The Homeseeker: Elemental Adventurer LitRPG [Isekai] (Series Complete!)

Zalan slid until the earth leveled out into a plane before him. He caught himself as he shifted from a slide to a jog, remaining upright and turning to see Rep end his slide beside him. Once they reached the base of the volcano, they looked in the direction they came. Zalan could just make out the silhouette of a human on the horizon. It was warm enough that Zalan wondered if it was a mirage brought on by heat haze.

"You think that's Jade?" Zalan asked, making sure he wasn't the only one seeing the form on the horizon.

"I doubt it would be anyone else. We would have passed them on our way here," Rep acknowledged.

"Talk with her first, then back to town?" Zalan confirmed.

Rep nodded. Signaling one another with hands at the ready, they activated their respective Belt of Bolt and zoomed away from the base of the volcano.

As soon as they appeared before her, Jade shrieked and pulled out her blade. Without wasting a moment, she thrust it out toward Zalan's neck, keeping it only an inch away.

"It's me! It's me!" Zalan said as her sword pricked his skin.

"You have to stop appearing from nowhere!" Jade huffed, returning her sword to her sheath, annoyed.

"Apologies Jade, but we have urgent news about the Flame Elemental," Rep said.

Jade waited expectantly as Rep tried to figure out the right way to deliver the news. Her initial curiosity quickly turned to her folding her arms and tapping a foot on the ground.

"Well?" Jade asked, impatient.

"It's dead," Zalan said.

Jade gave a fake smile to Zalan, squinting her eyes and bobbing her head side to side. To Zalan, she was trying to look unamused by an attempted joke. Zalan nodded at her, trying to look serious, but Jade just scoffed and rolled her eyes.

"He is being sincere," Rep said. "The Flame Elemental has been killed."

Jade looked between the two men. A frown grew on her face at their apparent sincerity. She didn't look like she believed them in the slightest.

"Who are you trying to fool?" she snapped. "Elementals can not die. They can not even be touched!"

"This one had been killed," Rep insisted.

"I assure you I am not the slightest bit amused," Jade said loudly, as though ordering them to drop the joke.

"We're being serious! I was trying to get Elemental Fire Power, I wouldn't joke about this," Zalan said.

"Then how did it die?" Jade asked pointedly.

Rep and Zalan looked at one another.

"We don't know," Zalan admitted.

"It has a hole in its chest," Rep added.

"Dear Lord, what a tale," Jade groaned. "I did not think you were jesters when I first met you. What drove you to this?"

"Jade, I know this is difficult to believe. But we are honest men. You can confirm our words by climbing the volcano. You will discover the Elemental's body at the top," Rep said.

"How long are you willing to stretch this joke?" Jade demanded. "You wish for me not only to believe you, but also to waste the day on a worthless errand? I know that the Flame Elemental gives the same requirement to all who challenge it. Why should I climb the volcano before it gives me the challenge to do so? It may not even give me its power if it does not issue the challenge first. Why should I listen to anything you say?"

"Because you are a wise girl," Rep said. "You know something is wrong."

"I tire of this game," Jade said, but her face had grown pensive, uncertain of what to believe.

"I have no intention to stop you, but please listen well. I promise, I will not waste your time," Rep said.

Jade turned to him and gave her full attention. Her hands were still folded and she regarded Rep and Zalan with an air of hope. Zalan realized that it might be vindicating to have a clear answer as to why the most consistent Elemental refused her challenge. She nodded to Rep reluctantly and he continued.

"When you arrive, you will not be given a challenge by the Elemental," Rep began. "You may call from the rock shaped like a cat, or anywhere else on the volcanic base. The Flame Elemental will show no signs that it is in the area. You've already witnessed this. When it does not appear, a slight nagging sensation may eat at your mind. You will wonder 'were those two being honest with me? Should I go check the top of the volcano?' The answer is yes. I would suggest you not waste your time, but if you do not take us at our word, then find it. Go and confirm its death for yourself."

Jade's annoyance faltered by Rep's firm words. She read his expression, looking for lies in his face. She frowned, unable to sense any insincerity. She dropped her arms to her sides, curiosity returning to her face.

"Why do you care that I see it for myself if you are being honest with me?" Jade asked.

"Because I am going to tell your hometown of the Elemental's death, and they will not believe me. Like you, they will ridicule the outsiders for making up tales despite our honesty," Rep said. "But they will believe you when you come to confirm. Someone from their town with the same story to tell."

Jade sighed. She searched the earth for questions. She looked back at Rep and Zalan, her eyebrows descended an inch.

"The reason the Elemental did not appear before me is because it is dead?" she inquired.

"Indeed. It never refused anyone I know of before," Rep said. "When the Elemental first issued me my challenge, it appeared within seconds of my calling out to it."

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Jade's eyes darted over the ground, searching for questions. A softness came over her face.

"So… the reason that the Flame Elemental did not appear… Is not because there is something wrong with me?" Jade asked.

Zalan blinked in surprise at the question. Rep smiled warmly, shaking his head confidently.

"I assure you there is absolutely nothing wrong with you. You suffer only from having arrived at the volcano after the Flame Elemental perished. That is no fault of your own," Rep assured her.

Jade smiled slightly, then quickly adjusted to an analytical frown. She looked between Rep and Zalan one last time, scrutinizing for the slightest hint of amusement at her expense. She seemed satisfied by their expressions.

"Very well. I will go confirm this allegation. But if the creature is not dead… Then I will… I will… I suppose you will be long gone by the time I return?" Jade asked, her threat dissipating with her question.

"Yeah, we aren't sticking around," Zalan nodded.

"Then I will tell everyone you are liars. Bad news travels fast. What are your names? And you had better not lie to me," Jade demanded.

"I am Rep, and this is my friend Zalan," Rep introduced them.

"Zalan? That sounds close to the name of a finalist in the Elemental Rage Tournament. His name was Zandar," Jade mused.

"Oh, seriously? That's crazy," Zalan said, rolling his eyes and sighing.

"Farewell, Rep and Zalan," Jade said.

By the time she turned her back, Rep and Zalan activated their Belt of Bolts and appeared hundreds of feet in front of the wall surrounding the town. They decided not to use their Artifacts to cover the rest of the distance, wanting to preserve it as long as they could before it degraded.

They approached the tall wall, Rep leading the way. Zalan realized they weren't going through the nearest entrance. Rep was making his way around to go toward the same gate they entered through the first time. He wanted to speak with Urelia and Cam again instead of a new set of guards.

"Allow me to handle the conversation," Rep said.

"Why? Do you think I'll mess it up?" Zalan asked, confused.

"I have a careful strategy to hopefully get them to cooperate with me," Rep said.

Zalan shrugged, not wanting to be called a liar again anyway.

As they approached the gate, Rep waved his arm up amicably. Urelia and Cam recognized him, leaning over the side of the wall. Urelia beckoned him earnestly.

"What news do you bring of the Flame Elemental?" Urelia asked immediately.

"Where is the next nearest Elemental?" Rep asked, sounding casual.

Urelia looked confused for a second, shaking her head. Zalan raised an eyebrow but said nothing. Rep wasn't usually one to ignore people in need of answers.

"Did you not hear me? What happened to the Flame Elemental? Did you see it?" Urelia asked, gripping the side of the wall tightly.

"I am simply wondering if there are other Elementals in the area?" Rep said, brushing her question aside once again.

Urelia made a face.

"There is a Nature Elemental a few cities east of here," Cam offered helpfully. "Its challenges are significantly more difficult than most. I would not approach it unless you are at least something above… Perhaps Level 10?"

"Thank you." Rep nodded respectfully.

"Stop ignoring me! What happened at the volcano? Did you even arrive? Was Jade there?" Urelia was growing panicked.

"We saw Jade when we were on our way to the volcano. We spoke with her both on our way to and from it. All is well with her. But I am afraid the same can not be said of the Flame Elemental. It has been killed," Rep declared stoically.

Urelia made a sour frown. Zalan noticed that Rep was right. Jade and her mother looked incredibly alike, especially when they looked annoyed.

"Say again?" Cam called down the wall, cupping a hand to his ear.

"The Flame Elemental is no longer living. There is a hole in its chest and it lies dead at the top of the volcano," Rep said, pointing in the direction they came from.

"Did you say it was dead?" Urelia demanded. "What game is this? Give me the honest truth! Elementals can not die! They can not be touched!"

Zalan took a slight amusement in hearing the same exact words from mother and daughter when first hearing the news.

"We thought the same, that Elementals were untouchable. But today we have seen otherwise. Something, or someone, has discovered the secret to interacting with them. I am being wholly honest with you," Rep said seriously, placing a hand over his heart. "The Flame Elemental lies dead. None may gain power from it anymore. When Jade returns from her journey, she will confirm the news. If you will not believe even your own daughter, then I suggest you send someone else to be certain. Perhaps you can verify it yourself."

"We do not need to verify something so absurd!" Urelia snapped, folding her arms across her chest. "It is like saying a child is older than their parents! I do not need to run an investigation to know it is a lie!"

"How did it die?" Cam asked, sounding slightly less skeptical. He kept a close eye on Rep as he spoke.

"Do not humor them, Cam," Urelia ordered.

"We do not know. We arrived when it was already dead," Rep responded.

"Where upon the volcano would we find the body?" Cam followed up.

"The same spot that we normally would receive power," Rep said. He lit a small candlelight of flame on his finger. It was meant to let them know that he had previously known the Flame Elemental.

"Did you tell Jade to go on this absurd quest to confirm something impossible?" Urelia asked.

"I did." Rep nodded.

Urelia placed her fists on her forehead and looked incensed. She groaned loudly through her teeth. She removed her hands from her face and glared at both Rep and Zalan.

"How dare the two of you take advantage of her with your mad tales. You are no longer allowed within these walls. Leave," Urelia shouted.

Zalan felt somewhat annoyed that he was included. He didn't even say anything and he was still being glared at and punished.

"Urelia, just because they lie about Elementals does not mean we deny them entry," Cam said.

"We take no offense. This is distressing information, I know," Rep said sincerely. "We only came to deliver you the news. We do not require entry within. We thank you for your time."

"We do not thank you for yours!" Urelia spat. "How dare you speak to Jade! We ought to imprison you for sowing discord! Be gone!"

Rep nodded respectfully and waved goodbye. Urelia grunted in dissatisfaction, folding her arms over her chest and turning away with a whip of her chin. Cam waved back, looking slightly embarrassed in his position. Zalan followed closely behind Rep, considering how he handled the situation.

Rep had asked about the next Elemental first. That must have been because he was on good terms before he told them the news of the dead Elemental. Even though he told them the truth, they would likely withhold the truth from him after hearing about one that had died. And Rep thought all of that through while traveling at immeasurable speeds with the Belt of Bolt. Even more incredibly, Rep didn't lose his patience once. Neither with Jade nor her mother. Zalan was greatly impressed by his friend.

They walked casually away from the city. Zalan was waiting for the signal to activate their Artifacts and travel east. Rep looked over to him.

"Does a Nature Elemental suit you?" Rep asked. "We can use the Homeseeker and try somewhere else if you do not wish to receive that power."

"Any Elemental Power is good with me. Which power does a Nature Elemental grant, again?" Zalan asked, scratching his head.

"Elemental Plant. The same power that Rosemary held within Captain Buttonwillow's crew. You would be able to grow your own wooden weapons, armor, and other items, directly from your skin," Rep said.

"Yeah, that sounds awesome," Zalan grinned. "Let's go get it."

With that, the two companions placed their hands over the Belt of Bolt and zoomed away to the east.