The scream direction is in the west where the edge of the forest is.

"Please help!!!" they still scream and the voice is tellingly from a man with a little bit of squeak in his vocals.

I don't respond as it could ruin my surprise if there is something that will be hard to face.

I quickly tie Geralt to the closest tree from the position of the grasslands so he doesn't get killed and then sneak up closer.

Until I finally see the screamer he is surrounded by 3 coyotes colored green and dark yellow. He is 5 feet on top of a tree branch that is quickly breaking. He is in a hoodie and sweatpants and sports a very large build while seemingly being short.

"Open inventory" I whisper

I take out a piece of devil horned rabbit raw meat and throw it far making good use of my throwing ability. The coyotes chase after the meat quickly mowing it down, showing they must have been starving despite their small group to hunt together.

"Aghhh wahhhh" the guy still bear hugs the tree screaming not seeing what I just did to save his life.

"Hey over here, focus up" I tell him but it is no use as the branch under him breaks causing him to drop down.

He then stands up running over to me brushing off the foliage on his legs.

"Thank you so much" he says with tears falling out of his eyes.

"Quick run to the grasslands and spot a horse, wait for me there" I tell him. I say this as the coyotes have finished off their meat and running back meaning I must try to replicate my previous action.

The feller I just saved does what I ask him do which is quite literally to run away for me to solve his problem, I then quickly yell out

"Open Inventory" so I'm able to throw another piece of raw meat.

The coyotes continue running now towards me as the big guy that I don't even know the name of is now safe and I am not.

This truly goes against everything I stand for or at least.. used too.

I throw the other piece of raw meat yet only two of them quit running towards me meaning I have to fight one hoping the others stay busy with the raw meat.

"Grrr" the coyote then jumps out to my neck as I have my sword ready.

*Slash*

The coyote gets stabbed at the side before imposing a critical attack onto me.

It still remains alive and knowing time is not on my side I go on the offensive.

*Slash*

*Slash*

<Stamina 400/700> Jim

I continue slashing at the injured coyote quickly tiring myself out with half my slashes completely missing.

Finally the large dark yellow colored coyote jumps up at me allowing me to thrust my sword into its jaw.

<XP +2500> Jim

<Level 2 21500/20000> Jim

I quickly place all my attribute points into strength knowing I need to hit harder to end things before I possibly die.

I manage to kill it and I loot its body reclaiming my sword, the whole top part of it being broken off now.

< +1 coyote pelt> <+1 coyote raw meat>

Now the other 2 coyotes come back running back their eyes seemingly not trying to avenge their ally instead just trying to find more food to munch on.

"Open inventory"

I decide to change up tactics, the devil horned rabbits have large for their body and relatively dull horns making it an excellent blunt object to throw.

I take out the first one and then throw it at a dark green coyote quickly running to me with its big friend right behind him.

The dark green coyote gets dazed by my attack giving me confidence that I can win so I keep up the pace constantly throwing them at the two.

*Swoosh*

*Swoosh*

*Swoosh*

<Stamina 100/700 remaining> Jim

The coyotes stay back from my constant attacks as I throw 49 horns at them and one of them even gets knocked out due to the relatively heavy weight of the horn. The combination of my new found strength in which feels amazing and my throwing ability has allowed me to stay alive so far, yet my breath is rugged from having to throw so much any minute I feel like I can faint.

"You're mine!" I yell confidently gritting my teeth and I ready my broken sword to attack the final one.

The large sized coyote quickly takes advantage of me stopping my barrage and jumps on top of me making me lose my grade E broken sword.

"Ugh" I mutter now under the coyote clawing at me.

<Health 700/1000 remaining> Jim

It continues clawing now trying to target my neck.

<Health 500/1000 remaining> Jim

"aghhh" I wince in pain from the clawing and the continuous bite attempts.

The only person able to save me right now is myself.

I grab my fallen sword and slam into the side of the coyote. It's dull as to where it can't even get in there without me putting everything I have into it.

I don't let up as it is still on top of me until it finally dies as my sword reaches deep inside its body not without it clawing me until the very end.

<Health 350/1000 remaining> Jim

<Stamina 50/700 remaining > Jim

<XP +2500> Jim

<Level 3 4000/30000>

I stand up and drunkenly stand on top of the approximately 100 pound super coyote.

I collect its droppings and then walk over to the knocked out one.

*Thrust*

I thrust my blade into its head killing it, making it stop breathing.

<XP +2500> Jim

<Level 3 6500/30000> Jim

I then collect the droppings of this final coyote and after picking up all 49 of the horned devil rabbit horns furthering my loss of stamina.

<25/700 Stamina remaining>

______________

Warning if stamina goes to 0 you will automatically get knocked out for 12 hours

_______________

Huh that's good to know

I walk over to where I placed the horse and see the guy I saved nowhere to be seen. Maybe he didn't find the horse, either way I saved him and he should be on his way to safety which is likely in Springfield where I'm heading.

I take a slow pace walking back to Springfield to try and recuperate some stamina.

<Stamina 125/700> Jim

Finally Geralt and I make it to Springfield making me not able to hold back a smile and we walk to HQ. I leave Geralt and Gertrude together then head inside where the bartender stands brow raised with his usual customers we normally see ordering drinks and having a laugh with each other.

"Where are the others?" he asks, concerned as to what I say next.

"They are out hunting. I'm here to tell you we completed the first objective." I tell him

"That's good and so the others are hunting to complete the other two, yes?"

"Yes" I then say "Open Inventory"

I give the bartender all 20 of the devil horned rabbit pelts which help verify that we accomplished and 20 of the well done devil horned rabbit meat. I also give up all my coyote dropping, confirming we only need one more left to make it only one more objective.

All of that hard work and we now have 50 silver coins with plenty more meat and pelts to sell. I walk out of HQ seeing the sky now being evening meaning everyone else will soon arrive. I walk towards the markets bargaining using the skills my father loved talking to me about. Allowing me to double our coinage into now 100 silver coins which based on the currency system can also be called 10 gold coins or 100 bronze coins.

I then wander into the markets more geared to home items to purchase proper hygiene utensils. Looking through nothing is nearly at the level of modern age as there is no tooth paste, shampoo, conditioner, and extra meaning I have to get creative. I buy 5 soft brussels brushes just in case one breaks and they will be able to be used as toothbrushes and I buy 5 buckets to be filled with water to use for teeth brushing. I also bought some cinnamon and mint leaves and a few hair brushes all costing only 5 silver coins.

Then I walk over towards the equipment section of the markets to see if I'm able to fulfill the needs of everyone when in battle. I walk towards the grandest market stall with it being the biggest and most full of shiny and pointy things.

"Excuse me may you please tell me your prices sir" I use my most eloquent manners to the salesman to woo him over.

"I got every type of weapon and armor there is of vast qualities do you want me to go over armor first?" the middle aged man asks with a balding hairline.

"Sure"

"Well our cheapest option is common leather armor made out of leftovers of our more high quality pieces of leather armor meaning it is heavily strung together making it weaker. That will cost you 5 silver coins. Our next type is normal assorted leather strung from commonly found monsters such as devil horned rabbits or terror coyotes. That all costs 10 silver coins. Our next type is our highest quality leather armor offered here. It is made up of strong beasts such as terror wolves or terror bears which cost 20 silver coins."

"So that is just leather armor all about armor made out of say bronze or iron?"

"Don't worry I was just getting into that bronze armor is stronger then the highest quality leather armor we sell but does restrict movement it costs 50 silver coins. The nex-"

"Alright I'm not interested in that type of armor anymore, may you please instead tell me about your weapons. I'm interested in your swords and maybe your throwable weapons.?" I say as if the cheapest metal archetype armor costs more than half of my current money I won't be able to properly get everyone they need fairly.

"Sure, I'll go over swords first. We have the falchion sword which can be used for cutting as it is powerful like an ax but it is also good for slashing. It is a medium sized sword with its cost being 10 silver coins. The next we have is the longsword, it being slim yet long being a very elegant weapon perfect for stabbings its cost being 15 silver coins. The next is the-"

I allow the man to go on and on with him having a clear special passion for swords. So far I'm thinking of targeting the highest quality leather armor for everyone which I'm sure Oliver will understand once he hears the cost of the metal armors. I won't buy any weapons yet as I didn't realize all the different types so I will just allow Val to choose her sword and I haven't even heard about bows yet for Hana to have. For my own personable weapon I will like something throwable, maybe something comparable to a tomahawk and some daggers?

Why am I even here doing this? I can escape with all these silver coins and perhaps have enough to build a house and live like a person here.

No.. No, I can't do that. I consider Val, Hana, and Oliver to be my allies. I won't betray their trust.

"Hey are you listening?" the market salesman aske and spits out a long string of saliva out of his stand.

"Thank you for all of this information sir, I will take 4 sets of your highest quality leather armor."

I then start walking back to HQ until I see the guy I saved earlier sticking out like a sore thumb. The rugged men walk down the village all clearly having places they want to be where as the guy I saved seems to just be walking around like a lost puppy.

"Hey" I say walking over to him. I now take a better look at him. He has South Korean features and short dark hair with glasses.

"Oh hi" he waves over "thanks so much for saving me earlier!"

"What happened?" I ask

"Well since I came here I didn't know what to do so instead I just hugged and climbed trees until they eventually let up. Then I got caught by the coyotes and was screaming for any help then you came!" he says smiling

"What happened after I saved you?"

"Well I couldn't find your horse so instead I just made a run for it to Springfield. I knew since I got here it was close but I was scared of taking the chance to go. Oh by the way what's your name? Mine is Joon-Woo Kim. I'm from South Korea' he bows towards me.

'My name is Jimmy Conway."

"Oooo that's a nice name, since you are ali-here can we be friends?" I pick up on the alive part, it seems like I'm dealing with a pretty opportunistic person which is discomforting or it could just be a mistake.

"That's pretty outward but possibly yes, the more the merrier in this situation, but I'm in a group already so they need to accept you" I tell him but I'd rather not have him to be honest as he can be a detriment to the group and I.

I take him to HQ and inform the bartender that he is one of us that teleported her and I tell Joon-Woo how we are waiting for the others now. The bartender then goes on with his day continuing his business with some drunken men in the now evening.

"What happened to your arm?" Joon-Woo asks being the second person to ask so far, Hana likely not asking for deeming it too personal and Oliver not asking as he respects my disadvantage of not having the arm and hasn't had a chance yet.

"Car Crash" I say short and quick trying to make it clear my intention is to not expand on the topic.

"So you were driving and got into an accident?" he presses on

"Yeah something like that, what's your character window?" I avoid the subject as I don't want to talk about the day that upturned everything in my life.

"Sure, Open Character Window"

Oh lord, he is absolutely useless, his only ability to help is being a possible meat shield if he doesn't run away.

"Not bad at all right" he says smiling "I've always been proud of my IQ. It was sad seeing all my classmates study so hard while I focused on the important things. I'm glad I don't have to see that type of trauma anymore as now I'm out of high school."

"Important things such as?"

"I practiced video games and became socially powerful like a sigma as you foreigners say, no one wanted to talk to me due to my charismatic presence."

"Huh that's crazy useful" I say knowing it's not, these were one of the types of guys I bullied before the car crash.

I now feel a little bad for the way I treated people, especially little Ricky, I could've been a better person..

"What is your character window? I'm sure you have some strengths as a fighter despite being significantly less capable due to your arm. You and I will be great allies, me as the mastermind and you as a one handed warrior, perhaps like Sun Tzu and Liu Boo if they knew each other. You are a foreigner though... So instead George Washington?"

Instead of commenting on anything he said I just open my mouth to say

"Open Character Window"

His eyes pop out when his eyes go over my IQ, the thing in which he based all of his superiority on. If it was the old me I would have bragged to his face but instead I'm going to take a neutral course of action meaning I do nothing.

"Wow you are also a highly intelligent individual seems like I'm the warrior instead since my strength stat is higher" he says with a proud posture

Oh god this dude is insufferable.

"shu-"

*Creak*

The door opens and my group walks in.

"We are back" says Val with an appropriate smile. Hana behind her noticeably bends her legs and angling her body to make herself appear shorter and Oliver holds a large grin.

"We got'em good them blokes went down by our butchering" Oliver speaks as if it is truly from the heart.

"How much were y'all able to hunt" I ask hoping my whole plant didn't go sideways just for me to have fought more than them.

"We took down 6 terror coyotes, 5 horned devil rabbits, and a wolf. We are all now level 3 except Oliver who is off by a few hundred" Hana announces answering my question and Oliver sighs clearly bothered by just missing the mark.

"So what were we able to get" Oliver asks, his face completely changing as it shines bright, likely wondering how shiny the armor he got is and then turns back to normal when he lays his eyes on Joon-Woo "but before that who is that dude?"

"As I was walking back to Springfield to do what we discussed I had to first fight a coyote and then I heard" I point to Joon Woo "Joon-Woo yelling and I went over and... saved him. I had to fight 3 more coyotes until I could finally return. Then I bought us hygienic supplies and all of us high quality leather armor as metal armor exceeds our ideal price point currently." Everyone gives approving looks with Oliver looking a little disappointed and Val seeming a bit surprised as hey open wider than normal.

Joon-Woo looks at Hana and Val and decides to open his mouth

"Well I wouldn't say it was as much as saving as it was just helping as I was in a very disadvantageous position"

My facial expression turns speechless..

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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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