A nervous chuckle escaped Usato's lips. Right. Gamer terms. Not exactly standard Kharon vocabulary. He quickly reigned in his enthusiasm, composing himself. The blank stares were a clear sign he needed to simplify. But before re-explaining the combat roles, another priority surfaced – ensuring the tribe's stability while the primary fighters were engaged.
His gaze shifted, landing on the weathered face of Elder Borin. The elder's expression, though still marked by the general confusion, held the familiar weight of responsibility. "Elder Borin," Usato began, his tone shifting from tactical commander back to the focused leader they were starting to recognize, "while Kael, Gorthok, Vala, Syka, Elara, and I go to scout this... powerful beast, you will be temporarily in charge of the tribe."
He let the weight of the assignment settle. "All concerns regarding daily necessities, managing the camp, and ensuring the safety of those remaining will fall to you. You have the authority to instruct the other warriors in case of an emergency while we are gone."
Borin's eyes widened slightly, his brow furrowing deeper, not with confusion this time, but with concern. He took a step forward, his voice urgent. "But Chief," he protested hastily, "attacking that beast with unknown capabilities is dangerous! Especially for you! You are the Chief now; you were entrusted to lead us!" The elder's worry was palpable, born from years of safeguarding his people.
Usato met the elder's gaze, a flicker of gratitude warming him. Borin's concern wasn't just for protocol, but for his well-being, for the stability Usato represented. He cares... they care. He offered a reassuring, albeit firm, look. "Elder," Usato said, his voice softening slightly but losing none of its resolve, "we must let our younger generations carve a path for themselves. Sacrificing experienced elders like yourself might seem plausible to some strategists, but it is not our path." His gaze swept momentarily over Kael, Gorthok, and the others who would be joining the scout. "We escaped our home together; we survive this journey together. Understand?"
He held Borin's gaze, projecting confidence, hoping the elder would see the necessity, the conviction behind his decision.
A look of understanding, mixed with renewed determination, settled on Elder Borin's face. He straightened his posture, his voice regaining its steady resonance. "Even if I sacrifice these old bones," he declared, meeting Usato's eyes squarely, "I will ensure nothing happens to our people." Without quite realizing it, the elder's words cemented his acceptance of Usato's leadership, assuring the safety of the tribe under his temporary command.
Usato offered a small smile, clapping the elder lightly on the shoulder. "Don't be so serious, Elder. We still need your wisdom to help manage the tribe long-term." He then turned back to the designated scouting team – Kael, Gorthok, Vala, Syka, and Elara – his expression becoming focused once more. "Let's go."
As the small group turned to move away from the main column, Elara hesitated, her brow furrowed with a practical concern. "But Chief," she began, her voice soft but clear, "we have no weapons. How can we possibly fight such a beast if we encounter it?"
Usato stopped, momentarily thrown. He almost slapped his forehead. Weapons! Right. Sky devoured the ancestral ones... I completely forgot.
He quickly masked his lapse, shifting his expression to one of thoughtful planning, as if this was merely the next step he hadn't announced yet. Smooth, Usato, real smooth.
"Right," he said, nodding slowly as if confirming a known point. "How could I forget? I already have a plan for that." He scanned the dense woods around them. "Let's find a suitable vacant area nearby."
They walked a short distance further into the forest, away from the main tribe's path, until Usato spotted a small, relatively clear patch of ground dappled with sunlight filtering through the canopy. He gestured towards it. "This will do. Clear the immediate area and step aside."
The warriors exchanged curious glances but obeyed, quickly pushing back loose branches and fallen leaves. They then stepped back, forming a loose semi-circle, their eyes fixed on Usato, waiting expectantly.
Usato closed his eyes briefly, focusing inward. Sky, status report on the devoured ancestral weapons.
Report: Analysis complete. Energy signatures and material compositions cataloged. Ready for replication, Host.
Good. Mimic five weapons based on the data you absorbed at the hall. Prioritize functionality for these individuals: a bow and arrows, a large two-handed sword, a simple wooden staff or cane suitable for channeling energy, a heavy hammer and shield combination, and a one-handed short sword. Crucially, retain only about half of their original properties. We don't want them backfiring. Usato added the limitation consciously; the full power of ancient ancestral weapons was likely too much for their current level to handle safely or effectively.
Affirmative, Host. Adjusting replication parameters for reduced potency. Mimicking ancient weapons... 1 weapon set mimicked: Bow and Quiver with 10 Arrows. 1 weapon mimicked: Bastard Sword. 1 weapon mimicked: Gnarled Wooden Cane. 2 weapons mimicked: Tower Shield and Warhammer. 1 weapon mimicked: Short Sword. Replication complete. Done mimicking weapons. Awaiting further instructions.
Thanks, Sky. Excellent work.
You are always welcome, Host.
Usato detected a subtle inflection in Sky's synthesized response, a hint of something beyond pure logic. He felt a flicker of secret happiness at this sign of Sky's developing emotional intelligence.
Opening his eyes, Usato focused on the cleared space. Nanobots, unseen by the others, swirled and coalesced. Metallic shimmers and the faint scent of ozone filled the air for a moment before solidifying into distinct shapes lying on the forest floor: a sturdy-looking warhammer beside a thick shield, a long bastard sword gleaming dully, a polished short sword, a longbow with a quiver of arrows, and a surprisingly solid-looking wooden cane etched with faint patterns.
The team gasped collectively. Kael's eyes widened, Vala tensed, Syka stared intently at the bow, and Elara looked with wonder at the cane. Gorthok's jaw dropped.
Usato stepped forward and picked up the weapons, distributing them. "Gorthok," he said, handing over the heavy shield and warhammer. "Here are your shield and hammer."
Gorthok took them, his eyes lighting up like a child given a new toy. He hefted the hammer, a wide grin splitting his face. "Woah! Thanks, Chief!" Without another word, he lumbered a short distance away and swung the hammer experimentally against a thick tree trunk, sending bark flying with a satisfying thud.
Usato shook his head slightly with amusement before turning to the others. "Kael, here's your Bastard Sword." He presented the two-handed weapon. Kael took it, his expression unreadable, but his grip was firm as he tested its weight. "Elara, this wooden cane is yours." Elara accepted the staff, running her fingers over the faint etchings, a thoughtful look on her face. "Syka, this bow and arrows." Syka took the bow reverently, immediately checking the string tension and sighting down its length. "And Vala," Usato finished, offering the short sword, "this is yours. I'm sorry, I don't have a dagger available right now."
"It's okay, Chief. No worries," Vala replied, her voice filled with genuine gratitude as she accepted the blade, testing its balance. She, along with Kael, Elara, Syka, and a returning, still-grinning Gorthok, now looked at Usato with undisguised awe, their earlier confusion replaced by sheer astonishment. It was clear they were convinced he was something... more.
Gorthok, never one for subtlety, blurted out the question seemingly on all their minds. "Chief! Chief! Are you... are you a Go-g-God?"
The blunt question hung in the air. Usato was momentarily shocked, then burst out laughing, the sound echoing slightly in the clearing. "A God? God, your head!" he chuckled, shaking his own. "Haha! If I were a god, why would I bother coming all the way down here to deal with monsters and grumpy tribes?" He looked at his team, his laughter fading into a wry smile, though a fleeting thought flickered through his mind: If I really were a god... could I finally go back to Earth?