I shouldn't think too much ....'
Hans shakes his head as they all agreed to went to the place Bob mention.
***********
Just like they planned, they went to that place where Rei hides it.
As they saw some twigs covering underneath the wall.
"Is this where Ray hides it ....?" James said as he looking around and there's no people or anything around here which is pretty isolated place.
"Boss! look ...!" Bob shouted as he pushing the twigs aside as they saw the hole.
"It's really there ...." Hans said while fixing his glasses.
"Great job you guys .... what are we waiting for ... let's get in! ..." James suggested, as those brave and clueless kids went inside the hole.
After they went pass through the hole they all suddenly stopped moving.
"Woah ...." They all amazed after seeing the entrance of the forest for the first time in their life.
But then their eyes moving as they saw something.
"What the ...." James's mouth opened wide.
"This is ...." Hans fixing his glasses.
"Hiiii ...." Bob shivering.
James's face went pale as the groups went doing pale as well after they saw something....
They saw some marks around the trees that surround them.
"*gulp* What happen here ....."
Hans slowly glanced something that hanging on the trees. He tapped James and Bob's shoulder and point his finger towards those things.
James went climb the tree and taking down one of it.
"What is this .... ugghh .... it's smell ..."
James looking at the things that on his hand, it was a small pouch filled with something smell.
"This is ... monster repellent ...!" Hans claimed it.
"Monster ... what? ..." as James was confused of what Hans said to him.
"Monster repellent .... like its name .... it's repell monster away from it strong smell ...." Hans explained it.
"Ohhhh ... I see ...." James nodded his head as if he understood what he meant.
"*sigh* but why this thing is here .... and there's a lot of it around the trees ..."
"Hmmm .... maybe Ray hiding something inside the forest! Hahaha! I knew it!" James said.
"We should bring this thing with us since it will be safe, now then are you guys ready !"
"Y-yeah!"
Bob and Hans was hesitated of answering James. But knowing they brought the monster repellent with them, they feel a bit relieved. As they walk inside the forest, the road slowly goes dark inside... without knowing the danger they will face...
***********
It was already afternoon, Rei was in his room as he just finished playing with Emily.
"I don't have much time .... I need to level up my level ...."
He said while stuffing his stuff inside a bag.
When he went down the stairs he heard a voice. He saw his mother Sheila talking with some womens at the front door as they sound worried.
'Hmmm ...?'
"Do you know where James is ?... I haven't seen him ever since morning ..."
"Yeah ! Bob and Hans also haven't gone home yet!"
When Rei heard that, his eyes widen a bit.
'They haven't gone home yet? .... I mean if they haven't gone home yet ... they should be easily to search in this village that surrounded by walls ...'
'Did they went out ?... but how ? ... the adults should be watching them if they went out from the gate .... unless !"
Rei suddenly went straight down and went outside through them.
"Huh?! R-ray?! where are you going!?"
"Sorry Mom! I have something to do!"
As they were watching this boy backs while running and carrying a bag.
Soon Rei stopped at the place where he hides the hole which is the passage towarda the forest. He saw the twigs was on the side and the hole was visible to him.
'Dammit .... I should have noticed their disappearances ...'
Whilw gripping his hand as tight as possible, he felt guilty. But he slowly take a deep breath and let it out slowly. As he went pass through the hole and looks around.
'Calm down .... they shouldn't be far from here ....'
He saw one of the pouch that hanging on the trees got cutted.
'It's seems they brought one with them .... I haven't change it for a while ...'
He clicked his tongue and quickly open his bag and taking out the stuff from inside. He quickly wears the cloak and the gloves, with a sheated sword on his hand.
'Before the effect wears off .... I need to get them quickly as possible ....'
'So before I came .... be safe you guys!'
Rei quickly dashed through the dark forest and hoping for their safety.
***********
On the same time James and his group was still walking together inside the forest.
"B-boss .... it's already getting dark .... I-i'm scared ...." Hans said while trembling and tugging James shirt from behind.
"Y-yeah boss ...." Bob added as his face already went pale.
James turn his head to his back and saw them getting scared make him worried.
'Dammit we already gone so far .... but I guess we should go back and go search it tomorrow ....'
"*sigh* Fine ... let's go back ..." James couldn't help to accept their offers as they smiled.
"T-thank you boss!"
But then....
"Hmm? ... is it just me ... or the smell getting smaller?..."
James said while pulling the pouch near to his face and trying to smell it. When he tried to smell it, Hans and Bob's faces went pale.
"B-boss ..." Hans stuttered and point his finger on something.
"Hmm? what's wrong you guys?" James looks clueless seeing his friends looks like that.
"Grrrrrrr ..."
James widen his eyes after hearing a voice came out from behind him.
As he turn around he saw a pack of wolves with their red color eyes that shining bright in the darkness and crawling right in front of them.
James start trembling as they start to step back.
"B-boss .... w-what should we do ...." Hans asked while trembling as well.
"*gulp* Y-you guys ..... should run straight to the village .... I will make them focus on me ...."
When James said that Bob and Hans were shocked after hearing it.
"B-but b-boss! ..." Bob said as he crying.
"Just run now!" James shouted.
"I-i'm sorry boss!..." Hans cried.
As the pack start howling, James suddenly the first one who run toward other direction while the other two runs away with feeling regret and guilt.
***********
The two of them continue to run fast as they could but they were chased by two wolves that didn't follow James before.
"Run! Bob! you can do it ...!"
Hans encourage Bob to keep running as they were run out of breath.
"J-just *pant* ... l-leave me here ....*pant* Hans ...!"
"No!... Huh?!.. Bob!! watch out!!..."
Hans widen his eyes as he saw the wolfs getting near to Bob that running right behind him.
As their fangs about to reach Bob's head suddenly...
.....
*SLASH*
.....
One of the wolfs head got cutted off with a sword by a mysterious person with a cloak in front of them..
***********
Meanwhile James was standing behind a wall, as he was cornered by the wolfs.
"*pant* ..... *pant* ..... Dammit .... I hope they got away ...."
James looks pale as he pant feeling exhausted after running like that. He could see those wolves looks hungry to eat him.
"*pant* .... I guess this is my end ..... I should have apologize to Ray and Emily before ...."
James's tears slowly fell down after thinking those... at the same time when the wolves jumped towards him...
"I still want to live ....."
As he closed his eyes suddenly a voice came out in front of him...
"Then apologize after getting out of here ..."
James quickly opened his eyes after hearing those words.
As the wolves steps back, a mysterious person with a cloak and holding a sword standing right in front of him.
"Y-you are ...."
James quickly recognized that voice, as he slowly begin to cry and lean his head down..
"I-i'm sorry .... I-i beg you .... please save me ...."
As the wind slowly blowing to their side the cloak that covering his head got blown off and reveal the mysterious person face through the moon light that glows bright tonight.
"Ray .....!"
"... Don't worry .... you won't die .... because .... right now ...."
As he lift up the sword and went into his stance.
"I am here ...."
Kiritsuka Rei joined the fight....
To be continue...
