Leveling up the World

Chapter 78: Two of a Kind

The elders house was just as improved on the inside as it had been outside. Every item and piece of furniture within view had been carefully mended, including a large carpet Dallion remembered ripping as a child by accident. The thing had been so old that just walking on it had caused a tear. Now it appeared brand new.

Youve been busy, Dallion said, impressed.

A bit. Kraisten went to the living room tableanother new addition, made entirely out of stoneand sat down. Others did most of the work. I cant improve much these days.

Can you still craft? Dallion joined the elder.

So youve heard that?

I saw a few things in the chiefs awakening room. A suit of armor told them to me. He paused a moment. He told me you were the reason the way things turned out around here. Is that right?

It is, the elder replied with a sigh. Aspion did a lot of crap, but hes not wrong about this. I made the mistake that set things in motion. All because of a noble.

A noble? Dallion thought that the Order of the Seven had punished them both. Well, all three of themthere was the matter of the chiefs sister, although by the way everyone referred to her she was likely dead.

But thats not what I wanted to talk to you about. Tell me, grandson, hows Earth these days?

Earth? The only reason Dallion didnt choke was because there wasnt enough saliva in his mouth. Had the old man just said Earth?

You didnt think you were the only one who suddenly awakened here, did you? Kraisten laughed. I thought youd have figured it out by now, especially with the hint I dropped last time we had a talk.

Dallion thought back. The last time was after improving the well. It seemed like ages ago. What hint had his grandfather given him?

Genetics. Dallion shook his head. Luck, genetics, or intense training, he recited the phrase. How hadnt he caught on until now? It was so obvious. Of course, there was no way anyone in this realm had heard the term.

The realization felt as if a huge weight had been taken off Dallions shoulders, a weight he didnt know he had. He was no longer the only Earthling in this realm. Now he knew for certain that his memories werent a dream. Even better, there was someone with whom he could freely talk to about back home! Or could he? Kraisten had awakened in this world over fifty years ago. Back then Dallion wasnt even more heck, there were probably dozens of countries from that time that no longer existed, not to mention the leaps in technology

Yep, genetics. Kraisten smiled. A nice loophole. The echo limitation only lets me talk about things others already know, but it had difficulty catching certain terms as long Im subtle about it. I knew you were from back home from the start, just as I know there are more like us.

There are?

Yeah, though Ive only met one other, ages ago. Look for people who were confused after their awakening. It usually takes a few days for the mind to clear up. The Order calls it soul confusion. I tried asking them more about it, but they keep to their own. The only way theyd provide information to an outsider is if you joined them, and thats something Id advise against.

Because theyll punish me if they learn that Im not from here?

I cant tell you. The elder frowned. There are many reasons, but thats a conclusion youd have to come on your own.

That was sadly convenient. At least Dallion knew for certain that there were others like him. And that meant

Is there a way back? he asked.

To Earth? If there is, no one has found it. You really want to go back there? Dont know about you, but I wouldnt. Even after everything thats happened, I prefer it here. And by the look of it, so do you. Kraisten rubbed his hands. Youve felt it, right? The power of awakening, the call of adventure, all the possibilities this world offers. Aspion couldnt stomp it out of you with threats and echoes. He tried, but you ended up on top.

Is that what you told him? Dallion thought. All those decades ago, his grandfather had something similar to Aspion. There was no way of knowing what went wrongKraisten either couldnt or wouldnt tell him.

What about you? Dallion asked. Will you leave the village? The chief is no longer stopping you.

Hes not the one stopping me, but no. The elder shook his head. Ive no intention of going. Ive grown to like Dherma. Now that Aspions grandkids have taken over, we might even improve it a level or two. Youll leave, though.

Oh? Why so certain?

Because you wont find your answer here.

Whats the question.

What lies beyond? Kraisten smiled. Thats what makes us different. The question that drives us to reach the top just to take a look. My way didnt work, but maybe yours will. Either way, it will be one heck of a ride getting there.

The question that drives people to reach the top just to take a look Dallion had never considered it this way. All he wanted to do was see what it was like in the city. He had no intention of joining the city guard, despite his experience in the hunting party, nor did he want to become a noble. He just wanted to see what it was like outside the village. Maybe thats how it had started for his grandfather as well? The memory hed seen made it appear that way, but Dallion wasnt his grandfather, even if both of them came from Earth in a manner of speaking.

So, finish everything you have to, say your goodbyes and get out of here. Carry only what you must, sleep in the awakened state as much as you could, be always ready to fight, and never trust anything with a dark star on it.

The last sounded particularly specific, but Dallion nodded nonetheless.

Thanks, Gramps. He stood up. I think Ill learn a few things about this world. And when I get back, well have a proper talk about it.