World Hopping With Gacha

The 5th trial began, and I found myself standing at the edge of the Broken Woods again. Beyond the trees, the shimmering river stretched out, its gentle current flowing toward what I assumed was Riverfort. According to Elise, following the river would lead us to the town in about two days on foot.

Turning to the group of women and children, I said, "You should all rest and clean yourselves up by the river while I go hunt for food."

They nodded, relief evident on their faces at the prospect of a brief respite. I ventured back into the forest, keeping my senses sharp for any signs of game. It wasn't long before I came across a deer grazing in a clearing. With a clean shot using my reinforced knife, I brought it down and gathered some wild fruits from nearby bushes for good measure.

---

As I made my way back to the riverbank, I stumbled upon a large group of wild horses grazing near the water. They were majestic creatures, their coats gleaming in the sunlight. An idea struck me—these horses could help us reach Riverfort much faster than walking.

I approached them cautiously. The leader of the herd, a black stallion with piercing eyes, stepped forward protectively, his muscles tense as he assessed me.

"What do you want, human?" he asked, his tone wary.

"I need your help," I replied, keeping my voice calm and respectful. "There are women and children who need to reach safety in a nearby town. If you and your herd assist us, I'll provide you with food in return."

The stallion snorted, clearly unimpressed. "Why should we trust you? Humans bring nothing but trouble."

"I understand your hesitation," I said. "But look at them. Those people are defenseless and in need."

The stallion paused, glancing back at his herd. After a moment of silence, he turned to me again. "We will help—but only if your words are true. Bring us food, and we'll carry your people to safety."

"Deal," I said, nodding firmly.

Satisfied, I offered them the fruits I had gathered and promised more if they helped us. The stallion seemed content with the arrangement, and I climbed onto his back. Surprisingly, riding felt as natural as breathing.

---

When I returned to the riverbank, I was greeted by a refreshing sight. The group had cleaned themselves up, their spirits lifted as they rested by the water. The children were laughing, their faces finally free of fear.

Elise approached me, her hair now clean and shimmering under the sunlight.

"You have blonde hair," I observed, surprised at the transformation.

She nodded, brushing a strand behind her ear. "Yes. After washing off all the dirt and grime, I feel... human again."

I smiled and said, "You look nice—definitely better than you did earlier."

Elise blinked in surprise, her cheeks flushing at the unexpected compliment. Clearly flustered, she quickly changed the subject. "What's with all the horses?"

"Oh, right," I said, chuckling. "I almost forgot. With their help, we'll reach Riverfort in just a few hours instead of two days."

Her eyes widened. "Really?"

"Yeah. Tell everyone to get ready. The horses will carry us. Put the children on the younger ones, and let's move out."

---

The group eagerly mounted the horses, the children giggling in delight as they clung to the smaller animals. Elise climbed onto the back of a sleek white mare, while I remained on the black stallion, who introduced himself as Shadow.

As we rode alongside the river, the pace was brisk but comfortable. The once-tiring journey now felt almost effortless, with the rhythmic sound of hooves against the ground providing a sense of calm.

Elise rode beside me, glancing occasionally in my direction. "How did you manage to convince wild horses to help us?" she asked, clearly still amazed.

I grinned. "I have my ways."

---

By late afternoon, the walls of Riverfort came into view. The fortified town was perched along the riverbank, its tall stone walls and watchtowers a testament to its strategic importance. As we approached the gates, the guards stationed above shouted down to us.

"State your business!"

Elise stepped forward, her voice steady and authoritative. "We're survivors. We were taken by slavers but managed to escape thanks to this man." She gestured toward me.

The guards exchanged glances before signaling for the gates to be opened. The heavy wooden doors creaked as they swung inward, revealing the bustling town beyond.

---

As we entered Riverfort, the townsfolk gathered around, their faces a mix of curiosity and relief. Word quickly spread about the group of survivors and the stranger who had led them to safety.

The town's leader, a grizzled man named Captain Alden, greeted us personally. "You've done these people a great service," he said, shaking my hand firmly. "Riverfort owes you a debt of gratitude."

"You don't owe me anything, it just seemed the right thing to do," I replied simply.

Elise stepped forward, addressing the captain. "The slavers who took us might still be out there. They were operating near the Broken Woods and using the river to transport their captives. If they're not stopped, more lives will be at risk."

Alden nodded grimly. "We'll send patrols to investigate. Thank you for bringing this to our attention."

---

As the group settled into the safety of Riverfort, I found a quiet corner to rest. Shadow and his herd had decided to remain outside the town, preferring the freedom of the open fields.

Elise approached me, a faint smile on her lips. "You really are something, you know that?"

I raised an eyebrow. "Something good, I hope."

She laughed softly. "Yes, something good. Thank you for everything."

I waved her off. "It's nothing. Just doing what I can."

---Note

If you find any Writing or Grammatical errors, mention it in the Paragraph Comment.