But for a Slime

Chapter 646 - 2.133 - A New Start with a Whistle on your Lips

Chapter One Hundred Thirty Three

"So… the Starry Path is the line of stars above?" Joe asked, pointing to the easily seen path of stars in the sky above him, looking remarkably like the Milky Way.

"Hmm. Yes," replied one of Dulan's friends, once an astronomer of some kind, if Joe understood him.

"Do you know how it looks like?"

"From the top?" the man replied and Joe grew excited at hoping to verify where he was.

"Yes, please."

It only took a moment to draw upon the dusty soil in front of them and Joe felt his excitement climb, the twin arms of the Milky Way galaxy extending from the core revealing themselves easily, including the additional two, revealing the ultimate four armed galaxy that he knew. Even as he saw the complete the drawing, Joe found himself feeling some odd sense of relief. Still in the same galaxy… good to know.

But that proved short lived as he quickly realized it wouldn't matter. He wasn't getting back home, ever. Still, there was a certain giddy excitement in simply being free from his collar, and Joe had spent pretty much the whole day doing nothing but relax. Pretty much all the other slaves had relished in that freedom as well, and everyone simply remained in camp. He didn't know when the others would leave, if ever, but he would recommend them following him back to town later, if possible. Well… maybe not that group… Joe shot a glance at the group of what were looking more and more like bandits; the ones who'd initially kidnapped all the most beautiful women in the camp. Joe sighed, gritting his teeth, still uncertain of really what to do. He wasn't the police, having no authority to really do anything with that group, but he really didn't like leaving them free to do as they would, either. So, he left it for tomorrow and retreated to his bed.

The chorus of good nights behind him sped him to his bed and he fell asleep rather quickly.

* * *

Joe woke the next morning with a jerk of surprise and a sudden wary need to be at the mustering yard but then paused as realization struck home. Tears welled up and he collapsed back onto the bed with a deep sense of peace, despite the deep ache that tore through his shoulders, down his spine, and into his pelvis. Ignoring the ache, he didn't move, only shifting slightly on his much reduced cloak bed to relieve a few places that were sore but otherwise took the time to truly enjoy the peaceful wake up and long rest. Slept … a lot! Just… so much! Late afternoon yesterday… all night... Sunlight shone brilliantly through the tent doorway and caused the tent fabric to glow almost too blindingly.

Joe remained in place, calm, then heard a shuffling outside of a passing person and tensed slightly before calming as the shuffling moved off further to the side. Peace returned, and he rested. Then another shuffling, soft and quiet but insistent, came in around from his right, tensing him until it passed in front of his door and continued on, walking away and on allowing him to relax again. After a good nice long rest, he quickly recognized the passing shuffle to be a regular guard, marching passed his tent and on and Joe calmed even more at the realization.

He couldn't fall asleep again, being way too rested, but he did bask in the moment to just allow his mind a calm in the real world before finally rousing and preparing for the day. He cut off his mana work, both from personal and mana point manipulation that he'd begun almost reflexively on waking, dropping the healing spell that he tended to focus on and allowing the swell of mana to ebb back and collapse to his core. The practice to enhance his body and mind as well as to fire out various mana flows into the area around him ended and his mana points returned to their orbiting spin around his body. His mind turned to readying for the day.

A sigh slipped, almost entirely contentment, as he stood and prepped for the day. The preparation proved short as there was no water nor mirror nor any other grooming equipment afforded him and he added that to the list of one of the first things he was going to buy when he returned to a city. A grooming kit… keep it in my storage.

He stepped from his tent, pulling to the side as he found a man standing near the entrance of his tent. The man gave a deep nod, almost as bow, as Joe exited before moving off at a jog, so Joe nodded back but was a bit late, nodding to the man's back, then turned to look around. He remembered the small stream to the side and headed there, the first time slaves were allowed to go there, and when he glanced over at the stream, he found it rather crowded with people preparing for the day and washing up. He was about to head over to the stream when there was a commotion around him. It seemed that Dulan had set up some kind of rotating guard and that was what he'd heard walking around his tent.

Dulan rushing back came as a surprise a bit later and soon the group of men and women that had glommed on to him in the camp along with the Klannard's group of decent guards and the kids were crowded around Joe. Joe smiled, hiding a grimace. Really wanted to head to the river first. Heh… But…

"What's up?" Joe asked succinctly.

Dulan bowed his head and Joe quickly waved a hand, "If you don't mind, please don't bow."

Dulan froze half way before standing, "Ah… yes, eccentric."

Joe nodded and smiled, "What's going on? Did something happen last night?"

Dulan frowned, confusion evident before shaking his head, "No. We are simply here. You left your seclusion rather… early?"

Joe frowned himself in his own conclusion, "Seclusion? Early? What do you mean?"

Dulan seemed to grow a bit nervous but replied, "You said last night… you would sleep… retreat to seclusion for several weeks. I thought… we thought you might be injured? You seemed adaman…"

Joe's eyebrow quirked and lips curled up slowly as Dulan spoke until towards the end, Joe just fell into laughter and shook his head, amusement evident.

"I'm sorry. I … Sorry Dulan. I didn't know that's what you meant. My people cannot sleep much longer than a day… well… not without serious injury. I… sorry. It's a joke amongst my clan when we are very tired. We say we will sleep for a long time. I was just exhausted."

Dulan smiled at that, and the group of people all around Joe calmed, tension easing from them as they all relaxed and Joe hid his own upset at how cautious they were around him. But Joe remained in the mood he'd created and turned it to a relaxed joking moment before directing things to the river. The conversation was light and explored meaningless niceties but finally relaxed all the people. While they were at the river, most simply stood to the side watching Joe clean, but several joined in and Joe noticed that the guards still were held a bit to the side.

"So, Klannard. Things are well?" Joe turned to the man during a lull in the conversation.

Klannard seemed surprised, jumping a bit, "They are. I still can't believe I am finally free, but they are."

Joe nodded, "The other slaves, at least here, are treating you well? I'm sure the rest," Joe paused to nod a chin off to a crowd of people to the side, "probably aren't too polite with you."

Klannard glanced towards where Joe was pointing before he shook his head, "None come near, too fearful of you. And the men and women here are as kind as they can be given the nature of our once relationship."

Joe nodded before glancing over at the slaves aligned with him, "You guys ok with them?"

All nodded immediately, agreeing with Joe and Joe frowned before continuing, "Its fine to be angry at what was done to you, but remember, in many ways, these men were nothing more than robo… golems under the control of a mage. If a golem attacks you and harms you at the command of a mage, do you extract your rage and revenge upon the golem or the mage?"

The statement seemed to light an epiphany in a few while several others simply nodded in agreement with his statement, a soft smile joining there face. Noticing, Joe dropped the conversation to allow the thought to percolate out and turned to Klannard to nod. The man nodded back, relief in his own face as well as a moment of clarity evident in one of the other guards as well. Joe turned away and settled on a rock by the stream to relax a bit and turned instead to Dulan and Cassia.

"So. I wanted to help you with your control artifacts. Probably the easiest way is to get you the job that allows you to have a magic space and inventory like I do," Joe told Dulan and Cassia.

Both listened on but seemed dubious with Cassia close to rejecting and Dulan replied, "A job is not … so simple."

Joe smiled, "It is easier than you think," then called over 'his kid,' "Hey, uh… sorry, not sure how to call you, but could you come on over, if you don't mind."

The halfling took a bit of calling to come over and Joe quickly realized names were necessary for the kids but focused first on Dulan and Cassia. The halfling came jogging forward, stopping in front of Joe before bowing his head slightly, one more of gratitude than respect and Joe smiled, willing to accept that gratitude.

"Yes?"

"Can you tell them what I did for yo… uh, wait. Can you … do you still have any food?"

The halfling immediately flushed then bowed, "I apologize. There is no food left. We used it all."

"You ate it all?" Joe asked with some surprise and no heat, "That was a lot of food!"

The halfling seemed to grow nervous, "I'm so sorry, ecc…"

Joe cut the halfling off and quickly replied, "I'm not angry at all. Just surprised you went though it so fast. It was a lot of food! I'm glad I came today then. I was sure I gave you enough for another month or so."

The halfling turned pale at hearing that and stammered out, "We wasted so much of your…"

"No. No! I'm good. I don't care. It doesn't matter. I'm only surprised. OK?"

The halfling calmed with that, nodding slowly but still with obvious concern and Joe finally dropped it. Wonder how… oh… maybe can't really tell time of day anymore. Just ate when hungry, so… they ate too much? Or… Doesn't matter… Joe put his curiosity on the matter aside and turned instead to what he had intended to do anyway. He pulled out something from his inventory, some knickknack or other that he'd piled in from the ransacking of the slave master's house. He then tossed it to the kid.

"Go ahead and put that into your inventory."

The halfling caught it and then nodded quickly, sucking it in. As soon as it disappeared from the palm of his hand, Cassia and Dulan both looked up with some surprise, not quite gasping out. Dulan spoke first.

"The slave master must have been running out slaves to give you a slave with inventory," Dulan offered with surprised awe.

Joe was about to speak but the halfling interjected, shaking his head, "No, sir. I had no job but the commoner."

Dulan and Casssia looked at the halfling in surprise, and Dulan spoke up, "You are a commoner?"

The halfling shook his head, "No longer. I have become something else, although I do not know the name."

Dulan crunched his eyebrows, "When?"

"While I was with the eccentric."

Dulan and Cassia looked over at Joe in shock and awe and Joe simply allowed the halfling to speak. He's doing more than I can. Heh… let them wrestle with it. Dulan didn't remain shocked long.

He gasped out, "But that was only a few weeks!"

The halfling brought their attention back, obviously enjoying the spotlight, "Not only that, he took me from commoner through four or five other jobs to achieve this job."

Gasps of shock and awe grew from Dulan and Cassia but Joe quickly interrupted after that sentence, shaking his head and waving his hands, "Not four or five jobs. I think its only two… maybe three? After commoner, so maybe three or four including commoner."

That didn't seem to calm anyone down as the halfling stood up straighter smiling at the other two as if to say 'see, I told you' even as Cassia and Dulan stared with slacked jawed wonder while the crowd that had been pretending to give them privacy gave up and all turned to look at Joe with a look of awe filled jealousy. Joe looked at them all and kept his smirk from his face.

"It's not that hard, don't worry."

Dulan huffed at that, wonder turning to disbelief as he shook his head, "It's not that hard."

The others in the group began chuffing soft laughter as well even as Cassia look on, smirking, "Says the genius."

Laughter rang out and Joe hid a grimace of discomfort behind a small laugh, "It really isn't hard. I can show you. Then it won't be hard and you can … well… there's so much to explain, but really. It's not that hard."

Dulan and Cassia turned to look at him with confusion and a returned disbelief as all the others listening in stilled their laughter and leaned in, now invested deeply in learning what Joe had to say. Joe noticed and waved a hand, dismissing the effort.

"It really isn't. Here. I can show you. I can make a … wait, let me see," Joe paused and flipped open his status to check out the current group size he could make, "Oh. Hey! Nice. I can make a group of six now. So, Cassia and Dulan, that's obvious. That way you guys can carry your own control artifacts. Uh… Klannard? Would you like to join? And maybe one more. Who do you recommend Klannard? And Dulan… Cassia, two for you. Who do you recommend?"

The group fell silent for a split second, dead silence hollowing out the very air around them until noise erupted and shouts began ringing out as every person there began screaming out to either Dulan and Cassia or to Klannard, each group crowding them both as the shouts continued. Joe almost tried to calm everyone down, not wanting them to be too riled up but noticed that everyone appeared to be remaining careful even if a bit over the top in their efforts to be picked.

Joe watched on with some humor but remained a bit distant while trying not to be aloof. The conversation clamored for some time although Klannard ended up picking his one guy pretty quickly. Dulan and Cassia spent a bit of time speaking between themselves, quieting the crowd, and arguing with various people to pick only one, which both Dulan and Cassia agreed would be fair since there were two choices.

The round of arguments ended with some bitter and others excited and Joe finally had to interject, not wanting bad feelings to ultimately poison the group, "I'm not only going to do it once. I'll help all of you, if you want, until you get where you want."

The men and women that had crowded around Joe all stared at him in shock for a time until suddenly Dulan quickly leapt forward and knelt, something that seemed highly ritualized because Cassia was only a moment behind then all the others did as well. Dulan and Cassia proved to be unique as even as they started, their collars acted up wildly and forced them out of the ritual bow, rising them to their feet and even closing their mouths. The others, however, were unimpeded.

"My life in honor to you," a dozen or so men and women echoed out including another dozen kids as well who'd quickly imitated the adults, and Joe found the entirety of who he was rocked under a reevaluation of all he understood. Almost, he wanted to reject, but a certain insidious side of him saw a dozen strong men and women who could keep him safe, protect him from being captured again, and free him if he was. His selfish desire twisted wildly against any effort to quash it even as his mind also cautiously considered what it could mean if he rejected them, remembering dumb decisions of the past. Even as he opened his mouth to ask meanings, Klannard, who had remained standing along with his guards, spoke up.

"And my protection is honor for you."

Joe glanced over with some confusion, "What?"

Klannard nodded with deep respect, the moment obviously poignant, "Your response: And my protection is honor for you."

Joe considered very carefully, thoughtful, mulling over ramifications and trying to understand the moment while fear twisted through him. Worry warped through his core, perverting his confidence and killing any certainty of what he should do. He wrestled for a time until he finally fought against embarrassment and decided to force the situation, turning to Klannard.

"If you could, please explain what is happening?'

Klannard searched Joe's face for a time before nodding slowly and cautiously, "They wish to submit to your clan, to become one to your will."

Joe's eyebrows crunched, "One to my will?" Join my clan… makes sense… kinda got that… I think.

"They wish to hmm…" Klannard paused, head bobbling around in uncertainty as he considered carefully before continuing, "follow you. That might be the best way to explain?"

Joe felt his worry calming, feeling a bit more relaxed as he felt a drive to leap at the offer, the safety of having a dedicated team at his back a lure Joe struggled to resist as he tried to be fair in his choice. At the end of it all, he worried that he would end up taking them purely for his own benefit and he evaluated it deeply, ultimately unable to trust himself anymore as doubt crippled his choice.

"My clan is… out of my reach. They cannot help and I have little wealth or ability to help you."

The men who'd been kneeling all looked up at that, some seeming to hide a disappointment while others fell into a despair. Dulan himself searched Joe's face carefully before he spoke.

"What you offer is still an incredible gain."

"I would give it to you regardless."

"And how would we repay you?"

"I'm repaying you for helping me become free," Joe replied with firmness.

Dulan snorted and shook his head, "And our freedom is valueless? Freedom for freedom."

Joe found himself trapped again, "I feel what you gain is so little to what I gain."

Dulan shook his head, "You give us power and think it so little?"

Joe paused at that, eyebrows knitting in thought but not finding any response. As Joe fell silent, struggling to find meaning, Klannard spoke up.

"If you fear fair trade, then understand likely they gain much more than anything you gain."

Joe snorted, "Then they, and you, do not understand the gift they offer."

Klannard paused himself, this time seeming confused in his own right and all fell silent. Those who'd been kneeling now looked up again with despair fading behind returned hope. Dulan then smiled, revealing a grateful look.

"Truly, I would be grateful if you would accept… mmm…. Huh… uuuu…. Aaah!" Dulan grimaced, growling and trying to force himself to speak until finally collapsing in regret with an angry shout and changing what he had attempted to say, "… please accept them."

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Joe looked at Dulan, then Cassia, "You want me to accept you as well?"

Dulan and Cassia both seemed to freeze in a way so absolute as to make them seem statue-like; something which would have been impossible for any living being. Even their breathing stopped, hiccupping until it stopped and the two slowly grew paler and paler as they stood frozen and unable to move at all. Joe seemed confused by their behavior for only a split second and quickly understood what was happening. The collar!

"Unfortunately, I cannot accept you to. You know why." Joe quickly blurted out, hoping it would help.

The two suddenly collapsed, but were forced to remain upright like puppets, not allowed to bow before him. Joe sighed in relief and nodded at the two as they began breathing again.

"I can't take you. You know that," Joe began again once both were looking at him. He stared at them for a bit then nodded his head and offered a significant look, a little heavy handed in his attempt to impart secret information.

"I can't accept you. Not now," Joe ended with heavy innuendo in his gaze.

The two widened eyes in excitement, stuttering in frozen moments as they fought against the collar and lost, then fought against their own mind to calm themselves. Joe interjected once again.

"We have to go back to your masters, of course. You are their's," Joe finished, even as the words curdled on his tongue. He knew saying them would help the two calm themselves enough in the center of the collars control.

Just as Joe had thought, the two calmed and Joe nodded with some relief as they came back under some semblance of balance with the collar once again. The two stepped back out of the crowd who were kneeling before him and stood to the side before he turned his gaze back to those kneeling.

Joe thought for a few moments and almost relented then, but paused and turned to another important variable in the equation, "Then, what are the responsibilities?"

Dulan quickly spoke up at that, "We…" Dulan choked off with that, wrestling with the collar once again and Joe shook his head.

"You are being too blunt. Always think in terms of how to satisfy your master, and the collar is satisfied. Never think of yourself. It will stifle you otherwise."

Dulan wrestled with the collar even as he listened, but seemed to find the thought almost impossible and had to fight until however he had to compromise. Dulan breathed heavy for a bit after before continuing.

"Thank you for explaining, eccentric. But, to what we were speaking of, they gain protection and a safe place to grow; even the possibility of seeking out your support and any gifts you may give us, and you…"

Klannard interrupted with a smirk, "All you provide is protection, any other you give is a gift, including growth, support, or gifts."

Dulan said nothing as he looked at Klannard while he spoke before beginning again, "Yes, as I said, the possibility of support and gifts and help in growth," Klannard snorted again but said nothing and Dulan continued, "while you gain them as your men."

Joe felt relieved at that and gave the thought serious consideration as he turned to Klannard, "This is a beneficial relationship for them?"

Klannard nodded with his own snort, "Too much so, eccentric. They seek to take advantage of you."

Joe raised an eyebrow at that and he shook his head, "As I said, the trade is… not as you see it."

Klannard nodded then bowed his head in acceptance, "As you say, eccentric."

Joe continued in thought for another moment then nodded, speaking to Klannard, "What is the saying?"

Klannard replied, "And my protection is honor for you."

"Ah. Thank you," Joe replied to Klannard, "And what is the meaning?"

Klannard cocked his head, "As I said, they join your clan."

"Yes, but what does the phrase 'my protection is honor for you' mean?"

Klannard paused at that, struggling to find an explanation, "Hmm… I guess it means that it is their honor to protect you, to die for you? To be able to gain from following after you, um… they gain many benefits as you rise to power, they can catch your tail and rise as well. They could never rise so high without using you to do so."

Joe narrowed his eyes in thought, parsing the phrase for himself before adding his own thoughts, "Possibly that they're lucky to even be part of what I'm doing?"

Klannard wobbled his head, "Lucky to be allowed to be around you, maybe is better."

"But then how is that an honor?"

"They are sycophants. They gain honor just being in your shadow."

Joe frowned at that, turning away as he pursed his lips in thought before asking one last question, "Is that phrase the only acceptable way to accept people?"

Klannard frowned at that, "It is traditional."

Joe nodded with thought, hiding his grimace but didn't want mess too much with culture and tradition. He turned thoughtfully towards Dulan and his group, "Are you all sure?"

Everyone kneeling gasped in joy, Cassia and Dulan struggling to hold the bitter grimace from their face and hide their thoughts from their collars. The rest of the group, their excitement, too much to hold, had several of the people leaping up before they quickly knelt once again as others berated them back into propriety. All spoke in agreement if not in unison.

"Yes."

"Agreed!"

"Please."

"Of course!"

The agreements yelled out and Joe allowed an infectious smile to pull his lips up, "OK. I'll take that as a positive. So. Uh… then… And my protection is honor for you."

The men beamed in joy and happiness until Joe finished the statement and there was a gasp of surprise and some shock, even a bit of awe. Joe noticed and glanced around, worry coming once again.

"What? What's wrong?"

Klannard replied quickly but spoke slowly in deep speculation, "You gave honor to your men."

Joe frowned then his faced opened as realization came. Oh! That… I was…

"I was supposed to say my protection in honor for me?"

Klannard nodded, a certain relief coming to his face as he replied, "Yes."

Joe pondered then asked, "What does that mean?"

"The men will work for your honor."

"And not for their own?"

"Why would they work for their own? They are yours."

Joe pondered, then shook his head, "Then, is the agreement null?"

"If it is not given in honest understanding."

"So I give it in honesty and then the agreement is valid?"

Klannard nodded with certainty, "Yes, eccentric."

Joe turned back to the others, noticing them sobering rapidly. I can change it… a bit then… I guess… He paused what he was going to say and then pivoted.

"Are you guys sure you still wish this?"

Several seemed disappointed but all nodded, accepting it, "Agreed, eccentric," came the reply in much more uniformity that before.

Joe nodded, noticing their grimness but hid a small smile, "Then, my protection in honor for us." Joe finished with a soft firmness.

A stunned silence held before bubbling joy loosened lips and the group returned to their joy, rising to shouts of glee and stunned moments of awe. Joe allowed his smile to grow at that. The group of people leapt with joy around him then the noise dropped. Joe frowned at that. Something more? Again? What…? Joe's thoughts cut off when he turned and found Klannard bowing before him, the other three guards also scrambling to join Klannard in the ritualistic bow. Joe's confusion fell away when he heard Klannard speak, the other three's voices echoing with his.

"My life in honor to you," the four spoke with fervent immediacy and Joe frowned with uncertainty.

"Why?" Joe asked with some confusion.

Klannard took a moment, raising his head slowly before responding, "You would honor even them… and us, I believe."

"And that is such a good thing?"

"What you offer, even for your own honor, is a great thing. Even I was tempted but for my family. But if you offer even for our honor? Then mayhap you will allow me mine."

Joe seemed a bit confused, "How could I not allow you yours? And, what does that have to do with your family, or whatever?"

Klannard stared up at Joe, noticing his confusion and offered a genuine smile, "And that is why. You truly do offer us our honor. As for my family, I wish to return them."

"Most would not allow you such?"

"Not for their own honor."

"Hmm… I can see your reluctance."

Klannard nodded but remained bowed. Joe noticed then realized what Klannard and the other three guards were waiting for.

"Oh. Right. Are you sure?"

Klannard nodded while the other three quickly replied in the affirmative and Joe considered for a while before finally replying, "My protection in honor for us."

Klannard stood with a great joy even as the other three behind him rose with brilliant smiles as well. Joe looked at them with bemusement but all were too joyful and seemed to ignore him. He watched on silently, enjoying their happiness. Some more people to pick up… I guess…

* * *

Klannard watched on as Joe remained bemused in his place and awaited upon Dulan and Cassia to choose their tagalongs. Klannard felt a sense of excitement laced with uncontrolled jittery awe at having been able to both join such a powerful eccentric's clan and maintain his own honor. He wasn't sure what else he could think, so simply basked in the glow of achievement he never thought possible.

* * *

Joe stood as Cassia and Dulan finalized their choice of compatriot and the five others that were ready to head down into the dungeon. Joe led the way to the rat dungeon and all the others followed after, joined at a distance by many of the others that were in the camp who hadn't left yet. Joe headed down into the dungeon and began inviting people into his group when he suddenly stopped in chagrin. Right. Six… one too many. I'm an idiot…

Joe turned to look at Cassia, Dulan, and Klannard, "Uh… I'm sorry. Made a dumb mistake. We can only have six people in a group, but we have six between you three and your plus ones."

A flash of disappointment flickered through Dulan and Cassia's faces but Klannard seemed to take on a considering look before continuing, "You are able to make a group of five?"

Joe glanced at Klannard before shaking his head, "No. I can make a group of six, but if you want quick growth, it is best if I am in the group with you. If I leave, you will… well, there's no point. There are benefits to my training only if I am in the group as well."

The disappointment in Cassia and Dulan's faces vanished as understanding returned and the two narrowed their eyes in consideration but Klannard spoke the quickest, "I will relinquish mine."

Klannard bowed as he said this then glanced up to look at Joe, nodding once with understanding. Joe sighed with some relief and nodded back.

"Don't worry. As I said, all of you will have a chance," Joe spoke as he looked at Klannard's disappointed pick as well as all the rest.

He then kicked out Klannard's pick and completed the group before turning to look into the dungeon from the bottom step. He considered a bit before turning to look back at everyone behind him. The five in his group, of course, had trailed down after him, as well as the Klannard's pick, who now danced with some agitation at the back with his kid. No… he's a halfling… not a kid… No other had come down the stairs.

"You five need to be in the dungeon on the ground," Joe addressed the five in his group before turning to the last man out, "And you just have to stay on the stairs. The rats will not attack if you stay on the stairs. Be careful, though. And… sorry, again."

The man listened carefully and replied in understanding before suddenly waving off Joe's apology in consternation, "I… uh… there is no need to apologize. That you offer… this is already a great reward."

Joe nodded, "Thanks for the patience. Don't worry. I'll figure something out. Then… maybe about a couple months, all of you will be able to excel easily on your own."

Excitement seemed to swell at that in all their eyes, although Joe noticed some disbelief and he simply smiled. They'll realize it later…

With an almost manic energy, Joe turned back and readied for the rats, running through his weapon options before picking out something quick and agile; two daggers. He glanced to the nearest corner right by the staircase and pointed.

"Line up in the corner and we can begin. Wait for me but then run to the corner. Oh… and, let me see your status, if you are willing."

The members in the group proved willing enough to show him their statuses, but when most proved needing to swap to commoner, their excitement dimmed quickly. Joe grimaced and despite his glee at being free, he was less patient and simply pushed for it with a promise.

"Just try today. I can change your job back immediately if you need, but you heard… uh… oh man! I never learned your name," Joe turned to the halfling with a bitter apologetic twist to his lips.

The halfling smiled, nodding, "I could easily see why you wouldn't."

Bitterness curdled the half small on Joe's face but he nodded, "Yeah… but still."

The halfling nodded again, smiling genuinely, "Stanradell."

Joe's face flickered, freezing slightly at the very familiar name, his hand immediately dipping into a pocket before a plastic card slipped from his storage space into his hand where he caressed it obsessively for a time, then struggled to recover, stifling a sigh.

"Good to meet you, Stanradell. Mind if I call you Stan?"

The halfling stiffened slightly, reacting a bit poorly and Joe quickly reacted, "Oh! Is … does that bother you? I apologize. Shortening names is common amongst my people."

Stanradell loosened a bit and cocked his head with some confusion, "It is?"

Joe nodded, "Technically my name is Joseph, but… well… I go by Joe."

Stanradell's eyes widened at that before he nodded, "It isn't… truly accepted amongst my kind."

"Halflings?"

"Yes."

Joe glanced over at the others and they all shrugged as Dulan responded, "We are unbothered by it, but the staid, such as most of the Empowered, they do not like such… dwarves, elves… halflings."

Joe pursed lips at that then turned back to Stanradell, "Then I apologize, sir. I had no intention to be rude."

Stanradell nodded at that, and smiled brightly, "A difference in peoples, it seems."

Joe grinned with some relief and nodded, "Exactly," before turning back to the others, "Anyway, you remember what Stanradell said. You will grow quickly and there is no need to be concerned with remaining commoner long."

Several seemed to be convinced at that although one did turned to Stanradell who quickly reiterated what had happened before. A few moments later and soon all were dumber and commoner, although one was lucky enough to only go back to citizen instead of all the way to commoner.

"So, like I said. Run to the corner and hide there. I'll take care of the rest."

A chorus of agreement echoed out behind him, taking quite a bit of time for the reply to come and then Joe stepped out. Excitement, relief, and a buzz of joy writhed through him as nostalgia hammered home. He felt like he was back and in control. Everything's normal… again!

* * *

The day passed quickly as did the groups levels although Joe did learn something rather quickly. The bonuses that his teaching line of job skills gave seemed to be affected by the amount of people in his group. When he'd trained the halfling, Stanradell, by himself, the halfling had shot up in levels at an incredible pace. However, the group of five took much longer and although Joe couldn't prove it, his gut feeling made it seem pretty certain that their growth was five times slower. Seems like the bonus experience I grant them is divided up equally… unlike the normal experience. Kinda odd? Why the difference here, although… not enough to really make a difference.

The men scrambled out to their corner as soon as Joe stepped onto the floor, and Joe scrambled to kill off a couple of rats. He took out three easily enough and the shouts of surprise behind him proved hint enough and he shouted all back.

"To the stairs again!"

Scrambling feet pounded behind him and Joe waited for a few moments before Klannard cried out, "All clear."

Joe grinned, happy to have competent help and leapt back to the staircase before turning back to see the five staring at him with stunned awe, several almost worshipful. Joe grinned.

"Status, please?"

It took a bit to respond, but their much higher intelligence helped out with speed and several were soon showing their status. He noticed them at just over level seventeen and a quick calculation showed what he needed now that he had some hard matters.

In a matter of a single kill after opening up the job they had, he was able to get all five to level fifteen. It only took another four kills after that to push them all to twenty. That basically meant a total of six kills per job to hit level twenty: one to get the job to level one, opening it up, one to get it to level fifteen, then the last four to get it to twenty.

"Alright. I need to kill another two rats, so let's jump down but as soon as I kill the second rat, escape back to the stairs, OK?"

The group all nodded after a bit of consideration and they all easily followed his advice. Two rats were killed and the group scrambled back to the stairs, although they all took too long and Joe had to kill a third before they all made it back to the safety of the stairs. Joe grew a bit concerned, the rats starting to rile up, remembering the last time when the rats had populated too quickly and fled the depths of the dungeon. Gotta make sure to keep it shorter, then… I guess.

Joe pondered that for a bit before turning to look back at the group, "Status, please?"

All quickly opened up their status, given their current intelligence, and showed him what they'd gained. With a grin, he quickly offered them all new jobs and they watched on with confusion as another prompt appeared before them; metropolitan for those who'd been commoners and specialist for the citizen.

A couple looked up in curiosity and Joe replied, "A new job. You are now level twenty in commoner… while you are twenty specialist," Joe nodded to the last person who was a specialist.

Gasps of shock traveled around the room as people looked at one another in wonder and confusion. Joe allowed the moment to occur for another couple seconds before waving them back to the floor.

"Right. Looks like I need to kill six rats for each job, so we'll jump out there and I'll kill six rats. On the fifth rat, get ready to move, but make sure you don't get on the stairs until the sixth rat is dead! OK? You have to be down here for it to count. Then I'll swap out to the next job for you. OK?"

Several seemed to stare on with dazed looks of wonder, but Klannard, Dulan, and Cassia quickly snapped to and pulled the others in to quickly reply as well, all agreeing and accepting the new plan.

* * *

Cassia shivered with something akin to terrified awe as she found herself leaping back and forth from the first step of the dungeon to floor as the eccentric proved his legacy and talent. And even then, the notifications and the glorious feeling of growth hammered home again and again even as the system replied with popup after popup request job changes. It was not restful at all, the man moving as one obsessed, having the other five leaping like tree kangaroos from floor to step in rapid succession before quickly swapping out jobs only to leap back down again. And that only increased in speed when the eccentric mumbled in apparent dissatisfaction and swapped out his dual daggers for long odd sticks with handles as weapons. Then Cassia found herself bouncing back and forth like an overly excited rabid puppy as the eccentric flew through kills at such a rapid pace, she found herself almost dizzy!

* * *

The work in the dungeon passed quickly, the few down their watching on in growing hushed silence while his group dashed back and forth from the stairs to the corner, too exhausted with the rapid back and forth to talk after a couple times. Soon, Joe had everyone skittering up back out of the dungeon while Joe stayed behind to make sure the rats remained contained. Only a few moments later, Joe was back outside and smiling at the group, their hushed whispers dying out immediately as he came back out.

"So, willing to trust me a little bit?" Joe asked with a confident grin.

It was Klannard who responded, nodding with deep respect more akin to a bow, "As you say, eccentric. Our apologies for failing to trust in you."

Joe grimaced and quickly shook his head, "Please… don't. Just… we're friends. Relax in how you speak with me, OK?"

Klannard stared at him, seeming to waffle between what his culture demanded and what Joe was asking, but Dulan proved the impetus to change and he quickly shouted out.

"Of course, Joe! All is well!"

Joe turned to look at him and noticed that Dulan was actually not alright, the cry more a forced attempt at what Joe requested, but there was a clammy sweat and a pale tinge to his face that Joe quickly noticed.

"Alright… alright. If it's too hard for you, then be free how you address me. But, remember… the entire time were enslaved… even today, I never grew angry with how you interacted with me! Feel free to be yourselves… I would actually prefer it, I think."

Klannard grinned with that, a true revelation of who he was but he nodded, maintaining a certain air of distance, bowing once again with his response, "And we thank you for your consideration in how you spoke with us."

Joe let go and simply nodded, "Remember, I want friends, Klannard," Joe finished, looking at him with a quick glance before turning back towards their tents.

"Right! Let's have food!"

The evening meal went quick, the staff in charge once again preparing the meals, but this time retrieving it from Joe as he passed on the food from his storage. The meal came and there was a joy and relief that had been long absent in the camp which Joe reveled in, although he did so from a distance, retreating from the conversations and only remaining bodily, watching on as everyone rested in their joy. He didn't last much longer, heading to his bed and collapsing in sleep.

* * *

When the eccentric had stood and left, the people continued to celebrate, but those few who understood the power dynamics at play all pinned their gaze upon the man as he left. Klannard quickly picked out those who did so, finding little to be concerned for but for the group of bandits who had attempted to capture and enslave the most beautiful of the girls in the camp.

His guards fell silent after the eccentric left, the three glancing up at him and he back, a soft unspoken word of understanding passing between them before one stood and glided, silently, to the eccentrics tent flap, standing beside it. Dulan noticed and glanced over, his own riotous celebration falling silent as well with the retreat of the eccentric. The two nodded, understanding immediately met between the two. A second insightful member, a small squirrelish man barely larger than a boy bounced up and nodded to Dulan before sliding over to stand on the other side of the tent flap, next to the other guard. The two self-chosen guards nodded to each other before turning and gazing across the fields in caution, guarding their new lord and new golden ticket. Klannard huffed, hiding his humor. No golden ticket… more like a veritable godling guiding us to the heights of immortality!

Dulan rose and came to his side, Cassia also rising after noticing then grimacing at the need to come. Obviously one more to the physical… leads from the front… no management skills probably. But even as he said that, Dulan couldn't help but state that with simple observation and without any form of derision. Cassia was a terror he had no desire to get on the wrong side of. The three settled close together and fell into silence. The other two guards and the people close to Dulan and Cassia slowly shifted after, surrounding them with noisy celebration and hiding what was to become a regular occurrence.

They remained silent, still new and uncertain with one another but the miracles that had happened today could not be ignored, and Cassia spoke quickly.

"Loki's tainted sack… who have we saddled ourselves with?!"

"You regret it?" Dulan replied with some surprise.

Of course she doesn't… just… observing. Klannard replied internally but remained silent, allowing Cassia to speak for herself.

"Are you a blind idiot! Of course not, but what he has done… this…. It is impossible!"

Klannard chuffed, laughing and Cassia quickly snapped at it, "You disagree? Mock?"

Klannard shook his head, huffing another laugh, "Of course not but it was not impossible. We have all grown through several jobs."

"Don't be a pedantic arse!"

Klannard's grinned widened but he bowed his head in agreement, taking the sting out of it, "Poor humor on my part."

Cassia stared hard for a second before looking away and failing to hide her own smirk, "No. Well done, but…"

"Not the time," Klannard agreed, "What he's done… it breaks all we know of such things. I doubt… even the greater clans…can they know of such things?"

Cassia shook her head quickly, "Absolutely not. If such things were so easy, then why borrow outside help from other jobs – merchants, bankers, chefs… anything – if such growth was so easy. Every needed job would be an internal and easy work to pass on the necessary job to some third cousin or such."

Klannard considered that before nodding, "That seems… likely. I have noticed the clan's always seek outside help for the simple."

Cassia nodded, "And the crafter clans … few have any military branch of the family."

Klannard nodded again, growing excited, "Then…"

Dulan glanced between them and quickly began to nod but said nothing. Cassia, instead, interjected quickly.

"This is big!"

"Nothing… Nothing could stop our lord's rise!" Klannard finished with whispered awe!

Cassia nodded and Dulan agreed, his own awe easily heard in his whispered agreement. The three fell silent for a time, remaining in their own thoughts until excitement and possibilities began spilling forth. That night, the three began developing impossible futures, brilliant and explosive, seen only as dreams yet somehow possible with their new lord. With each new possibility burning bright in their mind, their discussions grew ever more and more hushed, awe turning to fear, then outright terror. What their lord could do would disrupt the entire cradle, and bring even the greatest of clans to its knees.

It was a long night, visions of nightmarish futures warring with hope burning so brilliant it vaporized the nightmares even as the formed; nightmares becoming nothing more whispered warnings for future decisions rather than the terrors they deserved to be, and visions stamped themselves as the first, the protoplans they would soon become.