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It had been several hours since our departure of Trodain and it had started out safely until Slime came bouncing out on the main road. Granted I wouldn't have even payed it any attention to the small monster as their species was barley Rank G, if this particular had not only charged at us but jumped over us and the wagon to the other side before bouncing away. All three of us looked at the at the dust cloud that used to be the Slime before turning back to each other. "That was...peculiar?" I said out loud as most monsters would try to fight instead of jumping over their prey. King Trode could only nod in agreement before we continued on the road, until we heard trees crashing to the ground in the distance.
"What was that?" His majesty asks as I removed my sword from its sheath. Scanning the forests edge and waiting for another sound to reveal its location, I hold up my hand to the sky to inform the royal family to stop moving for now. Having seen the signal, Medea comes to a complete stop while her father is looking at every direction for the sound while still hold onto the reigns. We had come up with this arrangement for when we would have to encounter monsters. Medea would stop the carriage to not alert them towards us, King Trode would look for any sign of monsters while being ready to flee on command and I would handle on the extermination of them. There were still some flaws with this plan but it would have to work until we can either afford to hire mercenaries or if I could get stronger. *CRASH* this time the sound came fifty feet east-southeast from our current position.
Moving myself between the wagon and the monster, I brought my sword and shield up and got into a battle position. I didn't need to wait long as the monster toppled the last tree standing in its way to the ground. What stood before me was a purple bull with an orange bird's beak. 'Well, let's see if that new ability can tell me what you are.' "Observe" I said softly as to not startle the beast.
Observe: This ability may only allow the User to see the Name, Lv and Title for people/monsters. Once you get to know a person, the information will be updated. For Items, a small description of its uses will be shown. For monsters, it will show which attribute is the strongest and most commonly used and it's Rank.
Buffalo Wing - Lv 7 - Beast of Trodain - STR - Rank F
From the description and me testing this ability, it can only show me how dangerous a monster is compared to me. This would be my first time going up against an actual monsters rather than having to stand in the back to watch my seniors fight; though I do admit that I am nervous at having to fight this Buffalo Wing all by myself. Doing some breathing exercises, I looked at the beast and saw the change in its demeanor. The next thing I knew we were charging at each other.
Bringing my shield up to block its horns and when we finally clashed, I swung my blade towards its side. My attack hardly did anything as the bull began to push me back further until we were thirty feet from the wagon. "MAINTAIN THE DISTANCE BETWEEN US!? IF YOU GET TO CLOSE, IT WILL COME FOR YOU INSTEAD YOUR MAJESTY!?" I yelled out to avoid them from getting caught up in this. Seeing Medea trying to move backwards was the only thing I saw as the bull lowered his head before quickly lifting it back up, its horns having caught the edge of my shield, forcing my left hand t go up as well. 'DAMN!' I thought to myself before drawing my sword backwards to make a thrust, hoping to impale it in its head. My blade soared forward but no to its target as I had hoped. The beast had tilted its head to my left to parry my attack, but I was able to hit its main body because of it. When I tried to remove my sword, the blade wouldn't budge from the monster. Letting go of it, I jumped backwards as the Buffalo raised itself on its hind legs and fell back to the ground. 'So it held on to the blade with its own muscles to keep me stuck. If I hadn't let go, I would have been underneath its hooves.'
Not letting my eyes of it, I crouch down to the ground and grab as much dirt as my hand could carry. I shifted my position a little to get a better angle at its side before I threw the dirt to its exposed eye. "BWWAAHHH!" the bull let out a cry and I made my move towards it. Making use of it now being blind, I threw my shield towards its right while I ran to its left to flank it. The shield made allot of noise which the bull thought it was me, and turned its head to the direction. It allowed me enough time to grab my swords guard. I had to use all of my strength to twist the sword, causing the bull even more pain until it had let go of my blade. Stepping back, the bull was staggering in place as its blood now gushing out of its wound. I jumped at the chance when it had lost its footing for a second, running as fast as I could to its front. I needed to get enough momentum going if I wanted to this to work, balling my hand up to make a fist. When I arrived, the bull glared at me before it could see my fist moving towards it head. When it did connect, the bull let out a cry and fell to the ground; right where I needed it to be. Bringing my sword up, I brought it down as fast as I could towards its neck. I did not hear it make its usual cry of pain and it wasn't moving, so that must mean...I won?
Exp +250, +25 Silver, 10 x pieces of Purple fur
The window appeared to show that I had received a reward for my kill of the Buffalo Wing but I couldn't really appreciate it. It took far too long to take this beast down then it should have. A Soldier First Class could have taken down Rank D within minutes while a Knight can kill a Rank B during the time that it took me to kill this beast. I'm weak and there is no denying that fact. Looking to see that King Trode and Medea coming over, I re-sheathed my blade and moved back to them. "I'm sorry that took more time than necs-"
"That's enough of that" the green king intercepted me before I could finish my sentence. "I do not expect you to be able to slay every monster that we come across. If you can at least divert its attention away for Medea and I to move to a more secure position, that is when you should fall back and retreat to us. It is far better to lose a skirmish than to lose a battle, my boy" he said as he withdrew a hunting knife from his pocket and handed it to me. Looking at it in confusion, the king hopped down the driver's seat and walked over to the now deceased buffalo. Looking at the way he was feeling the pelt. "Might I ask what it is you are looking for, you're Majesty?" I asked quietly as to not disturb his concentration before he rushed over, took the knife out of my hands and plunged it into the bull. I had spent several minutes watching him remove the pelt from monster before moving beside him when he couldn't lift the body to the other side. Once he had removed the pelt, he ran to the wagon for a minute and came back with a bottle of what looked to water and some matches. Dumping a good portion of the oil on top of the corpse, he lit a match and threw it over the body. The beast lit up in seconds as the fire was surging skyward and the heat radiating from where I stood.
"Even if they attack indiscriminately, the monsters of our world were still created by the Goddess herself" King Trode spoke while still starring at the fire. Turning to him and wanting to ask, he continued with his explanation. "When a monster is killed in battle, their body will disintegrate into particles of light and head skyward to the Goddess. On the off chance that a monster killed is unable to turn into said light, they will become an even more powerful monster that will destroy land and villages. This is the first lesson that anyone who ventures out of their home must know. What we did was a simply purification process, though it was crude, we had to work fast or it would have caused more trouble latter on down the road."
I looked to the pelt that we had just carved off and then the roaring bonfire, "And why did we take its pelt?" he looks at me briefly before retuning his gaze to the fire as it was beginning to become smaller. "The quality of the pelt was adequate and can be made into either a type of clothing or an accessory. We could either keep it or sell it; it is a matter for another time. We must be on our way" the green man said before walking back to the wagon. He began to climb up when turned to face me with a gentle smile. "Back in my youth, there was this rumor that if a monster did not wish to go to the Goddess, it was because they still had lingering attachment to this world. So we would make whatever we could out of their remains to bring with us so that they could see whatever it is that it desired in its past life. And if you could fulfill their desire, their remains would turn into lights to meet with the Goddess. But that is merely a wives tale from decades ago" he said while waving his hand to perish the thought before jumping back in the driver's seat. Looking back at the remains that have now turned to ash, I moved my right hand over my body to make the symbol of the Goddess. A minute had passed before I walked back to Medea to continue on our journey.
You have attained 1 Large Purple Fur
-0-
After a quick stop for lunch, we were about to arrived at the wooden bridge that would connect us to the main road to Farebury. I had asked why we have yet to build a bridge out of stone since Trodain is the Capital. His majesty explained that it was an ongoing process with the Nobles on whether to use the Royal Coffers to create another port city on the western side of Trodains land or to build a bridge to use roads that already exist but have to have merchants make longer trips and to make it a check point. Both had their ups and downs while King Trode could only wait to until they had a majority on which project to start with. I wonder if it wasn't just because that the Nobles didn't want to use their own fortune to build them while still trying to make a claim that they had a hand in building them.
Mission: Shioshishio City Construction
Help raise the funds to build both a new Checkpoint and Port City within Trodain
Objective: Contribute 500,000,000 Gold
Reward: Ruler of Shioshishio, 2,000,000 Exp, ?, ?
Time Limit: None
Yes No
Staring at the window in pure shock and figuring out how many lifetimes it would take to even reach that much gold. Seeing as there is no penalty for this, I press 'Yes' and it vanished from view. Looking ahead I could still not find anyone on the road, usually the roads would have either travelers want to visit the capital or merchants to sell their wares. Yet it has been more than seven hours since we left Trodain and have not met a single soul. "Your Majesty, do you find it strange?"
"Hmmm...What do you mean, my boy? Besides the odd monster now and then, it has been a rather lovely day" he stated while looking at the clear blue sky. "I'm only saying this because I am concerned...I don't believe that we are the only ones on the main road" I said as I moved to walk beside Medea. Hearing my concern, a slight scowl spread across the green man's face at my concern. Once coming down the hill, we had arrived at the west end of the bridge and I could see why King Trode wanted to build a check point here. This bridge was on its last leg if what the decay of the wooden post and rope were telling me. The bridge was only a half-mile long and we should be able to reach our targeted rest area by sunset, if things go according to plan.
When we were half way across the bridge, we had finally met another human walking the main road. They appeared to a man of a round figure and barley came up to my chin. Their main attire was a large brown fur vest and some type of fruit on top of his head. I would have thought he was one of the lumberjacks that live out in the woods to supply Farebury with lumber; the problem thought was that he was holding an axe in their hand and walking down the center of the bridge. "Hold it right there!" he yelled out while spinning the axe above his head and stomping on the bridge as a form of intimidation. Due to the vibrations I felt from his stomp, I don't suspect that this bridge is going to hold with all of us on it."Who gave you premission to use my bridge, then, eh?"
"Premission!? PERMISSION!? THIS bridge lies within MY kingdom, you oaf!" his Majesty said in a condescending tone while slowly looking for any more 'guest' might come to join us. "Wot you on about? A creepy old codger like you, a king? Don't make me laugh!" the man said while looking at the King Trode with so much skepticism that his eyebrow rose well beyond into his hat.
"I see your mouth is as vulgar as your face! Yes, I'M the King of this Continent! And who exactly do you think YOU are!?" the green man becoming more livid at each sentence while pointing his finger across the bridge and directly at our current road blocker. "Me? Hearing my name is enough to make anyone wet their knickers!" he said rotating the axe above his head once more. "That's right! Yer talkin' to none other than Yangus, the legend'ry bandit, 'imself!" he says as I use the skill Observe to see what if this skill could give me any information. What it gave me made me question this power as a new box window showed up
Yangus - Lv 16 - Bandit Lord of Pickham
"Yangus?" Trode tries to say, but the way his face is scrunching up he is having difficult time believing that anyone could have such a name. "The one and only! Time to cough up! You 'ave to pay if you wanna cross my bridge." I raise an eyebrow at our surrounding, 'why aren't any of his men coming out to surround the bridge? It would be easy to threaten us by cutting the rope and he could salvage what makes it out of the ravine. Surely this man didn't come...alone...' moving my hand behind Medea to make it look like I was calming her while holding up the hand signal for 'Zero'. Having seen my signal, the king calms down enough to put on a smug look of confidence. "The one and only Yangus!? What a shame there aren't more of you! Now, kindly remove your one and only self from MY Bridge and clear off!"
"Grrr!" tightening his grip and a scowl forming on his round face as his self introduction did very little to scare us. "Don't push yer luck, you green-faced freak! I would've let you go if you'd o' kept your gob shut an' paid up, but ya wanna do this the 'ard way, eh? Fine by me!" placing both hands on his weapon he began to charge at us.
Mission: Duel with a Bandit
Fight and Survive against the Legend'ry Bandit Yangus
Bonus: ?, ?
Reward: 10,000 Exp, 200 Gold, 5 PAS Points, ?
Bonus Reward: ?, ?, ?
I'm staring at this window thinking that the magic is deliberately trying to kill me. Since being on the bridge narrows our mobility, I'm not in the best environment. So I walked a little further ahead of Medea and in the path of Yangus. As he got closer and readied his weapon, I ducked down to the boards and head butted him as hard as possible. "GAGH!" was all Yangus had time to say before clutching his stomach in pain and me doing the same for my head. "QUICKLY CROSS WHILE HE'S DAZED!?" I yelled while rolling the bandit to side for Medea and wagon to rush across. Seeing as they had passed us and needing some space, I steeped a few paces away while keeping an eye out, seeing the axe being the major problem, decided to throw it off the bridge to at least give me a fighting chance. "You 'ittle bugger! NOW I'M MAD!?" Yangus shouted as he began his charge again. Reaching for my sword to unsheathe it but I wasn't expecting a fist to hit my solar plexus and threw me a good ten feet towards the princess and king.
-120 HP and Broken Rib
195/315 HP
Before I could even look, Yangus lifted me up off the boards so that we were faced to face. Right up until he punched me in the gut, forcing me to cough out blood before dropping me.
-86 HP
109/315 HP
Coughing up what felt like a pint of blood, my mind was racing to see how I could get out of this before I felt a kick to my chin that lifted me up into the air before I finally hit solid ground.
-98 HP
WARNING!? HEALTH HAS DROPPED BELOW THE 1/10 OF TOTAL HP!? WARNING!?
11/315 HP
'I...I'm going...to die...' fear was now overriding all other thoughts as Yangus made a slow approach to my location. I could hear Medea neighing so loudly, while King Trode was yelling about something. Pushing myself off the ground and holding my side where my rib was cracked. Just standing is taking all of my energy, looking up to see Yangus staring at me with a cocky smile. 'How can he smile at a time like this? I don't get it. I don't understand how he can smile when it's a one sided fight in his favor?' my fear of dying must be affecting my own eye sight now...my fear…what if...what if I could get rid of my fear, if only temporally. "PAS Distribution" I spoke as the window popped up and there it was.
Courage: the ability to do something that you know is difficult or dangerous and to be able to overcome it. 6/100
Lifting my hand, I pressed to arrow next to 'Courage' and all of the points went in to it to make it 21/100. Then I received a massive headache as two new windows showed up
You have gained the Courage to begin your Journey and learned the Spell: Radiant
You have become Brave to face the challenge before you and learned the Spell: Rai
Radiant: The User is able to make a ball of light to illuminate dark areas and possible blind their opponents. 10 MP for 30 Min (Small version) or 60 for 1 min (Large version)
Rai (Bolt of Lightning): The User is able to launch a single ball of lightning at the enemy. 20 MP
And just as quickly the headache was gone and replaced with knowledge that I never had before; how to use magic from within your body and how to channel it to form them. When the windows had vanished, it showed Yangus in front of me. I could feel a slight tingle sensation at the back of my head and I can only assume that that was my fear for dying. Huh, I was so much bigger a minute ago but now I'm calm and hanging on the border. I know I can still have fear, but in hindsight, Yangus is not all that scary when you get a good look at him. "You 'inaly wet your knickers, then, eh?" he smiled as to gauge my reaction, though it slowly turned into a questioning when he say my calm expression. Softly chucking at his confusion, I raised my right hand just an inch away from his face. "Radiant"
Two rings of ancient runes appeared out of nowhere and moved directly into my right hand as it formed into a white orb. Not a second later, light had flooded the area. King Trode and Medea had to look away from the intensity of the light. "GRAAAAAHHH!" the bandits scream could be heard from somewhere in the center of the light. Taking the initiative to punch him, unfortunately Yangus jumped back onto the bridge. 'What you lack in knowledge, you can make up in instinct' as some would say. When my spell had ended, everyone was rubbing their eyes from the irritation. What happened next was something even I couldn't imagine. "GRAAAAAHHH!" I heard Yangus scream as the bridge began to collapse from our brawl. As the bridge was being destroyed by both us and time, I rushed over to the cliff side and to my surprise he is hanging on to the only rope connected to the bridge post on this side. "You must have the devils luck" I said out loud.
"Now that's what I call an interesting development." he says while nodding at the scene and jumping back into the driver's seat now that the drama has calmed down. "Let us carry on, Drake, my boy! There, there, my precious Medea. Did the bad man scare you?" he stated as he instructed his daughter to carry forward. Looking towards my king and my opponent, going over what his Majesty was implying. Running my hands through my hair out of frustration at either to ignore or give, I rushed to the rope in time to catch it before it had finally snapped. Now bearing with the full weight of the man, I steady myself as to find my footing. Finding it, I try to lift him up, but neither the ropes nor my arms would move. I didn't have the strength to lift him to safety. Looking behind me to see the wagon was still moving away, since I was already trying to save him, might as well go all the way. "Status, place all points into strength!" I let out a groan as windows appeared showing that I now had 31 strength. The pain in my arms did stop as I could now actually pull Yangus up, even though it was only by a foot at each tug. I hear footsteps against the ground coming from behind me but I don't pay it any mind as I try to save this ridiculously heavy man.
"What are you doing, Drake?" the King stops beside me to look over the edge to see what has kept me. My only response was "I'm trying to save him" as I brought another foot of rope up and Yangus closer to safety. Bewildered by this, the king looks back into the gorge enough to see that Yangus was clutching the rope that I was pulling. Now Befuddled, he stares back at me with widened eyes at my sudden action to help. "But he attacked us! Why the devil are you helping him?" he yelled as I needed to rest from the strain on my arms. I looked back to the green king while trying to catch my breath, "Because...huff...huff...It wouldn't be right to leave a man to die in such a way."
"Just leave him! He is a bandit who tried to kill you for material wealth! It's poetic justice, I say! Nay, divine justice!" the kings voice was now an octave higher than normal at my insistence to save Yangus. Rested enough, I begin my rescue attempt again as he was much closer than a few minutes ago. "That may be, Your Majesty, but regardless of the actions that he has taken against us it is by no right to leave a man to die. You were the one who taught me, 'To save or to kill, as a king I must choose to limit how many must die for my kingdom. But as a Human, I would choose to save every man, woman and child. If I cannot even try to save them, then I have failed as a Human.' I know that the events from the past two days have weighed heavily on your mind, but that is no reason for this inaction! You are a benevolent and compassionate king; I know well enough that you would never ignore a man who is in need of help!" I yelled as I used all of my strength to pull Yangus over the edge and fly above us as I fell flat on my back. I felt a small crash above where my head was laying as I looked to see that the king was looking at me with his mouth agape and wide eyes.
I fell on to the soft grass, breathing heavily as the sun was moving slowly westward above us. It's only the first day on our journey and I'm exhausted; from walking several hours from Trodain to the bridge, fighting against monsters and a well experienced bandit, having used magic for the first time in my life and now having saved said bandit from certain death. For all that I had running in my head, the only thought that I could think of was 'I want a nap.'
"Th-Thank you, guv'nor. I thought I was done for...!" Yangus breathed out from while in taking a large breath. Sighing at what I had said, the green king walks over to me and Yangus. "What is the world coming to?" he said in a whisper as he collected his thoughts and stared at the round bandit. "Yangus, was it? You can show your gratitude by getting out of our sight!" he ordered as this was the only way he knew how to show kindness while still maintain what little pride he had. I smiled at His majesty for at least hearing me out and not breathing me like a child
"Hahh... Hahh... Yer 'avin a laugh!" Yangus was laughing at the situation he sees himself in. this in turn, brought back the scowl in the kings green face. "What? Still here? If you won't do us the favor of leaving, I'll be happy to provide some encouragement!" he said while maintain his position. That all vanished when the bandit jumped off the ground and prostrated himself to my side with his head banging the ground. "Mister Drake! N-No, guv'nor! I really owe ya!" Yangus yelled out as I looked at him with shock as this was the first time that anyone had ever prostrated to me, let alone showing gratitude. Being a servant kind of puts you on the low end of gratitude as this was part of my job description. Lifting his head up to look at me, I could see all of his determination in his eyes. He continued as he now had my attention, "You saved me life an' ev'ryfin'! You're the bee's knees, Guv!"
Losing what little sanity he had left, King Trode returns up close to us yelling "Guv? What is this nonsense!? Are you a complete imbecile? This boy is my retainer!? If you're in anyone's service, it's mine!" Turning his head quickly to the side, Yangus let out a glare that matched his appearance all too well. "Put a sock in it! I ain't talkin' to you. Drakes the one who saved me!" he bellowed out which in turn caused King Trode to step back in surprise. "P-Pu-Put a sock in...!?" the green man stuttered out at the sheer audacity that Yangus yelled out. "Who do you think you're speaking to, you, you...good-for-nothing scoundrel!"
I backed away from the two as they were throwing out insults at each other. Feeling a push to my head I turn around to see Medea moving her head against mine, placing my hand against her the side of her face before lying back down in the grass to take a nap. Hopefully those two would get everything out of their system by the time I would wake up.
-0-
Mission: Duel with a Bandit
Fight and Survive against the Legend'ry Bandit Yangus
Bonus: Use magic for the First Time, Save Yangus from Peril
Reward: 10,000 Exp, 200 Gold, 5 PAS Points, Boxer Shorts
Bonus Reward: Beginners Magic Study (Book), Yangus Joins the Party, Bandits Treasure (Collected by Yangus since his move to the Eastern Continent)
-0-
You have leveled up by 3
Name: Eldrake ?
Age: 19 Race: Human/?
Class: Soldier/Lancer
Title: Soldier of Trodain
Level: 7 Next Level: 1,750/4,000
HP: 405 HPR: 10.8 per min
MP: 130 MPR: 2 per min
Strength: 31
Vitality: 22 (+5) = 27
Dexterity: 18 (+5) = 23
Intelligence: 23 (+3) = 26
Wisdom: 25 (+2) = 27
Luck: 8 (can not Level up with points)
Points: 15 (+5 points per Lv)
Money: 205 Gold, 22 Silver, 98 Copper
Perks:
?: +1 WIS & +2 VIT per Lv, +15% increase towards Monster Drop, +20% Reputation gain with Non-Human tribes
?: +2 INT per Lv, +15% EXP towards Strategy & Tactics, +20% EXP towards Politics & Language Skills
Status Effects:
?: The Caster, ?, has sealed away your memories to protect the ?. Due to the seal, you have become Immune to Curse's. Permanent Status.
Elemental Affinity: Light, Lightning
Spell List:
Radiant: The User is able to make a ball of light to illuminate dark areas and possible blind their opponents. 10 MP for 30 Min (Small version) or 60 for 1 min (Large version)
Rai (Bolt of Lightning): The User is able to launch a single ball of lightning at the enemy. 20 MP
Skill List
Passive/Active Skills: These Skills can only Lv up when you have PAS Points. Each Skill will bestow you a New Title and Ability every 10 Points. PAS Points can only be obtained be either leveling up or completing certain quest.
Sword: 16/100. +5 Power Increase when holding a Sword
Spear: 13/100. +5 Power Increase when Holding a Spear
Boomerang: 5/100
Fisticuffs: 9/100
Courage: 21/100 Brave - Radiant, Rai
Analysis/Observe: 17/100. Skill - Observe
PAS Points: 11 (+2 per Lv)
