Chapter 22: The Benevolent Outsider

Sam woke up early, his mind buzzing with questions and a renewed sense of purpose. The battle had been a stark reminder of the harsh realities of life in Maha Lok. He needed to understand more about this world if he was to make any meaningful impact.

"Pushp," Sam called out mentally. "How do you know so much about the abyssal wild beasts? You've never been here before, right? And you never said you knew so much about Maha Lok. If you knew, you should have told me earlier. I would have been better prepared."

Pushp's voice echoed in his mind, calm and clear. "I didn't know any of this information before coming to this village. It was only when you were talking to Chief Korim through the orb that I took the opportunity to try something."

Sam's curiosity was piqued. "What did you do?"

"I tried to read the archives inside the orb," Pushp explained. "The orb works by recording thoughts and letting the other person read them. I hypothesized that the orb might have a lot of storage and contain archives of previous conversations. Thinking like this, I attempted to access those archives and discovered all this information."

Sam was impressed. "So you basically hacked into the orb's history? That's incredible."

"Indeed," Pushp replied. "This information was crucial for understanding the situation here."

Sam felt a surge of gratitude. "Thanks, Pushp. That helps a lot. Now, let's see if we can learn more about this place."

He decided to speak with Chief Korim, but as he stepped out of his hut, he saw the villagers solemnly gathering the bodies of their fallen comrades. The sight was heart-wrenching. Sam knew it wasn't the right time to press for information. The villagers needed help, not questions.

"Pushp, can you procure some medicines for these people?" Sam asked, his voice tinged with urgency. "I thought about going to buy them myself, but it's hard to get medicines for such injuries without prescriptions. And we need them in large quantities."

"Leave it to me," Pushp said confidently. "I will handle it."

Sam was curious. "How are you going to do it?"

"I'll contact some homeless people and give them money to buy the medicines," Pushp explained. "This way, we can get large quantities without raising suspicion."

Sam agreed. "Alright, let's see how well this works. It's also a good way to test your influence in the physical world."

Pushp immediately went to work. He reached out to several homeless individuals in the city, offering them money in exchange for purchasing specific medicines. The conversations were brief but effective.

"Hello," Pushp communicated telepathically to a homeless man named Greg. "I have a job for you. Buy these medicines from different stores. I'll pay you well."

Greg was startled but intrigued. "Who's talking to me? How are you doing this?"

"Just follow my instructions," Pushp replied, projecting an image of the medicines needed. "You'll be handsomely rewarded."

Greg agreed, and so did several others. They went from store to store, buying the medicines in small quantities to avoid suspicion. Once they had gathered everything, Pushp directed them to leave the packages at a designated location.

"Sam, the medicines are ready for pickup," Pushp informed him.

"Great work, Pushp," Sam said, feeling a sense of accomplishment. "I'll go get them."

Sam teleported to the location, gathered the medicines, and returned to Maha Lok. He sought out Chief Korim, who was overseeing the treatment of the injured.

"Chief Korim," Sam called, approaching him with the medicines. "I brought these for your people. They should help with the injuries."

Korim's eyes widened in surprise and gratitude. "Thank you, Sam. This is a great help. Please, assist us in treating the wounded."

Sam worked alongside the villagers, applying the medicines and doing what he could to alleviate their pain. Despite his limited medical knowledge, he managed to help stabilize several of the injured. The villagers watched him with a mix of admiration and gratitude.

After a few hours, Chief Korim approached Sam. "You have done a great service for us, Sam. We are deeply grateful. Please, accept our thanks."

Sam shook his head. "There's no need for a reward. These medicines didn't cost me much. I just want to help."

Korim insisted. "It would not sit well with the villagers if we did not show our gratitude. Please, ask for anything you need, and we will do our best to provide it."

Sam hesitated but saw the sincerity in Korim's eyes. "Alright, if you insist. I'm interested in collecting unique and interesting items. Do you have anything like that?"

Korim thought for a moment, then a man named Darian, a relative of one of the injured, stepped forward. "I have some items that might interest you, Sam. I don't know what they are used for, but I'm sure they are valuable."

Sam was intrigued. "I'd love to see them."

Darian nodded and went to retrieve the items. The mystery surrounding them piqued Sam's curiosity even more. He had a feeling that these items might hold some significance in Maha Lok.

As he waited, Sam couldn't help but reflect on the events of the past day. The villagers' resilience, their struggle for survival, and their gratitude touched him deeply. He felt a growing connection to this world and a determination to help its people.

When Darian returned, he handed Sam a small, intricately carved wooden box. "These items were found in the forest. No one knows what they are, but maybe you can find a use for them."

Sam opened the box and saw a collection of strange, yet beautiful artifacts. Each item seemed to pulse with a faint energy, hinting at their potential.

"Thank you, Darian," Sam said, carefully closing the box. "These are indeed fascinating."

Chief Korim placed a hand on Sam's shoulder. "Your generosity and bravery have earned you our respect, Sam. You are always welcome in Rivenwood."

Sam felt a swell of pride and gratitude. "Thank you, Chief Korim. I'll do my best to help whenever I can."

As the sun began to set, casting a warm glow over the village, Sam felt a deep sense of fulfillment. He had taken his first steps in Maha Lok, making a difference in the lives of its people. The journey ahead was filled with challenges and mysteries, but he was ready to face them with courage and determination.

With Pushp by his side and the support of the villagers, Sam knew he could make a meaningful impact in this world. The adventure had only just begun, and he was eager to see where it would lead.