Book 1: Chapter 37: Proposition II


    I dont know where to start. Ish admitted, voice heavy. The orcss was slouched forward, staring into the crackling me. The mood was quiet tonight, almost pensive. Even Artyom seemed to realize that something important was about to happen and sat subdued on his own, much smaller stump. Gol whined and insisted Ish scratch at his ears, which she distractedlyplied.


    Their offer tempts you. I spoke, both a statement and a way to open the topic.


    Yes, it does. She admitted bluntly. But I have reservations, yaknow?


    A slow nod was all I could offer in return.


    I don know em, first of all. Ish sighed. Seems stupid to entrust my life to a band of strangers. You prolly know that better than I do.


    That is arge part of adventuring, yes. I admitted. <em>I </em>did not know that, but Garek did.


    No ones heard a peep of this supposed dungeon either. If there were really one, the entirend would know.


    Garek proved to have very little experience with those sorts of ces, I found. Hurried scouring of his memories revealed he held a disdain for their enclosed spaces and traps. Honorablebat given upon the open field of battle had been his preference, and those wants had been followed like sacred tenants.


    Theyre ces of some interest, I take? I prised, tone soft.


    No. Theyre not of <em>some</em> importance. Ish snorted and poked a stick into the fire. The discovery of a dungeon is, no two ways bout it, a monumental thing. Which makes me suspicious bout how casually the tiefling was throwing it round.


    I have very little experience with them myself.


    The young womans expression was tight as she nced at my shrug, and then back into the me. Her scent came as a mix of anticipation, uneasiness, and sweat. Almost drowned out by the stench of Gol next to her. Ish held, in my eyes, few faults, and I had not yet decided if wearing her heart upon her sleeve was one of them. She was open, excited, seeing no need to conceal what she thought or felt. And I envied her for that, some days.


    Look at it this way. In some ways, his story <em>could </em>be true. Nobody has ever poked around Redtip Peak. Its just some random ce in the middle of nowhere. Whod wake up one mornin and decide to go there? Even Ma and Pa came here simply because it was empty. Hullbretch was just a small town when they got here, far as I understand. So, it <em>could</em> be usible that theres a hidden dungeon just slumberin up the mountain.


    Hmmmm. I rubbed my chin, weaving among the streams of thought that flowed through me. Lerish might know. She seems to be the only one who actively traverses the mountain and explores it. Perhaps you could ask her for any further information.


    Moments of silent passed on the wary breeze as Ish considered.


    Things have been quiet on the mountain since she settled into the area, to tell yah the truth. Ma sometimes sees her stalkin the valleys, but never really near the peak. And with the Apex showin up now, I doubt shell want to go pokin up there herself.


    Still well worth the attempt.


    Yah. She agreed. But that brings me to another point. I don know these people. Don know their reputations, their histories, all that muck. Always imagined if I went adventurin, itd be with friends I knew and trusted.


    You have reservations.


    Plenty. Ish snorted. But understand that this is my <em>dream</em>. I have waited so long for an opportunity. And Im nervous that if I let this slip, there may never be another. What if there isnt another chance? What if this falls through and I dont have the means to find another?


    If youre concerned with work, therell always be a job for you here, I spoke softly, reassuring as best I could. Youre young, Ish. You have a chance to chase your dreams. I say you take it. I wish that I had when I was your age. Be careful. Be thorough. But dont let yourself be steeped in regret.


    The young womanughed, a deep and throaty sound.


    I expected yah to try and convince me to stay here, Garek. Not shove me off on some half-usible quest for adventure. Is mypany so stale?


    Sad was the smile upon my face as my head slowly shook.


    Yourpany is always wee, Ish. But I am not fool enough to stand between you and your ambitions. If you chose to go, I will miss you and your help, but you have my blessing.


    Her smile sobered, followed shortly by a deep sigh.


    I know the harvest is close, and you could sorely use help. Ill try my best to amodate that. Gonna sleep on it and make a decision in the morrow.


    And your parents? I asked, curiosity getting the better of me.


    I am a woman grown. She shrugged. My help around the farmes from courtesy and respect. But if I chose to go on my own way, they would not stop me. Mas heart would be broken, yes. But time will heal that. I hope.


    Make your matters right, first. I advised. Do not let the sun set over regret and hard feelings, if ites to that.


    It wont. But thats all jus spection. I havent decided wether or not to go with them. And even if I do, it could likely just be for this quest. Go up the mountain, poke around, probably wont find anything ande back home. Pray we dont meet the Apex, and run away if I do.


    And if you find a dungeon?


    Well, She took a deep breath, and the scent of excitement made its way into my nostrils. Everything will change, then. But thats just wild dreamin. <em>If</em> I do go with them, do you have any advice for me? For fights and stuff, I mean. Ive gotten into my share of em, but I aint arrogant enough to not look for new advice.


    I considered her words for a few moments, sifting through Gareks memories. The minotaur had <em>experience</em> in this matter. In fact, that very statement was a grand underselling of his capabilities. But most of that experience was him crushing smaller, weaker underhoof. By simple virtue of being the massive, hulking monster did he win most engagements.


    If you must fight, be the first to do so. Strike first, hard, andst. Do not hesitate. Better to realize a mistaketer than not be alive to ponder it. If a fight seems nebulous or the oue unclear, withdraw and attempt to put yourself in a favourable position.


    Her eyebrows raised at thatst bit of advice.


    Didnt expect that from you, pardon my sayin so.


    There is more than presents itself to the eye, Ish. You yourself should be an example of that.


    She agreed, and wepsed back into silence. This was a subject we had brushed on before, but I had not expected it to be relevant so soon.


    Perhaps you could offer me some advice in return. I queried, much to her surprise. She nodded after a moment, and I carefully forged on.


    I have been..stuck, for some time. At my current level. It has always been on the verge of leveling to Thirty, yet despite all the recent bloodshed, there has not been enough to tip me over.


    Which ss? Came the reply, and I told her.


    Huh. Was the only thing I got for a few moments. Honestly, that aint too strange. Youre at a point of major advancement. The levels where you could just crush weaker foes and receive the blessings of the Gods Above are behind you now.


    And that means? I asked quietly, a sinking feeling deep within.


    If you intend to break through into the next stages of levels, you must prove your worth to the Gods Above. Perform a truly monumentous task in service to the path you have chosen. She looked me dead in the eye now. Yer are at a bottleneck, Garek. Yah have already umtedrge amounts of strength and blessins through the Gods system. Level twenty-nine is already higher than many people will ever achieve in their lifetimes. But now, your progress in withheld by the System itself until yah prove yourself worthy.


    Yah need a <em>breakthrough</em>. Yah could drown thends in oceans of blood from those weaker than you, but yah would not gain another, single level. Understand, that by going in the next set of levels, you will gain strength beyond mortal means. But <em>only</em> if you prove yourself in the eyes of Gods and System.


    As a <strong>Berserker</strong> offshoot ss, youll need to conquer a truly monumental foe, or perform such an act of, well, berserkin that the Gods Above allow you through to the next stage. There is no other way. No hidden shortcut. No ancient technique of bullshittery, pardon mahnguage.


    Ah. Was all I replied with. And if I dont?


    Then youll stay at level twenty-nine till the end of your days, already stronger than most.


    That sounds fine to me. I admitted.


    Stronger than most, but noticeably weaker than those higher. She nodded, expression t. Of which there are an unusual amount in this area. For a ce so empty and quiet, thends around Mount Redtip seem to have attracted folks with the same idea and Ma and Pa.


    Let me guess; they came here to live quietly away from the stress and danger of other areas?


    Yeah, same as you. Theres Miss Lerish, but nobody knows her actual ss or level. Pa told me hers was cloaked by a skill, and it aint what she tells people.Which, to be fair, is her business and no one elses. The baron is fairly highly leveled, but hes had years of constant campaigns and seeking out bloodshed in the crowns name. This Valencia woman with him is highly leveled as well, but even Pa dont know anything about her.


    Thats a healthy amount of good-leveled people for arge <em>city</em>, Garek. All just here in the bumfuck middle of nowhere. Thats more than strange, but whatever.


    She concerns me. I replied. That woman who works for the Baron. I get this sensation of pure <em>malice</em> and dread whenever she draws near.


    An aura. Ish bit her lip, face concerned. A manifestation of emotion that physically impacts the world around the wielder. I dont know who she is, but best be on your guard. Thats a powerful skill to have. I know of kings and queens that would kill for such an ability.


    I sighed and waved the conversation off.


    Here we are, getting all gloomy about what-ifs and could-bes, when we should be celebrating this chance and opportunity for you.


    Oh? Ish perked up.


    I <em>may</em> have picked up some rather strong spirits on myst trip to Hullbretch, courtesy of an alchemist. I rubbed my hands and nodded to an eager Artyom. Get the bottles, if you would.


    He needed no second encouragement, and was vanished into the harsh moonlight before I could finish speaking. Momentster he stumbled back, burdened by the weight of two ss bottles filled with an amber fluid.


    I dont normally drink to celebrate anything, but I feel as if this celebration is long overdue. I smiled and handed her one of the bottles. And so, I propose we quiet literally drink our worries away, and give thanks to a long, fruitful season worked together.


    Little more urging was needed, and the nigh flowed on as I tried liqour in a new world for the first time. Damn tomorrows hangover, I refused to let this night end on a sour note.