Adventures in universe s.., p.14
Adventures in Universe Six : A Lirtrpg Fantasy, page 14
When I came to the door with the dead wide person, I tried to pick up the stone hammer again and was surprised when I felt the feeling of something being sucked out of my hand in into the stone hammer.
[ System Notification ]
Enchanted Hammer has been Soulbound
"What the hell does that even mean?!"
Chapter 20
I hefted the stone hammer into the air a few times, catching it quickly. "What the hell? This thing had to have weighed a ton when I found it. It's as light as a feather now," I said to the empty pit of death. I really should stop talking to myself, I thought. I didn't want to end up like Uncle Fel, wandering the halls during the night muttering to himself.
I finished checking each pit through the doors, finding no trace of any new undead. Walking back into the barracks, I removed one of the blankets from its bed. I went back into the pit with the remains from whom I had taken their bottomless bag and hammer, moved what I could of them onto the blanket, and rolled it up. I then carried them through the mirror and set them near the door.
Luin still lay sleeping on the bed in the corner. I went to an empty bed, removed its blanket, and tore it in half. It took a few tries, but I figured out how the orphanage helpers made the wraps they held the babies on their back with. Figured out, I slowly picked up Luin and placed her in the wrap, and then tied it around my chest. Her sleeping head was now sticking out from the wrap behind me and on my shoulder.
Removing a pillowcase, I filled it with the seemingly never-ending jerky, water, and juice, from the large bottomless stone box. With that, I picked up the remains before heading to the fancy room with the lab. I tied the bottomless satchel around my waist. Inside all the large books I found in this very room. Finished, I headed to the courtyard door and out onto the island to find snow lightly falling from the sky.
What in the world is going on with this world's weather? Maybe they had shorter seasons here? It was hot before we went into the hive. How long ago was that, I thought? A few days, probably. I watched the snow slowly drift around me as it landed on the ground to melt. I bent down and placed my palm on the now grass-covered ground, still warm. Getting up, I headed towards the dock.
I found a large metal rod within one of the many beached ships, and set the hammer and Luin, tucked in her blanket on the beach. I brought the blanket of remains into the field and dug a shallow grave with the rod. When the hole was deep enough, I removed the remains, placed them inside, and covered them. "May you find peace and the guidance to traverse the World Tree until you reach your next destination."
I turned around to find Luin sitting at the edge of the field. Her head cocked to the side ever so slightly and staring at me. A snowflake landed on the top of her nose, and she shook her head as she sneezed, resulting in me laughing at her. I swore she gave me a harsher glare, and I went over and patted her on the head before picking up the blanket and stone hammer. "Let's go. I'm going to see If I can open a gateway back to the dungeon where your people and mine should be."
Once we drew close to the dock, a growl came from behind me. Spinning around, I raised the hammer and found nothing. I looked down at the angry blue creature at my feet. She was using them as a shield between the crashing waves and herself. I picked her up and tried to soothe her with pettings. Luin continued to growl at the waves. "That's the ocean, Luin. It's just water. Yet, you should be terrified of what lives in the water, so maybe it's a good thing you're afraid."
I placed Luin onto the beach and sat down on the dock. I began creating the same door with lines of the void balls. It finally clicked, and I pictured the back of the dungeon's tower, nothing. I tried another location and another. Nothing was working. I started over with a much smaller door sized for a single person. When that construct clicked, I thought of the dungeon, then the village. The mental click wasn't happening.
My thoughts began to spin out of control. What if I had destroyed much more than the hive. Oh god, I didn't think of how far a spell-like that would have traveled. We were deep underground, had to be more than fifteen kilometers away. My face grew wet, and I realized I had begun crying. Luin's head rested on my lap a few moments later, and I let it out, picking up the small Kobold and hugging her. Had I killed many people along with the hive?
Finished with my emotional break, I began looking for a sailboat In good condition. Finding one was easier this time around as I had already checked the first group last time. I went back to the tower and collected the pillows and bedding from the large bed and two more pillows from the closest barracks.
I filled the ship with the bank of food and water. I pilled the extra pillows in the corner of the cabin for Luin along with a blanket if she wanted it. Getting Luin onto the ship was a hassle. I don't think she liked the thought of water, period. She would drink it, sure. But the idea of anything more than a handful amount seemed to be evil incarnate for her.
I finally got her wrapped up in the blanket on the shore. I ran the length of the dock and jumped onto the ship. I placed her on the pillows and closed the door behind me. I pushed the vessel off the pier and set sail towards the mainland once again.
When we were well on our way out to sea, I opened the door to the cabin. "Sorry, Luin, I had no choice. I couldn't leave you on the island to fend for yourself."
Looking into the cabin, I spotted two glowing golden eyes from under the blanket in the corner. She seemed alright, I thought. I'd just leave her there. I didn't want to chance another bite to the face. I left the cabin's door open, hoping she would come out herself.
I checked all the riggings and knots a third time before sitting on the center mast's bench. I had books I could read now, and I needed answers. I removed the first book, 'Alchemy 101 and Plant Locations'. I wasn't sure what a hundred and one meant. Maybe this was a hundred and one recipes? I began leafing through its pages, finding it was an introduction to alchemy and the locations of ingredients. It explained in great length the properties of each component and how to use them efficiently. I came to the same white flower Kiszo had shown me in the forest.
It was called God's Tears, and its properties were accelerated healing. It could be ground into a paste for cuts and bruising. Boiling the flower along with Sage Root then reducing the liquid until it was slightly thick would create a healing potion. The book had hundreds of recipes for many ailments and brews to boost defense or mana regen, way more than a hundred and one. I would have to tinker with these later when I could get the ingredients.
The second book was titled 'The Rise and Fall of Asmodeus.' From the first couple of pages, it was clear this was the name of a kingdom or region of sorts. I skimmed a few more pages, but nothing caught my eye. Putting it away, I pulled out the next volume and was disappointed at finding out it was another history book. The next book, and by the looks of it, the book I used at a doorstop was a delightful find.
'Fundamentals of Magic: Vol.2,' was the title. I was a bit disappointed in not having the first volume, to begin with, but id take anything at this point. Upon reading the first line, my heart ached. It was the synopsis of Vol.1, and it explained each school of magic and how to use different intents to create the nodes for each construct.
Reading through the volume, I learned constructs typically followed the shape of the magic spell. Fireballs are round. Ice Lance is a line in the form of a spear. Almost every school of magic followed this pattern except those with no physical manifestation until the fifth rank.
Schools like Dream and Mind used constructs in patterns or symbols. I learned quite a bit but wished it gave instructions for Tier 2 or higher constructs. I assumed Tier 2 would follow Tier 1's constructs but with more nodes.
The end of the book talked about Vol.3 being the book on the theory of magic and its laws. I would have to seek out the other volumes when I could. Just another thing to add to the never-ending list to learn. I was pulled from the book as I heard the noises of the Sailapods closing in. I got up to get a better look.
This group of pink dolphins looked to be larger than the last. I counted no less than thirty of the pink creatures gliding over the ocean's waves before diving back under to shoot back into the air. I sat on a storage crate and watched them keep pace with the ship.
Sometime later, Luin hopped onto my lap and bracers her front paws on the edge of the ship to look towards the noises they were making. She immediately began yipping at their direction. This brought a smaller Sailapod closer to investigate.
This smaller and I assumed younger Sailapod got within two meters of the vessel as it glided over the waters. It began to make shipping sounds, and Luin responded with short yips. Could they communicate? I couldn't tell. Maybe it was just two younglings being curious.
They kept up this game of response for an hour or two before the Sailpods turned around to head to deeper waters. This action had me look forward to see land in the distance, but the dark clouds above the landmass were what caught my attention. It seemed to be snowing more as well, the warm air from the open ocean now dropping as we got closer to land.
I turned the boat east again, following the coast and towards the location of my first ship. I summoned my magic map to the horror of little Luin, who kept trying to jump off the deck and bite at its edges. I watched the map as we followed the path of my last trip. The orange outline was visible of what I had traveled the last time.
A couple of hours later, we closed in on the first ship's anchor point to only find the top of the mast sticking out from the water. Gobies were my first thought. It would seem ships were not safe on the coast. Making a terrible decision, I turned the boat towards land and prepared.
I scooped up Luin and ran inside to grab the torn blanket. Wrapping the pissed-off blue creature was nerve-wracking, but she rested her head on my shoulder as soon as she gave up the struggle. The air getting colder, I tosed the bigger blanket around us, making a hood over both our heads. Making sure my bottomless pouch was secure, the boat jumped half a foot before crashing back into the waves. I grabbed the pillowcase of food and ran back onto the deck.
I looked forward and could see the beach coming up, a few shallow sand bars between the sand and us. Fifty meters to go, I dropped the mainsail, the boat instantly slowing, but not enough as we hit a shallow sand bar, and I was tossed into the air a meter or so before crashing down onto my ass. The boat rocked up once more before I felt the ship's front end go up, and the vessel went still.
Then the ship began leaning to the side, causing us to start sliding across the deck. Before we hit the railing, I jumped up and over and down onto the sandy beach. I rolled a few times and immediately looked back to see the ship crash into the sand, now on its side. The mainmast a half a meter from hitting us.
I untied the blanket and checked on Luin. She seemed fine but still shaking. I began to pet and comfort her, but a hair-raising howl came from the forest, and she clawed out of my arms and ran under the side of the ship. I got up to grab her when the howl came again. I joined her underneath the beached vessel rather quickly.
Chapter 21
The howl came again from the forest. Poor Luin began digging a hole into the ground before she stuck her head into the hole and stayed still. This damn Kobold was so adorable yet so dumb. Her entire body was sticking out of the hole from her neck up.
I began the construction of stone pillars to surround the boat. Maybe I could make a temporary shelter. The construct clicked, and I released it before screaming out in pain. My entire body felt like an arc of electricity coarse through it. Something was wrong with my magic. Maybe that's why my gate spell didn't work on the island?
So no magic, but I had the hammer and a now blue ostrich for a pet. The howl cut through the forest once more, sounding much closer. Then another much further cry answered the first. Oh shit, it's calling for support. Not wanting to fight two of whatever these things were, I slid myself out from under the boat. Luin stayed, her head still in the sand.
I tossed the pillowcase with our food over the railing of the ship. Hefting the hammer, I waited. Moments later, a monstrous insect came rushing out of the forest's edge. I counted eight legs, and I froze when it turned towards me. It was a massive fucking spider. Sweet Elune, I may have peed myself a little.
The spider came rushing towards me, one massive leg coming right towards my chest. I swung the hammer, it knocking the leg to the side. The hammer flashed briefly upon the hit, but I let it slide from my mind. I brought the hammer back to the side to knock the spider's massive teeth-filled face to the side. The hammer flashed once more, odd. The arachnid stood frozen for a moment before turning to face me again, its head now leaking a sickly green ichor.
Not waiting for it to attack again, I dashed forward, bringing the hammer down upon its head when the hammer flashed even brighter upon impact. A meter out of the impact, the spider's body was flattened to the sandy beach. The rest of the spider stood for a moment before collapsing and turning to green dust. I looked at the hammer in amazement.
Picking up the green gem, I tossed it into my mouth and was surprised to see a new message in the notification box.
[ System Notification ]
Rank D Jade Core has given 12 Energy
Mana Channel's Restoration 12/500
Was that why I couldn't use magic? Had the spell used to destroy the hive done something to my mana channels? Why didn't I respawn with them fixed? So many questions with more unanswered knowledge I needed.
The previous far-off howl now sounded closer, and I waited for it as I stood on the beach. It didn't take long for another smaller spider to come barreling out of the forest. This one was built differently, with bone-like armor protecting its many-eyed head. This one seemed to glare at me for a minute or two, studying me maybe. Then with a loud, ear-piercing shriek, it dashed into the forest.
Ok, what the bloody hell was that about. I waited for a few intense minutes for the creature to return. While I scanned the forest's edge, I thought back on the antlers of the spider. Was that an advanced Gnit?
Not wanting to wait any longer, I went over and pulled Luin from her sandy hole. Grabbing the blanket, I tried to wrap her within, but she had other plans. I dropped her to the beach, watching as she twisted and landed on all fours. I guess she's part cat as well. Grabbing our food bag, I began to walk towards the trees. Checking my map, I angeled to where the village stood, Luin following behind me.
We traveled in silence. The forest was eerily creepy as the snow slowly fell around us. The snow still didn't last long as it landed on the forest's floor. As we grew closer to the village, I was amazed to see the forest changing around us. Instead of death and destruction that I had assumed would have happened around the point of my spell, the forest almost seemed to thrive and grow. When we arrived at the village, I was saddened to see the walls and houses crumbled and decayed. N where the town had once stood now contained a young and thriving forest.
My brain stopped and began to spin around with thoughts. How long would this have taken? Not days or weeks, maybe months? Years?! How long was it taking me to respawn? Did Kiszo think I was dead? My brain went around and around with questions, and what if's I couldn't answer.
I stopped my train of thought. It would do me no good to dwell on it. I would have to find the survivors to get answers. I doubted the closest village was there, So I turned to the east and began making my way to the dungeon.
I marveled at the plant life around me as I walked. It seemed more significant, fuller, and brighter than I could remember. I would stop or walk towards any flower patches in the hopes of meeting the Fae, but none could be found.
Before reaching the field of yellow grass, the trees and plant life began to revert to normal again. The area was still filled with the colorful slimes, my hammer making fast work of them. I found every third hit with the hammer did some type of attack that would flatten the area around the impact for half a meter in all directions. Some kind of skill or ability had been inserted into the hammer. I would have to ask about that as well.
I looked up to the vast wall in the distance as I killed another slime. It looked like they had moved their village to the dungeon.
[ System Notification ]
Rank D Bone Core has given 2 Energy
Mana Channel's Restoration 62/500
As I drew closer, I could see the village was massive. It was easily two to three times as wide as Ray'tha had been. Seeing a large gate to my right, I began to walk towards it. Some fifty meters from the entrance, an arrow struck the ground in front of me. "Halt! State your business!" shouted a Kobold front the top of the gate.
"My name is Zeal! I'm friends of Kiszo and Porcu! The Chief of Ray'tha knows of me as well!"
I watched as the Kobold shouted something behind him. I stood my ground for easily half an hour before a small door inside the large gate swung open. I could make the silhouette of a three-armed Beastkin running towards me. When I could see who it was, I ran to greet her. Kiszo scooped me up and crushed me in her embrace. "Zeal! We thought you were dead after the mana mushroom! Where have you been?"
"Wait, how long have I been gone, Kiszo?"
"You've been gone for about a year. We just had a memorial a couple of days ago in honor of you and those who died during the hive's invasion of the villages."
"The villages? How many?"
"Every village within the forest had been attacked during the same days as ours. Two villages had gotten lucky and had been warned to the tunneling below. One town sadly was completely wiped out. All the survivors eventually moved here to Ray'tha Rise. Come, let's get you inside. Omaar and others would love to know you're... Who is this!" Kiszo said as she bent down and scooped up Luin and bopped her in the nose. Luin didn't like it and tried to nip at her finger.
"This is Luin. She was inside the prison when you guys escaped. Somehow she bounded with me and respawned when I did."
"She adorable. Is she a Kobold? I've never seen a blue Kobold, let alone one with these golden markings."
[ System Notification ]
Enchanted Hammer has been Soulbound
"What the hell does that even mean?!"
Chapter 20
I hefted the stone hammer into the air a few times, catching it quickly. "What the hell? This thing had to have weighed a ton when I found it. It's as light as a feather now," I said to the empty pit of death. I really should stop talking to myself, I thought. I didn't want to end up like Uncle Fel, wandering the halls during the night muttering to himself.
I finished checking each pit through the doors, finding no trace of any new undead. Walking back into the barracks, I removed one of the blankets from its bed. I went back into the pit with the remains from whom I had taken their bottomless bag and hammer, moved what I could of them onto the blanket, and rolled it up. I then carried them through the mirror and set them near the door.
Luin still lay sleeping on the bed in the corner. I went to an empty bed, removed its blanket, and tore it in half. It took a few tries, but I figured out how the orphanage helpers made the wraps they held the babies on their back with. Figured out, I slowly picked up Luin and placed her in the wrap, and then tied it around my chest. Her sleeping head was now sticking out from the wrap behind me and on my shoulder.
Removing a pillowcase, I filled it with the seemingly never-ending jerky, water, and juice, from the large bottomless stone box. With that, I picked up the remains before heading to the fancy room with the lab. I tied the bottomless satchel around my waist. Inside all the large books I found in this very room. Finished, I headed to the courtyard door and out onto the island to find snow lightly falling from the sky.
What in the world is going on with this world's weather? Maybe they had shorter seasons here? It was hot before we went into the hive. How long ago was that, I thought? A few days, probably. I watched the snow slowly drift around me as it landed on the ground to melt. I bent down and placed my palm on the now grass-covered ground, still warm. Getting up, I headed towards the dock.
I found a large metal rod within one of the many beached ships, and set the hammer and Luin, tucked in her blanket on the beach. I brought the blanket of remains into the field and dug a shallow grave with the rod. When the hole was deep enough, I removed the remains, placed them inside, and covered them. "May you find peace and the guidance to traverse the World Tree until you reach your next destination."
I turned around to find Luin sitting at the edge of the field. Her head cocked to the side ever so slightly and staring at me. A snowflake landed on the top of her nose, and she shook her head as she sneezed, resulting in me laughing at her. I swore she gave me a harsher glare, and I went over and patted her on the head before picking up the blanket and stone hammer. "Let's go. I'm going to see If I can open a gateway back to the dungeon where your people and mine should be."
Once we drew close to the dock, a growl came from behind me. Spinning around, I raised the hammer and found nothing. I looked down at the angry blue creature at my feet. She was using them as a shield between the crashing waves and herself. I picked her up and tried to soothe her with pettings. Luin continued to growl at the waves. "That's the ocean, Luin. It's just water. Yet, you should be terrified of what lives in the water, so maybe it's a good thing you're afraid."
I placed Luin onto the beach and sat down on the dock. I began creating the same door with lines of the void balls. It finally clicked, and I pictured the back of the dungeon's tower, nothing. I tried another location and another. Nothing was working. I started over with a much smaller door sized for a single person. When that construct clicked, I thought of the dungeon, then the village. The mental click wasn't happening.
My thoughts began to spin out of control. What if I had destroyed much more than the hive. Oh god, I didn't think of how far a spell-like that would have traveled. We were deep underground, had to be more than fifteen kilometers away. My face grew wet, and I realized I had begun crying. Luin's head rested on my lap a few moments later, and I let it out, picking up the small Kobold and hugging her. Had I killed many people along with the hive?
Finished with my emotional break, I began looking for a sailboat In good condition. Finding one was easier this time around as I had already checked the first group last time. I went back to the tower and collected the pillows and bedding from the large bed and two more pillows from the closest barracks.
I filled the ship with the bank of food and water. I pilled the extra pillows in the corner of the cabin for Luin along with a blanket if she wanted it. Getting Luin onto the ship was a hassle. I don't think she liked the thought of water, period. She would drink it, sure. But the idea of anything more than a handful amount seemed to be evil incarnate for her.
I finally got her wrapped up in the blanket on the shore. I ran the length of the dock and jumped onto the ship. I placed her on the pillows and closed the door behind me. I pushed the vessel off the pier and set sail towards the mainland once again.
When we were well on our way out to sea, I opened the door to the cabin. "Sorry, Luin, I had no choice. I couldn't leave you on the island to fend for yourself."
Looking into the cabin, I spotted two glowing golden eyes from under the blanket in the corner. She seemed alright, I thought. I'd just leave her there. I didn't want to chance another bite to the face. I left the cabin's door open, hoping she would come out herself.
I checked all the riggings and knots a third time before sitting on the center mast's bench. I had books I could read now, and I needed answers. I removed the first book, 'Alchemy 101 and Plant Locations'. I wasn't sure what a hundred and one meant. Maybe this was a hundred and one recipes? I began leafing through its pages, finding it was an introduction to alchemy and the locations of ingredients. It explained in great length the properties of each component and how to use them efficiently. I came to the same white flower Kiszo had shown me in the forest.
It was called God's Tears, and its properties were accelerated healing. It could be ground into a paste for cuts and bruising. Boiling the flower along with Sage Root then reducing the liquid until it was slightly thick would create a healing potion. The book had hundreds of recipes for many ailments and brews to boost defense or mana regen, way more than a hundred and one. I would have to tinker with these later when I could get the ingredients.
The second book was titled 'The Rise and Fall of Asmodeus.' From the first couple of pages, it was clear this was the name of a kingdom or region of sorts. I skimmed a few more pages, but nothing caught my eye. Putting it away, I pulled out the next volume and was disappointed at finding out it was another history book. The next book, and by the looks of it, the book I used at a doorstop was a delightful find.
'Fundamentals of Magic: Vol.2,' was the title. I was a bit disappointed in not having the first volume, to begin with, but id take anything at this point. Upon reading the first line, my heart ached. It was the synopsis of Vol.1, and it explained each school of magic and how to use different intents to create the nodes for each construct.
Reading through the volume, I learned constructs typically followed the shape of the magic spell. Fireballs are round. Ice Lance is a line in the form of a spear. Almost every school of magic followed this pattern except those with no physical manifestation until the fifth rank.
Schools like Dream and Mind used constructs in patterns or symbols. I learned quite a bit but wished it gave instructions for Tier 2 or higher constructs. I assumed Tier 2 would follow Tier 1's constructs but with more nodes.
The end of the book talked about Vol.3 being the book on the theory of magic and its laws. I would have to seek out the other volumes when I could. Just another thing to add to the never-ending list to learn. I was pulled from the book as I heard the noises of the Sailapods closing in. I got up to get a better look.
This group of pink dolphins looked to be larger than the last. I counted no less than thirty of the pink creatures gliding over the ocean's waves before diving back under to shoot back into the air. I sat on a storage crate and watched them keep pace with the ship.
Sometime later, Luin hopped onto my lap and bracers her front paws on the edge of the ship to look towards the noises they were making. She immediately began yipping at their direction. This brought a smaller Sailapod closer to investigate.
This smaller and I assumed younger Sailapod got within two meters of the vessel as it glided over the waters. It began to make shipping sounds, and Luin responded with short yips. Could they communicate? I couldn't tell. Maybe it was just two younglings being curious.
They kept up this game of response for an hour or two before the Sailpods turned around to head to deeper waters. This action had me look forward to see land in the distance, but the dark clouds above the landmass were what caught my attention. It seemed to be snowing more as well, the warm air from the open ocean now dropping as we got closer to land.
I turned the boat east again, following the coast and towards the location of my first ship. I summoned my magic map to the horror of little Luin, who kept trying to jump off the deck and bite at its edges. I watched the map as we followed the path of my last trip. The orange outline was visible of what I had traveled the last time.
A couple of hours later, we closed in on the first ship's anchor point to only find the top of the mast sticking out from the water. Gobies were my first thought. It would seem ships were not safe on the coast. Making a terrible decision, I turned the boat towards land and prepared.
I scooped up Luin and ran inside to grab the torn blanket. Wrapping the pissed-off blue creature was nerve-wracking, but she rested her head on my shoulder as soon as she gave up the struggle. The air getting colder, I tosed the bigger blanket around us, making a hood over both our heads. Making sure my bottomless pouch was secure, the boat jumped half a foot before crashing back into the waves. I grabbed the pillowcase of food and ran back onto the deck.
I looked forward and could see the beach coming up, a few shallow sand bars between the sand and us. Fifty meters to go, I dropped the mainsail, the boat instantly slowing, but not enough as we hit a shallow sand bar, and I was tossed into the air a meter or so before crashing down onto my ass. The boat rocked up once more before I felt the ship's front end go up, and the vessel went still.
Then the ship began leaning to the side, causing us to start sliding across the deck. Before we hit the railing, I jumped up and over and down onto the sandy beach. I rolled a few times and immediately looked back to see the ship crash into the sand, now on its side. The mainmast a half a meter from hitting us.
I untied the blanket and checked on Luin. She seemed fine but still shaking. I began to pet and comfort her, but a hair-raising howl came from the forest, and she clawed out of my arms and ran under the side of the ship. I got up to grab her when the howl came again. I joined her underneath the beached vessel rather quickly.
Chapter 21
The howl came again from the forest. Poor Luin began digging a hole into the ground before she stuck her head into the hole and stayed still. This damn Kobold was so adorable yet so dumb. Her entire body was sticking out of the hole from her neck up.
I began the construction of stone pillars to surround the boat. Maybe I could make a temporary shelter. The construct clicked, and I released it before screaming out in pain. My entire body felt like an arc of electricity coarse through it. Something was wrong with my magic. Maybe that's why my gate spell didn't work on the island?
So no magic, but I had the hammer and a now blue ostrich for a pet. The howl cut through the forest once more, sounding much closer. Then another much further cry answered the first. Oh shit, it's calling for support. Not wanting to fight two of whatever these things were, I slid myself out from under the boat. Luin stayed, her head still in the sand.
I tossed the pillowcase with our food over the railing of the ship. Hefting the hammer, I waited. Moments later, a monstrous insect came rushing out of the forest's edge. I counted eight legs, and I froze when it turned towards me. It was a massive fucking spider. Sweet Elune, I may have peed myself a little.
The spider came rushing towards me, one massive leg coming right towards my chest. I swung the hammer, it knocking the leg to the side. The hammer flashed briefly upon the hit, but I let it slide from my mind. I brought the hammer back to the side to knock the spider's massive teeth-filled face to the side. The hammer flashed once more, odd. The arachnid stood frozen for a moment before turning to face me again, its head now leaking a sickly green ichor.
Not waiting for it to attack again, I dashed forward, bringing the hammer down upon its head when the hammer flashed even brighter upon impact. A meter out of the impact, the spider's body was flattened to the sandy beach. The rest of the spider stood for a moment before collapsing and turning to green dust. I looked at the hammer in amazement.
Picking up the green gem, I tossed it into my mouth and was surprised to see a new message in the notification box.
[ System Notification ]
Rank D Jade Core has given 12 Energy
Mana Channel's Restoration 12/500
Was that why I couldn't use magic? Had the spell used to destroy the hive done something to my mana channels? Why didn't I respawn with them fixed? So many questions with more unanswered knowledge I needed.
The previous far-off howl now sounded closer, and I waited for it as I stood on the beach. It didn't take long for another smaller spider to come barreling out of the forest. This one was built differently, with bone-like armor protecting its many-eyed head. This one seemed to glare at me for a minute or two, studying me maybe. Then with a loud, ear-piercing shriek, it dashed into the forest.
Ok, what the bloody hell was that about. I waited for a few intense minutes for the creature to return. While I scanned the forest's edge, I thought back on the antlers of the spider. Was that an advanced Gnit?
Not wanting to wait any longer, I went over and pulled Luin from her sandy hole. Grabbing the blanket, I tried to wrap her within, but she had other plans. I dropped her to the beach, watching as she twisted and landed on all fours. I guess she's part cat as well. Grabbing our food bag, I began to walk towards the trees. Checking my map, I angeled to where the village stood, Luin following behind me.
We traveled in silence. The forest was eerily creepy as the snow slowly fell around us. The snow still didn't last long as it landed on the forest's floor. As we grew closer to the village, I was amazed to see the forest changing around us. Instead of death and destruction that I had assumed would have happened around the point of my spell, the forest almost seemed to thrive and grow. When we arrived at the village, I was saddened to see the walls and houses crumbled and decayed. N where the town had once stood now contained a young and thriving forest.
My brain stopped and began to spin around with thoughts. How long would this have taken? Not days or weeks, maybe months? Years?! How long was it taking me to respawn? Did Kiszo think I was dead? My brain went around and around with questions, and what if's I couldn't answer.
I stopped my train of thought. It would do me no good to dwell on it. I would have to find the survivors to get answers. I doubted the closest village was there, So I turned to the east and began making my way to the dungeon.
I marveled at the plant life around me as I walked. It seemed more significant, fuller, and brighter than I could remember. I would stop or walk towards any flower patches in the hopes of meeting the Fae, but none could be found.
Before reaching the field of yellow grass, the trees and plant life began to revert to normal again. The area was still filled with the colorful slimes, my hammer making fast work of them. I found every third hit with the hammer did some type of attack that would flatten the area around the impact for half a meter in all directions. Some kind of skill or ability had been inserted into the hammer. I would have to ask about that as well.
I looked up to the vast wall in the distance as I killed another slime. It looked like they had moved their village to the dungeon.
[ System Notification ]
Rank D Bone Core has given 2 Energy
Mana Channel's Restoration 62/500
As I drew closer, I could see the village was massive. It was easily two to three times as wide as Ray'tha had been. Seeing a large gate to my right, I began to walk towards it. Some fifty meters from the entrance, an arrow struck the ground in front of me. "Halt! State your business!" shouted a Kobold front the top of the gate.
"My name is Zeal! I'm friends of Kiszo and Porcu! The Chief of Ray'tha knows of me as well!"
I watched as the Kobold shouted something behind him. I stood my ground for easily half an hour before a small door inside the large gate swung open. I could make the silhouette of a three-armed Beastkin running towards me. When I could see who it was, I ran to greet her. Kiszo scooped me up and crushed me in her embrace. "Zeal! We thought you were dead after the mana mushroom! Where have you been?"
"Wait, how long have I been gone, Kiszo?"
"You've been gone for about a year. We just had a memorial a couple of days ago in honor of you and those who died during the hive's invasion of the villages."
"The villages? How many?"
"Every village within the forest had been attacked during the same days as ours. Two villages had gotten lucky and had been warned to the tunneling below. One town sadly was completely wiped out. All the survivors eventually moved here to Ray'tha Rise. Come, let's get you inside. Omaar and others would love to know you're... Who is this!" Kiszo said as she bent down and scooped up Luin and bopped her in the nose. Luin didn't like it and tried to nip at her finger.
"This is Luin. She was inside the prison when you guys escaped. Somehow she bounded with me and respawned when I did."
"She adorable. Is she a Kobold? I've never seen a blue Kobold, let alone one with these golden markings."
