Making waves

I've seen a lot being a wanderer, however nothing could prepare me for the feeling of reality lurching, followed by the sound of shattering skies. The wave timer had just ran out and we were unceremoniously transported right outside of Lute. The heaven glowed sickly red and through the cracks rained human bones, striking the ground in a rhythmic staccato. On each side of me stood the other heroes, if one could call them that. A cursory glance of their posture and equipment left a lot to be desired, but they certainly nailed the concept of cocky. However I would not even steal it if I could. The grar was low grade vendor trash without any interesting bonuses. The daft blonde bastard looked over in my direction before speaking.

"I did not think you had the guts to show up again after what you did. Nice Wings, did you get them in a cash shop, you're one of those paid to win players, pathetic." His voice oozed with venom and bile.

I have no idea what you're on about, is that not how a shop works? You pay with currency to get an item."

Before he could retort I charged over to the village deciding that helping the citizens and destroying skeletons was a more worthwhile endeavor than outright killing the boss, from my experience reputation is better gained through good deeds. Besides I'm not sure if people can come back to life around here.

Charging into action triggered my shields soundtrack function and an intense action soundtrack began to play.

"Raphtalia, help me round up the citizens, we're funneling them into the mine, while destroying any bone daddy in your wake."

I on the other hand began kiting the walking undead into a humongous mass of bones. Each punch I threw was a glancing blow, but it was enough to aggro any of the bleached bones. Making the lot of them head my direction. One, or two did get in a good strike with their gnarly scimitars, I felt nothing due to my quite frankly insane defense stat. Once the several hundred strong mob began clambering over each other in an attempt to reach me. They were clumped up just enough to enact my plan. What might that be you might ask? Why, a fireball of course, then another, and another. Shrapnel and bone bits burst into a crescendo of destruction increasing my levels several fold and dropping a metric ton of materials to absorb.

"I have a bone to pick with you!" Exclaimed the shield proudly after interacting with the new resources. A bone prison now that is certainly something, I'm not sure what I can do with that, however it is a novel idea.

While I was wrapping up the little girl returned to my side as the wave began thinning out.

"They're safe? Good job, let's see if the others chosen are capable of taking down the beast in charge of the wave." She nodded as we began running towards the commotion.

Towering over the trio of fools laid a mighty and badly mangled Chimera corpse. The sky turned normal soon after and I actually got money and equipment, and a handy first aid kit.

"Look who decided to show up after the fact." Sneered Motoyasu, "I left the scorpion tail for you, since it is a loser's material, just as yourself."

"Whatever you say. Did you actually get any reward from the monster though?"

"Materials." He replied with

I could not hold my sarcasm back any longer

"Pathetic, in the time you spent fighting the boss I destroyed at least four hundred skeletons worth of resources and materials." I refrained from mentioning how strange it was that they would not get more than body bits, I'm used to getting a bag full of useful stuff.

"What are you getting at?"

"You are weak and know nothing about efficiency. Besides, the boss clearly dropped a statue."

"I still killed the boss and is that what you call this tombstone?"

The other boys just stood there gaping for a bit. Being torn between replying and pretending not to notice.

"You bested the best with the help of an entire party worth of people. You hear that Ren? The fool is trying to steal your thunder."

"Hey what gives? I did more damage than you." Exclaimed the sword boy.

"Yet I did the final decisive blow!" Angrily interjected Itsuki. I shrugged and walked away from the ensuing brawl.

"An unhealthy bubble of blight." Exclaimed my shield when the Chimera tail was absorbed and now I could coat myself, or an ally of choice with a toxin blocking bubble that had a chance of applying a debuff onto an attacker. That was certainly something. A moment later a guard arrived with a very official looking scroll.

"In the name of his Majesty, I order you all to break up this nonsense and return to the castle for a celebratory victory fest. Participation is mandatory, and you're all allowed access." The man turned on his heel and then marched away. Meh, what's the worst that could happen, I might actually get to see the royal brat again. Looking over my shoulder I saw a tangle of limbs and useless garbage slowly untangling themselves. I had no reason to wait for them, and called my little girl over, before strolling off towards town yet again.

"Not to be a downer or anything, but are you sure this is a good idea? These despicable townsfolk are insufferable and your fancy disguise is situational at best, if I may say so."

I threw my hands up in frustration.

"Okay, okay, so I'll try and spend less time incognito and just adjust my cosmetics instead."

With some deliberate gestures and a flash my hair now was a black jet black spiky mop, my elfin build was already androgynous enough to appear somewhat similar to the idiot trio.

The feast was fit for a king, one that looked a bit haggard and had covered himself up a bit more than usual. His daughter had begun wearing a very long flowing dress, a thick scarf around her neck, and had some serious dark rings under her eyes.

"Welcome heroes, and congratulations on your stalwart victory where the wave was vanquished."

We all sat party wise along a table that stretched on for a fair distance. I opted to go for a plate of salty and boiled lamb ribs. The meat melted off the bone in my mouth, based on my little girls reaction she echoed that sentiment.

In the middle of my meal the pollock with the pilum came to put a sour taste in my mouth.

"I've heard that you've been keeping slaves."

"Pray tell, what has that to do with anything?"

"So you do not deny it, and you can yourself be a hero?"

"Actions speak louder than words, besides it's not illegal, or did you somehow miss that huge tent in town? Also if keeping a thrall is such a big deal, do something about the establishment. Hero."

"I will, and I shall start with yours. I challenge you to a duel and when I win you will release the raccoon girl."

"I must regretfully inform you that Raphina is in fact a free girl."

"I do not believe you. Honorable king, you have heard my request, what do you say?"

The King breathed in heavily and began speaking in a wheesly voice.

"No hero can justifiably hold a slave, and I accept the duel, or are you a craven hiding behind a shield?"

"By all means, there is nothing in it for me. Not that I can hurt this fool with my buckler. However if I win I want you to find a dragon, then locate its cloaca, then crawl into it and croak."

"Giving up already?" Sneered the peeved spear tosser.

"No, but with my non-existent attack stat, your inevitable defeat will be so much more satisfying."

The girl begged me not to do this, but I had to prove a point, and I do have personal pride. I made sure to keep the bell watching over my party member.

Once in the arena I put on my best performer act and began riling up the crowd.

"Ladies and gentlemen, let the music play, it's time to make this fool pay!"

With that proclamation my artifact began to play tune fit for an epic duel.

"What in the world, how do you have music, is this another cheat of yours?" My ability took my opponent off guard.

"I simply inserted a disc into the gem."

"Cheater! Taste the meteor spear!" With blinding speed he streaked towards me, forcing me to block the strike, sending a trembling shockwave outwards.

"Is that the best you can do? Not even a paper cut." Now that he was close enough, I could retaliate, and that I did when he stuck again. I bashed his spear to the side, giving me the opening needed to slam my boss into his belly lifting the boy into the air, sending him flying towards the nearest wall. He tumbled a handful of times, before getting onto his feet having enough energy to taunt.

"Mosquitos bite harder than you."

"When I'm done with you, not even insects will feast on your flesh. My ability was a defensive mirror to his polearm and Iflew forward breaking the sound barrier before slamming myself into him, smashing him into the wall.

"It's the best you can do? That did not hurt at all."

"I do not need an attack stat to put you out of my misery. I suggest you forfeit instead, it will save you from embarrassment." With him pinned I could activate my CO2 shield which quite quickly began to suffocate Motoyasu. When he was nearly out cold I felt a danger warning, but I could not divert my attention away in time to stop being blasted by a fireball, releasing the tool. That said, this was naught but a trifling distraction due to my inherent resistance. I learned that lesson the hard way when I entered the fire tower for the first time.

However Motoyasu had just enough wits about him to snake his spear around and strike my unprotected flank, causing a critical strike to my ribs.

"So you're not playing fair? You cannot win without outside help? Pathetic."

"I am just better."

"So the princess wants to play dirty I see, this ought to shut you up. Silence." With a flick of my wrist I cast the worst spell any mage can face. Magic requires chanting, my spell conveniently cut off her vocal cords and prevented her from using her voice just until it wears off. Then I put some space between me and the gasping boy before I slung another spell, temporarily impairing his vision.

"How does it feel to stumble around in the dark?"

The flabbergasted boy was now fumbling around due to my debuff. Which gave me the opening needed to raise walls around him on every side.

"I do believe victory is mine, have fun over there."

"He is still standing, the duel is not over." Bellowed the King. In response I threw my only Molotov cocktail into the hole at the top. Lamenting the fact that it could make for a rad shield.

"Now he is, unhand my partner or you will pay a higher price than the one you already have."

"You are in no place to make demands, vermin." Interjected the angry ruler.

"You broke our promise, and now you should feel the aftereffects."

"What sorcery is this?"

"A geas, nothing more, nothing less. Only those who truly repent can stop the suffering."

"I have nothing to be sorry about."

After a while the painful screams stopped and spearmans party managed to pull the sod out of the pit.

It was then I made a grave mistake, I turned my back to a sore loser. When I was about to collect my party members the idiot struck me from behind just fast enough to bypass my warning system. In any other circumstance I would have died from a severed spine however my defense stat pulled through.

"I still stand, face me, cash cow cheater."

"Cure major wounds." I chanted before facing the king and the smug looking princess.

"Bell, kneecap the rabid mutt. I have a question, king. Since I have won, can I leave this misbegotten Castle, without blowing you up?"

"Blam!" Went the rifle, onto bloody knees the man went. The beet red king huffed before replying, while pretending to ignore the agonizing screams.

"You dare threaten me? Winged abomination?"

"Yes, yes I do, king. Your precious throne is trapped and all it takes is a tiny spark and you are nothing but shadows and dust. Come along now little girl, we are leaving the windbag and his mutant sprog."

"Men! Size the girl." The two closest guards made a move to grab Rapthalia. She would have none of that, and threw one man over her shoulder, and kicked the next one in the groin denting the chromed codpiece. Nimbly she skipped over her first victim before joining up with me. With my party gathered we made a mad dash towards the nearest wall where there was enough room to make an impromptu exit. The create door spell is an interesting one, since there is no guarantee that it's not locked. Which would be bad when on the run, luckily I've yet to run into any Kamikaze Yeek. Come to think about it, where are all the labyrinthe dungeons at? The mine could hardly be considered one.

"Snap out of it will you? We're booking it out of here." The raccoon girl forcefully tugged at my arm and brought me out of my internal musings. We kept on running until we were far away from town. Luckily the entrance guards had yet to get the memo and let us though without any fanfare

Njål signing out

I mostly livestream over at Twitch

/zaceron