Another Stupid Isekai

We got ourselves two nice mugs of beer and sat close to the exit. There were few people inside, but most of the tables were empty. Still, the few conversations going on were pretty damn noisy as people shouted from time to time, or laughed out loud.

- I heard you've been hunting like crazy when we were gone. You even joined forces with Blue apparently. Not gonna lie, didn't expect that coming. Any new classes?

- I evolved one just yesterday.

- Evolved?

- Yeah. When you get all the skills upgraded to the full, you can get the next tier of your class, but it apparently costs ten times more.

- Is it ten times stronger? - Will asked with a slight smile.

- How would I know? I just got this. There was no time to test.

- Do you wanna spar? Wuxia has some old sparing rooms. We could use those...

- I would beat your ass anyway. I need a real enemy, boss for example.

- Oho! Look how all that fame got into your head! What's next, are you gonna start forgetting the names of your old friends?

- I'm serious. I spend one-fourth of the year farming crystals in the spot that gives the most out of the ones we know about. The gap got bigger.

- I'm joking dude. Calm down.

- I know you are joking, but I really am different than I used to be.

- So what? Are you gonna go after orc boss?

- No. Not yet. But soon.

- I'm coming with you, by the way.

- Sure. There is always a spot for you, Will.

- You really want to get that revenge, don't you? You know that won't change anything? Even if you kill that thing hundred times.

- Probably, but I'm still gonna do it.

He snorted, and just as he did Maia entered the pub. She scanned the room, and after a moment she noticed us closer than she expected.

- Peter...

- What do you want?

- I want to show you something.

I sighed and finished my beer in one go. Will did just the same, catching her attention.

- He is going with us.

She switched her attention to me, and after a brief pause, agreed with a nod.

- Follow me.

We stood up, and like a bunch of ducklings, followed the steps of the mother duck. We kept our silence, and only exchanged few looks.

She led us to the same building with the ladder, I ended up on the last time. She immediately started climbing, but I just used my shadow walk to get up there. Will had no other way, but to go after her.

To my surprise what she wanted to show me, were soldiers ready to fight. Probably all the Followers stood in nice lines, around eighty people at the first glance, with spears at their backs, swords, and shields in hands. All wearing armors made of leather with few metal reinforcements.

- Those are your people. Warriors ready to head to battle - she said, pointing at them with her hand. - They all are strong and brave. Then can achieve anything for you.

I peaked at will, she shrugged his shoulders.

- And what exactly should I achieve? - I asked her.

- You know. The Divine Tree is leading you, even if you are not fully aware of that.

- First pleasures, then possessions, and now power. You really are persistent, aren't you?

- I'm merely following the right path.

- Yeah... About that... I don't think there is a path. I think there is a jungle, and we all have a nice machete in our hands to clear our own ways. Anyway... I was thinking about this - I gestured with my hands at what she was presenting to me. - A lot, to tell you the truth, and I'll do it. I'll lead those people, so let me speak to them.

She nodded, and I came closer to the edge of the building roof.

- Hi! I'm Peter, but you probably know that already! I don't know what they - I looked again at Maia - told you about me, but I'm just a normal person, like you all! I never got anything from the device despite things that I earned myself through the hard work! I'm no leader! And definitely not some chosen one! What I am, is the strongest guy around. This means that if you work hard, take some risks, be brave and diligent, you can get to where I am right now, and even past me! I'm not special, just like you! But that doesn't mean we can't become special!

I paused for a moment, to look at Will. He nodded slowly, giving me the reassurance that I needed.

- Be a good people, because being assholes doesn't pay back! It returns to you! Call it karma, or whatever! If you hurt somebody, that person will want to hurt you back! So just be good people! Work hard and inspire others, only this way we can stop quarreling with each other, as we did until very recently, and clearly make this city ours! Maybe one day we even will be able to return to earth and bring the gifts we earned here to our loved ones! Wouldnt that be nice?!

- Yes! - somebody yelled from below.

A bunch of others quickly followed him and shouted few words of confirmation.

It made me smile.

- I won't tell you what to do, because you all know! You've been already doing it without me! Just keep the good work! Aim at me if you want, or even higher! Be good! Love each other! Don't fight with one another!

With that, I stepped back.

- What a nice, cliche grand speech - Will slapped few times with a smirk.

- So you won't be leading us? - asked Maia, with her eyes glued to my face.

- I will, just not in person, but by example. Isn't that better than a fake leader?

She didn't answer. She seemed frozen in time, still looking, not even blinking. People below started clapping. I didn't know if that was because they had so much respect for my persona shoved in their heads, or was it because of the words I said.

- Let's go, Will.. This talking made me tired - and I started climbing the ladder down.