Spirit Game

That night, Cedrick was meticulously strategizing his next move to expand his territory on the map of the Spirit Realm when a soft knock echoed through his chamber door.

"Come in," he commanded, not taking his eyes off the detailed map spread out before him.

Silphie entered, her presence breaking Cedrick's intense concentration. He finally looked up, peeling his eyes away from the map to acknowledge her.

"Silphie, you're back already? How was your visit to the Barren Wasteland?" Cedrick inquired, his tone betraying a lack of genuine interest. He saw little value in a territory as desolate as the Wasteland, and his question was merely a formality.

As usual, Silphie reported every detail to Cedrick, even if the trip seemed uneventful at first glance. She paused, contemplating. Perhaps it wasn't so uneventful . . . she thought.

"Rain Weathers didn't really need any help," Silphie began. "They were only weak lizards, and with his village and troops, I believe he could have handled it without our help."

Cedrick pondered her words. "You mentioned that his village is already like an Apprentice Lord's?"

Silphie nodded in affirmation.

"What's more, he has befriended a master builder and the Lord of the port town?" Cedrick inquired further.

"That's right," Silphie confirmed.

A chuckle escaped Cedrick's lips. "I thought he was just an average guy, but who knew he had this hidden ability?"

Silphie raised an eyebrow. "Hidden ability?"

"Do you know that a lot of players who ended up in the Barren Wasteland either died or were forced to become just regular players in other lands? No one could survive there or withstand its harsh conditions. Not only that, the scarce resources couldn't even construct a decent house. Drinking water is rare too.

Combined with the constant threats from beasts and the approaching challenges, the pressure is immense. No one could withstand it . . . except for this Rain Weathers, apparently."

"So you're saying that this man has something that others don't?" Silphie asked with a poker face.

"You don't seem surprised," Cedrick noted, observing her reaction.

Silphie looked aside, her expression thoughtful. "He is . . . a little different from most players I've known."

Cedrick took a deep breath, leaning back in his seat. "Tell me more about him then."

"Rain Weathers is unusually optimistic. There's also the fact that he's too nice for his own good and a little naïve. He treats everyone equally, including the inhabitants," Silphie explained.

"Is that why he gained the affection of the Lord of the port town?" Cedrick probed.

"I don't think so," Silphie replied. "The inhabitants of this world, especially the Lord of the port town, hated players. I saw it in their eyes when we arrived."

"Then you're saying that this Rain Weathers must have done something to gain their trust, right?" Cedrick asked.

Silphie nodded. "I noticed that the Seadwellers who ruled over the port town were gone."

"Are you implying that Rain had a hand in freeing the town from the Seadwellers' control?" Cedrick's interest was piqued further.

Silphie was silent for a moment before closing her eyes and then opening them. "I don't think he could have done it alone. Rain Weathers and everyone in the town are no match against the Seadwellers. I asked him about it, and he said that it was mostly the townsfolk who drove the Seadwellers away.

His hideout was used to kidnap the son of the Seadweller lord, and they used it as a bargaining chip to leave their town in peace."

"So they merely owe Rain?" Cedrick rubbed his chin. "I don't think it's that simple. Merely owing him while he did nothing significant doesn't warrant such fondness. Not to mention, they were helping him construct his territory while they vehemently shunt us out."

"That's what I think too," Silphie said. "However, they were consistent in their story when I investigated further."

"Have you asked the Lord himself?" Cedrick inquired.

"Yes. He was quick to diminish everything, claiming it was the townsfolk's strength that drove the invaders away," Silphie replied.

Cedrick was silent for a moment before asking in a serious tone, "Do you think he's worth recruiting?"

"No," Silphie answered him straight. "His location in the Barren Wasteland isn't worth it. Even though he has established his territory, the lack of a sustainable water source and the barren land make it impractical. Forming an alliance with such a territory only has disadvantages for us. There's no trade to be had, and there are no benefits for us."

"You're right," Cedrick agreed. "Even though he has this hidden ability to thrive in the Barren Wasteland, his territory is still far from being tradeable. With no goods to bring in Soul Elixirs and no other benefits, we don't have anything to gain."

Silphie nodded. "Unfortunately, Rain Weathers' territory has no value and is expensive to maintain. There's no merit in forming a relationship with him."

"You're right. Then how about his troops? I heard they're weak. The Aasimars," Cedrick continued.

Silphie was silent for a moment, recalling Chi and the Goliath Thraigar. "Yes, but the commander of his troops, Chi, has evolved differently from the usual."

"What do you mean?" Cedrick straightened on his seat.

"Chi has evolved into something else. From the usual Crusaders, the light infantry class of most Aasimars, she has evolved into a Lightbringer, a ranged unit," Silphie explained.

"Lightbringer?" Cedrick was surprised. This was the first time he had heard of such a class from an Aasimar. "Is she powerful?"

"I didn't witness her strength firsthand, and I didn't get the chance because Lord Cid wanted to leave immediately," Silphie admitted. "But I heard she could one-shot the tough hide of a Rakling."

Cedrick was silent for a moment, contemplating. Evolving away from the norm meant a bigger chance that a troop could become a Fantastic Troop.

Even he didn't have any fantastic troops; he was still waiting for one of his troops to evolve which might not happen at all. It was said that the top empires and kingdoms had at least one or two fantastic troops.

If this Chi could evolve into one in the future, then . . .

Cedrick smiled meaningfully.

"It's worth recruiting this Rain Weathers."