Chapter 53: Finding the right people [ Name: Moon ] [ Race: Human ] [ Class: Classless] [ Level: 18 ][ 17% ] [ Lives: 4391 ] [ Strength: 27 ] [ Agility: 29 ] [ Constitution: 32 ] [ Mana: 39 ] (+5 to all stats) [ Attribute Points: 5 ] [ Skills: Elemental Attack(Uncommon), Five Element Affinity(Epic), Tenacity(Epic)] [ Talent: Grim Reaper ] [ Class Skill: Class Slot {0/1} ] Staring at his status screen, Moon was more than satisfied with his lives accumulation. He had gathered a respectable amount from his hunting. Unfortunately, he was unable to level up any of his skills since they were all at their maximum rank. Still, the huge amount of lives would be helpful for future upgrades and for surviving ultimately. It would be especially helpful soon. Moon got dressed properly, stored a few spare clothes in his storage ring, and made his way toward one of the First Sanctuary portals that existed in the city. Arriving at the portal station, Moon paid the small fee of one hundred dollars. "Thank you for your service. Survive out there," the guard who’d received the payment said before Moon’s body disappeared into the swirling energy. The fees tied to portal access ultimately returned to the ruling Association. It was akin to taxation, helping those damaged by rifts and supporting the general safety of the city. ♢♢♢♢ Moon appeared at the same arrival point that he and Selene had both used to return to Earth. He hadn’t spoken to her since they departed. While he had promised to stay in touch, many things had happened and he just wasn’t in the mood. I’ll catch up with her when I arrive at the new base, I suppose, Moon thought. He began walking, his destination clear in his mind. He wanted to reach a more powerful base. To do that, he needed to find himself a Settler. Settlers were awakeners who’d been stationed at a base for six or more months. They were powerful, but only within the limited pond they inhabited. Most lacked the ambition to push further, content with the safety and status their position provided. They hunted weaker beasts in familiar zones, accumulated resources at a steady pace, and slowly rose in power without taking significant risks. For them, comfort outweighed glory. For Moon, they were transportation. Settlers knew about many things inside the base. They knew about the best transportations that provided good routes between bases, understood which paths were safe and which were death traps. More importantly, they often operated as guides for awakeners willing to pay for passage to more advanced locations. Moon made his way through the base toward the marketplace, where such services were typically advertised. Arriving at the marketplace, there were many Settlers providing various benefits to the newcomers. Of course, some of these Settlers were scammers, trying to rope in fresh meat to exploit them, while others were genuinely helpful. Naturally, Moon didn’t know any of these Settlers personally. But that didn’t mean he couldn’t find a useful one. He started moving through the market, gauging the various people there. Moon wasn’t lured by those who had large crowds of awakeners surrounding them. Being popular didn’t necessarily mean they provided good service. Still, he didn’t discard them either. They might still be useful. A commotion drew his attention. "The Lieutenant is back! He’s accompanied by a large number of veterans. The mission must’ve been a success!" One of the awakeners shouted as he rushed toward a gathering crowd. Interested, Moon followed at a calmer pace. Veterans were awakeners who’d been at the base for over a year. They were among the strongest in the base and held considerable status. As for Lieutenants, there weren’t many, but they were awakeners trusted with authority. They ranked second only to the Base Lord who governed the entire settlement and represented the peak of local power. Moon pushed through the crowd until he could see what the commotion was about. A group of awakeners was entering through the main gate, their equipment battle-worn but their bearing confident. At their head walked a man in his late twenties wearing reinforced armor marked with the insignia of the base. His presence drew attention without any visible effort. It was the Lieutenant. Around him walked roughly a dozen veterans, each carrying the scars and equipment of experienced fighters. They moved in unison, they were people who’d fought together countless times. "Hey, weren’t they meant to have subdued a rare specimen of the elk beast clan? I heard they’ve been trying to find it for the past few weeks," someone in the crowd muttered. Another man next to him shrugged. "It’s not with them, looks like they failed to do so to me." Moon stared at the approaching Lieutenant mounted on his horse. The horse was one of the transportation methods that the rich and powerful used in the base. It appeared to be around level ten based on its size, not strong for combat, but excellent for transportation due to its agility and endurance. The Lieutenant’s gaze swept across the gathered crowd with indifference. Then his eyes met Moon’s. A soft smile formed on Moon’s face. This is exactly who I’m looking for, Moon thought. If he could get to the Lieutenant, things would be much simpler. The Lieutenant knew about routes, dangers, and opportunities that most awakeners didn’t. He would have information about which paths led to more advanced bases, which zones were currently stable, and which were experiencing surges in beast activity. But getting to him wouldn’t be easy. Lieutenants didn’t simply make themselves available to random newcomers. They had responsibilities, reputations to maintain, and far too many people vying for their attention. Moon’s eyes shifted to the veterans walking beside the Lieutenant’s horse. He memorized their faces, their equipment, the way they carried themselves. Each detail mattered. He had to get to the Lieutenant through one of them. Find the right veteran, offer the right incentive, and create an introduction that wouldn’t be dismissed out of hand. Moon stepped back as the procession passed, letting the crowd swallow him again as the Lieutenant and his group made their way deeper into the base.