Jack's POV
I woke up the next morning feeling sore from the previous day's training. My muscles ached, but I was determined to keep improving. I got out of bed and stretched, trying to loosen up. Today, I had more to explore and learn.
As I walked through the village, I noticed the villagers were starting to recognize me. Some nodded in greeting, while others just stared curiously. It was strange to be the center of attention, but I tried to stay focused on my goals.
I decided to visit Garret again for more training. He was already at the training ground, sparring with another villager. When he saw me, he gave a curt nod.
"Back for more, I see," he said gruffly. "Good. You need it."
We spent the next few hours practicing basic combat techniques. Garret was a tough teacher, but I appreciated his straightforward approach. He didn't sugarcoat anything, which made it easier to learn.
After the training session, I wandered to the market area. The village was bustling with activity. Vendors shouted out their wares, children ran around playing, and people chatted about their daily lives.
As I browsed through the stalls, I overheard a conversation between two women. "Did you hear about the new arrival in the village?" one of them thought. "They say he's from another world."
"Yes, I heard," the other replied mentally. "I wonder if he'll be able to help us with the Lich King."
I moved on, thinking about their words. The Lich King was a constant threat in this world, and I had no idea how I could help. I barely knew how to swing a sword, let alone defeat a powerful enemy.
Lost in thought, I nearly bumped into someone. I looked up and saw a young woman with fiery red hair and a mischievous grin. She wore practical clothing, suitable for traveling, and had a confident air about her.
"Watch where you're going," she said, her tone light and teasing.
"Sorry about that," I replied, feeling a bit embarrassed. "I was just… thinking."
She raised an eyebrow. "Thinking, huh? You must be Jack, the new guy everyone's talking about."
I nodded. "Yeah, that's me. And you are?"
"Ella," she said with a smile. "I heard you're good at telepathy. Is that true?"
I was taken aback by her directness. "Uh, yeah, I guess you could say that. How did you know?"
She shrugged. "Word gets around. Besides, I have a knack for finding out interesting things."
I couldn't help but laugh. Ella's confidence was infectious. "So, what can I do for you, Ella?"
She looked at me thoughtfully. "Actually, I think I can help you. I'm a reincarnator, you see. I've been trying to find a way to defeat the Lich King."
My eyes widened in surprise. "A reincarnator? You mean, you've lived in this world before?"
Ella nodded. "Exactly. I remember my past life and everything I learned. That's why I've been traveling, looking for a way to stop the Lich King. And I think you might be able to help me."
I was intrigued. "How do you think I can help?"
She leaned in closer, her eyes gleaming with excitement. "With your telepathy, you can read my thoughts and understand what I know. Together, we can find the items and skills we need to get stronger and take down the Lich King."
It sounded like a crazy plan, but it also made sense. Ella had knowledge from her past life, and I had the ability to tap into that knowledge. It was worth a shot.
"Alright," I said, feeling a spark of hope. "Let's do it. Where do we start?"
Ella grinned. "First, we need to find some enchanted items. There's a cave not far from here that's rumored to have some powerful artifacts. But it's dangerous, so we'll need to be careful."
I nodded, feeling a mix of excitement and nervousness. "Lead the way."
We left the village and headed towards the cave. The journey was relatively uneventful, but I couldn't shake the feeling of being watched. I tried to focus on Ella's thoughts, hoping to get some insight.
"Stay alert," she thought. "The cave is known to be inhabited by aggressive creatures."
We reached the cave entrance just as the sun was setting. The cave was dark and foreboding, with a chilly breeze blowing out of it. I felt a shiver run down my spine.
"Ready?" Ella asked, her voice steady.
I took a deep breath and nodded. "Ready as I'll ever be."
We entered the cave, our footsteps echoing off the walls. The air was damp and musty, and I could hear the distant sound of dripping water. Ella led the way, her movements confident and sure.
As we ventured deeper into the cave, I noticed glowing crystals embedded in the walls. They provided just enough light to see by, casting eerie shadows on the rocky surfaces.
Suddenly, I heard a low growl. I turned to see a creature emerging from the shadows. It looked like a cross between a bat and a lizard, with sharp teeth and glowing eyes.
Ella drew her sword and stood ready. "Get ready, Jack. We've got company."
I readied my practice sword, trying to remember Garret's training. The creature lunged at us, and Ella moved with lightning speed, striking it with precision. I followed her lead, swinging my sword clumsily but managing to hit the creature.
It hissed and retreated, disappearing into the darkness. I let out a breath I didn't realize I was holding.
"Nice work," Ella said, giving me a nod of approval. "But stay alert. There might be more."
We continued deeper into the cave, encountering a few more creatures along the way. With Ella's guidance and my telepathy, we managed to fend them off. I was starting to get the hang of it, though I still had a long way to go.
Finally, we reached a large chamber at the heart of the cave. In the center of the chamber was a pedestal with a glowing orb resting on top of it. The air around it crackled with energy.
"That's it," Ella said, her voice filled with awe. "The Orb of Insight. It's said to enhance one's magical abilities."
I approached the orb cautiously, feeling its power radiate from it. I reached out and touched it, and a surge of energy flowed through me. It was overwhelming but exhilarating.
Ella watched me with a satisfied smile. "This is just the beginning, Jack. With the Orb of Insight, we can start to unlock your potential. Together, we'll find more artifacts and skills to help us defeat the Lich King."
I nodded, feeling a newfound sense of purpose. This world was full of dangers, but with Ella by my side, I felt ready to face them. We had a long journey ahead of us, but I was determined to see it through.