Accidental Healer-Chapter 65 - Asking questions

Ellison believed raid portals would open in the nearest controlled territory, meaning the first wave would hit our village’s starting point—the clearing where it all began.

I didn’t love it. The idea of battles happening this close to home made me uneasy.

As Jared and I neared the clearing, we discussed strategy, brainstorming ways to mitigate the risks of fighting so close to the settlement. Most of our ideas revolved around massive walls, defensive wards, and layered protective barriers.

Jared had seen items like that in the interface but those were long-term solutions. For now, we stationed sentries near the village as an emergency fallback.

When we arrived, the clearing was already alive with movement. Fighters ran drills, checked their gear, and talked in tense, excited tones. Alex was the first to greet us, he walked over with his usual grin.

“I was worried you wanted to let us do all the work,” he says, and crossed his arms. “You’re cutting it kind of close, don’t you think?”

“What? Is someone worried they won’t have my barriers to keep them safe from the bad guys?” I shoot back.

“HEY,” Alex says, pointing a finger at me, “I wouldn’t even need your barriers if I hadn’t so bravely given up that fancy new armor set. Basically, I’m a saint.”

I smirk. “A real hero.”

Jared chuckles but turns to Alex. “While we’re on the subject, why don’t you fill me in on your class evolution?”

Alex puffs out his chest. “Oh, you’re going to love this. I’m a Warlord! One of the best evolutions stat-wise, besides Layton here and Durkil.” He jabs a thumb at me.

“I mean, obviously, they got freak-tier upgrades, but mine’s nothing to scoff at.”

“I think that suits you well,” Jared says. “What about Nick and Elise? How did their evolutions turn out?”

Alex and I share a look before he continues.

“Elise got a class called Dawncaller. Bit dramatic in the name department, but honestly? It’s amazing. She still has healing, she picked up a barrier skill like Layton suggested, and now she can cast buffs. Basically, she’s a full-on support powerhouse.”

Jared nods in approval. “That’s great. And Nick?”

“Nick’s evolution was… unexpected.” I look around suspiciously. “He’s probably lurking nearby.”

And, right on cue, Nick materializes from Alex’s massive shadow.

I flinch, Alex recoils.

“I’m a Shadowborn Ranger,” Nick announces happily, stepping into full view.

“Damn it, Nick!” Alex barks. “How many times do I have to ask you to stop doing that?”

Nick beams. “Oh, come on, Alex. Your shadow is an easy target, and I still need practice.”

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Alex just glares.

Nick’s changes were still unsettling. He looked mostly like himself—same build, same posture—but the details were off. His hair had turned inky black, they shifted subtly even when there was no wind. His eyes were completely black now, twin voids that swallowed the light around them.

Jared studied him carefully. He might have been thinking the same thing I was—if one Shadowborn class could exist, how many more could follow? Was this how Mischief’s Progenitor title would evolve?

“This is an interesting development,” Jared says slowly. “I’m surprised Mischief was willing to pass along his title.”

Alex, Nick, and I exchange glances before Nick speaks.

“He didn’t exactly give me his blessing. I’ve been watching him for a while—fanboying, really—and when the opportunity presented itself, I just took it. Didn’t think to ask first.”

Jared rubs his temple and lets out a long sigh. “Oh no. How did he take it?”

Nick winced. “Let’s just say it was a mixed bag. First, he asked if he was allowed to kill me.”

“But after some reasoning, he started seeing the silver lining. We did have to set a rule, though—anyone else given the class option has to ask for his permission first.”

Jared raised an eyebrow. “And that was enough to pacify him?”

Nick squared his shoulders, fists clenched. “Don’t worry—I’ve got a plan.”

Alex scoffed. “Yeah? Does it involve not being an insufferable fanboy?”

Nick’s grin widens. “Nope.”

Jared and I walk the perimeter of our raid preparations, the tension of earlier conversations fully dissolved. Any lingering frustration from my late return had been replaced with clear admiration for our progress.

Still, something sat heavy in my mind.

“We don’t have long before the raid starts,” I say, breaking the silence, “but I wanted to get your take on something that’s been bugging me for a while now.”

Jared glanced at me. “Alright. What is it?”

“It’s something I’ve noticed for a while now—a pattern.” I hesitated. “It’s still a theory, but the more I think about it, the more it bothers me.”

We continued walking as I played out my thoughts.

“Everything is moving along too conveniently. I mean, from what we’ve gathered, the dungeons and the raids are all made up of factions from other worlds. Barring maybe the anomalies, which seem to be something else entirely.”

Jared strokes his chin. “That sounds right. But I don’t see what’s bothering you about it.”

I throw out a hand. “It’s not just that we’re facing other factions—it’s the quality of them.”

His eyes narrow slightly, thinking.

“Look at the Guildians,” I continue. “When we met them, they’d already survived multiple raids. They’d gained levels, earned rewards, and were technically progressing. But let’s be real—if either me or Mischief fought them back then, it wouldn’t have even been a fight.”

Jareds lips turn down. “That makes sense, though. They came from a dying world with no real opportunities. This place has given them more chances than they’d ever had before.”

I gesture around us. “But that’s just it. Why? There have to be stronger, more capable factions out there. Why is the system throwing weak groups at us? It’s basically free kills and XP.”

I stop and really look at Jared.

“Sure, if you’re careless, you can get killed, but nothing we’ve faced has actually been insurmountable.”

Jared goes quiet for a moment, mulling it over. “Maybe it’s just a gradual difficulty ramp. Not everyone progresses as fast as you do. You’re a unique case, Layton.”

I shake my head. “No. This is bigger than just me. Why are all the dungeons locked? Why are factions just… sitting inside, waiting to be cleared? What kind of faction agrees to get locked up in a dungeon on a new world?”

Jared’s expression tightens. I could tell the thought hadn’t fully clicked with him before.

“I don’t know,” he admits.

“There’s something going on,” I say, my voice lower now. The words felt heavier than I expected. “I can feel it. Something we’re missing.”

“And it is driving me insane.”

Jared is silent again for a long moment before finally clapping a hand on my shoulder.

“Let’s handle things one step at a time,” he says. “First things first—the raid’s about to start.”

I glanced at my status. He was right. One step at a time. We had seen so much growth, so much experience. On one hand I was so excited for how we were doing. On the other hand? I kept feeling the gnawing sense in the back of my mind.

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One step at a time. Then why did it feel like those steps were leading straight off a cliff?