Chapter 193 - Refuge House
Refuge House
Sixth quest
Junan grabbed the shining card. His inventory was showing the addition of cards.
It looked lot better with the cards earlier this inventory was empty. The fog shrouded around them. They closed their eyes hoping a best quest with the completion of the fifth quest the things drastically changed in the settings.
The first thing that they noticed after entering in the new quest area, they could not take their weapons in the sixth quest area. "What? Where is my weapon?" Orin asked baffled.
What he liked most? Of course his thorny mace.
All bigger weapons were taken away by default when they entered in the sixth quest called Refuge House.
Albert lost his spear. Clark was standing empty handed. Sashi and Ahram were no different. Jake saw his waist, the ammunition pouches and the grenades were no more there.
Only his small dagger remained secured with him. Junan did not need to check his back knowing that since others lost weapons then he was no exception.
The ground beneath was moist. The weather was not clear. They were unable to tell what possible time of the day the virtual settings were trying to depict. The dull sky made them remember about the first level.
Perhaps the rain made the ground moist and now the clouds were silent. "They took our weapons. How we are supposed to battle?" Clark spoke disappointed.
"Do you think weapons are necessary for battles?" Junan asked glancing in the distance. "Oh wait what happened to our gaming gowns?" Clark did not notice earlier he was so shocked because of the disappearance of the weapon.
They were no more in their gaming gowns instead tattered clothing. Present clothing made them look like refugees. Nobody could tell that they belong to different place.
Orin sighed he opened the book of detection. Only this book could answer their curiosity. The one page book read the content. "Refuge House is built for the poor souls but the enemies are hidden among the refugees. Once you find enemies do not let them escape."
Junan heard the big hint.
It was at least proper hint.
Now they understand what possible circumstances they could expect.
Junan saw few civilians were coming to them. They looked harmless.
"Since we are in the appearance of refugees do not act like offended on bitter things. Be attentive about the behavior of the people around. The possible enemies would show up eventually." Junan guided team members before the people reach them.
"The weather is not favorable. You all should go back. Other refugees has collected stock of woods." The civilians were looking in better condition it means they were the attendants to divide duties between refugees.
Junan looked at the team members and nodded. The civilians seemed less care weather they have seen this group of refugees or not.
This quest area was named Refuge house so it was natural for them to take every human in tattered clothing as some refugee.
They were only careful about their duties. The team members followed behind civilians.
Albert felt something itching at his feet. He looked to check only to be startled. He was wearing worn out shoes. The sand and the water entered through the rugged leather. He bent to shuffle the sand out of the shoe or else it would be tough walk.
Junan and others could see temporary shelters built for refugees. If it was under their means they would have battled to see the hidden enemies and searched the card however they were empty handed right now.
There was no way than to silently follow and reach refuge house. They could search the possible hidden enemies hopefully in the refuge house.
Jake was also silent. Every quest was uniquely designed. He could not complain or bother the task panel for clue. He wanted to smoothly manage this quest helping others.
Also the guidance of the team head was meant to be followed. The civilians gestured them to enter in the respective refuge houses according to the assigned slots. They handed slots to all team members.
Unfortunately team members were given separate slots. Junan silently nodded them to remain alert and inform others if anyone happen to notice some strange activity.
As soon as they entered in the respective refuge houses the clouds started thundering and heavy rain started.
They were stunned and thankful because their present clothing might have shuddered them under the rain.
Jake entered in the ninth refuge house, it was mentioned on the slot. His bed number was same and the table number was different. It was time for the evening meal.
Two teams of refugees were selected in the ninth refuge house to cook the food for all refugees settled in the ninth refuge house. The preparation for the meal were going on. A man stood up from the table. He was cutting vegetables.
He asked the civilian to provide him helper. The job was tough and the helper was nowhere. The civilian went to check where was the refugee that was assigned to help this cook.
The said refugee was sick and sleeping on his bed. The civilian checked his pulse and went. His eyes fell at Jake.
"Little kid you should go and help the boss if you want to eat meal at the right time." The civilian did not sound rude however he was indifferent.
Jake looked at the man cutting vegetables and nodded. The man surveyed the kid as if scanning his innards. "He is not suitable for help. See his right arm is injured." The cook showed that he was not happy.
Actually he was annoyed because once the civilian did his job he won't listen again and the cook would be restricted to ask tasks to the kid no matter if he could do it or not.
Jake walked toward the cook. He was not bothered instead keeping eyes at all npc's in his surrounding. Most of them were minding their own business.
Two people were cleaning dishes for the meal. Total five cook were preparing for the meal. Jake wondered how many people were living in this ninth refuge house.
"Wash these vegetables and place them on the table." The cook did not bat an eye on the kid and ordered.
Jake listened the order. He took deep breath and went to bring small tub and the water to clean the vegetables.
He was not in haste just like the cook. All worked as if they were not in hurry for the meal.
Opening the tap he filled water in the tub but failed to pick it up with one hand. Three refugees those were cleaning dishes stopped to take a look.
They were slightly amused at the struggle of the kid however none of them came for help. Jake stopped for moment. He thought to drag the tub toward the table.
It worked. He picked the small amount of vegetables and started cleaning. It seemed someone picked them from the moist soil. When he was dragging the tub he happened to notice a cook sneaking at him.
Well others were also looking him but they were showing different expressions while this specific cook was strange.
Jake thought to keep eyes at him.
...
Other team members were in similar situations however they were less likely patient with other refugees.
Clark huffed and controlled his desire to punch a refugee at his nose. It was the strict guidance of the team head or else he would have started punches war.
Sashi was sent in the female refuge house. She wanted to immediately leave this refuge house because the women were in horrible condition. Half of them were fighting with each other and cursing.
Few pulled hair of others. Their fight was truly embarrassing. Few were hiding in the corners because during fight they ruined their clothing. Currently none of the civilian was in this refuge house to strictly create discipline.
Sashi thought to keep at distance from the nonsense fight of the woman but someone kicked her.
She looked around to confirm that no one was keeping eyes at her. After that she pulled the woman who kicked her.
Several punches landed on the woman and he fell lifeless. She was not dead only fell unconscious. Other women saw this and looked at the girl.
They were slightly scared of the girl and thought to step back from the ongoing fight. It was wise decision.
Sashi furiously looked to confirm whether anyone wanted to bother her or not. Her pose for the fight and her tightened fist was enough to give warning.
Sashi was learned in the martial arts. The virtual settings of the game let her use most common moves of the fight.
It was enough for the time being. The two civilians standing at the outside of the women refuge house got stunned because no more shouting sounds were coming from inside.
This thought once crossed his head that perhaps all killed each other but he shook his head deciding to take a look.