Chapter 14.


    So, what exactly was that?


    <It’s like it said. A creation.>


    I don’t get it.


    <Don’t worry, you’ll face more of those later.>


    What does that mean?


    Wait, that thing, whatever it was, came after me specifically. Though I can’t determine the exact reason why. Are you saying that it’s trying to hunt me?


    <That one probably found you as just a coincidence. But it’ll make more of those appear.>


    Wait, a creation. So, someone or something created it? Shouldn’t creating a being, even if it has the most rudimentary of behaviors, be very hard?


    “Ah, Young hero! What happened?”


    <That chicken again…>


    “She just got taken by surprise.”


    “Ah, women these days, swooning over their heroes.”


    ‘Swoon’? I think it was used in such a context about 2 millennia ago.


    Right, this would be a nice opportunity to hint about that matter.


    “I saw some evidence that other sects might be behind the demonic beasts coming here.”


    “You think so? I never trusted those ungrateful people. But still, it’s a serious matter. We’ll have to look into it.”


    “Ungrateful?”


    “Yeah, don’t you know that our sect is the only one with good medicine and herbs. We were gracious enough to share that resource but they still dare oppose us.”


    If its such a precious resource, why do I feel like the forest isn’t as guarded as it should be? Could there be another sect garden?


    “Also, do you know something about something like a tar monster?”


    “Tar monster? I haven’t ever seen or heard of anything like that.”


    <Of course a chicken won’t know of it. The last time it appeared was a few thousand years ago when ancient gods like me were still active. This statue wasn’t even a rock back then.>


    The rock itself was probably made when the planet formed but okay.


    “I’ll get going then. Lena might need to be treated.”


    I walk away and now I’m once again back within the sect borders.


    So, you mentioned ancient gods, right? And if I suppose it correctly. Ancient gods should have enough power to create a being.


    <Bingo. Though not exactly.>


    So, if it wasn’t created by you, then which one? And what even makes one an ancient god?


    <There’s only, and can only be 3 ancient gods, including me of course. Each ancient god personify a concept. I personify the earth, another represents the water and the last one represents the air.>


    And? Which one of them was it?


    <I don’t know.>


    <blockquote>


    Quest added.


    Personal Quest.


    Find out which elder god that creation belonged to.


    The reward will be influenced by which god it is.


    </blockquote>


    Elder god?


    <There’s 3 levels, Ancient god being the strongest. Elder gods, they represent minor concepts. And finally, normal gods, which usually form some religion by getting a following and are sometimes led by Elder gods.>


    So Elder gods can also create those beings I suppose.


    Hmm, it would make more sense to refine those words.


    <blockquote>


    Change saved.


    Ancient god to Primordial Deity


    Elder god to Conceptual god


    Minor god to Religious god


    </blockquote>


    “Gray! What happened?”


    I notice Patricia waving towards me from the distance. I wasn’t able to see her earlier maybe because her green dress blended in the surroundings.


    “She was knocked against a tree and lost consciousness. I was heading towards the temple so maybe the priestess could do something.”Love this story? Find the genuine version on the author''s preferred platform and support their work!


    “The priestess? No need. I know a cure.”


    Cure for being knocked out?


    <Maybe she’s going to splash a bucket of water on her face.>


    That would be an odd thing to do but I can’t say it’ll be too much of a surprise.


    Patricia takes a mortar and pestle out from her clothes.


    Where did she hide that?!


    <They have storage bags too you know.>


    She also takes out a few herbs and then grinds them. And taking out a container of water and adds the mixture to it.


    “Here.” She says, handing the glass to me. “You should be the one who does it.”


    “So, make her drink it?” I ask for confirmation.


    “No of course not. You splash it onto her face.”


    …What was I expecting…?


    Anyways, not like she would have been able to drink it since she’s unconscious.


    I lay Lena down on the ground against a tree to support her and splash the concoction onto her face.


    He face twitches and she starts coming to.


    “So, what were you doing so far into the forest?” I ask Patricia.


    “Searching for a specific herb that isn’t present in the garden. Its usually found near the animals, that’s why I was here.”


    She continues on.


    “That herb which is related to hydrangea is essential for making high level anti-poison potions. It can also serve as catnip for certain creatures. It also has a very peculiar scent and somehow the way you smell reminds me of that.” She says while acting as if she’s sniffing the air.


    Could it have been that leopard from earlier? But we weren’t in close contact or anything.


    <Licking your hand isn’t close contact?>


    Ah, right. I suppose it might have been then.


    Patricia suddenly grabs my hand and lifts it to her nose.


    “Yup, from here. Did you pick that herb?”


    “Not really. It might just have been from when I was walking around the forest my hand touched it.”


    “It’s fine then. I’ll just have to take one from the sect treasury.”


    “But why do you have to make the potion?”


    “You didn’t know? The priestess requested me to prepare that potion.” She says while still not letting go of my hand.


    “It might be related to the beast horde that I was investigating.” Lena interjects.


    Well, at least she’s feeling better now.


    She gets up from her position and is now standing on the side. Our positions now are as if in a triangle.


    <Like in a lov->


    No.


    “I guess so…” Patricia replies.


    “We better get going now.” Lena says.


    Patricia makes a very reluctant expression as she lets go of my hand, and moves closer for a hug. This time however, Lena is quicker and grabs my hand and pulls me towards the side, Making Patricia miss.


    “We’ll meet later, Gray.” She says as I’m practically dragged by Lena.


    After a little while, she lets go and I’m able to walk properly.


    “So, what were you doing exactly in the forest?” Better to not bring up what just happened or what happened last night.


    “I was trying to investigate where the animals came from, of course. It’s part of my duties as the head of the temple.”


    “There’s other disciples in the temple?” How come I’ve never seen them?


    “Yeah, though most of them are either away or locked up in secluded meditation.”


    I suppose so.


    As we’re heading towards the temple, I see people rushing about to various places in a hurry. So much so that one of them falls down, but then gets up and continues running.


    <It takes a special type of person to trip over his own foot.>


    I’d rather not be so quick to judge but he did just trip on plain ground.


    “Why were you fighting the wolves there?”


    “They attacked me first. Demonic beasts are always like that. They gain strength by cultivating and killing humans.”


    “And you got careless and let one hit you?”


    Her face reddens as she replies.


    “I was just a little distracted and allowed one to escape my view.”


    “Distracted?”


    “Come on, don’t make me say it… I noticed you.”


    <So she noticed you there and got excited and thus careless about finishing the fight.>


    It’s hard to reprimand her over that.


    “Just… Be careful next time.”


    “Yeah. I don’t have that much experience hunting. It’s still a relatively new thing for me.”


    We reach the temple and head inside. I notice a lot more people here than before. I get the feeling that they’re making preparations of some sort.


    Lena leads me towards the room where the priestess is at. It’s the same room where I played ‘Go’ with the priestess. There’s a faint smell of rust coming from the door to the side. That’s odd. I don’t think that there should be much iron objects in such a mostly wooden temple.


    <Must be the rusted swords.>


    It’ll be very poor maintenance of swords if that is the case, but I suppose that’s believable.


    The priestess is standing there while looking towards the garden to the side as if in deep thought about existence or something.


    <That’s the look that a hungry cougar gives while trying to attract unsuspecting prey.>


    That would be quite elaborate for a trap.


    Lena speaks up first.


    “Teacher, we’ve come back from investigating the forest.”


    The priestess turns around slowly and looks at us two.


    “Did you find out anything?” She asks.


    “… No.” Lena replies


    “Actually, there was something interesting there.”


    “Hmm?”


    I could tell her about it now.


    “I have reason to believe the animals were actually pushed here by the other sects.”


    Lena seems surprised but the priestess nods, so I continue.


    “It’s as if to distract the sect and make them use their resources.”


    “Yes. Lena, you should know about it too now since I already told Gray yesterday.”


    She did?


    <It was during that extended ‘Go’ game, you must’ve forgotten it.>


    “The other sects are targeting our sect lately. So, we’ve been making preparations stealthily.”


    Lena is still surprised but calms down a bit.


    “They will attack in about a week, so we have just enough time to prepare. We held a meeting and have decided it would be a good time for the young leaders of the sect to go outside to experience the world a bit before coming back and possibly participating in the battle between sects.”


    <Aren’t they a bit too old to experience the world now?!>


    Different world, different culture, they might think that 21 years old is young.


    “It’ll be you two, the sect leader’s children and a few other disciples from other elders. 6 in total. It would make for a balanced team. In the meeting I remembered Gray wanting to go to the Forest of twilight so I suggested that and they agreed. Right now, you all are powerful enough to go into just the outer layers at least.”


    “Go and make the preparations. You’ll be heading out this evening.”


    Isn’t this moving a bit too fast?


    <What are you saying? Didn’t you want to go there too?>


    To progress that story quest of course. Yeah, I shouldn’t complain.


    As we take our leave, I inspect the priestess though I don’t think I’ll get much.


    <blockquote>


    Sofia ????


    Level 50+ (Sky realm)


    Race: Human (Female)


    Hair color: Black


    Eye color: Reddish-black


    Skin tone: Fair


    Height: 170cm


    Weight: 63kg


    Age: 43 years


    Type: Closet pervert


    Weapon of choice: Spear


    2 items equipped.


    Pendant of sacrifice. (cost 20)


    Made from the souls of the sacrificed beings.


    Can only be made by a priestess.


    Each attack on the enemy absorbs 2% of the damage dealt as health


    Attacks have a small chance to inflict a negative effect on enemies


    Priestess garb. (cost 9)


    Clothing meant only for a priestess.


    Element: Holy.


    HP +250.


    </blockquote>