This Game Called Life
By: Bubbajack
Betas/Co-Authors: IcySnowSage, Heliosion, Loamy Coffee, Geoffry Lannister
Disclaimer: We do not own the following anime/mawha, comics, or tv shows or to the following: Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Goblin Slayer, references to Highlander, Highschool DxD, How not to Summon the Demon Lord, I'm Really not the Evil God's Lacky, Overlord, references to Lord of the Rings, Percy Jackson, Solo Leveling, Solo Max Level Newbie, and Star vs the Forces of Evil, or Wardstone Chronicles.
Ch.3: The Slayers Inheritor.
Xander walked through the dark, his torch held high in front of him to provide as much light as possible as he trekked through the narrow tunnel his perk Midnight Guard made it so he could see much farther into the tunnels then he was used to. These tunnels weren't all that big, it's almost like they were made for something the size of small children… small child size, cave… 'I bet this cave is full of a bunch of fucking goblins or kobolds. Though considering the odd lack of traps I am going with goblins.'
[+1 to Intelligence for reasonable deduction.]
"Good to know," Xander said to himself as he continued on down the tunnel. Coming to a fork, he moved to one entrance, sniffed the air to one side, then the other. Smelling that fresh air was coming from the leftmost tunnel, he turned left. 'If air is coming that way, its reasonable to believe that any living thing, even a goblin, would be found in that direction,'
He paused then doubled back going down the path on the right, "But that doesn't mean one or more of those fuckers won't be hiding down here, waiting for me to pass by just to they can get the drop on me," he muttered to himself.
Poking his head around a corner, he drew back just in time to avoid being stabbed in the head with a crude spear held by a malicious looking goblin. Grabbing the spear shaft, Xander picked it up and the goblin holding it, he let some ki flow into his arms, his muscles bulged slightly, and slammed it against the cave wall… repeatedly. When the goblin let go, weak and whimpering Xander drew his sword and impaled it in the back with a coup de grace. He picked up the spear using [observe] on it.
[Common item: Spear, Special quality: Fragile. Higher observation lvl. required to examine the spear.]
[System Update: Goblins(?) Slayed 1 of 20. Don't stop till all are dead. Lives left to save 4 of 4]
[Ki strike used damage increased by 50%. Ki pool is now 11 of 12]
'Well, it's not perfect, but it's better than nothing. Also good to know my blows can hit harder with my ki,' Xander thought as he looked down the tunnel and saw several crimson pinpricks staring back at him. Hefting the spear, he launched it into the dark, and it landed with a meaty thunk against something, and a pair of red eyes winked out of existence.
[System Update: Goblin(?) Slain 2 of 20. Don't stop until all are dead. Lives left to save 4 of 4]
A guttural scream of some foul tongue was Xander's response as those pinpricks became goblins he could see in the low light.
'Two down, eighteen to go,' Xander thought as he charged into the fray, slashing with his sword and giving the occasional gob a Mighty Boot, kicking it with such force that its head impacted the cave wall with a sickening crunch of bone on stone. Some he stabbed in critical places like the arteries and lungs began to twitch and froth at the mouth before collapsing on the ground, unmoving with blood leaking out of their mouth. 'Wow, this thing really is poisonous,' Xander thought to himself, staring at his blade as he shook the blood at congealed fat off its edge.
He saw an update by the system that worried him a little. The message he received after made him begin to panic.
[Warning! Goblin's(?) blood and fat have started to erode your weapon. If not careful, your blade will dull and then break.]
[System Update: Goblins(?) Slain 9 of 20. Don't stop until all are dead. Lives left to save 3 of 4. If all other characters die you fail the dungeon and will be booted.]
'Fuck, I got just this sword on me… and people are dying too! This just gets worse and worse,' Xander, finding no more foes since this tunnel seemed to be a dead end… and waste disposal area, made his way back to the fork in the tunnel and rushed back down the opposite tunnel as he decided to push Ki into his legs. 'I hope I'm not too late,' he thought.
[Ki has been used to enhance your legs. Movement speed increased by 200% temporarily. Ki pool 10 of 12]
The screams that answered made Xander run even faster while pushing more Ki into his legs to go even faster.
[Ki has been pushed further into your legs. Movement speed increased by 400% However long time usage will damage your legs. Ki pool 8 of 12]
He could tell the voice was female, panicked and then quickly silenced. He got no update so he knew she wasn't dead. Feeling rage building in him Xander pulled another torch out of his inventory, and dragged it along the cave wall till it sparked, even though he could see well in low light, he had a different idea in mind for this torch as he came upon the back of a very large green goblin. He leaped onto the things back and stabbed it in the neck with his sword.
The monster bellowed in fury… until he buried the torch in its eye socket, that is. 'Not another one,' he thought with savage fury, 'There won't be another Jesse on my watch!' The goblin (?) roared in fury and tried to remove the torch from its eye. Xander being thorough decided to stab the goblin(?) in the back and swing his sword with all his might severing its left arm in a ki enhanced blow. He also pushed his ki to make the blow just as deadly and poisonous as possible
[Ki strike activated. Damage is increased by 50% and the effect of poison increases. Ki pool 6 of 12]
He stepped away from the dying beast as it fell to the ground, its screams now reduced to bloody gurgles. Xander glared with bloody murderous intent at the scene ahead of him. A group of no less than six goblins had a woman of what looked to be asian descent pinned down and were about to do… things to her as a petite young blonde looked utterly horrified of the goblin in front of her that was reaching for her clothes. Said goblin stopped what it was doing and stared at him as it reached towards her. 'Fuck… that…'
"YAAAH!" Loosening a primal scream from his lips, Xander charged into the fray pulling an unlit torch from his inventory he used it as a club and beat the goblins off of the downed woman, kicking, punting, and bashing the skulls in of any goblin that dared stand between him and the people he'd silently sworn to protect.
The goblin near the blonde thought he was smart, trying to take her as a hostage and use her as a human shield… Xander's response was to throw his sword at it, impaling it in the head and impaling the sword into the stone wall.
Xander took deep laborious breaths as he tried to calm his anger. "Is… everyone… alright?"
"Please mister… Help her!" The blonde girl called frantically while she crawled over to another downed female who seemed to be gurgling with blood dripping from her lip. Her clothes were somewhat ripped especially in the chest area where she seemed to have been stabbed.
Lighting his bloodstained torch, Xander made his way over using [Observe] as he did so.
[Wizard lvl.1 Status: Poisoned. Type of Poisoning requires higher level Observe Skill to Identify]
'Fuck,' Xander thought to himself.
"I tried healing her with my miracles earlier, but they didn't work!" The blonde said frantically as she rested her friend's head in her lap, with unshed tears collecting in her big doe-like sky blue eyes.
"She's been poisoned, do you know the cure miracle?" Xander asked.
The blonde frantically shook her head. "N-No sir! This was our first adventure!"
"Right then," He said while reaching behind his back and into his inventory. 'I was hoping to save this but… I'm not just going to watch a woman die in front of me,' He told the blonde, "Sit your friend up and open her mouth, I have a potion that'll cure her," Xander said as he held out the Phenex Down.
"Thank you so much Sir!" The blonde said as she sat her friend up and opened her mouth.
"Just… kill… me," The Wizard begged as she coughed up more blood.
"Don't talk stupid girl. You're gonna live… and owe me for this potion," Xander said in jest as he slipped the brew down her gullet.
"OOooh," The Female Wizard sighed in relief as the pain quickly subsided. She looked down and saw her wound inflicted by the goblin close up completely with unblemished skin left behind. "Who… are you stranger?"
Raising to his feet, Xander replied, "I'm just passing through slaying Goblins… speaking of, there are still a few left in this cave, can you all stay here while I deal with them?"
Feeling better now, the Female Wizard spat some blood out of her mouth and took to her feet. "I would go with you, however…" She looked over to the corner where her catalyst, a wooden staff topped with a gem, had been broken in two.
"Do you need a staff to cast magic?" Xander asked.
"Unfortunately so," the Female Wizard replied, "Some do not, like Shamans and such but I was not trained in such ways."
"Pity, in the future, invest in a spear, it can be used as both a catalyst and a weapon if created out of the right materials," The teen advised.
The bespectacled big bosomed red head blinked then nodded. "I shall keep that in mind, thank you."
"You might be able to salvage that crystal as a spearhead from your old staff," Xander said as he made his way over to the still downed woman on the ground. She was covered in goblin blood and guts, and seemed to be in a state of shock. The scariest part is that she was naked with her torn shreds of clothing surrounding her. "I know this is probably a stupid question to ask, but are you okay?"
"...I… those Goblins… they almost… they tried to… thank you," She said in a quiet voice while forming herself into a ball and just shaking as she started to cry at the trauma she almost suffered. A small river of tears flowed down her face. She felt such weaknesses that it overwhelmed her.
Reaching into his inventory he pulled out a tarp from the Calix Building, "Here, it isn't much, but it'll cover you at least," He said as he put it over the girl preserving her modesty. Xander then walked over to his sword and pulled it from the stone wall. He proceeded to walk down the tunnel, until he heard a voice call, "Wait sir!"
Turning back, he found the blonde racing towards him. "What is it, girlie? Did you need something?"
"I… I wanna help you get rid of the rest of the goblins, Goblin Slayer sir!" The blonde said resolutely while holding her staff. Xander noticed she was shaking like a leaf in the wind. He figured it took all her courage to go with him. He ignored the smell of piss that was coming off of her.
'Goblin Slayer… okay sure why not?' He coughed, "Look, missie, how many spells can you cast?"
"Three, but I've already used one, I know minor heal and holy light," She said with fire in her eyes.
'She reminds me of Buffy… somehow,' Xander thought. "Okay well if you follow me, you could die, you know?"
The blonde shook her head, "I believe in you, Mister Goblin Slayer Sir…" She looked down haunted, "We weren't prepared, we weren't prepared at all, we didn't listen to advice given to us and we all almost died… if you hadn't come along…" She then smiled, "Well, it's best not to think of what-ifs right?"
"Yeah…but if you're gonna come with me, you've gotta do what I say okay?"
The Priestess nodded, "Yes Sir, Mister Goblin Slayer Sir!"
"Okay…" 'If I remember correctly Goblins have an acute sense of smell along with dark-vision, so we've got to do our best to hinder their senses…' "You said you had the Holy Light spell right?"
The Priestess nodded. "Yes sir, Mister Goblin Slayer Sir!"
"Okay so we just need to do something to… mask our scent…" Xander said as he looked at the bloody corpses of the Goblins.
Looking at him concerned, the petite blonde asked with a worried expression on her face as he grabbed a goblin corpse, "Mister Goblin Slayer Sir?"
"It stinks," Priestess complained, her robes covered in goblin blood.
"Sorry, couldn't think of anything else," Xander replied, feeling a bit sullen himself. Not because of the blood exactly but because of the effect the blood and fat had on his new sword he'd used [observe] on it not too long ago.
[Your sword is about to break due to being coated in Goblin(?) Blood and Fat. Be wary of getting this on any other materials.]
[System Update 14 of 20 goblins slain. Lives left to save 3 of 4. Make sure none escape]
'Well, it's just a weapon,' He reasoned, 'Human lives are irreplaceable,' He glanced at the girl who insisted on following him. She was a little slip of a girl who probably wouldn't have weighed a 100lbs soaking wet with her robes on, and yet she had the courage to come with him. 'She's a courageous little thing alright,' So thinking, he decided to ask her a simple question. "Hey Priestess?"
"Yes Mister Goblin Slayer Sir?" She replied looking back at him with concerned but inquisitive cerulean blue doe-eyes.
"What's your name? I'd like to know in case we don't make it outta here," Xander asked, hoping to gain a little insight into this courageous girl.
The girl's face went completely blank for a second as if she didn't know how to answer that… then she replied with "Theresa, Theresa le Magne, Goblin Slayer Sir."
"Nice name, mine is Alexander, but my friends call me Xander. Nice to meet you Theresa, though I wish we were doing it under better circumstances."
"Alexander…" She said as if she were tasting it on her tongue like a fine wine. Despite her circumstances, she perked up and smiled at him, "I like it, Mister Alexander Sir."
"Just Xander is fine," He said before he held out his hand, stopping her and pointing to a light ahead and bending into a crouch, with Theresa quickly following suit. The two crept to the light like thieves and peeked into the cavern beyond. Within were two more Goblins, and another on a throne, made out of human bones wearing armor consisting of animal furs, with a steer skull mounted on a piece of knotted wood. 'Some type of shaman, druid, or spellcaster,' Xander reasoned as he used [observe] on it.
[Goblin(?) Shaman lvl 4. Leader of the Dungeon.]
[Observe has leveled up to lvl.2! You can now see the Race and Spell Level (if any) of a target.]
'Neat,' Xander thought. While he decided to use observe again on the goblin shaman again.
[Goblin(?) Shaman lvl.4 Leader of the Dungeon.
Race: Goblin(?). This creature's race seems to be a goblin but the system has trouble verifying as common attributes of goblins seem to be exaggerated or absent in this creature. Higher Observe is needed to find out what this thing is besides a goblin(?).
Spell Level: lvl. 2 can cast Fire Missile 2 times and Fire Blast 1 time. Spells can be recharged by sacrifice or rest for a short amount of time. Higher level Observe needed to understand effects of spells.]
'Okay, that's useful,' Xander decided. 'Since I know it casts fire spells, the best way to counter it is to not let it cast in the first place,' He glanced over at Theresa, noticing she was shaking in fear. Gently placing a hand on her back offering her comfort, he mouthed, "Its okay, you can do this, I believe in you,"
Resolve formed in the priestess' eyes and she nodded. "What's the plan?" She mouthed.
"You cast Holy Light, and I rush in while they're blinded," Xander mimed.
Theresa gave him a silent "Okay," and prepared her spell, "O Earth Mother, grant us children who are lost in the dark the brilliance of your mercy! Holy Light!"
As she said the final line she stepped out of the mouth of the tunnel as a flash of blinding light that would've made Tien Shenhan proud flashed forth in a white flash of eye scorching corona.
That was Xander's cue to move in and he bum rushed the blinded goblins by activating Ki in his legs and using the [Jog] skill stabbing one through the throat, and picking up its fallen pickaxe, stabbing the other through the head. Then the Holy Light spell wore off, the Shaman still dazed stumbled forwards, and Xander looked up and grinned before he hefted his now nearly broken sword and launched it upwards with a mighty toss he pushed Ki into his arms letting his inner energy strengthen his throw.
[Ki pool used for Ki strike and Ki enhanced speed. Ki pool is now low at 4 of 12]
He then took several steps back. An alert from the system surprised him as he took in some haggard breaths.
[Pushing past your physical limits. Your muscles are strained from feats of physical might and your body suffers minor exhaustion. +1 to Strength and Constitution]
"Mister Alexander Sir, you forgot the Shaman!" Theresa said, worry and fear mixed in her tone.
Grinning, he pointed at the Goblin, saying, "No I didn't, watch."
The Goblin stumbled around a moment more before giving its head a shake and noticed the humans in front of it, and prepared to cast Fire Missile… only to stop when a shadow suddenly covered its form… looking up just in time to be impaled by a stalagmite through the head.
"That was… incredibly lucky, Mister Alexander Sir…" Theresa said in awe, wondering how Alexander was able to plan for that.
Xander shook his head, "Wasn't luck, I saw the half cracked stalactite above the Goblin's head earlier and I figured if Goblin fat and blood corrodes magic weapons and armor, what could it do to common rock?"
"That's… That's amazing Mister Alexander Sir!"
[System Update: Goblins(?) Slain 17 of 20. Don't stop until all are dead. Lives left to save 3 of 4]
Xander looked around… he didn't see any more of the little green rats… then he looked at the throne. It was the only thing in the room and the only thing anything could be hidden behind. Pilfering the ax of the other downed Goblin he gave the throne the Mighty Boot, smashing it to pieces and revealing a small crude wooden door recessed into the earth behind the throne.
Ripping the door off the wall revealed three Goblin infants. 'I gotta kill them too don't I?'
[If you want to be rewarded for completing this dungeon, yes.]
'I suppose they're as irrevocably evil as their grown kin?' Xander asked.
[Did you see anything good in any of their fellows?] The System replied.
'No… I suppose it would help if I just thought of them like rats?'
[Rats that pillage communities, murder, steal, and rape women in order to preserve their species yes while ruining anything else. Also just so you know Player 2 LOOK OUT!]
Without even looking Xander's hand snapped out and grabbed one of the children by the throat. He had a big rock and was about to try and hit him with it. 'Whelp there goes my empathy for these things,' He bashed its head in against the rockwall of the small cave, stomped one's skull in with a booted foot, and brained the last one with the ax as it tried to stab him with a dagger covered in unmentionables, leaving the ax stuck in its skull as the goblin child collapsed to the ground. Turning around he saw Theresa looking green. "Hey, I considered sparing them too, but you saw what they tried to do."
She nodded. "I did… Could I at least pray for them, Mister Alexander Sir? Goblins or not, I still think they deserve last rites if only so they won't rise from the dead as zombies or something worse."
To her surprise he nodded empathetically, "Yes! Good idea, do that! The only thing worse than a Goblin would be a Goblin Vampire. Bless their thrice be damned souls. Send them off. Do whatever the funeral rites for your goddess are. I don't want them coming back!" He shivered at the thought of such small vermin gaining the ability of increased strength and vitality that came with a vampire. Damn things could take a town over by night if he wasn't careful.
Theresa herself blanched at the thought of already cunning Goblins becoming vampires and nodded rapidly herself. "Right away!"
Once the priestess did all she could the duo left the cavern and regrouped with the remaining members of her party. The Female Wizard and the Martial Artist whose names he didn't know. The Martial Artist was at least sitting up now and the Female Wizard was sitting next to her, gently rubbing small circles into her back as she still sniffled and looked up like deer in headlights when they approached. Though both calmed down immediately when they realized who it was.
The Female Wizard sighed, "Oh, its you two, we thought it might've been more of… them,"
"They're all dead, we killed them all," Xander assured the two.
"Not really we, Mister Alexander Sir did all the killing," the Priestess admitted ashamedly.
"Alexander?" Female Wizard asked.
The boy nodded. "That's my name, yes, what are your names ladies?"
Female Wizard was silent for a moment again as if the question was foreign to her before she replied, "Morgana, Morgana Orcades, and this is Laura Lee,"
"I can introduce myself!" The martial artist snapped angrily trying to maintain what little control she had left.
Holding her hands out defensively Morgana apologized, "Sorry, sorry,"
Clearing his throat Xander asked, "Are you ready to get out of here ladies?"
"We c-can't go yet," Laura said as she pointed to the shredded bloody remains of their fellow adventurer, "We need to find some way to take our leader back for burial… it's the least we can do."
Reaching into his inventory again he pulled out another tarp. "Well, I don't know any spells so we can't cremate and carry his ashes so we'll have to gather up and carry what we can find for burial."
"Mister Alexander Sir! What was that just now?!" Theresa asked with her eyes shining in wonder at what Xander did.
"That was… pocket dimension magic. I can store a limited amount of things in a small piece of fold space," Xander decided to fib.
"So you have an item box? Where did you find such a rare item?" questioned Morgana.
Xander rubbed the back of his head. "Something a little bit more complex than that, but it's where I got the potion that healed you. I'm not the best at magical explanation and theory. I lean more towards practical application, I'm afraid."
Morgana nodded, some people were just like that, while she had quickly mastered the basics through rigorous study and determination, he seemed like the type who would mess with a spell to find out everything it could do rather than what it should do. They called these types of people, spellcrafters, genuses in the art of spellcraft. "I understand. Let's collect what we can and get out of this hellish place."
So they did, collecting bits of flesh, bloodied clothing, broken armor, and bone then gently depositing it on the tarp. When it came to his sword, the girls looked at each other before nodding, before Theresa handed the sheathed sword to Xander. "Here Mister Alexander Sir, think of it as payment for saving our lives."
"You don't have to do that ladies," He began trying to turn it down, only for the Priestess to force it into his hands.
"We insist Mister Alexander Sir! Please, take it!" She said while giving him a firm glare. All it really did was make her look cute in Xander's mind.
"Well, if you're sure…" He said looking at every girl's face and seeing them nodding he continued, "Then let's get out of here," He hefted the sack of remains on his back and led the way towards the exit. Stopping to ask Laura, "Can you walk?"
In response, she stood on shaky legs, her tarp now turned into a makeshift poncho with holes cut into it for her arms and head to fit through, "I'll manage."
Thus the group followed the smell of fresh air and eventually raced into the light at the literal end of the tunnel. Once they were outside, Xander saw a screen popup in front of him.
[Dungeon: Cavernous Depths CR: 2 Mode: Nightmare… Complete! We will now total your results please Wait…
Times used Wisdom: 3
Times used Intelligence: 3
Times used Strength: 6
Times used Constitution: 0
Times used Dexterity: 1
Times you got Lucky: 3
Lives Saved: 3
Fortune Changed: 3
Found the Secret Boss: N/A
Defeated Secret Boss: N/A
Optional Boss Slain: N/A
True Boss Slain: Yes
Damaged Accumulated: None
Enemies slain: 19 by Alexander Harris, 1 done by Morgana Orcades.
Completed Dungeon on Nightmare Mode?: Yes.
Totaling rewards please wait:
A Goddess demands intervention on her behalf!
Rewards increased from divine intervention.
Access to NPCS for the party system.
Access to guild hall for side quest.
Access to World Dyce and Daemons has been granted.
Inherited lost title. Goblin Slayer
Inherited Destiny. He who will not be bound by the Dyce!
Gained a spell book of your choice. Choose one branch of magic and gain a skill book for spells.
You have broken the shackles of Truth and Illusion. You have cut the strings of "fate" that have bound these poor souls. Are allowed to have them join your "party" and return to your world.
Warning the people who join your party must do so willingly and cannot be forced.
Available party members: Former Priestess now Theresa le Magne, Former Female Wizard now Morgana Orcades.
Physical Rewards given: 20 gold, 100 silver, a shaman's skull staff, human bones x20, Beginner's Guide to Pyromancy, Scroll of Blessing of the Earth Mother, A flask of goblin fat, token of hope x3 , and Holy Mace.
Artemis Necklace passive effect activates. By saving three maidens you permanently gain a +6 to Luck.
Apocalyptic Maiden Saver Perk activates. By saving three maidens doomed to die, you raise your Charisma by +3 and Luck by +6 permanently.
'Well,' Xander thought to himself as he walked down a dirt path surrounded by green trees and breathed in air that smelt of fresh rain. 'This'll take some getting used to,'
Back in Sunnydale, Lance Brooks was running for his life. He'd found a Shop and using gold from searching bins and finding random items, sold enough to purchase an enchanted letterman jacket that charmed the opposite sex to fall in love with him. 'The plan' as he thought of it was perfect. Get women to fall in love with him, form a battle harem, have them kill all the monsters, eventually form a guild and take over the town with him as king. Seemed full proof.
All those ideas were dashed when the thing started hunting him down. It was huge, twice the size of a normal man, gray-skinned, horned like a devil, and lugging around a giant spear. He scampered around a corner and hid behind a dumpster with his hand over his beating heart as he tried to steady his breathing going so far as to cover his mouth as the thing walked by. He dared to creep out of his hiding place like a mouse darting out of his hole looking for the cat.
'Is it gone?' He thought hopefully. He didn't see it. Lance began walking away, glancing at every shadow, and jumping at every noise. 'That thing must really be gone,' He thought right before a giant shadow fell over him from above and he felt an immense pain in his chest. Looking down, he found himself impaled through his back and stomach. His blood was spilled all over the ground, staining it a darker shade of black in late night. He felt his legs buckle and the edges of his vision darkened and he felt a foot press against his back and with a sick squelching noise the spear blade was pulled free, and Lance fell in a pool of his own blood. The last image his dying brain registered was the twisted visage of the horned monster, and the final flickering thought to cross Lance's mind was, 'Larry?'
Then he knew no more.
All that was left in the ominous alley was a glowing screen.
[You have leveled up!]
The town that Xander had followed the girls to was simplistic. Medieval in construction if he had to guess. The streets were cobblestone, the buildings were of wood and stucco, and people were hawking their wares from stalls on the market on the side of the road or, if they were more well off, in shops made of stone with simple signs hanging out front. The small group came to a large building made of solid wood and stone, two stories tall, and though it looked inviting, it also gave off the air of a fortress. 'This looks like a typical fantasy setting, and this must be the guild building,' Xander thought to himself.
[+1 to Intelligence and Wisdom for using your knowledge to guess your destination.]
Before going in, Xander went to one of the stalls who was selling clothes and bought a simple dress to cover Laura's dignity instead of wearing a tarp.
Laura looked very relieved and thankful. Xander then walked ahead with the girls following him.
Entering the guildhall through the solid oak and iron banded doors Xander looked around. Long wood tables were crowded with various people, all of different race, creed, and persuasion. All were adventurers in some form or fashion, and all turned and looked at them as they entered the guildhall. Silently watching and waiting for one of them to speak.
Xander decided to take the initiative. "Umm, excuse me, but could I speak to someone in charge?"
A young lady with wheat gold hair in a braid and amber eyes dressed like an office lady stepped forward from behind a desk near the back. "Yes, can I help you?"
"These three," Xander jabbed a thumb at the girls behind him, "Ran afoul of some goblins while in a mine," Nodding to the bloodstained bag on his back, he continued, "One of 'em didn't make it. I just so happened to be in the area and rendered aid."
The woman covered her mouth before giving him a once over, 'Mithril breastplate, steel vambraces, greaves, and boots, a round shield, he seems the type,' "Oh I see, are you by chance an adventurer? I don't recall seeing you in these parts?"
Xander shook his head, "No, just a wandering hedge knight who was passing by and heard a woman's cry for help."
None of the party that Xander rescued piped up; that they were underground. In a cave surrounded by goblins where no person should have been able to hear them no matter how loudly they screamed.
"I see, can you read and write? If so, would you be willing to at least fill out a report on what happened during this quest?" The receptionist looked at the adventurers. "They look like they could use some rest. Also there is a changing room over there," the receptionist replied while pointing Laura in the right direction to change into her new clothes.
Xander nodded, "I can do both," He replied, as he thought 'Provided it's in English or at least Common,' he hoped, "And if for some reason I have trouble understanding this. My vocal recall will just have to do, I suppose."
The receptionist nodded, "Of course it's not an uncommon practice. Please follow me Sir Knight,"
"Alexander,"He introduced himself as he followed the woman towards the back, "My name's Alexander, what's yours miss?"
Again strangely to Xander the young woman paused as if no one had ever asked her that question. Then she smiled and replied, "Tymora Hattie, nice to meet you Sir Alexander."
"My friends call me Xander, Tymora," He paused before asking, "Does becoming an adventurer have some kind of registration fee or something?"
"Oh no, anyone can become an adventurer free of charge…" She smiled at him, "Were you thinking of signing up?"
Xander paused before replying, "I'm considering it… though I may back out if there's all this paperwork involved."
Telling from his tone he was joking, Tymora giggled a little, "It's the only enemy more numerous than goblins and it regenerates as quickly as a hydra, I'm afraid."
Taking a seat in front of her desk he quipped while speaking in a quiet and downtrodden tone, "An unkillable foe, truly."
"To make it easier on you, why don't you just tell me what happened and I'll fill out the report?" She offered while giving another giggle at his humor. It was nice that someone else understood the sheer horror the guild staff had to go through daily facing the unkillable foe!
"You're a saint, Tymora," The 'Knight' replied, giving her a grateful smile.
"You are too kind Sir. Now, in your own words what happened?" She asked dipping a quill in a bottle of ink as she prepared to take notes.
Clearing his throat, Xander prepared to speak, "Well I needed to get around the mountain, and found an old mining entrance. Decided to take my chances going through it. Was trekking around for a bit when I heard a girl scream. Ran towards the noise, ran into some goblins, killed said goblins… killed a really fat and tall goblin by stabbing it in the back and sticking a lit torch in its eye,also stabbed it a few more times and cut its left arm off, killed more goblins as they were about to… have their way with those girls, then I went and killed the rest of the goblins… Theresa… I mean, Priestess helped. Used her Holy Light spell to blind them and I gave them some new orifices to breathe through… especially the shaman."
"There was a Shaman… a Goblin leader?" Tymora asked a little downtrodden that a beginner party had to fight what seemed a semi fortified goblin den.. "What did you do to it?"
"I dropped a stalactite on top of it… what? I don't know what the fuck those things eat, but their blood is acidic as all hell. By the time I got to the shaman, my enchanted sword was little more than scrap… so I threw it at a chunk of rock. Turns out their blood is just as effective on stone as it is on enchanted metal," Xander then turned towards the guildhall all of whom were listening , looking at him, wondering what was going to happen next. Xander then yelled, "You hear that you bunch of eavesdropping vultures?! If you go on a Goblin hunting quest, bring more than one weapon! As Goblin blood and fat is acidic. Worst acid I have seen."
Everyone went hastily back to their drinks. A majority of them were wondering if goblins were more dangerous than they first gave them credit for. Seeing he no longer had a bunch of eyes staring at his back, he refocused his attention back on Tymora, "Sorry about that, but I kinda don't like being the center of attention."
Tymora just waved his apology away, "No, I understand, now if that is all, would you like to join the Guild?"
Xander shrugged, "Sure, what could it hurt?"
"That's great!" Tymora then took out a sheet of paper and pushed it towards him, "Alright then I know you don't like it but if you would please fill out this registration form, I'll give you a porcelain rank adventurer badge."
'This,' Xander thought as he looked at the form, 'Is a motherfucking character sheet.'
So it was, a character sheet for a Dungeons and Dragons character. 'So… am I playing myself? Like what do I put down here? System help me out?'
[Strength and Endurance are currently 11, Wisdom is 13, as is Intelligence, Charisma is 14, Constitution is also at 11, Dexterity is 10.]
'Not great but not terrible either,' Xander thought as he wrote all this down. 'I'd make a better Bard than a damn Fighter with stats like those.'
[Eh, you're still growing Player 2. Unlike with the system used in this world, there is much more room for improvement using The System.]
'True,' Xander thought as he finished filling the sheet out, and slid it back across the counter to Tymora. "Here you go,"
"Thank you…my my you're smart, wise, and charismatic but you were trained solely as a fighter?" She seemed confused by that.
Xander rubbed the back of his head sheepishly, "I'm working on learning magic. Never had time for it when I was younger. Always something trying to kill me, so the simplest solution was to pick up a weapon and kill it first."
'He must've been born on the frontier where monster attacks are more prevalent,' Tymora nodded in sympathy, "I understand, I could ask around to see if someone would be willing to teach you the basics if you like? Or you might be able to put up a quest and someone may be willing to take you up on it if the money is right."
"Both ideas sound good, but the second sounds more reasonable, and it doesn't have you wasting your valuable time Miss Tymora."
The receptionist shook her hand, "No, it's no trouble, you saved three women from a very terrible fate… this is the least I can do… well, that and… wait one moment please," She got up and came back with a small pouch.
"What's this?" He asked looking into it and seeing it contained four gold pieces.
"That is the quest reward for slaying the goblins," Tymora replied, she was surprised when he pushed it back towards her.
"Sorry," he replied, "Can't take it. I didn't accept the quest nor was I a part of the team that did, so you go ahead and give it to those girls… actually," Xander reached into his inventory and pulled out a few more gold coins. Tymora noticed the coins he brought out were double the reward amount. Placing them in the back he said, "There, just to make sure they have enough to bury their friend properly and have something leftover for themselves."
He looked up to see Tymora smiling at him with tears in her eyes. "Oh shit, what did I do? Umm, umm, please quit crying? Please?"
"Sir Alexander is so kind!" Tymora sniffed with a tear running down her face, "Not only does he save girls in danger, he also turns down the reward, and adds money to it just to make sure their fallen comrade can get a proper burial and that his fellow adventurers are looked after."
'I mean… I only just became an adventurer and it's not that big a deal… is it?' Xander looked behind him as he felt people staring at him again. A majority of the men were glaring at him, and the women were giving him appreciative looks… Some were looking at him like he was a piece of prime meat. 'Ah fuck me.'
[A majority of the women in this room want to unless I miss my guess.]
'Dude! Not helping!'
[Not kidding. +25 affection will all female adventurers, -25 affection with all male adventurers, +30 affection from Guild Girl aka "Tymora Hattie" +5 Charisma for your charity, and +15% renown to the people of the frontier]
'All that? All I did was put a few extra coins in a pouch!'
[You saved three women from being horribly raped or worse… by one of the (supposedly) weakest creatures known to this world. You have no idea how dark this world really is, Alexander. How little people care and how few heroes come home to safety after their first adventure. Sometimes a simple act of kindness can spread waves.]
[Moon Blessed Maiden gives you 1500 gold as a reward for saving three maidens from danger and a fate worse than death.]
'Hello again Arty, and you don't need to give me gold.'
[Moon Blessed Maiden replies, we've talked about this Alexander shut up and take your reward.]
'Fine… but I'm doing so under protest,' He replied.
[Moon Blessed Maiden retorts, If it makes you feel better, spend it on equipment to better protect yourself and others.]
'Okay,' He said after a moment's pause. Focusing back on the present, he gave Tymora his full attention, "Well now that that's settled, is there like… lodging I can rent here or something? It's been a long day, and I'd like to get some sleep."
"Ahem excuse me sir?" A shy, almost timid voice called from behind him.
Turning he saw a person clad in leather, chainmail, and plate with a visored helmet that had two horns on it broken off, and a metal buckler on the left forearm that looked scuffed and battered. "If you'd like you could come with me to my family farm… it's nothing extravagant but we have an old barn you could use."
Tymora smiled sweetly, "Ah Taurosa, your back from your quest."
"Ah yes ma'am."
"And how did the elimination of the Minotaur go, dear?" The receptionist asked as though it was a foregone conclusion.
"Dead… and there were two of them leading a group of goblins… horrible little rats," she finished in a spite-filled tone.
"Oh my, well I look forward to hearing your report dear," Tymora commented a little horrified that the quest she gave her only mentioned one minotaur and no goblins.
"Right, I'll just…" Xander began to get up and move away only for the girl, Taurosa, to grab his hand.
"Wait, you never answered my question, would you… like to stay at my farm?"
"Sure, if you'll have me, I'll just be over there till you're finished," Xander replied pointing to an out of the way corner. As he sat waiting silently, on a bench pressed up against the wall, he was approached by a tall voluptuous woman wearing a pointy witches hat.
Sitting down next to him she spoke in a breathy tone, as she took drags off a lit pipe. "You… are quite… interesting sir."
"Am I?" Xander asked while pointing at himself. "How do you figure Miss?"
Once again the person in question spaced out as if trying to recall their own name. "Elphaba West… Nice… to… meet… you," She gave him a wink and a playful smile after her (for her) long winded introduction.
"You too," He replied as he thought, 'Is she coming onto me?'
[+1 to intelligence, keep this up and we might consider taking away the Head of Lead perk.]
"So," Xander said, clearing his throat, "What's your story Ellie?"
"Ellie… I… like that," She said, "Well… I was raised… in a cabin… in the woods… Taught all kinds… of things… by my mother… Alchemy, Curses, and the like."
"Huh, the only thing my mom ever taught me was how not to piss off a drunk," Xander quipped. He realized what he said when he saw the astonished but sympathetic look on Ellie's face.
"Oh… you poor thing…" She patted him on the head. "There… there…"
"Thanks… its… can we just forget I said that, please?" He asked while looking at the floor.
"Of course," She said, pausing for a moment to take a drag off her pipe before saying, "Not many people… would so willingly… converse with… a witch…" She smiled at him, "You truly are a… good man… Your earlier actions… prove that,"
"Thanks," Xander replied, "I still don't feel like I did much though."
"That just proves… you have a big heart…" Elphaba replied, patting his armored shoulder. "A good deed… such as yours… deserves proper… compensation… I heard… you were looking… for a magic… teacher? Well if you're alright with a witch like me… how about I show you… a thing or two?"
"I'd like that, thank you… but I don't want to inconvenience you, Ellie."
But the woman just shook her head, "Not… an inconvenience. If it was… I wouldn't… have offered… my partner…. Is busy…"
"Ah… is he your partner… or your partner?" Xander asked.
"The former… not for lack of trying.. On my part…" She said with a sigh. "I am considering setting my sights… on new horizons… after five long … years" She glanced at him sideways as she said that last bit.
"Well… I…appreciate the sentiment and you are one of the most beautiful women I've ever seen and I mean that, but I might just be passing through… and a woman like you deserves better than a Stranger with No Name," replied Xander while wondering how someone couldn't notice someone liked them for five straight years. Then Xander remembered his own situation and blushed a little.
"But… I already… know your name," Elphaba pointed out with a coy smile even as her cheeks were tinged pink by his honest words.
"Touche," Xander replied, "Let's just start as friends and see where that goes, okay Ellie?"
"Alright… Xander," She replied, smiling a bit. "Are you going to… take Taurosa up… on her offer?"
"Yep… I wonder if she's gonna charge me rent? Oh that reminds me, what's the going rate for tutoring around here? I have no idea how much I should pay you," Xander asked confusedly, while wondering if she would take gold or silver?
"If you're going… to be on… Taurosa's farm… there is no need…" Ellie replied.
"What but…" Xander stopped speaking when Elphaba raised her hand and looked to the right. Following her gaze Xander saw Taurosa approaching, a medium-sized bag full of gold attached to her waist. "Hey Taurosa was it?"
"Yes… are you still coming to the farm?" the warrior asked, looking between him and the witch, "Or have you made other arrangements?"
"Xander was just… asking me… to tutor him… in magic… When I heard… he was going… to be staying… at your place… I agreed… on one condition," She held up a single finger.
"Which is?" The warrior asked.
"You must provide… some of those… sandwiches of yours…" Witch said as she licked her lips slightly. Which Xander admitted was kind of hot.
"Oh, you're really twisting my arm here… of course I'll feed you Witch, you're always welcome on the farm, you know that," The Warrior replied.
Smiling, the Witch replied, "If it's for… your cooking… I would fight… a Balrog alone…"
'Do those things exist here? I hope not,' Xander fervently hoped, knowing of the corrupt demigods that rode on dragons.
Helmet wiggling back and forth as the head beneath it shook, Taurosa replied, "You're ridiculous, but I guess we'll see you tomorrow…" Turning to Xander Taurosa asked, "Are you ready to go?"
Taking to his feet, the 'knight' replied, "Yeah, let's go." Turning back to his new magic teacher he said, "See you soon teach,"
He was going to wish the three adventurers he helped goodbye but he saw they were busy talking to Tymora. Xander left and went towards the door. It wouldn't be till later he realized the small problem he caused by leaving so soon. Three very nervous but thankful women would wonder where their savior went.
Once they were outside, the warrior bid him to wait, "Wait out front for me, I need to go get the cart."
She came back moments later dragging a wooden cart behind her. "You can get in the cart," Taurosa said,
"I was just about to say the same thing to you," Xander stated while looking at his fellow adventurer.
"I'm plenty strong you know?" She huffed while flexing her arm that made her armor bulge slightly from her muscles.
Xander nodded, impressed. "I bet, but you must be exhausted from fighting not only a nest of goblins, but two minotaurs to boot. This isn't me being macho, but kind. Go on and get in the cart. You're not the only one who's strong."
She nodded, 'He really is kind,' she thought while also thinking Alexander reminded her of someone else she knew, "Oh, alright, if you insist. She got into the bed of the cart, while Xander got behind the pull bar and activated [Jog] before taking off like a shot.
"Wow!" Taurosa said being pushed back in her seat as the cart took off down the dirt road towards her farm. "You really are strong!"
"Yep, so is it just you at the farm or you and some family?" He asked.
"Just me now," She replied a little sadly. "I had an Uncle, but around a year ago our farm was attacked late at night by a Minotaur of all things… it was trying to… copulate with our dairy cows… and didn't take too kindly to my uncle trying to stab it with a pitchfork."
As he continued pulling the cart along, Xander replied,"Oof, that's… rough, I'm sorry you had to go through that."
"I just got so mad, so angry that I saw red… grabbed a wood cutting ax and just kept hacking away at its legs until one of them was severed then I remember going for the head. When my vision cleared, I saw a dead minotaur on the ground and what was left of my uncle on the other side of it."
"What about you?" Taurosa asked, "What's that one monster you can't stand?"
His response came out as an almost bestial growl, "Vampires."
That made the warrior blink under helm, "Vampires? Not goblins, really?"
After what he saw in that mine he amended, "Vampires and Goblins. Vampires because my best friend who was a brother in all but blood was turned and then I had to dust him, and goblins because rape is just a special kind of evil. Although I'm not sure those things are even goblins. Where I'm from, we had tales of goblins but none were that bad."
She nodded in understanding, I agree… by the way Sir Alexander, my name is Haylee, Haylee Dale, and the farm is just up on the right."
Xander saw the sign on his way in, "Over Hill and Dale Dairy Farm"
Chuckling at it, he said, "I like the name," as he came to a stop in front of the farmhouse.
Hopping out of the back, and taking her helmet off and tucking it under her arm, Haylee revealed herself to be a pretty little redhead with flowing locks that almost hid her rose colored eyes. 'Can she even see properly with all that hair… hell if she's monster fighting it might be a disadvantage, having hair that long,' Xander thought.
"Follow me, and I'll show you to the barn… we haven't used it since… well you know… it's kinda become something of a junk shed. I even had a new one built. Too many bad memories, you know?"
Xander nodded, "That's perfectly understandable." He peeked inside there were all kinds of bits and bobbles stuffed into cubby holes, the floor was covered in a fine layer of straw, and a couple of small piles layed here and there, big enough to sleep on.
"Maybe I can find you a cot~t?" Haylee said with a yawn.
"No need, I'll just sleep on a haybale. Get some rest, you look beat." Xander advised.
Frowning a bit, the girl replied, "Are you sure? I'd feel like a bad hostess if I let you sleep on nothing but hay."
Xander took one look at said hostess. She had black circles under her eyes and was wobbling on her feet just standing there. Clearly fighting those Minotaurs and Goblins had taken more out of her than she'd said. "I'll be fine, go to bed Haylee." 'No wonder she gave me her life's story on the way home, she was half asleep the whole time.'
"Okay… Night Alexander," She said with a tired wave as she slowly trudged her way back to the farmhouse.
Throwing himself down on a haybale, Xander put all of his armor back in his inventory and folded his hands over his head, 'I wonder why Haylee gave me her name and didn't freak out like the others? Is she special or was it something else? Also I wonder if she'd let me use this junk if I asked? Eh, I'll ask her tomorrow,' He thought as he rolled over and went to sleep.
Up above in a higher dimension, Illusion giggled. "I like him, he's interesting,"
"He's alright," Truth begrudgingly admitted, "He prevented my TPK though."
Illusion gave Truth a slight shove, "So? That just makes him more interesting, right? I mean, the guy took out a goblin nest basically by himself."
"Yeah, that was impressive… You know that means we'll have to try harder with him around, right?"
"Oh, is this the start of a rivalry I'm hearing?" Illusion teased.
"Kinda… Part of me just wants to see how far he can go…" Truth admitted a hint of begrudging respect and also annoyance.
"He is a most unique player in my game. I have to thank you two for letting me send him to your world."
Both "gods" turned and saw a man with two faces wearing a nice toga with sandals appearing before them.
"Oh Janus. Yes it's not everyday we have a god from another world make us an offer for more entertainment," Truth said while Illusion nodded along.
"I had high hopes after most of the characters in our little game kept dying. Just one tragedy after another. I swear the dice just don't like me," Illusion piped in while Truth rolled his eyes. He didn't have the heart to tell Illusion that when she needed the dice most they usually failed her.
Janus could only chuckle, " Again my pleasure. I wanted to test this boy's character. He has shown wisdom that seems to be lost in this modern age. Truly a grecian hero in the making if I do say so myself. Now if only he didn't have that blasted weakness of his. But I guess all heroes have their flaws. I just lucked out that Alexander's flaw doesn't cause any harm to anyone but himself."
Both Truth and Illusion caught on the subtle but caring tone Janus had when talking about the new player, "You care for the boy don't you, Janus? I haven't seen you care about someone so much since your little emperors were still around," piped up Truth making Janus's jolly visage grow a little bitter.
"Yes, it has been a long time since I have had the energy to care. Too many things going wrong in my world too, I suppose. Oh well, who knew that by chance I would be given the opportunity to find a champion of my own. That should show the rest of my family that I am not some minor god to be belittled," spoke Janus. The other "gods" did not speak up on what they thought of Janus's "dysfunctional" family.
"Just remember our deal, Janus. As long as Alexander brings the fun we will let him have somewhat free reign. The second he bores us well. Accidents happen when adventuring after all," spoke up Truth.
"Don't be mean, you. Every character has its good points even if they don't shine brightly. I, for one, love what he is doing to all the little dears. He is causing change and allowing the story to grow. Who knows what could happen now!" exclaimed Illusion as she seemed to just gush enthusiasm.
"Who knows you two. Who truly knows. However, If I can attract some 'other' sponsors I might just be able to expand this little game of ours. After all, thanks to little Ethan I now have multiple games running in my world. Now it's just a waiting game to see who rises from the ashes," stated Janus while he turned around and began to leave.
"Also just so you know if you ever want some help in making your world interesting, I have more time on my hands then both my faces can count!" joked Janus as he took his leave as if he was never there.
Name: Alexander 'Xander' Lavelle Harris
Path: lvl.5 Fighter
Titles: Friend of the Strange, Goblin Slayer
Perks: Apocalyptic Maiden Saver, Cretin King, Cultivation of Heaven and Earth, Evasive, School of Hard Knocks, Head of Lead, Midnight Guard
Skills: Adrenaline Rush lvl.1 Novice, Scrapper lvl. 2 Apprentice, Alchemy lvl.1, Bowmanship lvl. 1 Journeyman, Cooking lvl.2 Novice, Harvesting lvl. 2 Taunt lvl.1, Moment's Respite lvl.1, Jog lvl.3, Alertness lvl.1, Tracking lvl.1 Journeyman, Vigilance lvl.1, Observe lvl. 2
Perk Points: 0
Attributes:
Strength: 21 Intelligence: 32
Dexterity: 22 Wisdom: 33
Constitution: 21 Charisma: 33 unlocked perk
Fatigue: 25 Luck: 32 unlocked perk
Word Count: 9,696 Number of Pages: 22 Date Completed: 4/17/2022
AN: Happy Easter one and all, and here to uplift your spirits is Chapter 3 of This Game Called Life. Snowy and I both hope you enjoy it! Speaking of, here are some words from him.
Snowy: Whelp Happy Easter Guys and Gals. Me and bubba worked really hard to churn out this story for y'all. Those who guessed goblin slayer HOORAY. Those who didn't, better luck next time. Just a reminder things have changed and people's lives will be different. Who knows what this world will become. And it seems dark shadows are moving in the "peaceful" Sunnydale. Oh whatever shall Xander do.
Thank you Snowy! Everyone, we'll see you next time! Till then, this has been an IcySnowSage and Bubbajack Production! Peace!