{Level up! You have one unused level point!}

Fuckin' finally. I let myself rest dangling from the bar for a moment, having finished up my morning exercises. If things were to go off of… I really needed to go out and kill things if I wanted experience fast.

I drop from the bars and land on my hands before rolling forward to land on my feet. If there's one thing I can say about my new found healthy diet, it's that I'm feeling far more healthier than usual. The leveling up probably helps too. This puts me at… sixteen? After damn near non-stop training combined with my academic pursuits? Yeah, I need to see how well I compare to some of the other beasts further out.

"Alright y'all, that set's a wrap!" I called out, receiving affirmatives from my training group. "Remember, repetition is key to building and maintaining muscles! Exercising key muscle groups will not only boost your general strength, but also improve your endurance and energy! Don't forget to drink plenty of water or stretch after working those muscles either, that'll help ease soreness! I'll see y'all tomorrow morning!"

The others nodded to me and went their separate ways after a brief stretch session, ready to start their morning routines. I'd received some curious questions about exactly why I was running around the village now that they were a fair bit more friendly with me. Turns out, while the toadmen had the concept of routine muscle training easily enough, the lizardmen didn't. So, on went an admittedly half-bullshit explanation to the others why. I didn't know every detail about why certain groups needed exercise, I just knew the basics and I tried to work from there. They were fascinated by the concept, and thus decided to join me in my bodily training.

Now, for that level up. Overall, I should still keep exercise a regular part of my morning routines to keep myself mentally endurant, but it's clearly not doing too much for me so far. Maybe it's because I'm already a high enough level that things would start to slow down for your average joe. Either way, I could stand to get something more substantial to work myself up.

Something I've noted about levels, is that they're not a clear-cut definition of strength either. For example, when sparring other level fifteen lizardmen, I noticed that they still held a significantly higher degree of strength than myself. I don't know if this is merely a matter of me having levels in non-warrior roles, but if I had to make a guess I don't think even that would matter. I think there was something like that mentioned in Overlord but… my memory's starting to grow a bit spotty on certain subjects without a constant, readily available exposure to the stuff.

Hmm, where should I put the level up? I could put it into one of the different classes to play around with, try and spread my horizons when it comes to my skills, but on the same note the Druid level not matching up with Brawler on a balance five-to-five is tickling my brain in a less than pleasant way when I focus on it. What to do, what to do…

My eyes drifted off and I took notice of a lizardmen walking in my direction, with a goblin in tow. I couldn't get a good look, but I was fairly certain that the goblins of Tob usually stuck to the outer edges of the forests whenever they weren't forced into a deal with ogres and trolls. Wait a minute, that goblin looks famili- oh hey, I know that guy.

Fuck.

"Er, Nolan, this goblin… knows you, apparently," The approaching lizardman commented. "You wouldn't happen to know him, would you?"

I swallowed, looking down on the guy as I stared at the blatant scarring on his face. Yeesh, that's some minor antagonist material right there. I cast a silent {Insight Check} on him, glad I could do that with the goblins now.

{Male Goblin (Adult: Level 11): Not exactly known for being the friendliest of demi-humans, goblins often pillage and rape for their own spoils to survive. Often seen akin to scrounging rats, though they are individually weak they thrive in numbers. What weapons they have are often scavenged from village refuse and raided caravans}

Okay, so I kinda feel less bad about what I did earlier now.

"Uh, yeah. Kinda hard to forget 'em after what I did to his face. Uh… why'd you seek me out?"

The goblin stared up at me hard and firm, with a surprising degree of strength I'd rarely seen in someone. He pointed at me, then held up a rag in his hand. Something that looked surprisingly similar to the material of the blanket I swaddled him in some time ago.

"Why?" He grunted out, sounding deeper in voice than I'd expected.

"... Do you mean… why did I spare you?" I asked.

He simply nodded in response. Alright, shit. I'm not quite sure how to respond to that, but I think I can pull something off here, provided the conversation rolls a certain way.

"Well, let me ask you a question in kind then. Why did you attack me?"

His mouth open slightly, his eyes moving slightly as if studying my face.

"... Because," He simply stated. That was… surprisingly vague.

"Well…" I said, sitting my almost naked body down in the soil criss-cross. "Do you mean simply because you could? Or are you saying that in an attempt to avoid the question?"

His mouth opened wordlessly, before his jaw clicked shut and he avoided eye contact. That's an interesting reaction. Hopefully I don't get any negative reactions for this next bit.

"Let me ask you another question then…" I asked. "Have you ever known anything other than your own tribe? Your group? Have you ever wondered if there were more to life than killing strangers and stealing everything you can carry off of their corpses?"

He growled at that, turning to face me again. Those eyes sent a chill up my spine, lower level or no. That's a surprisingly feral look on an intelligent creature, something that made the lizardman next to us brush his claws along his spear. Nonetheless, I push that feeling down and try to crank this down a notch.

"Mmm, that seems to have struck a nerve. Alright, I'll answer your question then, seeing as you've been kind enough to entertain my questions whether you realize it or not. I did it… because it was the right thing to do"

That made him pause. "... What?"

"Tell me, you were born into your lifestyle, weren't you?"

He nodded with hesitance, appraising me again.

"Then… why should I punish you with death when you simply knew no better?" I asked. "When you have wisdom, but do nothing to aid others, you harm the world for all it's worth as a result. I spared you because I wanted you to hopefully see that not all of this world had to be killing, but that there could be life in existence rather than just living. I know that probably doesn't make any sense, but it's what feels right to me. I won't simply sit down and let my own life be taken, but if I can afford to I'll do what I can to help others. To quote an old dragon of my homeland, 'Is it better to be born good, or to overcome your own evils through great effort?'. Sometimes, all we need is a nudge to realize that we don't have to walk the path set before us by others. But instead, we can take to things as we wish with kindness in our hearts"

The goblin seemed to be a mix between confused and thinking, almost painfully processing my words. The lizardman, meanwhile, seemed far more thoughtful about those words.

"A dragon spoke those words, you say?" He asked curiously.

"Aye, Paarthurnax. He himself was once a great Dragon Lord of my homelands, one who'd laid great ruin to countless nations. An interesting fellow, one with many regrets in his actions from what I could gather. Few of his kind still exist in my homeland, and for good reason"

The lizardman seemed to mull my words over. He seems curious about the fact that even dragons in my homeland carry some kind wisdom, but doesn't speak his mind. Quite frankly, I'm glad he doesn't, it'd kind of be hard to explain video games to these tribals anyways. I've been doing my part to share what I know with everyone in the village, even if most of it's nuggets from various media I've consumed over the years.

Back to the goblin himself, it seems as though his microwave oven dinged, as his eyes were far lighter at my words. They became misty as he looked up at me, sniffling.

"... Don't deserve," He whimpered, and that almost broke my heart.

"Oh, dude…" I spoke in an accidental breach of the 'Wise Man' schtick I've been playing. I shuffle upwards and wrap my arms around him in a hug. "Everyone deserves a chance to prove themselves, no matter what. Some chances are harder to give than others, but we can never falter for even a moment when trying to show others the light in life"

The adult goblin sobbed into my shoulder now, something that felt like an awkward sight for me as the occasional lizardman looked at me with raised brows and the occasional murmur amidst each other. I gave the goblin a few pats on the back before we parted, a string of bubbly snot clinging to my bare chest. I buried my disgust in favor of a kind smile, rubbing his head with a chuckle.

"So, you think you're ready to give life another go?" I asked him.

He nodded at that, feverishly so.

"Alright then, let's dust ourselves off and wash up. You smell like you ain't had a bath in forever, and I could stand for a little bath myself" I said as I stood up, turning my attention to the lizardman. "Ah, thanks for bringing him in by the way, I understand that the situation was probably a little… off putting"

He chuckled at that. "No worries, it was enlightening at the very least. I hope you don't mind, but I must return to my post"

"No no, I understand. I'll see ya around?"

He nodded at that, before attempting to do something that surprised me. "Very well. I'll… see ya around"

He tried mimicking how I spoke. If it wasn't so endearing, I'd actually laugh at that. I opted for a smile and two-fingered salute as he walked off, leaving me with the snotty gob.

"Alright, now let's take that bath. I got a bundle of soap i just made the other day, I hope you like the smell of cinnamon"

We both were sitting down in a relatively hidden corner of the marsh, a lone pond in the village that the majority of them used to scrub off daily ichor. Were it not for the fact that something in the water seemed to keep it fairly clean, I'd be wary. Still, I need to introduce the idea of actual baths to these guys next, it wouldn't do any good to contract illness across the whole village because of shared bathing.

"Thaaat's the ticket," I sighed, floating across the water as the warming summer sun beat down on us, enjoying it's cooling grace for relief.

The goblin, who's name I'd learned was Yulg, was doing much the same, though he seemed fairly keen to stay in the shallow end opposed to me enjoying an almost lifeless float in the water. I'd been doing nothing but grind nonstop the past few days, I think I deserve a moment's breath.

"Enjoying yourself I see," I heard Todone call off from the shore, making me open my eye to glance at him.

"For the first six days of the week, the Lord spent every waking moment of time shaping the world, carving mountains and filling seas. And on the seventh day, he rested, basking in the glow of his creation. Everyone deserves a little moment of rest from the usual grind, and with everything that's been going on for the past… month and a half? Two months? I'm not afraid to take a moment for myself. You should too, actually. The water's nice"

The toad looked at the goblin who was quietly resting, and myself, before shaking his head.

"Why not? I'm feeling sore after sparring some of the guards anyways," He said, and with that leapt into the pond with a cannonball, splashing me and making me readjust to clear the water from my face.

I watched him stroke through the underneath of the water, lighting me up with a curious thought. "Hey, Yulg, want me to cast Water Breathing on you?"

The goblin looked at me with a surprised glint, before nodding. With a simple whisper to both ourselves, and a muttered {Darkvision} for me, we prepared to join the toadman in his underwater swim.

"Now, I know this is gonna sound odd, but… you're gonna want to breath the water in, okay? It'll feel weird, but it won't hurt, alright?"

He looked at me nervously, and I figured the only way to show him was by example. I ducked beneath the surface of the water and let the bubbles fly from my mouth, feeling that strange sensation of weighted breathing. I swam back and under, and though it took a minute he eventually joined me. He didn't swim however, he seemed content to simply walk along the pond bottom. Huh, can he not swim?

I waved at him, and pointed between him and myself. Then, I made a simple doggy paddle, then waved at him to try. At least, I hope he got the intent. He stared at myself, the gears turning, before his eyes seemingly widened in realization. Poorly, he mimicked my motions, slowly trudging along and attempting to swim through the water. If there's one thing I've noticed, it's that a little more effort is needed for swimming up with a lack of air in one's lungs. On the upside, it's easier to dive deeper.

We spent a good portion of our time on the bottom going through the motions, Todone all the while watching us with interest as he swam laps around us like a breeze. If he was fast on land, then I sure don't wanna piss him or any of his kin off in the water. They'd make like a blender and puree my ass if it was to the death.

After making the motions, I can safely say he can at least swim comfortably now. We all breach the surface now, the two of us purging the water out of our lungs in that strange heaving motion. Todone simply breathed in. Must have one hell of a lung capacity to be at it as long as we were. I'd best presume all of his kin are like that.

"I'd say you're getting the hang of it Yulg, took to swimming a lot quicker than I ever did," I complimented. "Ah, we should probably get out now. I don't know about you guys, but I'm starting to feel a little pruney from being in the water so long"

"It was a nice swim, but we should be getting back to more important things today," Todone spoke. "I could round up the class for another session of writing if you'd like? I'd love to learn about this 'Sun Tzu' I've heard you mutter about".

"Goodness sakes boy, what'd I just say about enjoying some rest?" I said with a chuckle. "I love the enthusiasm, but even the Lord needs a breather"

As we walked, Todone aired his curiosity. "I'm curious, seeing as you mention it every now and then, but who is this 'Lord' you speak of? He sounds like a powerful individual from what you've said"

I purse my lips, weighing whether or not I should explain Christianity to him. Maybe I could settle for something that's not quite Christianity, but something on its own? Gonna sound like a new age cultist, but maybe it wouldn't hurt. Actually, I could probably point to my Patron as being 'The Lord', seeing as he… it, more or less oversees everything from what I could gather. Gonna be a mix of bullshitting and half-truths, but it could at least help explain everything. Besides, if there was a true God, that thing sure as hell is probably it.

"That's… a heavy question to answer. According to religious teachings, the Lord is… well, everything really. I say he, but the fact of the matter is the Lord is beyond being either male or female. They are the Lord, the Lady, the All. They are the apex above all of existance, responsible for the creation of angels, demons, and fairies alike as well as all the races of the world. Everything that breathes and doesn't, both good and evil, owe their existence to them"

"Even… demihumans?" Yulg asked slowly, to which I nodded.

"Demihumans, heteromorphs, undead and living, all are the children of the All. All are given the same level of free will as them, so that Their creations may exercise it as they see fit. They oversee the passing of souls into greener pastures, the 'Summerland' as it were, where all may enjoy rest and bounty. That's not the only afterlife mind you, each afterlife is suited to the individual based on how they've lived their lives. In a way, none are wrong about their idea of an afterlife because the All has a path for every walk of life. Even reincarnation is true to a degree, as your soul itself is taken wherever They see fit"

Wow, nevermind the fact that I am slapping shit together haphazardly from several religions, I'm also amazed I managed to do that without so much as a stutter. Guess I should be grateful for having grown up around so many religions or I wouldn't know jack shit otherwise. That said, it seems to satisfy the toadman.

"I see, fascinating… once again, I thank you for your input, Nolan. Does this 'All' have a name?"

Shit, I actually don't know. Do I just say Allah or something, or maybe Ron Hubbard? Er, wait… it called itself the 'Voice of the Aether'... let's acronym that.

"Though the All does not technically have a name, it is often referred to as Vota, based upon the writings of ancient texts. Does that satisfy you?"

The toadman nodded, and I internally breathed a sigh of relief. Man, I can't wait for some privacy, I really need a moment to relax from the frequent bullshitting. It feels like it'll all collapse in on itself.

Pushing that thought aside, I looked to the goblin. He seemed… surprisingly starry-eyed. Huh, I wonder what's going through his head. It does seem pretty endearing though. I sigh, shaking mine as I open my lips.

"Ah what the hell. Go ahead and round up whoever's available Todone, we can slap together an impromptu session today for whoever wants the extra work"

He grinned at that, and made off like a bullet, moving with the kind of fervor only a zealot could. I look back to Yulg, and give him an upward nod. "As for you, why don't I show you around. I'll walk you to my hut and acquaint you with folks, and then we'll figure out from their what you wanna do with yourself, huh?"

He nodded at that feverishly, making me shake my head again at the humor of the situation. I seem to be attracting all kinds of oddballs in this life.

Yulg has joined the party!

Nolan Potts, Human (Karma: 50 [Neutral]) [17/21 Spell slots used]

Classes: Brawler (5), Ranger (3), Druid (4), Clothier (3), Unused Levels (1). Total Level (15+1).

Spells (Druid): Frostbite, Entangle, Create or Destroy Water, Guidance, Jump, Cure Wounds, Dust Devil, Protect from Poison, Hold Person, Spike Growth, Lesser Restoration, Water Breathing, Darkvision, Sleetstorm

Spells (Ranger): Animal Friendship, Speak to Animals, Ensnaring Strike

Gear: Canvas Clothes (Sturdy, Weathered), Oak-Handled Brush-hook, Canvas Coyote Pack of Holding, Bundles of Herbs (Medicinal), Bundles of Smoked Bug Meat, Bone toolkit

Items of Note: {Humble Beginnings}

Party Members are as follows…

Member One: Todone, Son of Kodrotti, Toadman (Karma: -25 [Neutral])

Classes: Toadman Warrior (9), Brawler (8), Total Level (17).

Member Two: Crusch Lulu of the Red Eyes (Karma: 50 [Neutral])

Classes: Awakened Elder Blood Lizardman (1), Druid (6), Spirit Shaman (3), Summoner (1), Total Level (11)

Member Three: Yulg (Karma: 30 [Neutral])

Classes: Goblin Marauder (1), Brawler (8), Warrior (2)

AN: Well then, that's another one down. Had a blast writing this one, Actually cracked it out pretty quickly compared to the others, just kinda sat around for a minute before I decided to release it is all.

Accountless Fan: Well for starters, thanks for being one of my 'frequent fliers' with this story, and I'm glad you appreciate the work so far. Secondly, no problem, I try to get to the ones that seem like they could use an answer, though I'll admit some occasionally slip my mind. Maybe I'll make one big chapter at the end of this Arc dedicated to the ones I missed or something. Thirdly, don't worry about me wearing myself out, I keep myself on a pretty firm regimen of sleep and selfcare first, so my writing will never come before that. That said, I still do it when I can because, like I've said before, I write purely for the fun of it. And as it stands, I actually really enjoy writing.

Focus on the future: I guess you got your curiosity sated this chapter, even if not a whole lot of words were shared.