18. Humanity
The wolf's time had ended, and morning broke. After a simple meal of white rolls with the shepherd girl, we set off straight for the village. Thanks to wiping out every last wolf in the fields the day before, only one or two showed up during the trip.
"The wolves are weirdly quiet today. What's going on?"
I could've told her it was because I'd killed them all, but starting the explanation felt awkward as hell.
"Flanders, what do you think? You haven't smelled any wolves either, right?"
-Woof! Woof!
"So, maybe the wolf leader's up to some shady trick?"
With me not saying much, the shepherd girl started chattering with her dog. Was I worse at socializing than a dog? Talking to people had never been this hard. At this rate, I'd forget how to speak altogether.
"They're dead."
"Huh?"
"Dead, I said."
Forcing myself to say something, I told her about taking down Lobo, the wolf king, yesterday.
"That wolf leader? I killed it yesterday."
The girl, who had been babbling away, suddenly gaped in shock and went silent. She exchanged a glance with her sheepdog, then looked up at me with that same dumbstruck expression. Fitting for a shepherd—her moves reminded me of sheep. Slow and harmless, especially.
"For real?"
I thought I'd said something wrong, but nah, she was just stunned.
"For real."
Forgetting her polite speech around the sheepish girl asking if it was true, I threw the answer right back. She let out some weird "Uwaaaah!" and started spinning in place.
"Oh my god, oh my god... Flanders, you heard that, right? It's real? Gotta be real?"
-Woof!
"I-I can't believe it. But why would an adventurer lie...? It has to be real, right?"
-Woof!
"Wh-who're you calling dumb? Flanders is too suspicious. Sometimes you gotta trust people."
The sheepdog Flanders spun in circles with her, barking along. After spinning for a good while, the shepherd girl started grilling me about the wolf king—how big it was, its fur color, how I took it down. Even the strongest adventurer couldn't solo that thing, she said, eyeing me suspiciously.
Convincing her with words was tough, but I had proof of killing the wolf king.
◈ Wolf King's Fang
I pulled out the pile of wolf pelts from last night's fight and the wolf king's fang. She shrieked "Eek!" and clutched her head, collapsing to the ground.
"S-sorry! I'm sorry! I believed you, but Flanders kept saying it might be a lie...!"
-Woof woof woof!
"What're you doing, Flanders! Apologize quick—it's all your fault, you suspicious mutt!"
I wasn't even mad, but watching her bicker with the dog while trembling was hilarious, so I just stood there. Soon she was hugging her dog, mumbling stuff like "We're gonna die here."
"Pfft."
That very human reaction made me chuckle just watching.
It didn't take long to calm the shepherd girl down. She'd been overreacting from the start anyway.
"Y-you're sparing us...?"
"Why would I kill you?"
"W-well, yeah, why...?"
She was so embarrassed, her face stayed red as she fussed with her dog for a while longer. After a few minutes, a quaint little village came into view. Her hometown.
As she'd said, it was tiny—probably less than half the size of the Floor 1 starting village. The open community had mentioned Floor 2's village and labyrinth being small, but this was ridiculous. Surprising that even a place this small had a proper inn and shops.
Upon arriving, she straightened up and bowed deeply.
"The gods in the heavens and spirits of the earth have safely guided this shepherd. I offer thanks to the kind traveler who lit the way."
Shepherd Girl's Request - Wolf Pack
"I declare here that the traveler's torch was guided by the gods, and pray that rightful blessings be upon you."
She started reciting some unfamiliar words in a small voice. Blue notifications popped up one after another.
'EXP' and 'Gold' acquired.
'Earth Spirit's Blessing' acquired.
The Earth Spirit guards your side.
Word on the open community was that the shepherd quest's final reward was a belt item, but this was some mystery shit. I checked my inventory thinking it was gear—no change except a bit more gold.
Maybe a skill? Heart racing, I opened my skill window.
Earth Spirit's Blessing Lv.1
A minor Earth-attribute spirit stays by your side.
Skill level rises with affinity to the spirit; new effects unlock by level.
Basic Passive: Defense +20
Additional Passive: (Unlocks at Lv.5)
Additional Active: (Unlocks at Lv.10)
Just one basic passive for now, but extras unlock with levels. Weaker than my Goblin Bone Necklace alone, but no gear slot taken—that's appealing. And those active effects at higher levels? Had to be some magic skill, given the name. Huge for a normal Warrior like me.
Only issue: no clue how to level it. Open community could sort that.
"This is fucking jackpot."
Worth the bullshit quest difficulty. Three skills in one day on Floor 2. EXP was stingy—no level up—but good enough. Boss next.
The shepherd girl bowed politely, said she'd round up her sheep, and bolted off.
"Thanks so much today! I'll repay you next time for sure!"
The Earth Spirit's Blessing was repayment enough, but I filed her words away. Watching her chatter was fun; if I spot her later, maybe a wave.
After parting, first stop: the village inn. Tiny place—one lodging.
"Welcome. A room?"
Ignoring the robotic NPC greeting—nothing like the girl's lively voice—I booked in. Dropped my gear and fired up the open community. Time to research Floor 2 labyrinth and the skill.
Specific skills aren't easy to search. Time to post after ages.
(Photo attached)
Got this skill—any special way to level it up?
Post felt natural despite the hiatus—old community ghost habits die hard. Like any forum, answers take time; bad timing and it gets buried in crap. Might repost.
-Ding.
Luck struck—notifications rolled in fast. I reopened the community.
Tons of comments on my post. None useful.
Going silent, grinding in secret—sparked weird misunderstandings. My community ghost rep ran deeper than I thought.