Aetherios System [Slow Build OP MC, Isekai LitRPG/Cultivation] Chapter 147: Book 3: Chapter 3: Caravans and Introductions

Read chapter 147 of Aetherios System [Slow Build OP MC, Isekai LitRPG/Cultivation] by TTReynolds on NovelPedia.

Book 3: Chapter 3: Caravans and Introductions Book 3: Chapter 3: Caravans and Introductions [Time Remaining: 627 Days, 16 Hours, 22 Minutes] The road stretched east beneath a blanket of gray clouds sagging low enough to almost taste the rain that hid inside their billowy confines. By now, the cobbled stone road had long since given way to a hard packed dirt track, cut with old wagon ruts, weeds sprouting from cracks in the hardened mud. On either side, tall grass swayed like an ocean of green and gold, waves washing to and fro in the wind. Alex spotted movement ahead first, some wagon silhouettes against the horizon. Nine of them, each pulled by scaled draft beasts with hides like cracked stone. Their breaths steamed in the morning chill, curling around harnesses wrapped in enchantment charms and rope. The closer they got, the louder came the creak of wheels and the occasional bark of an order. The caravan slowed when it noticed them, merchants gripped reins tighter. Guards shifted their stances, fingers brushing against weapons. Alex raised a hand, palm open, the universal signal they weren’t looking for trouble. His team followed suit, weapons slung low. A few figures broke off to meet them halfway. Their expressions were polite, but withdrawn, the kind that said “ We’ve seen too much to take chances”. One man with a short beard and a thick merchant’s cloak spoke for the group. “Traveling east?” Alex nodded. “Same as you. We’re just passing through.” The man’s eyes darted to the blades and armor of the Striders, then back to his wagons. After a moment, he exhaled and gave a thin smile. “Sure then. Road’s safer in numbers after all.” The guards that flanked the caravan were three separate groups, each with its own colors and style. Two teams gave only cursory glances at them, apparently uninterested beyond the shared road. The third group, though, six figures standing slightly apart, watched the Striders like predators sizing up their prey. The largest of them caught Alex’s attention immediately. Holy shit is that— “An Ork, yes.” Obby added in. “ Unlike elves, they are not that graceful, but boy are they powerful. They have a rather noticeable advantage in the department of physical stats. ” I can see that. He’s damn big. No, he was not just big, but towering. His skin was dark gray, almost charred in hue, with streaks of faint ember-like glow running beneath it, as if fire licked under his veins. He leaned on a halberd taller than most human men and smirked like he’d already decided Alex was worth fighting. “Name’s Ghrukk,” he said with a voice made of all gravel and heat. His aura rolled off him in waves under Alex’s [Aether Sight], fire and shadow twisting together. The concentration of his aether placed him in the middle stage of Adept Tier. A bit ahead of Alex, but still not quite nearing the late stage. Alex could guess he still had a bit to go in the way of the solid formation energy. The rest of the Ork’s team fanned out around him, and they all gave short introductions by offering their names. Rynel, a wiry human with a hunter’s calm, rolled his eyes at Ghrukk’s theatrics. “Ignore him. He thinks glaring is a personality trait.” The man had a bow strapped to his back and the easy stance of someone who could hit two birds with one arrow, with his eyes half-shut. Myrae, the healer, offered a nod. Her light-attuned aura shimmered faintly in his Sight, like moonlight over water. She stayed quiet, eyes soft but sharp, the kind that missed nothing while appearing to pay no attention. She had a physical appearance that seemed a bit off to Alex. He noticed features that seemed human, but also not quite right. It wasn’t until his eyes caught the slightly elongated curve of her ears that he realized it. A half-elf? I’m sure there’s quite a story there. Sarson, a fire-attuned swordmage, was already grinning at them all. “Wandering adventurer mages huh? Heard tales of all kinds about that sort. Hope they’re not all lies.” He wink