After Surviving the Apocalypse, I Built a City in Another World - Chapter 396

Chapter 396: Companion
He saw that the humans had resumed the fight and Gochi immediately shook his head of the distracting thoughts. It was shameful to be saved by the masters, and so many times!

Immediately, he lunged and attacked a nearby monster. It was around his level, but he was unafraid.

He raised his hand and his claws transformed, becoming lethally sharp.

[Used Swipe (E)! -2 Mana]

[Used Swipe (E)! -2 Mana]

He jumped at an odd angle and used his tail to keep his balance. He landed smoothly on the monster’s nose—showing great control over his body. His hands moved fast as he continuously landed hit after hit.

[Used Grab (E), -5 Mana]

With a swift slash of his arm, he stabbed its eye to its brain. He then pulled it out, its brains dragged out of its head.

[Killed! Orgoi (Lvl 13)! +370 Experience, +370 Copper!]

If humans needed 5 trained men to deal with a beast of the same level, orcs could take on one on his own or even two.

In terms of physical strength, half-orcs were a bit weaker than pureblood orcs but they had bigger brains, so they might not necessarily be weaker in battle.

Heaving a deep breath, Gochi watched as the humans bravely stood against the mob, head-on. He watched as they killed off the monster without even looking at him for help.

Before, when there were mobs, there was no lack of humans—mostly nobles and rich citizens as they were ordered to save nobles during battle. In these cases, the nobles and rich humans often yelled for them to come and save them, even if it meant they had to let themselves get slashed on the way there.

However, he noticed that while the Alterans often looked to his and the others’ direction, including his direction, it was not to ask for help. In contrast, their stares were inquisitive with traces of concern.

It was as if to check… if he was alright.

He didn’t know how to absorb the changes so he simply did what he had done best: Fighting.

He quickly ran to another monster, raising his arms up high, stabbing the monster at its weak spots.

He did this over and over, killing as many as he could, hopefully as fast—if not faster—than the others.

He was determined to be impressive. They treated him more than just a meat shield, so he must show them that they weren’t wrong to do so.

…

The fight ended half an hour later, with them panting a bit due to the sheer number of the mob. “That was easily a hundred right?”

Even Cassandra’s level 20 guards got tired. To be fair though, that was a mob with leaders over level 10. They might be so much weaker individually, but together they would really be able to take their lives if they weren’t careful.

“That was a strong mob, I thought there should only be level 8s around?” Gill asked with furrowed eyebrows.

“Well, while it’s rare, it’s not unheard off. It seems that some stronger monsters do occasionally go to the areas of weaker territories, usually if it is a new area as if to check it.” The aborigine explained, “This is rare, usually monsters didn’t bother with weak aether.”

Gill and the others looked at each other worriedly, hoping no such mobs found Altera. Of course, Altera’s strong wall could defend it, but there might still be losses.

They sighed, knowing what they could do was just get back and help.

Before they proceeded, Gill went to Gochi to acknowledge his large contribution. He patted the man’s shoulders—a few inches above his by the way—and nodded coolly.

“Good job.”

This made the half-orc flinch and look down in shyness. “…thank you, master.”

Gill shook his head. “I told you. We don’t keep slaves. Just companions,” he said, and looking at the glazed look, his lips twitched upwards. “You’ll see.”

Gill didn’t say anymore and turned away, heading back to the front of the party to lead the movements.

Gochi watched the leader’s back, still with the same dazed look.

A companion?

He had heard this several times now, but he couldn’t wrap his mind around it.

It didn’t help that from the corner of his eyes, he could see the guards from Ferrol looking at them weirdly.

He bent down his head by instinct.

Indeed, that was how people looked at them, at best. This was already very kind. The looks he was used to receiving were either derision or disgust from common folk and perverted looks from the rich people who could afford to buy them.

Anyway, the group traveled a few more hours, dealing with mobs that were, fortunately, weaker… and sparser.

“We hadn’t encountered a mob for almost an hour now,” an aborigine said, and a nearby Alteran soldier answered with a shrug.

“Altera probably cleaned up,” Mao said, “Poor guys probably had to travel a bit to get mobs now.”

Cassandra’s guards just blinked and looked at each other. Mao didn’t bother explaining more, as he was already thinking of what food to buy at this time.

The group walked further and eventually, they could see a massive wall not too far away.

As they approached, the Aborigines couldn’t help but look at the five-meter wall in surprise. “I didn’t know there was such a big town he—

[Welcome to Altera Village! Please pay 5 copper coins as Visitors’ fee.

[Temporary Residency: 3 silver and 100 Contribution Points.

[Permanent Residency: 10 Gold and 1000 contribution points.

[Please pay according to your needs. Please don’t forget to register in the Village Center for more information!

[Do familiarize yourself with Altera Village’s Rules and Regulations below: …]

The Aborigines were shocked. So cheap! Even lower than the villages with level 1 walls!

In contrast, the Alterans looked at each other with raised eyebrows. The prices for Residency costs had increased, and there were still contribution points required on both!

Many people must’ve been regretting not buying residences as soon as possible! Good thing they registered as soon as they could! Hallelujah!

Of course, the territory probably announced it before increasing prices, which meant that the residency probably also spiked in the past few days.

This made sense. Altera was too good to charge so cheaply.

Anyway, they didn’t change the prices of visitors pass, allowing the true poor to maintain decent living inside.

This was the perfect compromise for everyone.

…

All newcomers couldn’t help but look at their surroundings in interest. The locals also turned to look at them, greeting the locals, while giving the others not-so-subtle stares.

“Welcome back!”

“Was the trip successful?”

Someone grabbed Luis’ shoulders and gave supposedly subtle stares at the unfamiliar faces. “Is that them? The aborigines?!”

Luis placed a hand over his face. “Stop blowing on my ear it’s disgusting! Also, everyone can hear you.”

“…” He awkwardly waved at the aborigines who were staring at him,

“Hello~”

The aborigines nodded, and some awkwardly followed his greeting and waved their hands. The man smiled at their cooperation. “Welcome to Altera! You’ll definitely love it here!”

With his example, a lot of people surrounded the aborigines. They primarily asked how was their trips (the polite alternative to ‘How strong are they?’ and ‘Are they from afar?’), and the aborigines answered as they could.

The guards and the maids couldn’t help but look at their bosses—nobles who sometimes had a snobbish attitude—but fortunately, they didn’t seem offended.

On the contrary, they seemed to be having fun.

Veronica even took advantage and smiled at a man, making him enter a daze. “Do you know a handsome blonde named Brandon? He’s part of the Terran Mercenary Team.”

There was a second of silence before more and more people converged. They knew there was definitely tea here.

“OHHH~”

“Brandon’s got a love life!”

“KYAAA~”

The aborigines were a little surprised, especially the nobles, but they all felt the positive energy and just couldn’t help but chuckle with them.

On the other side of the party, Gochi was also surrounded… by children, and he had no idea what to make of it.

“…”

He looked at the people staring at him in curiosity. He was both intimidated and shy but not… scared.

It all felt very new. Although the soldiers were similar, such stares coming from weak humans felt different.

As they traversed the avenue, the children loved to follow him around and touch his tail, unlike those children back in Hoskel who were either scared of them or threw stones and wood at them.

Well, at least they could sell those resources in the village center…

“Are you a dog?”

“No, it’s a cat!” A little girl said. “Right, Horus?”

“It’s a fox, Maya!” The boy said, “Look at his tail!”

“Ooohhh! So cool!”

Even the adults were whispering. “I hear he’s a half-orc.”

“…bestiality?” Someone asked, but he had a weird smile on his face (which promptly earned him a slap on the head).

“You pervert!”

A lot of girls couldn’t help but look at him dreamily. “He looks so fluffy…” They said, “He’s also handsome…”

“Can I pat him?”

No matter what they were talking about, he sensed no hostility. They were even warm and friendly, and it made him truly understand Gill’s words.

‘We don’t have slaves, only companions.’

For the first time in a long time, Gochi finally smiled.