The Dreamer's POV

[00 Months: 03 Days: 19 Hours]

~DING!~

~DING!~

~DING!~

I woke abruptly from my slumber as the shrill chime of bells pierced the air.

The sound reverberated through the room, causing a sense of urgency to flood my senses. Before I could fully comprehend what was happening, the ground beneath me rumbled, shaking the very foundations of the building.

A cacophony of distant roars and fierce howls echoed through the corridors, growing louder by the second.

Beside me, Tatia stirred, her eyes fluttering open with a mixture of confusion and fear.

The sight of her wide-eyed expression heightened my own sense of unease. I couldn't help but ask, my voice laced with urgency, "Tatia, what's happening?"

Her response came in a hushed and trembling voice, laden with anxiety.

"The bells, Rael. The bells... They're sounding the alarm. It means the creatures of the Wild Lands are attacking."

My heart raced as her words sank in.

The creatures of the Wild Lands were descending upon the settlement? Demons, then? Or were they just wild animals?

'No, the distress on her face tells me that they're at least very dangerous...'

I struggled to process the gravity of the situation, attempting to fathom the sheer number of these horrid creatures that could prompt such an alarm.

"How often does this happen?" I managed to inquire, my voice tinged with concern.

Tatia's gaze faltered for a moment before meeting mine. "It's been... it's been many years since we've experienced an attack of this severity. We rarely hear the bells, Rael. This... this is bad.

Really bad."

A mix of curiosity and apprehension flooded my thoughts.

Why was this happening now? And was it mere coincidence that I happened to be present during such a calamitous event?

The weight of uncertainty settled heavily upon my shoulders.

As Tatia moved with haste, preparing to leave the room, she implored me to stay put, emphasizing the danger that lurked outside.

"This is a dangerous time. I need to make sure my friends and younger sister are safe."

Her concern for her friends and younger sister was palpable, urging her to ensure their safety. With a sense of urgency, she warned me, "Please, don't come out. It's dangerous. Just stay here and wait it out."

Her words resonated within me, stirring something deep within my core. Despite her knowledge of the danger that awaited her if she stepped outside, she still did so for those she cared about.

I didn't have someone I really cared about that way. Not even Mia, though I found myself wondering if she was safe.

Still, Tatia's courage in facing this crisis head-on moved me. Plus, I was a bit curious about this horde that threatened the town I was staying in.

With a resolute nod, I made my decision. "I'll at least see what's happening, Tatia. If I can help, I will."

She looked at me, her expression a mix of worry and admiration. "Be careful, Rael. Please."

It felt nice to see genuine concern in her eyes. Was she worried about me because I was her customer, or did she really care?

'That doesn't matter anyway...'

As Tatia rushed out of my room, disappearing into the chaos outside, I took a deep breath to steady my nerves.

With a calm resolve, I dressed quickly, ensuring my cloak was securely fastened. I armed myself with my trusted equipment from <Personal Space>, and then shrouded myself in invisibility.

This was no time to be ill-prepared.

Once I was fully garbed in my equipment, except for items like my Energy Rocks that would be too conspicuous, I felt ready for whatever awaited me beyond the confines of my chamber.

With each step I took towards the door, the cacophony of chaos grew louder, the sounds of screeching, growls, and the clash of weapons intertwined in a symphony of danger.

Stepping into the dimly lit corridor, I steeled myself for what lay ahead.

Stepping out into the tumultuous world outside, I could finally see what Tatia was referring to as chaos.

The air was thick with tension, the distant roars and screams serving as a chilling reminder of the imminent peril. Determined and cautious, I navigated through the labyrinthine cluster of buildings, following the sounds of chaos and destruction.

As I ventured deeper into the heart of the settlement, I witnessed scenes of devastation. Buildings lay in ruins, their once vibrant structures now reduced to rubble.

People ran frantically, seeking shelter and safety. Fear clung to the air like a suffocating fog, yet amidst the chaos, acts of heroism and resilience shone through.

The guards and several other villagers picked up weapons to defend their residence. Their efforts were sloppy at best, but they were really trying their best.

'Even the blacksmith is with them. How interesting...' I muttered to myself, watching everyone who could fight band against the monsters.

'I guess I can at least award this place for its solidarity.'

Not a single soul was fleeing away from the settlement.

'Should I call it bravery or foolishness?' It most certainly qualified as the latter.

If there was an enemy I couldn't defeat, I'd rather run away and live to fight another day. That was common sense, no?

Yet these people did the opposite.

'Maybe they have nowhere else to go. Or maybe they're fighting for their pride...'

Whatever it was, I could at least respect their resolve to fight and not simply give up.

I stealthily moved through the chaos, my senses heightened and attuned to the surrounding dangers. I could see the wild creatures wreaking havoc, their monstrous forms tearing through the once-peaceful settlement.

Flames licked the walls of buildings, casting an eerie glow on the scene of destruction.

Drawing upon my own abilities, I navigated through the debris, evading the clutches of the creatures with calculated movements. My agility and stealth allowed me to remain undetected, my focus unwavering as I continued to analyze the situation.

A single question kept echoing in my head however;

'Should I help them... or not?'

In the midst of the chaos, I came across a group of townspeople cornered by a pack of ravenous wolf-like Demon beasts.

They looked extremely weak based on my assessment, but the Demons were most likely far stronger than the already exhausted townspeople.

'They're outnumbered and outmatched.'

This was clearly going to be their end. Unless... I did something to help.

'Sigh, why not?'

[SYSTEM WARNING]

<You Have Encountered A Group Of Demons>

With precision and swiftness, I engaged the creatures, dispatching them with a combination of strategic strikes and powerful blows. The sight of their disintegrating bodies served as a reminder of the perilous world we inhabited.

"W-what just happened?"

"W-were we saved?"

"H-how?!"

I heard the surprised words of the townspeople echo as I left their midst, moving on to the next sign of danger.

'Since I'm in this place... I guess I should just help out a little.'

Of course, if I leveled up once or twice, that wouldn't be so bad as well.

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[A/N]

I hope you enjoyed the Mass Release!

Thanks for reading.

Cheers!