Actually listening to Nubi's explanations did wonders for their self-esteem and cut down on the amount of arguing between us. They had a wealth of information to give to me and while nodding or asking questions, they seemed to brighten up compared to how they were before. Although they still sassed me on some things that seemed ludicrous to them, they entertained my questions and asked me things about my world too. The more I talked about my world to them, the clearer it became.
I lived on Earth and the world that I'd been transported to was Gaia. I had a family, friends, a home, but I couldn't remember exact faces. Only the feeling and faint echoes of memories that'd disappear before I could really see them for what they were. Nubi decided not to ask me anything else about it after my voice trailed off and I stared in the distance. They weren't very good at comforting but they did lean against my cheek, their tiny head barely above my jawline.
As far as I knew, this world was massive. We'd been walking for what felt like an hour but Nubi told me was only forty-five minutes and the forest was still all that I could see. I hopped over large roots and trees that'd been knocked over, even trying that 「AIR BLAST 」skill to launch myself over things I couldn't climb onto. Nubi hummed with a satisfied smile, clinging onto my sleeve when I leapt into the air. The more I used my abilities and worked through problems, the happier they seemed to be.
"So if there are four heroes, then that means we'll have to team up at some point," I said as we passed beneath a few overhanging vines. I stopped in mid-step and grabbed one, giving it a sharp tug. "I really hope we don't end up hating each other."
After a few sharp tugs, the vines came loose and I stumbled backward, winding the line around my hand.
「VINE 」has been acquired!
"If I'm Air, then that means the others must be Fire, Water, and Earth..."
Nubi sighed and shook their head, "Weren't you listening, Air?"
Although I could hear the beginning of their lecture, I didn't pay it much mind.
"Which means if we're the main elements of the world, if we end up fighting then the world would be fighting itself."
I unwound some of the vines and held it taut, glancing at Nubi. "Right?"
"That was... surprisingly astute, Air."
"What do you mean surprisingly?"
Did I really seem that hopeless? At this point, it felt like common sense and something I should've noticed earlier. If we're meant to save the world then we're supposed to work together. Even if the four of us don't see things the same way. I opened my 「INVENTORY 」and set the vine rope inside, dusting my hands together.
"The only issue is without some way to contact them or a map to find them, we're probably all scattered around the world," I said, keeping an eye on the bushes and the greenery. "And there's no doubt enemies of the heroes."
Even if it was beautiful, there was no doubt other animals that wouldn't be too happy to see someone like me wandering in their territory. Without a proper weapon, I wouldn't be able to do much damage and with a quick look at my 「SKILLS 」, 「AIR BLAST 」had a cooldown that would leave me with too many openings. It'd be dangerous to just rely on it. I'd have to get creative.
"An enemy of the heroes created by the Goddess would be someone who hated the Goddess herself," Nubi huffed, arms crossed and pouting. "Heathen fools."
Well, that surely wasn't the reaction I was expecting. After all, could you really blame creatures that lived in their own habitat to be mindful of a Goddess when a stranger showed up in their home?
Then again, the Goddess was like Nubi's mother so I couldn't hold it against her.
"She must have it rough," I said, clearing my throat. "And if someone catches on that I'm the Hero of Air and attacks me like this, I'll die."
I wasn't sure about my stats but I knew my lack of equipment would already put me at a disadvantage. The only skills I had were「AIR BLAST 」, 「FORAGING 」 and 「HERO OF AIR 」 and —
"Wait, it says that the Hero of Air inherits the abilities of their forebearers.."
I glanced at Nubi.
"So there were other Heroes before me?"
Nubi hummed distractedly, swinging their legs back and forth then shrugged. "I suppose so," they said, looking up at me. "I was made for the purpose of serving Air, the Hero of Air. I don't know a lot about the previous heroes."
So that's how it was. Nubi was made specifically for me. On one hand, I felt flattered that a Goddess deemed me that important to make someone for me. And I also felt worried. If Nubi's existence depended upon me, then if something happened to me, what would happen to them?
Did the other heroes have a Nubi as well?
How worrisome.
"And I'm guessing you don't know the names of the Hero of Fire, Water or Earth, huh?"
Nubi deflated slightly and shook their head, muttering, "No."
I sighed. Worrisome, worrisome all around.
"Well, don't worry about it," I said, mustering a smile and patting the top of their head with my finger. "Either way, we'll run into them eventually or the Main Scenario Quests won't progress."
Nubi held my finger by the knuckle, peeking up at me curiously, "Main Scenario Quests?"
Ah, right. I probably should get out of the habit of mentioning game-like elements in front of people. But at least they were looking more hopeful now that I was actually listening.
"What I'm saying is that everything will be alright," I smiled wider and Nubi smiled back, looking forward with bright eyes. My smile dissipated and I looked forward.
"It has to be."
As far as I was considered, once we left this forest, my tutorial ended.
"Oh wait," I said aloud, patting my fist against my open palm. "Let's head back."
"Huh?"
We wandered back the way that we came, passing by the tree with vines curled around its bark and I set to pulling some of them free and stuffing them in my 「INVENTORY 」.
"Nubi, lead me back to where that prickleboar is!"
"A-Are you sure?"
I grinned. "Yeah, I got an idea."
The way back was longer than I expected but while Nubi was talking to me, I removed the bundles of「VINES 」and looped them around my arms. I'd seen things like this on television but wasn't sure if it'd actually work in person. There was only way to find out though.
As we happened upon the body of the prickleboar, tusks embedded in the tree bark, I swallowed thickly. I did that. I killed that creature that was equally as desperate to survive.
Oh well, it was nothing to dwell over. If that was the way of the world.
Unwinding the vines from my arms, I went around the side of the prickleboar and began to tie its legs together,
"What're you doing, Air?" Nubi asked me as I finished tying off the prickleboar's legs then connected it to the lengthier vine bundle curled around my hand. Grabbing the prickleboar by its hind legs, I pulled until its tusks slipped from the bark and it fell to the ground in a heap.
That didn't take much. If it had a little more time, and if I'd hesitated any longer, it might've gotten free of its own accord.
Fear coiled in my gut and pride did too.
Flexing my fingers as far as they would go with how tightly they were wound up, I tried to steel myself and lifted up the prickleboar from its underbelly. One of my hands wrapping around and the prickling needles piercing the thick hand wrap of vines though it didn't meet my skin thankfully. With my other hand supporting the prickleboar's underbelly, I narrowly avoided one of the needles from stabbing the side of my head.
No text window opened up and my worst fear had been confirmed.
"You're taking it to Sinaba with us?" Nubi asked as I trudged onward the way that we came.
I sighed, long-suffering and heavy. "Yeah."
I checked when I had my 「INVENTORY 」open and I had absolutely no money. With only the berries that I'd gathered, I wouldn't be able to buy anything worthwhile in a village or a town. The only way I'd get by is by selling something or eating it if I could find something to skin it with. That is if I survived long enough to bring it back. Hefting it onto my shoulder, I breathed through my nose.
"Let's hurry, Nubi. How long will it take to get there?"
Nubi floated beside me, giving the prickleboar a wary glance. "About an hour and a half, will you be alright?"
I sighed, grunting beneath the weight. "Just peachy."
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