The Weakest Kobold In The Dungeon Gets A Level [Book 1 Complete] Chapter 7: Chapter 5: The Woods Were Quiet Then, Empty.

Read chapter 7 of The Weakest Kobold In The Dungeon Gets A Level [Book 1 Complete] by KennyTheAwkwardDonut on NovelPedia.

Chapter 5 The Woods Were Quiet Then, Empty. The next morning, stirred from his sleep by small hushed voices, Nik woke to a surprise. The sprites and pixies had been busy. While he had been training, they had been hard at work. He sat up, surrounded by faeryfolk, and their parting gifts. As they handed him the gifts that they had put every bit of effort and care into making for him, Nik felt tears run down his cheeks. These were the first he had ever received. Using only plant material, they had somehow made a leather substitute. With it, they had worked together to craft him a larger pouch that had multiple pockets and loops to slide his belt through. They had also made another one that was quite similar, but much, much larger than the pouch. Sorel told him that it was to go on his back and with straps to go over his shoulders. The younger Figbug brought forward a few small bags of berries and mushrooms that he had collected specially for Nik, saying, “Hold on to the frostberries. They will keep the rest of your food fresh for longer. Maybe a week before they lose their cold.” All moving in on him in a small swarm, he was trapped in a pile of hugs. The only one missing was Pearl. Had she not even wanted to say goodbye? he thought. Then, looking towards her tree, he saw her, surrounded by her family. They were giving their own goodbye hugs. Wiping tears from her reddened eyes, she fluttered down to him. She said, “It is time for us to go, young one.” Nik was stunned. His mind raced back to her sad expression the night of the party, the gloominess behind halfhearted smiles during all of the days that followed. She had known she was coming with me the whole time we were training , he realized. “Us?” he asked. She smiled through obvious sadness, saying, “Us. I knew while you were still sleeping through the medicinal herbs that I was going to go with you from here. I did not know at the time that it would be to help you find a home, but it is a sweet goal.” The whole community swarmed her before he could question her further. He stood there, unable to move his feet. He felt his heart seize and his breath falling short. He had felt this emotion before, but in different contexts. This was fear, he knew it well enough. He realized as they looked at him, ready to see him part from their home, that he was scared to leave. Not for fear of danger or the unknown, but a fear of solitude and loneliness. He longed for the community that he’d never had, that he had only really ever seen here. Nik was shaken from his frozen state by a light smack on the cheek, delivered by Pearl as she alighted onto his shoulder. He thought, Right, I don’t have a home, but I’m not going to be alone for the journey ahead. I also won’t be the only one missing home. Shouting kind words and wishes for safe travels, the fairyfolk sent them off with parting waves. Walking along in companionable silence, they continued north. The same direction that he had initially started his journey. It was an odd feeling, leaving his new friends behind. Loss mingled with hope as they traveled, and he knew that his companion shared the same emotions. He had questions for her, but they could wait. She was grieving, in a way, and he wanted to give her the space to sort through that for herself. She deserved that much for joining him, whatever her reasons might be. Respecting the fact that Pearl was not a meat eater, Nik did not attempt any hunting or trapping as they traveled. Even when they spotted a broodeer, an odd beast with low hanging antlers, behind distant trees or small rabbits running through the underbrush. So they went on, stopping once every day to eat, practice their wind abilities, and lastly, to practice his weapon skills. They always kept at least half of their MP in reserve for emergency use. Nik got used to the feeling of the spear in his hand, and Pearl came up with a way for the both of them to train skills together. She would lift leaves into the air with her wi