Chereads / Echoes of Mana / Chapter 4 - Chapter 4: Back to the Roots

Chapter 4 - Chapter 4: Back to the Roots

System activated:

[You are now thousands of years in the past lone wolf!]

 

Gail shouted: "What the fuck?! what the fuck is a lone wolf? I don't want to be a wolf. I do not want to be alone. It was thousands of years ago! What the actual fuck! Hey damn, where is this? You were supposed to take me back to my most important moment, a few days ago, not halfway across the world fucker. Why the hell did you take me thousands of years ago?"

Gail, who had shouted, threw the sand on the hill with his hands and feet into the air. This made Gail a little calmer. Then he said: "Oh my God! I wish I could find and kill the creator of this damn system."

Gail then thought that he might be in a simulation where he would have to endure all the agony the rest of the way. Then he thought that maybe the system was messed up when suddenly, the system activated before his eyes.

 

[Quest: Find the tribal chief and fight with his son]

[Reward: A magic sword]

[Failure: Return to the excavation site]

[Title: Lone Wolf]

[Level: N/A]

[Mana: 0.5]

[Health: 9/10]

[Endurance: 1]

[Intelligence: 5]

[Strength: 2]

[Charisma: 3]

[Vitality: 5]

[Agility: 3]

[Luck: 7]

 

Gail said, "What good is a sword to me? Do you think I can fight, idiot? I have never seen a sword up close in my life, how come my reward is a magic sword? A sword is for fighting. How the hell do I fight it? I have no information about magic. I just remembered that magic was powerful in the city. I hope this damn sword is the same. But how do I fight the son of the tribe chief? Oh damn, You still give my luck in stats 7 out of 10? What luck is that? Damn your system. Fuck your creator. Take me back to my home!"

No response was received from the system. Gail was extremely thirsty. He had to keep going to find water; otherwise, he would die of thirst on the hillside under the ruthless midday sun. The system had made Gil very nervous, and he didn't know whether he should complete the quest or not. In any case, he decided to climb the hill in front of him. From the top of the hill, he saw a strange sight: very simple ancient structures built by the river, similar to the ruins that had been excavated. He had traveled back in time, to a place that might hold the most important history of his past as the system said!

 

Gail said to himself: "Apparently I have returned to a time thousands of years ago. I had read in my lessons that humans started civilization by settling by the rivers. I had read in history that Neo Eden is also many years old. A city that was previously built near two rivers. It is very strange. It seems that I am on the side of the initial version of Neo Eden."

 

As he descended the hill, the sun's harsh rays beat down on him, intensifying his thirst. Gail's mind raced with questions. Was he really in the past? Why had the system brought him here instead of his desired moment? To reach the river, he had to pass through ancient structures. At first, he tried to follow the route secretly to stay away from possible dangers, but due to extreme thirst, he decided to take the direct route to the river, which had to pass through ancient structures. As he approached the ancient structures, he saw people dressed in traditional garb, bustling around. They looked at him with curiosity and suspicion.

 

Gail's appearance—disheveled, dirty, and out of place—caught their attention. A group of them approached, speaking in a language Gail didn't understand. Even though he didn't like to do the system quest, he had to somehow communicate with the tribe due to thirst. He tried to communicate, pointing to his mouth to indicate his thirst. One of the villagers handed him a clay jug filled with water. Gail drank eagerly, feeling the cool liquid revitalize him.

 

There was no danger in the tribe. People's help to quench his thirst made him trust them. Maybe another help from the system? With that in mind, he decided to at least see the tribe chief even though he was afraid of fighting his son for the system quest.

Realizing he needed to find the tribal chief, Gail mimicked a crown with his hands, trying to convey his request. The villagers exchanged glances and whispered among themselves. Eventually, they led him to a large tent adorned with intricate patterns. Inside, an elderly man with a commanding presence sat on a woven mat. The villagers gestured for Gail to approach.

 

Gail knelt before the chief, unsure of how to proceed. Now Gail had found the clan chief. But how should he fight with his son? The lone wolf had to continue. He pointed to himself and said, "Gail," hoping the chief would understand his name. The chief nodded, his eyes sharp and observant. Gail then gestured to the outside, mimicking the act of digging and touching a crystal. The chief's expression shifted to one of recognition and concern.

The chief spoke to Gail, his voice firm but kind. Though Gail couldn't understand the words, he sensed the chief's authority and wisdom. The chief motioned for Gail to rise and led him outside. They walked through the village, the chief explaining something to the people as they passed. Gail could only guess what was being said, but it seemed the chief was preparing the villagers for something significant.

 

The people of the tribe gathered in a circle. It was clear this was a very special occasion. The chief of the tribe, with a simple gesture, signaled that Gail had to engage in ceremonial combat. This fight was reminiscent of ancient rituals. Another challenge lay ahead for Gail—an ancient duel to obtain something unknown to him. Much like Neo-Eden's quest for tribal citizenship, it presented unique challenges. Gail knew this was the fight the system had told him. He did not intend to enter this fight. But it was too late.

 

The chief summoned Gail's opponent. The crowd cheered and encouraged the rival. Gamesh, a formidable man and the son of the chief stepped forward. Gail had to defeat Gamesh in combat, or else face uncertain consequences. He was scared. Never had he imagined to be in thousands of years ago, that he would be forced to engage in a duel with the son of an ancient tribe's chief. Fighting with a weapon that was a pure piece of wood. But that was what the system asked him to do. Once again, events were arranged in such a way that he could fulfill the mission of the system.

Shivering with fear and trying to hide it, Gail whispered, "Damn you system. You've got me down the path you wanted again. How can I win this fight? If I lose, I'll go back to the mine. I wish this was all a nightmare."

He felt that the odds were against him. Many spectators chanted Gamesh's name with a terrifying rhythm. Despite his fear and frailty, Gail felt a will within him—a will that seemed to have an external source. The conditions for the match were set, and amidst the crowd standing in a circle, the two combatants stepped forward.

 

The air was thick with tension as the two combatants faced each other. Gail could feel his heart pounding in his chest. Gamesh stood tall and imposing, his eyes locked onto Gail with fierce determination. The chief raised his hand, and the crowd fell silent. With a swift motion, he brought his hand down, signaling the start of the combat. Gail was trying to be steadfast but kept cursing the system under his breath.

 

Gamesh charged at Gail with the force of a raging bull. Gail barely managed to dodge the initial attack, his reflexes heightened by the adrenaline coursing through his veins. He knew he couldn't rely on brute strength; he had to outsmart his opponent.

 

As the fight progressed, Gamesh's powerful strikes seemed unstoppable. Gail tried to evade and parried but Received several hits. The last blow was very painful and fatal to the extent that it nearly knocked Gail unconscious. 

He was hit on the head. The same place where the officers hit him. Gil remembered the memories. His father's betrayal and lack of freedom in Neo Eden. He had a purpose. A plan for freedom. A plan for revenge. But blood had flowed from his head and face. While he was passing out, the system appeared in front of him:

[Mana: 0.5]

[Health: 5/10]

[Endurance: 1]

[Intelligence: 5]

[Strength: 2]

[Charisma: 3]

[Vitality: 5]

[Agility: 3]

[Luck: 7]

His health was reduced by half. More fear was overcoming him. But something caught his attention. His level of intelligence, his vitality, and of course his luck. So he decided to rely on his positive statistics. He remembered his nickname and decided to fight like a wolf!

So he hardly took his weapon and attacked. Gail tried to hit the Gamesh several times, but he dodged the blows easily. Gail's fear began to transform into a focused determination. Gail remembered the power he had almost forgotten: Mana!

In his memories, he remembered what power Mana gave to the elites in the city. So he told the system that he wanted to use his mana. Surprisingly, the system responded this time:

[Mana was used in the amount of 0.5]

He felt a strange energy within him. The amount of mana consumed was very little, but he felt powerful now. Of course, part of this feeling was completely subjective. He was motivated now. He felt that the system and mana had finally come to his aid. Gail felt a surge of strength and clarity. 

Gail was never a fighter in his life. His only weapon used to be a computer, with which he tried to somehow free himself from the oppression of the government. Now he had a piece of wood as a weapon and a fighter as an opponent. When he saw that his attacks did not work, he decided to defend himself until a suitable opportunity was provided. He tried to predict the opponent's moves. With two hands, he could hardly put the weapon between himself and the opponent's blows. The opponent underestimated him and attacked easily, with a smile and with one hand. The crowd roared with each clash of their weapons. 

 

Gamesh, growing frustrated, launched a furious assault. In one of these attacks, suddenly the foot of Gamesh who was attacking Gail went on a stone and he fell to the ground. Luck came to Gail's aid once again! So Gail took full advantage of the opportunity. Gamesh seemed to have a broken leg and was screaming in pain. Gail, who was too exhausted to move, tried to take advantage of this opportunity, so he overcame his fatigue. He struggled to approach his opponent, delivered a blow, and disarmed him. Sending his weapon flying across the circle. The crowd gasped. In a final, breathtaking moment, Gail landed a decisive blow, bringing Gamesh to his knees.