I'm back!
So this chapter is Jaune and company getting the quests and then setting out on their journey.
I don't really have anything else to put in the author note.
Level Fourteen
Strength 28 (+2)
Agility 14 (+1)
Defence 20 ()
Perception 24 ()
Constitution 30 (+1)
Intelligence 35 (+2)
Charisma 18 (+1)
Willpower 12 ()
...
Abilities
Arclight
A high-intensity explosion of light, equivalent to that of the sun. Burns the flesh of undead and magical entities. Momentarily blinds living and non-magical entities. Sudden magical intensity can cause affected to flee regardless of status.
...
Miscellaneous Knowledge/Buffs/etc.
Monster Slayer
Spent years studying the various monsters of Remnant. Knows the different species and taxonomy of each known creature. Understands the weaknesses of most known monsters.
Armour and Weapons Smith
Worked a forge for his entire life. Jaune is able to judge the composition of metals, and know the condition of his weapons and armour.
"Hurry up, Yang," Ruby shouted as she trudged ahead of the others.
Today was the first day of questing for Beacon Academy's first-year students. The group had agreed to meet at eight in the morning and go to the Questing House as one. Jaune was ecstatic about having his chance to go out and be an actual hero for the first time in his life. However, others were not conveying the same mood that Jaune and Ruby were in.
"Why did we have to go out and do this at eight a.m," Yang whined as she dragged her feet. Weiss was even walking faster than the blonde was, and Yang has the height advantage. Jaune was worried he might have to carry the Brawler if they were ever going to get to the questing house on time. Not that Jaune wouldn't mind, of course. She is pleasantly squishy.
"You're the one who agreed to this," Weiss scolded as she walked at Jaune's side. The Mage's mood wasn't too hot today either. Jaune swore the entire vicinity surrounding her grew ice cold the moment she approached. "I, for one, was not up all night; chatting to some other airhead about boys!"
Weiss' mood had improved somewhat over the last few days. It was better than when the group last met up. After arguing with Blake, Yang said the two were avoiding each other like the plague. They had a good reason for it at least. Jaune would take the opportunity to figure out what was going on with her when the time was right.
"Oh, really," Yang shot back with a suspicious tone. "Hear anything interesting?" The blonde dipped in front of the Mage, blocking her path. "You were totally listening, weren't you?"
"I was not!"
"Ladies-Ladies," Jaune interrupted, getting the two's attention off each other. "You are all equally beautiful. So let's not fight over this!" That snarky remark earned Jaune an elbow to the ribs from Weiss. For how small she is, Weiss can hit pretty hard. Jaune almost had the wind knocked out of him. He was glad Yang didn't decide to deck him.
"Good one," Blake sarcastically commented as she walked past Jaune.
"Yes," Ruby loudly chirped. "This is it guys so come on!" The Reaper ran further ahead to the large building a dozen yards forward. Once she arrived. Ruby began bouncing up and down while waving at the group. Her red cape and skirt fluttered with every leap.
The Questing House was a modestly sized building on the outskirts of the main complex. While still attached to the main building, the house boasted a few merchant stalls outside the questing house and its own inn. The interior resembled a tavern with a kitchen and bar serving rich and delectable foods to any travellers and students wanting to eat out. Quests were given in a small booth closer to the door. At the same time, the amenities were on the far side of the room.
There were not any students over by the questing booth. Most were merely eating or drinking and going about their morning. Jaune expected there to be a line of people waiting for the chance to nab a contract or claim their rewards. Not that it bothered him. Who would complain about not having to wait in line?
"It's... homey," Weiss tried her best to describe the interior of your average Valaen pub. Jaune was sure she had never been inside one before. Must have been unfitting for a rich girl like herself.
"Never been to a pub, Princess," Sun asked as he leaned against a wall. The others were filing into the Questing House one by one with Pyrrha making up the rear. "Every town's got one!"
"Of course not," Weiss replied with a tinge of red on her cheeks as she looked around in confusion. The Mage was clearly out of her league here. "Why would I?"
To Jaune, everything here was ordinary. Barmaids serving drinks, some older students singing something about a recent battle, and the lovely stench of ale on the wind. Past memories of celebrations flooded Jaune's thoughts as he took the sights in. It reminded Jaune of home.
"Don't worry Weiss-cream," Yang teased as she placed both of her hands on the back of her head. "We'll take you to a pub eventually. I want to see you drunk!" That would actually be hilarious to watch. Her Constitution stat was probably very low, and her tolerance for alcohol would have been the same.
"The last thing I want is to be handed enough drinks that I pass out," Weiss replied to the Brawler with arms crossed. "Especially around a mischievous minx such as yourself!"
"Awwwww," Yang cooed. "You know me so well!" She picked up the smaller girl and crushed Weiss into her chest.
Once everyone was inside the building, they made their way over to the desk. There, a beautiful young woman manned the station. Her dark brown eyes brightened up as the students approached. The colour of her hair and eyes matched the gold and brown suit she wore. Jaune noticed the two rabbit ears poking out of the top of her head, occasionally moving in accordance with a sound.
"Hi, welcome to the Questing House," she greeted in an unusual accent while waving to the group. "Are you here to take on a quest or are you looking for information?"
"Questing," Jaune answered as he stepped to the front of the group.
"You are Jaune Arc, am I correct," she asked with an unsure tone. Jaune nodded, and her expression brightened up even more. "I've heard about you and your friends."
That was nice how Jaune was beginning to build himself a reputation. But what kind of status? That was the real question. If he looked like a coward to the rest of the student body, then it wouldn't do. He may have seemed like a somewhat competent soldier to everyone due to slaying vampire, however.
"Anyways," she continued, changing subjects. "The notice board is over here. And If you need any help, my name is Velvet." She cast a polite smile specifically towards Jaune.
She's nice...
Jaune stepped up to the large corkboard. Dozens of quests were posted with various seals stamped onto the parchment. Some quests were small, rewarding one-hundred Lien for the contract. There were a few contracts with payments up to ten-thousand Lien.
He took a quick glance at one of the parchments.
By order of, His Majesty, The King of Vale and all of its holdings.
The town of Black Dusk has petitioned for assistance. A gryphon has taken roost in the surrounding wilderness. Captain Bertholdt of the town guard is willing to offer support in the capture or the slaying of the beast. The men or women who bring the Captain the head of the monster will be paid a generous sum of four-thousand Lien to be paid from the royal treasury.
Well... a gryphon is a difficult hunt, and the party needs to be around level twenty-five. But we would have to purchase a ballista to bring it down from the sky. We should focus on something a bit easier for now.
Jaune took a look at another parchment.
By order of, His Majesty, The King of Vale and all of its holdings.
Sir Hans of White Cliff has petitioned for the assistance of a hero or heroes. Recently the castle under his command was assaulted by an army of undead soldiers. The Lord is unsure of how long he can hold the position until he and his men are forced to flee. Sir Hans is willing to pay a generous sum of eight-thousand lien to any who are capable of ending the threat to his lands.
Too many variables. It could easily be another lord trying to expand his own lands.
Jaune left that note and examined another parchment.
By order of, His Majesty, The King of Vale and all of its holdings.
The village of Saexhollow has petitioned for assistance. Goblins have taken up nesting in nearby caves and have been raiding the nearby towns for food, supplies, and even kidnapping women and children. Sheriff Gaston of the local constabulary will reward heroes for the return of any survivors and the heads of the vile creatures. A payment of seven-hundred and fifty Lien will be paid alongside bed and board in the local in for the duration of the contract.
"Find one you like," Yang asked as she leaned into Jaune's personal space. The woman's head sitting not even an inch away from his. Jaune could smell a pleasant aroma coming off of her. Lavender or another floral scent.
"I think we should do this one," Jaune suggested as he pulled the third contract off of the board. "The reward is pretty high, and tracking goblins isn't too difficult if you know where to look."
"Really... goblins?"
"What's wrong with goblins," Jaune replied as he read over the fine print.
"Goblins are boring," Yang complained as poured over another contract. "Like we've got werewolves and even a dragon contract here! Why not choose something with a little more pizzazz?"
"Goblins are pests, and supposedly they took people back to their lair during a raid," Jaune explained. "We would be doing a service to the people and saving lives. Werewolves only kill one or two people every few months, and it would be exciting to hunt one. But, goblins will kill dozens and take more back to their nests to be made into food." He hoped Yang would understand what that last part meant.
Bar was lucky enough to avoid having largescale monster attacks such as goblin raids or gryphons. The town didn't have any sort of defences against flying creatures but could easily hold off an assault from the tiny green men. Large walls and plenty of watchmen saw to that. Other smaller villages didn't have the fortune of a bulwark or even a palisade and were at risk of being destroyed by monster attacks.
"Come on, Yang," Ruby joined in. "We're heroes! Our job is to help people! If the goblins have kids in their nests, then I don't want to leave them in there while they get hurt!" The Reaper was much more into the purpose behind being a hero. Ruby was in this to help people. Jaune was in it for more selfish reasons.
"Alright, fine," Yang reluctantly agreed. "So when do we head out?" She leaned against a wall next to the corkboard.
"If we leave now, then we can get to the Saexhollow by this afternoon," Jaune explained as he folded up the parchment and placed it into his satchel.
"Ok team," Ruby cheerfully began. "Mission: Go on our first quest is a go!" She dashed over to the door leaving Yang and Jaune to catch up to her.
The others would be fine without them. All they needed to do was get their quests and come back alive.
[Beacon Courtyard]
Ruby had already vanished by the time Yang and Jaune managed to get out of the Questing House. Jaune suspected the Reaper was grabbing her scythe and the rest of her gear. Then the young girl would pester both of the blondes until they were prepared for the journey. Jaune was already packed, but he didn't know about Yang, yet.
"I think Velvet's got the hots for you," Yang stated completely out of nowhere. She gave Jaune a teasing look as his cheeks flushed a deep red. Jaune tried to look away, hoping the colour would fade.
"Uhh, w-what makes you say that," Jaune stammered. He scratched the back of his head, hoping to somehow dispel the heat rising inside of his cheeks.
Yang rolled her eyes. "Oum, you're so oblivious!"
That was slightly uncalled for. Jaune may have been called oblivious by his sisters before, but he was actually quite observant. Reading someone's behaviour or a monster's behaviour during a fight was proof of that. But Jaune didn't see the telltale signs that Velvet showed any interest in him.
"Mr Arc-Ms Xiao Long," a firm voice called out from behind the blondes. They both turned around to see the ever-stoic Professor Goodwitch standing behind them. Professor Ozpin stood next to his second in command with coffee in hand.
"I see you and your friends are already skipping classes in favour of questing," Ozpin led the discussion before Goodwitch could make any further remarks. The old wizard simply looked at the two with dull eyes as he gripped his coffee mug.
"Uhhh..."
"Yep!" Yang answered for both of them.
"Do not worry. You are not in trouble," Ozpin said with a smirk. "However, I expect all of you to attend lessons in your spare time when you return to the academy." Why did Jaune suspect that? He wasn't opposed to attending lectures because he is a naturally curious person, but his time could be better-spent training.
Yang and Jaune were about to walk off, but Ozpin continued. "And do try not to get yourselves killed. I would hate for your potential to be wasted because of a careless mistake." Jaune wasn't planning on getting killed just yet. Maybe when he was too old to pick up a sword or had to be carried from his bed to the washroom.
Ozpin and Goodwitch left the area, and Jaune and Yang headed in the opposite direction. Jaune breathed a sigh of relief that he wasn't in trouble.
Yang turned to Jaune. "I thought we didn't have to attend lectures if we went on quests," she sharply whispered to the Knight. Now he was in trouble.
"We're only graded on quests but are still expected to attend lectures," Jaune replied in the same harsh whisper. "Besides we have to do a lot more quests to pay for living here anyway."
Yang flicked Jaune on the bridge of his nose. "Owww, what was that for?!" Jaune pinched his nose to stifle the throbbing pain in there. He didn't know what was with women and flicking him in the nose. But so far, Weiss and Yang have been the ones to abuse his beak.
"Not telling me I still have to sit through Professor Port's class!" She crossed her arms and directed her face upwards.
"Doesn't Weiss already lecture us about paying attention in class," Jaune asked with an indignant tone. "I don't want to be the one who has to join her in reminding you that!"
"What do I lecture people about," a voice that only could belong to Weiss called out from behind them. Jaune turned around to see, none other than Weiss escorted by Ren and Nora.
"Having to pay attention in class," Jaune answered. "Someone..." He pointed to Yang. "...didn't know we had to still go to lessons even if we went on quests." Weiss should have known this.
"We still have to go to lectures?!" Nevermind, she did not know about it. Jaune was probably the only one who knew.
...
Jaune finally managed to get away from Yang and Weiss for the moment. He needed to grab his equipment from the locker room. There were also items Jaune had to purchase from Vale before they left as well. Necessary equipment to fight goblins specifically.
Goblins are pack hunting creatures much like humans or wolves. They are not meant to fight alone and can quickly be done away with, in a one on one battle. But when a group of a dozen goblins get together, they can overwhelm a single hero or small village. Their pack mentality makes goblins a formidable foe to heroes that are just starting out.
Most heroes may have some basic knowledge of goblins. Primarily, what they look like and the sounds they make. There is a lot more to goblins than most people realise and that lack of knowledge has gotten people killed. Trolls and goblins, for example, are nocturnal predators, hunting in the dusk and at night under cover of darkness. They also show intelligence and can communicate with one another or to another species. Goblins are even able to strategise and construct ambushes.
They are also a naturally adaptive species, bending the surrounding environment to their will. Some are capable of farming and can generally live peaceful lives away from civilisation. Those goblins, however, are merely an exception to the rule and the rest of their species are bloodthirsty pests. And pests must be culled, so their numbers do not grow out of control.
The general description of a goblin is rather broad, and there can be some misidentification if you encounter a subtype or a similar species. They are small bipedal creatures with short stature, and a hunched over appearance when in their juvenile period. That is the case for the base form of the species, but the subtypes tend to be larger and can stand straight up like a standard biped.
If there are extenuating circumstances, then goblins will leave their juvenile state and grow into a hobgoblin or another version of the imp. 'Hobs' are the warrior caste of the species and are created if there is a need to protect the nest. Hobgoblins are large bipeds that take the look of an engorged goblin. In other words, they are large and fat versions of the standard goblin. Standing well over six feet tall and ranging between seven to nine feet tall. They are also asexual and lack the organs necessary for breeding.
There are other subtypes, but they generally do not appear unless the need arises for it. Most goblins live in isolated groups deep in the wilderness, and they only move towards towns when they have grown in size. Most of their species tend to be in the level one to five range with hobs in the ten to fifteen range.
When a hob appears, the nest moves and they begin raiding villages. Goblins will take anything they can carry from their raids. Be it, gold, jewels, people even. Nothing is sacred to goblins, and they will steal it unless it is bolted to the floor.
Jaune pulled out his breastplate. He repaired the hole in the centre where Min shot him in the chest with a lightning bolt. The patch left a scar in the plate just below his sternum. It would hold for now, and Jaune could just get rid of the armour once he picked up his new set. Goblins wouldn't be able to get through the plate or the under armour he wore.
However, Ruby and Yang did not wear armour. Fighting goblins did not require having to be decked out in full plate, but if one of them got lucky and sliced a tendon, then you were dead. Yang's clothes were at least leather and cloth so they would give some protection from blunt weapons or a few bladed weapons. Ruby, however, would be mincemeat if a goblin managed to get close to her. Jaune would have to keep an eye out on both of them.
While it didn't weigh on his conscience too much. Jaune didn't want to see his friends get hurt. It was his inner older brother starting to show. Ruby and Yang could clearly take care of themselves, but Jaune didn't want to take the chance. Even on a low-level quest like this, the risk of death was there and with goblins being the intelligent creatures they are could surprise and kill the sisters if they weren't paying attention.
Jaune strapped his leather pads to his upper thighs and his shins. His riding boots were still in good condition along with the rest of his armour. The breastplate was the only thing that could really fail on him at the moment. Jaune was safe from almost any attack from goblins at the moment.
He grabbed his steel and silver sword. Jaune wouldn't be using the enchanted sword he found unless absolutely necessary. It was a waste to use something that powerful on an opponent it wasn't needed for. Ira Rubrum and Crocea Mors were still in good condition despite needing to be re-sharpened again. His shield was also in shape with a dent or two along the face.
Strapping the blades to his back, Jaune left his other weapons inside the locker bound in their oil-soaked sheets. Jaune drew both of his swords, making sure they were able to be pulled at a moments notice. He checked his dagger was still strapped to his belt. The small kukri had a knick in the blade but would suffice until he could repair it.
"So, Muscles, are you done checking yourself out," Yang spoke up from behind Jaune. He wasn't sure how long she was standing there, but she must have there for a while. She was dressed in her leather armour and donning her twin gauntlets.
"Yep." Jaune turned around and headed for the door. Ruby was most likely impatiently waiting for the two blondes. "We need to head into Vale and grab something before heading out." Jaune opened the door to the courtyard for Yang. There they found Ruby standing just outside the building with an oversized pack. It was almost laughable how large the backpack was compared to her small frame. The bag made Ruby seem even smaller than she already was.
"Gosh," Ruby scoffed as she walked over to the pair. "Why are guys so slow?!" She stomped like Weiss when she was angry. Or chastising Jaune for something else.
"Why do you have such pinchable cheeks," Jaune retorted as he gave Ruby's cheeks a nice squeeze. The girl's face turned bright red, and she tried to cover it up. Yang began cackling as she started on her little sister as well.
[Vale]
"Ok, so what are we looking for," Ruby bemusedly asked she readjusted her bag.
The trio had finally made their way into downtown Vale again. It wasn't as crowded as Jaune expected it to be, but the market place was still bustling. Merchants were shouting at the bystanders hoping to reel one in for a purchase. While it may have been tempting, Jaune had a specific item or items in mind.
"We need a bottle of alcohol," Jaune answered. "Grain alcohol with a high proof." It might seem unusual to the younger member of their trio, but Jaune knew exactly what he was doing. He was in his element.
"You're not trying to get me drunk again are you," Yang prodded with some minor hope in her voice. "My liver gets enough of a workout from ale. But grain alcohol is a bit much for little old me." While that would indeed be fun to watch her try to drink a bottle of one-hundred ninety proof alcohol, Jaune had another idea for the bottle.
"No, it is not for you to drink Yang," Jaune insisted while pointing directly at Yang. "We're going to use it to kill goblins." A smile stretched across Jaune's face.
"How would we do that," Ruby asked with a quizzical look on her face.
"With high proof alcohol or something like linseed oil," Jaune began. "You can place it into a bottle with a rag soaked in the liquid. When you light that rag and then throw the bottle at say a goblin or an old building, the bottle will shatter and ignite it."
"So, we're lighting the goblins on fire," Yang asked, unsure of Jaune's grand plan. "Why can't we just kill them and be done with it?"
Jaune turned around and began walking backwards. "If this nest is home to what I think is. Then we'll need to use fire to clear out some of the cave."
"And what are you suggesting we'll find in this nest, Fearless Leader," Yang asked again. Jaune wasn't sure where the nickname, 'Fearless Leader,' came from but he wasn't mad enough about it to tell his friends to stop calling him that.
"A hobgoblin or another goblin subtype," he explained. "The fire will cripple it and any other goblins in the vicinity, letting us go in for the kill."
Jaune stopped in front of a large building just off the main square. It resembled the stone, and wattle and daub construction that most other homes in Vale replicated, but this one was larger. Like Alexandre's home, there was a small shack off to the side with a plume of smoke billowing out of the chimney.
The front of the brewery read, "From Dust Till Dawn." And it was the same name as the place Jaune was told to check out, so hopefully, they found it. If Jaune couldn't find a bottle of grain alcohol, then he could settle for the more dangerous linseed oil. It might set his hand on fire if tried to throw a flaming bottle of the stuff at a goblin, but linseed oil is one of the more reactive oxidisers you could find in Vale.
'From Dust Till Dawn' is an odd name for a brewery regardless. There are so many other names that would fit for a brewery besides that. Maybe it was a store that sold Dust before they made it into a brewery?
Jaune pushed the door open and found the shop empty. Yang barged in, and Ruby followed despite Jaune's careful approach. All three of the students stood in the front room until an older man shuffled out from the back.
"Yes, welcome," the old man began in an almost fragile tone of voice. "What can I help you with?" Jaune couldn't tell if the man's eyes were open or not. He was so old Jaune was afraid he might turn into dust while talking to the Knight.
"We need a bottle of spirits with the highest proof you have in stock," Jaune requested as he leaned onto the counter.
"Would one hundred and ninety-five proof suffice," he asked with a slight smile. Jaune could already smell the spirits, and he hasn't even seen the bottle. He drank four shots of one hundred and ninety proof grain alcohol in one night and couldn't remember what happened the next morning. One of his sisters mentioned something about a goat and priest, however.
Jaune nodded, and the old man turned around. "Oscar! Would you be so kind as to get, 'The Spirit of Vale,' from the cellar?" A young man who couldn't have been any older than Ruby ran down the nearby flight of stairs.
"Got it, boss," he shouted as he half-sprinted the rest of the way. There were some minor rummaging sounds below the room and even more footsteps before he returned.
"One bottle of 'The Spirit of Vale!'" The young man who Jaune now knew as Oscar handed the old man the bottle. Oscar looked over at the students and stopped when his eyes turned to Ruby. He had the same stupid look on his face as Jaune did when he first spotted Weiss. "Uhh-uh, I'll get back to work upstairs, boss!" He quickly turned and ran back up the stairs with his tail between his legs.
Yang snorted and whispered into Ruby's ear. "Don't worry Rubes, I'll scare him off if he tries to ask you out." The little girl's cheeks became dusted in a brilliant shade of red as her sister started laughing.
Jaune paid for the spirits and stuck it into his bag. A measly fifteen lien for a bottle of good quality Valish alcohol wasn't too bad. Jaune felt it was a shame to waste such a nice bottle of spirits. It was going to a good cause anyway.
[Outside of the brewery]
"Let me see it," Yang begged as she tried to grab the bottle of spirits from Jaune. The Knight put up his best fight, but the Brawler's immense strength was starting to overcome him. Her Strength stat was probably double his.
"Fine," Jaune sighed. "Just don't drop it!" He gave the bottle to the Brawler so she could satisfy her curiosity. How Ruby was able to deal with her was beyond him. Jaune instead bided his time looking around for a carriage they could hire.
None of them had a horse they could ride. Jaune preferred not walking all the way to Saexhollow, but if they couldn't find someone to give them passage, then that was their only option. Some very sore feet and legs were to be expected by the time they arrived.
Yang took a sniff from the bottle and gagged. "Oh my god! I can't breath!" Ruby and Jaune both gave her quizzical looks as she rubbed her nose. Jaune took the bottle back before she dropped it.
"Oi Laddie," a voice with a robust Valish accent spoke up. "I see you, and these two young lasses are sampling some of our city's fine spirits." Jaune looked over and saw Kaedin loading a crate into the back of his wagon.
Ohhh, it's Kaedin. Jaune looked back at the two confused girls standing next to him. They were blankly staring at the merchant as if he were insane.
"Ruby-Yang," Jaune began. "This is Kaedin, the merchant who gave me a ride to Vale when I decided to come to the academy." The two girls waved at the older man, and he nodded back.
"Actually Kaedin, you wouldn't happen to be going anywhere near Saexhollow anytime soon, Jaune asked the older man. Hopefully, this would be another one of his lucky breaks. Jaune's luck was almost always impeccable.
"That shitehole," he cursed. Jaune gave him a dull look. "Not many merchants are passing through there on account of the goblins." They must have been a massive issue for any merchants to simply avoid that area. "But I am taking provisions to some soldiers guarding a fort in that area. It will be a short trek to Saexhollow from there."
It was better than nothing. Better than walking all the way there.
"We don't have any other options," Jaune conceded. "We'll escort your wagon to the fort for passage to Saexhollow." The students threw their bags into the back of the carriage. Jaune and Yang hopped into the back while Ruby took the reins in the front.
"Laddie, the roads should be deserted, but watch my arse if the soldiers were a bunch of tossers." Ruby snapped the reins, and the horses began trotting ahead.
...
"Jaune, what should we expect with goblins," Yang asked while looking at him. The carriage was passing through a section of unnamed forest west of their destination. The clicking of the wheels against the occasional rock rang out.
Everything so far had been quiet. Some faint monster calls echoed from the Emerald Forest outside of Vale but grew silent as they pushed east. Even the insects had stopped chirping entirely.
Jaune suspected it was due to the presence of an aggressive pest. Larger monsters will leave areas if there is another creature more rapidly devouring the local wildlife. Giant spiders or other megafauna such as the giant rats are the usual cause of dead zones. Considering there were goblins in the area, that must have been the cause. But that would mean the total number of goblins would have grown to dozens or possibly more than fifty.
"Jaune," Yang spoke up, breaking his concentration. "Did you hear what I said?" He could tell Yang was trying to have a serious conversation. Having seven sisters helped Jaune figure out when a girl was trying to actually talk to you. His intelligence also assisted with that matter.
"You've never fought goblins before," he asked with certainty. Yang shook her head as she stared down at the road. "Ok, then. The number one rule when fighting goblins is to never let them surround you. Goblins are fast and will overwhelm you if they have the chance. They like going for the back of the knees with knives or spears, so we need to watch ourselves. If one of us goes down, then we have to grab them and run." Jaune wondered how many heroes had been killed because they were too cocky. He knew his own limits but was unsure if his partners knew theirs.
"What was that goblin you mentioned earlier, the-"
"The Hob," Jaune finished for her. "Larger goblin type, the species' warrior class. If we see it, then you and I will have to take care of it." Brute strength was the only thing that would help fight one of those.
Yang sported a Chesire grin. "So all of that studying with Weiss-cream is paying off?" Jaune knew what she was implying. "You must be getting a lot of work done in there if you're spending all of your free time with her."
Somehow this girl had the strange ability to twist any situation into a joke. It must have been one of her Abilities. Brawlers and Berserkers were very peculiar social animals. Yang could have also been trying to lighten the mood with some humour.
"Yeah, they have more books about monsters than I could imagine. Weiss also points out grimoires so I can work on my magic." Jaune knew what Yang wanted. She wanted a reaction from her teasing. It would have worked earlier today, but Jaune was getting used to it.
Yang pouted, knowing Jaune had figured out her gimmick. "You're no fun!"
"Oi Laddie-Lass, we're coming up on Fort Amber," Kaedin called out from the front of the cart.
Jaune looked over the merchant and Ruby's shoulders to see the large fortress. The castle seemed to be well guarded with about five men on top of the walls. Most forts nowadays had some three troops on the walls along with the local lord and his sons. This castle was no different from the others if a bit larger.
Kaedin took the reins back, and everyone jumped off the carriage. "If you're going into that forest, then watch your arse!"
"Don't worry old man," Yang shouted back him. "We'll throw Muscles here..." She slapped the top of Jaune's back. "...at whatever we come across!" Jaune rolled his eyes and slung his pack over his shoulder. Ruby skipped up next to him, and they headed into the forest.
[Saexhollow: Four Hours Later]
Several hundred yards ahead, large plumes of smoke and ash rose from a clearing. Ruby and Yang broke into a sprint with Jaune following at a moderate pace. He wished the two didn't decide to run off like that. Any number of things could be happening deeper into the forest.
It wouldn't be goblins this late in the afternoon. Dusk hasn't even arrived yet so the monsters would still be inside whatever cave they crawled out of. This area was perfect for goblins anyway. Lots of crags jutting out from beneath the soil that could conceal a nest or the entrance to a cavern.
Jaune caught up to the sisters as fast as his Agility and Endurance would let him. They disappeared behind some trees moments ago, but Jaune managed to break out into a clearing. Ruby and Yang were standing at the edge of a clearing staring at the small village in front of them.
"What happened here?" Ruby looked distraught at the sight of the village.
The small hamlet was nearly burned to the ground. Half of the town was nothing but ash and black smoke. Some shouting could be heard deeper within the village. Jaune grabbed his broadsword in case this was a bandit attack. He strapped his heater shield to his arm as well.
"Follow me, and stay close," Jaune ordered as he walked carefully towards the village.
"Think it could be bandits," Yang asked she stacked up behind Jaune.
"No..."
The trio approached the village from a road. If there were any guards standing watch, it would be better if they didn't see three strangers coming up from the forest. Jaune couldn't see anybody from the road so everyone must have been taking shelter. The women and children would have been placed in the main hall, or the tavern if the town had one.
Why is nobody out here? Maybe if my perception was higher, I could see someone. It was unusual not seeing at least a peasant or two outside. All Jaune could see was smoke and a burning fire.
Jaune raised his shield as an arrow was released. The shaft sang as it flew directly at Jaune before slamming into his shield. Ruby and Yang quickly hid behind him, looking for cover. All three were ready to charge in and slaughter whatever attacked.
"That's far enough." A kid holding a bow and arrow stepped out from behind a wall. He was prepared to loose another bolt at the students. "State your business, then kindly fuck off!" This hunter couldn't have been any older than sixteen.
Several other men holding various farm tools stepped into view. All of them were not soldiers or anybody with combat experience. One was wearing armour, but it seemed fragile and practically handmade. Jaune and his friends would be able to fight their way out of this if it went south.
Fucking peasants!
Jaune grabbed the quest parchment. "I am Jaune Arc," he shouted at the top of his lungs. "This is Ruby Rose and Yang Xiao Long! We are heroes from Beacon Academy!" He stepped forward holding the paper in his left hand.
"They're heroes!" Someone from their group muttered.
Yang and Ruby followed Jaune while he slowly walked up to the militia. Some of the makeshift soldiers backpedalled away from the heroes as they approached. More out of fear of being killed then taking a defensive position. The sight of what they saw as a knight must have been imposing enough. Not to mention Jaune was furious about being shot at with an arrow again.
"Now, if you would kindly direct me to Gaston," Jaune asked, mimicking the boy's tone. Ho took the nocked arrow away from the kid. "So we can do our job and be on our way!" He snapped the shaft in half and shoved it back into the kid's chest.
"Wow, Jaune's pissed," Yang whispered to Ruby. Jaune heard it even though the sisters weren't trying to be obvious.
...
The heroes were led to the inn. As Jaune suspected, most of the residents were placed on cots or slept on the floor. The tavern was busy as most should have been, but this one was being used as a shelter, so it was unusually packed. Any of the smart villagers should have fled the village when they had the chance.
Some of the kids who were hiding in the inn waved to the heroes as they passed by. Ruby and Yang cheerfully waved back, acting like cliches of their profession. A small girl ran over to Jaune and handed him a flower. He accepted and stuck it inside of a pocket on his chest.
"Already making friends," Yang jested with a smile.
"Sure..."
The man guiding Jaune's party opened a door and ushered them inside. An older soldiering-type stood in the centre of the room leaning over a table. His short grey hair was shaved on the sides, leaving the top combed to the right. He also sported a clean-shaven face with only some minor wrinkling from age.
"You must be heroes," he asked with a gruff tone while looking up at the students. "My name is Gaston, I'm the leader of the local constabulary guarding the area." He stood up and shook Jaune's hand first and then Yang and Ruby's.
"We saw your notice," Jaune opened, sitting down in a chair across from Gaston. "You're village was attacked recently?"
More like last night. The embers are still warm. It would be amazing if only a few people got hurt and a miracle if everyone survived.
"Yes, a group of maybe twenty goblins raided the village," Gaston explained. "We managed to kill half of them, but they took some supplies and a child - a young girl." Ruby grew a worried look as she glanced over at Jaune.
"W-Was, anybody, killed?" Ruby sat down next to Jaune. He was afraid she might start to tear up if the unfortunate happened.
"No..." Gaston rubbed his jawline. "...this is the third assault this month. Shockingly the only person we cannot account for was the girl who was taken." Shocking it was. A miracle had somehow happened in this small town. Usually, goblins would have eradicated the entire village. "At least at this village anyway. Other villages haven't been so lucky."
What was different about this place?
"You guys are lucky," Yang stated as she leaned back on a sofa.
"Not really," he countered. "The idiot with the bow outside knocked over a lantern and burned down half the village during the raid last night. We lost our grain stores and the blacksmith's shop as well." Jaune really should have killed him for shooting an arrow at his head.
"And the goblins have taken the last of your supplies," Jaune finished while leaning forwards. Goblins are capable strategists, and if they wanted to starve the people out, then that was the way to do it.
"That's right," Gaston confirmed. "There's an extra hundred gold and whatever you find in their nest if you bring those supplies back. The reward is mainly for the return of the girl, alive or dead, and the goblins."
"What can you tell us about the goblins," Jaune inquired. "Is there a hob among them, how many have you seen, and in which direction did they come from?" Classic questions for any monster hunter.
"Is the ten-foot-tall goblin this, 'hob,' you are talking about..." Jaune nodded. "...then yeah. The most we've seen is about thirty. They were pretty skittish, like most goblins, and ran off when we put up a fight. And they came from the south. Lots of caves in that area. We couldn't track them because we don't have the men with the experience, but you three seem to have some."
"Yeah, I've hunted goblins before, a vampire too," Jaune replied with a smile.
"Vampire?" Gaston raised an eyebrow. "I want to hear that story. But regardless, let me show you where you'll be staying." He stood up and led the students out of the room.
They went up a flight of stairs and down a hallway. The inn was pretty nice for a town this small. The Questing House was more well-kept than this one, but whoever owned it put a lot of money to it. Jaune wouldn't have expected such a delightful tavern in a small town like this. Whatever they were doing for money was working.
Gaston pushed open a door halfway down the hallway. "This is the room we've set up for you. With three people, it might be cramped, but it's comfortable." The room wasn't too bad. It was your average bedroom you would find at an inn. Wooden flooring, a window with curtains, a small fireplace. There was only one bed so that may be an issue.
...
"Alright guys, so what's the plan for tomorrow," Ruby cheerfully asked as she sat down at a table. The Reaper dug into a bowl of stew and munched on her bread with a gleeful look on her face. Somehow she made it look cute.
"At dawn, we'll start tracking the goblins," Jaune answered. "Then we decide what to do when we find them."
"You want to do this at dawn?" Yang looked disappointed with Jaune's plan. Frankly, he wasn't too keen on waking up so early. But monster tracking is done best in the morning or midday. "Like ass early in the morning?"
"Goblins are nocturnal predators," he explained after swallowing a piece of bread. "They return to their nests at dawn and come back out at night to hunt." Every bestiary made this specific mention of the goblin's daily routines.
"Don't they live in caves too, like hermits," Yang asked.
"Yeah, so we'll need to be careful. But when we find them, it should be easy enough to get rid of them. Unless we encounter the hob..."
"And that's where your grain alcohol bomb comes in," Ruby wondered as she munched on her bread.
"Yeah," Jaune agreed with the Reaper. "Yang and I should handle it. You can use Crescent Rose to mop up all of the smaller goblins and get a bunch of Exp from them."
"What about the hob? Won't that give you a lot of Exp?"
"It will," Yang stated. "But killing a few dozen level three or four goblins might give you a level. It's going to have the biggest effect on Jaune since he is the lowest level out of all of us. So he might get two levels."
"How is this going to work out for you," Jaune asked Yang.
"I might get a level, but it gets kind of hard to level up when you reach twenty-four." She made a show of her strength by flexing her biceps. "So long as I get the killing blow, I'll earn the most Exp!"
Levelling is such a fickle concept in this world. It gets harder as you grow in strength. A high-level boss at level ten might seem like a nuisance at level thirty. Then you have to worry about diminishing returns. Smaller prey will no longer become viable as a source for levelling up. You have to continuously hunt bigger and more dangerous creatures to advance. It applies with stuff like forging as well. Making iron daggers will get you up to maybe level five then you will have to move onto steel swords, and eventually you will have to seek out the most exquisite and priceless materials for you to earn Exp.
Jaune Arc is the man of many titles! Lady Killer, Vampire Slayer, and now... GOBLIN SLAYER!
No, I did not take the idea for Jaune to hunt goblins from the anime. Goblins are a basic mob you would expect to find in any RPG. My goblins are more or less based off of the goblins from Oblivion with some minor adaptions.
I'll come back with another chapter next week. I am going back to college so I may have to do one chapter a week instead of three.
As always, I hope you enjoyed this chapter. I think I am starting to get into a really good flow with my writing. It's coming out more naturally.