The air remained thick with a mixture of apprehension and a fragile hope as all eyes turned back to Usato, awaiting his response to their concerns.
Scanning the faces of Elder Borin, marked by skepticism, Vala, displaying practicality, Kael, simmering with anger, and the younger warriors, showing tentative hope, Usato replied, his voice firm and unwavering, "Rest assured. If the Old Treant refuses to help us… I have my ways to ensure our safety there."
I'll do whatever it takes..., he thought, his mind racing with the possibilities, a grim determination hardening his gaze. He projected an air of absolute certainty, hoping to quell their fears.
A ripple of belief spread through the group. Even Kael, his grief still raw, seemed to find a sliver of reassurance in Usato's unwavering confidence.
Elder Borin's expression remained cautious, but he offered a slow nod. The desperation of their situation made any viable plan, even one involving a potentially dangerous ancient being, a better option than aimless flight.
"Understood, Chief," Borin said, his voice heavy with the weight of responsibility for his people. "Lead the way. We will follow."
A collective sigh of relief, mixed with trepidation, swept through the warriors. The path ahead was uncertain, but for the first time since their escape, they had a direction, a glimmer of hope guided by their unlikely, outsider chief.
"Elder Borin," Usato continued, his gaze settling on the wise elder, "your experience and knowledge of the forest are invaluable. I would ask you to oversee our foraging and resource management. Ensure we are making the most of what the land offers without endangering ourselves."
Borin nodded slowly. "I will do my best, Chief."
"Vala," Usato addressed the skilled hunter, "your keen eyes and tracking abilities will be crucial for scouting and avoiding immediate dangers. Work with your chosen scouts to keep us informed of the terrain and any obvious threats."
Vala's expression hardened with determination. "Understood, Chief."
Usato continued to assign roles to the other key warriors, ensuring all essential tasks were covered. He emphasized the importance of communication and cooperation.
"We face a long and difficult journey," Usato concluded. "But by working together, we will reach the Old Treant's area. We will survive. And we will have our revenge." He gave the signal to move.
The Evergreen tribe began their thirty-day trek. The pace was deliberate, considerate of the elderly and children. The formation was a practical column, experienced warriors providing protection. Vala's scouts led, vigilant for immediate threats.
Usato subtly guided the group, his decisions appearing as instinct or keen observation.
This is going well so far..., Usato thought, monitoring the group's progress.
During the journey, Usato began teaching his self-made cultivation techniques to the warriors and the children aged six to twelve, closely monitoring their progress. After several days, a pattern emerged: warriors older than eighteen showed minimal strength gains, leading Usato to conclude that the optimal age for body cultivation was between nine and fifteen, with progress slowing between sixteen and twenty-five. Among the older teenagers, Gorthok displayed a surprising aptitude for the training, while several of the younger children also showed promise.
The forest presented its challenges. Dense undergrowth slowed their progress, and steep inclines tested their endurance. Usato's seemingly intuitive decisions guided them away from unseen dangers, earning him cautious respect, though Kael remained observant and somewhat skeptical.
After one week of walking without encountering danger, Sky sensed a significant anomaly ahead – a powerful energy signature unlike anything he had encountered so far. Following this detection, Usato gathered everyone.
"Everyone," Usato began, his tone serious, drawing their attention. "I've sensed something ahead. There's a powerful energy source, likely a large and dangerous beast. My… reconnaissance skill is telling me this is a significant threat, stronger than anything we've faced on our journey. We need to be prepared."
"Alright team," Usato began, a familiar glint in his eyes. "We're facing an unknown predator. To ensure a clean victory and minimal wipes, we need to establish clear roles, just like a well-coordinated party." He turned to Gorthok, his gaze firm. "Gorthok, you're our Main Tank. Your job is simple: be the unmovable wall. You'll draw aggro, eat the damage, and apply some serious CC – that's 'Crowd Control' for those unfamiliar. It means you'll use your strength and any abilities you have to restrict the monster's movements, maybe slow it down, pin it, or prevent it from attacking others effectively. Keep that beast locked down so the damage dealers can do their work." He then looked at Syka, a strategic look on his face. "Syka, you're our dedicated Ranged DPS. Position yourself in the backline and unleash that AOE – that stands for 'Area of Effect.' Think of it as attacks that hit multiple targets within a certain area. Rain down those arrows and keep the pressure constant on the predator, and if there are smaller threats, you can hit them all at once. Keep an eye on the surroundings too – you're our eyes in the sky." Turning to Vala, a sly grin touched Usato's lips. "Vala, you're our Assassin/Scout. Think of yourself as the rogue, in and out before they even know what hit them. Your job is to deliver massive burst damage – a potential one-shot if the opportunity arises. Prioritize stealth; when you appear, it's go-time for a lethal strike. Hit hard, then vanish. We'll rely on your speed and agility to exploit openings." He then addressed Elara, his tone softening slightly. "Elara, you're our Support, our lifeline. You're the dedicated healer, keeping everyone in fighting shape. Think buffs – temporary enhancements to our abilities – and heals, keeping our strength up. If anyone gets in trouble and takes damage, you're our emergency restore, patching them up so they can continue fighting." Finally, he looked at Kael, a nod of respect in his eyes. "Kael, you're our Warrior – think of you as the sturdy melee DPS with some off-tank potential. You'll be right there in the thick of it, dishing out consistent damage up close. If Gorthok gets stunned – momentarily incapacitated and unable to act – you're our backup MT, ready to step in and take the heat. Understood?"
Usato scanned their faces, the gamer in him hoping his explanations were clear enough for this real-life encounter. Instead, he was met with a collection of blank stares and slightly furrowed brows. Gorthok scratched his head, his massive hand dwarfing his scalp. Syka exchanged a bewildered glance with Elara, who looked equally perplexed. Only Vala maintained a neutral expression, though a flicker of something unreadable crossed her eyes. The silence stretched, thick with unspoken confusion. Crap. Too much, too fast. He'd gotten carried away, his gamer instincts overriding the reality of their unfamiliarity with such concepts. He'd been so focused on the strategy, the optimal party composition, that he'd forgotten they didn't share his world of digital battles and role-playing terminology. A nervous chuckle escaped his lips.