Keeping moving made me feel a bit better, but stepping barefoot on the snow wasn't something that I wanted to experience ever again. On the other hand, it soon began to snow a bit harder, and that would hide my footsteps; the downside was the cold that grew stronger. I found some places to take shelter along the way, but the idea of being found and then being brought back to become toast kept me pushing forward.
"I guess I should try to see if using the status points will help me with the cold…"
In the end, it didn't. I tested all parameters aside from strength, but it didn't change a damn thing… I used all my free points, but at least I had more or less an idea that things wouldn't be so difficult with leveling up; I soon confirmed that.
(The Navigation Skill Tree leveled up. You received 10 Experience points.)
(You have leveled up and received five Status Points and one Rank-up Skill Point.)
I could level up the skill trees even without fighting; I had to use them. Anyway, I also learned that vitality, spirit, and endurance increased my HP, MP, and SP, respectively. Their increase made me feel a bit better and less tired, so that helped.
I had no idea how many hours had passed, but eventually, I reached the end of that massive slope filled with trees around. Navigating through them was also made me level up again. I also lost count of how many times I almost slipped, and there wasn't a skill tree for every single little thing that I could do. Enduring the cold was one of them.
"I can't light a fire… it will reveal my position. I need to move away from that place as fast as possible. Still, what is the point? My face is known since I am supposed to be royalty, or the owner of this body is."
The weight of the chainmail, the sword, and the shield didn't bother me in the beginning, but I was starting to get annoyed by them now. Five kilograms begin to feel like one hundred after walking for hours.
Increasing my strength should help with that, but I decided to play it safe and save the points. I could only use them like that when I had a better idea of my situation. Fortunately, I was able to see some smoke ahead in several spots. It seemed that there was some type of settlement ahead. My luck wasn't the worst.
"Should I show my face to anyone right now? It isn't like the guys chasing me could have reached this place faster, but… I probably shouldn't stay there for long. I just need some boats and gloves as well… I don't have anything with me to pay for them."
It was still dark, so perhaps I could borrow some, but I was unlikely to find them outside the houses… breaking in and stealing. It didn't seem like a big deal, considering that I was almost burned to death for the crimes that I didn't commit.
"I really don't need to be making any more enemies even more so close to their turf… leaving a trail of crimes will make them find me in no time."
Before long, I was able to see the settlement ahead; it was a small village with fifty or so houses made of wood; they looked a bit old and rustic, like buildings one would find in cold areas in history books that talked about the 10th century…
"I have an idea for a backstory… that will also make me get rid of the pursuers."
As I approached the village, I began to hear the sound of someone splitting logs. Before I could approach, I decided to hide my gear behind a tree and under a pile of snow. I needed to do that much in order to make people believe me.
Eventually, I found a man chopping some firewood behind a house, and he looked to be in his forties since his huge beard had a bit of white in it. He had a pretty round belly, but the ax in his hands also showed that he had some arm strength. When he heard my footsteps on the snow, he turned around while gripping his ax firmly.
"Hello there,"
I tried to force a smile while trembling a bit, and the man raised his eyebrows. Thanks to this, his expression fastened a bit.
"Were you attacked by a bandit and lost your boots?"
"My gloves too, my money, my horse, and almost my life,"
"Traveling around these parts at night is practically begging to be smugged. Aren't you old enough to know that?"
The man waited for an answer, but I could only show an awkward smile. He let out a long sigh and then waved his hands to make me follow him.
"I have some old boots and gauntlets, but you will pay for them by chopping my firewood, deal?"
"Deal."
(You have unlocked a new skill tree.)
Charm: Improves your speaking skills with others and makes them like you.
Novice Charmer
Learn basic charm techniques to enhance your ability to influence and engage others. (Requires Charm skill tree at Level 01)
At that point in time, I didn't know even what to think about anymore, but while I followed the old man, I recalled what the armoire guy said… recover your powers. I could only assume that this power was something the honest Leon Maxwell had as royalty for some reason. Still, with this kind of power, how come he was captured?
"Wait here,"
The old man said, and then he entered his home. Then, I began to hear some pretty loud talk.
"What are you doing here? I am not going to let you procrastinate any longer! Winter is here, and we need the firewood!"
"Shut up; I am going to chop the firewood when I want."
"Will you? When did your mouth become any good for anything aside from drinking? huh?"
"What did you say?"
That was a bit awkward, but it wasn't more painful than the cold in my hands and feet. Before long, the old man came and closed the door with a loud thud. Then passed the gloves and boots to me. They smelled even from a distance, though…
"If anyone asks, I was the one chopping the wood. Now, get to work."
Aren't they going to see me with an ax? Unless they think that moral support counts as working. In any case, while they smelled terrible, at least they were thick enough to keep my hands and feet warm. So, soon, I began to work to pay for them.
(You have unlocked a new skill tree.)
Carpentry: Improves your skill in building structures, furniture, and siege engines.
Novice Carpentry
Learn basic carpentry techniques to craft simple wooden items and structures. (Requires Carpentry skill tree at Level 01)
My first swing split the log in half, and then I received that notification but soon ignored it since there were a lot of logs to be split. I didn't have all day either… as long as I keep helping people and receive something in exchange, they probably won't ask much. Besides, my luck was good.
"How did the bandit look like, and where did he go?"
The old man asked and then took a bottle of some sort of beer from his coat. It was supposed to be five in the morning… but I guess that it can keep him warm.
"It was a bit dark, but I guessed he looked young, blond, and green-eyed… he headed West."
"He looked a lot like you then… it is rare to see people with your features. Is your father a nobleman or something?"
"I don't know. My mother never mentioned him, and she died when I was young, too."
I was able to see my appearance using my sword earlier, and that was when I confirmed that I was in someone else's body. That guy was quite good-looking, the type that made me feel jealous to the point of wishing to punch him in the face… he had won in the genetic lottery.