Chapter 37：Back to Heavenly Lightning Tribe (1/2)

After cleaning up the battlefield, we immediately set out without resting.

The ones who first arrived were corrupted barbarians, there's probably more that will come next. Especially those Dark Beastmasters and their corrupted beasts.

If we were surrounded again, there's no way we can fight like before. Physique and Psyche Boost can only momentarily relieve ourselves, if we keep pushing, our bodies might break.

And with the wounds they got from the previous battle, especially the ones inflicted by the Saint Realm, we're down to less than 50% of our strength.

We're already halfway on our journey anyway and the mounts we brought were back in their optimal condition.

But along the way, I once again lost consciousness.

I don't know what happened next after that. I only remembered the worried voices of both Avelin and Erin.

Because of the series of exhaustion and the tension being released after the battle, my body almost collapsed. If not for the Automatic Energy Collection which aided me from falling apart by continuously collecting Brute Energy to nourish my body, I would've been bedridden after forcing myself to break through from 4th Stage Mortal Realm to 1st Stage Augmented Stage in less than one day.

When I opened my eyes again, I was back to the same tent where I slept a week ago.

Ah. We managed to reach the Heavenly Lightning Tribe.

The place was lit by a lamp which means it's night again.

I looked at the corner and there she was, the slave woman sent here. She looked better than I first saw her. Looks like Old Man Reol did what I asked.

Then I saw the heads of Erin and Avelin resting at my side.

They probably carried me throughout the journey and waited here for me to wake up.

I shouldn't rush it like that again. I shouldn't exhaust myself from trying to reach a new stage. With the appearance of the Orb of Enhancement, I already achieved my initial goal.

This time I have to do my job to try and support Raiden.

”Daisuke?”

Erin's eyes opened and upon seeing me awake, she beamed with joy.

”Hey. Good morning.”

I greeted her with a smile as I got up from lying down. I'm fully refreshed now.

I don't know how long I was asleep but seeing them here means there were not any problems during the rest of the journey.

”This monster. Don't casually smile like that. We were worried.”

Erin nagged but her smile didn't leave her lips

I observed both of them and saw that their wounds were already treated.

”Thank you, Erin.”

”Save that. Old Man Reol told me to bring you to him when you wake up.”

”Alright, let's go. Ah, wait.”

I picked up the sleeping Avelin and settled her to my bed. This girl was finally relieved from being the Chieftain, her growth will finally be accelerated. Now that she's at this tribe, it's the perfect stage for her.

I noticed the system message informing me about the completion of my pledge to her.

That meant Old Man Reol already accepted them into the tribe when I was unconscious.

Because of the ongoing war, the tribe was not as crowded as before. Despite the situation, none of the tribe members was showing signs of uneasiness. They're still going on with their daily life like the war is not their concern. They're confident about the Lightning Chieftain's chances of winning the war.

Erin led me to Old Man Reol's tent once again. Unlike before, she went in with me.

The same as the first time I went here, Old Man Reol was behind his table full of beastskin scrolls.

”You're finally awake.”

That was the first words he uttered before he scrutinized my appearance.

”Not only you saved them but you also brought that small tribe here with you.”

”Ah. I decided to take them in. Is it bad?”

Old Man Reol shook his head to my question.

His gaze then rested on me. Nothing changed from this Old Man. The look he's giving me was the same as before.

I still can't gauge his stand. The only thing I know about him is that he's the one managing the tribe whenever Raiden goes back to Earth.

Since Raiden's time here is always limited, in a sense, he's the real Chieftain of this tribe. Everything will pass his ears first and most of the time, he's the one deciding for the tribe.

”Erin already told me about everything that happened. And I guess you're right about the threat the foreign invaders are posing us.”

He admitted. The misconception they had towards those from the Invading World finally got cleared up. Now they won't neglect them.

”I see. It's great that you finally changed your views about them.”

”But currently, the war can't be stopped. Do you know why?”

Eh? So I won't have the chance to see it for myself.

”Is it already reaching its conclusion?

”Yes. The Chieftain will launch his final attack tomorrow. And he told me to tell you that you have 4 days left before your return to your world.”

”I see. Then can I go to the frontline?”

”No. He's only bringing Saint Realm and above with him to storm the opposing tribes' headquarters. As you are now, you won't be able to keep up and will just become a burden.”

Burden. Ah. The woe of the weak. With four days left, can I still increase my Physique Cultivation?

It's easy for me to control the inherent energy but I could feel that, like before, I will need more and more condensed energy as I go up the stage of the Augmented Realm.