70 A Morning Stroll

"The update is still in progress, but can I look at my status though?", he muttured.

*DING*

*SYSTEM UPDATE 89%*

"Hmph. The update better be good."

It was already deep into the night so he decided to sleep and then wake up early to continue practicing the [Ancient Tribal Body Strengthening].

Since the skill leveled up, Alex was in a good mood and immediately felt asleep. All the events that occurred left him exhausted. During the intense battle against the beasts and to the practicing of his skill. It took a toll in both his body and mind.

After about four hours of sleeping, he finally woke up. Although four hours of sleep wasn't good for most people, he still felt energized as soon as he opened his eyes. He sat by the bed and he started to think of the things that needs to be done during the day.

By the time he finished his plans, the roosters were already crowing their hearts out.

"A new day once again."

With that being said, he stood up and tidied his bed and prepared to take a morning stroll.

When he got out of his room, he saw the Big Baldie, Reynard, and his Rezhul about to take a step out of the house.

"Eh, you're up early aren't you?", said Reynard.

"Yep, I was planning to take a morning stroll around the village and look at the scenery before breakfast.", Alex replied.

"You want to come with us? See, I'm taking the kids out to hunt. They'll be the tribe's future huntsmen. It'll be a problem if they don't know how to survive in the wild. We would become a laughingstock around all the other tribes in here."

"Okay then, let me take my stick."

"Don't you want to bring your sword?" Rezhul asked.

"The stick works just fine for now. It's heavy and can aid me walking." Alex smiled.

Alex went back to his room and equipped the bracers in both arms. He also took the poisoned knife and hid it in his left bracer. Finally he grabbed the stick and looked at it himself in the mirror.

"Same old me.", he smiled.

Sporting a dark blue pants that was lent to him by Rezhul, a white shirt that makes him look clean and somehow presentable and a dark blue cloth slipper like the ones used by martial artists. back on Earth.

"That stick was Lagos' right?", Reynard asked.

"Yeah. His mother approached me when he saw the stick and finally gave it to me when someone told her that Lagos has died. I said I'd take great care of it as a thanks."

"Hmm. Let's go.", Reynard nodded.

Alex actually wanted to wash his face, but it seems that Reynard was in a hurry. He shrugged his shoulder as he knew he took their time when they were waiting for him.

They walked out of the house and made their way towards the wooden gate of the tribe. Luckily for them the battle yesterday didn't reach the gate.

"We were lucky the Golden Stag Beetle mutated, which allowed the 13th division and an Archmage to interfere or we wouldn't even have kept most of our homes, much less this wooden gate.", Rezhul spoke in a grave tone. The tribe seemed to have suffered greatly because of the insects.

The reason that the tribe has low population and was unable to prosper was because of the monthly attacks of the insects. Yet it allowed the birth of someone as strong as the Reynard; or the Poda tribe would've been annihilated by the swarm of insects.

When the sitting teenagers finally saw thr group of three walking towards them, they stood up and greeted one another. After greeting Rezhul and Alex; Reynard clapped his hands and took the attention of the teenagers.

"So today will be the first time you all will hunt. I will rate you all in how you perform and will punish anyone who underperforms. Got it?"

"Yes, Sir!"

They nodded their heads as they replied. It was obvious that they are excited for the upcoming hunt.

"Alex will be joining us today. Some of you should know that he slew quite a few beasts with only strong body and swordplay. You should try to ask him if you have any questions. Now we go."

Alex didn't know whether to laugh or cry. He didn't have a strong body like what Reynard had said. He even hurt his knuckles last night by punching the ground. He also didn't have that much skill in fighting using a sword, he only knew how to stab, slash and parry; like any brute could.

Shaking his head, he followed right behind the group as he was walking slowly with the support of the stick.

The moonlight served as their lanterns as they walked along the path leading towards the north of the village. It would take a few more hours until dawn arrives, so they moved slowly and cautiously.

He kept on yawning along the way as he didn't even get to wash his face with cold water. Then his thoughts wandered as they walked for two hours and finally arrived at a waterfall.

"Leave your bags and other unnecessary things here. We'll start hunting in a few minutes after you all have warmed up.", Reynard said.

Alex couldn't help but recall when his brother Arthur brought him down the village to hunt. The words that Arthur said was still helping him to this day.

He looked at everyone; from Reynard with his arms crossed, to Rezhul who was taking the lead in the warm up and at the teenagers who were mimicking his movements. He chuckled "This could be fun.", he smiled right after.