500th Time Reborn, A World Only Known By Women: The Karma System

During my walk back, I skipped around and stopped in a few places to set some traps on the few track sets of Boar-wolves that I found, but there weren't as many as I thought there would be. That could just mean that they were staying away from the populated areas, and that would make sense, but I would have to see what the girls in the tower reported. I was also surprised that I found no ectoplasm as I looked around.

Everything about today was weird. The two girls going missing had made me think it was done by the cultists but finding out there were supernatural monsters surprised me. It also created more problems for me that I really didn't need right now. There was also one more thing that I needed to deal with before I got back into town: to make sure that Carly and I were on the same page.

She was still sleeping in my arms, but I removed the spell and slowed down with the Calham just in sight, making Carly slowly wake up in my arms. She looked up at me slowly and then looked around at the dark forest we were in.

"M-my head… What happened?" Carly asked as she looked at me with a tired expression and then rubbed it lightly.

I gave her a weak smile meant to ease her fears, but I was debating on how much information I should give her. "You were just asleep. A lot has happened, but I rescued Lana and Mona, and some other girls. There could be more monsters out here, so I think we should start telling people to get the town ready for an attack. I think that one is coming, but there is one more thing. You have seen me in my true form, and you can't tell anyone about that, and for now, you will be staying in the room beside mine so I can keep an eye on you," I explained, but Carly shook her head.

"I won't tell anyone, but staying in the inn is pointless when I have a house! You and Leafa can stay there with me, and you can keep an eye on me there. I won't tell anyone your secret. I honestly thought I was going to be fed to that screaming woman, but I am still alive, and I feel like I should be able to trust you about the other girls being alive, but why are they not with us?" Carly asked as I started to walk again.

"They were all too weak, but they also saw me, which is too many people to worry about. I also need people out in that tower to watch the movements of the monsters in the area. Like I said, I am sure there is something brewing, and I didn't come here just for fun. There are also Cultists in this town that I have to find, along with a demoness, so the fewer people they can get information out of to uncover me, the better," I explained as I put Carly down to walk on her own, but she still held onto my arm.

"I see, so I am sort of like your prisoner then?" Carly asked with a sigh as she held on and looked up at me.

"Not really, but I guess so. I would rather you stay here of your own accord and not need you to think that I was forcing you in any way. You did offer your house for the three of us to stay in, right? I am just trying to keep you close so I can keep you safe. I need you to talk to people and explain to them what happened and embellish the story a bit, but without revealing me," I explained as we walked into town, where the streets were starting to get very quiet, and only random people running into stores were on the streets, but it was getting dark out. "For now, let's go get Leafa, and you can tell the people what happened over supper."

Carly seemed a bit confused, but she nodded as we walked through town to where Olivia and I were staying under the names Rosie and Leafa. I was pretty sure that she would keep my secret safe, but there was one thing that I had discounted.

​ The Vine.

This presented a serious problem, but it also could make for the perfect tool to spread information. The problem was that I didn't know how far the Vine could reach, meaning I didn't know if the girls could talk to anyone out at the Watch Tower or in reverse.

I kept the question in my mind until we got to the inn and found Olivia/Leafa sitting at our table with a group of familiar women. They were the same ones that were sitting beside us last night and included Karen, who had stood up and challenged me.

"Rosie! You made it back! I was worried that something had happened!" Olivia said dramatically, and I nodded.

"Something did, and Carly here can tell these girls about it, but I need to have a word with Leafa in private first, and then we will come back out," I explained and then looked at Carly. "Make sure that you don't go anywhere, and keep in contact if anyone tries anything, okay?"

Carly nodded as two of the women got up to let Olivia out, letting Carly slide in and take her place. I took Olivia's hand and led her from the group, but now all the eyes in the tavern were on us. I ignored them and pulled Olivia up to our room, and closed the door before letting out a long sign.

"What happened out there?!" Olivia asked as I went over to sit on the bed, but then I put up a hand.

"First, how far does the Vine reach?" I asked, and Olivia paused, putting a finger to her chin thoughtfully.

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