Chapter 06: Silent Wanderers
---
Lucian sat cross-legged on the rough stone bed holding his stomach, staring at the system timer in his mind.
The universal language installation was 50% complete, with a little over two hours left. The translucent aliens had left him alone for now, their quiet yet curious gazes still lingering in his thoughts.
The room, dimly lit by natural light streaming through small, carved rock windows, felt both alien and claustrophobic. He ran his hand along the cool stone walls, his mind racing.
He needed answers. He needed strength. But most importantly, he needed to survive.
Suddenly, the soft hum of footsteps echoed through the hall outside. The door creaked open, and Krosh, one of the scouts leaders who had carried him to the village, stepped inside.
Krosh's liquid-like eyes shimmered faintly, reflecting the dim light as he stepped forward. He crossed his arms, his tall, lanky frame casting a long shadow over Lucian.
"Who are you?" Krosh asked, his voice a mix of curiosity and caution. "Where are you from?"
Lucian froze. He could understand the words perfectly, thanks to the system's temporary translation feature, but his tongue refused to form an answer.
The universal language installation wasn't complete, and until it was, he couldn't speak their language.
He opened his mouth, then closed it, shaking his head slightly.
Krosh tilted his head, his shimmering skin rippling faintly. "Are you unable to speak? Is this some injury we overlooked?"
Lucian sighed, raising his hands and gesturing toward his throat, then his stomach. He mimicked eating, hoping the message would get through.
"You want food?" Krosh asked, his tone softening. "Perhaps your injuries are more severe than we thought. Stay here. I will send someone to bring you sustenance."
Without waiting for a response, Krosh turned and left the room, his footsteps fading down the hall.
A short while later, a young Alien entered the room carrying a wooden platter. On it lay several strips of dark, smoked meat, their texture rough and unappetizing.
The alien placed the platter on a small stone table, gave Lucian a polite nod, and left without a word.
Lucian approached the platter cautiously, his stomach growling in protest. The meat looked strangely dark, stringy, and faintly oily. He poked it with his finger, finding it surprisingly tough.
"Guess I don't have much of a choice," he muttered to himself.
Taking a deep breath, he bit into the first strip. The taste was sharp and unfamiliar, with a smoky bitterness that made him grimace. It was dry, almost leathery, and hard to chew, but hunger drove him to finish the piece quickly.
By the time he had eaten his fill, his jaw ached from the effort. He wiped his mouth with the back of his hand and leaned back against the wall.
"Could've been worse," he muttered, patting his stomach. "At least it's not poisonous... I think."
"The Installation Nears Completion."
As he sat in the silence of the room, a soft chime echoed in his mind.
Ding!
Universal Language Installation: 85% complete.
Remaining time: 30 minutes.
Lucian let out a sigh of relief. Soon, he would be able to speak and, hopefully, gather more information about these Nytherians and the planet he had crash-landed on.
But waiting had never been his strong suit. He stood up, stretching his sore muscles, and decided to step out of the room. Staying cooped up wasn't going to help him learn anything.
The village was a sight to behold. Strange rock houses, each carved with intricate patterns, lined the pathways. The translucent aliens moved silently, their glowing eyes flickering as they passed.
Their skin shimmered under the starlight, reflecting faint hues of blue and silver. Everyone is looking at him very strangely because of his appearance.
Lucian walked cautiously, trying not to draw too much attention. As he wandered, he noticed the village had no advanced technology at least, none that he could see.
Everything seemed handmade, from the tools the aliens carried to the simple structures that made up their homes.
The air was cool and carried a faint metallic tang, unlike anything he had experienced before.
He also finds out that jelly-like aliens were called Nytherians'. They live in the hills and hunt nearby creatures for food.
Their ability is light and shadow manipulation. Only one type can be learnt by them. Most choose light. Few choose shadow.
Eventually, Lucian came across a stone well in the center of the village. Its edges were smooth, worn down by time and use, and a faint glow emanated from its depths. A group of Nytherians stood nearby, filling jars with the shimmering liquid.
Curiosity got the better of him. He approached cautiously, waiting for the others to leave before peering over the edge. The water glowed faintly, its surface rippling with an otherworldly light.
His throat was parched from the dry meal, and the sight of water was almost too tempting to resist. He grabbed a simple wooden ladle left by the well and dipped it into the glowing liquid.
The first sip was like nothing he had ever tasted. The water was cool and slightly sweet, with a strange, invigorating quality that made his entire body feel lighter. He drank greedily, one ladle after another, until his thirst was completely quenched.
Suddenly, a soft chime echoed in his head.
Ding!
Daily Mission Complete:
Drink 2 liters of water.
Reward: 5 EXP.
Lucian wiped his mouth, a grin spreading across his face. "Well, that's one task down. Guess I should get moving to complete the next one."
He leaned against the well, gazing at the glowing water below. The sensation he had felt after drinking it was unlike anything he had experienced before it was almost as if the water itself carried energy.
"Maybe this place isn't so bad after all," he thought, his confidence growing.
But then he remembered the Nytherians' conversation from earlier. They didn't trust him. They thought he was weak. And in two days, they planned to throw him out of the village.
"No," he muttered, his hands curling into fists. "I won't let that happen. If I have to prove myself, I'll do it."
His mind turned to the other daily mission: running. He glanced around, spotting a clear path that circled the edge of the village.
If he could complete the task now, it would not only give him a small boost in EXP but also help him regain his strength.
"Let's do this," he said, setting off at a steady jog.
As he ran, Lucian couldn't help but take in more of the village. The Nytherians' craftsmanship was remarkable, with every building and tool bearing intricate designs that seemed to tell a story.
Even their clothing shimmered faintly, blending seamlessly with their glowing skin.
Despite their otherworldly appearance, the Nytherians moved with a quiet grace that reminded Lucian of monks in a temple. They avoided eye contact with him, their expressions unreadable, but he could feel their curiosity.
After a few laps around the village, his legs began to ache. Sweat dripped down his face, and his breathing grew heavy.
Ding!
Daily Mission Complete: Run 10 kilometers.
Reward: 05 EXP.
Agility: +1.
He slowed to a stop, leaning against a nearby tree to catch his breath. His body felt heavy, but the satisfaction of completing another mission spurred him on.
Just as Lucian began to head back to his room, a familiar chime echoed in his mind.
Ding!
Universal Language Installation Complete.
The host can now understand and speak all known languages in the universe. Much information entered his brain in an instant.
He felt headaches for a few seconds then everything went back to normal.
A wave of relief washed over him. Finally, he would be able to communicate without relying on gestures or translations. But as he returned to his room, his mind remained restless.
The Nytherians were clearly wary of him, and their abilities to manipulate light and shadow made them a force to be reckoned with. If he wanted to earn their trust or at least avoid being enemy to them he needed a plan.
For now, though, he would rest. Tomorrow, he will figure out his next move. He needs to learn more about them….
----