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

The city of Wollstone was approaching them, bringing Zalan a sense of bittersweet dread. On one hand, getting closer to Gorb meant it would be one step closer to resolving the conflicts in the realm. On the other hand, getting to Gorb meant he was one step closer to facing off against Morloch. He didn't know if he was ready for that rematch. The Oculus of Annihilation, tiny as it was, weighed heavily in his pocket. Would he have to sacrifice himself to beat him? Destroy the two of them so the realm would remain safe once more? As much as he knew his mom would be proud of the sacrifice, it would mean never having the chance to visit her. It was one thing to lose a life in battle, but another to deliberately sacrifice yourself.

The city of Wollstone was surrounded by walls made of rocks, similar to Libreville. The guards standing atop the protective earth looked at the approaching travelers with the same paranoia and skepticism they'd received at the gates to Libreville. Zalan ran a hand lightly through his hair, wondering what kind of welcome they would receive.

"I hope they let us enter," Rep said, parroting his thoughts.

"If they want to bargain like the last guards, we can present them my new Wind Wand," Moss offered.

"Please do not," Slauson groaned, annoyed. "They will take it as an insult."

"Why? It is a perfectly good Artifact," Moss said.

"I think Slauson's right on this one," Zalan said.

Moss frowned slightly in disappointment, then nodded his acceptance.

"Stop!" a guard atop the walls said. "No entrance for outsiders! You should move on immediately!"

"We have urgent business with one of the residents of your good city. Gorb!" Rep called back up.

"We do not care if you come from Madam Hikma, herself. The Elementals and their storms have produced the worst monsters, which have produced the most desperate of people at our walls. This has been devastating on other towns, and we will not take the risk. No entry for outsiders." The guard slammed the butt of his spear on the wall firmly to make his point.

Moss looked at Zalan with eyebrows raised, pointing to the Wind Wand in his pocket with one hand. Zalan shook his head quickly.

"What will it take for us to get inside? We'll offer whatever we can. Gold. Help on the walls, anything!" Zalan said confidently.

"The only thing we want from you is for you to leave!" the guard reiterated.

The travelers looked to one another, wondering how to convince the guard. Zalan tried to think of any particular trick he learned in the realm that might let them get by just this once. It was frustrating how difficult it was to gain entry into strongholds to protect against monsters. Everyone was defending themselves against the same threats, but for some reason couldn't trust anyone to extend that protection to others.

"Can you convince them?" Zalan asked the others quietly.

"They seem particularly opposed to the idea. I even told them who we intend to visit," Rep said.

"I still have my Artifact," Moss said, and was promptly ignored.

"We may have to leave for now and return in the dead of night," Slauson whispered quickly. "Moss can build us a ladder tall enough to climb over the wall."

"But won't they be especially paranoid overnight?" Zalan asked.

Slauson shrugged. The others tried to think of another plan. To Zalan's disappointment, nothing better came to mind. They would have to sneak in at night. Frowning, they began to leave the base of the wall to hide out somewhere until night fell.

"Hold it!" a familiar voice rang out.

The travelers and guards alike looked at one man standing tall on the wall. Gorb pointed down at Zalan with a slight grin.

"These are men from Journey House! They are not outsiders, but guild brothers!" Gorb said loudly.

Zalan beamed, looking up to his old friend and waving. Rep laughed, pleased to see Gorb appear from out of nowhere.

"Gorbonifus, they are outsiders," the guard said sternly.

"No, I certainly know these men to be part of my guild. To claim for them to be outsiders would be to oust me from Wollstone, itself," Gorb said firmly.

"Do not be dramatic," the guard said.

"Do not downplay the bonds of those that share a guild," Gorb said unyieldingly.

The tense standoff went silent, the two men staring at one another. Gorb was taller than the other guard, looking as stoic as a statue, a single eyebrow raised in challenge. The guard approached him and glared, having to turn his neck upward to maintain eye contact. After seconds of intense staredown, the guard let out the air in his chest, deflating in defeat.

"Let them in. But I expect you to take responsibility for all of their faults," the guard grumbled. "If they cause any trouble, we will kick you all from the walls."

"You will not. But I will accept your conditions, regardless," Gorb nodded, undisturbed.

The gate opened a crack, enough that Zalan and his companions could fit by squatting low under the heavy metal. They entered with many watchful eyes passing over them from the guards swarming the walls, but otherwise weren't harassed. Gorb welcomed them with a simple nod as each of them entered the city.

"Follow me to my home," Gorb said, turning on his heel and leaving the area. He hardly looked at them before getting on the move.

Stumped by the abrupt welcome, Zalan rushed to catch up. Running up to Gorb's side, he looked up to him with a pleasant smile.

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"Hey, Gorb," Zalan said. "Good to see you again."

"The guards are more paranoid than a cat being hunted," Gorb said quietly. "I suspect you are here to discuss something important, and I do not wish to provoke them in any manner. We can speak freely in my home."

Zalan nodded and remained walking at Gorb's side. He carried himself with an impressive stride, and Zalan almost had to jog just to keep up. He could hear his friends clamoring to stay close behind him. The city of Wollstone was similar to that of Oriton from the inside. People milled about in markets and open doors to their stone homes. There seemed to be alleyways that he wouldn't be walking through anytime soon. And several forges could be spotted on different corners.

The energy in the air was a wary anxiety. People Zalan passed seemed on edge, their emotions on the precipice of an outburst. Conversations were quick and to the point, like they might have to flee before they finished a complete thought. Zalan heard someone laugh, but the expression didn't reach his face, giving him an uncanny look like an evil villain who finished a monologue. The children that played in the streets were eerily quiet, as though they didn't want to disturb the realm at large. Even shopkeepers waved quietly, pointing to their wares rather than openly advertising them. The Beasts of Slumber had such a powerful effect even on the towns they had not visited. Or perhaps dragons had seen this town from above as well.

After a few minutes of passing mostly nondescript buildings, Gorb presented a home with one hand. The building was two stories tall, built from a mix of stone and wood. A courtyard stood on one end, with a low fence surrounding it, and little pinwheels spotted the area around the building. Zalan wondered if they were installed for Gorb to practice his Elemental Air before he joined the guild. Gorb stood at the front door for a moment, reaching his hand out and pausing. Abruptly, he turned and headed to the courtyard, inviting Zalan and the others to follow with a wave of his hand.

Setting up bales of hay in a circle, Gorb invited them all to take a seat in the center. Once they all sat down, they looked at Gorb who studied Moss and Slauson for a few seconds. Finally, he revealed a tiny smile, nodding to Rep and Zalan.

"It is good to see you again," Gorb said.

"And you as well, Gorb," Rep smiled. "How is life in Wollstone?"

"It treats me very well. Outside of recent events, there were many quiet days.. I look forward to living out my days of retirement from adventuring here," Gorb said.

"Did you reach Level 10?" Slauson asked, curious. "That is when I was thinking of stopping my adventures."

"I did. And I have no intention of dying in search of more power," Gorb informed him.

"I do not understand that state of mind," Moss said. "I know they are called the Death Levels, but only because those who are reckless lose their lives. Why not continue to go on other journeys that do not involve gaining more Experience?"

"It feels unnecessary when I do not need any more power to support the walls of my city," Gorb said. Then his lips curved slightly lower. "If only the Beasts of Slumber would give up their prowl and go back to sleep."

Zalan and the others looked at one another.

"That's actually what we came here to talk to you about," Zalan said. "We're working on a way to stop the guy that's been killing Elementals. Without him, they won't be migrating to escape his hunting them down. And then the Beasts of Slumber can go back to sleep when there's no more storms."

"A man who can kill Elementals. He sounds very powerful," Gorb said, enthused.

"Oh yes," Rep nodded. "Perhaps the most powerful man we have ever faced before in combat."

"Excellent. I wish you well on your journey. It would be of great benefit to the entire realm," Gorb said, nodding.

Zalan was a little confused that Gorb didn't catch on to the fact they wanted him to join. He decided to just get straight to the point.

"We wanted to invite you," Zalan said. "We need your help to do it."

"I appreciate the offer, but will have to refuse," Gorb replied.

The circle went silent for a few seconds. Stunned glances were exchanged from everyone but Gorb.

"He will be very powerful. It may be the most glorious battle that ever was," Rep said, trying to appeal to his sensibilities.

"I have already said that I do not intend to adventure anymore. That includes to put my life on the line against some madman that chooses to kill Elementals," Gorb said.

"Gorb…" Moss began.

"Gorbonifus," Gorb corrected immediately.

"Gorb… Onifus?" Moss repeated, confused.

"I don't know how we'll be able to do it without you," Zalan said.

"I am certain you will manage. Look at you! Last I saw you, despair clawed at your every movement. Now you carry yourself with a grin ready to display. And Rep! You were once scared to even challenge the smallest of creatures, burying yourself in your studies of Artifacts. Now you are trying to get others to challenge someone you consider to be the most powerful man you have ever faced! Add to that the fact that you have other powerful companions, and I am certain you will fare incredibly well. You do not need me. I said I intended to retire. And I am a man of my word," Gorb said.

"If you do not join us, then your city may have to come face to face with a Beast of Slumber," Slauson said cautiously.

"A risk that I have accepted comes with retirement. But whatever kind of man can kill Elementals may be worse than even the beasts," Gorb said confidently.

Zalan's face twitched with indecision. He had been so sure that Gorb would be their means to get up in the air that he hadn't even considered that he would refuse. Straining his brain to come up with an idea, Zalan ran both hands through his hair. It didn't help. Pulling at twigs of hay from the bale he sat on, he couldn't come up with anything compelling.

"Are you sure?" Zalan asked. "Can we do anything to change your mind? Please?"

"I can not think of anything," Gorb said firmly.

Rep and Zalan lowered their heads, crestfallen. Slauson stood, looking out to the gates.

"If he will not help us, then we need to find another means," Slauson said, getting ready to leave.

"What other means are there to get to a city in the sky?" Moss asked casually, standing up as well.

Gorb went stiff, his eyes narrowing slightly. He looked between each of the travelers.

"City in the sky? As in, Aetheria?" Gorb asked, serious.

"Yes," Rep said. "Morloch, the man we intend to defeat, resides in Aetheria."

"Aetheria? It is real? Aetheria exists?" Gorb asked, sounding oddly insistent. There was a slight mortification on his face, his eyes wide.

"Yeah, it's real. Me, Rep, and Slauson saw it last night," Zalan nodded, watching Gorb carefully.

"I think you mean 'Rep, Slauson, and I,'" Moss corrected with a raised finger. Zalan rolled his eyes.

"You witnessed it?" Gorb said to Rep urgently. "You saw Aetheria? Not a mere picture in a book nor a tale in legend. You witnessed it with your own eyes?"

"I did," Rep said.

"Oh, no. Dear Lord, no," Gorb buried his face in his hands, propping his elbows on his knees.

The four others looked at one another for explanation, but shrugged in sequence.

"Everything okay, Gorb?" Zalan asked.

"If Rep says the city is real, then there is no denying it," Gorb said, his voice muffled in his hands.

"Well… Yeah, it's real," Zalan confirmed. "What does that mean?"

Gorb raised his head from his hands, looking between Rep and Zalan with worry written on his face.

"The last thing I told Yelsa was that if Aetheria ever decided to exist, then I would visit as soon as I could," Gorb groaned.

Rep beamed, his teeth gleaming in excitement.

"And you are nothing if not a man of your word," Rep said, making the conclusion obvious. Zalan whipped his face back to Gorb.

"So, you'll come with us?" Zalan asked.

"I must," Gorb said, placing his face back in his palms.