The next morning we all wake up and decide to go outside like intended, first going downstairs with a nod from the bartender.

"Hey if you all just head south that's where we are having the most trouble. Also it's best not to bring your all's mule; she is too old to have to run away I can tell from a mile away." the bartender mentions

I immediately then knew its best to head north and to bring Gertrude in case she needs to be nobly sacrificed in case an inescapable danger comes.

"Thanks for the heads up we will make sure to go down there then and we will keep her over here if that's fine with you." Val tells him and I further feel a deep puncture inside knowing that I will have to bring my A game.

the bartender nods confirming it is indeed fine to keep the mule tied us around the HQ.

We walk out of the HQ ,Hana and Val petting Gertrude as I stare at her now knowing that she is more likely to be alive tomorrow then I am.

I feel a great jealousy of this mule.

We head south for 10 minutes until we reach a large grass field with a forest in the back of it holding large timber trees perfect to climb on.

After several minutes of standing around and awkwardly staring at each other as we have all known each other for less than two days then we soon hear..

"Schh SChhh" rabbit hisses but with a deep demonic base which doesn't belong in a seemingly happy grass field.

We encounter a large group of demonic appearing rabbits all with red eyes and overgrown teeth with dark colored furs. Then after we all eye the message that pops up describing them.

"Can't we just head to the capital" I whisper

"That would be a non-honorable thing to do as that bartender gave us a place to sleep." Hana says probably changing her opinion of me.

"Alright we are all going to run out there in union and hunt them together." Val says already readying her sword to attack

That is a bad idea. They could just surround us eventually and it would make no use of Hana to shoot her bow at them while they bite at her ankles.

"No, that isn't smart going out running and gunning. We don't know how strong they are and they are 2-3 times the size of normal rabbits. We need to let Hana shoot her arrows from a distance or she will be of no use. You and I will go in front, back to back as Hana hangs back like an upside down triangle of sorts."

Both of them nod with no objections Hana seeming to regain the high opinion she had on me yet everything I said will be in my interest not to win her over.

Val and I start sneaking across the grass plains towards the group of rabbits, their levels all being low when we eye up the messages of each one."Schh SChhh Schh" the rabbits make constant noises until

*Slash*

*Slash*

Val and I both mow them down with support of fire from Hana making sure we don't get completely surrounded.

1 goes down from a critical slash dealt by Val

Another goes down from a perfect arrow release from Hana

A third goes down from an admittedly sloppy swing from me and a finishing attack by Hana. I get bitten a few times lightly by the devil horned rabbits causing me to wince in pain.

<500/700 health remaining> Jim

<500/700 stamina remaining>Jim

The 4th go down with a slash from Val and an arrow release of Hana

The 2 rabbits left go down fighting, their eyes not showing any emotion but their teeth only expressing the need for flesh.

"Hana no need to fire anymore we need to reserve the arrows" I say, eyeing the very few arrows left.

"I understand, that's really smart Jimmy Conway" she lowers her bow and bows out.

hehehe I know that's why I said it

3 more go down from a combined amount of slashes from Val and I.

<XP+3000 to Val>

<XP+4500 to Hana>

<XP+3000 to Jim>

We all collect the 7 rabbit pelts and extra as I sulk over the fact I have obtained less XP but it makes sense as I'm not formidable with any weapon as I can only use my singular hand to wield it with no further control. Hana has eyed my missing arm several times. I wish I could judge her for it but everyone eyes my missing arm no matter where I go.

"We are already almost halfway done with having to kill the screwed up rabbits and then we will have completed 1/3 of the tasks" I say sitting down in the grass regaining stamina just imagining how relaxing it will be once I retire into my small mansion.

"Yup so let's keep on moving" Val says, giving no break to fulfill her goal of not just making dues with the bartender but also to help the people in the village.

"I agree" Hana says she likely cares more about keeping her promise then helping the village as one of the people there tried pushing his degeneracy onto her.

We walk on continuing deeper into the large plains of grasslands.

*Thump*

"What's that" Val says loudly for us to all look back

"What do you mean" I say confused

*Thump*

"Guys run!" Hana screams

Val looks back and starts running side by side with Hana.

*Thump*

I look back myself

..

A huge herd of rabbits come running just 50 paces away numbering anywhere from 30-50

"Why, just why did I allow myself to come here!" I scream out loud 10 paces behind Hana and Val hearing me yet not looking back.

I continue running and soon look back.

*Thump*

The rabbits are 40 paces away

*Thump*

The rabbits are 30 paces away

*Thump*

"Schhhh" The rabbits screech at their incoming successful hunt

The rabbits close in at 15 paces

<Stamina 350/700 remaining>

"Over here!" Val and Hana have been running and seem to have managed to climb up a 6 feet high branch on a thick tree with a strong base.

I run hand raised for them to pull me up

Val and Hana both ready knowing what my goal is, both of their hands extending out for whichever one I reach out for.

*holds out hand*

I try to clasp my hand to Val's, the rabbits being a little more than 10 feet away.

*Miss*

I failed. My life is over. Maybe if I just had my left arm I could've made it... Never mind that I should've tried to be a better son. My parents were always supportive of me yet I always disregarded them and all of their sacrifices.

I stop running, accepting my fate, reading my sword to at least go down fighting the thought of losing my life is not just a sad one but an angering one.

I haven't even hit my growth spurt! or at least that's what my parents said.

"Rawwwwww" I yell at the rabbits not showing an ounce of fear in front of their eyes.

"I respect the bravery lad but you can't just go off dying yet"

I look over and see a young man who is a spitting image of a young Greek god with crimson red hair. He rides on a massive stallion equal to his stature, a strong dark brown color.

*Swoop*

He grabs me and I sit on the massive stallion behind him just before the rabbits could pounce on the horse he screams

"Open Inventory!"

He takes out a massive battle ax and swings on them not killing any but wounding several.

"Hang onto your bridges we are going to lure these bastards away from them girls so they can escape." he says not looking back just riding on with all the devilish rabbits still chirping.

I look around at our surroundings, nothing but trees and soon grasslands as our direction is coming back to the grasslands in a loop.

The rabbits stay close to us trying to bite the horse until one successfully manages too.

"Neighhh" the horse wines in pain, it lost speed when having to pick me up allowing it too get hit not it will keep that same speed as its leg has been damaged.

I then remember.. ROCKS!

"Keep on doing what you're doing, I have rocks!" I exclaim with a grand smile I completely forgot about them. Hopefully he sees how genius of an idea it is.

"What will that do" he asks loudly and abrasively still not looking back

"You will see" I smirk at my plan that hasn't even come into fruition yet.

Eventually we made it to the grasslands. I sigh a breath of relief from now escaping death and more importantly making myself useful.

I see Val and Hana still on the tree waiting until it's completely safe.

"Open inventory"

I take out one rock the rabbits have remained on our tail constantly trying to bite the horses hooves eventually they will manage too making us stranded the horse included.

*Throw*

I throw the rock under the closest rabbits legs making it fall flat on its face

*Throw*

*Throw*

I keep on throwing rocks at a comical speed, constantly tripping the rabbits, having them gain bruises and lose their closeness to the horse.

The man soon looks back and smiles

"Well blimey, good work"

I throw the last remaining rocks and then

Woah

After just escaping death I have managed to help my ... savior and now gained my first skill.

The chase still continues but we now are able to sit with the luxury knowing they can't catch us as we lead them astray.

"Who are you" I ask

"Name's Olive King, you?" he looks back for a second to have another look at me.

"Jimmy Conway"

"Were you traveling with them lasses back there on the trees?"

"Yes we are trying to get too the capital and form a clan to be allies with one another"

"Oh that won't do ya no good lad"

"Why?"

"When we all came from Earth we had an option to accept or decline coming here, yes? He looks left to right to see any more threats able to come out.

"That is correct"

"Who do ya think have nothing to lose and see this as an opportunity to do whatever they want again"

"Prisoners.."

"That's right, the capital is having to have their military not just fight in the west against the so proclaimed dragon and its evils but also us who came here to fight the dragon likely or something"

"So there is no safe refuge in this place with huge walls is there"

"That's correct lad of course not we are here to fight not dawdle around knitting so that shant be much of a problem"

"Yes definitely" It is very much so a problem. "So how do you know all of this"

"I was transported immediately just outside the tower with many others. I reckon 30,000 of us nearly matched the population of the city itself. The king allowed us to come in believing in some prophecy of this happening and they informed us all about the dragon and what trouble it is. Then some lunatics, I reckon 15,000 decided it would be a mighty idea to take over the whole city and handle the problem themselves, many of these criminals as they all wore prison uniforms."

The man then rubs his horse and continues to speak "I decided that the whole situation would be no good so I stole a horse that the prisoners themselves stole and he has been amazing ever since. I also stole some clothes as they didn't properly use their inventories and this pretty dandy battle ax which has been much used as back in my childhood I loved chopping down trees."

"So what after?"

"Well afterwards I put all the stolen items and the lively companion to use. People said that the west and east are littered with trouble but the west has a dragon. So that's why I figured that its best to go east to gain levels and then defeat the dragon and save this kingdom and become a renowned hero for all"

"Alright, well clearly you are alone, yes?" I definitely believe he is telling the truth and he seems to be someone that will be very powerful if not already.

"Yeah, what about it?"

'It would be great to have you join us especially if the prisoners give up on sieging the capital and try to attack something or someone else" I say confidentially, I feel as though having this guy as an ally would further make sure I won't die in a dangerous situation.

It definitely is a misfortune that the capital is under siege and I'm not sure what to do now after this hunt.

"That sounds pleasant. I will accept your offer and join your clan. The rabbits have seemingly ran out of stamina as we have gone quite the distance, so we can check on your-no our comrades"

After several minutes or riding back around we see Hana and Val both dumbfounded with what just happened. Oliver rides up to them until a few feet away and hops off his horse. I also dropped off the horse.

"Hello lasses my name is Oliver King and I just had a conversation with this chap and I'd love to join you all"

They all exchange formalities and learn the same information as I received. Hana seems worried about the prospect of many people here being prisoners and Val seems full of spirits wanting to stop them.

"We must fight them, they can't just go besieging to selfishly gain power and having people be killed by their actions." Val exclaims hand on sword making it easy to tell she wants to cut down any person in orange clothing.

"I agree but we can't fight them yet" Hana interjects.

"And why is that?" Val furrows her brow when asking

"Our levels are the same as theirs and we need to grow far stronger to deal with an enemy likely still numbering over 10,000" Hana says hand to her chin deeming it a reasonable number as it has only been a few days.

Oliver then opens his mouth "I believe our best gambit is too ignore all this drama and grow to then fight the dragon immediately it would likely put everything to rest as we would carry the weight as the people that finished this level first giving us the people here's faith and the respect of others that have been transported."

Somehow then everyone looks at me possibly as a deciding factor to this discussion

"Val we need to gain more levels and further are understanding the people here aren't all that innocent" I look at Hana and she nods her head "I say we... allow the prisoners to fight they are not going to be in a favorable position as they have no weapons and they are not going to grow much as I bet killing the people here doesn't give much XP. As they fight we will take advantage by growing our sphere of influence in all neighboring cities of the capital and even the town's plus villages. Our first part of this plan is too continue this hunt of solving Springfields problems" I announce this all optimistically and everyone nods in agreement but Val.

She seems angry but doesn't run off to fight as she understands a 1 vs 10,000 matchup at least won't be in her favor.

"Open inventory" I exclaim and everyone looks at me confused

I take out the lantern and raise my right arm holding it up.

"This will be how we get strong fast."

"What do you mean?" everyone asks in different degrees of confusion then Hana figures it out.

"Oh no that's not right"

"If you're worried about the repercussions we can stop it from spreading by digging a hole with no foliage around it."

"What are you all talking about?" Oliver questions hands on his hips

"Whatever it is it doesn't seem right so we shouldn't do it" Val adds in.

"Everyone, we are going to kill all those horned devil rabbits in the grass field by lighting a fire. Before you all freak out, this will be easy to do. All we have to do is dig a trench. Then we can lead then into it and have them not be able to escape"

"How can we dig a big enough trench to kill over 3 dozen horned rabbits?" Val comments hands crossed and Oliver nods in agreement.

"We won't kill them all at once, we are going to have Oliver ride his horse attracting them, having several fall ready to be burned and we all take turns lighting the inside of the trench sharing XP.

"This all sounds thoroughly right I agree with him" Hana says smiling

"It would work just let me check on Geralt and see if he is up for it" Oliver comments while looking at his horse

He pets the horse and the horse then brushes his head onto Oliver.

"Alright let's do it" and everyone nods in agreement and Val too seemingly now gaping out how great of a plan this is.

We all start strategizing as to where to build the trench. We decided to make it near the end of the grass field where there is forestry after so in case if anything goes awry we can climb the trees.

Night begins to fall so we all head back to Springfield and sell the 7 combined Horned devil rabbit pelts and raw meat with no one wanting the horns. Then we head into the HQ of Springfield with the bartender greeting us, accepting Oliver to join in our agreement after commenting about his huge size as he is a head taller than everyone in the whole tavern. We eat dinner giving up 2 silver coins and I eat extra after finishing up my dried meat from Hamlets Edge.

Once we enter our bedroom Oliver takes out of his inventory two bedrolls.

"Hey here is an extra I have, I took it from the same guy I stole everything else from. I bet if he is still alive he would kill me hahahaha."

"Thanks and hey what's your character window?" I truly wonder how good his stats are.

"Open character window!" he exclaims

My eyes accidently pop out of my head. How can his stats be so good at just level one?

"What did you do before coming here"

"I was on the college rugby team and my season just finished up. It was sad knowing I won't ever play with me mates again"

"Is that why you joined for a new thrill"

"Yea I didn't want to just become an office worker or something since it would've been a shame innit. I want to become a legend like Hercules"

"So you have enjoyed it so far" I ask knowing I sure haven't.

"Well I don't like seeing all the deaths of this kingdoms people back in the capital but besides that it's been exciting more so than even rugby"

I nod, acting like I understand and then head to bed.. Ready to finish what we started

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Authors note: If you are enjoying my book so far please star it and possibly comment what you enjoy and don't enjoy so I can thoroughly read it and take in the kindness or criticism to reflect on how to perfect my book.

Sincerely Isaiah Jimenez

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