'Sometimes, I look at my fellow colleagues whose abilities are inherently loud and destructive, and I cannot help but admire them a little bit. I know their jobs aren't any easier than mine, but standing out of direct fire while raining death from above with their Arts...you get the idea.
Well, this job's relatively easy compared to others, but with all the explosions and whatnot, I'll probably try for the other requests before taking this one again. Loud explosions make my ears ring, and reminds me too much of a trio. The smell of scorched earth, meteors raining from the sky and the volcano erupting...we are on the same side, and I thank the Doctor for that.
Besides, I didn't get to fight much! Because it's an escort request, I couldn't stray too far from the sappers. Anything I couldn't down in one hit along the way and managed to run away ended up escaping, and I couldn't very well go after them and finish the job while ditching my charges, could I? This irritating feeling of letting prey slip right past me...grrr! This is why I don't do escorts much!
Also, I don't know why it's happening, but monsters run away when I try to kill them! They run away even before I try to kill them! I'd round the corner and spot a few kobolds hanging out in the distance, they'll spot me, look at each other, then run away. Like, at least take a swing or something! You're monsters, aren't you?
But anyway, I had a very boring escort mission where I ended up killing zero monsters. Believe me, I counted, and even the ones who attacked yeeted back out within minutes of engagement. We made the journey so smoothly that by the time the sappers had finished setting the bombs up and whatnot, I doubt the strike force had even made contact with the enemy. So we placed our ears against the walls and floor and listened.
Yeah, that was what I was thinking at that time.
Silence. We were at the correct place, but there was no sounds of combat going on. Just to be on the safe side, we waited another ten minutes. Then another ten more.
Just to be sure I confirmed with one of the sappers that this was indeed the location we were supposed to be at. He pulled out some kind of wrist device, checked it a few times, and nodded with absolute certainty. The others did their own checks, and we arrived at the conclusion that we were in position.
So where was the strike force and the enemies?
After a further twenty minutes of absolutely no activity, one of the sappers took out some kind of orb from his belt and started poking at some kind of handheld control. The orb grew a tripod of legs and crawled off.
We waited for about ten more minutes before the orb came back smudged in blood. At that point we got real uneasy, so me and another dwarf headed in the direction the orb had came from, to check on what's up.
Everything that was in that tunnel, strike force or snake, was dead. The blood was positively everywhere. And lying on the floor in plain sight was some sort of lumpy, quivering red mess...which twitched and started crawling towards us as soon as the firelight from the burning torch illuminated it...we hightailed it right out of there and I told the dwarf to get back to his fellows and then blow up the tunnel, because whatever the thing was, it definitely wasn't allowed to grow past infancy.
And then...well. I'm still alive to write the report, and I'm thankful to mention that the only one of our party that got somewhat banged up was me. Those sappers got the message and collapsed the entire tunnel just in time, bringing down the ceiling and the creature with it. Speaking from an objective viewpoint, the task was largely a success, and the snakes wouldn't be able to use this particular tunnel to reach the city again, but...
With the facial expressions on the corpses of the annihilated task force, I'm not sure if I want to know exactly how they met their demise; all I know is that the air in the then-uncollapsed tunnel smelled of extreme peril, and whatever that lumpy, slimy thing had been...
I have a feeling the explosion had only delayed it slightly.'
Description:
An adventure named Ryzen discovered several glowy stones containing mana inside it. Please find the mineral vein under the riverbed or trace the source of the Mana Glowstone. If you find any useful usage of these minerals, feel free to report it. I will prepare the finest weapon for a non-rank adventurer.
Rewards:
EXP: 40
Money: 10G
Item: One metal weapon of your choosing (Completed the Minor Objective to obtain this reward.)
Item: A mini portable mana battery. (Filled it with a Mana Glowstone to efficiently absorb the mana containing inside it.)
Zorion Returned to the guild with a sack of Mana Glowstone
Dear Guild Staff
I have gathered these glowing stones from the riverbed of Slimecreek. As I suspected there was a vein of the minerals that reach deeper into the earth and I beleive it reached the underground water way from the mountains of the north. In a previous quest to for moonlight water, I suspected the very force that makes the mineral glows is same thing that gives moonlight water its healing properties.
Incidentally, I observed the quest posted by Adventurer Okarin , who claims that there are friendly slimes. Slimes located near slimecreek. This phenomenon, this pacification of slime may be related to the glow of these glow stones.
I advice the guild to investigate this coincidence and perhaps the research and discovery of the glow may help us pacify the slime horde and avoid futher blood shed. I remain
Find out how Jackrol "The Faint" obtained the key.
(Bonus) Identify the perpetrator/accomplice.
Description: Jackrol "The Faint" almost managed to escape, fortunately adventurer Reival managed to stop him. Details are in this report. You are free to ask any of the guards but you are not allowed in any officer's office without their permission.
Rewards:
EXP: 130 (20)
Money: 20(10) G
OOC: Any who accept this quest can name the female warden.
Vysic was browsing the quest board and then he spotted something of interest.
Mystery Key.
Vysic made his way back to the prison. He had earned himself somewhat of a reputation, after all he was the only one who willingly did a shift to Cell Block S.
"Ah Mr. Vysic here for a prison duty shift? If so I'd be willing to give you Cell -", A guard asked eagerly.
"No Sorry, I'm here to see the warden.", Vysic answered abruptly.
"Really? Fuck! Damn it!", the guard yelled as he walked away.
Sucks for him.
Vysic made his way to the warden's office. As he opened the door, he was shown a rather lavish room. The room was lit by an iron chandelier which hung from the ceiling, there was a bookshelf full of various books, a wine cabinet and and in the centre was a beautifully crafted wooden table.\
"So. You here about the Key?"
The distracted Vysic snapped back to attention when he heard the voice. It was loud, strong and commanding. He looked up to see the source of the voice and came face to face with the warden herself. She had long red hair and an eye patch on her right eye.
"Uh, Yes Ma'am! I'm Vysic, I accepted the Mystery Key Quest!"
Hearing that name, a small smile came on her mouth.
"Good. Close the door."
Vysic closed the door as well as locking it.
"Let me be short Mr. Vysic. I think there's a mole in my team. I can find and deal with him, but I need proof to instigate an investigation. That's where you come in. Find out how Jackrol got the key, and that'll be enough proof.", She yelled while handing him the key. "I'm expecting a lot from you... Libido Killer. NOW GET A MOVE ON!"
"Yes Ma'am", Vysic yelled back, instinctively saluting her and running out of the room.
God she was scary. Wait did she call me- Nah, no way.
Vysic held the key firmly in his hand, and started to go around asking the guards questions.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Nothing.
There was nothing abnormal about the day Jackrol broke out. Everything was normal, everyone had the same shifts, the same procedures, the same everything!
Looks like I'll have to do this the hard way.
He made his way to Jackrol's cell.
Luckily Jackrol was still there, but more chained than ever even. It seems that he hadn't recovered from his beating from the previous adventurer which was good. Vysic dismissed the nearby guard.
"Hey Jackrol, who gave you the key?"
"Like I'll talk! I'll be free sooner or later. You're holding the proof!"
"Securities tighter than ever there's no way that you'll be able to escape again."
"But I always do! HAHAHA! I've got friends everywhere you see. Friends within my friends even! HAHA!"
Is he batshit insane?
"Don't make me hurt you."
"Like hell you can! I'd like to see you try. Go on then. Open the door. You've got the key right? OPEN IT!", Jackrol yelled as he made a twisted smile.
"We'll see about that.", Vysic responded as he made his own twisted smile.
He had learnt a new hex, one which proved to be perfect for this situation. He bit his finger and began to chant some unintelligible words.
"What are you doing? Think some words are gonn- AH! ARGH! RAARGH!"
Jackrol began to roll in pain as he was engulfed in a dim red glow. He was screaming, yelling, his body was moving like a fish out of water.
Antis Paps, a spell specifically made for punishment. The conditions for usage were that the person must not be one that possesses a good heart, can only be cast on someone injured. The spell causes pain from unhealed wounds to be re-inflicted on the user. It is not recommended on combat as even though the target can feel pain, they will not be immobilised.
"Does it hurt? Stupid question, guessing by your pissed pants and foaming mouth it probably does."
"I'llsh Nevarsh TALAARRGHHHHH" (I'll never talk)
Vysic then remembered something specifically on Reival's report.
"I wonder what happens if I target your scar."
"NO PLEASH YARRRRGH ."
The sound of the screams echoed throughout the corridors, but nobody would check. He was here on behalf of the Warden after all.
40 minutes had passed.
"Want to continue?"
"NO PLEASE! I'LL TALK I'LL TALK!"
Vysic made a twisted grin upon hearing this.
"Well then speak. Jackass."
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
"So... One of my guards was murdered and then a look alike came in posing as him using a face changing potion, then bribed the prison cook to hide the key in his food, and then killed and posed as another guard who was checking the food. Then left the guard in charge as the scapegoat.", She said looking at the confession note. "Rather complicated I must say. But it does explain why 1 of my guards abruptly announced that he was taking holiday leave."
"Yes Ma'am."
"It's Eliza. Eliza Vansworth.", She responded in a calm voice. "Honestly I didn't expect much from a level 3 adventurer, much less someone nicknamed the Libido Killer. What did you do to Jackrol? I heard his screams from over here, and my office is literally on the other side of the jail.
Is it the same thing you did to those perverts? Honestly, I didn't expect he'd scream that much from not being able to walk it."
"It was a hex, one that causes pain from the person's unhealed wounds. Als-"
"Eww that spell sounds freaky.", Eliza said as her body shivered. "Well here. I've marked the request as complete, you can run along now."
"Wait! This nick name... Libido Killer... could you please not call me that? Why are you calling me that?"
"Why not? In here having a nick name means you've accomplished something worthy. Like a right of initiation."
"Do you not like it? Would you prefer the Pervert Whisperer, Pleasure Taker, King of the Limp Dicks-"
"WHY ARE THERE SO MANY NAMES.", Vysic yelled.
"We're guards... We don't really have much to do. Making nicknames is one of our beloved past times. Now then since you cut me off, I'll list them all a-"
"I'm happy with Libido Killer. Thank you!", Vysic quickly replied as he went to leave.
"Do come back~ The prisoners in cell block S won't watch themselves~" Eliza shouted teasingly, as Vysic left the office.
While Vysic finished the quest, he was left a tinge frustrated. His new nickname. What would people think? What would his fellow adventurers think?
He could only hope that it'd never meet the light of day.
Aye, outstanding work. I can see that you have gained a title as well. Although it's quite a peculiar one, a title is a title. May your work uphold its meaning. The rewards as promised along with additional compensation.
Rewards:
EXP: 150
Money: 30 G
OOC: Please edit your post as evaluated in a noticeable way.
OOC: It seems you had fun with this.
Defend against the onslaught of giant poisonous snakes.
Prevent as few snakes as possible from slipping past the line.
(Note: Optional Party Quest)
Alarm! Alarm! Attack from the lakeside!Our forward group will take the high ground at Blackpine Slopes.Hold those those snakes at the foothills before the city!Damn, I hate those giant vipers and their poisonous veins.We kill Bloodbane Vipers by the scores and spill their blood...Yet any ground that their black ooze touches is tainted. Rewards:
'All I've been seeing lately are snakes, snakes, snakes and more snakes. Big snakes, small snakes, mutated snakes, snakehumans, human snakes, and whatnot. Gotta admit, I'm already starting to get tired of snakes. Like, I admit that snake meat can be a delicacy if prepared well, and their poisons are essential components in medicine, but I've been eating nothing but snake meat for the past few days. But again, it's cheap due to the...abundant source...and beats starving to death.
Anyway, after that mess in the mines, I was dying for some action. So I tagged along with the battalion of dwarves that were rushing out of the city with some large covered cart, and at the same time learnt the route to the slopes. Who knows when this information would come in handy in future?
But before that, a more integral question...
Why did most of them know who I was? Even if they didn't know my name, many of them greeted me as 'that one lass who's been running around'. I didn't even recognise the commanding dwarf when he clapped me on the back and thanked me.
I don't even remember doing anything new besides killing snakes!
But anyway, we reached the Blackpine Slopes and quite literally ran into the enemies. And naturally, the 'giant' in 'giant snakes' lives up to it's namesake. Thing's about as big as a Tunnel Worm and even uglier, if that was possible, with massive fangs and a really toxic attitude. It also sprays clouds of poison as a method of attacking. And there's more than just one of them on the way.
I was expecting some trouble since the snakes were faster than the tunneling worms, but before I could start thinking of countermeasures, the dwarves pelted them with scores of bombs...wait, tar and fire? But that's my method of dealing with heavy crawlers!
Why did the commanding dwarf turn to grin at me? I'm not understanding the inside joke here! And is it just me or does no one feel particularly stressed by the attack? They feel like they're going for a walk along the beach instead! And that poor snake's practically suffocating in the tar! Forget saturating the ground with poison, this place is really going to turn black from all the tar if you keep this up, you know? And that dwarf over there! I know it feels satisfying to watch something big burst into flames, but that poor snake's not been moving since a while ago! You can smell the meat cooking from this distance!
In the end, even though the attack totalled to about twelve or so Bloodbane Vipers...I only got to hit three of them. And those three vipers were already practically dead from burn wounds.
No, no, wait a minute here. I thought this was supposed to be a sudden attack! Where was the feeling of danger? What's with this relaxed atmosphere? Those snakes are dangerous, but why was this so easy?
Why does it feel like the dwarves would've been fine even if I didn't tag along?
No, no, no, it can't be. I'll go help out at the gates tomorrow. Today must have been a fluke. Yep, we got pretty lucky. Things will be more different at the gates, where the snakes are always attacking in hordes.
Survive for two weeks without any weapon except a knife.
Travel through Gem's Ravine and climb Bighorn Mountain.
Retrieve an egg from a Giant Kukuu Bird Nest.
Return to Scribel City with the egg intact.
Description
So you think you're strong enough to be Rank E? Pfft~ Don't get too cocky just because you've beaten up a few goblins with a fancy sword!
If you want to be Rank E, prove to me that you can survive in the wilderness without your precious weapons. I'll be confiscating those for safekeeping~ You can have a knife instead. Much of the world is wilderness and filled with monsters, so you won't survive for long if you can't handle a simple camping trip~! Of course, there will be monsters as you make your journey through Gem's Ravine. How will you handle them?
At the end of the canyon, please climb Bighorn Mountain. A colony of Giant Kukuu Birds make their nests close to the peak. Kukuu Birds are known to kidnap eggs from other species and raise them as their own, so you'll find all sorts of random creatures wandering the mountain. Please retrieve an egg from a Giant Kukuu Nest and escape with it. You better keep it intact, or else you fail!
Feeling confident yet? If you're not ready, come back and talk to me another day!
Reward
EXP:
400
Money:
30 G
Items:
Rank E Certificate
Random Egg (it might hatch!)
It finally is time for my exam. While others might be worried about this quest, I am not. After all, I do not require food, so the survival part is a breeze for me. And with my transmutation magic, a knife might as well equal any metal tool that isn't too large. So I, begrudgingly, hand in my equipment and start marching to Gem's Ravine.
As I do not take a single break on my way due to minimizing energy consumption by reducing my thought processes, I arrive after 22 hours and 11 minutes instead of the usual 36 hours. However, before entering the ravine, I take a moment of pause and dig myself a deep but small hole. Over the course of my time in the adventurer's guild, I have amassed enough magical energy to expand my core, and as the increase in power it would grant me should ensure my success in the exam, this is a good moment to perform the expansion.
I let my core and equipment drop down into the hole and fill it up with earth while my body, now without a steady supply of magical energy, slowly fades away into nothingness.
Halting thought process
Initiating Core-Expansion-01
Estimated time: 12 hours
...
Unknown Error
Unknown Data Discovered
Pausing Core-Expansion-01
Analyzing Unknown Data
Analyzing...
Analyzing...
Analyzing...
Analysis complete
Data has been named "Cosmic Algorithm"
Cosmic Algorithm has been deemed incomplete
Cosmic Algorithm has been verified as correct
Expanding Philosophy with Cosmic Algorithm
Expansion complete
Resuming Core-Expansion-01
...
Core-Expansion-01 complete
Resuming thought process
33 hours, 29 minutes, and 56 seconds have passed
Well, that was unexpected, but I am enlightened. If the world works like a computer and a single algorithm makes up the entirety of the natural laws, then everything simply is a stream of data continuously being processed by the Cosmic Algorithm. In that line of thought, if I can produce data, I can manipulate reality itself by feeding data to the cosmic algorithm - which equals the supernatural and magic. Now I finally understand - but if only I understood it all. For now, I know nothing but that the Cosmic Algorithm might exist, and that it is how I use magic.
Immediately proving this theory to myself, I use my magical energy to project an infinite string of data, applying transmutation magic to shift the earth around me away from my core while manifesting my body again.
With the expansion of my core complete, I now gather more magical energy and can perform far more calculations than before. To summarize, I have become a greater being. And as a greater being, it would be shameful not to understand human emotions. So I set aside a certain part of my calculative ability and establish a "Human Subroutine", that deals with deliberating humanity and simulates a human personality apart from the "Exal" program. Simulation has begun. Excellent.
Now it is time for me to focus on the E rank exam. I am behind schedule by 21 hours, 31 minutes and 34 seconds. Time to get going. With my newfound understanding of reality, I use my transmutation magic to permanently create a spear out of the knife and a solid stick, which will serve as my weapon for now. Then I proceed into the ravine, my eye continuously scanning the area for enemies.
Suddenly, I spot movement in the shadows. After quickly calculating the speed, weight, and size of the creature I decide to brace for the charge. Planting the end of the spear in the ground, I aim the spear at the wolf that is charging at me. At this point, it's too close to stop and impales itself on my spear, though the impact causes the spear's shaft to break. Not a big problem - I can always repair it.
The wolf howls in pain for a while before finally dying. Excellent. I recover my knife and restore it to its original form. Progressing on foot might be too time-consuming and fraught with dangers. So I turn to the trees. They seem to be solid enough, so I stash the knife in a pocket and climb up a tree before proceeding to jump from tree to tree, avoiding any predators that might be on the ground. But I can already see that I won't be able to keep this up the entire way, as the ravine isn't a particularly forested area.
By traveling over the trees as much as possible, I manage to pass halfway through the ravine within 31 hours and 45 minutes while avoiding any combat. It is at this point, however, that I decide that being so visible to anything in the air is a bad choice from now on, with how more frequent the Kukuu birds are flying around the area.
According to records, the monsters get more regular the deeper one is in the ravine, so it is not unlikely for me to face multiple enemies at once - which might be problematic. After traveling a bit further I spot a stick which would do well for my spear and drop down before immediately transmuting the knife and stick together into a makeshift spear.
Now, once again armed, I prowl onwards at a steady pace while remaining hidden most of the time. The monsters I encounter are far less reckless than the wolf I met at the beginning, usually retreating after getting wounded by me. And the ones that don't flee have no chance against my improved calculative abilities, easily predicting their paths and the exact amount of force they have. The few times that I come across a pack of monsters, I simply use my spear as a tool to easily jump onto a tree before moving onwards through the trees for a bit until they are not chasing me anymore, then instantly dropping back down onto the floor before continuing.
That way, I manage to reach the Bighorn Mountain after an additional 34 hours and 07 minutes. That makes a total traveling time of 65 hours and 52 minutes for the ravine, which means that I have saved 30 hours and 8 minutes compared to the time normal persons take. With this, I am ahead of schedule by exactly 8 hours and 37 minutes.
Now begins the real test. Climbing the mountain is the least of my worries, I am more worried about the monsters as well as the bad footing which, together, could become a real problem to deal with. I suppose the hiking path would be my best shot, though that might leave me open to attacks from the Kukuu birds. However, the steepness of the mountain gives me an idea.
In the next 30 minutes of my time, I look for minerals and hard gems. After gathering quite an amount of them, I stash them in a pocket before finally deciding on a route up the mountain. My choice is essentially a part of the mountain that is like a cliff, with cracks of varying sizes in it. Excellent for hiding in. Once I have restored the knife to its normal form with my transmutation magic, I discard the stick and start climbing up the cliff within a long crack which, conveniently, starts almost at the bottom of the cliff.
The crack proves to be an excellent choice as I remain hidden and protected from the birds flying around the mountain and most common predators in the area. 4 hours and 23 minutes after starting my climb, I hear the faint sound of something moving towards me from deeper within the crack. Without hesitating, I use my transmutation magic to shift the rock around my legs to create a stable hold for my feet while readying my knife in my right hand and forming a simple spike out of rock in my left hand. The sound seems to come closer, though it echoes around from the rock making it impossible for me to calculate the creature's position based on sound alone. So I strain my eyes, solely relying on the sun's light shining into the crack from behind me.
Exactly 17 seconds later, an unknown insectoid creature skitters into the light, its fangs bared at me - who simply thrusts forward the rock spike, badly injuring the creature which keeps crawling towards me. I draw back my left arm and thrust the knife into the insect from below, piercing through a soft spot in its chitin. It grows weak, and I turn my knife upside down, watching the creature slide off my knife and fall down the crack. That's it dealt with. However, I can hear further skittering coming from the crack. Time to leave.
...
Halting simulation of human personality
Calculating optimal route
Proceeding
Sounds are growing more distant
Proceeding
Threat successfully escaped
...
That could have been a pickle, good thing I escaped in a timely fashion. Now, there isn't much distance left before I have to switch cracks. I should take a small rest once I arrive at the end of this one.
Not too long after that, I arrive at the end of the crack. A quick application of transmutation magic creates a comfortable place to rest. 6 hours later I resume my activity and peek out of the crack. Indeed, this still is the crack I entered in - though to be honest, I shouldn't be surprised about that. This confirms my position with the one I estimated while planning the general route. Now, let's resume the climb.
I continue by quickly climbing from one crack to another, remaining out of sight for most of the time as I slowly but surely move towards the top of the cliff. No real problems happen from then on, and the few times a bird takes notice of me, I simply shift the rock around me transmutation magic to keep me safe.
Then I finally arrive at the top of the cliff. With this being quite high up on the mountain, I quickly spot an empty Kukuu nest with a few eggs within. No time to waste. I dash towards the nest and grab an egg at random before dashing towards a slope that leads down the mountain. Once at the slope I make a small pause, taking my time to fuse the gems and minerals with the soles of my boots before picking the egg up again and jumping down the slope, using my reinforced soles to slide down the mountain with a path I calculated before climbing up the mountain.
As I pick up speed I continue to slightly adjust my course, keeping my speed at a manageable but still fast level as I rapidly slide down the mountain, keeping the egg safe within my arms. The slope gradually turns less steep and as I arrive at the foot of the mountain I lose more and more speed before I break into a sprint and dash into the forest, using the trees as cover from the Kukuu birds startled up from my unusual descent.
The way back through the ravine would prove to be rather challenging while carrying an egg, but I simply march back through the river, easily bypassing any dangers of the usual predators and any creature that investigates me in the river is greeted by a thrust with a harpoon, driving them away.
After exactly 2 weeks I finally return to the guild, with the egg intact, and hand in my report.
Vysic was browsing the quest board and then he spotted something of interest.
Mystery Key.
Vysic made his way back to the prison. He had earned himself somewhat of a reputation, after all he was the only one who willingly did a shift to Cell Block S.
"Ah Mr. Vysic here for a prison duty shift? If so I'd be willing to give you Cell -", A guard asked eagerly.
"No Sorry, I'm here to see the warden.", Vysic answered abruptly.
"Really? Fuck! Damn it!", the guard yelled as he walked away.
Sucks for him.
Vysic made his way to the warden's office. As he opened the door, he was shown a rather lavish room. The room was lit by an iron chandelier which hung from the ceiling, there was a bookshelf full of various books, a wine cabinet and and in the centre was a beautifully crafted wooden table.\
"So. You here about the Key?"
The distracted Vysic snapped back to attention when he heard the voice. It was loud, strong and commanding. He looked up to see the source of the voice and came face to face with the warden herself. She had long red hair and an eye patch on her right eye.
"Uh, Yes Ma'am! I'm Vysic, I accepted the Mystery Key Quest!"
Hearing that name, a small smile came on her mouth.
"Good. Close the door."
Vysic closed the door as well as locking it.
"Let me be short Mr. Vysic. I think there's a mole in my team. I can find and deal with him, but I need proof to instigate an investigation. That's where you come in. Find out how Jackrol got the key, and that'll be enough proof.", She yelled while handing him the key. "I'm expecting a lot from you... Libido Killer. NOW GET A MOVE ON!"
"Yes Ma'am", Vysic yelled back, instinctively saluting her and running out of the room.
God she was scary. Wait did she call me- Nah, no way.
Vysic held the key firmly in his hand, and started to go around asking the guards questions.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Nothing.
There was nothing abnormal about the day Jackrol broke out. Everything was normal, everyone had the same shifts, the same procedures, the same everything!
Looks like I'll have to do this the hard way.
He made his way to Jackrol's cell.
Luckily Jackrol was still there, but more chained than ever even. It seems that he hadn't recovered from his beating from the previous adventurer which was good. Vysic dismissed the nearby guard.
"Hey Jackrol, who gave you the key?"
"Like I'll talk! I'll be free sooner or later. You're holding the proof!"
"Securities tighter than ever there's no way that you'll be able to escape again."
"But I always do! HAHAHA! I've got friends everywhere you see. Friends within my friends even! HAHA!"
Is he batshit insane?
"Don't make me hurt you."
"Like hell you can! I'd like to see you try. Go on then. Open the door. You've got the key right? OPEN IT!", Jackrol yelled as he made a twisted smile.
"We'll see about that.", Vysic responded as he made his own twisted smile.
He had learnt a new hex, one which proved to be perfect for this situation. He bit his finger and began to chant some unintelligible words.
"What are you doing? Think some words are gonn- AH! ARGH! RAARGH!"
Jackrol began to roll in pain as he was engulfed in a dim red glow. He was screaming, yelling, his body was moving like a fish out of water.
Antis Paps, a spell specifically made for punishment. The conditions for usage were that the person must not be one that possesses a good heart, can only be cast on someone injured. The spell causes pain from unhealed wounds to be re-inflicted on the user. It is not recommended on combat as even though the target can feel pain, they will not be immobilised.
"Does it hurt? Stupid question, guessing by your pissed pants and foaming mouth it probably does."
"I'llsh Nevarsh TALAARRGHHHHH" (I'll never talk)
Vysic then remembered something specifically on Reival's report.
"I wonder what happens if I target your scar."
"NO PLEASH YARRRRGH ."
The sound of the screams echoed throughout the corridors, but nobody would check. He was here on behalf of the Warden after all.
40 minutes had passed.
"Want to continue?"
"NO PLEASE! I'LL TALK I'LL TALK!"
Vysic made a twisted grin upon hearing this.
"Well then speak. Jackass."
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
"So... One of my guards was murdered and then a look alike came in posing as him using a face changing potion, then bribed the prison cook to hide the key in his food, and then killed and posed as another guard who was checking the food. Then left the guard in charge as the scapegoat.", She said looking at the confession note. "Rather complicated I must say. But it does explain why 1 of my guards abruptly announced that he was taking holiday leave."
"Yes Ma'am."
"It's Eliza. Eliza Vansworth.", She responded in a calm voice. "Honestly I didn't expect much from a level 3 adventurer, much less someone nicknamed the Libido Killer. What did you do to Jackrol? I heard his screams from over here, and my office is literally on the other side of the jail.
Is it the same thing you did to those perverts? Honestly, I didn't expect he'd scream that much from not being able to walk it."
"It was a hex, one that causes pain from the person's unhealed wounds. Als-"
"Eww that spell sounds freaky.", Eliza said as her body shivered. "Well here. I've marked the request as complete, you can run along now."
"Wait! This nick name... Libido Killer... could you please not call me that? Why are you calling me that?"
"Why not? In here having a nick name means you've accomplished something worthy. Like a right of initiation."
"Do you not like it? Would you prefer the Pervert Whisperer, Pleasure Taker, King of the Limp Dicks-"
"WHY ARE THERE SO MANY NAMES.", Vysic yelled.
"We're guards... We don't really have much to do. Making nicknames is one of our beloved past times. Now then since you cut me off, I'll list them all a-"
"I'm happy with Libido Killer. Thank you!", Vysic quickly replied as he went to leave.
"Do come back~ The prisoners in cell block S won't watch themselves~" Eliza shouted teasingly, as Vysic left the office.
While Vysic finished the quest, he was left a tinge frustrated. His new nickname. What would people think? What would his fellow adventurers think?
He could only hope that it'd never meet the light of day.
Aye, outstanding work. I can see that you have gained a title as well. Although it's quite a peculiar one, a title is a title. May your work uphold its meaning. The rewards as promised along with additional compensation.
Rewards:
EXP: 150
Money: 30 G
OOC: Please edit your post as evaluated in a noticeable way.
OOC: It seems you had fun with this.
The hydra's minions attack swiftly and without warning.This isn't a cushy job where you can just relax and take a snooze.We need you to be vigilant. This is a siege.An assault on the city can come at any moment. Rewards:
Seriously, yesterday gave me quite the surprise. I didn't even get proper sleep at night thanks to it. As soon as my body told me it was seven, I got out of bed and headed for the gates. The very gates which are under siege from snakes every day.
As the last barrier standing between the city and the hydra's minions, intense battles take place there everyday. I also helped out a couple of shifts here, so I know how gruelling the battles can become. Everyday is a fight for survival, and it's not uncommon to see fatalities in the hundreds after a particularly bad one. Truly a place of great despair.
Right? Right? So...
What's happening here?! It's in the middle of an attack and these guys aren't even phased! They're just calmly taking cover behind the...what are these things that have been mounted on the walls?! They look like fireman hoses and spray out some kind of black liquid...wait, this smell is tar?! They're doing the same thing those guys at the slopes did yesterday! And this machine...a hammer contraption that smacks firebombs flying into the distance? Isn't that basically mimicking me hitting the firebombs with my bat?
The grandpa dwarf over there! Your sinister smile is unbecoming of an old man! And you over there! Why are you looking away from me?!
I was already quite shocked by all the changes, but then something out there exploded. I took a look over the walls and spotted no obvious firebombs going off---until a bunch of snakes crossed what looked like a small hump in the ground, and the whole mound blew up. I could have sworn I heard a beeping sound shortly before dirt and bloody bits of snake hit the floor.
…...
They have MINES?! Since when?! No, don't look at me with huge smiles on your faces! What do you mean, you got that idea from the tar bombs I made? Even for a race with so much points in metallurgy, this is too much! It's not even been a week since the tunnel worm surprise!
Huh, what's that? It was easy to churn these contraptions out once you guys got the hang of it from building the first ones? The sappers figured out the mines after some of them thought that it would be nice to have a bomb that could go off by itself when enemies are near?
Get real! Normal mines are bad enough, but with those it's basically proximity mines! If you put enough of those down you won't even need such high walls! And what's with the home run contraption! Can I sue for copyright infringement?!
In the end, I ended up manning a tar contraption for the remainder of the shift, while the dwarf next to me babbled excitedly for six whole hours about some other ideas they had, and were in the midst of experimenting on. Isn't that supposed to be a secret that you don't just blabber to strangers...you know what, forget it.
I think...I'll just finish this shift, then head back to the inn to get some sleep. Today...has been unusually stressful.'
The Smithing Guild is looking for dedicated students interested in smithing.
Blacksmithing is an intensive process that requires many assistants.
Bring a load of firewood, and you will make charcoal and operate the bellows.
Over time, we will teach you to swing a hammer and be a blacksmith's striker.
If you can't stand the heat — get out! — and stop wasting our time.
Rewards:
Points: 75 EXP
Money: n/a
Other: n/a
After completing quest 3 times:
Permission to use Smithing Guild forges
> > >
Since Iris isn't back yet there was still firewood in our room, I decided to work again at the forgery. Arriving at the same location as before, I saw the same short stature man with face full of beard, Zagan. As he was stocking up on his inventory of weapon armaments, he takes notice of me.
"Oh? Back already? Must have a lot of free time to be here early."
I nod to confirm his affirmation and placed the firewood along with the similar piles of it.
"Well I'm a bit tired but if you're sticking around with that kind of body, I suppose I'll let you man the hammer."
He handed me a small hammer, I had to instinctively increase my strength just to life it. It was really heavy. Nodding in satisfaction with my strength, he starts heating up the furnace whilst I bellowed some air into it. After a while, the heat started racking and we both dropped sweat like a rain. The steel bucket was filled with iron ingots and soon melted.
As usual Zagan poured the melted iron into a sand casting, only the casting was few this time. We also prepared for the hilts, handles, and pummels.
"Alright, I'll them steady while you hammer down. I'm no idiot to entrust a novice to strike down metal all nilly willy so I'll be guiding you all the way.
With the first sand cast broken, a rough metal sword with no hilt or handle came out of it. As usual, he heated it back up in the furnace till it was glowing orange then placed it on an anvil.
"Alright lad, give it your best shot!"
I swung the hammer down and spark flew from the metal. I repeated to do so whilst Zagan was holding the sword steady and guided me on where to switch on strikes. We repeated this process with same swords as well the rest that are soon to come.
Molding the iron into hilts and pummels were relatively easy since I've had the experience for the first job here, perhaps the handles are to be left for wood craftsman for a better quality.
Now that the blade has taken shape, we both assembled all of them and made a few complete iron swords. As I was about to leave, he pulled my shirt.
"Where do you think you're going? We're not done yet."
I was confused as to what was there more to do. He grabbed the finished sword and went to another room, I followed him into the room. Although it looked life a blacksmith's usual room, the difference was there was an elongated furnace with a long tube filled with liquid nearby it.
"Since you're here, it's time to learn how to temper metal."
He light up the elongated furnace puts one of the sword inside it. Waiting for the moment, once it turns slightly bright orange, he pulls it then completely thrusts it into the liquid filled tube, completely submerging until the hilt. Fire emerged from the tube, after a brief moment he pulls it out and the sword is coated in a black substance. He repeats this process a few times until he was satisfied the finishes it off with grinding the sword to give it a good reflection.
He explains to me reason for doing such thing, like the hardening of the core while allowing the edges of the blade to be flexible. To mind where I am hardening the sword so as to not want to make a brittle sword.
After that explanation, he told me to do the rest by myself. A bit sudden but I have no choice but to oblige. It was simple but rough, the liquid was apparently oil as it was easy to engulf in flames. Zagan was not completely satisfied as some swords were hard on the edges that they can easily chip when used too harshly, but still enough that it can serve its purpose.
I thank him for the chance and head back to the guild to file my report. I really hope Iris is back now.
Greetings to Guild
The production of such iron weapon armaments have goon smoothly at the smithy. Such methods are unknown to me and have vastly given me knowledge on the creation of such. I hope the additional arms will provide aid to its future wielders and find them satisfactory.
Find somebody you can actually talk to without punching a friend!
Discover the wonderful magic of friendship!
It's tough to be stuck in a strange universe far away from home.It's even tougher if you're here without anybody you know.Make a friend, and maybe things will get easier? Rewards:
"Friend? Hm. What is a Friend?" [flings her wine glass aside] "A sweet little pile of warmth! But enough talk!" I giggle as I tried to emulate a certain someone.
"I guess Constance, Rosa and Albert could be considered my friends. Hm, Luna and Solet too. Maybe. I hope." I say to my dolls as I pick up my the glass.
"Rosa does give me free wine so she definitely is counts."
"Constance also gave me a nicer room, so she does too."
"Albert does specially cook some bone chips just for me so he should definitely count."
"As for Luna and Solet, well I have been talking with them for a while now so they count? Dunno."
You and a company of dwarves were ambushed in the tunnels.
Most made it out alive, but your partner was separated when the ceiling caved in.
Do you give up on them? Abandon your partner? Leave them for the dead?
Or will you find another way around to save them?
QUEST REPORT (APPRAISED) Quest Report (39)
Name: Felicia El Freliti Level: 9 (8155/9000) Quest: No Dwarf Human Left Behind Evaluation:
Rescued Xin
**********
@Bochi
It was safe to say, Felicia was utterly speechless at the sight of the city gates. As always, Gelderholm was surrounded by conflict and chaos, which was what she expected to see when she flew back with Sable, but it seemed the dwarves were being rather... leisurely this time? Although she couldn't see the exact situation since she was quite high in the air, but there seemed to be some strange new contraptions that the dwarves were using to turn the tide of the battle. There were these weirdly shaped... bottles? Or something? That were hoisted atop the city walls, and shot out a thick dark liquid that coated the snake horde, which Felicia was initially skeptical of since it didn't seem to do much, until the beasts literally blew up in flames after something was suddenly catapulted into the crowd of enemies. Looking at the source, something resembling a giant hammer was constantly hitting small objects into the horde of snakes, blowing them up in a great explosion and charring them to a crisp.
Strangely enough, there were even cases where the snakes walked towards the city and then suddenly blew up, with their bodyparts flying everywhere. Felicia couldn't see what was the cause of those mysterious explosions, but even without that, she was boggled beyond belief. She hadn't been gone that long, what kind of legendary engineer suddenly waltzed into the city without her knowledge? She hoped she could meet them, afterall, what they had done seemed to have revolutionized the dwarven defences and given them some stability in this war...
~A couple of days later~
...
"Keep running! We'll be out of the chokepoint soon!" A stern and deep voice called out confidently, the familiarity of which instantly bringing reassurance and confidence back to the faltering army.
"Yes sir!" The soldiers shouted back, many of them carrying the injured on their shoulders or back as they rushed through the dark caverns, the sound of hissing and screaming constantly ringing behind them as the beasts collapsed on their slower members.
---
It was unfortunate really, their patrol was going perfectly before this whole ordeal occurred. They had ambushed wandering bunches of snakes and even isolated and slayed a three-headed snake beast through their combined efforts. Additionally, they set a bunch of these strange things called 'mines' in some of the areas the dwarven engineers deemed safe for explosives.
It was all going great... until a random, supposedly sealed tunnel worm tunnel suddenly burst open with a swarm of snakes in the middle of their squad formation, sending everything into chaos.
---
"Xin, stay with me. I won't be able to carry you if you fall unconscious. Damn it, why are you so tall, this is so uncomfortable." Felicia blabbered without much thought, desperately trying to keep her friend awake with little jokes and teasing.
Felicia and Xin were the only humans on this particular patrol team, hence when Xin was sprayed with a sedative poison and bitten with paralyzing venom, after being unfortunately flung to the ground by another dwarf colliding with him, it was up to Felicia to carry him back. I mean, it would be pretty cruel if she left him to a dwarf no? Most of his body would be dragged along the ground...
"Hey, Felicia?" Xin suddenly spoke, bringing Felicia out of her thoughts as exhaustion began taking its toll on her.
"Yeah?" She replied, relieved to hear him speak.
"I'm sorry." He responded, shoving Felicia forward as he fell to the ground, and disappeared deep within the crowd of escaping dwarves.
"Xin! No, you idiot!" She screeched, desperately trying to claw her way back against the flow of dwarves.
"Lass, leave him, he's a goner." Their captain suddenly appeared beside her, tugging her forward with his herculean strength. Unable to resist, much less in her dishevelled and exhausted state, she could only stare blankly at the sight of her friend fading farther and farther away.
'He has his rations, his backpack, his greatsword and his armour. He's definitely still alive. I'm sure he found a little nook to hide in somewhere deep in the caverns whilst awaiting rescue. He's always been smart like that. He's fine. I'm sure he's fine...'
Suiting herself up despite only having a day of rest, Felicia immediately ventured back into the depths of the caverns to find her friend. It was almost eerie how she disregarded everything else around her, slaughtering whatever came her way and needlessly expending her energy as she fought her way to where she last saw him. It was like her mind was shrouded and numb, unable to think straight unless she could confirm the truth.
Fortunately enough, fate turned out well this time around. As she expected, she found Xin curled up in a tiny crevice in the side of a cavern, surviving on his rations and ability to drift into the shadows. They hugged when they reunited, and managed to safely return to Gelderholm without much trouble.
Felicia didn't know how much her friends meant to her until now. She couldn't bear to imagine what it would be like losing a single one of them...
Reciful Go towards the guild board looking for a lvl 2 quest..
She found the usual quest for lvl 2 Adventurer.... But before she grabs Her first choice the 'Hunting Quest'...Reciful saw a new request notice at the board.
(...a new quest?........ Its for level 2~..... Reciful shall try... Reciful can't use magic~... But Reciful knows alchemy.... using Reciful own original methods & recipe~ )
Reciful immediately went to collect all materials for the alchemy ritual since it need lots of lots of plants, So Reciful went to the Northern Forest.
Reciful gather many Herbs, Flowers, Rare Insects, and Asingle fairy!
After that Reciful went to a witch house outside the city where a "Black Witch" lives! Reciful borrowed a big cauldron, a very long spatula & also asked the witch assistance for the magical fire cause Reciful can't use magic... In exchange Reciful Give "The Black witch", a vial of Reciful's Black Demonic bloodas a payment.
Reciful wait till midnight, then Reciful go deep inside the forest. Reciful make sure no monster shall interrupts the dark ritual. "The Black witch " also place some warding spell runes to repel any intruders.
• Healing herbs × 99
• Twin flowers × 99
• Tri-flowers × 99
• Volent purple flowers × 5
• Apple from a monster tree × 10
• Slime core × 61 (from Reciful previous quest)
• A basket of veggies (From Reciful previous quest reward)
• Goblins heart × 1(A goblin tortured by Reciful long ago & imprisoned in Reciful shadow. )
• Witch's tears ( a single tears of a legit witch )
Ingredients ready! it may look random but thats the idea itself, the requirements for the potion that Reciful will make is 'chaos' (randomness). So using proper/organize recipe will be a failure on Reciful original method of alchemy & it will be a disaster..... Reciful is serious you know~
Putting all the ingredients in the the cauldron, the witch heated it with magical flames, making sure it midnight & no moon is present in the sky. Reciful starts the chants for the ritual, Reciful use her skill the " Dark Blessing skill " & chants some ritualistic words.
" Fate be change,
Look inside, the black mirror
that reflects hidden desires,
Deceive the world through a black lies
& Turn fantasy to reality. "
After chanting the word immediately a black light engulfed the area, as the cauldron start floating & trembling in mid air. The world around the forest lost its colors... A ominous vial appear inside the cauldron floating with unknown presence.
The potion made by Reciful unique way of alchemy is done.
Description:
"The Outer God of thousand faces" has Recognized the "Princess of the Abyss" black blood & he granted her efforts a vial containing one of his blessings from the beyond,
Effect:
The vial if used, Grants a permanent skill called "Dark Metamorphosis" that grant only 1 of the 2 options.
"Over all manually create your own image"
or
"transform in one of the following dark oriented race"
( Demon race, Nephilim race, Chaos Fey race, Blood Elves race, Chaos Elves race, Deep Ones race, Dark Human race, Berserker race, Demonic Beast race )
• The skill [Dark Metamorphosis] can only be activated once "every night" & has 24 hours cool down.
• The transformation has no time limits, unless the skill is cancelled returning to your original form.
Activating the skill again must wait for its cool down to pass & wait till night time to be active again.
( WARNING ) When using the [ Dark Metamorphosis ] skill, it also change your personality to a much vicious, cruel, sadistic & cold personality. Wherever you choose in any of the 2 choices.... But you will turn back to normal when you cancel the skill.
And so Reciful finish her potion through the help of "the black witch" & went to the guild when morning came, in attempt to complete the quest... & A chance to also be a help to her fellow guild member!.
Signed: Reciful the Eldritch Abomination
OCC: the potion is not that OP........right? I'm not sure about the standards at all... Did I went too much again? .... Anyway Reciful cant use magic what she just Did is a Alchemy Evil Ritual/Ceremony (no magic).. its more of a mixure of offering & alchemy in the same time, to make an appeal to a higher being.... The result became dramatic cuz of her blood & skill she added on the process.
"Erm... t-thank you Miss Reciful for your hard work! You used so many ingredients for the potion, which I am immensely grateful for. H-here are your rewards!" Even though... some of those ingredients are a little... questionable.
Also, Outer God of a Thousand Face? Princess of the Abyss? What kind of adventurer just accepted my quest? Is she one of those cultists or demons? Do I need to report her to the authorities? Ahhhh
You know what, I'm just going to pretend I didn't see anything... I hope she doesn't use my IOU for something evil...
Rewards
Exp: 120
Money: 100G
Miscellaneous: IOU (1x) - An IOI signed by Felicia,
redeemable at any time.
The Smithing Guild is looking for dedicated students interested in smithing.
Blacksmithing is an intensive process that requires many assistants.
Bring a load of firewood, and you will make charcoal and operate the bellows.
Over time, we will teach you to swing a hammer and be a blacksmith's striker.
If you can't stand the heat — get out! — and stop wasting our time.
Rewards:
Points: 75 EXP
Money: n/a
Other: n/a
After completing quest 3 times:
Permission to use Smithing Guild forges
> > >
I arrived at my room in the Tavern and to my surprise, Iris is still not home yet although it seems she stopped by to leave more firewood and left again. I wonder where she is, night is gonna come soon and hope she doesn't stay late. I took a late lunch, grabbed the firewood and went back to the smithy.
Arriving, the usual Zagan immediately noticing me.
"Lad.... this is the third time in the same day already. Get some rest."
"Nay, this a task I must complete as swift as it allows me to do so."
Dissatisfied with my answer, he only shrugs and mentions me to come inside. I follow him and notice that the stations were mostly empty. As night was at a moments notice, it seems everyone left for home.
"There's no work to be done anymore, instead you will forge your own here. I know how the guild quest works, so consider making your first forge as the job and a gift from what you learned. You're free to use the iron stuff and firewood but the rest are off limits unless you bought them."
I couldn't say much due to my shock, I could only express my thanks to him.
"Now, let's get started. You're gonna have to forge it on your own as I'll only help with the processing."
I nod in consent with his offer and immediately start the furnace, immediately the heat gushes out to my face as I squint my eyes instinctively. I filled two steel buckets then melted them. Meanwhile I prepared two sand castings with one longer than the other. Zagan was curious about it but I paid it no mind. Once the iron melted, I poured them into the castings. While I was waiting for the blades to cool, I prepared the rest of the sword components.
Finally the blades cooled and that's where I started with the first long one. Heated up with a bright orange, I hammered it down onto the anvil whilst Zagan held it in place. I repeated the heat and strike process with both blades until I was satisfied. One could hear the sound of metal clanking reverberate in the empty smithy.
Satisfied with the blades and the molded components, I moved the blades to the room with elongated furnace. Starting off with the long one, I heated it up briefly and quench the whole blade into the tubed oil. Fire erupted out of the tube but I Ignored it. Pulling it out had the blade covered in a black color. Focusing the fire in the elongated furnace, I only heated up the center stem of the blade, careful as to not heat up the edges. Waiting for the long blade to cool off, I did the same with the normal one.
Once both finally cooled off, it was time to grind and sharpen. Grinding off the black substance from the blade then sharpening it. I repeated the process until both gave a glimmering appearance that reflected my face. Satisfied with it I assembled them both and had finally finished the two weapons. An iron longsword and a normal iron sword.
"That's good work. Too good for a novice if must say."
"Such compliment is only deserving from someone of a caliber such as you."
"Gahahahaha! Us dwarves are only natural with this. Gahahahaha!"
Ah... so his race is called a dwarf huh.
"Well, with you finishing your forge then consider this a job well done."
I thank him for him teachings and left for the guild to file my report. I head to my room in the tavern hoping to see Iris. I hope she's back and alright.
It was already night time when everything was finished.
Greetings to you Guild
The situation at the smithy was quite barren. Although the smith had no work to offer and instead offered an alternative of forging my own armament for the work I had done there as my reward and final task.
Waking up as soon as the sun set, Liana saw Hejlikka was fast asleep on her bed with her arms around Liana's waist and head buried in her chest.
"..."
Gently prying the female elf from her, the new-born vampire left the room and changed into the clothes Hejlikka had lent to her; she even provided a new hair ornament to match the outfit. Moving to the kitchen, she saw that Julrik had already left a note saying he'd be staying over at one of his bed mates' homes, so she didn't need to make a meal for him. Wondering how Julrik managed to get enough sleep while being with so many different women all of the time, Liana began preparing Hejlikka's breakfast.
Once the meal was prepared, a yawn was heard from the living room door as a drowsy Hejlikka came in with tousled hair.
"Ahhhhhn, morrrrrrrrrning...."
Liana smiled gently without correcting the female elf that it was evening, not morning, as she placed the plate on the table, "Just in time! I made you some breakfast."
Hejlikka's eyes became more awake as she smiled brightly at her friend and thanked her for making the food, before sitting down and nomming on it. "You always cook such delicious food, Liana! You'd make a wonderful wife, you know?" She blushed a little at that before turning her gaze back to her food.
Liana smiled wryly at that, "Before I became...this, I had intended on vowing my life and love to Lord Shé Shén..." The familiar headache began throbbing painfully as she tried remembering her past. "...Mm...but now my body and heart belong to Master!" The pain subsided and a wave of pleasurable comfort ran through her body as if to reinforce her statement.
Watching her friend as she was talking, Hejlikka noticed the physical discomfort when talking about her past, followed by her seeming relief and content after mentioning her...master? "Your master?"
Liana smiled reverently as she began talking about how handsome he was, how powerful he was, how wise he was, how intelligent he was, how rich he was, how influential he was, how masculine he was, etc...The female elf was a little bewildered at the barrage of compliments the new-born vampire was listing in quick succession - noticing how her gold eyes had turned red and had a distant look in them. "Is this what's known as hypnosis magic? Compulsion, I think it was called..." Waiting for Liana to finish her speech of how great her master was, Hejlikka just silently ate her breakfast with a polite smile on her face; her eyes showing a hint of subconscious jealousy and envy towards this master.
***
Once Liana had finally stopped praising her master through his compulsion over her, she smiled in awkward embarrassment as her eyes turned back to their gold colour. "My apologies...I spoiled your breakfast..."
"Ah! No, you didn't! I just didn't really know what to say..." Hejlikka shifted her gaze to the side before turning back and asking, "By the way, do you have plans for what you'll be doing tonight?"
Liana hugged herself as she remembered what happened the night before with that receptionist and was a little reluctant to do another quest that required her...unique talents.
"If you don't have any plans, want to help the CSD again? I've been hearing the workers over there complaining about missing your presence. Something about your aura soothing them, hmph! Unprofessional low-lives!"
Liana giggled at that and smiled, "Okay. I'll help them again!"
Leaving the house together, they headed for the guild to do the night shift: Hejlikka made a beeline to a male office worker who had just spilled his drink all over some files; Liana quietly went to the Customer Service Department, trying to keep a low profile around the receptionist desks in case that woman was there again.
Every workplace has them — the infamous "difficult customer".
In the Customer Service Department, we get the toughest of the tough.
These are the clients that nobody else wants to deal with.
How will you deal with them? Can you handle a rowdy adventurer? Rewards:
Sitting down at her designated booth, Liana greeted her fellow co-workers with a gentle smile, before waiting for her first customer. She received a few comments from some of the men, who noticed her change of attire and thought it looked really nice on her, to which she thanked while smiling brightly.
Not much happened during her shift, with only seven people going to her booth and fewer seeking out the other workers each. All seven people were only giving minor complaints that were easily rectified, such as: a receptionist having given the wrong reward from mixing reports; a sponsor being annoyed because the adventurer who had taken their request got the full reward when they didn't fulfil all of the objectives; an civilian complaining that someone had come to collect his overdue taxes when he'd already paid for them to a really pretty half-elf woman; another civilian complaining about a similar situation - commenting on how big the half-elf's chest was; Pierre complaining about how the guild wasn't promoting his quest for more maids to work in his tavern enough; an aquatic-looking man complaining about someone eating some pears during a city guard training quest (@Generic.Archdemon); and a male orc called Ku'Jahal complaining that Julrik wasn't answering his challenge to a duel and calling him a coward.
Throughout it all, Liana maintained a gentle temperament as she placated all of the customers. Other people that came over weren't customers, but people passing through who wanted to compliment her on her looks, as well as ask if she was willing to have a meal with them. However, Liana turned them all down with a gentle smile and politely told them to leave since they didn't have any formal complaints to discuss with her. Hejlikka came over every time this happened, praising her for her professionalism - which confused Liana since she thought the female elf was focusing on the Filing Department in the offices, but didn't mention it to her.
With dawn approaching, Hejlikka came over again, "Good job, this evening! The shift's over, now, so finish up your stuff and we can go home!"
Liana smiled gently, tidied up her booth and handed in the documents she'd used to help her deal with some of the customers, and headed for the receptionist desk to write up her report.
Waking up as soon as the sun set, Liana saw Hejlikka was fast asleep on her bed with her arms around Liana's waist and head buried in her chest.
"..."
Gently prying the female elf from her, the new-born vampire left the room and changed into the clothes Hejlikka had lent to her; she even provided a new hair ornament to match the outfit. Moving to the kitchen, she saw that Julrik had already left a note saying he'd be staying over at one of his bed mates' homes, so she didn't need to make a meal for him. Wondering how Julrik managed to get enough sleep while being with so many different women all of the time, Liana began preparing Hejlikka's breakfast.
Once the meal was prepared, a yawn was heard from the living room door as a drowsy Hejlikka came in with tousled hair.
"Ahhhhhn, morrrrrrrrrning...."
Liana smiled gently without correcting the female elf that it was evening, not morning, as she placed the plate on the table, "Just in time! I made you some breakfast."
Hejlikka's eyes became more awake as she smiled brightly at her friend and thanked her for making the food, before sitting down and nomming on it. "You always cook such delicious food, Liana! You'd make a wonderful wife, you know?" She blushed a little at that before turning her gaze back to her food.
Liana smiled wryly at that, "Before I became...this, I had intended on vowing my life and love to Lord Shé Shén..." The familiar headache began throbbing painfully as she tried remembering her past. "...Mm...but now my body and heart belong to Master!" The pain subsided and a wave of pleasurable comfort ran through her body as if to reinforce her statement.
Watching her friend as she was talking, Hejlikka noticed the physical discomfort when talking about her past, followed by her seeming relief and content after mentioning her...master? "Your master?"
Liana smiled reverently as she began talking about how handsome he was, how powerful he was, how wise he was, how intelligent he was, how rich he was, how influential he was, how masculine he was, etc...The female elf was a little bewildered at the barrage of compliments the new-born vampire was listing in quick succession - noticing how her gold eyes had turned red and had a distant look in them. "Is this what's known as hypnosis magic? Compulsion, I think it was called..." Waiting for Liana to finish her speech of how great her master was, Hejlikka just silently ate her breakfast with a polite smile on her face; her eyes showing a hint of subconscious jealousy and envy towards this master.
***
Once Liana had finally stopped praising her master through his compulsion over her, she smiled in awkward embarrassment as her eyes turned back to their gold colour. "My apologies...I spoiled your breakfast..."
"Ah! No, you didn't! I just didn't really know what to say..." Hejlikka shifted her gaze to the side before turning back and asking, "By the way, do you have plans for what you'll be doing tonight?"
Liana hugged herself as she remembered what happened the night before with that receptionist and was a little reluctant to do another quest that required her...unique talents.
"If you don't have any plans, want to help the CSD again? I've been hearing the workers over there complaining about missing your presence. Something about your aura soothing them, hmph! Unprofessional low-lives!"
Liana giggled at that and smiled, "Okay. I'll help them again!"
Leaving the house together, they headed for the guild to do the night shift: Hejlikka made a beeline to a male office worker who had just spilled his drink all over some files; Liana quietly went to the Customer Service Department, trying to keep a low profile around the receptionist desks in case that woman was there again.
Sitting down at her designated booth, Liana greeted her fellow co-workers with a gentle smile, before waiting for her first customer. She received a few comments from some of the men, who noticed her change of attire and thought it looked really nice on her, to which she thanked while smiling brightly.
Not much happened during her shift, with only seven people going to her booth and fewer seeking out the other workers each. All seven people were only giving minor complaints that were easily rectified, such as: a receptionist having given the wrong reward from mixing reports; a sponsor being annoyed because the adventurer who had taken their request got the full reward when they didn't fulfil all of the objectives; an civilian complaining that someone had come to collect his overdue taxes when he'd already paid for them to a really pretty half-elf woman; another civilian complaining about a similar situation - commenting on how big the half-elf's chest was; Pierre complaining about how the guild wasn't promoting his quest for more maids to work in his tavern enough; an aquatic-looking man complaining about someone eating some pears during a city guard training quest (@Generic.Archdemon); and a male orc called Ku'Jahal complaining that Julrik wasn't answering his challenge to a duel and calling him a coward.
Throughout it all, Liana maintained a gentle temperament as she placated all of the customers. Other people that came over weren't customers, but people passing through who wanted to compliment her on her looks, as well as ask if she was willing to have a meal with them. However, Liana turned them all down with a gentle smile and politely told them to leave since they didn't have any formal complaints to discuss with her. Hejlikka came over every time this happened, praising her for her professionalism - which confused Liana since she thought the female elf was focusing on the Filing Department in the offices, but didn't mention it to her.
With dawn approaching, Hejlikka came over again, "Good job, this evening! The shift's over, now, so finish up your stuff and we can go home!"
Liana smiled gently, tidied up her booth and handed in the documents she'd used to help her deal with some of the customers, and headed for the receptionist desk to write up her report.
"Well you seem to have done your job as far as I can see here. Though it would have been nice if you named the complainants for future reference especially that one about the reward with reference but that isn't your job to me. Oh well. Anyway quest complete." AIEO does the reward stuff.
Crafted 30 basic chairs, each painted a different colour, for the orphanage
**********
Looking down at the logs of his fallen brethren, Zombo was hit with a strange sense of sorrow. It seemed that the tree-half of him was reacting negatively to the whole idea of using the dead skin of his brothers to build and repair stuff, which made sense if you thought about it, but Zombo didn't really care. He already took on this quest, and it's not like he often listened or heeded any emotional advice, so why start now?
Without hesitation, he grabbed one of the logs and began sawing away, ignoring the internal screaming of the plants infesting his body. Diligently, he followed the blueprints generously given to him from one of his seniors at the engineering department, slowly forming each limb of a basic chair. Once the four limbs were carefully molded and sanded down, being especially careful at this point to avoid giving any orphans splinters, he stuck everything together using a mixture of spider silk, sticky tree sap and giant bee honey as glue.
After he was done with one chair, even testing it out himself by sitting and rocking on it recklessly, he began making another. And another. And another, until before he knew it, he was eating himself due to his ravenous hunger. Finally realizing he hadn't eaten anything in more than a day, he calmly reported to the guild kitchens and asked for some raw meat as usual, before stuffing it down and continuing his work on the chairs.
Over the course of many days, Zombo had created 30 chairs, enough for a classroom of students. Although he silently wondered if he overdid it a bit, he shrugged his shoulders and calmly set to work painting the chairs. Yes, painting. He painted each chair a different variety of greens, blues, reds, yellows and purples, emotionlessly trying to make each chair unique. Maybe it'd help teach the orphans that each of them are special in their own way or something. Who knows.
After finally finishing up the chairs over the course of a month, he slowly hauled each of them to the orphanage using a mixture of vines and an overloaded cart borrowed from the engineering department, before calmly returning to the guild to make his report.
The Smithing Guild is looking for dedicated students interested in smithing.
Blacksmithing is an intensive process that requires many assistants.
Bring a load of firewood, and you will make charcoal and operate the bellows.
Over time, we will teach you to swing a hammer and be a blacksmith's striker.
If you can't stand the heat — get out! — and stop wasting our time.
Rewards:
Points: 75 EXP
Money: n/a
Other: n/a
After completing quest 3 times:
Permission to use Smithing Guild forges
> > >
Since Iris isn't back yet there was still firewood in our room, I decided to work again at the forgery. Arriving at the same location as before, I saw the same short stature man with face full of beard, Zagan. As he was stocking up on his inventory of weapon armaments, he takes notice of me.
"Oh? Back already? Must have a lot of free time to be here early."
I nod to confirm his affirmation and placed the firewood along with the similar piles of it.
"Well I'm a bit tired but if you're sticking around with that kind of body, I suppose I'll let you man the hammer."
He handed me a small hammer, I had to instinctively increase my strength just to life it. It was really heavy. Nodding in satisfaction with my strength, he starts heating up the furnace whilst I bellowed some air into it. After a while, the heat started racking and we both dropped sweat like a rain. The steel bucket was filled with iron ingots and soon melted.
As usual Zagan poured the melted iron into a sand casting, only the casting was few this time. We also prepared for the hilts, handles, and pummels.
"Alright, I'll them steady while you hammer down. I'm no idiot to entrust a novice to strike down metal all nilly willy so I'll be guiding you all the way.
With the first sand cast broken, a rough metal sword with no hilt or handle came out of it. As usual, he heated it back up in the furnace till it was glowing orange then placed it on an anvil.
"Alright lad, give it your best shot!"
I swung the hammer down and spark flew from the metal. I repeated to do so whilst Zagan was holding the sword steady and guided me on where to switch on strikes. We repeated this process with same swords as well the rest that are soon to come.
Molding the iron into hilts and pummels were relatively easy since I've had the experience for the first job here, perhaps the handles are to be left for wood craftsman for a better quality.
Now that the blade has taken shape, we both assembled all of them and made a few complete iron swords. As I was about to leave, he pulled my shirt.
"Where do you think you're going? We're not done yet."
I was confused as to what was there more to do. He grabbed the finished sword and went to another room, I followed him into the room. Although it looked life a blacksmith's usual room, the difference was there was an elongated furnace with a long tube filled with liquid nearby it.
"Since you're here, it's time to learn how to temper metal."
He light up the elongated furnace puts one of the sword inside it. Waiting for the moment, once it turns slightly bright orange, he pulls it then completely thrusts it into the liquid filled tube, completely submerging until the hilt. Fire emerged from the tube, after a brief moment he pulls it out and the sword is coated in a black substance. He repeats this process a few times until he was satisfied the finishes it off with grinding the sword to give it a good reflection.
He explains to me reason for doing such thing, like the hardening of the core while allowing the edges of the blade to be flexible. To mind where I am hardening the sword so as to not want to make a brittle sword.
After that explanation, he told me to do the rest by myself. A bit sudden but I have no choice but to oblige. It was simple but rough, the liquid was apparently oil as it was easy to engulf in flames. Zagan was not completely satisfied as some swords were hard on the edges that they can easily chip when used too harshly, but still enough that it can serve its purpose.
I thank him for the chance and head back to the guild to file my report. I really hope Iris is back now.
Greetings to Guild
The production of such iron weapon armaments have goon smoothly at the smithy. Such methods are unknown to me and have vastly given me knowledge on the creation of such. I hope the additional arms will provide aid to its future wielders and find them satisfactory.
"Friend? Hm. What is a Friend?" [flings her wine glass aside] "A sweet little pile of warmth! But enough talk!" I giggle as I tried to emulate a certain someone.
"I guess Constance, Rosa and Albert could be considered my friends. Hm, Luna and Solet too. Maybe. I hope." I say to my dolls as I pick up my the glass.
"Rosa does give me free wine so she definitely is counts."
"Constance also gave me a nicer room, so she does too."
"Albert does specially cook some bone chips just for me so he should definitely count."
"As for Luna and Solet, well I have been talking with them for a while now so they count? Dunno."
It finally is time for my exam. While others might be worried about this quest, I am not. After all, I do not require food, so the survival part is a breeze for me. And with my transmutation magic, a knife might as well equal any metal tool that isn't too large. So I, begrudgingly, hand in my equipment and start marching to Gem's Ravine.
As I do not take a single break on my way due to minimizing energy consumption by reducing my thought processes, I arrive after 22 hours and 11 minutes instead of the usual 36 hours. However, before entering the ravine, I take a moment of pause and dig myself a deep but small hole. Over the course of my time in the adventurer's guild, I have amassed enough magical energy to expand my core, and as the increase in power it would grant me should ensure my success in the exam, this is a good moment to perform the expansion.
I let my core and equipment drop down into the hole and fill it up with earth while my body, now without a steady supply of magical energy, slowly fades away into nothingness.
Halting thought process
Initiating Core-Expansion-01
Estimated time: 12 hours
...
Unknown Error
Unknown Data Discovered
Pausing Core-Expansion-01
Analyzing Unknown Data
Analyzing...
Analyzing...
Analyzing...
Analysis complete
Data has been named "Cosmic Algorithm"
Cosmic Algorithm has been deemed incomplete
Cosmic Algorithm has been verified as correct
Expanding Philosophy with Cosmic Algorithm
Expansion complete
Resuming Core-Expansion-01
...
Core-Expansion-01 complete
Resuming thought process
33 hours, 29 minutes, and 56 seconds have passed
Well, that was unexpected, but I am enlightened. If the world works like a computer and a single algorithm makes up the entirety of the natural laws, then everything simply is a stream of data continuously being processed by the Cosmic Algorithm. In that line of thought, if I can produce data, I can manipulate reality itself by feeding data to the cosmic algorithm - which equals the supernatural and magic. Now I finally understand - but if only I understood it all. For now, I know nothing but that the Cosmic Algorithm might exist, and that it is how I use magic.
Immediately proving this theory to myself, I use my magical energy to project an infinite string of data, applying transmutation magic to shift the earth around me away from my core while manifesting my body again.
With the expansion of my core complete, I now gather more magical energy and can perform far more calculations than before. To summarize, I have become a greater being. And as a greater being, it would be shameful not to understand human emotions. So I set aside a certain part of my calculative ability and establish a "Human Subroutine", that deals with deliberating humanity and simulates a human personality apart from the "Exal" program. Simulation has begun. Excellent.
Now it is time for me to focus on the E rank exam. I am behind schedule by 21 hours, 31 minutes and 34 seconds. Time to get going. With my newfound understanding of reality, I use my transmutation magic to permanently create a spear out of the knife and a solid stick, which will serve as my weapon for now. Then I proceed into the ravine, my eye continuously scanning the area for enemies.
Suddenly, I spot movement in the shadows. After quickly calculating the speed, weight, and size of the creature I decide to brace for the charge. Planting the end of the spear in the ground, I aim the spear at the wolf that is charging at me. At this point, it's too close to stop and impales itself on my spear, though the impact causes the spear's shaft to break. Not a big problem - I can always repair it.
The wolf howls in pain for a while before finally dying. Excellent. I recover my knife and restore it to its original form. Progressing on foot might be too time-consuming and fraught with dangers. So I turn to the trees. They seem to be solid enough, so I stash the knife in a pocket and climb up a tree before proceeding to jump from tree to tree, avoiding any predators that might be on the ground. But I can already see that I won't be able to keep this up the entire way, as the ravine isn't a particularly forested area.
By traveling over the trees as much as possible, I manage to pass halfway through the ravine within 31 hours and 45 minutes while avoiding any combat. It is at this point, however, that I decide that being so visible to anything in the air is a bad choice from now on, with how more frequent the Kukuu birds are flying around the area.
According to records, the monsters get more regular the deeper one is in the ravine, so it is not unlikely for me to face multiple enemies at once - which might be problematic. After traveling a bit further I spot a stick which would do well for my spear and drop down before immediately transmuting the knife and stick together into a makeshift spear.
Now, once again armed, I prowl onwards at a steady pace while remaining hidden most of the time. The monsters I encounter are far less reckless than the wolf I met at the beginning, usually retreating after getting wounded by me. And the ones that don't flee have no chance against my improved calculative abilities, easily predicting their paths and the exact amount of force they have. The few times that I come across a pack of monsters, I simply use my spear as a tool to easily jump onto a tree before moving onwards through the trees for a bit until they are not chasing me anymore, then instantly dropping back down onto the floor before continuing.
That way, I manage to reach the Bighorn Mountain after an additional 34 hours and 07 minutes. That makes a total traveling time of 65 hours and 52 minutes for the ravine, which means that I have saved 30 hours and 8 minutes compared to the time normal persons take. With this, I am ahead of schedule by exactly 8 hours and 37 minutes.
Now begins the real test. Climbing the mountain is the least of my worries, I am more worried about the monsters as well as the bad footing which, together, could become a real problem to deal with. I suppose the hiking path would be my best shot, though that might leave me open to attacks from the Kukuu birds. However, the steepness of the mountain gives me an idea.
In the next 30 minutes of my time, I look for minerals and hard gems. After gathering quite an amount of them, I stash them in a pocket before finally deciding on a route up the mountain. My choice is essentially a part of the mountain that is like a cliff, with cracks of varying sizes in it. Excellent for hiding in. Once I have restored the knife to its normal form with my transmutation magic, I discard the stick and start climbing up the cliff within a long crack which, conveniently, starts almost at the bottom of the cliff.
The crack proves to be an excellent choice as I remain hidden and protected from the birds flying around the mountain and most common predators in the area. 4 hours and 23 minutes after starting my climb, I hear the faint sound of something moving towards me from deeper within the crack. Without hesitating, I use my transmutation magic to shift the rock around my legs to create a stable hold for my feet while readying my knife in my right hand and forming a simple spike out of rock in my left hand. The sound seems to come closer, though it echoes around from the rock making it impossible for me to calculate the creature's position based on sound alone. So I strain my eyes, solely relying on the sun's light shining into the crack from behind me.
Exactly 17 seconds later, an unknown insectoid creature skitters into the light, its fangs bared at me - who simply thrusts forward the rock spike, badly injuring the creature which keeps crawling towards me. I draw back my left arm and thrust the knife into the insect from below, piercing through a soft spot in its chitin. It grows weak, and I turn my knife upside down, watching the creature slide off my knife and fall down the crack. That's it dealt with. However, I can hear further skittering coming from the crack. Time to leave.
...
Halting simulation of human personality
Calculating optimal route
Proceeding
Sounds are growing more distant
Proceeding
Threat successfully escaped
...
That could have been a pickle, good thing I escaped in a timely fashion. Now, there isn't much distance left before I have to switch cracks. I should take a small rest once I arrive at the end of this one.
Not too long after that, I arrive at the end of the crack. A quick application of transmutation magic creates a comfortable place to rest. 6 hours later I resume my activity and peek out of the crack. Indeed, this still is the crack I entered in - though to be honest, I shouldn't be surprised about that. This confirms my position with the one I estimated while planning the general route. Now, let's resume the climb.
I continue by quickly climbing from one crack to another, remaining out of sight for most of the time as I slowly but surely move towards the top of the cliff. No real problems happen from then on, and the few times a bird takes notice of me, I simply shift the rock around me transmutation magic to keep me safe.
Then I finally arrive at the top of the cliff. With this being quite high up on the mountain, I quickly spot an empty Kukuu nest with a few eggs within. No time to waste. I dash towards the nest and grab an egg at random before dashing towards a slope that leads down the mountain. Once at the slope I make a small pause, taking my time to fuse the gems and minerals with the soles of my boots before picking the egg up again and jumping down the slope, using my reinforced soles to slide down the mountain with a path I calculated before climbing up the mountain.
As I pick up speed I continue to slightly adjust my course, keeping my speed at a manageable but still fast level as I rapidly slide down the mountain, keeping the egg safe within my arms. The slope gradually turns less steep and as I arrive at the foot of the mountain I lose more and more speed before I break into a sprint and dash into the forest, using the trees as cover from the Kukuu birds startled up from my unusual descent.
The way back through the ravine would prove to be rather challenging while carrying an egg, but I simply march back through the river, easily bypassing any dangers of the usual predators and any creature that investigates me in the river is greeted by a thrust with a harpoon, driving them away.
After exactly 2 weeks I finally return to the guild, with the egg intact, and hand in my report.
"I am glad to hear that you have successfully, erm, 'expanded your core' was it? Although I must say it seemed rather risky of you to do so in a simple burrow: you were fortunate that no underground beasts attacked you."
"You have quite some skill with a spear! Able to ward off all the creatures within the ravine just using a makeshift lance is quite a feat. Also, you can hop between trees? That's awesome, I wish I could do that."
"I wonder what kind of strange insect nest you found in that large crack... ah anyway, I'm getting distracted, here are your rewards Mr Exal. Congratulations on becoming a Rank E adventurer!"
Reward
EXP:
400
Money:
30 G
Items:
Rank E Certificate
Random Egg (it might hatch!)
QUEST REPORT (NOT YET APPRAISED) Quest Report (39)
Name: Felicia El Freliti Level: 9 (8155/9000) Quest: No Dwarf Human Left Behind Evaluation:
Rescued Xin
**********
@Bochi
It was safe to say, Felicia was utterly speechless at the sight of the city gates. As always, Gelderholm was surrounded by conflict and chaos, which was what she expected to see when she flew back with Sable, but it seemed the dwarves were being rather... leisurely this time? Although she couldn't see the exact situation since she was quite high in the air, but there seemed to be some strange new contraptions that the dwarves were using to turn the tide of the battle. There were these weirdly shaped... bottles? Or something? That were hoisted atop the city walls, and shot out a thick dark liquid that coated the snake horde, which Felicia was initially skeptical of since it didn't seem to do much, until the beasts literally blew up in flames after something was suddenly catapulted into the crowd of enemies. Looking at the source, something resembling a giant hammer was constantly hitting small objects into the horde of snakes, blowing them up in a great explosion and charring them to a crisp.
Strangely enough, there were even cases where the snakes walked towards the city and then suddenly blew up, with their bodyparts flying everywhere. Felicia couldn't see what was the cause of those mysterious explosions, but even without that, she was boggled beyond belief. She hadn't been gone that long, what kind of legendary engineer suddenly waltzed into the city without her knowledge? She hoped she could meet them, afterall, what they had done seemed to have revolutionized the dwarven defences and given them some stability in this war...
~A couple of days later~
...
"Keep running! We'll be out of the chokepoint soon!" A stern and deep voice called out confidently, the familiarity of which instantly bringing reassurance and confidence back to the faltering army.
"Yes sir!" The soldiers shouted back, many of them carrying the injured on their shoulders or back as they rushed through the dark caverns, the sound of hissing and screaming constantly ringing behind them as the beasts collapsed on their slower members.
---
It was unfortunate really, their patrol was going perfectly before this whole ordeal occurred. They had ambushed wandering bunches of snakes and even isolated and slayed a three-headed snake beast through their combined efforts. Additionally, they set a bunch of these strange things called 'mines' in some of the areas the dwarven engineers deemed safe for explosives.
It was all going great... until a random, supposedly sealed tunnel worm tunnel suddenly burst open with a swarm of snakes in the middle of their squad formation, sending everything into chaos.
---
"Xin, stay with me. I won't be able to carry you if you fall unconscious. Damn it, why are you so tall, this is so uncomfortable." Felicia blabbered without much thought, desperately trying to keep her friend awake with little jokes and teasing.
Felicia and Xin were the only humans on this particular patrol team, hence when Xin was sprayed with a sedative poison and bitten with paralyzing venom, after being unfortunately flung to the ground by another dwarf colliding with him, it was up to Felicia to carry him back. I mean, it would be pretty cruel if she left him to a dwarf no? Most of his body would be dragged along the ground...
"Hey, Felicia?" Xin suddenly spoke, bringing Felicia out of her thoughts as exhaustion began taking its toll on her.
"Yeah?" She replied, relieved to hear him speak.
"I'm sorry." He responded, shoving Felicia forward as he fell to the ground, and disappeared deep within the crowd of escaping dwarves.
"Xin! No, you idiot!" She screeched, desperately trying to claw her way back against the flow of dwarves.
"Lass, leave him, he's a goner." Their captain suddenly appeared beside her, tugging her forward with his herculean strength. Unable to resist, much less in her dishevelled and exhausted state, she could only stare blankly at the sight of her friend fading farther and farther away.
'He has his rations, his backpack, his greatsword and his armour. He's definitely still alive. I'm sure he found a little nook to hide in somewhere deep in the caverns whilst awaiting rescue. He's always been smart like that. He's fine. I'm sure he's fine...'
Suiting herself up despite only having a day of rest, Felicia immediately ventured back into the depths of the caverns to find her friend. It was almost eerie how she disregarded everything else around her, slaughtering whatever came her way and needlessly expending her energy as she fought her way to where she last saw him. It was like her mind was shrouded and numb, unable to think straight unless she could confirm the truth.
Fortunately enough, fate turned out well this time around. As she expected, she found Xin curled up in a tiny crevice in the side of a cavern, surviving on his rations and ability to drift into the shadows. They hugged when they reunited, and managed to safely return to Gelderholm without much trouble.
Felicia didn't know how much her friends meant to her until now. She couldn't bear to imagine what it would be like losing a single one of them...
Sighing in relief for his teacher's good fortune. He stamped the quest report and filed it hoping that no more misfortune would happen along her journey in Gelderholm.
The Smithing Guild is looking for dedicated students interested in smithing.
Blacksmithing is an intensive process that requires many assistants.
Bring a load of firewood, and you will make charcoal and operate the bellows.
Over time, we will teach you to swing a hammer and be a blacksmith's striker.
If you can't stand the heat — get out! — and stop wasting our time.
Rewards:
Points: 75 EXP
Money: n/a
Other: n/a
After completing quest 3 times:
Permission to use Smithing Guild forges
> > >
I arrived at my room in the Tavern and to my surprise, Iris is still not home yet although it seems she stopped by to leave more firewood and left again. I wonder where she is, night is gonna come soon and hope she doesn't stay late. I took a late lunch, grabbed the firewood and went back to the smithy.
Arriving, the usual Zagan immediately noticing me.
"Lad.... this is the third time in the same day already. Get some rest."
"Nay, this a task I must complete as swift as it allows me to do so."
Dissatisfied with my answer, he only shrugs and mentions me to come inside. I follow him and notice that the stations were mostly empty. As night was at a moments notice, it seems everyone left for home.
"There's no work to be done anymore, instead you will forge your own here. I know how the guild quest works, so consider making your first forge as the job and a gift from what you learned. You're free to use the iron stuff and firewood but the rest are off limits unless you bought them."
I couldn't say much due to my shock, I could only express my thanks to him.
"Now, let's get started. You're gonna have to forge it on your own as I'll only help with the processing."
I nod in consent with his offer and immediately start the furnace, immediately the heat gushes out to my face as I squint my eyes instinctively. I filled two steel buckets then melted them. Meanwhile I prepared two sand castings with one longer than the other. Zagan was curious about it but I paid it no mind. Once the iron melted, I poured them into the castings. While I was waiting for the blades to cool, I prepared the rest of the sword components.
Finally the blades cooled and that's where I started with the first long one. Heated up with a bright orange, I hammered it down onto the anvil whilst Zagan held it in place. I repeated the heat and strike process with both blades until I was satisfied. One could hear the sound of metal clanking reverberate in the empty smithy.
Satisfied with the blades and the molded components, I moved the blades to the room with elongated furnace. Starting off with the long one, I heated it up briefly and quench the whole blade into the tubed oil. Fire erupted out of the tube but I Ignored it. Pulling it out had the blade covered in a black color. Focusing the fire in the elongated furnace, I only heated up the center stem of the blade, careful as to not heat up the edges. Waiting for the long blade to cool off, I did the same with the normal one.
Once both finally cooled off, it was time to grind and sharpen. Grinding off the black substance from the blade then sharpening it. I repeated the process until both gave a glimmering appearance that reflected my face. Satisfied with it I assembled them both and had finally finished the two weapons. An iron longsword and a normal iron sword.
"That's good work. Too good for a novice if must say."
"Such compliment is only deserving from someone of a caliber such as you."
"Gahahahaha! Us dwarves are only natural with this. Gahahahaha!"
Ah... so his race is called a dwarf huh.
"Well, with you finishing your forge then consider this a job well done."
I thank him for him teachings and left for the guild to file my report. I head to my room in the tavern hoping to see Iris. I hope she's back and alright.
It was already night time when everything was finished.
Greetings to you Guild
The situation at the smithy was quite barren. Although the smith had no work to offer and instead offered an alternative of forging my own armament for the work I had done there as my reward and final task.
It seems you have completed your three required blacksmith quests. From now you are allowed to use the Smithing Guild forges for free any time Mr Reival.
Rewards:
