Kael stood slowly, the moonlight catching the faint glint of the obsidian shard dug in the butchered body of the beast.
The crowd hushed as Kael walked toward the carcass.
Thran and Lira looked on with quiet anticipation. Braka, leaning back with a bruised arm, stared with narrowed eyes, his gaze thoughtful, curious.
Once again, he had opened his wound in the earlier hunt.
Hence, a green paste could be seen sticking on his arm.
Kael said nothing at first and just walked towards the butchered prey. The choicest cut had already been set aside—a portion from the beast's thickest loin, where the fat melted into muscle, tender and rich.
The old butcher had reserved this part for Kael.
Kael picked it up gently as if it were more than just food.
Upon being exiled, he hadn't even dreamt of having such a feast. But now, here they were having a feast even better than the ones in their original village.
Kael raised the piece high and spoke, "This land we now stand upon, this paradise was not found by my strength alone."
Kael's voice was neither loud nor meek. But it was a clear and calm voice that reached the ears of those listening.
Hearing his words, a few of the wolf-kin exchanged glances.
"It was a gift," Kael continued, "guided by the will of a being who watches over us."
The members of the tribe let out a gasp as they exchanged confused glances. What was he talking about? They couldn't comprehend.
Kael turned his gaze to the sky, where the moon seemed to glow brighter at the moment.
"If it weren't for his guidance, we wouldn't have made it here. This land, this hunt, and our lives, we owe it to his grace. He's the one who saved us."
"Who are you talking about, Kael?"
One of the tribe members couldn't refrain from asking. Kael kept praising this being, but he didn't reveal who or what this being was.
The murmurs began, hushed and uncertain.
Kael, however, kneeled and placed the choice cut atop a flat stone.
"He's our God, our guardian, our savior," Kael answered before continuing. "To our God, the divine flame who brought us light in darkness. I offer this first bite in reverence and gratitude for your grace. May he watch over us as we build anew."
Kael lowered his gaze; both his actions and words seemed weird to the rest of the tribe members.
However, none dared to ask further, and a solemn silence fell upon the clearing.
Though it sounded strange, they couldn't help but feel pressed. Even those who knew nothing of this so-called "God" found themselves stilled by the weight in Kael's voice and by the sincerity in his gesture.
It looked like whatever he was conveying was the truth.
Doubt crept into their heart as they hesitated about the existence of this so-called "God".
However, this doubt vanished when both Lira and Thran stepped forward and kneeled with their head bowed.
Even Thran, who was still recovering, was on the ground, kneeling.
This created a stir in their heart. But soon enough, Braka joined them as well. Then others began to chime in. Soon enough, the entire tribe was kneeling and praying.
[Congratulations! You have amassed ten followers.]
[Congratulation! You are now the sole god of this wolf-kin tribe.]
[Bonus triggered: +100 miracle points]
[Bonus triggered: Divine Protection (Temporary)]
Ethan's face blossomed as his lips curled into a smile. Finally, he had achieved something substantial. With 100 miracle points, now some of his abilities had been unlocked. Now he could perform a few small-scale divine interventions such as healing, guidance, temporary blessing, or insight.
Ethan then proceeded to check on his other bonus reward.
[Divine Protection (Temporary)]
[For the next few days, the tribe's hunting and scouting parties experience fewer hostile encounters. Natural hazards (storms, quakes, wild beasts) are subtly redirected or dampened.]
[Duration: 15 days]
"Then for fifteen days, they won't encounter trouble, huh? It's even better… This period will allow us to set our camp in peace and build our foundation."
Ethan couldn't help but feel satisfied with the rewards.
Ethan then looked at the screen where his followers were sending their respect. Since he had earned quite a bit of miracle points due to their effort, he decided to use some of them on them.
"Let's see… What would help them right now?" Ethan wondered as he began to select the unlocked blessings to cast upon the tribe.
"Oh, yeah. It'd work," Ethan's eyes perked up as he found one suitable blessing to bestow.
"What's happening?"
"I don't feel fatigue anymore."
"My eyesight is better now."
Confusion spread among the tribe as some of the members felt a strange power coursing through their bodies. Those with worse eyesight found their sight improving, while those troubled by aches found their aches easing.
Even Thran, who was still suffering, found his injuries getting better. It was as if he had skipped a month's worth of healing.
Just what was happening?
The tribe members couldn't comprehend. But Kael knew exactly what was happening.
"It's the grace of our lord. He has heard your voice and has answered our prayers." Kael exclaimed.
Upon hearing him, intense reverence welled up from their heart, and the tribe members lowered their heads in gratitude.
Just like Kael had said, this being was truly magical.
**** ****
Swoosh!
The sword sliced through the air, missing its target.
"Your swordsmanship has improved, young lord. If I hadn't reacted fast, I would have been cut."
"Talk less and focus on the duel, Elrien," a young elf grumbled as he swung his sword.
He sliced to the right. But he shifted the direction midway, attempting to catch his opponent off guard.
His opponent, a rather old elf with pointed ears and long, silver-white hair tied back neatly, grinned as he sensed the change.
"Not bad, young lord," he praised before parrying the strike. "But it'll take more than just this if you want to beat me."