As they moved through the burned-out forest, Asan couldn't help but glance at their new companions. From behind, Paul looked somewhat short, but despite this, he was on guard. Every time he scanned the sides intently, searching for any threat, unlike Laszlo, who seemed to have relaxed in the company of the new people. Alice—the girl who was against Asan and Laszlo going to the camp—was extremely displeased. She kept throwing angry glances at Paul's back, clearly upset by what was happening.
The giant named Crane remained the most mysterious to Asan. He walked slowly behind Paul, saying nothing. It seemed that he didn't care about the two people they had found. His heavy steps resonated strongly with the sounds of the wind, making it seem as though he was completely silent.
Quiet— that's what Asan called him in his head. Though his build is imposing, it doesn't negate the fact that he blends perfectly into the surroundings. Maybe it's due to his systemic skills, who knows.
So, within ten minutes, at a leisurely pace, the group began approaching other people. Even before getting close, Asan noticed the silhouettes of people gathered in some kind of circle. A couple of men visibly tensed up upon seeing Asan's group, but soon calmed down as faces became clearer in the forest darkness. Asan saw that these guards looked somewhat… less convincing than the group they initially encountered. Perhaps they sent their strongest, this was unclear. Passing through the guards who didn't stand out much, Asan got a firsthand look at this "camp."
Tattered tents, frightened faces, nervous foot-tapping.
People were seriously scared and confused, which somewhat surprised Asana, but he remembered his words about how ordinary people, unlike orphans, have families that could be in other cities or villages. Maybe it was the same here.
"Geographer, please come over" Paul called out without any fuss, a call that seemed to catch the attention of the camp only now.
And there appeared the Geographer. This was a short man with gray eyes. He had dark hair, some parts of which were already turning gray. It was clear right away that he was quite old. His sharp facial features spoke of beauty that Asan could compare only to Laszlo. There was sternness and determination in his gaze, and one could see that he was a rather strong person, someone you could rely on just by looking into his eyes.
He was dressed in a dark cloak, and surprisingly, shoes could be seen on his feet.
"Hello. Welcome to the camp. They call me the Geographer, I'm kind of like the leader around here," said the man, extending his hand to Laszlo, who was in front.
"I'm Laszlo, nice to meet you," Laszlo said, looking questioningly at Asan.
"It's me, Laz. My name is Asan," Asan said, also shaking hands with the geographer.
His grip conveyed strength, which fit well with how he looked.
"Paul, are they newbies?" The Geographer asked, turning his gaze to Paul.
"I'm not sure yet. They said they want to first take a look around the camp and then decide," Paul replied, shrugging his shoulders.
Meanwhile, Alice and Crane moved aside, Alice strolled closer to one of the tents, while Crane approached some man, presumably a friend or something like that.
The geographer closely examined Asan and Laszlo, and, apparently nodding to himself, waved them over to follow him.
"We are all from Janschwalde. I used to be a geography teacher, so that's why they call me that. All these people have become victims of one way or another of what's happening around us. At first, when we were fleeing the city, I just tried giving various instructions to get most of us out of the city in one piece, and for some reason, I was appointed leader of our newly formed camp."
Asan listened attentively to this Geographer. His diction could make anyone envious; every word was spoken clearly, without any hesitation, it was obvious he was telling the truth.
"How is the situation in Janschwalde?" Asan asked, wanting to contrast their small orphanage-like complex with the outside world.
The geographer turned to face Asan and slightly lowered his gaze.
"Horrible. I am sure that even in war there are no such horrors. You can now understand why many people are in a panic and look disoriented, not to mention the deaths of loved ones. And where are you from? »
"We are orphans, we lived... Or rather survive in a complex nearby, about an hour's walk from here," replied Asan.
"Hmm, I see. Was it also bad for you there? Although, you two don't look as worn out as the others," said Geographer monotonously.
"I wouldn't say that. Just recall the picture of us leaving the anthill, and you'll shiver again. Besides, what difference does it make, everyone is suffering now," said Laszlo, his voice heavy.
"Understood," said Geographer meaningfully.
Soon they reached the exit from the forest. They were about five minutes walk from the camp. But at the exit, both Asan and Laszlo saw Janschwalde. Smoke was rising into the sky from the city. Some areas were on fire.
Can you just imagine, and yet Asan was supposed to start working today in one of these neighborhoods. A bitter feeling rose in his throat.
"Why did you bring us here?" asked Laszlo.
The Geographer was silent for a moment, looking at him, but then heaved a sigh and spoke.
"I brought you here so no one else could hear. Did you get the first level?" The Geographer asked, carefully observing the boy's reactions.
"Yes, we got it," Asan briefly replied.
"Hmm, that means a lot. Was it someone you knew, or...?" The Geographer hinted.
"A friend… Yes" Laszlo answered, lost in thought. He spent more time with Ronnie than Asan ever did.
"I killed my student, or rather, what he turned into. I was his tutor, and one day, something flew in through the window... Stripe, I lost consciousness and woke up to find a monster standing over me. I say this so you understand what it's like to fight to the death, but also so that you understand something," Geographer spoke monotonously.
"And what is it?" Asan asked.
"Most of the people in the camp won't be able to defeat that monster in any way. We have a woman with a child, old grandfathers, and just regular folks. Don't get me wrong, you're just like them, and I'm just like them, but… we have something we can offer them. I'm not asking you to join for no reason, I have a plan, a goal. Many people are confused right now, and I'm ready to offer them a goal, as I am offering you. Do you want to listen to me, or is this not interesting to you?" Geographer said, carefully observing Asan and Laszlo. In his monotone voice, it might seem like he didn't care about any of it, but his eyes told a completely different story.
"Fine... Go ahead" Laszlo said without ceremony. Though he spoke like that, his tone suggested he was already in the camp. However, Asan didn't like it. He didn't want to take any responsibility for other people who were completely strangers to him. He just... didn't want to. But there was no other way out.
"There are the closest mountains to us, about 700 kilometers away. The Alps. My proposal is simple—I suggest we all head there and settle down. Due to the small number of people in the Alps, I'm sure it's the safest place right now. We may encounter many dangers on the way, but... I'm confident that those like you, me, and other system users—can get both ourselves and others to this place" This time, determination was evident in the Geographer's voice. Laszlo's eyes seemed to light up at his words, but not Asan's. He felt as if they were being... manipulated.
He wanted to trust this person simply because of how well he spoke, his voice seemed to encourage and mesmerize.
Either he was a politician in addition to being a Geographer, or an orator, or he had an incredible talent for persuasion. Asan was genuinely impressed by his words.
"Your plan is good, no doubt about it, but... It all sounds too perfect? What do you want from us?" asked Asan, sensing some catch in the Geographer's words.
"It's simple... I need your strength. The strength you received through the system, which we can use to fight those monsters. Let's put it this way... I'm not forcing you to stay in the camp; you can leave at any time. But as long as you're here, food, shelter, and moral support will be shared with you, which is crucial right now. You are needed by our camp."
Here it is. Asan understood why he was feeling so strange, because before this... He had never felt like this before. He was NEEDED by someone, and warmth spread through his chest at the thought. A simple feeling that his mind interpreted in such a way.
"Agreed... Asan?" Laszlo blurted out quickly, as expected of him.
"I... I agree too," Asan agreed heavily.
A warm smile appeared on the Geographer's face, causing goosebumps to rise on Asan's skin. Why did he even suspect anything from this person who had saved so many? Again, it all came down to his feelings.
Thus, Asan and Laszlo joined the Geographer's camp and gained a goal. To travel 700 kilometers through many cities and villages to reach the Alps.
As soon as Asan and Laszlo were about to turn around and go back to the camp to get a better look at its inhabitants, the Geographer suddenly stopped them.
"Wait. Since you agreed, allow me to give one more reason why I brought you here."
"What's up?" — Asked Asan.
The geographer turned towards the city and pointed at it with his finger.
"In our camp, we lack sufficient supplies, clothing, in general, everything. Soon, our strike team, which you saw earlier, will go into the city to acquire this. I would like for you to go with them as people who know how to fight," spat out the Geographer.
Now Asan understood exactly what the Geographer needed. But that was perfectly fine; he himself needed a new shirt. It was just a matter of time before they went into the city, so...
Asan was ready.