"The third task is administration. I'll have some of you routinely check up on every person in the outer settlements. Anyone who is in need dire help may reciece help from me. Don't announce this, as I'd hate for Gunlaug to hear about this too soon. But offer them help in my name if they seem distressed."
This was a task people seemed to be eager to take. It was simple, they'd get to interact with people, lessening the burden of loneliness that many suffered, and they'd get priority on food and help from Caster as well. It was safe and provided a level of stability.
"I'll try to help as long as it is within my capabilities."
The reason Caster was taking such roles was because this would turn the people to trust him further and faster. He needed to be fully trusted before the main trio arrives after all.
"Fourth and final task can be, guarding the food. Nothing major, but having food stolen would look bad. So we should try to avoid that."
Caster chuckles lightly.
"Well, these are the only tasks I deemed necessary so far. So, you can choose to do whatever you like. I'll redistribute some work depending on the work load. And, you guys can have multiple tasks if you want that."
Before anyone could say anything, Caster spoke again.
"Apart from that, I want you all to train as well. If you don't have weapon memories, create mundane ones for emergency scenarios and at least train your bodies. Now, you may discuss this among yourselves. I'll wait a few minutes. Don't hesitate to ask questions."
For a while the group was being rowdy. Constant murmuring, which was obvious, they had to discuss the things.
Eventually, people started coming up to Caster, who was now sitting on a pile of rocks now, and telling him what they have decided.
One, then two, then five, and eventually all thrity two of them.
It had been roughly an hour of discussion.
'Finally, why would they even take so long?'
In the end, of the thirty two people, sixteen people chose to help out with administration and food distribution, five people chose to guard the food supplies and anything else that they would get, and surprisingly elevel people chose to with Caster and Effie on the hunts.
'They seem to understand the significance of strength over comfort. Good. I'll make you all stronger, don't worry.'
Caster claps to get the attention of all of them.
"Okay, now that the work is distributed, go on do your stuff. The people who chose to go on the hunts. Go prepare, we'll leave an hour, if Effie comes. Meet me back right here after preparing. I'll go gett Effie."
"Yes sir!"
"On it!"
"Yes My Lord."
Turning around, Caster gave them a wave from behind and started moving towards Effie's hut.
"Oh boy, she'll be the death of me."
Upon reaching there, he knocked at her door.
"Open up, wench, or I'll slam the door down."
Knocks again.
"I said open up!"
Knocks again.
"I'm counting to three. One... two..."
Just then he heard a groan from inside.
Effie shouted: "Okay, okay I get it, I'm up now."
A few seconds later, she opened the door. What Caster saw definitely startled him. He knew it wasn't out of expectations but still...
Seeing a naked Effie would startle anyone.
"Wear some damned clothes!"
"Don't sweat the little stuff, unless something you have is also little."
Caster glares at her in mock disdain.
"I am talking about a sense of humour! What else were you thinking, perverted boy?"
'I totally get your pain Sunny. She's such a pain in the ass, oh my god.'
"Hah, just summon an armor Effie."
Summoning the armor, Effie looked at Caster softly, almost uncharacteristically.
Caster noticed the soft look and returned a small smile.
"Ready to leave for our hunts?"
She yawns again.
"Uwaaah... yeah, sure. In a few minutes at least."
"I hope you focus during the hunts at least... oh and eleven people will follow us to the hunts."
Surprised, Effie asks simply: "Why?"
"I'm going to show them some real battles and train them eventually. They'll also help me carry the carcasses back to the base. Unlike you, I don't have a spatial memory, or the strength to carry literal tons of carcasses on my pocket."
Effie tilted her head a little.
"I see, so you're starting a new army for yours. I guess to fight Gunlaug's army."
Caster shook his head.
"No, but you'll see. No need to ask, I'm not telling... not now at least."
After a light pause he continued: "But I will in the future, don't worry."
Effie simply shurgged.
"If you say so."
"Anything you need to prepare?"
Effie thinks for a bit.
"No, not really. I've everything important in my bag anyways."
"Alright then, let's go hunt."
Caster turns around and starts walking towards the camp. Effie followed. The two bantered here and there, and the overall vibes between them was also good.
It genuinely felt like Caster was bonding with someone as 'truly him' for the first time since he came to this world.
Yes, there were still ulterior motives, but that didn't change the bond. Plus, everyone has ulterior motives anyways, at least in this god forsaken shore.
'Even me...'
Upon reaching the camp, they waited a few minutes for all of followers to show up. They all had makeshift swords and spears, barely good enough to fight with, but better than nothing.
"Remember, your goal is transporting, not fighting. If push comes to shove, abandon the others and run to safety. All of you will be given soul shards once every 3 or so days. The frequency might increase in the future."
They all shouted in unison, telling Caster that they're happy.
"Good... also, anytime you see vines, notify the others. We'll need them to transport the carcasses, so we must collect as much as we can."
After a few more minutes of stragtegy talks, Caster and Effie along with the eleven transporter, followed into the jungle. The distance wasn't large, but it was definitely challenging to get to.
Soon they met a monster, then a beast, a demon, another monster and so on.
Effie and Caster worked together so well, and they effortlessly killed the monsters. The amount of carcasses being raked in a single day kept increasing.
The load on the porters increased and soon it was evening itself. They couldn't risk more at night.
A lot of the carcasses were disintegrated cuz Effie was too damn strong!
And just like that, the sun was already setting. Effie and Caster helped were with the pulling, bringing down the struggle a lot.
They had thirty five carcasses.
'Oh i'm gonna advance to the next class much faster at this rate.'
Despite the fact that they were sharing the shards, the rate at which they were getting them was much higher than that.
They reached the outer settlements and stored all the food they had, after Effie took like a quater to a third of it.
Then, after that, he gave three of the eleven people here some memories he got.
They were all swords. The sword he uses normally is way better that the swords he just got. So he had no need for them anyways.
Though, Effie kept the memories she got.
After giving the memories to them, he looked at them calmly, contemplating his words,
"Train and get stronger in your free time."
'I'm speaking the obovious... I'm sure they'd do that either ways.'
Then he turned to the people who got nothing.
"I'll also get all of you some memories soon too, don't worry."
Effie had disappeared as soon as Caster began managing the camp.