Goblin summoner a deckbu.., p.15
Goblin Summoner: A Deckbuilding LitRPG, page 15
“Good! We don’t need you. Leave us alone!”
“This is our home! You leave.”
“This village was gifted to us by the lords of Wildermount. It’s our land,” Agatha said.
“It wasn’t theirs to give!”
Gareth tried to ignore the geriatric shouting match. The dragon had torn a chunk from his goblin’s shield, and he suspected that represented one of his hit points being chipped away. The constant attacks from the party’s monsters were taking a toll, slowly. The arrows of the wyldkin were helping.
Flames roared from the dragon’s maw, launched at the goblin and its shard of metal. They washed over the smaller monster, light filling the air as its magic failed. The goblin had done a good job, holding the dragon’s attention for a significant length of time. Gareth was impressed by his monster’s fortitude. It was an interesting wrinkle in his deck.
Gareth broke into a run, no longer having his summoned protector. The dragon surged forward, chasing him as he fled. He ducked behind a nearby building, hoping to screen himself from the dragon’s ire.
The great beast swung its tail around, pivoting on its back legs as it threw its considerable weight behind the attack. The limb crashed into the side of the building, the walls shattering, the roof collapsing as its supports failed. Stones rained down on Gareth, crashing against his shield. Golden light flickered, the repeated strikes consuming his cards quickly.
Gareth threw himself to the ground, screening his head with his hands. The rain of stone stopped, and he looked up, dust caking his face. He was still alive and didn’t feel hurt. Standing as quickly as he could, Gareth inspected himself with his hands. No blood, which was a good sign. His shield was gone, three golden cards floating in his hand. There were two Lightning Blasts and a Puny Goblin. Gareth smiled, dust flaking off his cheeks as they moved. It was time to get some damage in himself.
He stepped around the side of the collapsing building. The dragon was waiting for him, its face lowered close to the ground. Glowing red eyes met Gareth’s.
“Yeah. You too,” Gareth said, sensing the dragon’s desire to kill him. He touched a Lightning Blast.
The sound of thunder filled the village as lightning arced into the dragon. Green splattered across a nearby building, a chunk of vegetative flesh blown from the side of the dragon’s head. It reared up onto its hind legs, shrieking in agony as it stumbled. A second bolt hit it in the chest, the beast toppling backwards from the strike. It crashed into the building behind it, crushing the structure, wings shredding as they met the wooden beams within the house.
Nature Dragon defeated. 240 Experience points gained.
“Did, did we win?” Magda said in disbelief. “I can’t believe it.”
“A rather impressive feat,” Sarkuran said, brushing some singed plant life from his cloak. “Though I feel my own contribution was rather minor. Still, one for the history books, I think.”
“Hah! See! One of our kind helped slay this dragon,” Trudy said, pointing towards her daughter. “What do you think of that, you crone?”
“I think you need to look in the mirror dear before you go shouting insults. Besides, the duellists we hired were so obviously key to taking out the monster!”
Gareth shook his head. The two sides were still at each other’s throats, fighting over a village that barely existed anymore. The dragon had destroyed all but a handful of houses. A glimmer on the ground caught his eye, and Gareth bent down to pick it up. It was a section of horn that had been blown clear of the dragon’s head by his Lightning Blast.
Nature Dragon Horn collected.
“This didn’t end like I thought it would,” Magda said. She stepped over a still smouldering mass of vines. “What do you think will happen here?”
“I’ve got no idea,” Gareth said. He reached up with his sleeve and tried to brush off the dust that had settled on him. “This whole feud seems a bit pointless now, honestly. I guess they could rebuild, but…”
Gareth turned and began to stomp across the village square. A thought had occurred to him, a resolution that would solve everything.
“Right, you two, come here.” He pointed to Agatha and Trudy. The two old women just stared at him; their expressions were almost identical. “Now.”
“Where do you get off ordering us about, boy,” Agatha said. She strode forward confidently.
“Yes, respect your elders!” Trudy said.
“This whole thing is because of your silly feud; you know this right? The wyrmkin were guarding something beneath the well, which is why they were so desperate to get the village back. That’s not discounting that they were forced out of their homes. You have to understand them being kicked out was wrong, Agatha.”
“We have an official set of deeds from Wildermount!”
“That doesn’t make it any less wrong,” Gareth said. “And Trudy, you have to understand that the people who live here now, well, most of them, didn’t kick you out. It was so long ago now they weren’t born. We went into the catacombs, we investigated what was below here. You know what it was? Monsters. Vhargulf, they were keeping the elementals away.” It was a lie, one Gareth hoped was convincing. There was a kernel of truth to it, there had been a vhargulf lurking beneath the village. “We killed them, but that means that the elementals are going to come here more often. Just like this dragon. You understand what I’m saying?”
“Not my problem if the humans can’t defend themselves,” Trudy said, crossing her arms.
“Oh, ok, you want to petition Wildermount for help rebuilding the village? You think that they’re going to be sympathetic to some wyrmkin? They might even blame you for this. Especially if you knew there was something beneath the village...”
“You’re not wrong,” Trudy said.
“So, here’s an easy fix. You both get the village. It needs rebuilding, anyway, just build it bigger than before. The humans here can convince Wildermount to send help, the wyrmkin can help protect everyone who lives here. Everyone wins.”
“We could do more business with the city if we aren’t waiting for escorts every time,” Hans said. The rune crafter had walked over as Gareth had talked. He had a gash across his cheek, blood trickling from the wound. “It’s a good idea, Agatha.”
“They’ve made our lives miserable for decades! My life miserable!”
“And this will put a stop to that.” Hans nodded towards the horn in Gareth’s hands. “That from the dragon?” He extended an open hand.
“Sure is,” Gareth said, passing the horn over.
“Nice, I think I can make something useful from this and that vine. Give me a day or two. It’ll probably take this pair that long to work things out. It’s a good idea. Some of the younger members of the village have always thought it was a bit unfair the wyrmkin were kicked out.”
***
The next few days were spent cleaning up the devastation the dragon had wrought on the village. With most of the houses unliveable, the wyrmkin had provided several large tents to temporarily house the villagers. They had also pitched in with the clean-up, even helping bury those who had perished in the attack. That had gone a long way towards patching up the rift between the two groups, grief acting to form strong bonds.
The two elders still bickered, but that had at least come to agree with Gareth’s plan. It was the obvious answer, but one only visible to a neutral party. It would be difficult, but in the long run, both groups would see the benefits of working together.
He took a bite from his sausage. It tasted fantastic; Gareth hadn’t eaten much besides the rations the villagers had given him on first leaving. Those had been some chunks of stale bread and a handful of berries, so something more substantial was welcome. The wyrmkin had broken open their stores, the sausages bought from a trader willing to deal illicitly with them. That was one thing that would end once the village had been rebuilt, the wyrmkin would have easier access to trade.
“I’ll miss this when we leave,” Gareth said, taking another bite. “Can’t imagine there are any free breakfasts in Wildermount.” His words were muffled, his mouth filled with sausage.
“I wouldn’t think so, no,” Sarkuran said. The demon king had been passed off as another lost duellist. Like Gareth, he had been given some trousers and a shirt that fitted poorly. He had kept his makeshift cape, cutting a large section from the bottom so it no longer dragged across the floor. “Still, I’m excited to see the city. These trees are rather…oppressive already.”
“Yeah, seeing the sky would be nice.” Magda was pushing her breakfast around the plate. The hearty meal she had been given was too much for her slight build. “I think if I’m going to find any way to return to my…former, state, then that’s a good place to start. There will be temples there.”
“Do those matter, temples? No offence but I’d never heard of you, uh, religiously speaking,” Gareth said.
“People tend to create their own mythologies, but the act of worship itself generates divinity, and that will form a link to my home. Hopefully. It’s all rather…theoretical.”
“Personally, I’m relishing the challenge to return to my previous form. I’ll get there eventually, once I’m at a high enough level. It will just take some time.” Sarkuran took a bite from a slice of toast.
“Sorry, what? You get to high enough level and you become a demon?” Gareth said.
“Not quite. It depends on what the affinity for your deck is. I’ll become a demon. Who knows what you’ll become. It’s all rather random. Most people never see the kind of levels that are required to change forms like that.”
“Wait,” Magda said. “So, did you start as a human? The first time that is.”
“Of course. All demon kings do. We’re sent to these worlds to prevent the gods from seizing control the same way you send your supposed heroes. Reincarnation.”
“No, that doesn’t make sense. That would mean that you’re judging souls somehow. There’s no way that could be the case.”
“No way that you know of. I’m no expert, I was just one of those lucky enough to be picked to get a second chance.” Sarkuran put his plate down on the small wooden table they were sat next to. They were sitting on cushions that were scattered around beneath the canopy of the tent.
“So, who were you, back when you were human?” Gareth said.
“I don’t know. It’s been so long that I don’t really remember. Magic makes you live longer, the higher level you get the less mortal you become. I spent centuries ruling my empire. It all just…slips through your fingers.” There was genuine sadness across his face. He brushed his long hair from his eyes and hooked it over his horn. Whilst the plan was to pass him off as a wyldkin, they had to keep his horn hidden during their stay. Imelda’s people would spot he wasn’t one of their own. When they were outside Sarkuran had covered his head with part of his cloak.
“Oh, that’s…interesting. Maybe that’s all Magda needs to do then? Reach a high enough level.”
“Perhaps.”
“Either way, I still want to visit the temples,” Magda said. She stood up and stretched her arms. “Come on, it’s nearly time.”
***
Gareth tightened the strap on his backpack. Several days’ worth of rations had been slotted inside, along with a change of clothes, the items vanishing into the void within. Next to him was the rest of his party, each had been equally equipped. Ostensibly Imelda was there to act as their guide to Wildermount. She hadn’t the heart to tell her mother she wasn’t returning.
The people of the village, humans and wyldkin alike had gathered to see them off. The truce was tenuous still, but Gareth was hopeful for its future. Behind the crowd, the body of the dragon had been dragged near the well. It had started to decompose, not into rancid rot, but into a beautiful garden. Bright flowers were sprouting from the body and spreading across the ground. The ring of death that had previously surrounded the well replaced by new life.
“Your trouble, you know that?” Agatha said. “But you’re welcome back here in Knopton at any time.”
“Herriox,” Trudy said. “That’s its original name.”
“Well, we’ll come to some compromise on that, I’m sure.”
“Here.” Hans presented Gareth with a box. “I crafted that out of the dragon’s horn. It got a little…weird. I was inspired by your affinity, and that staff you’ve found. I hope it’s to your liking. Once you get going the magic takes over a little.”
Magda rolled her eyes. “Of course, he gets the item.”
Gareth opened the box. He hadn’t expected what was within. The dragon’s horn had been split in two, each half attached to the top of a rough wooden mask. It was made from dark brown dried bark. There were four glowing eyes, each a bright amber. Except for the extra eyes, it looked like the rough approximation of a goblin, the horns forming a pair of sweeping ears.
“Oh, thanks, I guess?” Gareth said. He took the mask from the box.
Quest Complete! Secret objective achieved – broker peace between the villagers and the wyrmkin.
600 Experience points earned. 300 bonus experience earned for secret objective.
Runic Item obtained. Mask of the Goblin King. Reduces the mana cost of the first goblin you cast by one.
Level up – Level 7 reached
Two skill points gained.
Level up – Level 8 reached
Current Exp 290/636
Two skill points gained.
“It ok? I think it’s some of my best work personally,” Hans said.
“It’s great.” Gareth wasn’t looking forward to wearing it. The bark looked rough on the skin. The effect was powerful though. It would have come in extremely useful in the battle against the dragon. The shield-bearer would be even better at two mana. “Thank you.”
“Well, best hurry,” Agatha said. “This forest isn’t safe—you don’t want to spend too long in here.” She gave a cheeky wink. “Don’t want to have all your clothes stolen again.”
Chapter Twelve
As they walked the path out of the forest, twisting between trees and scrambling over logs, Gareth opened his menu. Completing the quest had given him enough experience points to climb two levels, thanks in part to defeating the dragon. That meant he had four skill points to spend on upgrades. It felt like a significant boost. Since passing fifth level he had consistently gotten two points, meaning he had already earned more in the past handful of levels than he had for the first few. It was an interesting wrinkle, Gareth assumed at some point he might get even more skill points, his abilities increasing at an ever-quickening pace.
Checking his current skills Gareth could see what he had already spent, the words floating in his vision before him.
Mana Reserve: 6 skill points
Deck Limit: 0 skill points
Deck Size: 1 skill point
Spending the first skill point was easy. Gareth put it into deck size, immediately increasing the number of cards he could use. Deciding that having access to more cards was pointless if he didn’t have the mana limit to match, he spent his next two points to get the upgrade on that skill. That left him with only a single point. Gareth placed it into his mana. He was still a few points off getting his next mana orb, but it was progress regardless. It would be within his grasp in another two levels. The effectiveness of his shield-bearer had convinced him that more expensive creatures were proportionally more powerful.
He closed his skills and examined his cards. The boosting effect from his feat was proving significant. For his cheapest creature, the Puny Goblin, it was a fifty per cent increase to both of its statistics. It was less drastic an increase for the other monsters, but bigger numbers had to be better.
“Sark, the numbers on the cards, what do they mean?” Gareth said. The demon’s age and experience meant he knew more about cards and monsters than anyone else. He had after all forged an empire with a deck box at his hip.
“You mean the attack and defence ratings?” Sarkuran said. He was walking in the centre of the party, Imelda immediately behind him. The wyrmkin had been serious when she had said she would watch his every move. She rarely left the demon alone, and when she had been forced to, she had made sure that another party member was with him at all times.
“Yeah, and the hit points.”
“I would have thought it was fairly self-explanatory. The attack rating is a numerical representation of a monster’s combat ability. It’s strength, its skill, that kind of thing. The defence rating is the opposite, of course. In general, a monster with an attack rating equal to its opponent’s defence will be able to inflict damage of some kind. Hit points are how much damage a monster can take, abstracted slightly. I imagine that goblin with the large shield has multiple hit points. In its case, those represent the absurd metal slab it was carrying around.”
“Ah ok, so if say I sent a Goblin Soldier with its two hundred and fifty attack against a Puny Goblin’s one hundred defence, it would be able to kill it easily. But if it’s up against a shield-bearer’s three hundred defence, it isn’t getting past that shield.” It was what Gareth had suspected, but it good to hear it confirmed.
“Exactly,” Sarkuran said, nodding as he did. “The calculations are muddied somewhat by the presence of multiple monsters. Three Puny Goblin’s working together could breach that shield because they have a combined attack of three hundred. They still only have one hundred defence, however, so can be easily taken out by…well with those numbers basically anything. Again, this isn’t a hard and fast rule, some monsters can join their defences together through the effects they may have.” A smile crept across the demon king’s lips. “My old nemesis could do that; their deck had an affinity for knights. Lots of them had could defend together or block the assault on another monster.”
“You mean this world’s hero?” Magda said. She had picked up a section of a broken branch and was using it as a makeshift walking stick.
