《An Unconventional Druid》


 Chapter 1: I must have pissed off a witch.

    Tim relaxed on the soft grass of the pond bank, the cool summer breeze tousling his shaggy brown hair. The bark of his dog, Sandy, drew his attention. She looked up at him, tongue lolling out of her mouth. He took her head in both his hands, scratching the sweet spot behind her ears and pulling her in and pressing his forehead to hers. Another loud bark echoed, and suddenly, Sandy¡¯s entire weight was on him. She pinned him down, attacking him with enthusiastic licks.


    Tim turned his head side to side, trying to escape the relentless assault. ¡°Ok, Ok. I give!¡± He said, hands raised in surrender. The weight lifted from his chest, and he opened his eyes to see a giant green eye staring back at him. The single slit pupil removed any trace of his joy in an instant.


    Shoving whatever wasn¡¯t Sandy off of him. He looked down to find a round alligator head looking up at him with its tongue lolling out.


    ¡°The hell is this?¡± Tim muttered, his skin now matching the floating alligator¡¯s head shade of green.


    The alligator¡¯s eyes crossed and its mouth opened wide releasing a familiar blaring alarm. Tim cringed as he laid his hand on the alligator head, feeling the shape of his phone beneath it. He pressed the button to silence the noise.


    ¡°Fuuuuck¡± Tim groaned as he tossed over on his side, clinging to his pillow. ¡°Why must time pass so fast when I sleep?¡± He quietly asked his comfy bed.


    Reluctantly pushing himself up he sat up taking in his sanctuary¨C bed shoved against the wall, a fan rattling from its perch on the dresser. His computer silently calling to him across from him, the empty soda cans and dinner plate scattered around it.


    Reaching into the laundry basket that holds his unfolded laundry he paused briefly making sure his pale skin hadn''t stayed green from his dream before he slipped into his khakis, sighing as the waistline dug into his own. ¡°The things I put up with for such a small paycheck.¡± he said then realizing he has to work with Tracie as the floor manager today, several excuses flooding his mind before sucking it up and putting on his polo shirt.


    Tim made his way into the kitchen using the remote to the living room turning on the rock channel as he cracked open the fridge removing the regular eggs, bacon, and sausages. Spraying the pan before the sweet sizzling sound graced his ears, and the smell filled the air.


    Hearing the heavy shuffle of his roommate''s feet.


    Tim turned setting two plates filled with the earlier mentioned food with toast on the table. ¡°Morning Simon.¡± Tim said as he sat down.


    Simon adjusted his glasses, before picking up his fork. ¡°Morning.¡± he mumbled as he tried to wake up. His clothes are not any more flattering than Tim¡¯s own.


    ¡°I didn¡¯t get to ask what you and the others decide to do with the Volcanic sword?¡± Tim asked before scooping up some eggs.


    ¡°We sold it and added the gold to the guild bank.¡± Simon replied


    ¡°Max finally gave in?¡± Tim asked, surprised.


    ¡°Not about what Max wants.  The sword is nice, but no one in our raid group needs it. Our gear is better, or the ones who could use it, it would just be a spare.¡± Simon said, his voice raising a bit. The joys of being the leader.


    ¡°Well every guild has at least one loot goblin or hoarder.¡± Tim started before putting on voice as an impression. ¡°But what if we need it? something could come up and we will wish we had it.¡± he finished chuckling a bit.


    ¡°And those are the players that have to spend extra gold just to open up more slots in their personal banks cause they never use anything. It is a waste.¡± Simon said quickly composing himself. setting his fork down. ¡°Doesn¡¯t matter, it was voted we sell it. Tonight we can do the dungeon again and hopefully we will get the wind glaive for Adam, and we can start looking at who else needs gear.¡±


    Tim turned back after putting his dishes in the dishwasher. ¡°Yeah, four percent drop rate is a pain, but we are due for a win, RNG gods will need to smile on us eventually.¡± He said as Simon handed him his plate and fork.


    ¡°I''ll finish getting ready and we can head out.¡± Simon said.


    ¡°I''ll be outside.¡± Tim said after the dishwasher started.


    Walking outside, the breeze carried the promise of a warm day ahead as the bright sun was rising over the trees to the east. The porch groaned beneath his feet, and in the distance, dogs barked. Dust swirled up from the dirt road as people began their day, heading to work. Roosters crowed from all directions, greeting the morning with their loud calls.


    Tim had sat down on the bench they had, closing his eyes to the natural symphony around him. Tim liked the area¨Cit was remote, with no rude neighbors nearby, or at least, the ones there were far enough away not to bother him. The downside? No real work nearby.


    The porch groaned again as Simon stepped out, shutting the door behind him. ¡°Come on, you can sleep on the way.¡± Simon said as his heavy hand jarring Tim¡¯s knee.


    Tim slowly stood making his way toward the old buck century. He crawled into the passenger seat, and with a click, reclined the seat, Simon started fiddling with the radio, searching for something to listen to as they started their drive to work.


    Tap, Tap, Tap.  The pencil sounded as Tim¡¯s college counselor filled out paperwork. Confusion visible on his face.


    ¡°It''s been what? Four years?¡± Tim thought to himself as his gaze focused.


    ¡°Tim, this is your fifth time in my office. Why are you missing so many classes?¡± Mr. Brown asked, his voice calm but firm.


    ¡°I..I don¡¯t know, no motivation I guess.¡± Tim mumbled, his voice meek, just as it had been all those years ago.


    Mr. Brown shook his head. His mustache visibly twitched with the motion as he let out a long weary breath, his bowler hat covering his eyes. ¡°Tim, if you want to stay here and get a good job you can¡¯t just say. ¡®I don¡¯t have motivation.¡¯ Your motivation is the end result. You do good in school, you get a good job, get married, have kids. There are people in this world that wish they had the opportunity you do here and now. Don¡¯t waste it.¡±


    Mr. Brown didn¡¯t know that Tim''s family made too much money to disqualify him from any real financial aid, but didn¡¯t make enough to pay for his college without burdening themselves. The only help he could get were direct loans. At eighteen, he was already twenty thousand dollars in debt after just two semesters. And, just like a broken record, Mr. Brown repeated the same tired advice his parents had forced on him: Get a degree, Get a job, Get married, Have kids, follow the steps, check the boxes.


    Tim¡¯s voice cracked as he finally spoke up, unable to keep it inside any longer. ¡°That¡¯s just it, Mr. Brown. I don¡¯t know what I want to do. I just know I didn¡¯t want to come here. I¡¯m eighteen¡ªhow am I supposed to know what I want to do with the rest of my life. For God¡¯s sake, I¡¯m already twenty thousand dollars in debt! FOR WHAT?! THE BASICS!? I HAD MATH! ENGLISH! SOCIAL STUDIES! HISTORY! I DID ALL THAT IN HIGHSCHOOL!¡±


    TAP, TAP, TAP! The pencil clicked against the paper again, but Tim¡¯s rant was cut off as the room began to shake. Suddenly, Simon¡¯s voice echoed through Mr. Brown¡¯s mouth.


    ¡°Wake up Tim, we are here.¡±


    Tim''s eyes snapped open. Simon was shaking him gently by the shoulder. ¡°Come on, we¡¯re here,¡± Simon repeated, his voice pulling Tim out of the dream of his past and back to now.


    Tim stepped out of the car pausing remembering something from his dream. ¡°Wait Mr. Brown never wore a bowler hat.¡±


    ¡°What?¡± Simon turned asking.


    Tim shook his head, ¡°Sorry, I was thinking out loud about my dreams. Just plain weird.¡± He said, now walking beside Simon.


    ¡°Not another goblin dream, I hope.¡± Simon said as the automatic doors slid open.


    ¡°No. Though my skin did change to a shade of green in one.¡± Tim replied with an awkward smile.


    ¡°I swear dude, you have way too much sympathy for the green skins.¡± Simon said a bit judgingly.


    ¡°What? They are outcasts, misunderstood, it''s relatable to me.¡± Tim argued.


    Simon laughed. ¡°For good reason, in most fantasies they are known for raping, pillaging, and taking what they want from weak villages.¡± Simon retorted.


    ¡°That is just some depictions. They don¡¯t always have to be bad, it is just easy to write them as evil cannon fodder. If I ever run a game, I will show you how easy it would be to make them redeemable or at least a far bigger threat for you and a party.¡± Tim said confidently as they both checked the batteries for their walkie talkies before putting them on.


    ¡°Well, any race can be a threat if it somehow gets a class and levels. I am not doubting you, I just think somehow you twisted your own idea of goblins from monsters into misunderstood creatures.¡± He said as they walked into the break room.


    The break room was clearly well-used, its worn tiles bearing the marks of countless past spills and mishaps. The leather couch, pushed against the far wall, was cracked and faded, its surface bearing the scars of time. The kitchen area had a few cabinets and a single sink with a dish rack on one side and a coffee maker on the other, the smell of freshly brewed hot coffee filled the air. In the center of the room is an old round table with cardboard under one of the legs, and four worn down plastic chairs circling it. Two of which were filled by two younger women.


    ¡°Maybe, I just like a good underdog story.¡± Tim replied as he started towards the coffee.


    Two young women sat with math books open as one let out a growl of frustration. ¡°Why can¡¯t I get the answer? How am I supposed to make it in college if I can¡¯t pass simple algebra II?¡± she asked the universe.


    ¡°It will be fine, look we can ask Simon he knows this stuff. Hey Simon, could you take a look?¡± She asked with puppy dog eyes. Without looking Tim just shook his head. Amy always tried to act sweet, but Tim knew better.


    Simon walked over quietly, looked at the problem and instantly replied. ¡°The answer is forty two.¡±


    Debbie got even more frustrated. ¡°How do you get this so easily? it is too hard.¡±


    Simon chuckled. ¡°I just had a bit more math classes when I was in college.¡±


    ¡°If you were in college, why are you working at this trash job?¡± Debbie asked.


    Simon frowned a little bit. ¡°Things just don¡¯t always work out the way you want them too.¡±


    Amy started to whisper. ¡°Well at least you tried, unlike your lazy friend over there. He is always getting in trouble not doing all of his work and Tracie having to get on to him about doing a better job.¡±


    Tim could not help but visibly tense at hearing it. ¡®Again, it never fails, one person doesn¡¯t like me and just because they are more sociable than me everyone thinks they know the entire picture.¡¯ Tim thought to himself when images of similar past experiences had happened.


    Simon caught the sight of Tim''s shoulders tensing before looking back down at Amy. ¡°You all just know what you hear from Tracie or the great vine. It¡¯s all fun and games till you become the topic of those things, never good. take everything with a grain of salt and make your own decisions.¡± Simon said, trying to be polite to the younger coworkers.


    The room went quiet, though Tim seemed to relax a little bit. With his coffee in hand he turned towards the table. ¡°I am going to get out on the floor, see if Eric missed anything last night.¡± Tim said with a forced smile before walking out the door.


    He took a drink from his coffee, the life warming liquid running down his throat, that small simple pleasure helping him relax just a bit more. Closing his eyes he just focused on that warmth as he drank some more, his eyes closed as he let out a long slow breath.


    Standing there, his shoulders relaxing more and more, when a far too familiar annoying voice violated that peace and made him snap open his eyes and the tension he was just letting go violently returned.


    ¡°What do you think you are doing?¡± Standing a couple feet ahead of him stood a five foot nothing blond hair woman, her bright blue eye sending daggers at him. ¡°You know you are not supposed to bring drinks out onto the floor.¡± She stated before Tim could respond.


    ¡®Of course, I must have pissed off a witch in my past life or something.¡¯ Tim thought to himself before saying. ¡°I was just finishing it before heading to my area.¡±


    ¡°You should have finished it in the break room.¡± Tracie said not giving him an inch.


    ¡®Honestly wish I would have. I thought I was leaving a bad situation, but all I did was jump from the frying pan into the fire. It will be ok Tim just stay calm and limit the interaction.¡¯ He finished his pep talk to himself before a smile that could not reach his eyes came onto his face. ¡°You are right. My apologies Tracie.¡± His tone said more than he wanted, that he is tired, tired of her shit, tired of rumors, tired of being targeted just because he doesn¡¯t bend to the idea of human hierarchy.


    Tracie narrowed her eyes. ¡°If I am right, what are you going to do about that cup?¡± she asked.


    Tim looked at her, then his cup, lifting the rim met his lips and he began to drink, his head tilting back as the hot liquid ran out of the cup. ¡®This is stupid, your entire power trip is stupid, your mind set is stupid, this is not high school anymore, giving me a hard time for no other reason than because you can.¡¯ every thought that ran through his head, he wanted to tell her to bring her back down to earth.


    The last drop left the cup and Tim lowered his head. His not smile came back to his face as their eyes met his grip crushing the cup. He turned back and opened the door behind him just enough to slip his hand in and drop the cup into the small trash can, turning back to Tracie ¡°problem solved.¡± he said and began to walk back to his department but she stepped right in front of him.


    ¡°You need to lose the attitude, be more friendly with customers, give an actual smile not whatever.¡± She gestured to his face, ¡°That is.¡± Her eyes filled with disgust as she looked him up and down. Her hands went to her hips as she turned her head as if she couldn¡¯t bare to look at him anymore. ¡°I am getting way too many complaints from customers that you are not friendly to them as you help them.¡±


    Tim continued to smile without it reaching his eyes. ¡°I will do better to not cause you anymore trouble Tracie.¡±


    She turned her head back to him. ¡°You better I will be keeping my eyes on you, and if you don¡¯t shape up you might as well start looking for a new job.¡± She said with a tone as if she has been wanting to say this for a very long time.


    Tim¡¯s eyes flashed its first emotion. Anger. Their radios buzzed to life. ¡°Tracie I need you in my office please.¡± The store owner Mr. Moore called.


    Quickly Tracie grabbed her radio with a perfect princess smile and customer service voice. ¡°I¡¯ll be right there.¡± She put the radio back on her hip and the smile left her face. ¡°You are lucky Tim, I could tell you was about to do something stupid. But if you want, please go ahead.¡±


    The smile that could not reach his eyes came back. ¡°I don¡¯t know what you mean Tracie, I will be doing my utmost to represent you and the job I am so lucky to have.¡± He said.


    She narrowed her eyes again before looking him up and down again. her lip rising on one side before tsking, ¡°straighten that uniform before you go to your floor.¡± she said before abruptly turning and leaving.


    The anger reached Tim¡¯s eyes again, his teeth and fists clenching. ¡®All of this because of one stupid comment, because I was too relaxed and your little lackey ran and told you what I said, probably told you far worse than what I actually said.¡¯ Tim¡¯s thoughts were abruptly cut off as a wide hand landed on his right shoulder giving it a tight squeeze.


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    ¡°Time to breathe, and unclench, your anger is going to cause you to have an aneurysm, man.¡± Simon said, trying to ease the tension in the air with some humor.


    ¡°I don¡¯t need you to always save me politically Simon.¡± Tim said not looking at him.


    ¡°Obviously you do, people suck we both know that, but you don¡¯t hide your emotions very well. Everyone knows what you really want to say or do at all times.¡± Simon replied.


    Tim did not say anything, he knew he was right. Tim just wasn¡¯t good with people unless they had similar interests and/or mindsets.


    ¡°Come on let''s get to our areas, once we get busy the day will go by faster.¡± Simon said, walking in front of Tim.


    ¡°Yeah, got to the bathroom first, splash some water on my face, and straighten up my uniform.¡± He said doing air quotes, before turning away and heading to the restroom without really looking at Simon.


    Simon watched him go. ¡®Damn brother, you can¡¯t let these stupid people get to you like that. as long as you do you will always have someone under your skin.¡¯ he thought to himself wanting to say it, but knowing Tim and his anger the words just would not reach him right now.


    Tim made his way into the restroom, a decently sized and clean one for a retail electronic store. He stopped at the middle sink mumbling to himself. ¡°I am so sick of this shit. Doesn¡¯t matter what I do it is wrong and if it isn¡¯t something I do it is simply the fact I am here.¡± He slammed his palm into the counter. his head dropping forward as he remembered the disgusted look she gave him.


    ¡®I know I am not a ten, or even a six. but you don¡¯t have to look at me as if I am that repulsive. I AM HUMAN!¡¯ He thought to himself, moving his hand under the faucet to get the water running, cupping brought the water to his face, a shiver running down his spine, as he had to take a sharp breath. He repeated this two more times.


    Reaching out with his left hand he grabbed paper towels to dry his face, straightening up, he got a good look at himself in the mirror for the first time since he arrived at work. his hair was more disheveled then he thought, his shirt untucked on the right side, and spreading to the left.


    Getting more water he started fixing his hair the best he could, then straightened his shirt re-tucking it. ¡®I don¡¯t know why I bother, it is just going to pull itself out once I get down to the lower rows on the isles for anything.¡¯ he thought to himself but he knew why, rather he wanted to admit it to himself, he wanted to be accepted. It¡¯s why he tries so hard even though he knows it¡¯s a losing battle.


    Standing there feeling like he put himself back together a bit better, he headed out the door and onto the floor. Walking past the tech help area, he overheard two of the techs talking about one of their games. ¡°Everyone died, it was me versus three others. I hid behind the box at C. when they showed themselves. BLAM Blam blam¡± Tim heard till he was out of ear shot.


    Next, he approached the phone section, and a wave of dread washed over him as he passed. Three young women huddled at the counter, giggling. As he came into view, their laughter faltered, replaced by whispered conversations.


    ¡°I heard, he already got told off by Tracie before the store even opened.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, Amy and I heard it through the break room door. I think it¡¯s only a matter of time before he¡¯s fired.¡±


    Tim kept going, now at the appliances, where Tony sat typing away at his computer, doing his morning price changes. Tony paused, gave a small wave, and returned to his task. No words, no judgment¨Cjust Tony, counting down the days until retirement, escaping to a beach somewhere.


    Finally Tim made it to his area, it wasn¡¯t paradise, but it was nice. Video games, controllers, consoles, pre¨Cbuilt gaming PCs¡ªeverything he loved and rarely grew tired of being around. Sure, it was work, but at least it was a job where he got to talk about the things that brought him joy.


    The store doors opened, and customers trickled in. By ten, the building was bustling, radios crackling with questions about prices and stock. It wasn¡¯t long before the inevitable ¡°Karen¡± or ¡°Richard¡± showed up, demanding attention. Time seemed to fly during those hours.


    Around noon things start to slow down. Customers shifted their focus from electronics to food.


    ¡°Thank you for shopping with us, and have a great day ma¡¯am¡± Tim said smiling to a mother and her child as she just bought a game he recommended. She smiled and they left.


    Tim moved to the accessory section, which was a mess. He dropped to one knee, pulling out items that had been hidden in the back.


    ¡°Why are you over here? There are still customers in your department,¡± came Tracie''s voice from behind him.


    Tim jerked his head up, smacking it against the shelf above him. ¡°Ouch! You need a frickin bell on you.¡± He mumbled, rubbing his head as he stood up and faced her.


    ¡°What did you just say?¡± Tracie¡¯s tone was sharp.


    Tim took a deep breath, keeping his composure. ¡°Those customers have been here since we opened. They said they don¡¯t need help, so I thought it''d be a good time to tidy up the area so things are easier to find.¡± He explained himself.


    Tracie bent her knee, propped her right hand on her hip and quirked an eyebrow. Her favorite stance. ¡°You typically don¡¯t take initiative.¡± Her eyes moved as if scanning him before snapping back up to his face. ¡°Empty your pockets.¡±


    ¡°What?¡± Tim asked, incredulous.


    She stood straight. eyes narrowing. ¡°I said, empty your pockets.¡±


    Tim¡¯s confusion turned to frustration. ¡°Wh¡­ why?¡± he stuttered.


    ¡°Stop stalling, I know you have been taking things.¡± She snapped, her voice dripping with accusation.


    Tim¡¯s temper flared. He wasn¡¯t a thief¨Che never was. but the sting of her words lit a fire inside him. His eyes narrowed. ¡°I am no thief.¡±


    ¡°Yes you are. Now show me what''s in your pocket!¡± she demanded, moving toward him.


    Without thinking, Tim slapped her hand away. ¡°You will not touch me,¡± he yelled, his voice thick with anger. ¡°And I¡¯m sick of your hate, and abuse of power, just cause you don¡¯t like me!¡±


    ¡°Tim, Tracie! To my office. Now!¡± The store owner¡¯s voice boomed over the radio.


    Tracie lowered her head, clutching her wrist where Tim had slapped her, a malicious smile tugging at her lips as she turned to leave for Mr. Moore¡¯s office.


    A heavy weight settled in Tim¡¯s chest. His stomach sank like a rock, and the gravity in the air made his knees weak. The fear of what came next began to crawl under his skin. ¡®Why did I do that? Am I going to lose my job?¡¯


    His mind raced as he walked to Mr. Moore¡¯s office, sweat beginning to form on his brow. Each step felt like a countdown to some inevitable end.


    As he passed the others, their gazes added to the crushing pressure. Tony frowned, looking away. The gossip corner, usually buzzing, fell silent. Two of the three girls smiled. Amy quickly muttered, ¡°Finally. Maybe his replacement will be better,¡± her voice tinged with smug satisfaction. Tim barely heard it as he reached the door to Mr. Moore¡¯s office.


    Tim¡¯s hand Trembled as he reached for the doorknob, feeling the cold metal beneath his fingers. His heart thundered in his chest. The silence around him seemed to echo the chaos inside. Amy¡¯s words stung, but somehow, they felt like the truth.


    He took a deep breath, steadied himself, and pushed the door open. Mr. Moore¡¯s office was sterile, over-lit, and intimidating. The door clicked shut behind him, sealing him in. Mr. Moore sat behind his desk, looking far too composed for the chaos Tim felt inside. The desk was neat¡ªtoo neat, papers perfectly stacked, pens arranged just so. It was like a museum of order in the middle of a storm, and Tim was the storm.


    Mr. Moore¡¯s ice-blue eyes met Tim¡¯s, calm and steady, peering over the rims of his glasses. For a moment, Tim wondered if the man could actually see past his skin, straight into the mess of his mind. Tim wasn¡¯t sure if he could even see straight right now. His hands felt like they belonged to someone else, his thoughts darting around in circles. The room was too quiet, too still. It pressed on him from all sides.


    ¡°Have a seat, Tim,¡± Mr. Moore¡¯s voice was smooth, but there was an edge to it, like it was carefully contained. The words felt heavy, loaded.


    Tim hesitated. His legs felt like lead, but he forced himself forward, sitting down in the small chair in front of the desk. The wood groaned under his weight, a sound that seemed to amplify the tension in the room. ¡®This is it. This is the moment. What am I doing here?¡¯ His stomach churned. The weight of the room felt unbearable. ¡®There is no way out of this.¡¯


    Off to the side of the desk, Tracie stood with her arms crossed, her mascara running down her face. She wasn¡¯t even looking at him. She didn¡¯t need to; her presence was enough. She had the look of someone who knew something was about to go down. Someone who knew she had already won.


    Tim swallowed hard. His mouth was dry, his mind still a haze.


    ¡°You know why you are here.¡± Mr. Moore¡¯s voice sliced through the silence, sharp and direct. Leaning forward slightly, his icy gaze never wavering. ¡°Did you not think slapping a hand away, refusing to cooperate, would lead to consequences?¡±


    ¡®Consequences?¡¯ The word felt like a punch in the gut. ¡°I didn¡¯t steal anything,¡± Tim said quickly, the words coming out almost too fast, like he was trying to convince himself as much as anyone else.


    Mr. Moore didn¡¯t flinch. He sat back, his fingers steepled in front of him as if he were observing a bug under a microscope. ¡°It¡¯s not about whether you stole, Tim. It¡¯s about your actions. You didn¡¯t handle this situation the right way. You didn¡¯t take responsibility.¡±


    Tim''s pulse quickened. ¡®Take responsibility?¡¯ He hadn¡¯t done anything wrong! His mind raced, the frustration bubbling to the surface. ¡®Why is he siding with her? ¡®Why does it always feel like it¡¯s my fault?¡¯ But he couldn¡¯t say any of it. Not yet. He had to keep it together.                    ¡°Now we have to figure out what led you to doing something so rash as hitting a coworker.¡± Mr. Moore¡¯s voice was sharp but not unkind.


    Tim¡¯s thoughts scattered. He wanted to say something, anything, but his mouth would not move, his thoughts racing through every time Tracie pressured him. He had come to work that morning with every intention of getting through the day. But now, it felt like everything had gone wrong from the moment he stepped foot into the break room.


    ¡°I thought I could fix it,¡± Tim said finally, though it didn¡¯t sound like the truth, even to him. ¡®Couldn¡¯t fix it?¡¯ It was more than that. He had never felt more trapped. Tracie was always looking for a reason to bring him down, always testing him, pushing him to the edge. And today, it broke him. He couldn¡¯t pretend anymore.


    Mr. Moore didn¡¯t speak for a long moment, just sat there watching him, waiting for something more. Tim¡¯s heart pounded louder in his ears. ¡®Why am I even here?¡¯ He wasn¡¯t a thief, he was pushed and pushed till he couldn¡¯t take it anymore. He was just tired¡ªtired of the constant pressure, tired of being scrutinized for things that weren¡¯t his fault.


    ¡°I¡¯m under a lot of pressure,¡± Tim blurted out before he could stop himself. ¡°Every day it¡¯s something else. You don¡¯t see it, Mr. Moore. You don¡¯t see how she treats me, how she¡¯s always breathing down my neck. It¡¯s not fair.¡±


    Mr. Moore¡¯s expression didn¡¯t change. ¡°Fairness is subjective, Tim. It¡¯s not about what¡¯s fair. It¡¯s about how you handle yourself, how you represent the company. You¡¯re a reflection of this store, and right now, you¡¯re not showing me the man I thought you were.¡±


    ¡®The man I thought you were¡­¡¯ The words stung. What did Mr. Moore even know about him? About how he felt every single day walking into this place, knowing that Tracie was just waiting for him to slip up, just waiting for a reason to tear him down? Tim had always been the one to carry the weight of all the bad things happening in the store.


    Tim felt a surge of heat in his chest, and for a split second, the anger took over. ¡®This isn¡¯t me. I¡¯m not a thief, I¡¯m not lazy, and I¡¯m damn sure not going to keep letting her control my life.¡¯


    ¡°Do you understand, Tim?¡± Mr. Moore''s voice broke through the haze.


    Tim opened his mouth to respond, but the words never came. ¡®I can¡¯t do this anymore.¡¯


    For a moment, it all clicked into place. The frustration, the constant stress, the way he felt like he was suffocating in this job. He could feel the truth creeping up on him, thick and undeniable. ¡®I don¡¯t belong here. I don¡¯t need this anymore.¡¯


    Before Tim could second guess himself, the words tumbled out of his mouth, louder than he expected.


    ¡°I quit,¡± he said, his voice steady and firm despite the chaos inside. ¡°I¡¯m done. This¡­ this isn¡¯t for me.¡±


    Mr. Moore¡¯s eyes widened, just slightly, but Tim didn¡¯t care. Tracie¡¯s eyes shot up from where she had been staring at her shoes. There was a flicker of something in her gaze¡ªsurprise, disbelief, maybe even a touch of satisfaction.


    You¡­ what?¡± Mr. Moore¡¯s voice was softer now, like he hadn¡¯t expected this.


    ¡°I¡¯m done,¡± Tim repeated, standing up, setting his radio on the desk, the words feeling right now, more right than anything he¡¯d ever said. ¡°I¡¯m not going to stay here and let her abuse her power when you are not around.¡±


    Tim turned toward the door, his legs almost trembling beneath him, but there was a strange strength in him now. He didn¡¯t look back. He didn¡¯t need to.


    As he reached the door, he heard Mr. Moore spoke, but the words didn¡¯t matter anymore.


    ¡°Good luck, Tim,¡± Mr. Moore said, his voice distant, almost resigned.


    Tim stepped out onto the floor, his decision was still echoing in his mind, but this time, it felt right. There was no lingering doubt. He had made his choice, and it had been a long time coming. The weight on his shoulders was gone. For the first time in what felt like forever, he could breathe.


    As he approached the front podium, Simon spotted him immediately. His brow furrowed with concern, but there was a flicker of curiosity too.


    ¡°You okay, Tim?¡± Simon asked, his voice soft, as if testing the waters.


    Tim met Simon¡¯s gaze without hesitation, his stance more solid than he¡¯d felt in a long time. He smiled slightly.


    ¡°I¡¯m okay,¡± Tim replied, his voice clear, steady. ¡°I just quit.¡±


    Simon blinked, taken aback for a moment. ¡°Wait, what? You quit?¡±


    Tim nodded, the finality of the words still feeling satisfying. ¡°Yeah. I¡¯m done.¡±


    Simon paused, searching Tim¡¯s face for any sign of uncertainty, but there was none. Tim wasn¡¯t nervous. He wasn¡¯t second-guessing himself. He had been pushed to his limit, and now he had taken control.


    ¡°Well, that¡¯s... a big move.¡± Simon leaned in a little closer, lowering his voice, sensing there was more to the story. ¡°What happened? Did something go down in there?¡±


    Tim¡¯s expression tightened, but not with fear¡ªmore like the resolve of someone who had made peace with their decision. ¡°It¡¯s been building up for a while, you know? Tracie¡¯s been on my case for months. Always trying to find something wrong with what I do, just waiting for a reason to get me in trouble. Today... today was the last straw.¡± He shook his head, almost laughing at how ridiculous it all seemed now. ¡°I got accused of stealing. And I couldn¡¯t just sit there and take it anymore. Not after everything that¡¯s happened.¡±


    Simon looked at him, his brow furrowing, but his expression softened when he saw how calm Tim was. ¡°Accused of stealing? I knew she was trying a lot but that was a sale. But, are you sure about this? You¡¯re really done with it all?¡±


    Tim squared his shoulders, the fire in his chest still burning but now focused, like a sharp edge. ¡°Yeah. I¡¯m done.¡± His voice was firm, unwavering. ¡°I¡¯m not gonna keep letting her¡ªor anyone¡ªwalk all over me. I¡¯ve been tiptoeing around here, trying to keep my head down, but no more. I¡¯ve had enough of being treated like crap. This job doesn¡¯t define me, and I¡¯m not going to waste another minute in a place where I¡¯m not respected.¡±


    Simon opened his mouth, but the words seemed to catch, like he wasn¡¯t sure what to say next. There was a long beat of silence between them.


    Finally, Simon sighed, but it wasn¡¯t a sigh of concern¡ªmore like a sigh of admiration. ¡°Well, damn. I¡¯ve never seen you so... sure about something.¡± He chuckled, a small, approving grin tugging at his lips. ¡°I can¡¯t say I blame you though. If anyone deserves a little peace of mind, it¡¯s you.¡±


    Tim met Simon¡¯s eyes, his confidence unshaken. ¡°I¡¯m tired of pretending. This place wasn¡¯t making me happy anymore, and I¡¯m done trying to make it work. There are plenty of other jobs. I¡¯m not gonna let this job keep me stuck.¡±


    Simon nodded. ¡°I get it. But... you know there¡¯s a lot more to it than just walking out, right? What now? Rent, bills... you know the drill.¡±


    Tim felt a calm wash over him. He hadn¡¯t worked everything out yet, but he wasn¡¯t worried. ¡°Yeah. It¡¯s not like everything¡¯s gonna be perfect now, but I¡¯ll figure it out. I¡¯ve got some money saved up while I look, I know how to work hard. And I¡¯m done being afraid of what comes next.¡± He paused for a second, giving Simon a steady look.


    Simon seemed to take that in, eyes widening slightly as he absorbed Tim¡¯s words. He gave Tim a nod of approval. ¡°I¡¯m proud of you, man. I really am.¡± His voice had softened, but there was no mistaking the sincerity in it. ¡°You¡¯re not backing down. I like this version of you.¡±


    Tim smiled, feeling the weight of his decision shift from a burden to a newfound strength. ¡°Thanks, Simon. Honestly, it feels good. I¡¯m not afraid of the next step anymore.¡±


    Simon dug into his pocket and handed Tim the keys to the car. ¡°There is a shirt in the trunk, change out of that, grab something to eat and come pick me up in four hours ok?¡± he said, gesturing to the work shirt.


    Tim nodded gratefully and with his new freedom walked out the front doors.

 Chapter 2: Hello, invited participant!

    The Trunk popped open with the shirt¡¯s hanger coming up with the door. Tim¡¯s smile was one of nostalgia. ¡®Not a bad one Simon¡¯ he thought as he slipped into the black shirt adorned with a familiar Spartan from one of the first multiplayer online games.


    With the rock music blaring, he drove through the town, passing signs looking for workers. He stopped at two clothing stores, two electronics shops, and three fast-food chains. At McD¡¯s, after chatting with a manager, he grabbed a meal and headed to his favorite park.


    Three people were walking the track, and four others were engaged in various activities with their dogs. Tim found a quiet bench off to the side. His confidence from earlier was fading, and as he sat down with a heavy sigh, he pulled out his burger. The grease was apparent, the sandwich a sloppy, ugly mess. But he bit into it anyway.


    As the burger started to disappear, Tim¡¯s mind wandered through the events of the day. ¡®Oh we forgot to remove the hiring sign.¡¯ ¡®Are we still hiring? I thought we filled all the available positions.¡¯ ¡®We¡¯re only hiring part-time workers.¡¯ and the best one. ¡®Yeah, we¡¯re looking for a janitor but I don¡¯t think you¡¯d be a good fit. Thanks for coming by, though.¡¯


    Tim leaned back, looking up at the nearly clear sky, a single lazy cloud drifting by. The forgotten burger hung loosely in his grip. ¡®What the hell am I going to do?¡¯ He closed his eyes. ¡®Not a good fit for a janitor position.¡¯


    Tap, Tap, tap.


    Tim jerked his head up. An old man flinched at Tim¡¯s sudden movement.


    ¡°My apologies, young man. I didn¡¯t mean to disturb you.¡± He said


    The man wore a bowler hat, and held a wooden cane in his right hand, dressed in a two-piece pinstripe suit. His outfit, and accent, seemed out of place. Tim immediately wondered if he had fallen asleep again.


    ¡°I say, are you alright?¡± The man asked, breaking Tim¡¯s thoughts.


    ¡°Huh, yeah I am good. Can I help you with something?¡± Tim asked as a cold droplet hit his knuckle. He saw a schnauzer eyeing his half-eaten burger, its facial hair almost identical to the man¡¯s. ¡®Talk about dogs looking like their owners.¡¯ Tim thought.


    ¡°I asked if you¡¯d mind if I sat down,¡± the man repeated.


    ¡°Oh, of course.¡± he replied, gesturing to the spot beside him. He scooted over to give them both some room.


    The dog sniffed at the burger, sneezed and turned up its nose, walking back to its master. ''Damn dog doesn¡¯t even want the burger.¡¯ Tim thought


    The man looked down at the dog, then at the burger. ¡°I don¡¯t mean to sound rude, but those things are horrible for you.¡±


    Tim''s mouth curled up in a tired smile. ¡°Yeah, sadly. I¡¯m just trying to be frugal. A five-dollar cheese burger doesn''t hurt the wallet so much. Though I did it to myself.¡±


    The older gentleman nodded thoughtfully. ¡°And how is that?¡± he asked, encouraging Tim to continue.


    Tim tossed the half-eaten burger in the trash, his appetite gone. The schnauzer nudged his now empty hand and without thinking, Tim started petting her, staring at a spot on the ground.


    ¡°I quit my job,¡± he muttered.


    ¡°What led to that?¡± the man asked softly, letting Tim speak.


    ¡°A manager who wouldn¡¯t get off my case.¡± Tim said, pausing. ¡°Though, part of it is my fault. I said to a coworker the job¡¯s no better than high school. I mean, it¡¯s like that because she won¡¯t let it go. but you know how it is. He probably told her something worse than what I actually said, which led to her riding me all the time¡ªquestioning me, trying to catch me making mistakes. Until today, when she accused me of stealing.¡±


    Tim wasn¡¯t sure why he was being so open with the man; it just felt right.


    ¡°Ah, yes,¡± the man said with a nod. ¡°People love their drama. It entertains them in the mundane. When you¡¯re under constant pressure, or micromanaged, many people react with anger. And if someone¡¯s aggressive towards you, it¡¯s only human to lash out, even if it¡¯s a minor thing like slapping their hand away. Though, of course, that¡¯s not always acceptable.¡±


    ¡°Right,¡± Tim said, his words slowing. ¡®I didn¡¯t tell him I slapped her.¡¯


    The older man continued. ¡°Tim, throughout my life, I¡¯ve noticed that people often react more emotionally than they mean to when they¡¯re unhappy or dissatisfied¡ªphysically and mentally. You may never be happy where you are. You¡¯re a leader who just hasn¡¯t had the chance to take the reins yet.¡±


    Tim chuckled, despite himself. ¡°Nah, I¡¯m probably one of the furthest things from a leader. I can¡¯t even lead a raid group right.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s simply because you lack experience,¡± the man said, smiling kindly. ¡°But you¡¯re on the right track. You see what you don¡¯t like about others in positions of power.¡±


    Tim listened, still skeptical. ¡®Yeah, but I suck with people, I usually make things worse with my words.¡¯


    ¡°Leaders come in all shapes and sizes,¡± the man continued. ¡°Yes, being good with people helps, but it¡¯s not the only way. Some inspire by action.¡±


    Tim blinked, surprised. ¡®Hold up, that¡¯s twice now you¡¯ve known things I haven¡¯t said. And you just read my thoughts. Elephant in a tutu! Pineapple on pizza is amazing! Are you reading my mind old man?¡¯


    The older man grinned knowingly. ¡°Exactly! You don¡¯t have to be good with people to be a good leader. A true leader makes the tough choices no one else wants to make. They surround themselves with quality people who understand them, not just yes-men. They find people who compliment their weaknesses. Sometimes, a leader is just an idea.¡±


    ¡°So basically a figurehead?¡± Tim asked.


    ¡°No, no.¡± The man laughed. ¡°We¡¯re talking about True leaders. Someone who sees what¡¯s


    wrong and works with others to fix it.¡±


    The man paused, his eyes locking with Tim¡¯s. ¡°But here¡¯s the important part. When you settle for something that doesn¡¯t feel right, your body will tell you. Over time, your emotions will react¡ªanger, frustration. Eventually, you¡¯ll find it hard to get out of bed, and you won¡¯t know why. You¡¯ll ignore the signs until it¡¯s too much to bear.¡±


    Tim blinked. ¡°I think you¡¯re reading into it too much. I¡¯ve just always had a temper. But¡­ why does it make sense?¡±


    The older man nodded. "You''re not living up to your potential, Tim. Your body is telling you that.¡±


    Tim stared at the ground, unsure. ¡°Maybe. But with the way things are, you have to work or end up homeless. And only get promoted if you brown¨Cnose those above you. That¡¯s not me.¡±


    ¡°Precisely,¡± the man said, his eyes lighting up. ¡°You see the flaw in the system. You want more, but you want it on merit, not just because you¡¯ve kissed someone¡¯s ass. That¡¯s leadership.¡±


    Tim furrowed his brow. ¡°how do you figure?¡±


    The man¡¯s grin widened. ¡°Because I see it in you. Now, let me ask you something. If you were sitting at home, doing nothing, and started feeling uneasy, what would you do?¡±


    ¡°Probably get up, and do something, or leave the house,¡± Tim answered.


    The man continued to smile. ¡°That¡¯s your body speaking to you. Now if you¡¯re stuck doing something over and over, and nothing changes, what¡¯s the next logical step?¡±


    Tim paused, considering it. ¡°Try something else?¡±


    ¡°Exactly,¡± the man said. ¡°your body has tried to tell you¨Cworking for someone else isn¡¯t where you belong. But you didn¡¯t listen to the discomfort, so it turned into anger. And now, you can¡¯t ignore it anymore.¡±


    Tim sat there, deep in thought. ¡®Is he right? Or is he just reading too much into this?¡¯


    ¡°You need something different, Tim,¡± the man said gently.


    Tim finally looked at the man again. ¡°What¡¯s your name?¡±


    ¡°Glean,¡± he said, gesturing to the schnauzer. ¡°And this is Fey.¡±


    ¡°Fey¡¯s a lovely name.¡± Tim said, smiling as he continued to pet her. ¡°Sadly, Glean, with how things are, I have to start somewhere, I only know working for someone¡ªeither in a store or on a farm. School never worked out for me.¡±


    The man¡¯s eyes softened. ¡°Everything starts with a choice, Tim. I have an option for you.¡± He said pulling a blank envelope off his lap, one Tim hadn¡¯t noticed beforehand. Glean stood up, handing off the envelope. ¡°In it is an invitation. Whatever you decide, I believe you¡¯re a good choice. I hope to hear your answer soon.¡± He tipped his hat and started to turn away.


    ¡°Wait,¡± Tim said, holding up the envelope. ¡°Is your number in here, so I can respond?¡±


    Glean smiled without turning back. ¡°You can say that.¡± His cane clicked on the pavement as they left.


    Tap, Tap, Tap


    Tim stared at the blank envelope in his hand. He looked back the way Glean and Fey left already out of sight. The park was eerily quiet compared to a minute ago. staring back at the envelope. ¡®What¡¯s one more strange thing to deal with.¡¯


    With a sigh, he ripped open the envelope, half-expecting some kind of prank or gotcha letter, but instead, a single folded piece of paper slipped out.


    HELLO, INVITED PARTICIPANT,


    You have been invited by one of our recruiters to join in an upcoming adventure. We seek strong-willed individuals who have grown tired of the mundane life, the everyday grind, and the world that demands you either kiss up to get ahead or be born into wealth.


    Our adventure will be like no other. You will blaze a trail through uncharted territory, building yourself and others you choose up from nothing. No one to tell you what is right or wrong¡ªno more systems designed to keep you in line. If you encounter those in power, you will have the right to challenge them however you see fit. We believe you should have the freedom to fight against what you believe is wrong in the world, and together you and others can build your ideal.


    It will not be easy. There will be obstacles that most people would back down from, but those who press on, Who leave their mark, will be rewarded with riches and power beyond anything you can imagine. So participants¡ªwill you accept this invitation? If so, press your thumb below.


    Tim frowned as he read. It sounded too good to be true, the kind of pitch desperate people fell for. ¡®pyramid schemes, pay-now-to-get-rich scams, all of them¡¯ His gut twisted with suspicion. ¡°All they want is a huh? Not a signature, not personal info¡­ just me pressing my thumb?¡± He mentally shrugged, a little laugh escaping him. ¡°Maybe I¡¯m overthinking this.¡±


    He glanced around the park, the people who were here earlier had left. ¡®No harm in trying it right?¡¯


    He pressed his thumb to the paper¡ªjust as a gust of wind swept across the park, lifting the corner of the paper and catching him off guard. It sliced his thumb, sending a sharp sting up his hand. Tim yanked it back instinctively, hissing through his teeth. ¡°Damn thing bit me!¡±


    He sucked on his thumb, glancing down at the new blood stained thumbprint on the paper.


    Then the paper began to slightly glow, his eyes widened as the paper rippled like water disturbed by a stone, before it faded out of existence entirely. One second, it was there, the next¡­ nothing.


    Tim sat frozen, staring at the empty air where the paper had been. ¡®What the hell?¡¯ He twisted his body to check under the bench, then peered into the trash bin, his mind racing for any logical explanation. His heart hammered in his chest as he scanned every corner of the park. but the paper was gone.


    His throat went dry. ¡°Am I¡­ losing it?¡± he muttered, disbelief creeping into his voice. He took a step back, looking around like a man in the middle of a dream¡ªor a nightmare. ¡®I¡¯m just stressed. Yeah, just stress. Maybe it¡¯s just my mind playing tricks on me after everything today. Overthinking. Probably not enough sleep. I¡¯m just tired.¡¯


    Starting to walk to his car, ¡°there has to be a reasonable explanation. Maybe it was some sort of weird trick with the paper or a prank. Yeah, it¡¯s a prank. someone¡¯s messing with me.¡¯ He nodded to himself, as if convincing his own brain that this was all just a fluke.


    But then he heard it.


    WE ARE EXCITED TO ANNOUNCE WE HAVE RECIEVED YOUR LETTER EXPRESSING YOUR DESIRE TO JOIN OUR ADVENTURE. HOWEVER THERE IS ONE REQUIREMENT YOUR RECRUITER PUT ON THE INVITATION, YOUR PARTNER MUST ALSO ACCEPT. WE WILL NOTIFY YOU OF THEIR RESPONSE AS SOON AS WE RECEIVE IT. NONETHELESS, WE ARE THRILLED TO WELCOME YOU TO OUR ADVENTURE!!!


    The voice echoed in the empty parking lot, clear and deliberate, as if coming from all directions at once. Tim froze for a moment, his fist clenched. His heart skipped a beat. The voice¡­ Where is it coming from?


    He looked around already knowing in his gut he would find no one. Not a soul. The parking lot was as empty as an abandoned mall. He glanced at his phone, just to be sure, but there was nothing¡ªno new notifications, just Tim and an empty parking lot.


    Tim exhaled slowly, shaking his head. ¡®It¡¯s fine.¡¯ he thought as his mind treated him to an image of him sitting at a coffee table with everything burning around him. ¡®Just stressed and tired. It¡¯s fine.¡¯


    Getting in the car, he turned the key as the nagging feeling lingered. ¡®But what if.¡¯ as he drove off.


    It didn¡¯t take long for Tim to return to his old job to pick up Simon, so he ended up sitting in the parking lot, waiting for him to finish. The music played softly in the car, ¡°I tried so hard and got so far.¡± Tim sang in another world when a tap on the window cut him off.


    He turned, expecting Simon, but was surprised to see Glen. He waved and motioned for Tim to step out of the car. Tim¡¯s heart skipped a beat, but despite the unease, he slowly opened the door and stepped out..


    ¡°Hello again, Timothy,¡± Glean said with a bright smile, Fey sitting quietly beside him, though Tim felt as though she was smiling up at him. ¡°I¡¯m glad you accepted my invitation. I¡¯m sure Simon will join us once he hears you¡¯ve signed up.¡±


    ¡°You mean Simon will be my partner if he agrees?¡± Tim asked, hopeful, he relaxed for a moment. ¡°Wait, you talked to me briefly, then went and found Simon? How did you know where to look for him?¡±Unauthorized duplication: this tale has been taken without consent. Report sightings.


    ¡°Oh, I know everything about you,¡± Glen replied casually. ¡°Once you accept the invitation, you become a representative under my care. All your information is made available to me. It helps me understand you better, to accommodate you, all to make sure you have the best start without crossing any lines when you arrive into the new world.¡±


    Tim raised an eyebrow. ¡°New world?¡± .


    ¡°Yes, a new world, I will make sure you Simon and yourself arrive safely, should he agree,¡± Glean confirmed.


    Tim stood in stunned silence, trying to process the conversation as Glean treated it as if it were an ordinary chat about the weather.


    ¡°I¡¯m glad you¡¯re taking this so well. Some of my previous representatives didn¡¯t handle things so... calmly. Some even tried to run away from me, and one went so far as to take his own life,¡± Glean off handley commented, his tone strangely detached.


    Fey barked, drawing his attention. ¡°Oh, was I being insensitive again?¡±


    Tim blinked. ¡°You... You¡¯re completely serious.¡±


    ¡°Absolutely,¡± the man said, his voice unwavering. ¡°Once you signed up, you gave me full control and permission to remove you from this world and take you to one of the other worlds of Gaia.¡±


    ¡°Gaia? You mean Earth?¡±


    Glean shook his head. ¡°No, this is a mere shadow of the real Gaia, created to foster life and see what grows here. Timothy, if you wouldn¡¯t mind, could we wait for Simon before continuing? I find repeating myself tedious, and I suspect he¡¯ll have questions, many the same as you.¡±


    Tim instinctively nodded at Fey before leaning back against the car, trying to piece everything together. Fey walked up to him, nudging her head under his hand. He absentmindedly started petting her, the action oddly soothing.


    After about ten minutes, Simon finally walked out, changing course when he saw the three of them.


    ¡°Tim, I see you met Glean,¡± Simon said casually, though Tim could tell he was on edge.


    ¡°Yeah, he visited with you?¡± Tim asked.


    ¡°Yeah, he came into the store earlier. We had a brief chat before he gave me this and left.¡± Simon held up a familiar looking envelope.


    ¡°Have you read it yet?¡± Tim asked.


    ¡°I did. I assume Glean gave you one too?¡±


    ¡°Yeah,¡± Tim replied. ¡°But this whole thing is... insane.¡±


    Glean smiled. ¡°Timothy has already read and responded to my invitation, but I am sure you both have questions, so I suggest we discuss them over a meal. Timothy¡¯s favorite place in town is Billy¡¯s Steakhouse. Would that work for you, Simon?¡±


    Simon looked a bit surprised. ¡°Uh, sure. Their steaks are some of the best, but they¡¯re expensive.¡±


    ¡°No need to worry about the price,¡± Glean said smoothly. ¡°Consider it my treat. Let¡¯s head there in your car so we can beat the dinner rush.¡±


    Simon glanced at Tim, who shrugged. ¡°Can¡¯t beat a free meal.¡±


    ¡°Alright, Glean, is it alright if you and Fey ride in the back? You¡¯re a bit shorter than us.¡±


    Glean grinned. ¡°Not a problem.¡± He headed for the passenger side.


    Tim nodded to Fey. ¡°Her name¡¯s Fey, by the way.¡±


    Fey gave a grateful nudge to Tim as Simon acknowledged her.


    Simon opened the rear driver¡¯s side door for Fey. ¡°After you.¡±


    Fey gave a polite bow and hopped in. Tim moved to the passenger side but was stopped by a clearing throat. He turned to see Glean waiting at the door.


    Tim looked at him for a moment before Glean cleared his throat a second. Tim realized and opened the door for Glean.


    Glean stepped in with a smile. ¡°Thank you, Timothy.¡±


    ¡°Welcome,¡± Tim replied, before shutting the door. ¡°I better not be a butler in the new world.¡± He muttered.


    On the drive to Billy¡¯s, the car was silent, with Glean and Fey sitting upright in the back, maintaining perfect posture, as though they were taught to always sit properly.


    Simon broke the silence. ¡°Glean, I guess I¡¯ll start with the questions. Why us?¡±


    Glean looked at Simon with a gleam in his eye. ¡°You and Timothy are perfect candidates. You both complement each other well. Simon, you have a gift with people, a charm that allows you to maintain composure even under pressure. You¡¯re able to diffuse situations with words. Timothy, on the other hand, is more at ease with animals, he struggles with people. He¡¯s quick to anger. But he is loyal, and stubborn to achieve a goal.¡±


    Tim wasn¡¯t sure whether to take that as a compliment, but Glean¡¯s words seemed sincere.


    Soon, they arrived at the steakhouse. After entering, the hostess greeted them but hesitated when she saw Fey.


    ¡°I apologize sir. But we have a no pets rule.¡± she said apologetically.


    ¡°She¡¯s a service animal,¡± Glean explained motioning back to Fey who now wore a red vest that said Do Not Pet Service Animal. I am working.


    The hostess looked confused at first before smiling. ¡°My apologies. I don¡¯t know how I missed the vest. Let me take you to a booth.¡± She led them to an area cut off from the primary dining area that had a few booths and tables.


    As they sat down, Glean asked, ¡°Timothy, what would you recommend here?¡±


    Tim didn¡¯t need to look at the menu. ¡°I usually get medium-rare sirloin with broccoli and a side salad. If I¡¯m really hungry, I¡¯ll swap the salad for a baked potato.¡±


    ¡°That does sound good.¡± Glean said, setting down the menu. ¡°Are you one who thinks well-done steak is a crime?¡±


    Tim and Simon both visibly cringed at the thought. ¡°Yeah, it¡¯s just wrong,¡± Tim said.


    Glean laughed. ¡°I agree. Simon, what will you have?¡±


    ¡°I usually get the same, but I take fries instead of broccoli,¡± Simon replied.


    Their waitress came over. ¡°Hello folks, my name is Janet, what can I get you to drink while you look over the menu?¡±


    ¡°Water.¡± Glean said.


    ¡°Pink lemonade for us.¡± Simon said already knowing what Tim wanted.


    ¡°Ok, and would you like any appetizers?¡± Janet asked.


    ¡°Fried pickles,¡± Tim excitedly ordered.


    ¡°Alright, I''ll get that going and your drinks. Be back in jiffy.¡± she said as she left.


    As she was out of ear shot Glean began. ¡°To answer your question earlier Tim, Yes. You and Simon will both be taken to a new world if he accepts.¡±


    Simon looked at him, skepticism in his eyes. ¡°You mean the letter is real?¡±


    ¡°Oh, absolutely,¡± Glean confirmed. ¡°Once you two decide, I will take you to another Gaia. You¡¯ll be given new bodies that match your strengths and abilities, and you¡¯ll begin your journey. Think of it like one of the fantasy games you both enjoy¡ªonly this time, it¡¯s real.¡±


    ¡°Another Gaia?¡± Simon asked.


    ¡°You see what I meant about earlier Tim? similar questions.¡± He said. ¡°Yes, there are many worlds made by the goddess Gaia, many like this one spawning life.¡±


    Before they could ask another question Janet arrived setting down their drinks and fried pickles. ¡°Alright, are we ready to order?¡± Glean repeated everyone''s order and Janet quickly left.


    ¡°Tim, did you actually sign that thing?¡± Simon asked as he was reaching for a pickle.


    ¡°Yeah I mean it asks you to press your thumb to it so I thought it was a joke and next thing I knew it took my thumb print and vanished.¡± Tim replied feeling dumb for not taking it more seriously.


    Simon eyed him, easily seeing Tim say screw it and press his thumb to it.


    ¡°Is there a way for him to back out?¡± Simon asked, still trying to make sense of the situation.


    Glean paused for a moment looking between them both, his expression becoming serious. ¡°Timothy willingly signed. Once a contract is accepted it is solid. Timothy will be coming with me, with or without you Simon, I will just have to find someone else to take your place.¡±


    Simon silently stared back taking that in before asking. ¡°From your early statement that we should think of it like a video game, will we be able to see our stats? Cast spells? You know, all that stuff?¡±


    Glean nodded as he enjoyed a bite of pickle. ¡°Once you accept you can access the display before we even leave, Timothy should be able to see his right now if he wanted to.¡± He said taking another pickle. ¡°These are excellent. Good choice Timothy. Now if you want to see what I am talking about just will your stats to appear.¡±


    Tim looked over at Simon, then focused. To his surprise, a translucent character sheet appeared before him, like something out of a fantasy role-playing game.


    Timothy Sawyer


    Age:22


    Strength: 13


    Dexterity: 10


    Constitution:14


    Intelligence: 13


    Wisdom: 15


    Charisma: 10


    Due to past experiences Timothy gets a +4 to handle animals.


    Due to past experiences Timothy gets a -2 with charisma checks with others unless it involves  common interests.


    Tim read aloud, awestruck. ¡°Welp, that happened.¡±


    ¡°You mean we can choose before we go?!¡± Simon asked.


    Nodding glean said. ¡°Yes, you should have three choices.¡±


    Tim allowed hope to take hold, Simon was seriously considering joining, even though Tim agreed without information.


    ¡°What else do you have Tim?¡± Simon asked, very curious. Tim noted a explanation point in the bottom right corner, mentally clicking it, a new page opened.


    Recommended starting paths


    Barbarian: A warrior who relies on his own strength, and powers. Team work, and spells are for the weak. If you cannot stand on your own two feet you have no right to continue to move forward.


    Strategist: A tactician, who mainly sits behind others giving orders, choosing the best formation to win the fight. Although some choose to lead from the front lines, commanding his men before hand, giving them stat boots then leading them into hell and back if needed.


    Gaia''s Warrior: A warrior for the planet, friend to the forest and beasts alike, this path allows you to cast spells of nature and use equipment modified from the earth, as well as allows you to improve your own capabilities from stats of animals, and have animals assist you later in levels.


    Tim¡¯s eyes lit up as he read Gaia''s Warrior. It sounded like a dream of his. Being able to cast spells as well as fight like a fighter in the front lines, he instantly knew what he wanted. The path lit green and a female voice echoed in his head.


    ¡°Welcome, Warrior. I am proud to call you one of mine. I am positive you will grow and bring light on what it truly means to be a Warrior of Gaia.¡±


    Tim¡¯s eyes widened. ¡°Who was that?!¡± he blurted.


    ¡°That was Gaia.¡± Glean replied, his tone knowing. ¡°I had a feeling you¡¯d choose that path. She¡¯s pleased to have you as one of her champions.¡±


    ¡°You good bro?¡± Simon asked, a bit of worry in his voice.


    ¡°Yeah. This is actually getting exciting.¡± Tim said, enthusiastically picking up a pickle.


    Glean¡¯s eyes glinted. ¡°It¡¯s because you¡¯ve let go of uncertainty. By choosing a path, you¡¯ve taken your first step toward growing stronger.¡±


    Tim felt a nudge coming from beside Glean. ¡°Mentally accept it.¡± Glean said before Tim could ask.


    He did as prompted as a new voice echoed in his head. ¡°Hello, Timothy. It¡¯s me, Fey.¡±


    Tim stared towards her in shock. ¡°What?¡±


    Glean laughed. ¡°Earlier you and Fay made a bond, without your abilities you could only sense her feelings now you can hear her thoughts. It¡¯s no surprise with your path and handle animal skill so high.¡±


    Tim blinked. ¡°Can I just think to you, or do I need to speak out loud?¡±


    ¡°This is fine.¡± Fey replied. ¡°This is way better than speaking out loud. Could you tell Simon thank you for opening the door earlier for me?¡± She asked tail wagging.


    Tim turned to Simon. ¡°Uh, Fay says thanks for opening the door for her earlier.¡±


    He looked at Fey. ¡°You are welcome, Fey. Only being courteous.¡±


    Fay¡¯s tail seemed to wag with joy. ¡°Thank you, Timothy. I knew you would choose Gaia¡¯s path! I¡¯m so happy for you!¡±


    ¡°Really? What made you so sure?¡±


    ¡°You could call it multiple things, woman''s intuition. Or the fact that you are so kind even when we couldn¡¯t communicate.¡±


    Tim smiled but got uneasy as a thought crossed his mind, his eyes glancing at Glean.


    Fey catching the uneasiness from Tim, ¡°Oh don''t worry you don''t have a link with him, so he can¡¯t hear your thoughts yet. Unless you open one willingly you''ll know if he forces one.¡±


    Glean straightened up, smiling warmly. ¡°Please, I¡¯m not the kind to violate anyone¡¯s privacy like that.¡± He reached for another pickle. Noticing it was the last one he looked back up¡°I¡¯ve clearly been enjoying these too much. I¡¯m sorry, you two barely had any!¡± He gestured for one of them to take it.


    ¡°I''ll pass, thank you.¡± Tim said, focusing back at Fay.


    ¡°I don''t like pickles.¡± Simon said simply and gestured for him to have it.


    ¡°Thank you boys.¡± Glean said and took the final one with glee.


    ¡°So how bad is this going to be for me?¡± Tim thought to Fay.


    ¡°Bad? Oh, you¡¯ll be fine,¡± she replied, her voice reassuring. ¡°It¡¯s a bit of a shock at first. The world you¡¯re going to is less civilized¡ªthink fantasy books, with plenty of nature and fewer cities. You¡¯ll likely end up in an area full of unclaimed land where you and Simon can grow. If you¡¯re lucky the area will have lots of goodies for you two to take advantage of like great items to empower you, or a high power creature to partner with or even A DUNGEON CORE!¡± she said till her excitement erupted.


    Glean smiled. ¡°Let¡¯s not get too excited about rare finds. But I have faith in both of you. I think you¡¯ll surprise us.¡±


    ¡°Now Fay don''t get ahead of yourself, those items are rare but I have faith in our two boys here to surprise all of us.¡± he said and Tim noticed a gleam in his eye as Simon moved.


    Just then, Simon winced. ¡°Ouch! Son of a¡ª!¡± he muttered, sucking his thumb as the paper in his hand vanished.


    Tim¡¯s jaw dropped.


    Simon caught him looking ¡°What, I couldn¡¯t let you have all the fun,¡± Simon said nonchalantly. ¡°Besides, I don¡¯t want to be stuck here alone. If we¡¯re doing this, we¡¯re doing it together.¡±


    ¡°Aww you do love me!¡± Tim teased, jokingly exaggerating an anime girl impression.


    Simon groaned. ¡°Stop that!¡± pushing Tim away


    Glean and Fay both laughed and a message appeared in Tim¡¯s view.


    CONGRATULATIONS!!! YOUR PARTNER HAS ACCEPTED THE INVITATION AS WELL, YOUR PARTNER WILL BE SIMON DIPPER YOU TWO HAVE GREAT PROMISE WITH SUCH A DEEP BOND WE LOOK FORWARD TO WHAT AMAZING THINGS YOU HAVE TO BRING TO OUR ADVENTURE!


    Tim took a deep breath as he processed the message, then turned back to Glean. ¡°What exactly are you? And what did you mean by giving us new bodies suited to our abilities?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m an ascended, I was chosen many centuries ago just like you, you are going to influence a world and if you grow strong enough, you may even claim it as your own. As for your bodies¡ªthey¡¯re not quite up to the task. So when I send you to Gaia, you¡¯ll be given new forms suited to your paths. I¡¯ve already selected one for you, Timothy. Once Simon chooses his path, I¡¯ll pick one for him. But don¡¯t ask for details¡ªit¡¯s best left as a surprise.¡±


    ¡°Now if you don''t mind, I suggest you enjoy this meal Janet is bringing our way, It will be a good while before you get another good meal like this one so enjoy it and savor it.¡± He said as she arrived, setting down the plates.


    Tim looked over at Simon. ¡°Don¡¯t look at me. You heard the man dig in.¡±


    The table was silent but the clinging of knife and forks, the occasional ¡°mmmm so good.¡± from Fey when Glean gave her a piece of steak.


    It was a really good dinner. ¡°Thank you for the food, Glean¡± Tim said and Simon also thanked him.


    ¡°No need to thank me boys. This is all just a stepping stone. I will be providing you both with starting gear, and have you put in a decent spawn point. Now Simon you have been very quiet after accepting. Have you decided your starting path?¡± He asked his hand moving as he finished talking.


    ¡°I believe I have.¡± He said, closing his eyes.


    Glean smiled ¡°Ah I did choose two good ones, you surprised me a little Simon. Ok boys I need you both to choose new names, preferably something you would use for one of your fantasy characters.¡± He said


    A new screen popped up asking for their names. Tim took in a breath then exhaled, putting in a name he tended to favor. ¡°With that, we must leave. Boys until we meet again.¡± He smiled and shook Simon''s hand then Tim¡¯s, as he let go of Tim¡¯s hand everything went black.

 Chapter 3: None At This Time!

    Tim let out a low groan sitting up, feeling like the tail end of a hangover, moving his hands instinctively to his head. His eyes shot open. looking around, suddenly aware that he was surrounded by trees.


    He quickly assessed himself, turning his gaze down. His familiar stomach was missing, now more lean, his khakis were now worn leather, and his shirt was now loosely fit cotton linen shirt.


    Pressing a hand to his stomach, he noticed it was surprisingly firm. But the oddity didn¡¯t stop there. His arm, which was still resting on his stomach, had a strange green tint to it. He quickly looked at his other arm¡ªit was the same.


    ¡®Did I get a bad body? Am I sick? Is my mind or soul not adjusting well to this new body?¡¯ his mind raced. Till unfamiliar voice came from behind him.


    ¡°Ah you are awake.¡±


    Tim turned toward the voice and seeing a ebony skinned elf. The elf smiled warmly at him


    ¡°A bit surreal isn¡¯t it?¡± He asked.


    ¡°Simon?¡± Tim asked and Simon nodded back. ¡°Yeah, we could have probably sat with Glean for days asking questions, don¡¯t think it would have prepared me for this.¡±


    ¡°Yeah. If he didn¡¯t mention the body change, I''d be freaking out a little. I woke up a bit ago near you. I was a bit shocked by the body too, but I tried opening the character page like Glean told us. Everything became clear after that. I thought you were the body next to me, I tried to wake you, you snored at me, so I let you be.¡± Simon explained.


    ¡°Well he said new bodies but I guess race didn¡¯t click in my head.¡± Tim said, eyeing his hairy green tinted arms.


    ¡°Yeah,¡± Simon nodded. ¡°I am what this world calls a moon elf¨Ca sub-race of dark elves. Apparently some of them left the underworld to make a life on the surface. Over the years evolved a bit differently. I don¡¯t have full dark visio, but I¡¯ve got night vision. I can handle the sun, too. It¡¯s kinda cool.¡± He paused. ¡°My stats changed, too. You should take a moment to look yours over.¡±


    Tim took a deep breath, savoring the fresh air. He looked around¡ªtall trees, calf-high grass, birds chirping¡ªand, for some reason, he felt more at home here than he ever had on Earth. Maybe it was his new body, or maybe it was the realization that he had a second chance at life. Whatever it was, it felt right. Following Simon¡¯s advice, Tim opened his interface.


    Name: Cromus


    Age:22


    Level: 1


    Exp: 0/400


    Health: 120/120


    Mana: 100/100


    Stamina: 100/100


    Stats


    Strength: 12


    Dexterity: 10


    Constitution: 12


    Intelligence: 10


    Wisdom: 12


    Charisma: 8


    Race: Half-Orc: A race of an orc and human mix. Seen as a descendant of a violent race, other races shy away from you, you will receive a negative two percent to any charisma checks with other races. Though there is not only bad news with this race, thanks to your orc heritage you are more sturdy than most other races, able to face terrors others wouldn''t dare, and able to stomach things that would sicken most. You have night vision, in areas of low light you are able to see normally.


    Path: Gaia''s Warrior: A warrior for the planet, friend to the forest and beasts alike, this path allows you to cast spells of nature and use equipment modified from the earth, as well as allows you to improve your own capabilities from stats of animals, and have animals assist you later in levels. Gain bonuses when interacting with animals.


    Abilities


    Animal Link: Once a day you are able to choose an animal who is neutral towards you and create a telepathic link with the chosen animal for twenty four hours or until you sever the link.


    Identify (inferior): The basic ability that most intelligent being, can be used to identify items, creatures, and other humanoids.


    Spells


    Heal (inferior): You are able to spend Ten mana to heal you or a willing target for ten hit points.


    Nature''s Assistant: You can spend four mana to help a plant grow a stage in its growth or remove any harmful effect it may have. The bigger the growth or larger effect consumes more mana.


    Animal Affinity: You are able to spend fifty mana to manifest one animal body part on your body for ten minutes.


    Skills


    Universal Translate: No worrying about language barrier, anything spoken, or read will be translated to a language you understand.


    Animal Empathy: From a easy glance you are able to determine an animal''s demeanor to you, as well as having a better understanding of how to improve the demeanor.


    Tim closed his character sheet, his brow furrowed. ¡°Looks like my stats have dropped. Some of them took a hit.¡±


    ¡°I honestly thought the same thing but then I started to think, what if this is because these bodies are new, and we just received the base stats and our race stats? My stats got a boost in intelligence, and charisma, but I took a huge hit in constitution. I had a fourteen constitution back home, here it¡¯s an eight, it¡¯s not so great.¡± Simon replied standing back up from his bag.


    ¡°Yeah, that makes sense,¡± Tim said, looking around. He noticed another bag lay nearby.


    ¡°Well, I guess I can¡¯t complain too much,¡± Simon continued. ¡°I had a feeling something like this would happen. Race and class definitely play a role in shaping things.¡±


    Tim picked up his bag. ¡°That''s right you got to hear what I chose but I never got to know what you chose.¡±


    Simon¡¯s grin widened. ¡°I had three choices, just like you.¡± He held up his fingers. ¡°First, rogue, which seemed cool but a bit limiting¡ªsneaking around and picking people off is nice, but I like having more options. Second, cleric, which could be great, but I wasn¡¯t sure if that meant I¡¯d have to serve some almighty being. Didn¡¯t want to risk losing abilities if I upset something I didn¡¯t understand.¡±


    He held up his final finger. ¡°Third, and my choice¡­¡± He paused for dramatic effect. ¡°Clockwork Summoner.¡±


    Tim blinked. ¡°Clockwork Summoner? I know what a summoner is, but clockworks?¡± He awkwardly lifted his arm moving around with clunking noises.


    Simon chuckled. ¡°Yeah, it was a bit vague at first, but I took the gamble, and boy, did it pay off. I got the summoner abilities, plus clockwork crafting. At some point, I should be able to build guns, grappling hooks, flamethrowers¡ªstuff like that!¡±


    ¡°Guns in a world like this? That could be overpowered,¡± Tim mused.


    ¡°That''s not even the best part!¡± Simon¡¯s eyes sparkled. ¡°My spells all seem to be support, or a summoning of some kind. Summon familiar, Summon clockwork defender, haste, enhance strength, clocked and heal inferior. It¡¯s perfect! I was hoping to find ways to boost us and summon some help, and it worked out!¡±


    Tim grinned, digging through his bag. Inside, he found the typical adventuring gear: rope, a canteen ¡®fresh water, thank goodness¡¯, three clear containers of red liquid, three more with blue liquid, and three with green. There were also torches, food that looked like beef jerky and crackers, a longbow with arrows, and a scimitar.


    ¡°Hey, what did you get in your bag?¡± Tim asked, glancing over at Simon.


    Simon listed off similar items, with one difference: ¡°I got a crossbow instead of a longbow.¡±


    If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.


    ¡°Huh, interesting,¡± Tim said. ¡°I wonder why that is.¡±


    Simon shrugged. They both looked around at the dense woods. ¡°We should probably find a civilization,¡± Tim suggested.


    ¡°Maybe,¡± Simon replied. ¡°But being out here in the middle of nowhere could be a boon. Who knows? We might find something no one¡¯s discovered yet, or even a rare race we can befriend and progress faster.¡±


    Tim chuckled. ¡°True. And if you learn guns, that¡¯d be a game-changer in itself. Plus, those spells sound useful.¡±


    ¡°Exactly!¡± Simon said, standing up. ¡°Let¡¯s test our spells before we do anything else. We need to know how they work in case we run into trouble.¡±


    Tim smiled. ¡®Well, looks like Simon beat me to that idea.¡¯ ¡°Aye, aye, Captain,¡± he said with a mock salute.


    Simon rolled his eyes. ¡°Hey, you could¡¯ve said, ¡®Great minds think alike, Simon. Let¡¯s get to it!¡¯ You catch more flies with honey.¡±


    Tim beamed. ¡°Hey, I¡¯m the crazy animal guy. You¡¯re the smooth talker.¡±


    Simon laughed. ¡°True. You¡¯ve got the charisma of a brick wall, so good luck with that.¡±


    ¡°Right.¡± Tim considered his spells, there wasn''t anything to heal. So two of his spells were a no go. Animal Affinity it is. Tim concentrated on his right arm and willed it to turn into a grizzly bear¡¯s foreleg. Tim felt something leave his body, his hand blurred under a light brown glow, around it was a grizzly bear''s forearm. It was fuzzy to see through but Tim could see his hand and arm inside it.


    Tim stretched the bear¡¯s fingers, marveling as they mimicked his movements, then gave a wide smile. ¡°Holy shit, this is unreal!¡± He showed it to Simon.


    Simon reached out, feeling the fur. ¡°Yeah, definitely surreal.¡±


    Tim walked over to the nearest tree and lashed out with the bear claws, four deep claw marks leaked sap in his wake.


    Tim reached out with his left hand, placing his palm on the fresh scars he had just created, and closed his eyes in concentration. He focused on willing the spell into existence. As expected, he felt his energy drain again. When he opened his eyes, his hand was glowing a soft green, the light spreading over the claw marks. He started to realize that the feeling of something leaving his body was probably his mana. Less than a minute later, the tree was fully restored.


    Opening his character information, he saw his mana was at 40 out of 100. Healing the tree had cost him 10 mana instead of 4¡ª4 for the initial effort and 6 more to finish it. Not bad, he thought.


    For healing damage to nature, your mana regeneration is going to double for twenty minutes. regenerating at twenty percent per minute instead of the regular ten percent per minute.


    ¡°Thank you my warrior for healing the tree.¡±


    Tim blinked in surprise. He had healed the tree, and Gaia had granted him a boon. ¡°Guess that¡¯s the reward for my class choice.¡± he thought, turning back to Simon, who was watching him intently.


    "So, that was two of your spells? How much mana do you have left?" Simon asked as Tim walked toward him.


    "Fourty out of one hundred," Tim replied. "But because I healed the damage, my mana regeneration doubled. I should be back to full in about five minutes."


    Simon raised an eyebrow. ¡°So, if you have a base mana of one hundred, what¡¯s your intelligence modifier?¡±


    ¡°Ten.¡± Tim replied.


    ¡°Alright that means, every point in intelligence ups your mana by ten points. Cause I have twelve intelligence giving me a one hundred and twenty mana pool.¡± Simon said


    ¡°Makes sense. My constitution is twelve, so I have a health pool of one hundred twenty, too.¡± Tim replied before his brow forward, as the thought of Simons eight in con came to mind.


    "Tim," Simon said, his voice firm. "I know that look. You''re already thinking of protecting me. Not happening. I¡¯ve got some solid spells to help me stay out of combat, and help you too. I¡¯m not some helpless damsel, alright?"


    Tim frowned, but before he could respond, Simon focused, and a tear in the air appeared. It revealed an industrial landscape of gears and cogs. From the rift stepped a faceless, humanoid clockwork golem, its mechanical limbs clanking as it emerged..


    The portal closed, and the golem¨Clike stood before Tim, a shield as its left arm and a blade as its right. Its body was bronze, solid, with gears only visible on its sides and under its arms. It looked strong, though it clearly wasn¡¯t built for delicate tasks.


    ¡°Well how long will this thing last and what did it cost you?¡± Tim asked


    "It''ll stay until it¡¯s either defeated or dismissed. It cost me thirty mana, which is a lot, but it¡¯ll help in a pinch." Simon replied.


    Before Tim could respond, a piercing screech filled the air, forcing them both to flinch. When Tim recovered, his eyes locked onto the source¡ªa monstrous creature.


    Its head resembled a predatory bird, but it walked on four legs. Its eyes were blood-red, with white pupils, and its face was covered in red feathers. Above each eye, dark lines ran down toward a massive black beak. As it opened its mouth, Tim saw razor-sharp teeth. Its body was a blend of red feathers and dark brown fur, with the size and build of a bear¡ªexcept it was twice the size of any bear Tim had seen. It moved toward them, its front feet ending in talons, its back feet like bear paws. Black feathers adorned the backs of its legs.


    Tim¡¯s vision flashed with information.


    Bearded vulture bear


    Temperament: Hatred


    Ways to improve temperament: None at this time.


    ¡®NONE AT THIS TIME!?¡¯ Tim thought back to it.


    ¡°Uh Tim? Your Gaia''s warrior, go on play nice with it.¡± Simon said, sounding nervous.


    ¡°That¡¯s not an option," Tim replied, his eyes scanning for his scimitar. "We need to fight it. It hates us. Grab your crossbow, and I¡¯ll grab my weapon."


    Without a word, Simon sent his clockwork defender forward. The Vulture Bear charged at it. Tim dove for his scimitar, rolling to his feet and immediately rushing behind the clockwork defender..


    Simon quickly grabbed his crossbow, taking aim at the creature.


    The Vulture Bear collided with the defender. The defender¡¯s shield absorbed the first strike, but it was forced back, giving the beast a chance to turn its back to Tim. Seizing the opportunity, Tim slashed at the creature¡¯s knee, but the blow barely nicked it. The Vulture Bear¡¯s fur and hide were far thicker than he had anticipated. It growled but didn¡¯t flinch. Tim lunged again, using his bear claws to tear at its knee. This time, the claws sank deep, drawing blood. He followed up with a quick slash from his scimitar, but the Vulture Bear shifted, and Tim¡¯s blade only grazed the wound.


    The beast screeched, spinning faster than Tim expected. Its talons slashed under Tim¡¯s left arm, tearing through skin and muscle. He was thrown back, landing hard on the ground. His senses dulled with the pain, and he couldn¡¯t even scream, just feeling the shock of the hit.


    You have been savaged!!!


    You have taken seventy damage from the Bearded Vulture Bear¡¯s talons.


    You are bleeding!!!


    The attack has caused a bleed effect. You will lose three hit points every second for ten seconds or until you are healed.


    Tim¡¯s eyes went wide as the effects appeared. He had gone from one hundred and twenty health to fifty in one hit, ¡°This would be a lot easier to multitask if I had bars or something,¡± he thought desperately.


    In the corner of his vision three bars appeared: Health (50/120), Mana (55/100), Stamina (75/100). A red droplet next to his health bar, marking the bleeding effect. Tim placed his hand on his wound and willed Minor Heal to activate. His mana dropped from 55 to 45, but his health rose to 60. The bleeding effect faded. He cast it again, restoring more health, leaving him with only 35 mana but now at 70 health.


    ¡°TIM! Can you hear me? TIM!¡± Simon yelled, firing another bolt at the beast.


    Tim heard the Vulture bear screech again, and he heard a sound of metal hitting ground, he could only assume was the defender getting knocked to the ground. He got up, slowly turning around to see the defender on the ground but hearing more crashing.


    Taking in the sight, it would appear the defender was beaten up pretty badly, it is now in two, cut in half its legs lay useless away from its top, It appeared to tim that when the Vulture bear attacked the defender as a last ditch effort it stabbed its sword arm threw the things front left leg.


    Tim turned, seeing the defender on the ground, badly damaged. It was split in half, its limbs useless. The Vulture Bear was stepping on the golem¡¯s torso while snapping at its remaining parts. Tim¡¯s expression hardened, and he saw the creature was still bleeding from three crossbow bolts¡ªone even lodged in its eye socket.


    You have activated your hidden racial trait: Boiling Blood.


    Thanks to your Orc ancestry, you gain a temporary boost to stamina and strength.


    Tim¡¯s body started to heat up, the blood surging through his veins. A primal cry tore from his throat as he charged forward. ¡°I¡¯M GOING TO MAKE KFC OUT OF YOUR ASS!¡±


    The Vulture Bear turned to him, slashing with its talons, Simon finished his cast, The Vulture Bear''s movements slowed, allowing Tim to slide under the attack, now behind it. He struck quickly, slashing at its side with both claw and scimitar.


    The beast screeched in pain, staggering back. Tim didn¡¯t stop. He struck again, again, and again¡ªsix times in total¡ªhis confidence growing with each hit. But just as he thought he had the upper hand, the creature reared up on its hind legs, and Tim¡¯s strength suddenly drained.


    He was exhausted, his stamina nearly depleted. The Vulture Bear''s neck extended as it towered over him. In his final moments, Tim thought, ¡®I came to this world to fight, but it¡¯s all going to end here.¡¯


    Just as the beast prepared to strike, blood poured from its wounds, and it choked on its own life force. It fell backward with a gargled screech, crashing to the ground.


    "TIM! Are you okay?" Simon yelled, rushing to his side.


    Tim struggled to catch his breath, his vision blurry. "Yeah... I''m... just tired." He sighed, feeling himself slip into unconsciousness.

 Chapter 4: Minty Fresh!

    Tim felt himself being healed, with his eyes closed he could still see his bars in the corner of his vision he caught his health bar tick up from one nineteen to one twenty. Opening his eyes he saw Simon healing him up.


    ¡°Hey bud. How are you holding up?¡± Tim asked


    Simon paused, a dry chuckle escaping him. ¡°Shouldn¡¯t I be the one asking you that?¡± He sighs. ¡°I¡¯m better after I realized you were stable.¡±


    ¡°Yeah. You got me topped off. You didn''t get hurt?¡± Tim asked, concern in his voice as he sat up.


    Simon shook his head. ¡°Nope, the defender kept most of the attention, and with you it never had time to focus me. But I¡¯m just glad the defender took most of the hits. I don¡¯t think you could have taken a second attack.¡±


    Tim winced. ¡°Yeah, that one attack dropped me down to fifty HP. I think we were definitely punching above our weight class.¡±


    He noticed several notifications, focusing on them they opened.


    You are exhausted!!!


    Your stamina will drain twice as fast and you are slowed till this condition is removed.


    ¡®Guess that explains why I collapsed.¡¯ Tim thought. ¡®At least it hit after the fight ended. If it had gone on longer, they would¡¯ve been in real trouble.¡¯ Moving to the next notification, a smile grew on his face.


    CONGRATULATIONS!!!


    You have defeated the level five Bearded Vulture Bear and in return, you and your party have earned five hundred experience points.


    !!!DING!!!


    You¡¯ve reached level 2!!!


    You now have ten points to improve stats.


    You¡¯ve Improved one-handed fighting


    You now have improved your abilities with one-handed weapons. Your aim is more precise, and your attacks deal full damage. No longer suffering from penalties.


    You¡¯ve discovered hidden racial power.


    Boiling blood: Thanks to your Orc heritage, you possess a hidden bestial rage that temporarily boosts your stamina and strength. You gain 20% to all strength-based skills, abilities, and attacks. As well as slows down stamina consumption.


    ¡°Well we definitely fought out of our weight class.¡± Simon said, looking over his notifications


    Tim nodded, ¡°But hey, we¡¯re level two now and can improve our stats.¡±


    ¡°Right? and I¡¯m excited about the possibilities ahead,¡± Simon said, his eyes lighting up.


    Tim Opened his character page and began reviewing his stats, feeling the weight of each decision. The biggest issue was his low Charisma stat. In a world where alliances would be crucial, he couldn¡¯t afford to ignore it. He decided to boost Charisma by two or three points.


    Due to your low Charisma, you face a penalty when increasing this stat. For stats 10-19, the cost is 1 point per increase. For 20-29, it costs 2 points per increase. With a negative stat all upgrades cost 1 extra point.


    ¡°Uh Simon, have you tried to improve your Constitution yet?¡± Tim asked


    ¡°Yeah. I guess you got the same warning with Charisma,¡± Simon replied


    ¡°Seems like we won¡¯t be switching roles any time soon.¡± Tim chuckled sadly.


    ¡°Well, things definitely won''t be easy now,¡± Simon said, throwing his hands up in mock despair. ¡°My grand vision of us becoming unstoppable heroes is completely shattered!¡± He dramatically clutched his chest as if struck by a mortal wound.


    Tim rolled his eyes a bit, smiling. ¡°You poor min-maxer, whatever shall we do? But at least this way there is a balance of some kind, no one else can min-max without sacrifice.¡±


    ¡°Yeah just,¡± Simon stopped himself. ¡°You are right, no need to dwell on what could have been, I suggest we focus on our strong stats and just bring up our weak stats to 10 for now.¡±


    ¡°I think I am going to pass on Charisma this go around, and focus on my Constitution, over it.¡± Tim said.


    ¡°Just don¡¯t put everything into Constitution,¡± Simon warned, ¡°If you get incapacitated, health won¡¯t mean shit.¡±


    ¡°Naw just the two points I would have into Charisma.¡± He said as his eyes caught the sun passed its peak of the day. ¡°Might want to wrap this up, scout the area before nightfall.¡±


    Simon nodded and they finished distributing.


    You are about to accept where and what you spent your points on. Once accepted you cannot take back your choices, Are you sure you are happy with what you have chosen? Yes, or No?


    Tim mentally clicked yes, a new character sheet filled his vision, as he felt his body shift. Muscles tightened, then relaxed, aches and pains he did notice flared then faded away.


    His smile grew for what seemed like the Umpteenth time today. ¡°This is awesome!¡± Tim said with the joy of his youth.


    Name: Cromus


    Age:22


    Level: 2


    Exp: 500/900


    Health: 160/160


    Mana: 100/100


    Stamina: 140/140


    Stats


    Strength: 14


    Dexterity: 14


    Constitution: 16


    Intelligence: 10


    Wisdom: 12


    Charisma: 8


    Race: Half-Orc: A race of an orc and human mix. Seen as a descendant of a violent race, other races shy away from you, you will receive a negative two percent to any charisma checks with other races. Though there is not only bad news with this race, thanks to your orc heritage you are more sturdy than most other races, able to face terrors others wouldn''t dare, and able to stomach things that would sicken most. You have night vision, in areas of low light you are able to see normally.


    Path: Gaia''s Warrior: A warrior for the planet, friend to the forest and beasts alike, this path allows you to cast spells of nature and use equipment modified from the earth, as well as allows you to improve your own capabilities from stats of animals, and have animals assist you later in levels. Gain bonuses when interacting with animals.


    Boiling blood: Thanks to your Orc heritage, you possess a hidden bestial rage that temporarily boosts your stamina and strength. You gain 20% to all strength-based skills, abilities, and attacks. As well as slows down stamina consumption.


    Abilities


    Animal Empathy: From a easy glance you are able to determine an animal''s demeanor to you, as well as having a better understanding of how to improve the demeanor.


    Animal Link: Once a day you are able to choose an animal who is neutral with you and create a telepathic link with the chosen animal for twenty four hours or until you sever the link.


    Identify (inferior): The basic ability that most intelligent being, can be used to identify items, creatures, and other humanoids.


    Spells


    Heal (inferior): You are able to spend Ten mana to heal you or a willing target for ten hit points.


    Nature''s Assistant: You can spend four mana to help a plant grow a stage in its growth or remove any harmful effect it may have. The bigger the growth or larger effect consumes more mana.


    Animal Affinity: You are able to spend fifty mana to manifest one animal body part on your body for ten minutes.


    Skills


    Universal Translate: No worrying about language barrier, anything spoken, or read will be translated to a language you understand.


    Animal Empathy: From a easy glance you are able to determine an animal''s demeanor to you, as well as having a better understanding of how to improve the demeanor.


    CONGRATULATIONS!


    You¡¯ve taken the first step in your journey of self-improvement. In this world, both your mind and body will be constantly tested. Consider this a word of caution, noble adventurer: focusing too heavily on a single "stat" may leave you vulnerable when faced with challenges, potentially leading to irreversible consequences.


    Many adventurers choose to prioritize strength and power, but this can bind them, creating limitations. Similarly, wizards and scholars devote themselves to knowledge, yet their pursuit can become a prison, trapping them in a single mindset.


    That¡¯s why we urge you to seek the strength of others. Surround yourself with companions who can complement your weaknesses, push you to learn, and help you grow in ways that go beyond mere stats. Together, you can enhance your journey and achieve greatness.


    STAND TALL. KEEP MOVING FORWARD. BREAK THROUGH YOUR LIMITS AND GROW STRONGER!


    Tim heard a noise beside him and turned to see Simon staring at him. "What?" he asked.


    ¡°It¡¯s definitely strange," Simon replied, still watching Tim closely. "Your body just morphed a little right in front of me. It wasn¡¯t a huge change, but if you weren¡¯t paying attention, anyone could have missed it. Still, it was interesting to watch."


    Tim glanced at his arms. He could definitely see more muscle tone than before¡ªnot a huge difference, but noticeable. "Well, you saw mine. Let''s see yours," he said, looking at Simon.


    Simon nodded and focused. It didn¡¯t take long before Tim noticed a subtle change. His muscles, while smaller than Tim¡¯s, became more defined. Simon¡¯s lean build was becoming more apparent, and Tim guessed he''d boosted his Dexterity. Simon¡¯s skin also seemed to improve, with some minor imperfections vanishing. His hair had a subtle shine, as if kissed by the sun, but without actually being in direct light. In essence, Simon¡¯s moon elf form was becoming more attractive.


    "So, did you notice anything?" Simon asked.


    Tim took another look. Simon seemed a bit more filled out, his cheeks fuller. He hadn¡¯t realized it before, but now he could see the difference. "Yeah, you filled out and toned up a bit¡ªnot like you added muscle, but more like you¡¯ve trained them. You¡¯ve got more definition. And your skin¡¯s clearer. Your hair is shinier, too."


    Simon grinned. "Makes sense. The definition probably came from the dexterity boost. The fuller look is from me raising my constitution to ten. I also increased my intelligence, but I don¡¯t know what would show that. Thank God my head didn¡¯t expand." He chuckled. "As for looks, that¡¯s from raising my charisma."


    Tim nodded thoughtfully. "Okay, so what are your stats now?"


    Simon paused, then recited his numbers. "Ten Strength, fourteen Dexterity, ten Constitution, sixteen Intelligence, ten Wisdom, and fourteen Charisma. I think my path leans toward magic, so increasing intelligence and my mana pool seems like the best route. What about you?"


    Tim quickly checked his own stats. "Same order: fourteen Strength, fourteen Dexterity, sixteen Constitution, ten Intelligence, twelve Wisdom, and eight Charisma."


    ¡°Well if the vulture bear is one of the worst things in this area, we are better prepared and have a grasp of things.¡± Simon said


    "I think we should share our character names," Tim added. "We¡¯ll need them when we meet new people. Glean made us pick names for a reason. My guess is that names have power, and some magic requires actual names to work."


    ¡°I¡¯d have to agree with that conclusion. Ok.¡± he paused for dramatic effect, smirking. ¡°My name is Sais.¡±


    Tim blinked, confused. "Says? Like, S-A-Y-S?"


    Smions grinned persisted. ¡°I spelled it S-A-I-S. It sounds like ¡®says,¡¯ but more like a name.¡±


    Tim quirked an eyebrow. ¡°You named yourself Sais, and that¡¯s funny?¡±


    The author''s narrative has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon. ¡°You''re missing the bigger picture. My name was Simon and now it is Sais put them together you get Simon Sais.¡± Not able to contain his laughter anymore letting it out.


    Tim chuckled a bit in return. ¡°You made your name a meme.¡±


    ¡°Well think about it, if I get like a hold person spell or something similar, I can yell. I SAY FREEZE!¡± Sais replied, still grinning ear to ear.


    Tim laughed. "Okay, I can¡¯t deny that¡¯s clever."


    Simon leaned back, clearly proud. "Alright, Mr. Original. What¡¯s your name?"


    ¡°I went with an oldie but a goody. Cromus!¡± Tim replied, with a hint of pride in his voice.


    Sais gave Cromus a flat look. "Cromus? Seriously? You¡¯re judging me for my name, and you went with that?"


    Tim defensively crossed his arms. "What? It¡¯s a strong name. It feels powerful."


    A devilish grin spread across Simon¡¯s face. "Have you ever Googled that name?"


    Tim felt a sinking feeling. "No... why?"


    Simon burst out laughing. "It¡¯s a brand of toothpaste in a foreign country. You¡¯re basically named after minty fresh toothpaste!"


    Tim¡¯s jaw dropped. "What?!"


    "Yup. Minty fresh," Simon teased.


    Tim groaned. "Fine. Fine. I won¡¯t make fun of your name if you promise never to remind me of this again."


    "Deal." Simon smirked. "Let¡¯s get moving. We¡¯ve got work to do."


    As they stood up, Cromus felt lighter than he had before. He bounced on his heels, then jumped¡ªa solid four feet. "Whoa! What¡¯s the deal?" Sais asked, eyes wide.


    Cromus landed smoothly, feeling no strain. "Sorry, I just wanted to see how high I could jump from a standing position. My body feels so light."


    Sais chuckled. ¡°Compared to our past selves, yeah that is a miracle.¡±


    "I¡¯m guessing running¡¯s going to be an experience too," Cromus said as he grabbed his bag. "Ready to move out?"


    Sais nodded, slinging his bag over his shoulder and grabbing his crossbow. "Let¡¯s go. Maybe we can find a cave or something. Shelter sounds good."


    ¡°Alright maybe we can head the way the vulture bear came from and maybe find a den.¡± Cromus said.


    "Yeah, but what if we find a mate of that vulture bear?" Sais asked.


    Cromus frowned. "True. But I doubt that¡¯s the case. If it¡¯s like regular bears, they only mate and leave. It¡¯s rare for them to stay together."


    ¡°I¡¯ll take your word for it, nature boy.¡± Sais replied.


    As they walked, Cromus couldn¡¯t help but notice the destruction around them. The path the vulture bear had left was a mess¡ªbroken branches, flattened bushes, and more.


    A prompt appeared in Cromus¡¯s vision.


    Congratulations!!! You have improved the Survivor skill. As a novice, you can now track living things, have a natural sense of direction, and will rarely get lost in later levels, as you grow tracking will become much easier, You will be able to notice smaller prints, broken paths and understand how long prints have been left for, in the span of eight hours.


    ''That definitely will come in handy.¡¯ Cromus thought to himself. He then noticed a rabbit laying dead not far from the path, he bent down and picked it up.


    Sais gave him a look. ¡°What are you doing?¡±


    ¡°All we have in our bags are small rations, we can practice cleaning and cooking it. Worst comes to worse; it is used for some experience and skill training.¡± He explained as a new prompt appeared:


    Skill unlocked: Looting


    Would you like to loot a young rabbit? Yes/no


    Pausing not taking his eyes off the prompt. ¡°Sais, did you by chance touch the vulture bear?¡± He asked not looking back.


    ¡°No. I was too focused on making sure my friend wasn¡¯t going to die. Wh..?¡± He started to ask then stopped himself. ¡°You just got a prompt to loot the Rabbit.¡±


    In response Cromus mentally clicked yes. the rabbit dissolved into the air, leaving two pieces of meat and a neatly folded pelt.


    Grabbing the meat and the pelt, he turned with Sais and they hurried back to the dead vulture bear.


    Only hesitating for a second, Sais reached out and touched the Vulture Bear.


    Skill unlocked: Looting


    Would you like to loot Bearded Vulture Bear? Yes/No


    Sais mentally clicked yes and the body started to dissolve. All the items were laid out neatly, the hide was folded nicely, the talon¡¯s laying on top of it, the core next to them, followed by twelve pieces of meat, which were not small pieces each was around the size of half a rotisserie chicken.


    Sais picked up the core, which felt lighter than it looked. Inside, mist swirled red, black, brown and purple. watching the swirl he used identify.


    Corrupted Bearded Vulture Bear Core: This core has been tainted, once the foreign energy has been removed the core can be used for crafting, rituals, and even to improve oneself. Using it before the removal of the foreign energy could have severe consequences.


    ¡°Hey Cromus heads up.¡± Sais said, grabbing Cromus¡¯s attention before throwing the core to him.


    Cromus caught it and looked at it, getting the same info Sais did. ¡°So someone or something affected the Bearded Vulture Bear?¡±


    ¡°That is what I am thinking.¡± Sais replied.


    A prompt appeared in both their visions.


    Quest: Discover what corrupted the Bearded Vulture Bear. Reward: 150 XP and a choice of a Bearded Vulture Bear Quiver or Pendant. Do you accept? Yes/No


    Without a word, both accepted the quest.


    "How do you want to divide the loot?" Sais asked, surveying the items.


    "Let¡¯s wait," Cromus replied. "We don¡¯t even know what we can use these materials for yet. We might want to sell them, depending on where we end up."


    "I agree," Sais said. "The hide might make good armor, and these talons could be crafted into weapons. But we¡¯ll hold onto everything for now."


    They packed up and continued down the vulture bear¡¯s path. Soon, they noticed even more destruction: dead squirrels, torn trees, and the aftermath of a beast in a blind rage. Cromus uneased by the sight, went to every animal he saw.


    ¡°You are a good person Cromus. My past choices would take far longer to understand this easy lesson. I am pleased with Glean''s choice. You are quickly becoming one of my favorites. I respect the cycle predator vs prey, or even predator vs predator for territory or even treasure, but senseless murder, and waste of resources is not right. Know I am always watching you, and always with you.¡±


    ¡®Gaia?¡¯ Cromus thought, hoping for a reply.


    A warm sensation lingered in his chest, but no words came. Maybe one day, he could communicate more directly.


    They walked for what felt like hours, coming upon another scene of destruction. Cromus had three pieces of rabbit meat, while Sais had five. They¡¯d spotted a buck, but it was decided that leaving it would be the wisest choice. They were starting to run out of ways to carry things, and who knew how long the meat would last.


    Cromus noticed some old wolf tracks¡ªtoo old for him to identify¡ªbut they were numerous, going back and forth. He was sure the wolves would find the dead buck soon and take advantage of a free meal.


    ¡°Hey we could possibly learn some fishing too if we find shelter nearby.¡± Cromus said


    ¡°Definitely. Fish will not be as gamy as rodent meat.¡± Sais replied


    Cromus¡¯s stomach growled loudly. After the fight and the long walk, he felt a growing hunger. It wouldn¡¯t take much to convince him to sit down and eat.


    As time passed, the forest around them started to come to life. Birds chirped, and Cromus caught sight of a few squirrels on the opposite riverbank. He felt a warmth in his chest, realizing how tense he¡¯d been until now. Without realizing it, he relaxed, letting the forest sounds wash over him.


    The river soon veered right, while the vulture bear''s tracks led left. Cromus was about to ask Sais which direction he preferred when he felt an inexplicable pull toward the left. He followed the tracks, trusting his instinct.


    The tracks, now older and harder to follow, were marked by broken branches and scratched trees, which made it easier. They came to a thick patch of bushes, and as Cromus moved to push them aside, he felt that same pull again. He parted the bushes and, sure enough, behind them, partially hidden by branches, was a tall earth mound with a cave entrance. It seemed like the perfect place to camp¡ªwell-hidden and offering decent shelter.


    ¡°Well, I think we found our campsite,¡± he said, smiling at Sais.


    Sais approached. "I wonder if it has just one entrance, or if there''s more inside."


    Cromus peered into the cave, using the setting sun¡¯s light. He could see a significant portion of it, but the back was hidden. There was no clear sign of a second entrance, but he did spot a small nest made of grass, likely used by the vulture bear. Just as he was about to step inside, he felt his shirt tugged, and Sais¡¯s eyes met his.


    ¡°Slowly, and quietly,¡± Sais whispered, setting down his bag and drawing his crossbow.


    Though Cromus was still sure the vulture bear was a solitary creature, the battle they¡¯d fought earlier had made him cautious. He set down his own bag, drew his scimitar with his left hand, and entered.


    Inside, the cave was dark¡ªan eerie kind of dark. The nest was about ten feet ahead, on the right. Twelve feet across, the cave¡¯s size felt imposing. As Cromus moved forward, his foot crunched down on something brittle. Looking down, he saw animal bones, possibly from a deer, but also a humanoid skull. He froze, noticing that the teeth were sharp, with the back teeth suggesting the creature had a diet that included harder materials.


    They moved further in. Another twenty feet brought them to the back of the cave. It was empty, with no other entrances or exits.


    "Well, it''s a nice little hideaway," Sais said.


    "Or a trap if something else comes in and blocks our exit," Cromus replied.


    "True. But given your theory about the vulture bear being solitary, I don¡¯t think we have to worry. Nothing¡¯s likely to wander into its territory until it¡¯s gone."


    "Yeah, even the wolf tracks we saw seemed to avoid the area we were traveling."


    "Exactly. And with the river nearby, full of fish and plenty of squirrels, we have options for food and experience."


    "Right. But we don¡¯t have any ventilation in here, so we¡¯ll need to set up a fire outside. The ceiling¡¯s only about nine feet high."


    Sais nodded. "Fair enough. Let''s start gathering wood."


    Cromus found enough branches quickly, and they used rocks from the river to form a circle for the fire. Sais took over the fire-making, using dried grass and bark, and soon had a small flame going, adding the wood Cromus had gathered.


    While Sais managed the fire, Cromus skewered some of the meat and roasted it on sticks. "It''s not the prettiest, but it¡¯ll do," he said, holding up the skewered meat.


    By the time the sun had set, they decided the food was ready. Cromus took a bite of the vulture bear meat, his face contorting. It wasn¡¯t the worst thing he¡¯d ever tasted, but it was close. "Ugh," he said, scraping his tongue against his teeth. "That¡¯s rough."


    Sais chuckled.


    "You wait, bud," Cromus grinned. "We weren¡¯t exactly trained campfire chefs."


    "Oh, I figured. But come on, we both knew those awesome steaks we had back with Glean and Fey were going to be our last good meal for a while." Sais responded.


    "Yeah. I got too used to all the fatty, sugary foods back home. I miss those."


    "This world might not even know what salt is. It could be a rare commodity."


    Cromus took another bite. "We could change that and make a fortune. But for now, we¡¯ll have to make do."


    Sais smirked and tried the meat himself. His reaction was almost identical to Cromus¡¯s. "Okay, you''re right. We¡¯re not great cooks," he said, laughing.


    Cromus chuckled too. They ate in silence, the warmth from the fire and the sounds of the forest filling the air. He couldn¡¯t help but relax, staring up at the stars as they began to appear. He could hear an owl in the distance, probably waking up for its nightly hunt, and wolves howling southward, likely feasting on the deer.


    "To think," Cromus mused, "our first day here, we fought one of the scariest things in this forest, leveled up, saw this beautiful untouched forest and river, and now we''re relaxing by a campfire in a cave, preparing for sleep."


    "Yep," Sais agreed. "But I''ve got one last trick I want to try before we crash."


    Before Cromus could ask what he meant, another portal opened in front of them. This one was much smaller¡ªabout thirty inches wide. A little ball of iron with blades for wings flapped out, landing on Sais¡¯s shoulder as the portal closed behind it.


    Cromus¡¯s eyes widened. It looked like an owl, but with clear mechanical parts¡ªgears and metal plates covering its body. Its eyes were large, covered by glass, the edge of the glass circled by a gear. The little creature hooted at Cromus before turning to hoot at Sais.


    His eyes widened a bit, ¡°Yes I am Sais, and this is Cromus.¡± it hooted again.


    ¡°Henry says hello.¡± Sais said to Cromus this time.


    ¡°Henry? I did not expect that to be its name.¡± Cromus replied.


    Henry¡¯s gears speed up and body Puffed up expanding. ¡°He is not an it Cromus¡± Sais scolded.


    ¡°I''m sorry Henry, I meant no offense.¡± Cromus apologized, a little embarrassed.


    Henry deflated a bit and hooted a couple more times. ¡°Clockworks with high intelligence tend to choose a name, and wish to be acknowledged as beings which they rightfully are.¡±


    ¡°Fair enough, again Henry I apologize. This is all very new to us. Happy to have you here as long as you can stay.¡±


    ¡°Henry is my familiar, and he will be with us till this form is destroyed or I dismiss him.¡±


    Cromus grinned. "Looking forward to working with you, Henry. I still can''t get over all this... it¡¯s badass." He laughed. "Ignoring the part where I almost died, of course."


    Sais grinned as well. "I''m excited too. Just summoning him got me a couple of notifications. I can cast spells through him and even see through his eyes."


    "That¡¯ll definitely come in handy for scouting," Cromus said.


    Before Sais could reply, Henry hooted and flapped his wings.


    "Looks like Henry¡¯s excited," Cromus said with a smirk.


    "He is," Sais replied. "He says he¡¯s glad he was summoned by a polite summoner... and a polite... friend." Sais forced a smile, glancing at Henry, who seemed to puff up in satisfaction.


    "Hold on," Cromus said, narrowing his eyes. "You almost slipped up there."


    Sais shot Henry a look. "It¡¯s nothing. Just a misunderstanding, like calling Henry an ''it.'' He¡¯s used to creatures with less intelligence serving those with higher intellect."


    Cromus narrowed his eyes. ¡°Careful clocky, this dumb servant might mistake you for food.¡±


    Henry puffed up again and hooted loudly, flying off Sais¡¯s shoulder and approaching Cromus, making an intimidating display causing Cromus to defend himself with his half eaten food on a stick, Henry hooted before circling back landing back on Sais¡¯s other shoulder as he laughed.


    ¡°What? What did he say?¡± Cromus asked, frowning.


    Taking a minute to calm his laughter. ¡°If you had an intelligence over a common field rat you would know doing that would just make this form vanish from the damage instead of getting any actual food out of it. shut your tusk mouth, pay attention and maybe you can learn something from the master.¡± Henry gave another Hoot lifting his beak to the sky.


    Cromus groaned. "Looks like it''s going to be one of those relationships," he said, looking up at the sky.


    He closed his eyes, listening to the still-alive sounds of the forest¡ªthe wind rustling through the leaves, and the steady hum of insects. Despite being more of a homebody back on the farm, he felt oddly at peace here. The grass was soft, the air fresh. Before long, he was fast asleep.

 Chapter 5: Pink Dodge Ball!

    ¡°Cromus, wake up. It''s time you take over the watch.¡± Sais was saying and nudging his shoulder.


    Cromus opened his eyes and sat up with a yawn. ¡°My watch?¡± he mumbled, rubbing his eyes.


    ¡°Yeah, you passed out, so I took the first watch. Now it''s your turn.¡± He was standing with Henry on his shoulder.


    ¡°Oh, sorry. The grass was just really comfy.¡± Cromus replied. ¡°You go ahead, in the cave if you want. I''ll stay out here and keep watch. Try to get some good sleep.¡±


    ¡°Thanks, Henry doesn¡¯t need sleep. I know you won¡¯t be able to chat with him, but he can keep an eye out with you.¡± Sais paused as though waiting for something. At first, Henry seemed resistant, but after a few moments of silence, Cromus got the sense that Sais and Henry were communicating mentally. Henry''s mood shifted from that of a loud, mischievous child to someone more subdued¡ªperhaps scolded, Cromus thought.


    ¡°If you want,¡± Cromus added, ¡°only if Henry wants too.¡±


    Another silence followed, then Sais spoke again. ¡°He¡¯s willing to keep watch with you.¡±


    Cromus couldn¡¯t shake the feeling that there was more behind Henry¡¯s agreement¨Csomething like, ¡®I don¡¯t like it, but for you, master, I¡¯ll watch over him.¡¯


    ¡°Hey, what''s that look for?¡± Sais asked


    Cromus quickly snapped out of it. ¡°Oh! Nothing. Just thinking about a dream I had. Don¡¯t worry about it. Go rest. I¡¯ll wake you in six hours or so.¡±


    Sais nodded, then Henry flew to a nearby branch by the cave entrance and Sais disappeared into the bushes covering the cave.


    A couple of hours passed, and Cromus found himself overthinking. He felt a bit guilty for what he¡¯d said earlier¡ªthough it was justified in a way. Different cultures, different perspectives..


    ¡°Hey,¡± he said, looking up at Henry, who was still perched on the branch. ¡°I know you can¡¯t reply, but I know you can understand me.¡±


    Henry¡¯s large eyes met his, and Cromus continued, turning his gaze back to the fire. ¡°You¡¯re Sais¡¯s familiar now. I¡¯m his friend. We¡¯re going to be around each other a lot. So... I¡¯m sorry about the threat I made earlier. But I¡¯m not Sais¡¯s servant, underling, or anything like that. He and I go way back. When you said... or when you communicated that I was less than a friend, it put me on the defensive. I shouldn¡¯t have reacted like that, but I did. I¡¯ll try to do better.¡±


    Henry gave a soft hoot, then flapped his wings. A weight landed on Cromus¡¯s left shoulder. He glanced over to see Henry had perched there, his eyes closing in what could only be interpreted as a bow.


    ¡°Apology accepted!¡± Cromus said, smiling.


    Henry hooted once in confirmation.


    ¡°Good. We¡¯re on better footing now,¡± Cromus said, feeling a little more at ease.


    Henry paused, glancing down at his feet. Cromus chuckled softly. ¡°No, no. It¡¯s a figure of speech. Where I come from, it means things are better between us. Like walking on smooth pavement instead of rocky ground. It¡¯s a good thing.¡±


    Henry responded with a soft hoot, almost like an acknowledgment.


    ¡°Cool. I think I understand your body language now. These next hours can go by quietly. I like the sound of the forest, but... how about I try to ask you yes or no questions? Hoot once for no, twice for yes. Sound good?¡±


    Henry hooted twice.


    ¡°Is this your first time in this world?¡± Cromus asked.


    Henry paused, staring at him.


    ¡°Not sure?¡± Cromus guessed, then received two hoots.


    ¡°Alright, we¡¯ll find out when we visit a big city and get maps.¡±


    ¡°Is your home filled with others like you? Creatures of high intelligence?¡± Two hoots.


    ¡°The defender that Sais summons¡ªwas it an intelligent being?¡± One hoot.


    ¡°Good to know,¡± Cromus muttered, relieved. ¡°Do you reproduce like a mammal?¡± One hoot.


    ¡°Is it more like an assembly line where one entity creates all the clockworks and decides their purpose?¡± Two hoots.


    ¡°Is it one giant clockwork that creates the others?¡± Two hoots. Henry flew down to the earth, tapping his right foot twice on the ground.


    ¡°Is it a deity?¡± One hoot.


    ¡°A large clockwork being that creates all others?¡± Two hoots.


    ¡°The world itself?¡± Two hoots.


    ¡°Your entire world is a clockwork being?¡± Two hoots.


    ¡°Once created, does it have control over you? Can it summon you back, or make you do things you don¡¯t want to?¡± One hoot.


    ¡°Good to know,¡± Cromus said, feeling more at ease. ¡°Do you know who Gaia is?¡± Two hoots.


    ¡°Do you feel any connection to her, even though you¡¯re a clockwork owl?¡± One hoot.


    ¡°Can you see in the dark?¡± Two hoots.


    ¡°Do you level up with Sais?¡± Two hoots.


    ¡°Will you evolve or change as you level?¡± Henry hesitated, blinking as if searching for the right words, but then gave two hoots.


    ¡°Another mystery, huh?¡± Cromus muttered. ¡°Are there clockwork dinosaurs?¡± Two hoots.


    ¡°Could Sais summon them later, and could they be useful?¡± Four hoots, yes for both questions.


    His eyes lit up. ¡°A Clockwork T-Rex?¡± He asked eagerly, practically bouncing in his seat. Henry hooted with excitement.


    ¡°Yes! I want to see one!¡± Cromus exclaimed. Henry hooted again, as if joining in the excitement.


    Cromus calmed down a bit, looking into the fire. ¡°You know, magic, clockwork creatures, beings from other worlds¡ªthese things are normal to you. But where I come from, we dream about this stuff. We write books, make games, movies... it¡¯s all a form of escape. But here I am, living it. I don¡¯t know if I should feel lucky or not. I mean, life back home wasn¡¯t perfect, but I had friends and family. None of them will ever know what happened to me. Same for Sais.¡± He fell silent, lost in thought.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know how they¡¯re doing, or if they¡¯re even thinking about me. Maybe they¡¯re making jokes about how Sais and I ran off to start a new life together. I want to think they miss me, but part of me hopes they¡¯ve forgotten me. I don¡¯t want them to worry.¡±


    His gaze drifted to the dwindling campfire, and he wiped a small tear from his cheek. He felt a cool metallic touch below his ear. Henry had leaned against him, making a soft ticking sound. It was oddly soothing, like the ticking of a clock beside a sleeping puppy. Maybe that¡¯s what it was¡ªsome kind of comfort.


    ¡°Sorry, didn¡¯t mean to get emotional,¡± Cromus muttered, gently patting Henry on the head. ¡°Just something on my mind, I guess.¡±


    Henry responded with a soft hoot, as though to say, ¡®It¡¯s okay, don¡¯t worry about it.¡¯


    ¡°I guess my stats fit me well,¡± Cromus said with a weak laugh. ¡°I¡¯m not great with words but decent at body language, I seem to be good at reading others.¡±


    Henry hooted in agreement, giving Cromus a confidence boost.If you encounter this tale on Amazon, note that it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.


    ¡°I can¡¯t believe how different things would¡¯ve been if we had stats like these back home,¡± Cromus said, chuckling at the thought. ¡°Imagine if we could just read people''s character sheets and see what they were really like?¡±


    Henry tilted his head curiously, and suddenly an alert box popped up in front of Cromus¡¯s eyes.


    Henry wishes to share his character page with you. In return, he will see yours. Do you agree to exchange a look? Yes/No.


    Cromus selected Yes.


    Name: Henry


    Level 1 clockwork owl


    Health: 50/50


    Mana: 120/120


    Stamina: 120/120


    Stats


    Strength: 5


    Dexterity: 12


    Constitution: 5


    Intelligence: 12


    Wisdom: 10


    Charisma: 10


    Race: Clockwork Owl, most are created with a higher intelligence than others of the clockwork variant. Mostly used as scouts, and information gatherer''s, and great companions. used as an extension of oneself, as a familiar can be used as a median for certain spells.


    Spells


    Far sight: Gives the user the ability to zoom in on a target that would normally be too far to make out details. Cost ten mana then ten stamina which doubles after every minute as you continue to use the spell.


    Haste: Double the movement and speed of all actions of the target, after five minutes the individual who was the target becomes exhausted.


    Skills


    Identify: A skill that allows the user to Identify a person, creature, or item. level varies how much information one can pull with the skill.


    Magical flight: It is not the flap of the wings, or air around them that causes the user to fly but the manipulation of mana in the air and their own magical abilities that raises them to the skies.


    ¡°So flight for you isn¡¯t like a regular bird, makes sense since you¡¯re made of heavier stuff. Birds have hollow bones and are far more fragile.¡± Cromus said, reading over Henry¡¯s character sheet.


    Henry didn¡¯t respond immediately. He seemed to be absorbed in studying the sheet for a few more moments before blinking and hooting twice.


    ¡°Wait, does that mean people can learn to fly the same way you do?¡± Cromus asked, catching the reply of two hoots.


    His eyes widened as a smile spread across his face. He went silent for a moment, lost in thought, until Henry let out a questioning hoot.


    ¡°Oh, sorry. The idea of being able to fly¡­ it¡¯d be the ultimate form of freedom. What better way to express that than by defying gravity?¡± Cromus laughed softly, as if working through a personal realization. ¡°At least that¡¯s how I interpret it.¡±


    He looked up at the night sky, imagining himself soaring among the stars. All the things he could now do amazed him. Back home, in his old body, he had always been out of shape. His thoughts trailed off before he shook his head, as if clearing his mind.


    Another hoot, more insistent this time. Henry was waiting for an explanation.


    ¡°I was just daydreaming about the future¡­ the possibilities that are actually within my reach now,¡± Cromus murmured, more to himself than Henry. ¡°Not like before, when I could only dream about things, see myself doing them, but they always seemed so far out of reach. But this¡ªthis is real. I¡¯ve got opportunities. Today, I fought a creature toe-to-toe. I almost died, but I¡¯ve never felt more alive than I did back in my old life.¡± He paused, then added with a small chuckle, ¡°Am I an adrenaline junkie and just never realized it? Or maybe it¡¯s just that knowing it¡¯ll be harder for me to die now¡­ it¡¯s breaking through the fear barrier.¡±


    Henry stayed silent, watching him carefully, sensing this was something Cromus had to work through on his own.


    ¡°Nah,¡± Cromus muttered, shaking his head again, ¡°that¡¯s a rabbit hole I don¡¯t want to fall into. It¡¯s just¡­ exciting, you know? So many possibilities. All I know is that I want freedom. I want to protect the people I care about and experience everything this world has to offer. I don¡¯t know where this path will take me, but I do know one thing¡ªI''m going to make the name Cromus mean something. When people hear it, it¡¯ll mean something. And there will be stories attached to it. Hopefully good ones.¡± He turned to smile at Henry, but the owl wasn¡¯t looking at him.


    Henry was focused on the tree line, his gaze sharp.


    ¡°What is it, Henry?¡± Cromus asked, turning his attention to the shadows beyond. But before he could say more, Henry took off, flying silently toward the trees. Cromus rose to his feet, reaching for his scimitar just in case.


    Henry landed on a branch, eyeing the ground. Cromus approached, pushing aside the bushes and finding a large footprint, with three long toes that ended in round, bulbous tips. The print was fresh, and the shape made Cromus think of a giant frog. He crouched down, examining it closely.


    After a few moments, he straightened up. ¡°It¡¯s definitely not a normal frog. And it¡¯s fresh.¡± He dropped his voice lower. ¡°Let¡¯s move.¡±


    They began following the tracks, Henry gliding silently from branch to branch above them, while Cromus stayed low, keeping his eyes on the ground. Ten minutes later, the tracks ended. Cromus stopped, scanning the area for any sign of the creature. The silence stretched on. ¡°Did it realize we were following it? If so, it¡¯s more than just a simple frog.¡±


    Before he could ponder further, a rustling came from behind. Cromus crouched, holding his breath, his muscles tensed, ready to spring into action.


    The rustling slowed and then stopped. A flying ball appeared in his face, hooting loudly.


    ¡°Henry, what the hell?!¡± Cromus jerked his head back, startled.


    ¡°HOOT HOOT!¡± Henry responded, not in the least concerned.


    The bushes parted, and Sais stepped through, a grin on his face. ¡°There you two are,¡± he said casually. ¡°Henry didn¡¯t want you attacking me.¡±


    Cromus blinked, confused. ¡°How did you find us? And when did you wake up?¡±


    ¡°Henry,¡± Sais replied, as though it should have been obvious. ¡°He woke me up by mentally calling out to me. Said there could be trouble and guided me here. He mentioned that whatever it was, it seems to have noticed you two following it.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, I haven¡¯t been able to find any more tracks,¡± Cromus said, gesturing at the ground. ¡°But they definitely looked like a larger frog footprint. Follow me, I¡¯ll show you.¡±


    Sais crouched down beside the print, examining it. ¡°Yeah, it¡¯s definitely a frog¡¯s footprint,¡± he agreed. ¡°But it looks like whatever it was is gone.¡±


    Cromus looked around once more, his gaze lingering on the trees and bushes. Something felt off. ¡°Unless you think differently?¡±


    ¡°No,¡± Cromus answered after a moment. ¡°The tracks end here. Nothing feels like it''s watching us.¡±


    Sais nodded, though his expression remained thoughtful. ¡°Does that feeling seem a bit stronger here? In this world, I mean?¡±


    ¡°Yeah,¡± Cromus admitted. ¡°Everything feels stronger here¡ªmore heightened, more real. But it¡¯s not like I¡¯m superhuman yet, at least not in the ways I¡¯d expect.¡±


    ¡°Could be,¡± Sais mused. ¡°But whatever that thing was, it¡¯s clearly smarter than the Vulture Bear we dealt with. It knew we were tracking it and got away without leaving a trace. Henry agrees.¡±


    Henry hooted in confirmation.


    ¡°Definitely a good idea to be more cautious during watches,¡± Sais continued. ¡°Maybe even try setting some traps around camp so we can¡¯t be snuck up on as easily. They know where we¡¯re at.¡±


    ¡°They?¡± Cromus asked, furrowing his brow.


    ¡°Yeah,¡± Sais replied, his voice dropping. ¡°This isn¡¯t just a creature like the Vulture Bear. These things are smart¡ªenough to scout us, then disappear without us noticing. They¡¯ve got some higher intelligence. And Henry agrees with me.¡± Henry hooted again, almost as if on cue.


    ¡°Probably a good call,¡± Cromus said, but then his gut churned. Something wasn¡¯t right. Turning around all he saw was ¡®A large pink, Ball?¡¯


    It smashed into his face¡ªwet, sticky, and oddly familiar. It felt like one of those dodgeballs from grade school, the kind that left a lingering rubbery scent that made you gag when you breathed it in too deeply. But this wasn¡¯t just any dodgeball. This one was soaked through, clinging to him with a gross, unnatural wetness.


    As it collided with his face, Cromus felt it splatter across his skin, spreading like syrup, sticky and cold. He tried to shift his weight, to pull his feet under him, but they wouldn¡¯t obey. His legs were useless. The world spun around him as he fell backward, still trapped in the strange, wet grip of whatever this thing was.


    The ball¡ªor whatever it was¡ªpulled away from him, but not without resistance. It clung to his face as if glued there, dragging him along like a puppet on invisible strings. Pain flared across his skin as it tore at his face, pulling away hair from his mustache, right eyebrow, and part of his beard. He winced, feeling a sharp sting as it yanked at his flesh, but his limbs refused to move, frozen in place.


    Then, his body was upright again, but the tongue¡ªor whatever it was¡ªwas tearing itself free from his skin, and he felt the last of his control slip away.


    His eyes, though, were still working. He saw it. The ball wasn¡¯t a ball at all. It was a tongue¡ªa long, thick, serpentine tongue¡ªattached to a frog-like creature crouching on a tree seven feet away. Its camouflage was nearly perfect, blending into the shadows of the branches, but Cromus could see the subtle shift in movement, the way the air seemed to tremble around the creature. He stared hard, his vision blurry from the fall, but that was enough. He locked eyes with the creature just before his jaw collided with the ground.


    The impact slammed his teeth together, jarring him, but he couldn¡¯t even scream.


    ¡°Cromus!¡± Sais shouted, his voice strained, followed by a grunt as another tongue whipped across him with a sickening crack. Then there was a hoot, and the unmistakable sound of metal clattering to the earth.


    Cromus¡¯ body was paralyzed, frozen from the neck down. His mind screamed, but it was trapped inside a useless shell. All he could do was breathe and listen.


    One, two, three, four. He heard the soft, almost inaudible thud of webbed feet landing on the earth, each step a reminder of how hopeless their situation was. Four of these creatures had been stalking them, able to move undetected even within a stone''s throw. Their approach was slow and deliberate, but their croaking grew louder. Were they talking? Cromus strained to hear, focusing on the strange guttural sounds that vibrated through the air.


    The next thing he knew, two enormous webbed feet landed beside his head, the ground shaking with their weight. He didn¡¯t need to look up to know the creature was towering over him. His eyes moved, though, and he saw the creature: a frog-like thing, standing upright, its skin a mottled green that seemed to absorb the surrounding shadows. Its eyes glinted in the dim light, cold and calculating, studying him as it crouched.


    The creature pointed at him with a long, spindly finger, with round sticky finger tips.


    ¡°Hey, Frog boy,¡± Cromus managed to rasp, his voice rough with the strain of his paralyzed body. ¡°How about you let me up and fight me fair?¡±


    The creature didn¡¯t move at first, its head tilting slightly as if processing his words. No neck, just a broad, thick body that shifted in place. Then, its throat bulged. It blinked once, then twice. Slowly, the frog-creature¡¯s mouth opened, and a deep, resonant croak filled the air as it croaked, ¡°No-o.¡±


    The creature smacked its lips together, then raised a heavy fist and slammed it down onto Cromus¡¯ face. The world went black.

 Chapter 6: You have been poisoned!

    Cromus abruptly stopped mid-sentence, turning away from Henry and Sais. Before Sais could follow his gaze, a pink ball slammed into his face. That¡¯s not right. It was attached to something. He followed the pink streak back to the open mouth of a massive bullfrog.


    ¡°Cromus!¡± Sais shouted, aiming his crossbow at the creature. But before he could fire, a wet dodgeball-like object slammed into his right cheek. He let out a grunt as he was pushed back, then jerked in the opposite direction. His body froze, unable to respond to anything.


    He heard Henry¡¯s voice in his mind. ¡°CROAKERS!¡± Henry warned, followed by him getting wrapped in a thick net.


    ¡°Shit, are you okay?¡± Sais thought to him, struggling against the paralysis.


    ¡°I¡¯m fine. But Sais, these things come in all shapes and sizes. Don¡¯t let one of the colorful ones give you anything¡ªthey¡¯re deadly poisonous!¡±


    Sais heard Cromus mouthing off, then a weird guttural no, followed by a loud thud.


    A croaker¡¯s feet appeared in Sais¡¯s field of vision. It was smaller than the one he had seen earlier¡ªits yellow skin marked with black splotches. A wicked smile twisted across its face as it grabbed Sais by the jaw, prying it open. Without hesitation, the creature shoved a vial into his mouth. The thick, revolting liquid slid down his throat as Sais tried and failed to fight back, still frozen in place.


    The croaker yanked Sais¡¯s head up before slamming it down onto a rock with a sickening crack. His vision exploded with alert notifications before everything faded.


    YOU HAVE BEEN POISONED!


    When Sais awoke, the sun was directly overhead. His head throbbed painfully, as if it had been split open. He groaned, sitting up and clutching his skull feeling dried blood. Then, the memories flooded back: the ambush, the poison, the Croakers.


    ¡°Cromus! Henry!¡± he shouted, but his stomach churned at the sudden movement. Neither of them was in sight. His crossbow and bolts were gone too. The only thing the Croakers had left him was his clothes.


    His gaze drifted to the corner of his vision where a green skull-and-crossbones icon blinked¡ªa reminder of the poison Henry had warned him about. His health bar was dangerously low¡ªonly 40 hit points remained. The poison had drained more than half of his total health while he was unconscious. He wondered if it would have killed him had he not woken up.


    Without hesitation, Sais spent some mana on his Heal spell, draining 60 mana to restore his health to full.


    He thought about Cromus¡¯s reckless behavior, how he always opened his mouth when he shouldn¡¯t. It was one of the things Sais liked about him, but also a dangerous habit. ¡°If only he would learn that sometimes it¡¯s better to keep quiet,¡± Sais muttered to himself.


    Looking around, Sais could see a trail left by the Croakers. It seemed they hadn¡¯t seen him as a threat, dragging them away without trying to conceal their tracks. But Sais wasn¡¯t sure how far they¡¯d gone, so he decided to return to the campsite first.


    The journey back to the cave left him feeling sick, his health ticking down slowly with each step. After a minute or two, he realized something odd. The poison seemed to be less aggressive the less active he was. That could explain why Henry had been so concerned. If he kept moving, it would only get worse.


    When he reached the cave, he found no signs of the Croakers¡¯ return. Instead, he spotted Cromus¡¯s bow and arrows, along with his daggers. For a moment, Sais thought about how he should¡¯ve chosen a different class¡ªmaybe cleric or rogue. Neither Cromus nor he had any spell to cure the poison, and he had no idea how long he could survive with this handicap.


    Sais needed to act fast. If the poison didn''t kill him outright, it would only be a matter of time before it incapacitated him. He hoped Henry might know something about antidotes or potions, but until then, he would have to find a way to deal with it himself.


    Taking a deep breath, he grabbed the quiver and attached it to his belt. He slid the daggers into the waistband of his pants and took up the bow. But before he moved on, he knew he needed some practice.


    Finding a tree, Sais began to practice with the daggers, attacking in quick, focused movements. At first, his strikes were all over the place, but with each hit, they became more precise. His stamina drained, and the poison ticked higher.


    After a few minutes, he received the alert:


    You¡¯ve Improved one-handed fighting


    You now have improved your skill with one-handed weapons. Your aim is more precise, and your attacks deal full damage. No longer suffering from penalties.


    You¡¯ve Improved Dual weapon fighting


    You have improved your skill with Dual weapon fighting. Your coordination, and timing may be mediocre, but as you improve this skill will be a deadly one in your arsenal.


    His heart raced, and the poison surged, but Sais pushed through the discomfort, putting the daggers away and spending 30 mana to heal himself.


    Next, he focused on the bow. He had already lost some health, but now he needed to hone his aim. He knocked an arrow, took careful aim, and let it fly. The shot went wide, landing far off to the right.


    ¡°Well, that sucked,¡± he thought, sighing. ¡°I knew I wouldn¡¯t be great at it, but I figured a bit of my crossbow skill would transfer.¡± He readied another arrow, this time slowing his breathing and focusing on what he''d read about proper technique.


    His next shot was better, landing a foot below the X he¡¯d marked with the dagger. Sais couldn¡¯t help but grin as he looked at the alert.


    You¡¯ve Improved Archery!


    Your archery skills have greatly improved! With better form and a more refined draw, you''ve unlocked the ability to engage in combat from a distance. While some prefer to face their enemies head-on, others choose to strike from the shadows, ending a battle before it even begins. Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.


    ¡°Yes!¡± he cheered, but the poison continued to eat at him. The improvement in his archery felt good, but he wanted more practice.


    He spent the next few hours alternating between healing himself and refining his aim. When an unexpected alert popped up:


    CONGRATULATIONS!!!


    You have begun the Poison Body enhancement. Through your battle with the Croaker poison coursing through your veins, you''ve developed a remarkable resistance to this toxic threat¡ªno small feat without a substantial health pool or a healer at your side. However, your journey is far from over. To complete this process, you must defeat four more powerful poisons in a similar manner. Once you succeed, you will unlock the Poison Body enhancement, making poisons significantly less harmful¡ªor even entirely ineffective.


    Be warned, though: this is a perilous path. Many have failed in their pursuit of this goal.


    ¡°Interesting,¡± Sais muttered, watching the poison icon disappear from his vision. ¡°If there''s a Poison Body, there must be others for different elements or statuses. Maybe I can make up for my low health with resistance.¡±


    Now, with a bit of clarity and a new goal in mind, Sais felt more confident. He picked up the remaining salvageable arrows from the ground, now down to twenty-five. With the Croakers¡¯ numbers unknown, every shot would count.


    As he began tracking their trail, he considered how confident the Croakers were in his death. They hadn¡¯t bothered to hide their tracks, almost certain the poison would finish him off. But Sais wasn¡¯t going to let them underestimate him.


    About an hour later, he heard Henry¡¯s voice again in his mind.


    ¡°Master!¡±


    ¡°Henry, are you okay? Do you know where Cromus is?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m fine, and Cromus is in a cage on the other side of the cave. He¡¯s still unconscious.¡±


    Sais crouched behind a tree, careful not to make a sound. ¡°How many Croakers are there?¡±


    ¡°Eight so far, with scouts on the outside. They¡¯re mostly the poisonous ones, but there are a few bullfrog types for muscle. They seem to be a slave group, which is why they took Cromus and me, but left you behind.¡±


    Sais frowned. ¡°What do you mean?¡±


    ¡°Half-breeds like Cromus are highly sought after. They¡¯re considered impure beings,¡± Henry explained.


    ¡°Damn bigotry,¡± Sais muttered, clenching his fists. ¡°Cromus isn¡¯t any less of a person for what he is.¡±


    ¡°Most half-breeds are dismissed, unless they have elf or dwarf blood. Those with elf or dwarf ancestry are treated better.¡±


    Sais¡¯s brow furrowed. ¡°So the elves and dwarves rigged things to keep other races beneath them?¡±


    ¡°Typically, yes. Elves and dwarves live longer, but in worlds with high mana, power goes to whoever controls it. After a certain point, lifespans don¡¯t matter.¡±


    Sais thought about this. ¡°So this is a low-mana world?¡±


    ¡°It seems so,¡± Henry confirmed.


    ¡°We¡¯ll deal with that later. Can you stir Cromus awake?¡±


    ¡°Not yet. The Croakers would notice.¡±


    ¡°Alright. I¡¯ll get closer and try to wait for the right moment. Stay safe.¡±


    Letting out a groan, Cromus slowly sat up, his head pounding. "My head..." he muttered, instinctively reaching for his throbbing temple, only to realize his hands were cuffed behind his back. It was hard to keep his eyes open at first, but as things began to come into focus, he found himself in a wooden cage. The memory of the Croakers attacking his group came rushing back. He looked around, searching for Sais. Instead, he spotted a goblin, also caged, with his arms cuffed behind his back.


    "It''s okay, biggin," the goblin said, his voice high-pitched and nasally.


    Cromus blinked, confused. "What did you call me?"


    "Biggin," the goblin repeated, flashing a toothy grin. "You¡¯re big, ain¡¯t ya? Big ''n strong, like them orc folk."


    Cromus frowned. "You mean my orc half?"


    The goblin nodded eagerly, his head bobbing like a puppet. "Yup! That¡¯s what I said! Orc blood makes ya big and tough. You¡¯re lucky. I¡¯m just small ''n quick."


    Cromus shook his head, trying to focus. "Where are we?"


    "In a cage," the goblin said, his tone matter-of-fact. "They caught us. Probably gonna sell us."


    "Sell us?" Cromus repeated, stunned. "As slaves?"


    The goblin gave a lazy shrug. "Yup. That¡¯s what they do. Croakers don¡¯t care ''bout nothin¡¯ but makin¡¯ gold."


    Cromus tested his cuffs, but they were too sturdy. He scowled.


    The goblin snorted. "Don¡¯t bother, biggin. You¡¯ll just make ''em mad. They might tongue ya again."


    Cromus froze. "Tongue me?"


    "Yup," the goblin said, sticking his tongue out dramatically. "They whap ya with their gross, slimy tongue. Makes ya all floppy."


    "Don¡¯t say it like that," Cromus muttered, his face scrunching in disgust.


    "Why not? It¡¯s what happens!" the goblin replied, a mischievous grin spreading across his face.


    Cromus sighed, changing the subject. "How long have you been here?"


    The goblin scratched his head, looking up at the ceiling. "Hmm... Three days. Maybe seven? I sleep a lot."


    "How do you not know if it¡¯s three or seven?" Cromus asked, incredulous.


    The goblin shrugged again. "Ain¡¯t no sun in here. How¡¯m I s¡¯posed to tell?"


    Cromus sighed. "Fair point."


    The goblin''s eyes darted around nervously. "Point? At what?"


    "No, I mean I get it," Cromus said, pinching the bridge of his nose.


    "You get it?" The goblin''s voice rose in alarm. "You can see what I¡¯m thinkin¡¯? That¡¯s spooky, biggin!"


    "No!" Cromus groaned. "I mean you¡¯re right. Forget it."


    The goblin grinned, his sharp teeth glinting in the dim light. "Oh. Yeah, I usually am."


    Cromus decided to shift the conversation. "What¡¯s your name?"


    "Loose Tooth," the goblin replied proudly.


    Cromus raised an eyebrow. "Loose Tooth? That¡¯s your name?"


    "Yup! Had a wobbly one when I was a kid. Never fell out. Still loose!" He wiggled a tooth with his tongue for emphasis.


    Cromus couldn¡¯t help but chuckle. "Well, Loose Tooth, I¡¯m Cromus."


    Loose Tooth cocked his head. "You¡¯re weird, biggin."


    Cromus blinked. "Weird? How?"


    "Most biggins don¡¯t talk to goblins. They just hit us or yell. You¡¯re the first to ask my name."


    Cromus leaned back against the cage. "I guess I am weird. I was raised to treat others how I¡¯d like to be treated."


    Loose Tooth snorted. "Yeah, that¡¯s weird. Round here, the strong live, the weak die, and the smart ones shut up ''n listen."


    "That¡¯s how most places are," Cromus admitted. "But I don¡¯t think it has to be that way. Everyone has something to offer. Like you¡ªbeing small probably makes you harder to catch, right?"


    Loose Tooth grinned. "Oh, yeah! Watch this!" With surprising agility, he tucked his legs up, pulled his cuffs in front of him, and wiggled his fingers. Then he slipped them back behind his back.


    "Impressive," Cromus said, nodding. "Listen, I¡¯ve got a plan. You want out of here, right?"


    "Well, duh," Loose Tooth said, rolling his eyes. "Don¡¯t wanna be no slave."


    Cromus smirked. "Good. Here¡¯s what we¡¯re going to do..."

 Chapter 7: Why didn鈥檛 you do that sooner!

    Cromus felt the fur being ripped from his back, his body tensing as the glow around his head intensified. He straightened, standing tall, and the jaws of the crocodile''s head he summoned snapped open, surrounding his own head like a deadly crown.


    The toad''s eyes widened in shock as the crocodile jaws slammed shut on it, too fast for it to react. It struggled, clawing at the jaws in a desperate attempt to force them open and escape. But crocodile jaws are nearly impossible to pry open once locked. Cromus grinned, recalling all the animal facts he''d absorbed from videos over the years. ¡®Finally, they''re useful.¡¯


    Through the glow, he saw Loose Tooth¡¯s small hands moving quickly toward the key ring. The toad''s thrashing grew stronger, trying to break free, but Cromus held firm, though the creature''s strength lifted him off his feet, at one point.


    Little green fingers wrapped around the ring and with a final yank, Loose Tooth freed the keys, and Cromus¡¯s grin deepened. ¡®Time for the death roll.¡¯ He flung his body into a spin, taking the toad with him. They slammed into the cage, the toad¡¯s feet leaving the ground. Dazed, it had no chance to recover. Cromus slammed its head down again, the crocodile¡¯s teeth digging deeper. With a powerful jerk, he slammed it into the side of the cage, then smashed it down one final time. The toad went limp in his grasp.


    Cromus opened the jaws and stood, chest heaving. Loose Tooth quickly rushed over to free his hands.


    "I¡¯ve never seen a Biggin become something like that before," Loose Tooth said in awe. "You''re something special¡ªlike our shaman!"


    Cromus smiled, his eyes scanning the area as Loose Tooth freed him. "Ok For now, stay hidden. Find anyone who can help us get out of here."


    Loose Tooth gave a sharp nod and dashed out of the cage. Cromus threw the rug over himself, then heard a familiar mechanical hoot. His heart skipped. He turned quickly to see Henry in a small birdcage.


    "Alright, let''s get you out of there," Cromus muttered. He grabbed the cage with one hand and the gate with the other. He pulled, bending the bars with ease, but the lock held firm.


    Henry hooted loudly, then pecked at Cromus¡¯s hand.


    ¡°Ow!¡± Cromus jerked his hand back, irritated. "What the hell, Henry?"


    The owl hooted again and, without hesitation, slipped his foot through the gap Cromus had made. One of his claws flipped downward and back into his foot, a key flipping into its place from the top of his foot. Cromus adjusted the lock, guiding Henry¡¯s foot to insert the makeshift key. With a click, the lock fell and the cage door swung open. Henry let out a triumphant hoot.


    ¡°Why didn¡¯t you do that sooner?¡± Cromus asked


    Hooting at him, and giving a mean look to Cromus he pointed towards the down Croaker.


    Cromus understood then. ¡°Yeah. Ok you are right. We gotta get out of here but I want to help the rest of them.¡±


    Henry hooted and flew out and over his head.


    ¡°Hey where are you going?¡± Cromus asked when after following his flight he saw a smaller Crocker come into view. This one brightly colored, blue with black blotches and holding a bow with arrows. One already knocked and ready to shoot.


    ¡°Shit,¡± Cromus muttered under his breath.


    The Croaker released the arrow, and instinct kicked in. Cromus leaned forward, the arrow flying over his right shoulder by inches. In a normal situation, he¡¯d be freaking out, but here, his body seemed to move almost without thinking. It was like those childhood games of dodgeball or tag¡ªexcept now, the ball was an arrow, and the stakes were much higher. A dodge might just save him, but if it didn''t... well, the impact would be far worse than a simple sting.


    Cromus ran at the Croaker, as it tried to knock another arrow. He was close enough to see his eyes go wide in fear as the large jaws opened wide.


    Preparing himself for its weight like the bigger one earlier he clamped the mouth over it, teeth digging in, blood erupted lifting his head up with determination before he knew it, he was falling backwards, it being much lighter than he expected. With his back hitting the floor, he felt the air rush out his lungs, the teeth slammed deeper into the croaker. More blood splattered and it stopped moving.


    Gasping for air, Cromus dropped the Croaker, sitting up and raising his arms above his head to help his lungs catch up. But before he could fully recover, something thudded into him. A searing pain shot through his left shoulder.


    YOU HAVE BEEN POISONED!


    Instinctively, he reached for the pain, his fingers brushing something sharp. He opened his eyes and pulled his hand back¡ªan arrowhead was lodged in his shoulder. The realization hit him like a bolt: another Croaker was behind him.


    .


    Cromus flipped to his knees, spinning to face behind him. Sure enough, another Croaker stood there¡ªthis one red. He let out a furious yell as his boiling blood racial feat kicked in. His blood surged with heat, a primal fury coursing through him.


    The Croaker aimed and fired, and Cromus barely had time to react. The arrow struck his outer right thigh. The green skull-and-crossbones icon flared up, pulsing larger before shrinking down, with a ¡°x2¡± flickering beneath it. The pain was intense, but it only stoked his rage further.


    With a roar of defiance, Cromus reached over his shoulder and yanked the arrowhead free. Feathers scraped painfully through his flesh. The sensation was strange, but there was no time to dwell on it. Pain like fire shot through his shoulder, his vision blurring as rage consumed him. All he could see now was the red Croaker, and the fear in its eyes. Its hesitation gave Cromus the opening he needed.


    He charged.


    Using the lessons from his earlier attack, he closed the distance in an instant, and with one swift motion, he clamped his jaws around the Croaker. The creature barely had time to react as he lifted it to the left, then jerked his head to the right, throwing the Croaker to the ground with a bone-shattering thud. It didn¡¯t stir again. Blood poured from the jagged wounds left by his teeth.


    Cromus stood over the fallen body, a grim thought running through his mind. ¡®These bowmen are either really weak, or my bite does some serious damage.¡¯ He paused, his eyes scanning the cave. He had pushed deeper inside and was now in the exact place he needed to be.


    A smile crept onto his face as his gaze fell upon the scattered weapons around him. Some were old and battered, their condition poor, but one weapon caught his attention. It was larger than a longsword, but smaller than a greatsword¡ªperfectly balanced. The hilt was crude, wrapped in worn leather, and the quillon was decorated with boar tusks. Two smaller tusks flanked either side of the hilt. The weapon seemed to draw him in, its form clearer than the others in the dim light, as though it were calling to him.


    Cromus reached out, his fingers closing around the hilt.


    Raging Boar. This weapon was forged by an orc smith for his son, who, though smaller than most orcs, overcame his physical limitations through sheer determination. The young orc fought fiercely, earning the respect of his father and his clan. He rose through the ranks until he commanded his own warband, known as the Boars.


    Thanks to your half-orc heritage, you are already proficient with this weapon. As time passes, you will uncover its other hidden properties.


    His smile easily grew again, wind whipped behind his neck. Looking in the direction it came from he saw the croaker he bit and slammed earlier shakily holding his bow.


    Cromus walked over as it tried to load another arrow, reaching out he grabbed and yanked the bow from its hands. It was beaten but. rage continued to grow he felt an urge to finish it, it deserved to die, it put himself, and others in chains. To be sold into slavery. It didn¡¯t deserve to breathe, Blood was needed to pay this debt, not to mention this is not home this is survival of the fittest Gaia understood that this croaker was a hunter that became the hunted, balance dictates it had to die!


    Cromus paused. What are these thoughts running through my head? The realization hit him hard. This croaker was just trying to survive. It was beaten, broken, and terrified. His lip curled into a snarl as he stared down at the trembling creature. The croaker¡¯s eyes widened in fear as Cromus raised the bow high. It ducked its head, lifting its hands in a pathetic attempt to shield itself.


    Without a second thought, Cromus brought the bow down with a powerful swing. There was a sharp crack as it snapped in two. The croaker let out a strangled whine¡ªa noise of pure fear. It blinked, eyes wide, and whimpered as the realization hit. Its jaw dropped, and its hands slowly lowered. It stared at the broken bow, now shattered against the wall beside them.


    Raising Raging Boar to the level of its head, Cromus fixed the croaker with a cold, furious glare. ¡°No more. You attempt anything, or if I see you again after today, your life is forfeit. Do you understand me?¡± His voice was grating, rough¡ªhe tried to keep it steady, but the anger and bloodlust seethed through.


    The croaker sat frozen, mouth agape, eyes wide in terror. Cromus leaned in, his voice rising like thunder. ¡°DO YOU UNDERSTAND ME?¡±


    ¡°Ye... Yes!¡± The croaker stammered, its voice higher-pitched than any he¡¯d heard from its kind, betraying its fear.


    An alarm blared in Cromus¡¯s mind, and he gasped for breath. A quick glance at his stat bars told him why¡ªhis health was below fifty percent. ¡®When did that happen?¡¯ His eyes darted to the skull-and-crossbones icon, now flashing.


    He cursed under his breath and immediately cast Minor Heal. His health surged back to 125, costing him 50 mana. As the healing took effect, he allowed himself a brief moment of relief. But before he could even settle, his health began to tick down again¡ªfrom 125 to 120, then to 115.


    With his heart pounding, he leveled Raging Boar at the croaker, the weapon¡¯s tip sharp and threatening. ¡°Antidote! I¡¯m sure you have one,¡± he growled, his voice now strained and shaky with rising anger.This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.


    It paused, eyeing Cromus then after he started putting his weapon tip at the croaker''s throat it quickly dug into its little pouch in its quiver.


    Pulling out a small vial with a clear liquid in it. Cromus grabbed it, pulled the cork with his teeth and downed it. When he finished it, the croaker was smiling and he saw his times two became times five!


    ¡°YOU SON OF BITCH!¡± Cromus exclaimed his blood pumping faster. ¡°I just spared you, you little shit and you are still trying to kill me.¡± He said as he watched his health drop from one fifteen to one hundred.


    It started a deep chuckle. Before Cromus yelled and skewered it with his raging boar. Causing it to cry out in pain before starting to choke on its own blood.


    Dropping it and his sword he started digging in that pouch all the while partially paying attention to his health bar which was now at eighty-five. He found another one of the vials with clear liquid in it as well as one with blue in it. Eyeing his health again seventy. He used identify on the blue vial.


    Antidote for Croaker poison.


    Cromus quickly drank the antidote, watching as his health ticked down one last time to 55. He sighed in relief, standing up and pulling his sword from the croaker¡¯s body. He kicked it a few times, its empty eyes staring into nothingness.


    ¡°That¡¯s what I get for trying to show mercy to a monster like that. Anyone willing to sell another creature into slavery can¡¯t have anything good left in them,¡± he muttered, frustration boiling over as he delivered one final kick.


    He began casting Minor Heal, his mana draining from 55 to 20 as his health climbed to 90. His shoulders sagged in exhaustion, and he sighed again, Thank Gaia¡­


    Then, a sharp pain stabbed through his right thigh.


    YOU HAVE BEEN POISONED!!!


    He looked down to see an arrow sticking out of his leg. ¡°SON OF A BITCH!¡± Turning around he saw a bright green Croaker. Letting out a roar and he started charging at the croaker . The pain of the arrow stinging every step with his right leg.


    The Croaker looked just as shocked as the others had after his roar of frustration. It trembled, fumbling with its bow, unable to load an arrow quickly enough. Who could? How many humanoids had ever seen something like this¡ªa humanoid body with a translucent crocodile head hovering over its own, its mouth opening to reveal another. Most would find it creepy, if not outright terrifying. And not one of these Croakers had shown any sign of magic so far.


    As the Croaker shook in fear, Cromus closed the distance, swinging his new weapon. The blade sliced cleanly from the creature¡¯s left shoulder to its midsection, and its momentum came to a halt as life drained from its eyes. Cromus paused, surprised by how light it felt. Even with the creature impaled on his blade, the weapon remained easy to hold. His gaze shifted to the skull icon again as his health continued to tick down. He quickly rummaged through the quiver¡¯s pouch, pulling out the blue antidote potion. Without hesitation, he drank it, then removed the lifeless body from his sword.


    The worst part about all of this was the realization that, back home, he never really liked people. Now, in a world where humanoids could kill each other without a second thought¡ªjust choosing to do it¡ªhe wondered what he might become if he just embraced that violence. What would he turn into if he continued down that path?


    At that moment, he made a promise to himself. If he could do better than that, even if it hurt, he would listen to his gut. He knew he couldn¡¯t help everyone, but some things, some actions, were unforgivable.


    A warm sensation filled him, a comforting presence. "Again and again, you prove to me that choosing you as my representative was the right decision. This path you have chosen will not be easy. In fact, in this world, I can only imagine the struggles and pain you will face. But I will help where I can, and I look forward to your growth."


    Cromus felt what could only be described as a kiss on his forehead. A green light enveloped his body, and instantly he was reminded of spring¡ªthe world awakening after a long winter. A cool breeze washed over him, carrying the faint scent of freshly bloomed flowers. The sound of birds chirped from the trees, their leaves now full, and the warmth of the sun kissed his exposed skin. It was, in its simplest form, a breath of life. His anger, his pain¡ªeverything he had been blocking out in his rage¡ªfaded, replaced by a calming sense of peace. And just as quickly as it had come, it was gone, leaving only a lingering calm.


    Looking down, he saw that the arrow had vanished from his leg, the wound healed as if it had never been. His health and mana were fully restored.


    "Wow... Thank you, Gaia."


    There was no verbal reply, but the warm sensation returned, and he felt in his core that it was her answer.


    Now, with a clear mind, Cromus took in his surroundings once more. This was his new world, his new life. A place he''d once only dreamed of. It wasn¡¯t perfect, he knew that. He would have to work for everything he wanted¡ªfight, struggle, and grasp for each moment. But that didn''t scare him. He tightened his grip on Raging Boar, feeling the weight of the weapon.


    "This cave is far more complex than I thought," he muttered, turning toward one of the tunnels. A determined look crossed his face. The smaller Croakers had been easy to deal with, but now it was time to remove the slavers. No more of them would come after Sais, Henry, or himself. Once this was over, they''d be free. Plus, the experience gained here would help him grow stronger.


    His thoughts turned to finding where they slept, maybe catching a few of them off guard¡­ but they were interrupted. A sudden pressure filled the air, a chill running down his spine.


    From the darkness ahead, two dark orange eyes met his.


    ¡°The low-born, weak-jawed fake orc... is causing all this trouble?¡± A voice, low and venomous, echoed through the cavern.


    Sais nocked his bow and aimed at the Croaker perched in a tree. ¡°SAIS!¡± Henry¡¯s voice echoed in his mind.


    Lowering the bow, he crouched behind the tree. ¡°Henry?! Is everything okay?¡±


    ¡°Yes and no. Cromus and the goblin he was caged with broke free. He freed me, but there were a couple of Croakers nearby. I started flying toward you to guide you in. He¡¯ll need backup.¡±


    ¡°Crap. I¡¯ve counted at least four Croakers in trees outside and one by the cave entrance, making regular patrols.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll distract them. You just focus on getting some good shots. I¡¯m immune to their poison, but their arrows still hurt if they land a good one.¡±


    Before Sais could respond, he heard the hoots of Henry followed by some cries of pain. Peeking out, he saw Henry pecking and clawing at a Croaker by the entrance.


    Sais quickly shifted to the other side of the tree, where the Croaker in the nearby tree began noticing the commotion. It was drawing back its bow when Sais released an arrow, catching it under the chin. The creature fell from the tree, motionless.


    Without slowing, he turned toward another Croaker just a couple trees away. He saw it releasing an arrow at Henry, the sound of metal hitting metal echoing. Sais drew a deep breath and held it, steadying himself before releasing his shot. The arrow hit the Croaker behind the eye, sending it plummeting from the tree.


    Sais heard movement behind him. He dove forward as a thud struck the tree. Coming to his feet, he saw a Croaker brandishing a dagger in one hand, pulling another from a tree just next to him. Its colors were orange and black, and the fact that it wielded daggers surprised him¡ªhe hadn¡¯t seen any of the others using melee weapons before.


    ¡°Why is a moon elf here?¡± the Croaker croaked with its unnatural voice.


    ¡°You took my friends,¡± Sais replied, keeping his bow drawn.


    The Croaker¡¯s eyes dropped to Sais''s bow before returning to his face, narrowing suspiciously. ¡°Friends?¡± it scoffed.


    With a powerful leap, it launched itself at Sais, its daggers slashing wildly. Sais tried to backpedal but the Croaker stayed on top of him, landing hit after hit. Sais couldn¡¯t fire his bow at such close range; the Croaker was too fast and too close.


    Sais stepped back with his left foot and kicked up with his right, catching the Croaker under the chin and forcing it to back off. Not wasting time, Sais quickly leveled his bow and fired¡ªbut the Croaker dodged, its body twisting as it evaded the arrow.


    ¡°It¡¯ll all be over soon,¡± the Croaker said with a grin. ¡°The cuts I¡¯ve given you are all coated in my poison. Keep moving, and before you know it, you¡¯ll be dead.¡±


    That gave Sais an idea. Though he was breathing heavily from the close combat, he began swaying slightly, pretending to struggle. He noted his health bar, only twenty points down from the five cuts it had delivered. The poison was doing most of the work, and the Croaker was clearly relying on it.


    Dropping to one knee, Sais gave the illusion of weakness, keeping his eyes locked on the Croaker.


    The Croaker laughed, stepping closer. ¡°I told you, you¡¯re as good as dead.¡±


    When it was about five feet away, Sais fired his shot. The Croaker cried out in pain¡ªwell, what Sais assumed was pain¡ªbefore stumbling backward and sitting down hard.


    Sais stood quickly, moving just out of reach of the Croaker¡¯s daggers. He took aim again. ¡°Nope, you failed.¡±


    The Croaker looked confused. ¡°I¡¯m immune,¡± Sais added, then released the arrow.


    The Croaker¡¯s face twisted in disbelief, and the satisfaction Sais felt when the arrow pierced its skull was beyond words.


    Picking up the Croaker¡¯s daggers, Sais started toward Henry. He now had two daggers in hand when he nocked another arrow. Taking aim, he fired at one of the Croakers charging Henry, hitting it square between the shoulder blades. A second arrow followed, striking the lower back and dropping the creature to the ground.


    Its companion turned toward Sais in shock. ¡°Hi,¡± Sais said with a grin, then fired again, landing an arrow between the Croaker¡¯s eyes. It collapsed instantly.


    ¡°I don¡¯t want to sound like I¡¯m complaining, but aren¡¯t these guys going down a bit too easily?¡± Sais asked Henry.


    ¡°Not really. Most Croakers don¡¯t get into combat. They¡¯re not built for it. Even when one gains a class, they¡¯re still not on the same level as a goblin. The bullfrog-looking ones are tougher, but their health pools are still small compared to yours.¡±


    ¡°I thought I was in bad shape when I came in with only eighty health,¡± Sais admitted.


    Henry eyed him, then said, ¡°Well, with your class, you have an advantage. Once you choose that path, your level one increases all your stats and abilities. Without your class, you¡¯d probably only have a health pool of ten¡ªor maybe twenty, at most.¡±


    That shocked Sais. He had thought eighty health was low, but the knowledge that it could be even lower without a class made him realize just how vulnerable normal people would be.


    ¡°So, they¡¯re basically untrained normies who just pick up weapons?¡± Sais asked.


    Henry nodded. ¡°Yes. They have inherited abilities that give them an edge, so against most races without a class, they can be overwhelming. But even with a class, they¡¯re still able to catch you off guard, as they did.¡±


    ¡°True, but anything can beat a superior if they have that many advantages and catch them off guard.¡±


    Henry hooted in agreement, then floated back toward the cave entrance. ¡°Might be best to find Cromus.¡±


    Sais followed, nocking another arrow as they moved deeper into the cave. It was much larger than he expected, wide enough for four men to walk side by side. The ceiling was easily twice his height, maybe more. Mushrooms and plants grew along the walls. He made a mental note to check them out later, perhaps for herbalism.


    ¡°We¡¯ve got company,¡± Henry warned, flying back to Sais. ¡°Big Croaker.¡±


    Sais took aim down the tunnel, releasing an arrow that struck the Croaker in the left shoulder. It let out a cry of pain before shooting out its tongue at Sais. He sidestepped and took another shot, hitting the Croaker in the mouth. It fell backward onto the ground.


    ¡°Well, since we¡¯re on the offensive, this should be mildly easy,¡± Sais muttered¡ªonly to immediately regret the thought. ¡°I probably just jinxed us with that line. Plus, there¡¯s no telling what shape Cromus is in.¡±


    As they moved deeper, creatures raced past them: fox-like beings, raccoon hybrids, lizard creatures, and several birds¡ªall rushing toward the exit. Sais stepped aside to let them pass, then continued forward.


    They soon found several cages, and Henry pointed out, ¡°This is the last place I saw Cromus.¡±


    Sais spotted a bullfrog Croaker crawling out of a large cage. Without hesitation, he nocked an arrow and shot it, taking it down before it even realized he was there.


    Suddenly, a small childish green goblin appeared in front of him, holding a dagger and speaking quickly and high pitched, hard for Sais to make out its words.


    ¡°Whoa, can you slow down, I can¡¯t tell what you are saying¡± Sais said.


    The goblin paused. Before either could speak further, an older voice, deep and tired, answered.


    ¡°Sorry he is young and does not speak well yet, I can interpret.¡± An older goblin with a makeshift staff appeared, flanked by two younger goblins.


    ¡°Have you seen my friend? He¡¯s a half-orc.¡±


    The old goblin shook his head. ¡°My youngling here was the one in the cage with him. We can only assume he¡¯s deeper in the cave, likely fighting the creature that¡¯s been keeping us trapped here.¡±


    ¡°What kind of creature?¡± Sais asked.


    The old goblin shrugged. ¡°We¡¯ve never seen it. We only know that the Croakers bring it food during feeding time. Must be one of the lucky... or big. Maybe both.¡±


    ¡°One of the lucky?¡± Sais asked, confused.


    ¡°Like you and your big friend. One who¡¯s either been chosen or trained by a chosen.¡±


    Sais¡¯s confusion deepened. Before he could ask more, Henry spoke in his mind.


    ¡°He means someone with a class. And as for ¡®chosen,¡¯ that probably refers to Representatives of the gods. Goblins with classes are rare, sometimes going many lifespans without even encountering one.¡±


    ¡°Why didn¡¯t some of you go help Cromus?¡± Sais asked.


    ¡°We¡¯re malnourished and weak. What do you expect us to do?¡± the old goblin snapped, sounding defensive.


    It made sense. Henry had told him that goblins weren¡¯t very strong in this world. Plus, the old goblin was... well, old.


    ¡°Alright, he might need help if the creature is what you say it is. Do you know which way I need to go?¡±


    The goblins pointed down one of the tunnels. As Sais¡¯s mana drained, a portal opened beside him, and his clockwork defender stepped out without a word. Together, the three of them sprinted down the tunnel.

 Chapter 8: You would taste good.

    Cromus would like to say he heard the voice and reacted. He would like to say he replied with a witty comeback when it insulted him, but he didn¡¯t. Instead, he saw those piercing orange eyes staring at him from the dark. An overwhelming pressure settled over him, freezing his body, his sword¡¯s hilt gripped so tight his knuckles ached. His mind screamed at him to move, but all he could do was watch in helpless terror as an icon of a human figure was gripped in a massive fist sat just out of his vision.


    YOU HAVE BEEN PARALYZED!!!


    ¡°What trouble have you brought to my cave, weak jaw?¡± The creature asked as it moved closer where Cromus could see it clearly. Its head was that of a snake, its color dark brown, its neck was paler brown. It stood a couple inches taller than Cromus, wearing studded leather armor and a buckler on its left arm, as it held a longsword in its right hand.


    It tilted its head, flicking its tongue in and out as if savoring the moment. "There are few things more satisfying than having someone under your complete control. Don¡¯t you agree?"


    Cromus felt the pressure grow, his muscles screaming to move, but the paralysis held firm. "Oh, I¡¯m sure," he grunted.


    "Oh, it was rhetorical," the creature replied with a hiss of amusement, the sound sickeningly languid. "You won¡¯t be moving."


    The air around Cromus felt thick, oppressive, as if the creature¡¯s presence was infecting the very atmosphere. Its eyes glinted, full of dark satisfaction. "Now the question becomes... are you more useful alive, or would you be better as experience points?"


    The creature paced around him, circling, its boots scraping lightly against the cave¡¯s cold stone floor. Cromus could feel its gaze on him, like a knife¡¯s edge against his skin. His heart raced, a primal fear clawing at his chest, as his breath became shallow, struggling against the unseen force that gripped him.


    The creature¡¯s voice came from behind him now, its words slithering in his ears. "You would taste good." It paused, stepping back into his line of sight, its reptilian eyes narrowing as it assessed him.


    "Hmm... You''ve been handling those frogs well, haven¡¯t you? It¡¯s clear you have levels. That makes you valuable. Killing you could be... better than I thought, but perhaps you¡¯d fetch a fine price at market."


    As it spoke to itself, its long fingers traced the edge of its chin thoughtfully, as if weighing a decision. But Cromus barely heard it, his focus elsewhere. Something moved in the dark¡ªjust a flicker at first, like a shadow in the corner of his vision. The creature''s attention seemed elsewhere as it contemplated its own words, but Cromus noticed the subtle shift. He blinked, his heart hammering, and there it was again: a faint movement, creeping closer. Something small, quick, and reptilian, with gleaming eyes that reflected the faint light of the cave.


    His throat tightened.


    Before he could react, the snake creature suddenly jolted, a sharp hiss of surprise escaping its lips. It kicked its leg violently, flinging something away from its body. Cromus felt the impact just as something¡ªlarge and heavy¡ªslammed into his chest, knocking the wind from him and ticking his health by a single point. He staggered back, managing to catch his balance.


    Instinctively, his free hand shot out to grasp whatever had hit him, his fingers closing around something warm and scaly. He looked down, eyes wide with disbelief.


    A lizard-like creature, nearly as large as his torso, stared up at him with wide, crocodilian eyes. It had a broad, square jaw, its snout filled with sharp, jagged teeth that glinted in the low light. The creature¡¯s skin was smooth, not rough like the scales of a dragon, but soft and almost slick. Its body was short and stocky, its six legs thick with muscle and ending in three sharp claws. Its tail was long, nearly as long as its body, two large curved horns just behind its eyes, three rows of little spikes lined from behind its horns down its back till they merged to one onto its tail. Dark green skin was marked with black stripes running down its legs and back.


    The thing¡¯s face was... almost comical, its tongue hanging out in a ridiculous, slobbering grin, as if it were a disoriented bulldog. Despite the terrifying teeth, there was something almost endearing in the creature¡¯s foolish grin¡ªuntil it bared its teeth again and growled. It was more of a raspy cough than a growl, but it was enough to make the air in the cave vibrate with effort.


    Cromus couldn¡¯t help but thank the little guy because of it, he was alive and the paralysis on him vanished. ¡°He doesn¡¯t seem to like you that much.¡± Cromus said grinning, pulling up his weapon.


    ¡°Stupid asalisk! If it wasn¡¯t worth so much, I would kill it here and now with you.¡± The snake man said.


    ¡°Hey now, after what it just did I am not going to allow you to sell it at all and I definitely am not going to let you kill me.¡± Cromus replied smartly.


    He dashed at Cromus, the asilisk jumped out of his arm, just as he was in range he swung his sword down at Cromus¡¯s head.


    Cromus slammed his new sword into the attack, metal clinging echoing around them, both swords bouncing backwards.


    Cromus being the first to recover pulled his sword up swinging for the snake man''s stomach but clashing with its buckler. Pushing forward and out, shoving Cromus sword up right a heavy boot slamming into his check. Making Cromus stumble backwards.


    As he recovered the snake man was already slashing at Cromus again. Cromus went for an awkward roll which cost him, sharp pain ran up his leg, as Cromus was slashed. Watching his health drop twenty points. Coming back up to his feet the snake man was hiss laughing.


    The snake-man¡¯s mocking voice slithered through the air. ¡°What was that, weak jaw? I thought you had some real fighting skills.¡±


    Cromus gritted his teeth, the pain from his leg a searing reminder of his mistake. He pushed it down, forcing his focus forward as his blood started to boil.


    ¡°No more words,¡± Cromus muttered under his breath, his grip tightening on the hilt of his sword.


    ¡°That¡¯s more like it.¡± Without another moment¡¯s hesitation, the snake-man lunged forward, swinging its sword in a vicious arc. The battle had just begun in earnest.


    Cromus¡¯s sword clashed against the snake-man¡¯s strikes, each blow ringing out with a fierce clang, the sound of metal meeting metal. The creature¡¯s relentless attacks came fast¡ªtoo fast¡ªbut Cromus gritted his teeth, his pulse steady as he wove between them.


    A brown glow swiftly covered Cromus¡¯s left arm, the muscular front leg of a bearded vulture-bear though smaller in size. As the snake-man advanced again, Cromus swept his left arm forward in a wide arc, catching the creature off guard. The clawed limb slashed across the snake-man¡¯s chest, rending its armor and drawing a spray of blood.


    The snake-man reeled back with a hiss, a look of disbelief crossing its face. But there was no hesitation in Cromus. He moved in, eyes narrowed, blood pounding in his ears. Every motion was deliberate, calculating¡ªhe wasn¡¯t just fighting for survival anymore, he was taking control of the battle.


    ¡°You are a spell caster? it''s obvious you actually have a class but one with spells? No wonder you made such quick work of the Croakers. Well I''ll just have too¡ª¡±


    Before it could finish, the sharp thwip of arrows slicing through the air interrupted the snake-man. Two arrows slammed into its left shoulder, one after another, the impact forcing the snake man to stagger.Unauthorized content usage: if you discover this narrative on Amazon, report the violation.


    Cromus turned just in time to see Sais, calm and focused, standing just behind him. A third arrow was already notched, aimed with deadly precision, and ready to fire. Over Sais¡¯s shoulder, Henry hovered, the owl¡¯s keen eyes scanning for any opening.


    Sais¡¯s voice rang out, sharp and confident. ¡°You¡¯ll have to what, snake-face?¡±


    The snake-man¡¯s smile twisted, sharp and predatory. "Two of you? Must be my lucky day. It''s rare to find class users out here... Your energy is going to be fantastic."


    Before Cromus or Sais could react, the creature¡¯s arm shot out in a fluid, practiced motion. The air snapped with tension, and with a sharp crack, something shattered near their feet. Glass scattered in all directions, and thick blue smoke began to rise, curling up from the broken surface.


    Within moments, the smoke thickened, swirling rapidly around them. The air became heavy, cloying with the stench of something acrid and unnatural. Cromus coughed violently as the smoke burned at his throat. His vision blurred as the dense fog swallowed him whole, but his instincts kicked in.


    ¡®Move!¡¯


    He rolled to the side, struggling to clear his lungs, his eyes stinging from the smoke. When he finally managed to get to his feet, the world around him felt... off. He glanced at his mana bar, but the soothing blue light that usually filled it had darkened. It was now a dull, cement gray, with jagged cracks running through it like a broken foundation.


    A chill ran down Cromus¡¯s spine as he saw something else¡ªon the bottom right of his HUD, a new figure appeared. It was a vague silhouette wearing a wizard''s hat, with a prohibition symbol slapped across it in bright red.


    "What the hell?" Cromus muttered under his breath, taking a cautious step back. His mind raced to make sense of the new development, but the weight of the situation pressed in on him.


    Movement caught Cromus¡¯s attention, and before he could react, the creature¡¯s massive tail swung with terrifying force, slamming into him and pinning him against the stone wall. The air was knocked from his lungs. The snake-man coiled its body, keeping the weight of its tail crushing down on him. Its hood flared wide, and its mouth opened, revealing long, venomous fangs that glistened in the dim light, poised to strike.


    It lunged.


    But in that split second, a sharp whistle cut through the air. An arrow zipped past, narrowly missing the snake-man¡¯s head. The creature recoiled, instinctively jerking back to avoid the threat. Sais, already pulling his second arrow from the quiver, fired it with practiced precision. The second shot whizzed through the air, forcing the snake-man to shift just enough, giving Cromus a brief opening.


    Cromus didn¡¯t hesitate. Using the tail still pinning him, he wrapped both arms around it, using his legs to anchor himself against the wall. With a grunt, he twisted his body, leveraging the weight and momentum of the tail. The snake-man¡¯s balance faltered as it tried to readjust, but Cromus was already moving. With a powerful push, he yanked the tail downward, throwing the creature off balance.


    With a motion that defied human logic but was all too natural for a serpent, the creature arched its back, twisting its head to peer through its own legs. In one fluid motion, it pulled its tail free from Cromus¡¯s grasp. The tip of its tail whipped around, striking Cromus square in the chin, forcing his head to snap back and his eyes to flick toward the dark cave ceiling.


    When he righted himself he noticed the creature slithering towards Sais. ¡°Oh no you don¡¯t!¡± Cromus dashed towards it, stepping hard on its tail. It¡¯s head twisted back to Cromus as he dove onto its back.


    Cromus¡¯s shoulder collided with the creature¡¯s open mouth, and he felt its fangs sink deep into his back, right around his left shoulder blade. A searing burn spread through his body, the venom coursing rapidly through his veins.


    YOU HAVE BEEN POISONED!!


    Cromus stifled a yell as he pummeled the creature¡¯s neck, the burning sensation spreading through his body with each blow. Hit after hit, the pain intensified, crawling down his left arm and spreading to his lower back. As the fire coursed through him, the areas it touched began to go numb, but he gripped tighter with his left arm. The creature withdrew its fangs and started to roll, and Cromus fought to maintain control, twisting with it.


    As they tumbled, Sais kept his arrow trained on the chaotic mess of limbs. Finally, the snake-man ended up on top of Cromus, planting its feet firmly. With a swift twist, it pulled Cromus off the ground, lifting him high before throwing him behind, deeper into the shadows.


    Breathing heavily, the snake man straightened, its gaze locking onto Sais. "There," it said with a grin. "Now this will be much easier." It took a step toward Sais, its smile widening as it slithered past his shot. "Oh, you poor elf. You should put that bow down. Now that I can focus entirely on you, you''ll never land another shot."


    "I just have to stall you until Cromus catches up," Sais replied, stepping back while nocking another arrow.


    The snake man let out a mocking hiss of a laugh. "He won¡¯t be coming back. I put enough venom in him to kill five orcs. By now, he¡¯s probably rotting. It¡¯s just you and me."


    Sais opened his mouth to respond, but his ear twitched at the unmistakable clank of hurried footsteps approaching from behind. "Well, I guess we¡¯d better make this quick, then," he muttered, releasing his arrow.


    The shaft flew true, but the snake man twisted at the last moment. The arrow grazed its scaled shoulder, and its glowing, serpentine eyes locked onto Sais with a predatory glare. A guttural hiss escaped its lips as it sprang forward, blade in hand. Just then, the source of the clanking emerged from the shadows: the clockwork defender, its shield raised, slammed into the snake man¡¯s shoulder, knocking it away from Sais and standing protectively between the beast and its master.


    "About time you showed up," Sais called to it. "Now, full assault."


    The clockwork defender charged forward, ready to deliver another shield bash. But this time, the snake man was prepared. It sidestepped the attack and spun, its tail striking the defender''s side with a force that sent it crashing into the wall to its left, off balance.


    The snake man¡¯s sword arced toward his chest. Sais twisted just in time, the blade slicing across his left arm. Pain flared, sharp and hot, leaving a crimson streak on his tunic. Its fanged maw lunged, snapping dangerously close to his neck. He stumbled backward, his breathing ragged.


    On instinct, Sais swung his free hand, knuckles cracking against the snake man¡¯s scaled jaw. The impact jarred his hand, the tough scales giving only slightly under the blow. It wasn¡¯t enough to hurt the beast, but it redirected its head, buying him a single, precious moment to retreat. His boots scraped against the rocky floor as he scrambled back, but the snake man was relentless. It surged forward, closing the gap in an instant.


    Steel flashed in the dim cave light. Strikes rained down on Sais, each one faster than the last. He deflected the blows with frantic movements, his arms burning with effort. Cuts began to accumulate¡ªhis shoulders, his arms, his neck. Each slice sent a jolt of agony through his body, the sting sharp and immediate. His health bar ticked downward, each tiny loss a chilling reminder of how close he was to death.


    Through it all, the snake man smiled. Its forked tongue flickered, as if tasting his fear. Sais¡¯s breaths came in gasps now, his vision blurring at the edges. He gritted his teeth, his mind racing for a plan.


    The snake man reared back for a telegraphed swing. Sais caught the motion out of the corner of his eye. He raised his bow, angling it to intercept. The sword struck with a force that jarred his entire body, the blade sinking halfway into the wooden weapon. The impact knocked him back a step, and now he had to grip the bow with both hands to keep the sword at bay.


    The bow groaned under the pressure, its wooden frame bending in a direction it was never meant to go. Sais¡¯s arms trembled as he pushed back, sweat slicking his palms. The snake man leaned in closer, its breath hot and fetid. Just as his grip began to falter, a sudden metallic clang echoed through the cave.


    The snake man hissed in pain, its head snapping toward the source of the sound. The clockwork defender, gears whirring and its blank, metallic face expressionless, stood behind it, a blade embedded deep in the snake man¡¯s back. The distraction was brief but enough. Sais released the bow and dove to the side, the snake man¡¯s sword driving it and the mangled bow to the ground.


    Snarling, the snake man reached back and yanked the clockwork defender¡¯s sword free with a vicious motion, the metallic screech echoing through the cavern. With a hiss of frustration, it drove the blade into the defender¡¯s chest, sparks flying as it pierced the mechanism. The defender shuddered and slumped, its whirring slowing to silence as it collapsed in a heap of metal and gears.


    Drawing an arrow from his quiver, Sais lunged forward, slamming it into the snake man¡¯s side. The point struck its leather armor and glanced off, the force insufficient to pierce through. The snake man snarled and twisted, its left hand darting out like a striking viper. It seized a fistful of Sais¡¯s long hair, yanking him forward with brutal force.


    Sais barely had time to react before a knee slammed into his face. Stars exploded in his vision as pain blossomed, sharp and overwhelming. Blood filled his mouth, the metallic taste of iron mingling with his ragged breaths. Another blow followed, this time a palm striking his chest and sending him sprawling backward. Before he could regain his footing, the snake man advanced.


    With unnatural speed, it clamped a clawed hand over Sais¡¯s face. The world spun as he was hurled through the air, the wind whipping past him. His back struck the jagged cave wall with a sickening crunch. Pain shot through him, stealing his breath. He cried out, only for the sound to be cut short as the snake man slammed him into the wall again, and then a third time.


    The final impact left him limp, his vision swimming in darkness. He crumpled to the ground, the cold, unforgiving stone beneath him. The last thing he heard before unconsciousness claimed him was the faint sound of mechanical whirring sputtering to silence behind him.

 Chapter 9: REEEEDADADACTEDEDED

    Cromus lay on the cold cave floor, his body aching and unresponsive. He struggled to move, but every attempt was met with a sharp, cold ache. ¡°Come on! I can¡¯t leave Sais to fight that monster by himself,¡± he thought, gritting his teeth as he focused all his effort into moving his left arm. Slowly, he managed to lift it forward, the limb tingling and throbbing as though it had been asleep for hours. His palm landed on something smooth.


    Corrupted Dire Wolf Core: This core has been tainted. Once the foreign energy is removed, it can be used for crafting, rituals, or even to improve oneself. Using it before the removal of the foreign energy could have severe consequences.


    Cromus squinted, forcing one eye open. The faint glow of the core was unmistakable, its dark and swirling energy similar to that of the Corrupted Bearded Vulture Bear core he had encountered before. His vision blurred as the venom¡¯s effects deepened. ¡°Damn it, the poison¡¯s spreading.¡± Cromus closed his eye, desperation driving his decision.


    Do you wish to absorb the Corrupted Dire Wolf Core? Yes/No


    Warning: This could cause irreversible changes to your body.


    The message loomed in his vision. Weighing the choice, Cromus clenched his teeth. ¡°Do or die,¡± he thought and mentally selected ¡°Yes.¡±


    In another plane of existence, a being stirred in the vast nothingness it called home. Its senses extended across the connections it had seeded in beasts, monsters, and constructs. A new link emerged, clearer and stronger than most. The entity tilted its head in intrigue. ¡°A half-orc,¡± it murmured. ¡°Strong, yet bound to Gaia.¡± A grimace crossed its visage before twisting into a smirk. ¡°Patience is key in the games of gods.¡±


    Cromus felt the core¡¯s energy shift from solid to liquid, seeping through his palm and surging up his arm. The venom in his veins was consumed by the foreign energy, replaced by a vital, almost overwhelming warmth. His body trembled as vitality from the dire wolf fused with his own.


    YOU HAVE SUCCESSFULLY ABSORBED THE C???O???R???R?U?P???T???E??D? DIRE WOLF CORE. [REEEEEEDDDADADCTEDEDEDED]


    The message buzzed and distorted before vanishing.


    YOU HAVE SUCCESSFULLY ABSORBED THE DIRE WOLF CORE! You now have +4 to all physical stats for the next five minutes. Use this increase wisely!


    The notification snapped Cromus into focus. His eyes shot open as energy coursed through him, driving him to his feet. His mana bar, no longer grayed out, allowed him to activate Animal Affinity. The familiar glow encompassed his left arm, transforming it into the taloned limb of the Bearded Vulture Bear. A grin spread across his face as he sprinted toward the fight, his every step radiating newfound strength.


    Cromus entered the cavernous battleground. The snake man stood over the disintegrating remnants of the clockwork defender, withdrawing its sword from the mangled construct. ¡°Relentless summon,¡± it muttered as the defender dissolved into shimmering particles.


    Turning its head, the snake man caught sight of Cromus. ¡°You again?¡± it hissed. ¡°I¡¯m impressed you can still stand.¡± Its eyes narrowed, taking in the changes to Cromus. ¡°Ah, so you absorbed the core, didn¡¯t you?¡±


    Cromus said nothing, his distorted left arm radiating power. His left eye was pitch black with a glowing purple iris, his veins alight with the same hue. Picking up his dropped bastard sword in his right hand, Cromus glared. To him, the image of his taloned arm and burning energy seemed triumphant, but the reality was far darker. The core¡¯s influence distorted the truth in Cromus¡¯s mind.


    ¡°You¡¯re not walking away from this,¡± he growled, his voice echoing unnaturally.


    The snake man¡¯s gaze lingered on Cromus¡¯s corrupted arm and face. ¡°You fool,¡± it sneered. ¡°You don¡¯t even see what you¡¯ve become.¡± It gestured toward Cromus, mockery in its tone. ¡°That arm, those veins¡ªeven your face. The corruption is written across your body.¡±


    Cromus heard only what the corruption allowed: a taunt about his newfound strength. His grin widened. ¡°Say what you will. I¡¯m still stronger than you.¡±


    The snake man¡¯s smirk faded. ¡°Foolish, blind strength.¡± With a hiss, it lunged, blade flashing.


    Their clash was immediate and violent. Cromus¡¯s bastard sword met the snake man¡¯s strikes with brutal ferocity. The talons of his corrupted arm tore through armor and drew blood, each swing more savage than the last. The snake man dodged and countered with calculated precision, slicing shallow wounds along Cromus¡¯s side and legs.


    Cromus pressed on, the distortion in his mind fueling his belief in his victory. He roared, unleashing a barrage of attacks. The snake man began to falter under the relentless onslaught. A clawed swipe caught the snake man¡¯s shoulder, rending flesh and forcing it back.


    ¡°Your power¡¯s unstable,¡± the snake man spat, trying to regain footing. ¡°It¡¯s already consuming you.¡±


    Cromus lunged, grabbing the snake man¡¯s wrist with his taloned arm. The snake man howled as black nails dug deep, forcing it to drop its sword. Cromus twisted the arm violently, snapping bone and rendering it useless. ¡°You talk too much,¡± he growled, his distorted voice cutting through the echoes of the cavern.


    The snake man kicked at Cromus, trying to escape, but Cromus tightened his grip. With his bastard sword, Cromus slashed downward, severing the arm below the elbow. The snake man staggered, clutching the bleeding stump. Its defiance burned in its gaze even as it faltered. ¡°You¡­ will regret this.¡±


    ¡°Not today,¡± Cromus replied. With a final, powerful swing, he decapitated the snake man. Its body crumpled as its head rolled to a stop.


    The adrenaline coursing through Cromus began to ebb, leaving behind a gnawing fatigue and the stark reality of the battle. His breaths came in ragged gasps as his gaze landed on Sais, motionless on the ground. A surge of panic seized him, extinguishing any remnants of his battle high.


    "Sais!" he shouted, stumbling forward. His corrupted arm twitched uncontrollably, the dark veins pulsing as he dropped his sword with a metallic clang. Dropping to his knees beside his friend, Cromus extended his shaking hand. He hesitated for a moment, his distorted claws trembling above Sais¡¯s chest, before steeling himself. Light poured from his hand as the spell took hold, weaving through Sais''s battered form. Cromus¡¯s distorted left arm trembled with the strain, but he pushed onward, casting healing spells in rapid succession until Sais''s shallow breaths began to steady.


    Relief washed over him as Sais stirred, his eyes fluttering open briefly.


    ¡°You look terrible,¡± Sais murmured, his voice barely above a whisper, yet laced with faint humor.


    Cromus¡¯s distorted appearance startled him. His left side¡ªdarkened veins, glowing purple markings, and pitch-black nails¡ªseemed otherworldly. ¡°Rest,¡± Cromus replied, his distorted voice unsettling. ¡°I¡¯ve got you.¡±


    Once Sais was stable, Cromus slumped against the cavern wall, his strength draining rapidly. Notifications buzzed in his peripheral vision, but he dismissed them. A low growl broke the silence. Turning, he saw the familiar glowing eyes of the beast that had aided him earlier.


    ¡°It¡¯s you,¡± Cromus said, extending his taloned arm before realizing the spell was still active. The growling intensified. ¡°Sorry,¡± he muttered, dismissing the spell. ¡°See? No threat.¡± The creature approached cautiously, sniffing his hand before licking it. ¡°You¡¯re just a big pup, aren¡¯t you?¡± he chuckled, patting its head.


    As the last of his energy drained, Cromus leaned back, exhaustion overtaking him. Before his vision dimmed, a familiar small figure materialized just out of his vision of a man on his hands and knees. ¡°Why do I get the feeling this is going to be a regular status for me?¡±


    A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.


    The Asilisk now sat firmly in his lap, its scaled head tilted curiously as it stared up at Cromus. It blinked, its large, gleaming eyes filled with a mix of innocence and curiosity.


    ¡°Oh, sorry,¡± Cromus muttered with a weak chuckle. ¡°I was just thinking out loud.¡± He patted the creature¡¯s head, his touch more deliberate this time, as if grounding himself against the rising tide of weariness. ¡°But I guess I have you to thank for even being able to complain right now, huh? Don¡¯t I, little¡­ uh, guy? Girl?¡± He squinted. ¡°Honestly, I don¡¯t even know what you are.¡±


    The Asilisk let out a soft, chirping sound, and as if in response, a notification shimmered into view.


    Asilisk


    Temperament: Friendly


    Ways to improve temperament: Time and care.


    Cromus let out a low laugh, his lips pulling into a faint grin. ¡°Well, little one,¡± he began, stroking the creature¡¯s head again, ¡°if you¡¯re fine, I¡¯d like to try something. It¡¯ll help us communicate better. You can reject it if you want¡ªno pressure.¡± The creature¡¯s bright eyes blinked at him, uncomprehending but trusting.


    Summoning what little strength he had left, Cromus activated Animal Link. A faint glow enveloped his thoughts, and he felt the spell latch onto something small but vibrant within the Asilisk. Silence followed. Cromus frowned. ¡®Did it not work?¡¯


    ¡®Work? No. Rest.¡¯


    The voice was deeper than he expected, rich with childlike innocence and boundless energy, yet steady and calm. Cromus blinked in surprise. ¡®Oh, it did!¡¯ he thought excitedly. ¡®Hi, I¡¯m Cromus. What are you called?¡¯


    ¡®Called?¡¯ the voice echoed back, curious and uncertain.


    ¡®Yes, like a name¡ªsomething someone would use to get your attention.¡¯


    The creature tilted its head, the voice resuming in his mind. ¡®Asilisk. Dumb. Expensive. Yes, that is what Big Lizard said while pointing.¡¯


    Cromus stifled a tired laugh. ¡®No, no, those aren¡¯t names, just words people used to describe you. A name is more personal¡ªsomething someone familiar with you would use. Would you like one? I could give you a name.¡¯


    ¡®You give name? You nice. You save me. Yes!¡¯ the Asilisk¡¯s voice trilled with excitement, the simple joy of it warming Cromus¡¯s chest.


    He scratched his chin in thought, glancing down at the creature¡¯s big, trusting eyes and lolling tongue. ¡®Thor? No, I don¡¯t want to anger a god. Diesel? Too modern. Duke? Nah, doesn¡¯t fit.¡¯ A warm, comforting feeling welled up despite his exhaustion. ¡°Athas,¡± he whispered aloud, as if the name had been waiting for him to find it.


    ¡®Athas!¡¯ the Asilisk¡¯s voice rang with delight. ¡®Athas! I like Athas!¡¯


    ¡®Then it¡¯s settled,¡¯ Cromus thought, scratching behind one of Athas¡¯s predominant horns. The Asilisk stilled, its contentment almost palpable.


    ¡®Right there¡­ ooooh, that¡¯s the spot,¡¯ Athas¡¯s voice murmured in pure bliss.


    Cromus chuckled, scratching behind the other horn for good measure. For a moment, the weight of battle and exhaustion slipped away, replaced by the simple pleasure of connection.


    Cromus leaned back against the cool cavern wall, his breaths slow and labored. Athas rested on his lap, the Asilisk¡¯s sleek, scaled body a comforting weight. Its tail coiled gently around Cromus¡¯s side as it nuzzled him. Though the battle was over and Sais was stable, the sheer effort of everything¡ªabsorbing the core, fighting the snake man, and healing his ally¡ªhad drained Cromus completely. He stroked Athas absentmindedly, the rhythmic motion of his hand on the creature¡¯s smooth scales a welcome distraction.


    ¡°Yep, you sure are weird, Cromus.¡±


    The high-pitched, nasal voice snapped him out of his daze. Blinking, he turned toward the sound and saw Loose Tooth standing at the tunnel entrance. Behind him were two smaller goblins and an older one, leaning heavy on a crooked stick.


    Cromus mustered a faint smile, his head tilting back against the stone wall. ¡°I thought we already talked about that, Loose.¡±


    Loose Tooth shrugged. ¡°We did, but it still felt right to say it again.¡±


    Cromus shook his head, chuckling softly. He gestured toward the newcomers with his free hand. ¡°Who¡¯re your friends? Family? Clanmates?¡±


    Loose Tooth puffed out his chest like he was someone important. ¡°Elder Shaman and my denmates. They got grabbed with me.¡±


    The elder shuffled forward, squinting hard like the dark was playing tricks on him. His gaze stopped on Sais lying still, then moved to Cromus¡¯s sweat-covered face. Finally, his sharp eyes locked onto Athas, who was curled up on Cromus¡¯s lap. The Asalisk raised its head, its crocodilian eyes blinking slowly, tail curling lazily around Cromus¡¯s leg.


    The younger goblins gawked, their mouths hanging open as they stared at Athas¡¯s muscular body and sharp claws.


    ¡°Hey!¡± Cromus barked, sharper than he meant, as the Shaman poked Sais with his stick. ¡°Don¡¯t do that¡ªhe¡¯s alive!¡±


    The Shaman¡¯s brow arched, but he didn¡¯t back off. ¡°Hmph. Just makin¡¯ sure. Don¡¯t wanna waste my energy on somethin¡¯ dead. But he looks fine. That your doin¡¯?¡±


    Cromus nodded, exhaling heavily. ¡°Yeah. Used a weak heal. A few times.¡±


    The younger goblins gasped like Cromus had just punched a mountain. Their eyes darted between Cromus and the Shaman. ¡°A few times?¡± two of them squeaked together.


    The Shaman nodded slowly, his face thoughtful. ¡°Lucky. That¡¯s what you two are.¡±


    ¡°Lucky?¡± Cromus frowned, his tired mind struggling to keep up. ¡°What¡¯re you talking about? Loose already saw me using skills.¡±


    ¡°Skills ain¡¯t normal,¡± the Shaman grunted, leaning harder on his stick. ¡°Not for us. Only me and Red Fist got anythin¡¯ close. Even the big orcs don¡¯t do stuff like that.¡±


    The mention of Red Fist made the younger goblins shift nervously, their wide eyes showing their fear. Loose Tooth scowled, puffing his chest again. ¡°Well, Cromus is way better than Red Fist. Way cooler.¡±


    Cromus chuckled weakly, though it drained more of his strength. Athas stretched lazily, his thick legs shifting as he yawned, exposing his jagged teeth. The younger goblins squealed and backed away, their fascination mixed with fear.


    ¡°What is that thing?¡± one of the younger goblins asked, pointing a shaky finger at Athas.


    The Shaman squinted, stroking his chin. ¡°An Asalisk,¡± he muttered, his voice reverent. ¡°I thought so.¡± He turned to Cromus, his tone low and serious. ¡°That¡¯s no normal beast, Cromus. Asalisks are rare. Dangerous. They bond strong. If you treat it right, it¡¯ll fight for you¡ªscare away monsters just by showin¡¯ up.¡±


    Cromus looked down at Athas, who nuzzled against his side, his soft skin warm to the touch. ¡°This little guy? He doesn¡¯t seem dangerous.¡±


    ¡°Not yet,¡± the Shaman said, wagging his finger. ¡°But give him time. Take care of him, and you¡¯ll have a friend stronger than any weapon.¡±


    Cromus smiled faintly, resting his hand on Athas¡¯s head, just behind the curved horns. ¡°He¡¯s already a good friend. I¡¯ll take care of him.¡±


    The Shaman hobbled over to the snake-man¡¯s body, crouching low to inspect the lifeless Naga. His fingers brushed over the scales. ¡°A Naga,¡± he muttered. ¡°Tough fight, huh?¡±


    Cromus nodded, his body sagging more against the wall. ¡°Yeah. That thing didn¡¯t let up. Fast and relentless.¡±


    The Shaman straightened, leaning heavy on his stick. ¡°Naga are no joke. They¡¯re smart. Strong. Lucky it didn¡¯t eat you.¡±


    Cromus ran his fingers over Athas¡¯s back spikes, his voice quiet. ¡°I had to tap into a core. Absorbed it. Gave me enough strength to fight back.¡±


    The Shaman¡¯s gaze sharpened. ¡°Core absorption? Risky business, that. Most folks get swallowed by the power. But you¡ª¡± He tapped his stick against the ground. ¡°You¡¯re sittin¡¯ here. Means you¡¯re tougher than most.¡±


    ¡°Or just stupid lucky,¡± Cromus said with a faint smile.


    The Shaman snorted. ¡°Maybe both.¡± He pointed his stick at the Naga. ¡°That thing wasn¡¯t here for fun. Naga catch folk¡ªsell ¡®em, use ¡®em, whatever. Looks like it was workin¡¯ with the Croakers.¡±


    Cromus sighed heavily. ¡°Great. More things trying to kill me.¡±


    The Shaman chuckled darkly. ¡°Don¡¯t take it light, Cromus. You did good, but trouble ain¡¯t done with you yet. Rest while you can.¡±


    The Shaman shuffled back to the other goblins, leaving Cromus slumped against the wall. He exhaled, stroking Athas¡¯s head again. The Asalisk let out a low, contented rumble, its thick tail thumping softly against the stone floor.


    Athas softly, nuzzling against his hand. Cromus chuckled, his fatigue momentarily forgotten. ¡°At least I¡¯ve found you Athas.¡±


    Cromus absently stroked Athas, the repetitive motion a soothing wave against the weight of his exhaustion. His thoughts were a haze, drifting aimlessly as he leaned back against the cavern wall. He didn¡¯t notice the faint flicker at the edge of his vision¡ªa notification buried beneath the others.


    For a moment, the red-glowing text pulsed, growing brighter before a tendril of inky black mist began to coil around it. The gas writhed unnaturally, moving with a sinister purpose as it enveloped the notification entirely. The faint glow vanished, swallowed whole, and the black mist dissipated as if it had never been there.


    Cromus remained oblivious, his focus locked on the steady rise and fall of Athas¡¯s scaled body. The weight of the creature in his lap was grounding, a tether to the moment that kept the creeping unease just out of reach. Whatever had happened within his HUD went unnoticed

 Chapter 10: But they dont need to know that.

    When most people think about rest, the first thing that comes to mind is sleep. Sadly, with everything that had happened, Cromus could not. He tried to relax, drawing calm from the rhythmic rise and fall of Athas¡¯s breathing beside him. Yet his sharp, green eyes remained open, scanning the shadows that pooled in the cavern¡¯s jagged walls. His gaze lingered on the old goblin shaman seated cross-legged near the entrance and then shifted to Loose Tooth, who fidgeted a few paces away. The two younger goblins huddled nervously behind him, their glances flickering between Cromus and the cavern¡¯s darker recesses.


    The shaman sat with a weathered stillness, his gray-green skin etched with deep lines, illuminated faintly by a soft, bioluminescent glow from the moss clinging to the cave walls. His every motion was deliberate, his aura calm yet unshakably wise. After a prolonged silence, his voice broke the stillness, gravelly yet commanding.


    ¡°Biggin like you should rest,¡± he said, folding his spindly hands in his lap. ¡°Ain¡¯t no use wearin¡¯ yerself thin.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m fine,¡± Cromus replied curtly.


    The shaman regarded him with an almost fatherly patience but did not push the issue. Instead, his gaze shifted to Loose Tooth, who busied himself rummaging through a satchel. Cromus assumed Loose Tooth had grabbed it during the chaos after releasing all the animals from their cages.


    ¡°That one,¡± the shaman said, gesturing toward Loose Tooth with a tilt of his bald head, ¡°he got plenty to say ¡®bout you.¡±


    Cromus¡¯s brow furrowed, his attention drawn to Loose Tooth, whose fingers paused momentarily before continuing to rummage through the bag. He seemed determined to avoid eye contact. ¡°Does he?¡±


    The shaman nodded slowly. ¡°Says we got a lucky Biggin ¡®mong us¡ªa half-blood with more strength than Red Fist. Smarts too. But most ¡®portant, he says you ain¡¯t cruel.¡±


    Cromus let the words settle in the heavy air, but his thoughts snagged on the name Red Fist. ¡°That¡¯s the second time you¡¯ve mentioned Red Fist,¡± he said, his tone edged with curiosity. ¡°What is he to you?¡±


    His question wasn¡¯t directed at any one of them, but he noticed how Loose Tooth¡¯s ears twitched, and the two younger goblins shifted uncomfortably, clutching at the frayed edges of their tattered clothes. Their unease was palpable.


    The shaman stayed quiet for a moment, his gaze fixed on the glowing moss. When he finally spoke, his words came slow, each one heavy with memory.


    ¡°Red Fist? He be the chief. The big boss of our tribe,¡± the shaman said. ¡°He¡¯s got the blessin¡¯ o¡¯ Ooog¡ªthe first goblin blessed in my lifetime. First I ever seen.¡±


    His voice grew quieter, almost reverent. ¡°He start out strong. Real strong. Got the tribes all to follow him. Made us one. Made us strong. Took what we wanted. Crushed the weak.¡±


    ¡°Sounds like a remarkable leader,¡± Cromus said carefully, his tone unreadable.


    The shaman turned his sharp, sunken gaze toward him for the first time. His eyes, dark and knowing, seemed to bore into Cromus. ¡°Remarkable, sure. But power¡¯s a heavy thing. It bends ya. Breaks ya.¡±


    Loose Tooth, still clutching the satchel, stared fixedly at its contents, but Cromus noticed the tightness in the goblin¡¯s jaw. The two younger goblins huddled closer together, their fear as tangible as the damp chill of the cavern.


    ¡°In the tribe,¡± the shaman muttered, his voice rough, ¡°weak don¡¯t last. Like bad meat, they tossed out. If ya try savin¡¯ weak ones? Same. Tossed out with ¡®em.¡±


    The old goblin let out a low, rattling breath and stared at the two younger goblins crouched nearby. Their wide eyes darted between Cromus and the shaman, full of fear and shame.


    ¡°I was shaman once,¡± he went on. ¡°Kept the tribe strong. Fixed ¡®em up when they bled. But I got slow. Couldn¡¯t do spells fast no more.¡± He spat onto the stone floor, his disgust clear. ¡°Red Fist didn¡¯t like that. Said I was useless. Out I went.¡±


    Cromus¡¯s sharp eyes flicked toward Loose Tooth, who fiddled with the satchel in his lap, avoiding Cromus¡¯s gaze.


    ¡°Them two,¡± the shaman said, jerking his chin at the younger goblins, ¡°they begged for me. Yapped at Red Fist, sayin¡¯, ¡®Don¡¯t throw out shaman!¡¯ But their ma an¡¯ pa?¡± He snorted. ¡°They knew better. Kept their mouths shut, just watchin¡¯ their whelps dig their graves.¡±


    The younger goblins whimpered, their heads bowing. Loose Tooth¡¯s jaw tightened, his hands clenching around the satchel.


    ¡°Then him,¡± the shaman growled, nodding toward Loose Tooth, ¡°he stepped up. Stood in front o¡¯ me and them. Told Red Fist he was wrong. Said we don¡¯t toss out shamans. Don¡¯t toss out young¡¯uns.¡±


    Loose Tooth finally spoke, his voice low and gruff. ¡°Didn¡¯t feel right. Someone had to do somethin¡¯, so I did.¡±


    The old goblin snorted, a dry, humorless sound. ¡°Red Fist didn¡¯t like that. Said Loose Tooth caught my sickness. Weakness. Poison. Tribe agreed¡ªweakness spreads. So out we go, all of us.¡±


    Loose Tooth¡¯s voice hardened. ¡°I looked ¡®round, seein¡¯ all them I bled with, fought with. Not one stepped up. Not even their ma an¡¯ pa. Just watched.¡±


    The shaman¡¯s face twisted into a grimace. ¡°Red Fist don¡¯t leave no room for fightin¡¯ back. Weak don¡¯t belong in the tribe. Mercy don¡¯t belong.¡±


    Loose Tooth glanced at the younger goblins, then back down. ¡°I¡¯d do it again,¡± he muttered. ¡°Even if I knew how it ends. I¡¯d do it again.¡±


    ¡°Red Fist don¡¯t care ¡®bout loyalty,¡± the shaman finished, his voice quiet but sharp. ¡°Only strength. Only winnin¡¯. If ya ain¡¯t helpin¡¯ him win, ya nothin¡¯.¡±


    Silence filled the cavern, thick and heavy.  Cromus shifted against the cool stone wall, his sharp amber eyes scanning the group as the shaman¡¯s final words hung in the air. The betrayal, the coldness¡ªit all painted a grim picture of Red Fist¡¯s rule.


    He couldn¡¯t help the flicker of irritation rising in him. The story was tragic, yes, but it felt...familiar. Too familiar. It was like something ripped straight from one of the countless games he¡¯d played, where the tyrant ruled with cruelty, and the hero was left to clean up the mess.


    It wasn¡¯t just wrong¡ªit was cliche.


    Still, as the thought churned in his mind, another idea began to take root. A grin tugged at the corner of his lips, sharp and knowing.


    "Tell me something," Cromus said, his voice cutting through the heavy silence. His gaze locked on the shaman. "Does your tribe have a rule or law that says anyone can challenge Red Fist for his seat of power?"


    The shaman¡¯s sharp, sunken eyes narrowed slightly, his expression flickering with surprise. ¡°Aye,¡± he said, his gravelly voice cautious. ¡°But how¡¯d ya know that?¡±


    Cromus shrugged, his tone casual as he leaned back against the cavern wall. ¡°I¡¯m just a smart Biggin.¡±


    Loose Tooth¡¯s ears twitched at the words, his gaze finally lifting from the satchel in his lap. The younger goblins exchanged wide-eyed glances, their curiosity cutting through their fear.


    The shaman¡¯s brow furrowed, studying Cromus intently. ¡°Challengin¡¯ Red Fist ain¡¯t no small thing,¡± he said. ¡°You lose, you die. An¡¯ challengin¡¯ him? That ain¡¯t been done before.¡±


    Cromus¡¯s grin widened, his sharp teeth glinting faintly in the bioluminescent glow. The idea of turning this grim situation into an opportunity thrilled him. Loyal followers¡ªstrong, grateful little warriors¡ªcould be worth their weight in gold in a place like this.


    ¡°I¡¯m not worried about that,¡± Cromus said, his voice steady, confidence brimming. ¡°All I need is a shot. And I¡¯m betting there¡¯s more than a few in your tribe who¡¯d love to see Red Fist fall.¡±


    Loose Tooth frowned, his hands tightening around the satchel. ¡°You¡¯re serious? You¡¯d really fight Red Fist? That ain¡¯t no game. He¡¯s got the blessin¡¯ o¡¯ Ooog.¡±


    ¡°Blessing or not, he¡¯s still just another tyrant.¡± Cromus met Loose Tooth¡¯s gaze, his amber eyes gleaming. ¡°And I¡¯ve dealt with plenty of those before.¡±


    The words hung in the air, commanding attention, and Cromus could see the faint spark of hope flickering in the younger goblins¡¯ eyes. It was enough for now¡ªenough to plant the seed of trust and loyalty.


    As silence settled once more, Cromus leaned back against the cavern wall, letting a sly grin creep across his face. ¡®They don¡¯t need to know it¡¯s only ever been in video games,¡¯ he thought.


    Cromus finally took notice of the notifications he had been ignoring. With a mental command, he opened them, and a wicked smile crept across his face. Oh yeah, everything¡¯s gonna be just fine, he thought, the grin growing wider.


    CONGRATULATIONS!!!


    You have reached Level 3!!!


    You have reached Level 4!!!


    You have reached Level 5!!!


    You have 30 points to distribute!!!


    The notifications flooded Cromus¡¯s vision, chaotic and relentless: defeating Croakers, poison alerts, severe damage warnings, a flagged ¡°poison body¡± issue for later review, mana lockouts, and, of course, the sweet victory over the Naga. It all added up to three big, juicy levels.


    As he swiped through the cluttered log, a new notification popped into view, far more intriguing than the rest.


    CONGRATULATIONS!!!


    You have reached your first milestone!


    Every fifth level, you will receive choices on how to progress in your adventure. Choose carefully¡ªyou won¡¯t get another until your next milestone!


    As the message faded, three shimmering boxes materialized in his vision, each promising a unique path forward.


    Draining Bite


    A spell that allows the user to take a bite out of a living opponent, replenishing health equal to the damage dealt. Cost: 30 Mana.


    Cromus¡¯s grin faltered as his mind conjured the image of him chomping down on one of those slimy Croakers mid-battle. ¡®Yeah, no thanks.¡¯


    Nature¡¯s Shield


    A spell that creates a small energy barrier around the user¡¯s body. The shield absorbs 40 points of damage for an initial cost of 40 Mana. The barrier can be extended up to half the user¡¯s maximum health by spending additional Mana. Certain magical attacks may bypass the shield.


    ¡®Now that,¡¯ Cromus thought, ¡®is more like it.¡¯ The mental picture of a glowing shield deflecting blows while he stayed standing made him nod in approval.


    Heavy Slash


    The user spends 20 Stamina to deliver a powerful strike, adding one-third of their regular attack power to the blow.


    Cromus raised an eyebrow. ¡®Seriously?¡¯ Compared to the first two options, it felt...lackluster. A healing spell, a protective barrier, and then...a slightly harder hit? He couldn¡¯t help but feel a little insulted by the simplicity of it. ¡®What am I supposed to do with this? Oooo me Thud I hit things hard, still a problem, hit it harder! No if I wanted to be limited to things like that I would have gone Barbarian to begin with.¡¯


    He sat there going over everything again, but he knew what he was going to do, in the end to him there was only one choice. He mentally clicked Nature¡¯s Shield and the knowledge of the spell instantly flooded his mind.


    Happy with his choice he opened another Notification.


    For reaching level 5 you have opened the passive feat tree. Feats will cost points to unlock, Choose wisely adventurers.


    Thickened skin


    Your skin naturally thickens, giving you a naturally tougher hide. reducing the incoming damage.


    Animal ferocity


    You gain 10% more attack damage.


    Animal step


    Your movement becomes lighter. giving you a bonus to be unnoticed.


    After taking everything in looking at his massive pool of 30 points, Cromus wanted to try something. Sliding over to his status page he mentally added points to his constitution, the stat jumped from 16 to 25 with a hard stop, the numbers flashed red as he tried to add more. looking back at his pool of points he saw they had dropped by 14 leaving him with 16 left.


    If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.


    He repeated the process by dumping all 16 into his strength. The 25 flashed red even though he had no more points to add to the stat. ¡®So there is a hard cap? What level did it start?¡¯ Looking over at Sais still unconscious, he decided we would confirm the theory when Sais woke up. Dumping all of his points into only two stats seemed a bit too eager for him early on anyways.


    Dropping the points back a bit. Leaving constitution and strength at 20. He then began to add to his Dexterity bringing it up to 18, his wisdom to 16, his intelligence to 14, and his charisma to 10. leaving him with 6 points out of the thirty.


    ¡®If my math is right this will bring my health to 200, and my mana to 140, Ill definitely be needing more mana with the new spells.¡¯ But it still felt off to him, he checked Nature¡¯s shield again. ¡®yeah I wasn¡¯t wrong, with this I could basically use my mana almost like another health bar in tight spots.¡¯


    He sat there second guessing himself, He swapped the point from his dexterity to his intellect changing the scores. Intelligence now sat at 18, which gave him 180 mana. which if he used 40 to cast the shield he then could sacrifice a maximum of 100 mana, which would leave him with 40 mana to use on other spells. which is 10 short from effectively being able to have 100 extra life, and cast animal affinity. looking at his pool he had 6 points left.


    ¡°Fuck it, its early stages I am sure I can fix any mistake I make later.¡± Cromus said, causing the goblins to look at him questioningly except the old shaman who had a knowing smile.


    He put two more points into intellect rounding it up. He had 4 points left. He slid the box with the feats back into his view, mentally clicking Thickened skin.


    You are about to buy Thickened skin which will cost 2 points. Yes/No?


    Mentally clicking yes, he bought the passive feat, which grayed out and branched out to another box that was blackened out.  ¡®Ok so I unlocked something else but I am not able to buy it just yet.¡¯ He looked back at the other two feats which had grayed out. ¡®WHAT! Oh come on, that''s some horse shit! I can only buy one feat per milestone?¡¯ He took a breath calming himself.


    Looking at his points he had 2 left. The entire time, his charisma stat was an eye sore to him. But now all he would do would increase it by one. Wouldn¡¯t that be a waste for now? ¡®Next time¡¯ He thought to himself. and through his last 2 points into Dexterity, bringing it to 16.


    You are about to accept where and what you spent your points on. Once accepted you cannot take back your choices, Are you sure you are happy with what you have chosen? Yes, or No?


    Cromus mentally checked yes and pulled up his new character screen.


    Name: Cromus


    Age:22


    Level: 5


    Exp: 2990/3800


    Health: 200/200


    Mana: 200/200


    Stamina: 140/140


    Stats


    Strength: 20


    Dexterity: 16


    Constitution: 20


    Intelligence: 20


    Wisdom: 16


    Charisma: 10


    Race: Half-Orc: A race of an orc and human mix. Seen as a descendant of a violent race, other races shy away from you, you will receive a negative two percent to any charisma checks with other races. Though there is not only bad news with this race, thanks to your orc heritage you are more sturdy than most other races, able to face terrors others wouldn''t dare, and able to stomach things that would sicken most. You have night vision, in areas of low light you are able to see normally.


    Path: Gaia''s Warrior: A warrior for the planet, friend to the forest and beasts alike, this path allows you to cast spells of nature and use equipment modified from the earth, as well as allows you to improve your own capabilities from stats of animals, and have animals assist you later in levels. Gain bonuses when interacting with animals.


    Boiling blood: Thanks to your Orc heritage, you possess a hidden bestial rage that temporarily boosts your stamina and strength. You gain 20% to all strength-based skills, abilities, and attacks. As well as slows down stamina consumption.


    Abilities


    Animal Empathy: From a easy glance you are able to determine an animal''s demeanor to you, as well as having a better understanding of how to improve the demeanor.


    Animal Link: Once a day you are able to choose an animal who is neutral with you and create a telepathic link with the chosen animal for twenty four hours or until you sever the link.


    Identify (inferior): The basic ability that most intelligent being, can be used to identify items, creatures, and other humanoids.


    Spells


    Heal (inferior): You are able to spend Ten mana to heal you or a willing target for ten hit points.


    Nature''s Assistant: You can spend four mana to help a plant grow a stage in its growth or remove any harmful effect it may have. The bigger the growth or larger effect consumes more mana.


    Animal Affinity: You are able to spend fifty mana to manifest one animal body part on your body for ten minutes.


    Nature¡¯s Shield


    A spell that creates a small energy barrier around the user¡¯s body. The shield absorbs 40 points of damage for an initial cost of 40 Mana. The barrier can be extended up to half the user¡¯s maximum health by spending additional Mana. Certain magical attacks may bypass the shield.


    Skills


    Universal Translate: No worrying about language barrier, anything spoken, or read will be translated to a language you understand.


    Animal Empathy: From a easy glance you are able to determine an animal''s demeanor to you, as well as having a better understanding of how to improve the demeanor.


    Nature¡¯s Awareness


    Thanks to your connection to Gaia, you are acutely aware of usable herbs and minerals nearby.


    Passive Feat


    Thickened skin


    Your skin naturally thickens, giving you a naturally tougher hide. reducing the incoming damage.


    Cromus paused. ¡®When did I get Nature''s awareness?¡¯ Looking back he saw in the mix of notifications he had missed this one.


    Congratulations!!!


    For reaching a milestone you have unlocked new skills to your class. Nature¡¯s Awareness. Thanks to your connection to Gaia, you are acutely aware of usable herbs and minerals nearby.


    ¡®Should¡¯ve known¡ªa Druid getting something like this is typical. But minerals? That¡¯s unexpected. I wonder what kind it means,¡¯ Cromus thought, his gaze drifting back to Sais as his friend stirred. With a quick motion, Cromus closed the notifications and focused fully on him.


    ¡°Well, good morning, Sleeping Beauty,¡± Cromus teased, a grin spreading across his face.


    As Sais sat up taking in the scene, seeing all the goblins, and Athas. He glanced at Cromus, his expression shifting into a playful smirk. ¡°In this room, I guess I am.¡±


    Cromus¡¯s grin widened. ¡°Glad you¡¯re okay. Though, honestly, I¡¯d rather be the one knocked out¡ªthis whole worrying and waiting for you to wake up is the worst.¡±


    ¡°Well, I figured it was your turn. You know, so you could understand my pain,¡± Sais retorted, visibly relaxing. But then his eyes narrowed as realization dawned. ¡°Wait a second¡ªyou leveled up!¡± He pointed an accusatory finger.


    ¡°Guilty.¡± Cromus wore a mock guilty expression, quickly shifting into an exaggerated parent-like worry. ¡°I had to do something while you were busy stressing me out.¡±


    Sais laughed, shaking his head. ¡°Good to see some things never change.¡±


    Cromus dropped the act, his smile genuine now. ¡°Good to see you, too. Oh, and we¡¯ve made some friends. That one¡¯s Loose Tooth, and this¡­¡± He turned to the goblin shaman and paused, a sheepish look crossing his face. ¡°I didn¡¯t catch your name. Sorry about that.¡±


    The shaman dipped his head. ¡°I am Keezz. The younglings are Jagz and Ush.¡±


    Sais nodded respectfully. ¡°Thanks for the help earlier, Keezz.¡± He turned back to Cromus, nodding toward the creature curled at his friend¡¯s side. ¡°And this?¡±


    ¡°This is Athas,¡± Cromus said, beaming as he scratched the sleeping Asalisk behind its horns. ¡°He¡¯s an Asalisk¡ªhelped me before you arrived.¡±


    Sais watched Athas twitch slightly, leaning into Cromus¡¯s hand even in its sleep. He couldn¡¯t help but smile. ¡°So, what have we been up to while I was out?¡±


    ¡°Talking, learning, leveling up. Oh, and there¡¯s something important I learned that you¡¯ll want to hear,¡± Cromus said, his tone turning serious.


    As Cromus explained the stats cap, Sais listened intently. They speculated about the limitation, discussing its implications and whether it might increase with milestones.


    ¡°Level 5, how about you?¡± Cromus asked.


    ¡°Same, what''s your xp?¡± Sais asked.


    ¡°2990 out of 3800.¡± Cromus stated.


    ¡°Really? I thought you would forsure have more than me getting into fights before I showed up.¡± Sais replied with surprise.


    ¡°What? what do you have?¡± Cromus asked.


    ¡°3270 out of 3800. must have gotten one or two more croakers than you.¡± Sais smiled.


    ¡°Well at least it''s not an obscene amount.¡± Cromus sighed.


    ¡°For now but you give me that lead I am going to run with it.¡± Sais said with a devilish smile coming to his face.


    Cromus narrowed his eyes. ¡°Challenge accepted.¡±


    ¡°First to ascend wins!¡± Sais declared. They clasped hands sealing the deal. ¡°Now let me figure my stuff out and then we can start looking through this place for anything we can scavenge.¡±


    Cromus simply nodded in reply and gave Sais silence as he messed with his notifications.


    It wasn¡¯t too long before Sais spoke. ¡°You didn¡¯t tell me there were Passive feats I could buy.¡± an accusation in his voice, with a hint of annoyance.


    ¡°Sorry, it slipped my mind. Though I will warn you I was only able to buy one and all the others grayed out.¡± He warned Sais.


    ¡°Good to know but I already think I know what I am choosing.¡± Sais replied.


    ¡°Oh?¡± Cromus Prompted.


    ¡°Yeah. Portal charge, it allows my summonings to gain a 10% increase to all stats. It¡¯s not as good as the spell I chose Deadly shot, which adds one-third of my dexterity to the attack for only 20 stamina.¡± Sais said.


    ¡°You took that? I got something similar but with melee. It seemed lacking to me.¡± Cromus stated.


    ¡°I mean I see where you mean but that¡¯s only early on, 33% will mean a lot more later on. But what did you get that is so much better?¡± Sais asked.


    ¡°I had the option for a bite attack that heals me for the damage I deal, but¡­ the idea of using it on something like the croakers? No thanks. Instead, I went with Nature¡¯s Shield. I can channel my mana to boost it, up to half my health. It felt like the better choice,¡± Cromus explained before shifting gears. ¡°By the way, are you done? When you are, I¡¯ve got a trick Henry taught me.¡±


    Sais quirked an eyebrow ¡°Just a moment.¡± he said before almost instantly saying ¡°Ok.¡±


    Cromus willed to share his character stats with Sais. who once he got the notification agreed.


    Sais had Strength 10, Dexterity 20, Constitution 10, Intelligence 25, Wisdom 12, and Charisma 20. His new ability was Duel summoning, which allowed him to summon two of a single summoning at the same time at double the cost. Cromus could only imagine Sais bringing out two Clockwork defenders at once. ¡®If this is the progression I can see Sais becoming an army by himself.¡¯


    ¡°Well you definitely optimized the best I could see, bringing up your Int for more of a health pool. I like it. use everything you got at your disposal.¡± Sais spoke his thoughts out loud.


    Cromus smiled. ¡° Yeah I see you becoming more of a one man army. Going to be an issue for most.¡±

 Chapter 11: I am not eating that.

    Cromus stood and stretched after what felt like days. Placing his hands on his lower back, he bent backward until his spine let out a satisfying crack. "Oh, man. I know it¡¯s only been hours, but it feels like I¡¯ve been stuck in that spot for ages."


    Sais got up shortly after, brushing dust off his armor. "Yeah, laying on rocks does that. But hey, no Croakers showed up, so we¡¯re good to take our time and look for that sweet loot."


    Both of them grinned at each other, their mood mirrored by Athas, who beamed as cheerful as ever.


    Loose Tooth, leaning against a boulder, snorted. "Okay, yeah, I sees it now. You two real alike¡­ real weird."


    Cromus rolled his eyes, still grinning. "From my point of view, Loose, you should be thankful for our weirdness. Thanks to it, we escaped, beat the bad guys, and now get to enjoy the spoils."


    As he turned back, he spotted Sais crouched by the Naga¡¯s corpse, rifling through its belongings. ¡°Hey, what the hell?¡±


    Without looking'' up, Sais kept searching''. ¡°You seemed busy chatting, so I thought I¡¯d get a head start.¡±


    ¡°Damn loot goblin,¡± Cromus muttered, only to be met with confused and indignant noises from the actual goblins behind him. He quickly clarified, ¡°Not you guys.¡±


    Sais pulled a necklace from the body, its gold chain glinting faintly in the dim light. His eyes gleamed as he whispered, ¡°Jackpot.¡±


    ¡°Oh?¡± Cromus stepped closer as Sais tossed it to him. The necklace had a simple yet elegant design: a golden chain with a centerpiece of amethyst set in a golden hand. Its craftsmanship demanded attention. Without hesitation, Cromus activated his Identify skill.


    Amethyst Grip: This necklace was crafted by a struggling jeweler who, after a breakthrough in his craft, poured his newfound skill into its creation. The necklace seamlessly blends with any outfit unless willed otherwise. Grants a 2% Charisma bonus when interacting with others of a similar race and contains a small spatial storage for its bound user.


    Do you wish to bind to Amethyst Grip? Yes/No.


    Sais raised an eyebrow at Cromus¡¯s less-than-enthusiastic expression. ¡°What¡¯s with that look? It¡¯s a great find.¡±


    Cromus tossed the necklace back to him. ¡°It is, but you¡¯d get more out of the Charisma bonus than I would.¡±


    Sais shrugged, donning the necklace. It melted seamlessly into his gear, as if it had always been there. He activated its storage function and pulled out a satchel. The unmistakable sound of clinking coins filled the air.


    ¡°Uh, Cromus,¡± Sais began, his voice filled with suppressed excitement. ¡°I think we¡¯ve solved our money problems.¡±


    Cromus¡¯s eyes widened as Sais opened the satchel, revealing stacks of gold coins. Each coin bore an intricate design of a dwarf and elf standing back-to-back on one side and a castle on the other.


    ¡°How much is there?¡± Cromus asked, plucking a coin from the pile to inspect it.


    ¡°The spatial storage says this bag holds 500 gold coins. There are four bags in total, all full.¡±


    Cromus tried to temper his excitement. ¡°That sounds like a lot, but we don¡¯t even know what gold¡¯s worth here yet.¡±


    Sais chuckled. ¡°I doubt creatures and people sell cheap, but even so, this should keep us comfortable for a good while. Plus, look at these.¡± He retrieved two small red crystals from the necklace¡¯s storage and handed one to Cromus. Both of them used Identify.


    Fire Crystal: A crystal imbued with the fire element. Can be used in alchemy recipes or to enhance weapons and armor with fire attributes.


    ¡°Huh, so basically it¡¯s for imbuing stuff with fire abilities?¡± Cromus asked, turning the stone in his hand. A tug at his sleeve made him glance down at Keezz¡¯s eager expression.


    ¡°May I see that, Biggin?¡± the elderly goblin asked.


    ¡°Sure.¡± Cromus placed the crystal into Keezz¡¯s outstretched hand.


    Keezz¡¯s eyes widened in reverence. ¡°This real precious. Can be used lotsa ways, but goblins¡­ we only got one sure way.¡±


    ¡°And what¡¯s that?¡± Sais asked.


    ¡°Yous sure ya wanna see?¡± Keezz¡¯s gaze flicked between them.


    ¡°As long as it won¡¯t hurt us,¡± Cromus added.


    Keezz gave a toothy grin before poppin'' the stone into his mouth and swallowing it whole.


    Both Cromus and Sais stared, jaws dropped in disbelief. Their shock was short-lived as Keezz¡¯s skin began to take on a faint reddish glow.


    ¡°Now I got amplified fire spells,¡± Keezz said, his old voice sounding stronger, his face seemin'' less lined.


    ¡°I am not eating that,¡± Cromus said firmly.


    ¡°I don¡¯t think you should,¡± Sais agreed, though his curiosity remained piqued. ¡°Keezz, is the crystal still usable after it... passes?¡±


    ¡°Depends. If it stays inside too long, power might drain. Otherwise, still usable,¡± Keezz explained.


    ¡°And besides fire spells, what other benefits does it give?¡± Cromus asked.


    Keezz stretched his shoulders with a pleased expression. ¡°My bones don¡¯t hurt no more, and I feels a bit younger.¡±


    Cromus and Sais exchanged a glance. ¡°He does look a little younger,¡± Cromus noted. ¡°Does mana have that effect?¡±


    Sais snapped his fingers. ¡°I remember Henry saying something about worlds with higher mana. More mana might make folks live longer or something like that.¡±


    Cromus nodded, but his brow furrowed in thought. ¡°Speaking of Henry, is he okay? Last time I saw him was before that blue smoke engulfed us.¡±If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.


    ¡°He¡¯s fine,¡± Sais reassured him. ¡°His body¡¯s magical. When I cast the spell, he was essentially dismissed until I can summon him again. There¡¯s a cooldown¡ªabout an hour¡ªbut we¡¯ll see him soon.¡±


    ¡°Good to hear,¡± Cromus said. ¡°Back to the stones¡ªhow many do you have left?¡±


    ¡°Just one,¡± Sais replied.


    They both turned to Keezz, who grinned mischievously.


    Athas, oblivious to the tension, wagged its tail happily, his ever-present cheer lighting the moment.


    ¡°Moving on. Was his gear magical?¡± Cromus asked toward Sais.


    ¡°Naw, it was basic stuff. If it was, I don¡¯t think the fight woulda gone the way we wanted it to,¡± Sais replied.


    ¡°Well, all that matters is we¡¯re standing and he¡¯s not. Plus, I think I know where there¡¯s more stuff,¡± Cromus said, gesturing behind him to where he had been tossed earlier.


    Walking through the passage of the cave, they came across a makeshift door frame that had been broken inward. Stepping through, they found pathetic shards of weak wood scattered across the room.


    ¡°I didn¡¯t notice this when I walked out. He musta thrown me harder than I thought,¡± Cromus said.


    His eyes followed the broken pieces to what he could only imagine was the spot he landed. Six beast cores lay nearby. Cromus walked over and identified them all: two corrupted wolf cores, three regular wolf cores, and one Bearded Vulture Bear core.


    ¡°Must be worth something, since they¡¯ve been collecting them. Definitely taking those with us,¡± Sais said as he started putting them into his spatial storage before making his way over to a makeshift room.


    A single twin-size bed sat alone near a wall, with a desk and stool put off to the side, cluttered with paper and an inkwell. But the thing that grabbed both their attention was the pile of gold bars¡ªtwelve, to be exact.


    Cromus was the first to speak. ¡°Yeah, I think you were right to assume money isn¡¯t our problem. I think our real problem is where we¡¯re gonna spend it and on what.¡±


    ¡°Gear for sure, but what I¡¯m really hoping for in this world is something like a city builder game,¡± Sais said, grinning wide.


    ¡°You mean where you build a town, slowly expand, and eventually take over everything the game lets you?¡± Cromus asked.


    ¡°Yep. Make our own soldiers, buildings, all that. ¡®Til eventually, you¡¯ve got crazy stuff that leaves most other civilizations in the dust.¡± Sais¡¯ joy was palpable.


    ¡°We¡¯ll see. But it would be nice to actually have a home. I think our best bet is taking over the goblins by beating Red Fist. There¡¯s your soldiers.¡± Cromus said.


    Sais¡¯ look became serious. ¡°I think you¡¯re right,¡± he said, glancing around to note that the goblins hadn¡¯t followed them here. ¡°But it just worries me to tie ourselves to goblins. Other races will probably avoid us.¡±


    ¡°Well, we can change their minds,¡± Cromus said.


    ¡°That¡¯ll probably be harder than you think. We talked about it the day we chose to leave. Most races see them as monsters or just easy farm. They probably give a lot of negatives to building relationships with other cities or things like that,¡± Sais argued.


    Cromus looked at him blankly. ¡°Everyone has a choice. You can let yourself be the handicap, or you can be what you wanna be. Others might not wanna work with you if you stay around me. That¡¯s a possibility.¡±


    Sais caught on. ¡°True. But we¡¯ll make it work. It¡¯s easier to argue that one¡¯s different than a whole village with a stigma on ¡®em. I¡¯m just sayin¡¯ we¡¯ll be fighting an uphill battle.¡±


    ¡°I can acknowledge that. I wanna make the best of this we can. Instead of seeing it as a negative, let¡¯s see what positives we can take from it. Judging them before we even see the possibilities is starting off wrong. Are they simple? Yeah. But imagine what can happen with a bit of guidance. I already see goblin rogues at our command. They could end fights before they even start,¡± Cromus said, now getting excited.


    ¡°Okay. We¡¯ll give it a shot. I¡¯m not gonna lie; they¡¯ve kinda grown on me. I just hope others will see it too. Now can we get back to the loot?¡± Sais asked.


    With a happy look on his face, Cromus nodded.


    In one of the desk drawers, they found a two-inch-thick disk of hard material they couldn¡¯t identify. It had a carving of a planet on it. It was heavy, and when they tried to use Identify on it¡­


    ???: This item is out of your capabilities.


    ¡°Welp, I say we keep it. Maybe later we can figure it out,¡± Cromus said.


    ¡°Agreed. Worst case, we can¡¯t use it but find someone who can,¡± Sais replied as he put it in the storage. ¡°Kind of a bummer for the last thing we found. I really need to find a replacement bow or crossbow.¡±


    ¡°Oh, I know where we can find weapons. Just gotta backtrack a bit,¡± Cromus replied.


    ¡°That¡¯s good. And hey, we¡¯ve got spatial storage. Even if that was the main thing we found, the rest could be useful. I¡¯m happy with what we got. It¡¯s a fantastic start on our way,¡± Sais stated as they left the room to find the four goblins waiting patiently.


    Well, somewhat patiently. The two young ones were playing with some moss, Keezz seemed to be meditating, and Loose Tooth was munching on something from a satchel he was struggling with.


    ¡°Loose Tooth, what you got there?¡± Cromus asked.


    Loose Tooth froze. ¡°No¡­ nothin¡¯,¡± he said with a pathetic lie, hiding the satchel behind his back.


    ¡°Sure, what you got?¡± Cromus said with a devilish smile.


    Loose Tooth sighed, quickly giving up and bringing the satchel out for everyone to see.


    It was filled with jerky. ¡°Oh, is that all?¡± Cromus said, but his stomach growled at the sight.


    A sad look on his face, Loose Tooth pushed the satchel closer to Cromus. ¡°Take it, Biggin.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not gonna take your find. I¡¯ll have a little if you allow¡ªjust enough to get back to our camp for some food,¡± Cromus said.


    ¡°Really?!¡± Loose Tooth asked.


    ¡°Of course. You found it, plus none of you tried to take items from that room or the Naga while we rested. You give us some of those rations now, and we¡¯ll give you some of the meat we cook later. Deal?¡± Cromus asked.


    ¡°Ye¡­ yeah, Cromus,¡± Loose Tooth said, genuinely surprised they didn¡¯t just take it.


    Cromus and Sais shared a handful of jerky, gnawing on the tough strips of dried meat. Like the other food they¡¯d scavenged, it lacked any seasonings, leaving the flavor as barren as the cave they had just explored. The dryness of the meat made each bite a chore, with the texture offering more resistance than satisfaction. Cromus chewed thoughtfully before grimacing, swallowing hard. ¡°This stuff is rough,¡± he muttered, his voice tinged with resignation.


    Sais nodded in agreement, forcing down another bite. ¡°Bland as dirt,¡± he said with a sigh. ¡°But hey, it¡¯s better than nothing.¡±


    The lackluster meal left them yearning for something more, but they pressed on, returning to the chamber where Cromus had discovered his new sword. Sais searched through the remaining items and found his old crossbow and bolts, along with something new¡ªa bow of remarkable craftsmanship. Its sleek, dark wood gleamed in the faint light, and embedded near the top half was a familiar, glowing crystal.


    Darkwood Elemental Bow: This finely crafted bow was fashioned from the resilient root of the Darkwood tree, magically enhanced for superior flexibility and durability. A mana crystal embedded in the bow¡¯s upper section allows it to draw elemental energy, granting powerful bonuses to its attacks. The crystal can be recharged using any other mana crystal.


    Sais¡¯s initial excitement quickly shifted to disappointment as he remembered something¡ªhe had given one of their mana crystals to Keezz, who had used it for his spells.


    Cromus, noticing Sais¡¯s crestfallen expression, stepped closer and placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder. ¡°That¡¯s rough, buddy. But hey, don¡¯t sweat it. We¡¯ll find more mana crystals to keep your shiny new bow powered up!¡±


    ¡°Yeah... you¡¯re probably right,¡± Sais replied, though his voice carried a faint hint of regret. Determined to make the best of the situation, he pulled out the remaining mana crystal from his pouch and held it near the one embedded in the bow. A faint, glowing prompt appeared in his mind, offering an option to transfer the energy. Without hesitation, Sais mentally clicked ¡°Yes.¡±


    The crystal pulsed faintly, then dimmed as its energy was absorbed into the bow. The etched runes along the weapon shimmered briefly before settling into a steady glow.


    Meanwhile, the goblins busied themselves scavenging small daggers from the pile of leftover gear. Keezz, standing apart, merely smirked. ¡°I have no need for weapons,¡± he said. the other goblins just shrugged having faith in their shaman.


    With their loot secured and the group ready, the seven companions exited the cave without incident. The cool air of the open forest greeted them, and they set off back toward their campsite, their steps lighter now that the trials of the cave were behind them.

 Chapter 12: Is want to

    As they walked through the forest, Cromus couldn¡¯t help but notice the trail left behind by his earlier captors. The flattened grass and uprooted patches of dirt were unmistakable. He shook his head, irritation bubbling to the surface. ¡°Man, they really didn¡¯t care, huh? Just dragged my ass all the way here? Did they really think you wouldn¡¯t come looking?¡±


    Sais chuckled softly but shook his head. ¡°Honestly? They had every reason to think I wouldn¡¯t. To be fair, Keezz¡¯s reaction wasn¡¯t exactly encouraging when we found you. Our abilities aren¡¯t super rare, but in this region? They might as well be. Healing myself until my body could fight off the poison? That was maybe a five percent chance of success. But hey,¡± he shrugged, his tone lightening, ¡°I¡¯m not complaining. I got a notification saying I¡¯ve started something called Poison Body.¡±


    That caught Cromus¡¯s attention. He came to a stop, eyes narrowing as something clicked in his mind. ¡°Wait, hold up,¡± he muttered, opening his notifications with a quick mental command. After sifting through the backlog, he found what he was looking for. ¡°Here it is,¡± he announced.


    Nearby, the three younger goblins looked around in confusion, clearly unable to figure out what Cromus was doing. Keezz, walking a little ahead, turned and gestured for them to stop. ¡°It¡¯s a class thing,¡± the old goblin explained. ¡°Not somethin¡¯ you see. Just happens.¡± Despite Keezz¡¯s reassurance, the younger goblins still looked bewildered but eventually shrugged and kept walking.


    Cromus focused on the message that appeared before him:


    CONGRATULATIONS!!!


    You have begun the Poison Body enhancement. Through your battle with the Croaker and Naga poisons coursing through your veins, you¡¯ve developed a remarkable resistance to these toxic threats¡ªno small feat without a substantial health pool or a healer at your side. However, your journey is far from over. To complete this process, you must defeat three more powerful poisons in a similar manner. Once you succeed, you will unlock the Poison Body enhancement, making poisons significantly less harmful¡ªor even entirely ineffective.


    Poison Body


    Progress: 2/5 (inferior)


    Cromus read the message aloud, and Sais¡¯s eyes widened. ¡°Wait, what? That¡¯s crap! You got two counts just from dealing with the Naga poison for a short time, while I had to fight the Croaker poisons for hours? Wait a second¡­ Did you fight the entire time while poisoned?¡±


    Cromus snorted. ¡°What? No. I got poisoned repeatedly, sure, but I scavenged for antidotes like crazy. That¡¯s what kept me alive.¡±


    Sais frowned, his shock giving way to something closer to irritation. ¡°Antidotes? And it still counted for resisting the poison? That feels like a massive loophole! If that¡¯s how it works, you could just line up vials of poison and antidotes, take one after another, and grind your way to unlocking Poison Body.¡±


    Cromus scratched the back of his head, looking sheepish. ¡°Maybe? Or it could¡¯ve been the Core. When I used it, it enhanced my body enough to naturally resist the poisons. That might¡¯ve made the difference. I mean, they do count as ¡®inferior poisons.¡¯¡±


    ¡°Hmm, maybe.¡± Sais¡¯s tone was dubious, and his scowl deepened. ¡°Still, I don¡¯t like it.¡±


    ¡°Uh-huh,¡± Cromus said, smirking. ¡°You just don¡¯t like it because it¡¯s not something you can exploit right now.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s not it!¡± Sais snapped, though his expression betrayed a hint of guilt. ¡°But think about it. If you¡¯re right, what¡¯s stopping me from gathering a bunch of poisons, taking them all, and using the cores I¡¯ve got here over and over again to counter them? I could progress my Poison Body that way.¡±


    Cromus shrugged. ¡°Maybe? But I don¡¯t think it¡¯s that simple. When I used the Core, I was completely wiped out after the time ran out. Overuse probably messes you up. Hey, Keezz,¡± he called, turning to the old goblin. ¡°Do you know anything about this?¡±


    Keezz glanced over his shoulder, his staff tapping softly on the ground. ¡°Some tried, long ago,¡± he said simply. ¡°Young dumb goblins. Take core. Too much power, poof¡ªgone. Others¡­ changed. Look like beasts, think like beasts. No more goblin.¡± He shook his head. ¡°After that? No more try.¡±


    Cromus shuddered at the mental image, suddenly aware of how close he might¡¯ve come to a terrible fate. ¡°Welp,¡± he said, forcing a grin, ¡°I don¡¯t think either of us should test that theory.¡±


    ¡°Yeah,¡± Sais agreed with a quick nod. ¡°Definitely something we¡¯re not going to do.¡±


    ¡°Keezz, I got a question for you,¡± Sais began, waiting for the goblin to acknowledge him. Keezz lifted his head slightly in their direction but didn¡¯t stop walking.


    ¡°What level are you, and what is your class?¡± Sais asked.


    Keezz paused, considering if he should answer. After a long moment, he said simply, ¡°Level three. Shaman.¡±


    Sais tilted his head, a look of surprise crossing his face. ¡°So, before the cave, you were actually a higher level than us. Why did it feel like there was still such a huge gap?¡±


    Keezz shrugged. ¡°Most biggins stronger. Bigger. Could be size, could be age. But I got question too.¡±


    Cromus and Sais exchanged curious glances, then turned their attention back to Keezz. ¡°How many points you biggins get?¡± the old goblin asked.


    ¡°Ten,¡± Sais answered casually.


    Keezz stopped in his tracks, his eyes wide with shock. ¡°TEN!?¡±


    The rest of the group halted as well. ¡°Yeah¡­ is that a lot?¡± Cromus asked, confused.


    Keezz shook his head, his disbelief clear. ¡°I get five. Half what you get.¡±Help support creative writers by finding and reading their stories on the original site.


    Sais frowned. ¡°Well, that explains the gap. But why such a big difference?¡± he wondered aloud.


    Cromus scratched his chin, thinking it over. ¡°Maybe it¡¯s tied to age, race, or even how the class was received?¡±


    ¡°Could be,¡± Sais said, though his expression showed lingering doubt. Both of them looked at Keezz expectantly.


    Keezz stood silent for a moment, then sighed. ¡°Long story. We need camp, food, before I talk.¡±


    ¡°I can live with that,¡± Cromus said, nodding. Sais agreed, and the group continued walking.


    The silence between them felt heavy as they moved. Keezz fell back a little, his thoughts distant. Loose Tooth walked beside him, glancing up at the elder goblin with a smile. Keezz, snapping out of his thoughts, returned the gesture. Together, they followed the others.


    Breaking the quiet, Cromus said, ¡°We can¡¯t be this lucky.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s lucky we¡¯re even here,¡± Sais replied. ¡°We¡¯ve survived two encounters that honestly should¡¯ve been the end of us.¡±


    ¡°True. But man, double what Keezz gets? And with the other stuff we¡¯ve unlocked? I¡¯d be cursing the system if we only got five points per level,¡± Cromus said.


    Sais looked over his shoulder at the goblins trailing behind them. ¡°Maybe, but we probably shouldn¡¯t say stuff like that in front of the person who actually gets five.¡±


    Cromus glanced back and caught Keezz¡¯s eyes. ¡°Uh¡­ sorry.¡±


    Keezz waved him off. ¡°It fine. You talk to learn. Go on. I listen.¡±


    Encouraged, Cromus and Sais began explaining their abilities and the things they¡¯d unlocked at level five. Keezz listened quietly, nodding along as they spoke. At certain points, Cromus thought he saw a glimmer of determination in the old goblin¡¯s eyes, which brought a small smile to his own face.


    Before long, they reached a familiar spot¡ªthe clearing where the Croakers had ambushed them. Cromus stopped, scanning the area warily as if expecting an ambush all over again.


    Sais shook his head. ¡°Relax. I doubt they¡¯d come back here. They probably hightailed it back to wherever they came from.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re probably right,¡± Cromus said, though he still frowned. ¡°But it bugs me that they got the drop on us in the first place.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, me too. But we¡¯re a lot stronger now,¡± Sais said. ¡°Just gotta remember, there¡¯s always something bigger and badder out there.¡±


    ¡°Why you always stopping or complaining?¡± Loose Tooth asked, his tone impatient. ¡°We hungry. You promise food.¡±


    Cromus smiled. ¡°You¡¯re right, loose. Camp¡¯s not too far.¡±


    When they arrived, the camp appeared untouched, save for the few things Sais had rummaged through before he left. The makeshift campfire was still intact.


    ¡°I¡¯ll gather bark, twigs, and wood,¡± Cromus said as he turned to leave. To his surprise, the two younger goblins, Ush and Jagz, immediately followed him.


    ¡°You don¡¯t have to help,¡± Cromus said.


    ¡°I¡¯s want to,¡± Ush said earnestly.


    Jagz nodded, picking up a handful of dead leaves. ¡°We owe biggin.¡±


    Hearing this, Cromus smiled warmly. ¡°Alright. Thanks for the help.¡±


    The young goblins beamed and hurried to gather materials, their excitement putting a pep in their step. Seeing their energy, Cromus decided to collect some sturdier branches, an idea forming in his mind.


    When they returned, Cromus heard Sais¡¯s voice. ¡°Back, you neanderthal!¡± Sais had a hand on Loose Tooth¡¯s forehead, holding him at arm¡¯s length.


    ¡°You promised food. Food there. Me hungry!¡± Loose Tooth protested, weakly struggling.


    ¡°We¡¯re going to cook it. Don¡¯t you cook your food?¡± Sais asked, exasperated.


    ¡°Take too long. Stomach demand food!¡± Loose Tooth said, his stomach growling as if on cue.


    Keezz hobbled over and thumped Loose Tooth lightly with his stick. ¡°Patience good. Wait,¡± the old goblin scolded.


    ¡°Ouch!¡± Loose Tooth rubbed his head but sulked off, arms crossed.


    ¡°I promise you¡¯ll get the first piece, Loose,¡± Cromus said as he started rigging up the healthier branches into a grill-like structure.


    Loose Tooth perked up slightly but was soon distracted by Cromus¡¯s construction. ¡°What¡¯s that?¡± he asked, while even Sais raised an eyebrow at the makeshift contraption.


    ¡°Just something I wanted to try,¡± Cromus said, arranging the kindling beneath the grill. He was about to strike a spark when Keezz stepped forward, holding a dead leaf above the pile. The old goblin closed his eyes, and a flicker of flame ignited the kindling effortlessly.


    ¡°Oh, the crystal,¡± Cromus said, realization dawning. ¡°Right. Thanks, Keezz.¡±


    Keezz smiled faintly and settled back as Cromus carefully placed two pieces of Vulture Bear meat and three pieces of rabbit meat onto the grill.


    ¡°Well, Keezz,¡± Sais began as the smell of cooking meat filled the air, ¡°while we wait, could you tell us about your class and your levels now?¡±


    Keezz nodded, letting a moment of silence stretch before speaking. ¡°Shaman is great honor,¡± he began, his voice solemn. ¡°Normally, follow older shaman long time. Learn. Then class passed. Usually blood-related. My clan¡­ dying. Bad sickness. We were fifteen. Then eight. Shaman, she tried everything. My mate, my child, already gone. I helped her, but she was young¡ªjust got lucky herself. Then she got sick. No one else helped. She gave me class with her last strength. She died.¡±


    Keezz paused, the weight of the memory heavy in his voice. ¡°After she gone, words come in my face. I couldn¡¯t read before, but now I could. I had choice: heal spell or boost spell. I chose heal. Chief say we move¡ªhe call sick land cursed. We leave with seven. Lucky, I healed every cough. No more die. We grew. Became thirteen. Then one born strong. Big. Red Fist.¡±


    Keezz¡¯s tone softened as he spoke of Red Fist. ¡°His father, chief, proud. At six, Red Fist held spear. At ten, he fought chief. Won easy. Led raids. Clan grew. New goblins came. New shamans, younger ones. Red Fist picked them. I stayed back, heal only. Got my levels then. Not much after.¡±


    He sighed, his expression a mix of pride and sadness. ¡°That why I think I only have five points. Old shaman weak, sick, when she passed class. Other shamans get six, seven. Me? Only five.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s¡­ rough,¡± Sais said, frowning. ¡°It might make sense, though. If the strength of the shaman passing the class affects the next one, that explains it.¡±


    Cromus nodded thoughtfully. ¡°Still, if we helped you level, maybe that¡¯d boost your abilities. What do you think?¡±


    Keezz hesitated. ¡°I¡­ too old to fight now.¡±


    ¡°Maybe,¡± Sais said, ¡°but leveling might fight the effects of aging. It¡¯s worth a shot.¡±


    Keezz¡¯s eyes glimmered with a trace of hope. ¡°Maybe. Could be.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s settled, then,¡± Cromus said. ¡°We¡¯ll help you level and see what happens.¡±


    Just then, a loud ¡°Mmmmmmmmmmm!¡± drew their attention. Loose Tooth had snuck a piece of Vulture Bear meat and was already swallowing it down.


    ¡°So good!¡± he exclaimed, his face lit with joy.


    The group laughed, the tension of the day melting away. As they ate, Cromus handed out portions to everyone, including Athas, who danced happily with a piece of meat in his jaws.


    Cromus bit into his portion, a bit too hopeful after Loose Tooth¡¯s reaction, only to be met with the same bland, tough flavor as before. The charred bits helped slightly, but he couldn¡¯t stop himself from mentally praying to Gaia for a future filled with seasoning.

 Chapter 13: Where you going I got more for you!

    The night passed quickly and uneventfully. With the goblins taking turns on watch, the shifts were shorter, giving everyone a rare chance to get some proper rest. Cromus woke to the unpleasant sensation of Athas¡¯s rough tongue dragging across his face.


    ¡°Alright, alright! I¡¯m up,¡± he grumbled, wiping the slobber from his cheek. Blinking groggily, he realized he was alone in the cave, a hollow that once served as the den for the Bearded Vulture Bear. Two large bushes partially concealed the cave¡¯s entrance, allowing light to filter faintly through while providing some cover. Outside, he could hear the chatter and laughter of goblins as they went about their business.


    The smell of damp earth and old fur lingered in the air, mixed with the faint aroma of something cooking. Cromus sat up, stretching his stiff limbs and trying to shake off the last vestiges of sleep. His back ached from the uneven stone floor, but the hollow was lined with old grass, leaves, and other nesting materials that softened their sleep.


    From outside came a sudden burst of loud cackling, followed by a string of sharp, guttural goblin words. Curious but cautious, Cromus grabbed his bastard sword, resting it against his shoulder before stepping out into the pale morning light. The goblins were gathered in a loose circle, their daggers¡ªtaken from the cave where they were captured¡ªresting nearby. In the center, two of them were wrestling, their movements exaggerated and clumsy for the amusement of the others.


    Keezz, the oldest and the group¡¯s shaman, spotted Cromus and raised a hand in a calm, deliberate gesture. His weathered face broke into a faint smile, his sharp, uneven teeth showing. ¡°Cromus awake. Come, watch the young ones,¡± he called, his voice steady and low, as he gestured toward Ush and Jagz mock-fighting in the center of the circle. Nearby, Loose Tooth¡¯s animated laughter and excited shouts punctuated the scene, adding liveliness to the otherwise small group


    The two young goblins seemed to really be getting into it. Ush used her smaller frame to dart in, poke, and step back, while Jagz, though not much bigger than his sister, was slower with his swings.


    ¡°Come on, Jagz! You not gonna let a girl beat ya, right?!¡± Loose Tooth called out.


    Keezz leaned close to Cromus. ¡°He say that, but he lose many times to girls in old clan.¡±


    ¡°HEY! It wasn¡¯t many,¡± Loose Tooth objected, before sheepishly adding, ¡°Only a couple times.¡±


    Keezz smiled. ¡°Many times,¡± he snickered.


    Jagz, unable to hear Keezz and Loose Tooth¡¯s conversation, was bolstered by the first comment about losing to a girl. When Ush darted in again, he grabbed her, twisted his waist, and flipped her over him. She landed on her back with a thud. Silent triumph spread across his face as he raised his hands over his head, declaring himself the victor. His grin widened as he looked up to the sky¡ªonly to see it getting much farther away as he fell backward, knocked off balance by Ush sweeping his legs out from under him.


    Loose Tooth burst out laughing, his raucous cackle echoing through the small clearing. Keezz nodded along, a sly grin on his face, while Cromus gave a thumbs-up to Ush, who simply smiled before turning to help her brother to his feet. The morning light filtered through the trees, casting dappled shadows across the ground. The fire from the night before had died out, leaving only faint wisps of smoke curling into the crisp air. Nearby, a large den lay partially hidden by two thick bushes, their branches intertwined to form a natural barrier to the entrance.


    Jagz frowned, his expression dark with frustration. Loose Tooth opened his mouth, clearly ready to fire off another jab, but Cromus interjected before the words left his lips.


    ¡°That was a great counter, Jagz,¡± Cromus said, a wide smile lighting his face.


    Jagz¡¯s frown softened, and he returned the smile. ¡°Yeah, thanks,¡± he said.


    ¡°I¡¯m assuming this is something you all do to practice?¡± Cromus asked, his eyes flicking between the goblins.


    ¡°Yeah, we fight to see who strongest,¡± Ush said, her voice quiet but eager.


    ¡°Well, I think you two are well on your way. Keep up the hard work,¡± Cromus said, ruffling Ush¡¯s hair and placing a hand on Jagz¡¯s shoulder. ¡°One day soon, I can see you two being able to beat Loose.¡±


    The laughter in the clearing died instantly at Cromus¡¯s words. Loose Tooth¡¯s face twisted in disbelief.


    ¡°Nu-uh, they too small. I¡¯d beat ¡®em easy,¡± Loose Tooth said, crossing his arms.


    ¡°Size isn¡¯t the only thing that matters, Loose,¡± Cromus said, his tone patient. ¡°I was technically smaller than the naga I fought, and I was sure as hell smaller than the Bearded Vulture Bear Sais and I took down.¡±


    ¡°More numbers help,¡± Loose Tooth said, squinting.


    ¡°True, but the environment and your own abilities matter just as much,¡± Sais chimed in, stepping closer to join the conversation.


    Cromus nodded at his words, then looked back at Loose Tooth. ¡°I¡¯ve seen plenty of fights where someone smaller won simply because they had more to prove. The bigger one underestimated them. It¡¯s just like what Ush did to Jagz. He thought he¡¯d won just by throwing her, but she didn¡¯t want to go out like that. She turned it on him in a moment. That¡¯s all it takes for a fight to swing in someone else¡¯s favor.¡±


    Kaazz, who had been quiet, nodded. ¡°Cromus right,¡± he said. ¡°But why explain this?¡±


    Cromus met Kaazz¡¯s gaze steadily. ¡°Why? Because you four are with us. Sais and I promised to help you grow stronger, and that means leveling up. I also plan on helping the other three grow too. If we can figure out how classes are passed before we face Red Fist, we¡¯ll have leverage. That might tempt more goblins to join us, which means less pushback after I beat him. I¡¯m not just fighting him to win; I¡¯m fighting him to build something. Something better. For all of us.¡±


    At the mention of Red Fist, all the goblins flinched except Kaazz. Jagz¡¯s ears drooped, and Ush instinctively clutched her brother¡¯s arm. Loose Tooth shifted uncomfortably, but Kaazz stood firm, his expression unreadable.


    ¡°You think you can beat him?¡± Kaazz asked, squinting a bit.


    Cromus shrugged, his gaze drifting toward the horizon. ¡°I don¡¯t know. But he¡¯s a problem we can¡¯t ignore. We don¡¯t know where we are, how far we are from any settlements, or what¡¯s out there. I don¡¯t know about Sais, but I¡¯d like to get to some real food and a real bed. The quickest way to that, in my mind, is through your people.¡±


    ¡°Bed? Food? We got that here. You cooked good last night, and Vulture Bear¡¯s nest was comfy,¡± Loose Tooth said.


    Cromus grinned devilishly. ¡°Loose, one day I¡¯m going to introduce you to food so good you¡¯ll never forget it. And when we get our hands on actual beds, you¡¯ll finally understand my longing for those little luxuries.¡±


    Loose Tooth¡¯s eyes went big. ¡°Better than that? Biggin¡¯, if you not lying, I¡¯ll follow you,¡± Loose Tooth said.


    Cromus¡¯s grin widened. ¡°Oh, Loose, there¡¯s so much you¡¯ve never experienced. Food is just the beginning.¡±


    ¡°Well I hate to break up this inspirational moment, but Cromus I have been waiting to do something till you wake up,¡± Sais said.


    ¡°Oh?¡± Cromus asked, standing up straight.


    ¡°It¡¯s time we bring back a friend.¡± Sais smiled as his mana dropped and a portal opened. Out flew a familiar Clockwork owl.


    ¡°HENRY!¡± Cromus said excitedly, his face lighting up.


    Henry glided through the air with a soft metallic hum, wings flashing faintly in the morning sunlight. The clockwork owl landed gracefully on Sais¡¯s shoulder and nuzzled his cheek, ticking softly in a comforting rhythm. Sais grinned as Henry adjusted his balance, the two clearly sharing their thoughts in a way that needed no words.Help support creative writers by finding and reading their stories on the original site.


    Cromus¡¯s expression softened as he watched the familiar mechanical creature. ¡°Good to see you, Henry,¡± he said warmly.


    Henry¡¯s golden eyes flicked toward Cromus, then locked on something near his foot. The owl gave a loud hoot and pointed a polished wing downward. Cromus followed the motion, his gaze landing on Athas, who was staring intently at Henry.


    The small asilisk tilted its head, its crocodilian eyes gleaming as it caught Cromus¡¯s gaze. Athas¡¯s square jaw parted slightly in a lopsided grin, his long tail flicking once, and his tongue lolled out in simple happiness.


    ¡°Oh, this is Athas,¡± Cromus explained with a chuckle. ¡°He helped me against the Naga before you and Sais showed up.¡±


    Henry hooted again, his feathers glinting as he shuffled slightly. ¡°He¡¯s just shocked you have it chilling next to you,¡± Sais translated, still grinning.


    ¡°Well, only fair,¡± Cromus replied, giving Athas a fond pat on the head. ¡°You and Sais have a bond. Now I have a bond with Athas.¡±


    There was a brief pause as Henry tilted his head toward Sais. They locked eyes, and though no words were spoken, it was clear the two were deep in a telepathic exchange. After a moment, Henry flapped his wings once and settled more comfortably on Sais¡¯s shoulder. Sais chuckled and looked at Cromus.


    ¡°Okay, he¡¯s all caught up on everything,¡± Sais said. ¡°And he¡¯s just a little mad we waited so long to summon him. But he¡¯s glad you got a long rest, Cromus.¡±


    ¡°Hey, you can¡¯t put the blame on me. I didn¡¯t know you were waiting on me,¡± Cromus said defensively.


    Almost in sync, Sais and Henry quirked mischievous smiles.


    ¡°Oh, you bastards,¡± Cromus said, shaking his head. A slight smile played on his face.


    Cromus straightened, brushing a few stray leaves from his gear. ¡°We might as well get the day started.¡±


    Sais glanced at Henry, giving the owl a brief nod. ¡°Henry, could you scout out something nearby? Kaazz needs some experience.¡±


    Henry flapped his metallic wings once, hooted, and shot into the air with a mechanical hum, his golden eyes scanning the horizon. The morning sun reflected off his polished feathers, making him easy to spot as he climbed higher. Cromus watched him go, a confident smile on his face.


    ¡°Let¡¯s gear up, everyone,¡± Cromus said. ¡°If Henry finds us a decent target, we¡¯ll need to be ready.¡±


    The goblins nodded, their expressions a mix of nervous excitement and determination as they began checking their weapons and tightening their gear.¡±


    The forest felt strangely inviting, almost serene, as the group moved deeper into its embrace. Dappled sunlight filtered through the dense canopy, illuminating patches of moss and wildflowers scattered across the forest floor. Birds sang faint, trilling notes in the distance, accompanied by the rhythmic rustle of leaves stirred by the morning breeze. After fighting a Bearded Vulture Bear and surviving the croakers, the woods seemed oddly peaceful. Yet, despite its calm, Cromus knew better than to let his guard down. The forest held secrets behind every shadow, threats hidden among the vibrant greenery.


    Still, Cromus felt a rare sense of ease. The breeze was neither sharp nor biting, carrying with it a refreshing coolness that countered the effort of the walk. The goblins fidgeted uneasily as they followed Henry, who glided silently ahead of them, his golden eyes scanning through the trees.


    With a hoot, Henry swooped down and landed on a low-hanging branch. Sais stepped forward, sharing a brief telepathic exchange with the clockwork owl before turning to the group. ¡°There¡¯s a Cradlethorn Tree up ahead,¡± he said. ¡°It has a colony of Thornspitter Primates living in it. Henry thinks it¡¯s a good source of XP for the goblins. If things get too rough, we¡¯ll step in.¡±


    Loose Tooth groaned. ¡°Thornspitters? Those things suck.¡±


    Kaazz nodded, his expression grim. ¡°Might be good XP, but we don¡¯t have much range. The young ones aren¡¯t as lucky as us¡ªyou forget.¡±


    ¡°No, I didn¡¯t forget,¡± Cromus replied, his voice steady. ¡°But they need exposure. Maybe working as a team will unlock something¡ªlike classes. Either way, it¡¯s a chance to see how everyone works together before we face the rest of the goblins.¡±


    Kaazz considered this for a moment before sighing. ¡°Fine. But if things go bad, you help?¡±


    ¡°Of course,¡± Cromus said with a nod. Sais echoed the confirmation beside him.


    Kaazz pointed his makeshift staff at Henry with a determined look. ¡°Lead the way.¡±


    The group pressed on, the forest growing denser as they neared the Cradlethorn Tree. Soon, they reached a clearing where the other trees seemed to bow away, leaving a single giant to claim the space. The Cradlethorn Tree loomed ahead, its twisted, jagged trunk stretching skyward like a fortress. Sticky, amber sap oozed down its rough bark, pooling in the gnarled roots below. Bulbous pods dotted the trunk, glistening faintly in the light. Above, the canopy was a chaotic tangle of thorny branches and bright, carnivorous flowers that dripped acidic nectar, their petals trembling with every breeze.


    Among the branches, the Thornspitter Primates swung effortlessly, their rose-like heads shimmering with life. Their thorny, vine-like arms stretched out to grasp branches as they moved, their bark-covered bodies blending seamlessly into the tree. Cromus¡¯s Identify revealed their details, but the sheer number of creatures moving among the branches made him uneasy.


    The Cradlethorn Tree:


    The Cradlethorn is a large tree that serves as both the home and lifeblood of Thornspitter Primates. Its trunk is rough and jagged, exuding a sticky sap that is both highly flammable and toxic but serves as nutrients for the Thornspitters. The tree''s bark is peppered with small, bulbous pods that explode into clouds of thorny shrapnel if disturbed. Its canopy is dense and covered in bright, carnivorous flowers that drip acidic nectar, preventing anything but the Thornspitters from safely climbing its branches.


    Thornspitter Primates


    Thornspitter Primates are small, monkey-like creatures about the size of a large cat. Their heads resemble blooming roses with thorny vines cascading down like wild hair. Their vine-like arms, covered in sharp thorns, are both flexible and strong, allowing them to swing through trees with ease. Their bodies are bark-like and covered in small mossy patches, further blending them into their forest environment.


    These creatures dwell in tight-knit groups around special trees known as the Cradlethorn, which is central to their survival. Their role as guardians of the Cradlethorn makes them both territorial and aggressive toward intruders.


    ¡°Okay, now I see why you were hesitant,¡± Cromus muttered, his gaze sweeping the tree. ¡°That just looks like a bad time.¡±


    ¡°Told you,¡± Loose Tooth added.


    ¡°Sure, but they¡¯re only really dangerous in numbers and when they¡¯re near the tree,¡± Sais said. ¡°If we can lure them out, bit by bit, we can manage. I counted twenty, but there could be more in the upper branches.¡±


    Cromus turned to Kaazz, eyeing the faint red hue that still tinged the goblin from the crystal he¡¯d consumed. ¡°Kaazz, you said you only had healing and buffs¡ªno attacks?¡±


    ¡°I have a small fire spell now, thanks to the crystal,¡± Kaazz replied.


    ¡°Good. Loose, Ush, and Jagz¡ªyou¡¯ve got your daggers, right?¡± Cromus asked.


    The goblins nodded, though their nervous expressions betrayed their uncertainty.


    ¡°Sais can aggravate them from a distance with his bow. Once they¡¯re close, you three will strike. Sais and I will support from range, and I¡¯ll step in if things go south.¡±


    Loose Tooth hesitated. ¡°You promise to heal us if we get hurt?¡±


    Cromus crouched, meeting Loose Tooth¡¯s wary gaze. ¡°I promise. You¡¯ve seen me fight. You know I¡¯ll protect you.¡±


    Loose Tooth nodded reluctantly. Sais stepped forward, nocking an arrow and drawing his bowstring. The mana crystal embedded in the weapon hummed faintly as the arrowhead ignited. When he released it, the arrow flew straight, striking one of the Thornspitters and pinning it to the tree. The small flame began to spread.


    The colony reacted immediately. Thornspitters scrambled to the flame, slapping at it with their vine-arms and spitting thick liquid to douse the fire. For a brief moment, relief flickered in the group¡ªuntil the creatures kept coming.


    They hadn¡¯t miscounted¡ªthey¡¯d underestimated.


    From the branches above, forty-five Thornspitters poured down, their rose-heads glowing faintly as their collective cries echoed through the clearing. Half the group charged directly, while the others launched pods from the tree. The pods exploded upon impact, sending shards of thorns flying.


    ¡°New plan!¡± Cromus bellowed, activating Nature¡¯s Shield and stepping forward. ¡°I¡¯ll tank¡ªyou all attack when you can!¡± His bastard sword, Raging Boar, cleaved through the first Thornspitter with ease, its thorny remains scattering across the ground.


    The goblins froze, panic gripping them. Ush was the first to act, letting out a war cry as she charged into the fray. Kaazz followed, flames sparking from his fingers as he enchanted Ush¡¯s daggers, the blades now wreathed in fire. She slashed at a Thornspitter, the flames catching and spreading along its vine-arm.


    Loose Tooth, shaking, muttered, ¡°This is stupid,¡± before yelling, ¡°I KNEW THIS WAS A BAD IDEA!¡± and rushing in. Jagz followed close behind, weaving beneath Loose Tooth¡¯s strikes to land quick, precise blows.


    Cromus smiled grimly, swinging his sword to cleave through three more Thornspitters. Around him, chaos reigned¡ªpods exploded, thorny projectiles flew, and the cries of Thornspitters filled the air. Sais fired another flaming arrow, igniting part of the tree and drawing attention away from the group.


    As the last few Thornspitters fell, the clearing grew quiet, save for the heavy breathing of the goblins. Loose Tooth dropped to the ground, exhausted, while Jagz leaned against a tree. Ush, adrenaline still coursing through her veins, shouted at the retreating Thornspitters, ¡°WHERE YOU GOING? I GOT MORE FOR YOU!¡±


    Her triumphant grin faded as a deep, guttural roar echoed from above. The tree seemed to tremble, its branches swaying as something massive stirred. A shadow shifted in the canopy, and then it dropped¡ªa hulking form crashing to the ground with a force that rattled the clearing.


    Its rose-like head glowed faintly, the petals darkened and scarred. Thorny vines coiled around its massive frame, and its bark-like skin was streaked with jagged lines. The air around it seemed to thrum with power as it let out another deafening roar, its crimson gaze locking onto the intruders.

 Chapter 14: Not my sister!

    Cromus stared at the imposing creature. It stood nearly as tall as he did but was twice as broad, its rose-like head a darker hue than its smaller kin. The head was fully bloomed, and a faint fiery glow pulsed ominously from its core, like the heart of a dying ember. Thorn-covered vines coiled tightly around its muscular frame like natural armor, several twisting together beneath its shoulders to form a grotesque second pair of arms. Its back bristled with bloomed roses, each thorny petal glinting like the edge of a blade. Beneath the dense vines, bark-like skin streaked with scars told the tale of countless battles fought¡ªand won.


    The Roseback exuded primal power, a predator with no equal in its domain.


    Ush froze under its smoldering gaze. Her breath hitched, her body unwilling to obey even the simplest command to move. Cold sweat clung to her skin. Nearby, Loose Tooth, normally jittery but quick to speak, stood motionless, his eyes wide with terror.


    The creature''s roar broke over the group like a physical force, reverberating through the clearing and shaking the very earth beneath their feet. It raised one of its thorn-covered vine arms, pulling it back as it twisted unnaturally. The thorns on the tip of the limb began to elongate and sharpen into a lethal spear, aimed directly at the frozen Ush.


    Time seemed to stretch into eternity.


    Cromus was the first to react. Rushed in letting out a guttural yell with Raging Boar raised high. The great blade cut through the vine arm in a single, decisive stroke, severing it cleanly. But the force behind the arm was too great, and the detached limb hurtled forward like a deadly javelin, unstoppable in its trajectory.


    To everyone''s astonishment, another figure moved simultaneously with Cromus. Jagz¡ªsmall, wiry, threw himself into the path of the incoming projectile. His tiny hands grasped the thorny vine, the sharp edges cutting into his flesh as he braced himself against the ground.


    ¡°Not my sister!¡± Jagz growled, his voice strained but resolute. His feet dug furrows into the dirt as he held firm, the momentum of the attack slowing ever so slightly. The veins in his arms bulged with the effort, his unexpected strength a shocking revelation to the group.


    Kaazz seized the moment. He grabbed Ush by the shoulder and yanked her backward, placing himself between her and the oncoming danger. His makeshift walking stick swung up in a wide arc, connecting with the vine just as Jagz lost his grip. The stick¡¯s force, combined with Jagz¡¯s earlier effort, diverted the deadly limb¡¯s trajectory just enough for it to crash into the ground mere inches from Ush, sending up a cloud of dirt and splinters.


    For a heartbeat, silence fell over the group. Jagz stumbled back, his arms bleeding but his grin wide.


    Cromus shot him a quick look of approval. ¡°Didn¡¯t know you had that in you, Jagz,¡± he said, gripping his blade tightly as he turned back to the Roseback. The massive creature, unbothered by the loss of its limb, let out a low, rumbling growl. as more vines spread and twisted over the damaged ones.


    Two arrows slammed into the monster''s chest, their flames sputtering out as vines snuffed them. From the back line, Sais shouted, ¡°Good job! Keep it up!¡± before loosing another arrow that struck the creature''s right shoulder.


    The Roseback reared up, its vine arms unfurling like deadly whips. Shadows deepened as its fiery core flared, casting flickering, blood-red light across the clearing. The air thickened with the scent of roses and rot, a suffocating prelude to the chaos about to unfold.


    Cromus rushed at the monster, Raging Boar gripped tightly in his hands. As he closed the distance, he drew the massive blade down to his left, his muscles coiling like springs. The moment he entered striking range, he unleashed an upward swing at a sharp angle, the blade biting deep into the Roseback¡¯s vine-covered torso. Without hesitation, he reversed the grip mid-swing, bringing the blade crashing back down in a devastating arc.


    Both cuts struck true, slicing through thorny armor and bark-like flesh. The creature let out a thunderous roar, the glow of its fiery rose head intensifying as its vine-covered arms slammed down toward Cromus. He narrowly dodged the first strike, stepping back just in time.


    From the backline, Sais spotted an opening and loosed another arrow. The projectile streaked through the air toward the creature¡¯s exposed chest, but as it neared, the vines in that area swelled unnaturally, forming a shield that caused the arrow to ricochet harmlessly to the ground.


    ¡°It¡¯s adapting!¡± Sais shouted, his tone sharp with frustration.


    The Roseback surged forward, one of its massive arms swinging outward in a wide arc. The thorns on the limb tore into the shimmering mana shield surrounding Cromus, sending him skidding back several paces. The shield flickered, its green glow dimming for a moment under the force of the blow. Gritting his teeth, Cromus poured more mana into the barrier, the faint hue brightening again as he steadied himself.


    Meanwhile, Jagz scrambled to help Ush to her feet. ¡°Come on! We can¡¯t fight that!¡± he barked, dragging his sister toward the bushes where Sais was positioned. His voice wavered slightly, but his determination was unshakable.


    Kaazz, standing a few paces behind Cromus, raised his makeshift staff. Muttering an incantation under his breath, he pointed it toward Raging Boar. The weapon ignited with a fiery glow, flames licking along the blade¡¯s edge. Cromus glanced back for the briefest moment, nodding his thanks before twisting to avoid another barrage of thorny vines crashing down where he had been standing.


    Sais kept his arrows flying, each one aimed with precision, though fewer found purchase as the Roseback¡¯s defenses grew more unpredictable. "Aim for the head!" he called, frustration mounting as his shots were deflected or absorbed by the creature¡¯s shifting vines.


    Cromus waded into the fray once more, Raging Boar now cutting through the creature¡¯s relentless vines with greater ease. Each strike sent fiery embers cascading through the air, the flames searing through the dense growths like a hot knife through butter.


    Kaazz scanned the battlefield, his sharp eyes searching for openings. Whenever the monster¡¯s attention was drawn to Cromus, Kaazz launched precise bursts of fire magic, each one targeting vulnerable spots. His flames left charred scars on the Roseback¡¯s bark-like hide, but the creature pressed forward undeterred, its glowing rose core flaring brighter with every wound.


    Jagz and Ush reached Sais, who kept loosing arrows while stealing quick glances at the battle. ¡°I think it¡¯s getting stronger the angrier it gets,¡± Sais muttered, his voice tight as he nocked another arrow. The Roseback¡¯s towering form loomed over Cromus, its presence seeming to suck the light from the clearing, a relentless shadow pulsing with fiery rage.This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.


    Cromus was hit hard. The force of the blow sent him flying backward, his body skidding across the ground before coming to a stop next to Loose Tooth, who was still frozen in place. His mana shield absorbed the brunt of the attack, but a quick glance at his interface told him it had taken another 50 points of damage¡ªon top of the 30 from earlier. He could only afford to spend 20 more mana reinforcing it before the damage would start eating into his health pool.


    ¡°Got to end this fast,¡± he thought, gritting his teeth as he forced himself to his feet. He turned to Loose Tooth, intending to yell something to snap the goblin out of his stupor, but the words died in his throat.


    Cromus¡¯s stomach dropped as he saw Kaazz step forward, vulnerable now that Cromus was no longer drawing the monster¡¯s ire. The Roseback¡¯s vine-like arms whipped around in a blur, slamming into the old goblin with a sickening crack. Cromus could only watch in horror as Kaazz was sent flying through the air, landing in a crumpled heap several yards away.


    A surge of anger surged, boiling blood activating. His breath came in short, ragged gasps, his vision narrowing until the Roseback was the only thing he could see. His mana flared instinctively as his rage reached a breaking point, and before he even realized it, he¡¯d activated Animal Affinity. The spell cost him another 50 mana, leaving him with only 30 points remaining, but he no longer cared.


    The glow of the spell enveloped his left arm, reshaping it into the savage talons of a Bearded Vulture Bear. His grip on Raging Boar tightened as his rage fueled his every motion. Letting out a roar that echoed through the clearing, Cromus charged.


    He hit the Roseback with unrelenting fury, slashing with his talons and cleaving with Raging Boar in a deadly rhythm. Vines were shredded with every strike, torn apart like dry leaves in a storm. Pieces of the creature flew in all directions as Cromus became a living blender, driven by a singular goal: to reduce the Roseback to vine mush. His movements were a whirlwind of blood and fire, raw power coursing through every strike as the Roseback recoiled under the sheer ferocity of his assault.


    The Roseback roared, its fiery core flaring wildly as Cromus¡¯s relentless assault carved deep gashes into its vine armor. Thorny limbs lashed out like whips, seeking to entangle or strike him, but Cromus¡¯s enhanced reflexes and raw fury kept him one step ahead. His talons tore through the vines with savage precision, while Raging Boar cleaved apart any that dared to reach too close.


    The ground around them was littered with shredded vines and broken thorns, but the Roseback showed no sign of slowing. Instead, it reared back, its bloomed roses unfurling further, releasing a thick cloud of pollen into the air. The golden mist spread rapidly, clinging to Cromus¡¯s skin and armor. A sickly sweet scent filled his nose, and for a brief moment, his vision blurred.


    Cromus stumbled, coughing as his grip on Raging Boar faltered. The pollen clung to him like a living thing, sapping his strength. Poison? No... worse. His mana reserves ticked down with alarming speed, draining as the cloud wormed its way into his defenses. He gritted his teeth, forcing himself to move. The Roseback seized the opportunity, its massive vine arms sweeping down toward him in a crushing blow.


    At the last second, Cromus roared, summoning every ounce of his remaining strength. His talons flashed upward, catching the descending vines and halting their momentum. His legs trembled under the pressure, but he held firm, his eyes blazing with determination.


    ¡°Fuck off¡­ You stupid weed!¡± he growled through clenched teeth, forcing the vines aside with a surge of raw power. With a final, desperate effort, he launched himself forward, driving Raging Boar deep into the Roseback¡¯s core. The fiery glow of its rose head flickered wildly, then dimmed as Cromus twisted the blade with a savage cry.


    The Roseback bellowed in agony, its massive form writhing as its vines thrashed uncontrollably. Cromus yanked his blade free, stumbling back as the creature¡¯s movements grew more erratic. Its rose head began to collapse inward, the fiery glow within it intensifying until it became blinding.


    ¡°Get down!¡± Sais shouted from the edge of the clearing, loosing one final arrow. The projectile struck the Roseback¡¯s collapsing core, shattering it completely. Mana rushed from the core sending vines and bark rippling outward. Cromus dropped to the ground, shielding his face as the blast tore through the air.


    When it all settled, the Roseback scattered the main body unrecognizable, the remains of its once-mighty form reduced this. Cromus struggled to his feet, his body aching. His mana reserves were nearly depleted, and his limbs trembled as the adrenaline faded.


    Behind him, Kaazz groaned as Sais healed him.  He pushed himself up from where he¡¯d fallen. Ush and Jagz emerged cautiously from the bushes, their faces a mixture of relief and awe. Loose Tooth finally moved, his legs shaking as he staggered toward Cromus.


    ¡°You... you killed it,¡± Loose Tooth said, his voice low with disbelief. His hands still trembled as he stared at the remains. ¡°Thought we was gonna die.¡±


    Cromus wiped a mixture of sweat and vine goo from his face, leaning heavily on Raging Boar. ¡°Well, it wasn¡¯t what we expected,¡± he said, glancing at Kaazz, Sais, and the others. ¡°But we beat it together.¡±


    Jagz puffed out his chest, his small frame swelling with pride. For once, the goblin¡¯s confidence seemed well-earned, and even Cromus had to admit it looked good on him.


    Cromus chuckled weakly, the sound mingling with the tension still lingering in the air, before turning back to the ruined remains of the Roseback. Among the shredded vines, a faint glow caught his eye. He stepped closer, brushing debris aside to reveal a single object nestled within the remnants of the Roseback¡¯s core¡ªa red fruit, its surface glimmering faintly with an otherworldly energy.


    ¡°What is that?¡± Sais asked, stepping forward, his bow still loosely gripped in one hand.


    Cromus bent down, picking up the fruit carefully, holding it up so everyone could see. Its rich crimson hue seemed to pulse faintly in his hand, almost alive. Kaazz instinctively reached out toward it, his hand trembling.


    ¡°Cromus... please,¡± the old goblin said, his voice weak but filled with quiet urgency.


    Cromus glanced at Sais, who gave a small shrug. ¡°We did this to help him,¡± Sais said, his tone even. ¡°I say give it to him.¡±


    Without needing any more prompting, Cromus handed the fruit to Kaazz. The shaman took it reverently, his eyes wide with awe. He turned it over in his hands, inspecting it as though it were the most precious thing he¡¯d ever seen. Then, without hesitation, Kaazz bit into the fruit savagely, juice running down his chin as he tore at it again and again.


    The others stared, stunned into silence, as the old goblin devoured the fruit with almost feral intensity. When he finally finished, his face was a mess of crimson juice and pulp, but he wore a satisfied smile that bordered on bliss.


    ¡°What... just happened?¡± Jagz muttered, glancing uneasily between Kaazz and Cromus.


    Then, before anyone could speak, a strange transformation began. The wrinkles on Kaazz¡¯s face smoothed, the deep lines around his mouth and eyes fading. His hunched posture straightened slightly. He didn¡¯t become young exactly, but the change was undeniable.


    Cromus stepped back, his eyes wide. ¡°THE HELL!¡± he blurted, his voice echoing in the clearing.


    The others stood frozen, unsure whether to be awed or terrified. Kaazz wiped his mouth with the back of his hand, his face calm and serene. For a moment, he seemed to glow faintly, his skin radiating vitality that hadn¡¯t been there moments ago.


    ¡°Feels... good,¡± Kaazz said, his voice steadier now, carrying a strength it hadn¡¯t held in years. He looked down at his hands, flexing them as though testing their newfound energy.


    Loose Tooth broke the silence. ¡°Well... that¡¯s... uh... different.¡±


    Jagz nodded slowly, his puffed chest deflating slightly. ¡°Yeah... we¡¯re definitely not fighting another one of those.¡±


    Cromus let out a long breath, shaking his head. ¡°We¡¯ll figure it out later,¡± he said, though his gaze lingered on Kaazz with equal parts concern and curiosity. ¡°For now, let¡¯s get out of here before the little thornspitters think they can attack again.¡±


    The group began to gather themselves, their steps lighter but their minds heavy with questions. Cromus cast one last glance at the ruined remains of the Roseback before following the others, the image of Kaazz¡¯s transformation burned into his thoughts.

 Chapter 15: Broken Shaman

    The group moved cautiously through the dense undergrowth, the air still thick with the lingering scent of roses and scorched bark. The battle with the Roseback had left them exhausted, their bodies sore and mana reserves drained. Cromus led the way, his grip firm on Raging Boar, though every step sent a dull ache through his battered frame.


    Kaazz walked just behind him, his posture strangely upright, his usually shaky gait steadied by an unseen force. He seemed lost in his own world, flexing his fingers and rubbing his arms as if getting used to his own skin. The transformation had taken years off him¡ªnot enough to make him young, but enough to make him¡­ different.


    Jagz kept glancing back at Kaazz, his nose wrinkled in suspicion. ¡°So¡­ you just gonna act like that¡¯s normal?¡± he muttered under his breath.


    Kaazz let out a slow exhale, rolling his shoulders. ¡°Not normal¡­ but not bad.¡±


    Loose Tooth, still visibly shaken from the fight, rubbed his face and groaned. ¡°You ate that fruit like a starved wolf, and now you¡¯re standing straighter than I ever seen.¡±


    Kaazz didn¡¯t react to Loose Tooth¡¯s ramblings. His gaze flickered, pupils dilating slightly. A faint glow of shifting runes reflected in his eyes¡ªhis interface. He was reading through something important.


    Cromus didn¡¯t miss the moment. ¡°Well, did you get anything good?¡± he asked, unable to contain his curiosity.


    Kaazz nodded, though his brow furrowed slightly. ¡°Yes. I got a quest, Heal the Broken Shaman.¡± He looked down at his hands. ¡°I was one of four, but now I am two of four.¡±


    Cromus and Sais exchanged a glance.


    ¡°Four of what?¡± Sais asked.


    ¡°Elements,¡± Kaazz said. ¡°The fire mana crystal I ate counted for fire, and the fruit just now counts for earth. I need air and water.¡±


    Sais whistled low. ¡°That sounds good.¡±


    Cromus frowned. ¡°Yeah, but what else did you get, Kaazz? Did you level? Gain anything?¡±


    Kaazz nodded. ¡°I leveled. I got the quest, and after I ate the fruit, I obtained two new spells¡ªTangle and Erupting Earth.¡±


    ¡°Erupting Earth sounds pretty good, and Tangle is probably a strong single-target spell,¡± Sais noted. ¡°With all his past experience as a support, he¡¯ll probably end up being a great battlefield controller.¡±


    ¡°I agree, and he got another damaging spell. So, with you as range, Kaazz as control, myself and some of your summons as front liners, we have a decently rounded team already.¡± Cromus ran a hand through his hair. ¡°My only problem is, he leveled, but all I got was five hundred experience. What did you get, Sais?¡±


    ¡°I got five hundred as well. And we both needed more than that to reach level four, so maybe he received more experience since he was lower level?¡± Sais asked aloud, looking towards Henry.


    There was a small silence as they communicated mentally before Sais spoke up again. ¡°Henry is assuming the same. He has no knowledge or experience with this.¡±


    Cromus felt as if they had made a good distance from the Thornspitters and their tree before coming to a stop. ¡°This should be a good spot for us to take a breather and for Kaazz to distribute his points.¡±


    Jagz, Ush, and Loose Tooth all dropped onto their butts, Loose Tooth looking the worse for wear, probably blaming himself for freezing up in the fight while the younger goblins acted when he didn¡¯t. His arms rested on his knees, gaze locked on the dirt. He hadn''t spoken much since the battle, his usual nervous energy drained away. Jagz gave him a side-eye but, said nothing.


    Cromus sat down as well, but before he could fully relax, a scaly nose nudged against his hand. He looked down to see Athas, the little Asalisk, blinking up at him with bright, eager eyes.


    ¡°There you are, little guy. Where did you run off to?¡± Cromus asked, scratching the creature¡¯s head.


    ¡°He hid up in one of the trees. His camouflage is no joke,¡± Sais said with a smirk.


    Cromus chuckled. ¡°Oh well, maybe one day he¡¯ll be a great scout for us.¡± He patted Athas, who let out a pleased chirr, his slick green body shifting in color slightly as if preening under the attention.


    While Cromus and Sais talked, Kaazz silently allocated his points, a slow smile stretching across his face as the changes took effect. His body seemed to settle further, more natural¡ªlike he was finally stepping into the role that had eluded him for so long.


    A quiet voice pulled Cromus from his thoughts. ¡°Cromus¡­¡±


    He turned to see Jagz and Ush standing before him.


    Ush hesitated before speaking again. ¡°I¡­ I¡¯m sorry I froze up.¡± Her eyes were on the ground, her hands clenched into small fists. Jagz stood beside her, silent but firm, there for support.


    Cromus sighed, shaking his head. ¡°You don¡¯t need to apologize, Ush. You¡¯re fine, and that¡¯s what matters.¡± He leaned forward slightly. ¡°Look, I¡¯ve been there before¡ªmouthed off, got overconfident after getting the upper hand. The adrenaline is a rush. But honestly, I think that thing¡¯s roar was more than just noise. It was meant to debuff or freeze up anyone who heard it, and you were the closest to it. If it hit me point-blank, I¡¯d probably have locked up too.¡±Stolen content warning: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.


    Ush looked up at him, her expression softening at his words. She took a deep breath and, after a beat, lifted her chin. ¡°I want to be strong like you, Cromus. Please help us grow stronger.¡±


    Jagz nodded beside her. ¡°Me too.¡±


    As the words left their lips, a sudden notification flashed in Cromus¡¯s vision.


    Due to your actions, Jagz and Ush wish to become your first followers. Accepting them as followers will allow you to unlock their choice of class at the expense of sacrificing 1,000 Experience points each and spending 100 mana. Do you wish to unlock Jagz¡¯s class? Yes/No? Do you wish to unlock Ush¡¯s class? Yes/No?


    Cromus blinked at the screen, but his moment of excitement was quickly tempered¡ªboth Yes options were grayed out. His mana bar was still refilling, only sitting at 80 out of 200.


    ¡°Cromus?¡± Ush asked hesitantly.


    ¡°Sorry,¡± Cromus muttered, shaking himself back to reality. ¡°Of course, I¡¯ll be happy to help you two grow, but let me talk with Sais real quick first, alright? I¡¯ll come talk with you in a bit.¡±


    The two goblins¡¯ smiles nearly split their heads in half before they scampered back over to Kaazz and Loose Tooth.


    Cromus turned to Sais, rubbing a hand over his face. ¡°Sais¡­¡± he started.


    Sais glanced at him, eyebrow raised. ¡°What now?¡±


    ¡°I just got a notification to unlock Jagz and Ush¡¯s classes. But it¡¯ll cost me 1,000 experience points each.¡±


    Sais let out a low whistle. ¡°Damn. That¡¯s a hefty price.¡±


    ¡°Well, the question is, will it de-level me? And do you think unlocking their classes is worth the risk?¡± Cromus asked.


    Sais shrugged. ¡°Honestly? Probably. But that depends¡ªhow much are you willing to lose?¡±


    Cromus thought about it, tapping his fingers against his knee. ¡°Even if I lose levels, I can help them level up, and in the long run, we¡¯d all benefit. My biggest concern is Loose Tooth.¡±


    Sais followed his gaze toward the last goblin. Loose Tooth sat hunched over, his head resting on his knees. He hadn¡¯t moved, hadn¡¯t spoken, and if his rigid posture was anything to go by, he was still drowning in self-recrimination.


    ¡°He¡¯s still beating himself up,¡± Sais acknowledged.


    ¡°Yep. And now that I know how to unlock classes, I don¡¯t know if I could unlock his too. If I do, I¡¯ll be even further behind you. Three might be too much.¡±


    Sais smirked, stretching his arms behind his head. ¡°Eh, I say do it. The more help, the better.¡± His smirk widened into something far more devious. ¡°Plus¡ª¡± He leaned in. ¡°It puts me that much closer to winning our bet.¡±


    Cromus groaned. ¡°You really had to bring that up now?¡±


    Sais chuckled. ¡°Always.¡± handing him a mana potion, ¡°Drink up buddy.¡± Sais said.


    Cromus had forgotten they had these when they first entered the world, he down it, and watched his mana jump up 100 points, making him only wait another ten minutes for the next 20, Cromus sat beside Sais, he let out a slow breath and confirmed the prompts in his interface.


    "Do you wish to unlock Jagz¡¯s class? Yes."


    "Do you wish to unlock Ush¡¯s class? Yes."


    A surge of warmth pulsed from Cromus¡¯s chest as his mana drained by 200 points and his experience dipped by 2,000 in an instant. He grit his teeth, feeling a slight shiver run down his spine. Then, across from him, Jagz and Ush jerked upright, their eyes going wide as something only they could see appeared before them.


    Jagz let out a sharp breath. ¡°Whoa¡ªwhat is this?¡± His fingers twitched, eyes scanning unseen text.


    Ush was frozen, her lips parted in awe. ¡°This is¡­ I don¡¯t know what to pick.¡±


    ¡°You get to pick?¡± Jagz asked, his excitement practically vibrating off of him.


    Ush nodded absently, still staring at whatever was in front of her. The two of them stood completely still, absorbed in their choices, their minds racing.


    Cromus smiled despite himself. He didn¡¯t know what paths they would take, but he knew they¡¯d grow stronger.


    But as his gaze shifted, his stomach twisted.


    Loose Tooth was watching, eyes wide, mouth slightly open. Unlike the others, his expression wasn¡¯t one of excitement. It was confusion¡ªthen hope.


    He turned to Cromus, his voice quiet but eager. ¡°Can¡­ can you do mine too?¡±


    Cromus blinked, his brows drawing together. ¡°What?¡±


    ¡°My class,¡± Loose Tooth said, taking a step forward. ¡°Can you unlock it too?¡±


    Cromus opened his interface, expecting the same prompt as before¡ªbut nothing appeared. He frowned, closing and reopening it. Still nothing. The system wasn¡¯t even acknowledging Loose Tooth.


    Cromus swallowed. He had assumed it would happen automatically¡ªafter all, they¡¯d all fought together, right? But now, standing here, watching Loose Tooth look up at him with hopeful eyes, he realized this was different.


    He let out a slow breath. ¡°Loose Tooth¡­ I don¡¯t think I can. Not yet.¡±


    Loose Tooth¡¯s face fell immediately. ¡°What?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t have the option,¡± Cromus admitted. ¡°I don¡¯t know why. It¡¯s not about mana or experience, it just¡­ isn¡¯t there.¡±


    Loose Tooth stiffened, his hands curling into fists. His gaze flickered to Jagz and Ush, who were still lost in their choices, the glow of their interfaces reflected in their wide, eager eyes.


    ¡°But they got theirs,¡± he said, his voice quieter now.


    Cromus nodded slowly. ¡°Yeah. They did.¡±


    A long silence stretched between them.


    Loose Tooth¡¯s shoulders sagged, but only for a moment. Then, he forced a grin, one of those crooked, too-wide smiles he always pulled when trying to act like something didn¡¯t bother him. ¡°Heh. That¡¯s fine,¡± he said, waving a hand. ¡°I¡¯ll just get stronger on my own then. No big deal.¡±


    But the way his jaw clenched, the way his fingers dug into his palms¡ªCromus knew it wasn¡¯t fine.


    Loose Tooth stepped away without another word, moving to sit a short distance from the others, his back partially turned.


    Cromus watched him, a heavy feeling settling in his gut.


    Sais, who had been silent up to this point, finally spoke. ¡°That one¡¯s got a storm brewing inside him.¡±


    Cromus exhaled, rubbing a hand down his face. ¡°Yeah.¡±


    His eyes drifted toward Loose Tooth once more.


    For the first time in his life, Loose Tooth felt like dead weight.


    And Cromus could see just how much he hated it.

 Chapter 16: Strange. But good.

    Cromus barely had time to process Loose Tooth¡¯s expression¡ªthe mix of frustration and forced cheerfulness¡ªbefore another sound caught his attention.


    Jagz and Ush. They weren¡¯t speaking to anyone in particular¡ªjust muttering excitedly to themselves.


    Their eyes flicked across the air in front of them, hands twitching at their sides. Jagz¡¯s grin stretched wide, his excitement barely contained, while Ush¡¯s gaze was sharp, focused.


    Cromus straightened, nudging Sais with his elbow. Sais didn¡¯t need to ask why.


    By now, they both recognized the signs of class selection.


    The rest of the group took notice as well. Athas chirred softly from his perch on Cromus¡¯s shoulder Athas shifted, his six clawed feet lightly scraping against the ground as he tilted his broad, crocodilian head to observe the goblins. His dark green scales gleamed in the low light, black stripes blending into the undergrowth as his tail flicked behind him.


    Henry perched on Sais¡¯s shoulder, his clockwork body clicking softly as tiny gears shifted beneath his metal plating. His glass-covered eyes, encircled by delicate gears, whirred as they focused on the goblins. The little mechanical owl let out a soft, rhythmic hoot, a sound both natural and artificial.


    And even Loose Tooth had wandered closer, his usual jittery energy absent.


    All of them watching. Waiting.


    Then, at the same time, Jagz and Ush spoke¡ª


    ¡°I choose this one.¡±


    The moment the words left their mouths, the changes began.


    Jagz shifted first.


    His already lean frame gained more definition¡ªmuscles hardening subtly beneath his skin. His arms looked stronger, his posture straightened, and even his cheeks seemed less sunken. The scrawny, underfed goblin he had always been was still there¡­ but there was something more now.


    Something capable.


    Something hungry.


    Jagz flexed his fingers, curling them into fists before spreading them wide again. He sniffed the air once, tilting his head as if testing something new.


    Then he grinned¡ªwide and toothy¡ªhis sharp canines gleaming.


    "Jagz feel good."


    Ush¡¯s transformation was more subtle, but no less distinct.


    She didn¡¯t gain bulk like Jagz¡ªinstead, she seemed to sharpen.


    Her body became leaner, her movements smoother, like a blade honed to a finer edge. Even the way she stood shifted¡ªher weight distributed effortlessly, as if she were ready to move in any direction at any moment.


    Her fingers twitched, and for a second, Cromus could swear her form blurred¡ªjust slightly.


    Ush took a slow breath and exhaled.


    Then she turned to Cromus, her sharp eyes locking onto him.


    "This¡­ feel right."


    Her voice was still Ush, still goblin, but there was a clarity in it now that hadn¡¯t been there before.


    Cromus exhaled, shaking his head. "Looks like someone increased their intelligence."


    Kaazz, who had been silent up until now, let out a low chuckle.


    When he spoke, the difference was undeniable.


    "Yes. Ush speak¡­ better. So do I."


    The words weren¡¯t rushed, weren¡¯t clipped or struggling for structure. He still spoke like a goblin¡ªstill carried the same cadence, the same rough edges¡ªbut it was more fluid now. More natural.


    Cromus narrowed his eyes, studying him. ¡°You don¡¯t just look different, Kaazz. You sound different too.¡±


    Kaazz gave a small, knowing smile. "Mind¡­ not slow. Words come easy." He flexed his fingers, exhaling through his nose. "Strange. But good."


    Sais gave Kaazz an approving nod. ¡°That¡¯ll help. More Intelligence means better magic control¡ªless wasted mana, stronger spells. You¡¯ll notice the difference.¡±


    Kaazz flexed his fingers, his expression thoughtful. "Yes. Already feel it. Spells... clearer. Less strain."


    Cromus smirked. ¡°Then let¡¯s hope it keeps climbing. Might turn you into a real wise goblin one day.¡±


    Kaazz snorted. "Already wise. Just... now words match."


    Jagz, meanwhile, was far less concerned with the shift in speech and far more fascinated with himself.


    He rolled his shoulders, hopping in place a few times. Then, without warning, he crouched low and launched himself forward¡ªnot at anyone, just testing his own movement.


    He moved fast. Faster than before.


    He landed with a small skid, laughing, and immediately did it again¡ªthis time adding a twist in the air, just to see if he could.


    "Jagz like this! Jagz feel STRONG!"


    His excitement was infectious.


    Even Ush, normally the more composed of the two, smirked slightly.


    But just behind them, one goblin stood apart.


    Loose Tooth had moved closer, his eyes flicking between Jagz and Ush as they tested themselves.


    He wasn¡¯t frowning¡ªhe was smiling, truly happy for them.


    But Cromus saw it.


    The small, fleeting flicker of something else in his eyes.


    The way his fingers twitched, just slightly, like he wanted to feel that change too.


    The way he nodded along with their excitement, but didn¡¯t say anything.


    Cromus felt a familiar tightness in his chest.


    He knew that look.


    He¡¯d seen it before¡ªin the eyes of those who had been left behind.


    And for the first time, Loose Tooth knew what that felt like.


    Cromus sighed, noting that he will want to have a talk with Loose Tooth in private later, but for now he would not bring any attention to it, he moved closer to Ush, and Kaazz everyone else following following.


    ¡°Jagz, please come here.¡± Cromus said loud enough to grab the excited goblins attention again and he hurried over.


    ¡°Alright if you all are comfortable with it I would like to share character sheets with you, it will allow us to see our stats, skill, spells, and abilities so we have a better handle on our capabilities.¡± Cromus said all the goblins nodded there consent trusting Cromus, taking turns they all shared their character sheets, Sais also joining in. The information flooding their minds as they. shared.


    Name: Ush


    Age: 8


    Level: 1


    Exp: 0/400


    Health: 60/60


    Mana: 100/100


    Stamina: 100/100


    Stats


    Strength: 8


    Dexterity: 10


    Constitution: 6


    Intelligence: 10


    Wisdom: 10


    Charisma: 6


    Race: Goblin: A race of small, cunning, and often underestimated creatures. Known for their quick thinking, adaptability, and resourcefulness, goblins thrive in environments that would break most others. Their nimble bodies and sharp reflexes allow them to avoid danger rather than face it head-on. However, goblins are often seen as untrustworthy or weak, leading to a -2% penalty to charisma checks when interacting with those who look down on their kind. Despite this, their low profile and agility grant them advantages in movement and stealth. You have night vision, in areas of low light you are able to see normally.


    Path: Veilborn Druid: A hunter of the wilds cloaked in shadow, the Veilborn Druid is a silent predator, blending into darkness as easily as a serpent in the grass. Unlike traditional druids who embrace the open forests, the Veilborn walk unseen, using the power of shadows, illusions, and deadly precision to strike down threats before they are even noticed. This path grants access to shadow-infused nature magic, allowing the user to move undetected, cripple foes with venomous strikes, and manipulate darkness to evade danger. As they grow in strength, a Veilborn Druid can summon spectral beasts of the night, becoming one with the unseen world.


    Abilities


    Scavenger¡¯s Fortitude: Able to digest spoiled or questionable food without getting sick.


    Identify (inferior): The basic ability that most intelligent beings, can be used to identify items, creatures, and other humanoids.


    Spells


    Phantom Fang: Whenever you land a melee attack, a shadowy viper follows the strike, biting the enemy. Applying a weak poison that stacks up to 3 times. At max stacks your next hit deals extra poison damage and slows the target. Cost 20 mana, lasts 30 seconds or until you land 3 strikes.


    Umbral Step: You can instantly dash a short distance, becoming semi-invisible for a brief moment. If you dash into cover/shadows, you completely vanish for 2 seconds. Cost 15 stamina per use.


    Venomous Mirage: You create a flickering illusion of yourself that moves slightly out of sync with your real body. Attacks against you have a chance to miss, and enemies targeting you become slightly disoriented. Lasts 1 minute or until she is hit twice. Cost 20 mana and 20 stamina. 30 second cool down after use.


    Skills


    Quick Reflexes: Gain a small bonus to dodging attacks, allowing them to evade danger more easily.


    Trickster¡¯s Cunning: When facing a stronger opponent, goblins gain a small boost to Dexterity-based actions, allowing them to outmaneuver foes rather than overpower them. This includes dodging, sneaking, feinting, and other agility-driven tactics that rely on speed and clever movement.


    Name: Jagz


    Age: 8


    Level: 1


    Exp: 0/400


    Health: 100/100


    Mana: 60/60


    Stamina: 100/100


    Stats


    Strength: 10


    Dexterity: 10


    Constitution: 10


    Intelligence: 6


    Wisdom: 8


    Charisma: 6


    You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.


    Race: Goblin: A race of small, cunning, and often underestimated creatures. Known for their quick thinking, adaptability, and resourcefulness, goblins thrive in environments that would break most others. Their nimble bodies and sharp reflexes allow them to avoid danger rather than face it head-on. However, goblins are often seen as untrustworthy or weak, leading to a -2% penalty to charisma checks when interacting with those who look down on their kind. Despite this, their low profile and agility grant them advantages in movement and stealth. You have night vision, in areas of low light you are able to see normally.


    Path: Berserker Druid: A warrior who has embraced the primal fury of nature, blending brute force with untamed instincts. A Berserker Druid is not a shapeshifter in the traditional sense but instead channels aspects of the wild, enhancing their body with the raw strength of beasts. Unlike calm, wisdom-driven druids, a Berserker Druid fights first and thinks later, trusting in feral instincts over logic. As they grow stronger, a Berserker Druid can manifest more beast-like traits, pushing their bodies to terrifying extremes. Eventually, they may shed their humanoid limits entirely, becoming something that blurs the line between man and monster.


    Abilities


    Scavenger¡¯s Fortitude: Able to digest spoiled or questionable food without getting sick.


    Identify (inferior): The basic ability that most intelligent beings, can be used to identify items, creatures, and other humanoids.


    Spells


    Savage Shift: Temporarily enhances your claws and fangs, making unarmed attacks stronger and sharper. Each attack applies a minor Bleed effect, stacking up to three times. Duration: 5 minutes. Cost 35 mana.


    Thorned Hide: Your skin hardens like bark, reducing incoming damage by 10% for 10 seconds. Anyone striking you in melee takes minor thorn damage. Cost 20 mana.


    Wild Pounce: You leap at an enemy, attempting to knock them down or pin them. If the enemy is smaller or weaker, they are automatically knocked prone. If used while Savage Shift is active, the bite deals bonus damage. Cost 25 stamina.


    Skills


    Predator¡¯s Endurance: When your health drops below 50%, your Stamina regeneration speeds up by 10%. At 25% HP, you take reduced damage for 5 seconds.


    Feral Tenacity: Reduces the duration of all debuffs inflicted on you by 25%. Fear effects are automatically shortened, resisted, or outright ignored depending on their strength.


    Name: Kaazz


    Age: 42


    Level: 4


    EXP: 1200/2100


    Health: 120/120


    Mana: 140/140


    Stamina: 80/80


    Stats


    Strength: 8


    Dexterity: 8


    Constitution: 12


    Intelligence: 14


    Wisdom: 16


    Charisma: 8


    Race: Goblin: A race of small, cunning, and often underestimated creatures. Known for their quick thinking, adaptability, and resourcefulness, goblins thrive in environments that would break most others. Their nimble bodies and sharp reflexes allow them to avoid danger rather than face it head-on. However, goblins are often seen as untrustworthy or weak, leading to a -2% penalty to charisma checks when interacting with those who look down on their kind. Despite this, their low profile and agility grant them advantages in movement and stealth. You have night vision, in areas of low light you are able to see normally.


    Path: Shaman: A Shaman is a conduit of the elements, a spiritual guide who communes with the forces of nature to heal, protect, and unleash destruction. Walking the path of balance, a shaman draws upon the four primal elements¡ªEarth, Fire, Air, and Water¡ªto shape the world around them. Unlike wizards or sorcerers, who impose their will upon magic, Shamans listen to the elements, forming a bond that grants them power in exchange for understanding. They serve as mediators between the physical and spiritual realms, calling upon elemental forces, ancestral spirits, and nature itself to aid them in battle and in life.


    Abilities


    Scavenger¡¯s Fortitude: Able to digest spoiled or questionable food without getting sick.


    Identify (inferior): The basic ability that most intelligent beings, can be used to identify items, creatures, and other humanoids.


    Spells


    Tangle: Summons grasping roots from the ground that restrain enemies based on their Strength. Duration: Up to 15 seconds, or until the enemy breaks free. Cost 15 mana.


    Erupting Earth: The ground cracks and explodes, sending flaming debris flying. AoE effect: Enemies in the blast take damage and may be knocked down. Cost 30 mana.


    Emberstrike: Infuses any staff or melee strikes with flame, making physical attacks burn enemies. Lasts 2 minutes per activation. Cost 20 mana.


    Flame Sling: Conjures a small orb of fire and hurls it at a target, dealing moderate fire damage upon impact. Each hit has a 15% chance to apply a Burn effect, dealing minor fire damage over 5 seconds. Cost 8 mana.


    Heal (inferior): You are able to spend 10 mana to heal you or a willing target for ten hit points. Cost 10 mana.


    Skills


    Quick Reflexes: Gain a small bonus to dodging attacks, allowing them to evade danger more easily.


    Trickster¡¯s Cunning: When facing a stronger opponent, goblins gain a small boost to Dexterity-based actions, allowing them to outmaneuver foes rather than overpower them. This includes dodging, sneaking, feinting, and other agility-driven tactics that rely on speed and clever movement.


    Earthspeaker¡¯s Boon: While standing on natural terrain, you regenerate mana slightly faster.


    Active


    Broken Shaman: Once destined to be a conduit of the elements, Kaazz¡¯s connection to the natural world is fractured and incomplete. Unlike true shamans, who draw upon all four elements in harmony, Kaazz¡¯s powers are unstable, restricted, and difficult to control. You can remove this condition by absorbing one of each of the natural four elements for a shaman.


    Progress: 2/4


    ¡°Wait, Wait. Jagz and Ush are only 8 years old?!¡± Cromus asked


    Everyone looked at him like he was questioning something obvious even to Sais.


    ¡°Well I assumed they would be very young, most goblins age, quickly reaching adulthood much sooner then other races, I was a little surprised but not entirely, I am more surprised by Kaazz being 42.¡± Sais explained.


    Kaazz nodded. ¡°Many seasons have passed for me.¡±


    ¡°Yeah but still. Kaazz when are goblins considered adults in your village, and how old do most goblins live.¡± Cromus asked.


    ¡°Goblins are adults by 10, and most goblins without classes die around 50.¡± Kaazz said.


    ¡°Man¡­ back home, people were considered adults at 18, but most of them still acted like dumbasses. Kinda makes you worry for the future.¡± Cromus muttered.


    Sais raised an eyebrow. "To be fair, we aren¡¯t much older than those 18-year-olds."


    Cromus waved a hand dismissively. "Yeah, but we didn¡¯t act like we knew it all or thought we were smarter than everyone else." He paused, then added, "I mean¡­ I didn¡¯t act like I was smarter than anyone else."


    Sais¡¯s eyes narrowed slightly. ¡°Are you implying something, Cromus?¡±


    "Nope, nothing at all." Cromus quickly changed the subject, turning toward Ush and Jagz. "So, how are you two feeling?"


    Cromus¡¯s quick subject change landed perfectly, shifting the focus away from his banter with Sais and back to Jagz and Ush.


    Jagz, predictably, reacted first.


    ¡°Jagz STRONG!¡± he declared, flexing his now slightly more defined arms and thumping his chest. He grinned wildly, bouncing on his feet as if expecting his legs to launch him forward. ¡°Feel¡­ bigger!¡±


    He dropped into a low stance, clawed fingers scraping the dirt, and in an instant, pounced forward.


    The goblins startled as Jagz moved faster than expected¡ªhis leap covering more ground than it should have. He skidded to a stop, digging his heels in with a laugh.


    "HA! That good! That real good!" He turned to Ush, his eyes burning with excitement. ¡°Ush, do something! Show!¡±


    Ush, ever the quieter of the two, didn¡¯t respond right away. Instead, she took a single step to the side.


    Then another.


    And another.


    It took a moment for Cromus to realize what he was looking at.


    She wasn¡¯t just moving. She was gliding.


    Her steps were silent, unnervingly smooth. The way she shifted her weight¡ªbarely noticeable.


    Then, in the blink of an eye, she vanished.


    A sharp intake of breath from Loose Tooth was the only sound before Ush reappeared behind Jagz, her movements flowing like a shadow breaking free from the darkness.


    Jagz flinched, spinning on instinct, but Ush was already a step away, her stance unreadable.


    "Fast," was all she said, her tone satisfied.


    Cromus nodded, arms crossed. "More than just fast. That''s... sneaky as hell."


    Sais grinned. "She¡¯s a ghost."


    Ush didn¡¯t smile, but there was a glint of pride in her sharp eyes.


    Jagz let out a frustrated huff, shaking his arms. ¡°Jagz strong! Ush sneaky! But¡ª¡± He clenched his fists. ¡°Need¡­ hit something. Want see how hard Jagz hit!¡±


    Cromus smirked. "We¡¯ll get to that, big guy, but we have more things to talk about."


    Loose Tooth had started out watching from the side.


    Arms crossed, expression carefully neutral.


    But as the conversation carried on, something shifted.


    Jagz¡¯s enthusiasm. Ush¡¯s silent satisfaction.


    The way everyone¡ªCromus, Sais, even Kaazz¡ªwas engaged, invested, impressed.


    He hadn¡¯t meant to, but his feet had carried him closer.


    And closer.


    Until he was right there beside them, watching.


    He wanted to feel bitter. Wanted to focus on that twisting in his gut.


    But as Jagz hopped around, testing his speed, and Ush flickered in and out of view, Loose Tooth found himself¡­


    Smiling.


    Not big. Not fully.


    But enough.


    Even if he felt left out, even if he was the only one who hadn¡¯t changed¡­


    He couldn¡¯t stop himself from getting caught up in their excitement.


    ¡°Well I think me and you need to talk about something first.¡± Sais said grabbing him a motioning for him to follow.


    ¡°Oookay. Kaazz make sure Jagz doesn¡¯t hurt anyone or runs off.¡± Cromus said following Sais.


    Kaazz nodded and Loose Tooth walked up to stand beside him.


    Getting a little bit aways out of earshot of the goblins Henry, Sais, Athas and Cromus stopped. ¡°Ok whats up?¡± Cromus asked.


    ¡°I notice you didn¡¯t lose any level¡¯s and your experience number is grey now instead of black like the ending balance.¡± Sais pointed out.


    ¡°Is it?!¡± Cromus asked, opening his character sheet.


    ¡°You didn¡¯t pay attention after you did it?¡± Sais asked.


    Cromus closed his Character sheet. ¡°No I was too busy eyeing Loose Tooth, I feel for the guy.¡± Cromus explained.


    Sais sighed. ¡°Yeah I get that. but we need to figure out what happens now, do you just need to earn your points back, is there a penalty or what?¡± Sais questioned.


    ¡°You are right and Ill figure that out when I take Jagz and Ush out to level, it can wait for now.¡± Cromus said simply.


    Sais looked as if he wanted to push the matter further but didn¡¯t. ¡°Alright. Also did you notice their stats?¡±


    ¡°Yeah, they seemed to average around 8. When ours were 10.¡± Cromus stated.


    ¡°Right, So is that because they are goblins, the way they received their class, or the fact we was chosen to come here as representatives give us a better start?¡± Sais questioned more.


    ¡°I want to think it¡¯s because how we got here. my worry is will they have negatives to boosting their stats like we did when below 10, and if they will only receive 5 points per level like Kaazz. If they are both they are going to be in a long uphill battle.¡± Cromus stated that thought eating at him a bit.


    ¡°I don¡¯t think they will get the 5 points per level cause how Kaazz got it, I think he has that penalty cause the Shaman before him didn¡¯t pass it on by sacrificing all the experience. the system might have just allowed it to happen with the penalty.¡± Sais guessed.


    Sais exhaled, arms crossed. ¡°Alright. No point in guessing too much¡ªwe¡¯ll figure it out as we go.¡±


    Cromus nodded. ¡°Yeah. First step is getting Jagz and Ush some real experience.¡± He turned back toward the group. ¡°We¡¯ll take them hunting.¡±


    Sais arched an eyebrow. ¡°Going after more Thornspitters?¡±


    Cromus shrugged. ¡°Makes the most sense. We already know what they can do, and there¡¯s plenty of them.¡±


    Sais smirked. ¡°And if things go wrong, we¡¯ve got Kaazz¡¯s vines and your shield to back them up.¡±


    Cromus snorted but didn¡¯t deny it. ¡°Exactly.¡±


    The two of them made their way back to the others. Jagz was still bouncing on his feet, his excitement barely contained. Ush was testing her movements, shifting her weight in a way that made her nearly disappear from focus when she wasn¡¯t moving.


    Loose Tooth, standing among them, perked up as they approached, clearly drawn into the excitement even as something lingered behind his eyes.


    Cromus clapped his hands together. ¡°Alright, listen up! We¡¯re heading back to the Thornspitters¡¯ territory. Jagz, Ush, this is your chance to test what you¡¯ve got.¡±


    Jagz let out a loud, ¡°HA! GOOD! JAGZ READY!¡±


    Ush simply nodded, her sharp eyes glinting in the dim light.


    Kaazz rubbed his chin thoughtfully. ¡°Good choice. Know enemy. Better fight.¡±


    Cromus gave him a quick nod, then looked at Loose Tooth. The smaller goblin had a smile on his face¡ªbut it wasn¡¯t quite right.


    Not forced. Not fake.


    Just¡­ off.


    Something was building in him, even if he didn¡¯t realize it yet.


    Cromus saw it.


    And soon¡­ so would everyone else.

 Chapter 17: He would endure

    The group readied themselves after waiting for their resources to refill, then set off toward the Cradlethorn tree. Loose Tooth trailed behind¡ªnot far, but just enough that no one really noticed. No one waited for him to catch up. No one even glanced back.


    Not that they needed to.


    Jagz was practically buzzing, bounding ahead like a child who had just been given a new toy, his excitement infectiously loud. Every few paces, he¡¯d flex his new strength, digging his claws into tree bark, leaving jagged lines behind like he needed to see the proof of his power. Ush moved differently now¡ªquieter, sharper. One moment, she was there, the next she was gone, flickering in and out of sight as if testing her new Veilborn abilities.


    They belonged in this world now.


    Cromus, Kaazz, and Sais walked ahead, talking in hushed tones about battle plans. Serious, focused¡ªlike real adventurers, like people who had a purpose. Henry flew overhead, keeping a sharp eye on the surroundings, while Athas trotted alongside Cromus, his tail flicking with quiet excitement. The little lizard wasn¡¯t even bonded to them the way Henry was to Sais, but he still belonged more than Loose Tooth did.


    He clenched his jaw. No, that wasn¡¯t fair. It wasn¡¯t like they were leaving him out on purpose. They just¡­ they had more important things to worry about. Cromus had his mission. Sais was the strategist. Kaazz had his new magic. And Jagz and Ush? They had everything now¡ªstrength, speed, something to prove.


    He was happy for them.


    He really, truly was.


    But the more he told himself that, the more bitter the words felt in his mind.


    Because he was still the same.


    No power. No new class. No purpose.


    Just Loose Tooth.


    A useless, scrawny goblin. The one who froze when it mattered. The one who didn¡¯t get chosen. The one who stood in the back, pretending to be part of something, pretending it didn¡¯t eat him alive inside.


    His fingers curled into fists. His nails bit into his palms, but he welcomed the sting.


    If he didn¡¯t change something soon¡­ he was going to be left behind.


    For good.


    During his tangled thoughts, Loose Tooth didn¡¯t realize how much he had drifted until he bumped into Cromus¡¯s leg, nearly bouncing off him like a clumsy whelp. He let out an embarrassing noise¡ªsomewhere between a grunt and a squeak¡ªbefore scrambling back.


    Cromus glanced down, raising a brow. ¡°You okay, buddy?¡±


    Loose Tooth swallowed the sharp lump in his throat. ¡°Yeah. Sorry.¡±


    Cromus didn¡¯t look convinced. He hesitated, as if he wanted to press further, but then let it go. Instead, he turned back to the others, gathering them together.


    ¡°Alright, so we¡¯re going to let Ush and Jagz take the lead,¡± Cromus said, his voice steady and confident. ¡°They need to test out their abilities in a real fight. Sais, Loose, and I will stay back. Kaazz will be ready to step in if needed. If things go south, we¡¯ll all jump in. Shouldn¡¯t be too hard to lure some of them away from the tree. They¡¯re aggressive enough.¡±


    Loose Tooth blinked.


    Stay back.


    His stomach twisted, an uncomfortable heat creeping up his neck. He barely heard the rest of what Cromus was saying. His hands clenched at his sides, fingers curling so tightly they ached.


    He wasn¡¯t stupid. He knew what this was.


    Jagz and Ush got to fight¡ªgot to prove themselves. Even Kaazz, the old shaman, had stepped up and grown stronger. Cromus and Sais were already leagues ahead, leading them all with confidence. And then there was him.


    Too weak to fight.


    Too useless to help.


    Too much of a liability to even be included.


    He felt it now, more than ever. The slow, creeping certainty that he was being left behind. Not because they wanted to, but because¡­ why wouldn¡¯t they?


    What was he, compared to them?


    They all had a place.


    Jagz, the wild brawler. Ush, the silent predator. Kaazz, the growing force of nature. Cromus, their commanding frontliner. Sais, the sharp-eyed strategist.


    And Loose Tooth?


    A coward.


    A dead weight.


    They didn¡¯t say it, but he could feel it in the space between their words. They weren¡¯t counting on him. Hell, they barely even looked at him.


    He forced himself to nod, his face locked in a neutral mask. ¡°Got it.¡±


    No one questioned it. No one hesitated.


    Because no one expected anything from him.


    And that was the worst part of all.


    Jagz strode forward, shoulders squared, his movements brimming with confidence. The eager grin on his face was pure anticipation, a predator walking straight into the den of his prey. As he approached the base of the Cradlethorn, the Thornspitters above stirred, their glowing rose-like heads shifting in his direction, taking notice of the approaching threat.


    Then, the noise started.


    Sharp, chittering screeches filled the air, a warning signal spreading through the canopy. More of the creatures shifted, rustling the branches as their vine-covered limbs stretched and coiled. Some clung to the trunk, heads tilting, assessing. Others grew bolder.


    A sudden pop-hiss rang out as one Thornspitter launched a bulbous seed pod from high above. Jagz barely had time to react before it slammed into the ground beside him¡ªBOOM!¡ªexploding into a burst of tiny razor-like thorns. The young goblin twisted away, dodging nimbly, his grin widening.


    Pods rained down, some bursting mid-air, scattering clouds of sharp debris. At the same time, several Thornspitters closer to the ground unfurled their vine-like arms, the tips curling before firing a spray of thorns directly at him.


    Jagz was already moving. With a gleeful snarl, he activated his ability. His fingers stretched, claws sprouting from the tips, and his jaw ached as his teeth sharpened, his body instinctively shifting to embrace the savage power of his new class.


    Jagz lunged, dodging between the incoming projectiles with fluid, animalistic movements. One thorn grazed his shoulder, another nicked his leg, but neither slowed him down. He twisted, bounding forward, closing the distance with alarming speed.


    And then he was in¡ªclaws ripping into the nearest Thornspitter as it screeched in alarm. Bark-like flesh tore beneath his strikes, green sap spilling across his hands as he forced it back.


    From the sidelines, Cromus and Sais remained steady, watching closely.


    Kaazz, standing nearby, nodded approvingly. ¡°Good instincts,¡± he muttered.


    Ush, already moving, vanished into the underbrush, her form flickering out of sight.Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.


    And Loose Tooth?


    He watched. Even with the danger, even with the chaos unfolding before him, Loose Tooth could see the joy in it.


    Jagz¡¯s face was alight with exhilaration, a wide, wild grin stretched across his features as he tore into the Thornspitter, reveling in his newfound strength. Ush, ever the shadow, wore the ghost of a smirk before vanishing into the fray, a silent predator ready to strike from unseen angles. Even Kaazz, the once-weary shaman, had nodded in approval, his words steady, acknowledging Jagz¡¯s instincts.


    Praise. Loose Tooth¡¯s stomach twisted.


    He wanted that. Not just the words, not just the nods of approval¡ªhe wanted the feeling of it. The rush. The power. The certainty that when he stepped forward, others would see him, acknowledge him, respect him.


    Instead, he stood on the sidelines. Watching. Always watching.


    ¡°That should be me out there¡­¡± He thought with a yern


    The Thornspitters shrieked again, the fight escalating.


    Loose Tooth fingers curled tighter around the handle of his dagger. His breath hitched, and without thinking, he took another step forward.


    Jagz was a force of nature.


    He tore through the Thornspitters with wild, reckless abandon, his claws carving deep furrows into their bark-like flesh. The moment his Savage Shift activated, his movements became sharper, his strikes heavier, his whole body brimming with raw, untamed aggression. The Thornspitters, despite their numbers, faltered under his assault. One lunged, its thorn-covered vines whipping toward him, but Jagz ducked low, twisting mid-motion to swipe upward. His claws met its exposed torso, raking across its chest with a wet, shredding sound. The creature screeched and recoiled, but Jagz didn¡¯t let up. He barreled forward, tackling it to the ground before sinking his fangs into its shoulder. Sap-like ichor splattered across his face, and he spat it out with a wide, toothy grin.


    Ush was his opposite.


    Where Jagz overwhelmed, she dismantled. Her movements were deliberate, precise, calculated. One Thornspitter snapped its vine-like limbs toward her, but she wasn¡¯t there when they landed. She reappeared in a blur of shadow, sidestepping the attack, slipping through the chaos like smoke through fingers. Her dagger flashed¡ªa single stroke through the back of the creature¡¯s leg. It collapsed instantly. Before it could even register the pain, she was already behind it, driving her blade into the base of its spine, twisting sharply.


    Another Thornspitter lashed out from above, dropping from the tree in an attempt to catch her from behind. Ush¡¯s form flickered, and then she was gone, appearing several feet away, untouched. Her expression was calm, almost serene. No wild battle cry, no gloating. Just precise, deadly efficiency.


    They were winning. Despite being outnumbered, the Thornspitters couldn¡¯t keep up. Jagz¡¯s relentless aggression forced them on the defensive, while Ush picked them off with quiet lethality. The creatures, once confident in their home territory, were now scrambling.


    But battles changed in an instant.


    Jagz¡¯s thrill at his own power had made him reckless. Too focused on the next kill, he failed to notice the three Thornspitters that had crept through the branches behind him. Their vine-like arms coiled, sharp thorns glinting as they prepared to strike.


    Loose Tooth saw it. His breath caught in his throat. He had been frozen up until now, watching from the sidelines, toying with his danger in hand dream, wishing he was them. But now? Now he saw an opening. He saw a chance.


    Jagz had no idea what was behind him. If Loose Tooth acted now, if he moved fast enough¡ªHe could prove himself.


    His stiffly moved before turning into a full on sprint, tunnel vision taking over, all he saw was his blade digging into the thronspitters back, everyone cheering him on as he unlocked his class. He was zoned in to the point he didn¡¯t hear Kaazz¡¯s warning.


    Kaazz while smiling and nodding his approval at the two young goblins, eyes locked onto Loose Tooth running in, he did not react in time, but still tried to call Loose tooth back.


    ¡°He is going.¡± Sais spoke so only Cromus could hear him.


    ¡°I know, if it goes south I¡¯ll step in.¡± Cromus said calmly.


    All Loose saw was the Thornspitters, their backs turned, their focus entirely on Jagz. His pulse roared in his ears. He would land the first hit. He would drop one before they even knew he was there.


    And then, then he would be granted a class just like the others Just a little closer.


    He raised his dagger¡ªAll the Thornspitters turned to him.a


    As if they had known. As if they had been waiting.


    Loose Tooth¡¯s stomach dropped. Fear started to flood him, he wanted to run, but it was far too late for that.


    The closest one struck first, its vine-like limb snapping out in a blur. The impact caught him square in the ribs, and the air fled his lungs in a sharp, gasping wheeze. He was lifted off his feet and sent tumbling across the ground, his dagger flying from his grasp.


    Pain. He couldn¡¯t breathe. He barely had time to roll before another Thornspitter lunged, aiming to pin him down. Loose Tooth scrambled backward, wheezing, clutching at his side. It hurt. Gods, it hurt. The other two jumped at him as well.


    Jagz finally turned. His eyes went wide. ¡°Loose?!¡±


    Loose Tooth barely registered it. He was too busy trying to get away as the Thornspitters loomed over him, thorns gleaming in the dim light.


    But as they descended towards Loose Tooth. Something crashed into the one in front, then the next and then the last one.


    Loose Tooth dropped his arms from the defensive guard,  just in time to see Cromus swinging Raging Boar through the Thornspitter¡¯s midsection in a brutal, decisive cleave. The creature let out a piercing shriek before being flung aside, its body hitting the ground in a twisted heap.


    Sais fired three arrows rapidly from his bow not to be out done by Cromus, one being pinned to the tree, and two more catching fire burned to a crisp. Kaazz¡¯s staff slammed into the ground. Earth erupted, knocking four thornspitters to the ground and fire landed on them leaving them to let out what could only be called dying cries.


    The battle was over before Loose Tooth could even catch his breath. He lay there, chest heaving, pain blooming through his side, his mind racing with everything that had just happened. His moment. His chance. And he had been swatted away like an insect.


    "That was a bit too predictable, Loose." Cromus¡¯s voice wasn¡¯t angry. It wasn¡¯t sharp or scolding. If anything, it was¡­ soft. Too soft. Like he already knew this would happen. Like it wasn¡¯t worth getting upset over.


    Loose Tooth¡¯s stomach twisted.


    He couldn¡¯t bring himself to look up. He didn¡¯t want to see the disappointment¡ªthe quiet confirmation that, once again, he had failed. He had ruined his moment. He had proven, beyond a doubt, what he had feared:


    He wasn¡¯t meant for this. His hands clenched against the dirt, breath hitching as his ribs throbbed with every shallow inhale. The others were still standing, their weapons still warm from battle, their hands steady. Like real adventurers. Like people who belonged.


    And him? A broken, breathless heap at their feet.


    Cromus sighed, shifting his weapon. Loose Tooth thought he heard something in it¡ªfrustration. Disappointment. But he didn¡¯t see the way Cromus¡¯s expression softened, the way his fingers twitched like he wanted to reach down and help but knew it wouldn¡¯t make a difference.


    Cromus didn¡¯t see failure. He saw something smaller.


    He saw a goblin trying so desperately to stand among giants, to claw his way up to their level, only to fall, again and again. And it hurt to see.


    But Loose Tooth didn¡¯t see that. He didn¡¯t hear the unspoken sorrow behind Cromus¡¯s words. All he heard was his own shame screaming back at him.


    Cromus let out a slow sigh. Then, instead of turning away, he knelt down.


    Loose Tooth stiffened, his breath catching as Cromus¡¯s shadow loomed over him. He braced himself for the scolding, the lecture, the quiet judgment. He had earned it, hadn¡¯t he? He had charged in like a fool, gotten himself thrown aside like a ragdoll. His ribs still ached from the blow, each breath a reminder of his own failure.


    But no harsh words came.


    Instead, Cromus reached out, his broad, calloused hand settling gently over Loose Tooth¡¯s wound. The warmth started slow, a quiet hum against his battered ribs, then spread¡ªlike sunlight breaking through thick storm clouds. It filled him, wrapping around the ache in his bones, sinking deep into the bruises, the pain, the exhaustion. But it wasn¡¯t just the healing. It was more than that.


    It was Gaia.


    He felt her, not as a distant goddess, not as some unknowable force, but as presence. Like hands pressing against his wounds, like fingers combing gently through his hair. A warmth that seeped not just into his body, but into something deeper. His heart. His soul. As if, for just a moment, he was held.


    Loose Tooth¡¯s breath hitched. He hadn¡¯t realized how cold he¡¯d felt until now.


    The healing faded, leaving only lingering warmth in its wake. His ribs no longer ached. His hands had stopped shaking. Slowly, hesitantly, he looked up¡ªfinally meeting Cromus¡¯s gaze.


    And what he saw wasn¡¯t anger. Wasn¡¯t disappointment. Wasn¡¯t even pity.


    It was understanding.


    Loose Tooth swallowed hard, his throat tight. He wanted to say something, anything, but the words wouldn¡¯t come. His fingers curled into the dirt, grounding himself, steadying himself.


    Cromus didn¡¯t push. Didn¡¯t say anything he didn¡¯t need to. He simply gave a small nod, then rose back to his feet. The others were already moving¡ªretrieving weapons, discussing what to do next, preparing for the next fight.


    Loose Tooth sat there a moment longer, his mind tangled in the warmth still lingering in his chest.


    He had failed. Again. But this time, someone hadn¡¯t blamed him for it.


    And somehow¡­ that made it worse.


    He pushed himself to his feet, forcing his legs to steady beneath him. A look of determination on his face. He wasn¡¯t done. He couldn¡¯t be done. He clenched his jaw, watching the others, watching Jagz and Ush, watching Cromus.


    One day, he would stand among them. One day, he wouldn¡¯t need saving. And until then¡­ he would endure.

 Chapter 18: Uh, I really was dumb

    After everything had settled down, there was almost silence, except the few Thorn spitters still doing their warning calls, from high up in the Tree out of our sight too scared to move in. The rest of the group had gathered together.


    Cromus was the first to speak. ¡°Well all in I¡¯d say that was good, Jagz, Ush how did that feel for you?¡±


    Ush whipped sweat from her forehead, catching her breath but smiling. ¡°It felt right. though I might have overdid it before the fight, I started to run low during the fight.¡±


    Jagz ever the ball of energy now beamed at his sister. ¡°You have ta track stuff, I just cast one and go! Don¡¯t worry I carry you.¡±


    Ush actually looked a little uncomfortable there. She looked up to Sais and Cromus. ¡°Did I, speak like that.¡±


    Cromus looked a bit uncomfortable but nodded. Sais nodded and stated ¡°Yes¡± a matter of factly, while Kaazz nodded solemnly with his knowing smile.


    She turned back to her brother. ¡°Jagz you need to increase your intelligence stat as soon as you can.¡±


    It took a moment but it finally hit him. ¡°There not¡¯in wrong with how I speak¡±


    Ush look at him dead pan. ¡°There is plenty wrong with the way you speak. you sound dumb.¡±


    That riled him up even more. ¡°I am not dumb! don¡¯t say that!¡± his anger was clearly growing.


    Ush simply smirked. ¡°Don¡¯t believe me ask everyone else.¡± she simply said.


    Jagz looked to Cromus with a plee ¡°Tell er there an¡¯t not¡¯in wrong with me.¡±


    Cromus¡¯s lips went thin. ¡°I want to suggest she is right, I am not saying you need to dump points into your stat, but I highly recommend you boost your stat to the double digits.¡±


    That got a confused look from both of them till it clicked with Ush. ¡°AH! he means boost it till you see two numbers.¡±


    ¡°But strength stat better!¡± Jagz argued.


    ¡°I am not saying dump all your next points into it, just four points, to break that threshold, after that you can do as you please.¡±


    Jagz frowned. ¡°Fine, but only four!¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s all I ask.¡± Cromus said then it dawned on him. ¡°Wait, how much exp did you two get from that fight?¡±


    ¡°410, just above level 2.¡± Ush said Jagz nodding his agreement.


    That got Sais¡¯s attention. ¡°How many points did you two get?¡±


    Both the young goblins opened their sheets real quick. ¡°10¡± they said simultaneously.


    Jagz scratched his head, still frowning. ¡°Still think Strength better¡­¡± he muttered, reluctantly spending his points.


    Ush rolled her eyes. ¡°Think whatever you want, just don¡¯t cry when you can¡¯t count past ten.¡±


    Jagz puffed up like he was about to argue again but his eyes cleared seemed to become clearer, as if you could see the moment things came into better focus, his brain less bogged down as his stats took effect.


    Cromus, missing the look on Jagz face, spoke up before they could continue their argument. ¡°You can talk about it later. Right now, we need to focus.¡± He turned to Sais. ¡°That stat gain makes things clearer. They got 10 points per level. Same as us.¡±


    Sais rubbed his chin. ¡°So no penalty for them like Kaazz has¡­¡± He cast a glance toward the shaman, who simply nodded knowingly, as if he had expected this. ¡°Means the issue with Kaazz¡¯s class really was because of how he got it.¡±


    Kaazz hummed. ¡°I already know this. Was always broken. Not chosen.¡± His voice was calm, but the weight of his words lingered.


    Cromus exhaled. ¡°At least we know now. And for you two,¡± he turned to Jagz and Ush, ¡° Ush, just really consider your stats, what works best for you, Jagz, again I really recommend...¡± He trailed off seeing the look on Jagz face.


    ¡°Uh, I already did it.¡± He looked at everyone after listening to the talk and how much more he understood, how even his own speech sounded similar to Sais and Cromus. ¡°Uh, I really was dumb¡­.¡±


    Cromus smirked slightly, Ush and Sais busted out laughing, and Kaazz well he just knowingly smiled at the humor.


    With that, the conversation wound down.


    The air settled. The battlefield remained eerily still, save for the occasional creaking of the Cradlethorn¡¯s massive branches. The Thornspitters that had survived the fight still chattered warily high above, but none dared to descend. Not after what had happened to the others.


    Loose Tooth let the voices of the others fade into background noise.


    His fingers twitched at his sides. His mind was still a storm of frustration, failure, and unspoken thoughts.


    The fight was over, but he hadn¡¯t won anything.Support the creativity of authors by visiting the original site for this novel and more.


    He hadn¡¯t proved anything.


    He hadn¡¯t changed anything.


    His breath felt tight in his chest, that familiar weight of being left behind pressing down on him like a stone.


    Then¡ªsomething caught his eye.


    A glint of green among the wreckage.


    The seeds.


    The same ones the Thornspitters had fired like weapons, scattering their razor-thin thorns upon impact. Some had already exploded, leaving only torn husks behind, but others¡­ others remained intact.


    Overlooked. Unused. His heart kicked up a notch.


    Loose Tooth crouched, brushing away a bit of broken bark, his fingers wrapping around one of the seeds. It was heavy in his hand, a prickly outer shell beneath his fingertips. He turned it over carefully, remembering how they had worked.


    They burst on impact. If he threw them right¡ªif he aimed well¡ªhe wouldn¡¯t need a blade, wouldn¡¯t need to fight up close.


    A weapon. His weapon.


    He clenched his jaw and quietly started gathering them, one by one, careful not to squeeze too hard.


    He was so focused that he didn¡¯t notice Cromus watching him until the half-orc¡¯s voice broke the silence. ¡°What are you doing?¡±


    Loose Tooth froze, his grip tightening around the seed.


    He turned, suddenly aware of all the eyes on him. He hesitated, but then forced himself to stand taller.


    ¡°They¡­ they didn¡¯t explode,¡± he said. ¡°I can use them.¡±


    A pause.


    Cromus studied him for a long moment. Then¡ªhe nodded. ¡°Smart.¡±


    Loose Tooth blinked.


    That¡­ was it? No dismissal? No telling him to step back? Cromus again not doing what others do.


    Loose Tooth swallowed. regaining some of his confidence. ¡°I told you biggin¡¯ when we were captured, Loose Tooth smart.¡± His voice steadied.


    Sais let out a thoughtful hum. ¡°Huh. Thrown weapon.¡± His tone shifted, something clicking in his mind. ¡°Actually, you know what would make that easier?¡±


    Without another word, he unsheathed his dagger and strode toward one of the fallen Thornspitters.


    Loose Tooth watched, uncertain, as Sais knelt beside the corpse of the creature, grabbing one of its thorn-covered vine-arms.


    ¡°What are you¡ª¡± Loose tooth started.


    ¡°Hold this,¡± Sais said, slicing the limb free and handing an end to Loose Tooth.


    Loose barely reacted just reflexively grabbing the end, grimacing as the thorns pricked his fingers.


    Sais ignored him, working quickly. With a few more precise cuts, he stripped the remaining thorns away, carving into the vine with sharp, clean strokes. Then¡ªhe hollowed out a section, just wide enough to cradle one of the seed pods inside.


    ¡°Here you go, you should be able to use that like a sling.¡± He said proud of his work.


    Loose Tooth stared at it, realization dawning in his eyes.


    ¡°Ain¡¯t no way I¡¯m watchin¡¯ you lob those things and getting disappointed in the distance.¡± Sais said with a smirk. ¡°This¡¯ll give you range. Try it.¡±


    Loose Tooth¡¯s fingers tightened around the new weapon.


    For the first time since the battle, he felt something other than frustration¡ªwhich quickly turned back to frustration as he fumbled with the weapon, not able to get enough momentum.


    He tried to spin the sling, but the weight of the seed shifted unpredictably. It felt¡­ off. Awkward.


    His first throw barely made it a few feet before plopping to the ground.


    Jagz, already eager to see things explode, groaned dramatically. ¡°That was sad. Real sad.¡±


    Loose Tooth¡¯s ears burned.


    Sais stopped him before he could try again. ¡°Here, let me see it for a second.¡±


    Loose Tooth hesitated, but reluctantly handed it over, frowning, half expecting them to say he couldn¡¯t use it at all.


    Sais, catching on quickly as ever, looked at him as he took the makeshift sling. ¡°Thank you. Now watch carefully.¡±


    He slowly spun the sling, getting a feel for its balance, then picked up speed, and with a precise flick of his wrist, he released the seed.


    The pod vanished into the distance¡ªthen, from somewhere beyond the trees¡ª


    BOOM.


    Jagz whooped loudly, practically bouncing in place. ¡°THAT¡¯S WHAT I¡¯M TALKIN¡¯ ABOUT!¡±


    Even Ush, who was usually quiet, gave a slight approving nod.


    Sais turned back to Loose Tooth. ¡°Now, try it like that.¡±


    Loose Tooth¡¯s eyes were wide with excitement as he nodded.


    He grabbed another seed, gripping the sling carefully. He inhaled slowly, focused. This time, he mimicked the rhythm Sais had shown him.


    A slow start. Then picking up speed.


    Then¡ªhe let go.


    The seed whipped through the air, faster than he could have ever thrown it by hand.


    The moment it made impact¡ª


    BOOM!


    A burst of razor-sharp thorns exploded outward, embedding deep into a rock dozens of feet away.


    Loose Tooth¡¯s breath hitched.


    He stared at the impact. The distance. The force.


    Then, slowly, he grinned.


    Jagz, still hyped up, cackled. ¡°OHHHH, WE GOTTA GET MORE OF THOSE!¡± he started running around picking up unexploded seeds.


    Kaazz let out a quiet chuckle. ¡°Good eyes, good hands,¡± he mused. ¡°Will be strong one day.¡±


    Sais crossed his arms, nodding in approval. ¡°There. A little bit more practice and you¡¯ll be a deadly foe.¡±


    Loose Tooth gripped the sling tighter.


    Cromus studied him carefully.


    The goblin had fumbled at first, but¡­ that second throw? It wasn¡¯t random.


    It was deliberate.


    Accurate.


    Not just luck.


    Instinct.


    Cromus didn¡¯t say it out loud, but he could see it now¡ªLoose Tooth had something.


    It wasn¡¯t just the weapon.


    It wasn¡¯t just him learning how to use it.


    It was how quickly he adapted.


    How he adjusted after just one mistake.


    His aim had been too good for a first-time thrower.


    Cromus¡¯s gaze flicked to Sais, who had also noticed. The strategist¡¯s brow had raised just slightly, lips pursed in thought.


    Neither of them said anything.


    Not yet.


    But it was there.


    Something worth watching.


    Loose Tooth ran his fingers over the rough, makeshift sling, the carved-out space where the seed fit perfectly.


    It wasn¡¯t fancy. It wasn¡¯t magical.


    It wasn¡¯t just made for him.


    It was given to him.


    Trusted to him.


    Maybe he still didn¡¯t have a class. Maybe he still wasn¡¯t strong like Jagz or fast like Ush.


    But for the first time in a long time¡ª


    He wasn¡¯t empty-handed.


    He wasn¡¯t useless.


    He wasn¡¯t being left behind.

 Chapter 19: Crude attack, Sloppy, slow

    Waking to the cries of the annoying things again. Not the best way to wake, but it usually means easy food. They only eat from the big danger tree, so anything that falls is left to rot. Easy pickings.


    Rising to all fours, muscles tense, a few pops along the spine. A deep stretch. Then forward¡ªtoward the tree, toward the food.


    Stay unseen. Always. Even though the annoying things don¡¯t eat what falls, they guard it anyway¡ªclinging, protecting, shrieking. No matter. They are small. Weak. But they are many.


    Approaching the danger tree, movements slow. Feel the land. Light steps. Listen. Quiet is the key to every hunt. Move wrong¡ªtoo fast, too loud? Ruins the attack.


    Pressing through the brush, eyes lock onto something new. Several small ones, thin and restless. Not much meat. Not worth it. But the tall ones¡ªthose could be a good meal.


    One of the small ones moves. Throws something. A seed. A pain seed.


    It falls short. Not a threat.


    The tall, skinny one¡ªdifferent. It uses parts of an annoying thing to throw another pain seed. Faster. Closer.


    Wait. No movement. No sound. Patience. It must be sure.


    The seed flies past. An explosion. But no reaction. They still don¡¯t see.


    The big one hands the small one something. The seed again. This time, the throw is farther¡ªbut not as far as the big one''s.


    Deep in the shadows, it waits.


    The prey does not see. Does not hear.


    Soon.


    Cromus eyed Loose Tooth, then the sky.


    The sun was already past it¡¯s highest point, his thoughts were interrupted by a loud guttural growl. looking back to the group he could see it was Jagz, his stomach letting him know he was hungry. which gave Cromus a great idea.


    ¡°Alright, I agree with Jagz lets see about getting some food, and we can cook something as well as reflect on the day. How does that sound?¡± Cromus asked.


    ¡°Works for me, there isn¡¯t much else here and I¡¯d feel bad if we kept attacking whats left of Thornspitters.¡± Sais replied.


    The rest of the group confirmed they were good with the idea. ¡°Alright, if it''s cool with all of you, Ill take Loose tooth and Athas, look for something to hunt, and yall can group up however you want.¡±


    Loose Tooth looked up at Cromus but didn¡¯t argue. Athas happily appeared next to Cromus bumping into his leg causing him to to look down and smile before back up making eye contact with Sais, it lasted for a second, and Loose Tooth caught the glimpse.


    ¡°Ok the rest of you can come with me we will head back towards camp maybe hunt something ourselves, but if anything we will set things up to make it easier for the food.¡± Sais said.


    As the rest left Cromus turned to Loose Tooth and Athas. ¡°Alright lets find some food, and get Loose some practice with his new weapon.¡±


    Loose tooth smile was genuine ¡°YEAH!¡± his excitement carrying over to Athas who spun in a circle smiling as always.


    Smiling down at the two of them Cromus, remember several images of characters and their pets or beast partners, he couldn¡¯t help himself.  He bent down holding out an arm to him. ¡°Come here Athas up on my shoulders.¡±


    Athas eagerly climbed up Cromus¡¯s arm¡ªbut it was clumsy, his claws scraping for balance. He settled awkwardly between the hilt of Raging Boar and Cromus¡¯s neck, his tail wrapping tightly around Cromus¡¯s arm for support. The weight didn¡¯t bother Cromus, but the awkward shifting did.


    Cromus stood and started walking around, every step causing Athas¡¯s claws to try and find a better hold. ¡°Yep. Nope, not going to work. Sorry Athas.¡± he knelt down to let the little guy off his shoulders.


    Sadly Athas climbed down but there was a since of relief having his feet firmly on the ground again.


    ¡°What was that biggin.¡± Loose tooth asked.


    Cromus shrugged as he stood up. ¡°I just remembered seeing others do something similar with creatures they befriended, and I never got to try it. thought I would, but sadly it is not met to be it seems. I don¡¯t understand how characters I read about made it work seamlessly, that¡¯s not right I know how it worked. Cause the writers wanted it to work. It looks nice and kinda cool but its just awkward in practice.¡±


    ¡°Naw Athas just fat.¡± Loose tooth said getting a growl from Athas, causing his smile to become sheepish.


    Cromus laughed a bit. ¡°Well I am glad you are showing signs of your old self Loose, feeling bad about yourself does not suit you. Confidence is a much better look.¡±


    If you find this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the infringement.


    Loose tooth paused looking at Cromus¡¯s smiling face, giving him a smile back.


    ¡°Ok how about we start looking for lunch?¡± Cromus asked as Loose gave him a node they started further into the trees.


    It wasn¡¯t too long before Cromus noticed hoofed tracks, ¡°here we go, could be promising and doesn¡¯t seem too old. Maybe two or three of them?¡±


    Loose Tooth taking a look, agreed.


    Following the trail for another ten minutes Cromus slowed, noticing the tracks were freshers, but also something uneasy, he paused looking around slowly scanning for anything around the trees, or in the bushes.


    His eyes locked onto small movement from the bushes up ahead, he lowered his body, Loose tooth following his lead, Athas camo kicking in practically vanishing from sight, if Cromus didn¡¯t know he was there, he wouldn¡¯t be able to make out his outline which brought a smile to his face.


    Cromus inched himself closer to the bushes, pulling them back he could see three small looking deer grazing on the grass just up ahead in the clearing. Motioning for Loose tooth to come up to him.


    As Loose tooth was close enough ¡°What is it Cromus?¡± taking his more serious tone, dropping his nickname for Cromus. Before his eyes caught what he was looking at.


    ¡°You think you can take one down with your new weapon or maybe wound one enough so we can get close?¡± Cromus asked.


    ¡°I can try.¡± Loose tooth said, stepping back a bit, loading one of his seeds into the sling he started spinning it, using Cromus cleared spot of the bushes to take aim.


    Two of the deer raised their heads ceasing their chewing, the third didn¡¯t raise its head till the others reacted. Loose tooth loosed his attack. The first two dashed, but the third was too slow, the seed slammed center mass causing it to explode barring several thorns in it side, and to cry out.


    Cromus urged Loose tooth not to hesitate, which he fumbled a bit loading the next seed, giving the deer a bit of a moment to start moving, he was headed for the bushes the other two ran, the sling was already spinning, and with a breath Loose released. The seed flew over the deer''s head, but unfortunately for it there was a tree just on the other side, it crashed exploding, thorns flying, several catching the deer''s face, and even taking out an eye. causing it to stumble, it struggled but its fate was sealed.


    Not wanting it to suffer any more, Cromus moved in, finishing the deer. ¡°Good job Loose, those seeds are a bit cruel against things that are too weak to fight back but strong enough to take multiple hits.¡± cleaning this thing would be a pain with all the thorns in it. ¡°But luckily for you Loose I got another trick.¡±


    Loose Tooth ¡°Trick?¡± he asked.


    ¡°Just watch.¡± As Cromus touched the corpse, dissolving into the air, Loose Tooth¡¯s jaw dropped¡ªbut before he could speak, the forest went silent. No birds. No wind. Just the faint rustle of leaves.


    Cromus¡¯s smile faded before he could register what he had received from looting the deer he was slapped with, goop. no rope? no it was sticky, his arms were held down to his side.  Looking down, his torso was covered in webs. His eyes caught something dropping from the treetops not at him but Loose Tooth.


    The forest exploded into movement. A sharp THWIP¡ªCromus staggered back, arms pinned to his sides. The webs were thick, sticky, clinging tight.


    Loose Tooth turned¡ªjust in time to see the shadows above shift. A blur of fur, a flicker of extra eyes, a glint of fangs¡ªThe Slynx dropped from the treetops, straight for him.


    The group is splitting up, the tall skinny one is taking most of the little ones. The bigger one is taking one and the lizard. The bigger one struggled to carry the lizard.  Maybe just built big but not strong.


    They turned going the opposite direction of the bigger group, smaller group better choice. once they were far enough, changed position, being low is too easy to spot. climb, higher, better.


    With easy strides it climbed into the tree tops, silently, easily, walking on limbs of the trees, not a leaf moved more than necessary, practiced movements, used over and over.


    It watched as the big one kept stopping to check tracks it hunting, but little did it know it was the prey. The smell of fresh marks. boar, no, deer.  easier food, but not worth in xp, no stay on big target and little one. they give food and rewards.


    It paused, not wanting to move. The big one is looking around trying to see, it knows something is watching it. but it doesn¡¯t check in the trees, it not smart prey, better then most, but still dumb.


    It spoke to the small one, pointing to the deer, the little one started its attack, sloppy. the older deers reacted, but surprised it still hit, Pain seeds, horrible weapons.


    Watching the crude attack, sloppy, slow, longer than needed. but success, hmmmmm after they go down and obtain experience, eat deer after. watching the big one touched the deer did something, it started to vanish. NO! STOP!


    Shooting it¡¯s web sticking true, then jumped at the small one.

 Chapter 20: One hit did that much?!

    Cromus didn¡¯t have time to think. His arms were pinned by the webbing¡ªno Raging Boar, no time for a spell.


    All he knew was that Loose Tooth had a four-eyed, four-eared, fanged nightmare dropping on him.


    His body moved before he could process it.


    Did he have time? Could he reach him?


    If he hit Loose Tooth¡ªyes.


    If he hit the creature¡ªit would still land its attack.


    He chose.


    His shoulder slammed into Loose Tooth, knocking him aside.


    Then¡ªimpact.


    The creature slammed into Cromus¡¯s back, driving him into the dirt. Claws tore through his armor¡ªpain exploded across his body as his health bar plummeted.


    He roared in pain.


    A loud boom erupted above him¡ªfollowed by a screech and a sudden sting of needles piercing his left shoulder down to his thigh.


    The weight vanished.


    The creature had jumped away.


    Cromus pushed himself up, shaking off the haze. The savage attack had loosened the webbing. He ripped his arms free, but strands still clung to his body.


    ¡°Cromus! That was a Slynx¡ªdangerous but frail!¡± Loose Tooth shouted, running up as Cromus got to his feet.


    Cromus glanced at his health bar¡ª120 out of 200.


    ¡°One hit did that much?¡±


    A red warning flashed in his vision.


    Bleed Effect (5 Stacks).


    His health ticked down¡ª100.


    His eyes widened. "No joke."


    His palm glowed as he cast Heal. Mana dropped by 50. Health restored: 150.


    ¡°That¡¯ll have to do for now.¡±


    His other hand ignited with golden energy as he cast Animal Affinity. Mana dropped by another 50. The outline of a Bearded Vulture Bear talon flickered over his arm.


    He reached for Raging Boar with his other.


    ¡°Well, good news,¡± he muttered, taking a defensive stance.


    ¡°It¡¯s lost its best advantage. Glass cannon builds usually suck after the first strike.¡±


    Loose Tooth¡¯s face tensed at that statement, but he still loaded a seed into his sling.


    "I''ve heard of one killing entire war parties," he muttered.


    That made Cromus hesitate.


    ¡°Wait. War parties?¡±


    But then he remembered¡ªgoblin war parties didn¡¯t usually have many classed warriors.


    Still¡­ it made him second-guess his confidence.


    Keeping his eyes locked on the tree line, he reassured Loose Tooth, "It¡¯ll be alright, Loose. We got this."


    Loose Tooth looked up at him, seeing the confidence in his face.


    It was infectious.


    ¡°YEAH!¡± He gripped his loaded sling, ready to fight.


    Then¡ªsilence.


    Nothing.


    Then¡ªa screech.


    It was louder than before.


    A wave crashed over Cromus and Loose Tooth.


    Loose Tooth locked up instantly. Completely frozen.


    Cromus¡¯s vision blurred, his body stiffening¡ªbut he forced himself through it, shaking off the effect.


    He growled. ¡°WHAT IS WITH ALL THE MONSTERS IN THIS DAMN FOREST HAVING A STUNNING ROAR?!¡±


    As Cromus yelled his defiance, a strand of webbing shot toward him, sticking to his hand on Raging Boar, fastening it to the weapon.


    He chuckled. "Thanks. Now I don¡¯t have to worry about being disarmed," he said in the direction the web came from.


    Another strand hit¡ªthis time from behind, landing on the same hand.


    Cromus didn¡¯t bother with another quip. He just turned, eyes scanning the trees, searching for movement¡ªsomething, anything to react to.


    Time ticked by.


    "Maybe it doesn¡¯t realize I stopped the bleeding when I healed?"


    Another web. Same spot.


    Cromus was about to taunt the thing again when something clicked.


    His arm felt heavier.


    "Wait¡­ so it¡¯s trying to weigh me down?"


    His grip tightened around Raging Boar as he tested the weight.If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.


    Meanwhile, Loose Tooth still wasn¡¯t moving.


    A small noise escaped him, snapping Cromus¡¯s attention back.


    He nudged the goblin with his free arm, shaking him free from the freezing screech¡ªbut knocked him straight to the ground.


    Loose Tooth groaned, picking himself up slowly.


    "Thanks," he mumbled, still shaken.


    At that moment, Cromus finally saw it.


    Two strands of webbing shot toward Loose Tooth¡¯s back¡ªfast, precise, straight from the trees. His body moved before he could think, talons slashing through the air. He cut through some, sending the rest crashing to the ground before they could reach their target.


    For a split second, he thought he had won.


    Then fire lanced up his right leg.


    His knee buckled beneath him, and he hit the ground hard, barely catching himself. A sharp, searing pain radiated from his calf, and when he looked back, he saw it¡ªthe damn thing had sliced his cafe open before retreating again.


    A red warning flashed in his vision. Bleed (3 Stacks).


    "You little shit!" Cromus snarled, forcing himself to push past the pain. His health bar ticked dangerously close to another drop, and he didn¡¯t hesitate. Green light flared around his palm as he cast Heal. Mana drained from his reserves as the spell sealed the wound just in time¡ªbefore the bleed could tick.


    His breath came fast and ragged, but his grip on Raging Boar tightened. He wasn¡¯t about to let this damn thing toy with them any longer.


    Loose Tooth watched Cromus react¡ªprotecting him again.


    Cromus had taken hit after hit for his sake, shielding him without hesitation. It wasn¡¯t fair.


    He was tired of this.


    Cromus shouldn¡¯t be the one taking all the damage. He had already done more than enough. It was time to change things.


    As Cromus pushed himself up, Loose Tooth stepped closer. ¡°I¡¯m sorry¡­ but can we be a bit reckless?¡±


    Cromus raised an eyebrow, but before he could speak, Loose Tooth took his silence as a yes.


    He spun, slinging a seed into the trees. Before it even landed, he was already loading another. The second seed flew just as the first exploded, shaking the branches. Another followed. Then another.


    BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!


    Explosions rocked the treetops, tearing through the leaves, scattering smoke and debris.


    Cromus smirked. His eyes tracked ahead of the blasts, scanning for movement¡ªwaiting for the Slynx to slip up.


    Then, he saw it.


    A strand of webbing, thin but unmistakable, shot out just ahead of the last explosion.


    "THERE!" Cromus roared, moving to intercept.


    Loose Tooth was already spinning another throw, but this time, he didn¡¯t aim where the Slynx was.


    He aimed where it was going.


    The seed flew.


    BOOM!


    A screech of pain ripped through the air. The trees shook as the Slynx reeled from the explosion.


    Cromus bolted forward.


    As Cromus closed in, he finally saw the Slynx in full. Its body blended into the surroundings, its natural camouflage enhanced by an unnatural gleam, as if some active ability was further concealing it. Now that he was closer, he could see just how wrong this creature was.


    It had the body of a lynx, but its face was something else entirely. Four eyes¡ªtwo where they should be, the other two angled just above them. Four ears, with a second set lower on its skull, twitching to catch even the slightest sound.


    Then it moved, and Cromus swung.


    Raging Boar slammed down, cutting deep into its flank as the Slynx tried to leap away. Its mouth gaped open, and what he saw made his stomach twist.


    The lower jaw split apart vertically, one half dropping left, the other right. The upper jaw mirrored the motion, splitting in the opposite directions. Its tongue was even worse¡ªa hollow tube, wide at the tip, ending in a gaping hole.


    A chill ran down Cromus¡¯s spine, but he had no time to recoil before webbing shot out from the opening in its tongue.


    The sticky strands latched onto his sword arm, locking it to his side.


    ¡°Damn it!¡± he growled, struggling against the webbing.


    But the Slynx was slower now, wounded. It was enough.


    Cromus threw himself forward, slamming into the creature and pinning it beneath his weight. The Slynx shrieked, its legs kicking violently, trying to buck him off. Then, with a sickening pop, four black spider-like legs burst from its back, digging into the ground, twisting, clawing for leverage to free itself.


    ¡°Oh no, I am not letting you go again!¡± Cromus snarled, struggling to hold it down with one arm trapped by webbing. The Slynx thrashed, its limbs fighting to slip free.


    Loose Tooth ran up but froze. He saw them locked in a brutal struggle, but he didn¡¯t know how to help.


    "LOOSE!" Cromus roared. His taloned hand clamped onto one of the creature¡¯s split jaws, prying it open. The other jaws followed suit, all four sections gaping unnaturally wide.


    "RIGHT HERE!"


    Loose Tooth hesitated, his fingers gripping a seed, heart pounding. Then he met Cromus¡¯s eyes. The fear melted away.


    He swung his sling, the seed flying straight into the Slynx¡¯s gaping maw.


    Cromus slammed its jaws shut.


    A muffled explosion rocked the creature from within. Its body convulsed, jerking and spasming violently beneath him.


    Cromus didn¡¯t hesitate. He drove his talons into its throat, tearing through flesh and muscle, making sure it stayed down for good.


    Then, finally, the Slynx stopped moving.


    Loose Tooth stood there, wide-eyed, chest rising and falling rapidly. ¡°Is it dead?¡± he asked, voice quiet, unsure.


    Cromus let out a heavy breath. ¡°Yeah.¡±


    A notification flashed across his vision.


    CONGRATULATIONS YOU HAVE SLAIN SLYNX LEVEL 8!!!


    Cromus let out a deep sigh, joining Loose Tooth in a moment of relief. He didn¡¯t move at first, just laying there on top of the Slynx, his body aching but victorious. As he caught his breath, he pulled up his character sheet.


    His EXP bar was still grayed out, but the number had jumped from 1,490 to 3,090.


    ¡°Sixteen hundred experience in one fight.¡±


    It made sense¡ªthe Slynx was level 8, and even though Loose Tooth had helped, he didn¡¯t have a class yet, meaning he likely hadn¡¯t received any EXP.


    Cromus rolled onto his back¡ªand instantly regretted it.


    Sharp pain stabbed from his shoulder down to his thigh.


    "OOOOOOOOO-WWW!" he yelled, bolting upright.


    Loose Tooth jumped, eyes darting around. ¡°WHAT? WHAT?!¡±


    Cromus held up a hand. "Sorry! I was just... reminded of a mishap earlier."


    Loose Tooth gave him a skeptical look. ¡°Mishap?¡±


    "Yeah..." Cromus exhaled, shaking his head. "Earlier, I got hit by one of your bombs. I''ve got thorns in my back. Mind helping me out?" He turned, motioning over his shoulder.


    Loose Tooth squinted at the damage, then smirked. ¡°Oh. Yeah. That was my fault.¡±


    Without hesitation, he moved in, starting to pluck the thorns out.


    Cromus chuckled, forcing himself to stay still despite the sharp stings. "I wouldn¡¯t say it¡¯s your fault. You were trying to help in the way you knew how. It was a tricky fight, and your weapon is new. Mistakes are bound to happen."


    Loose Tooth didn¡¯t reply, just kept working, carefully pulling out each thorn.


    Cromus took a deep breath. ¡°Now was the time.¡±


    ¡°Loose, I mainly wanted to bring you out here to talk,¡± he said, glancing over his shoulder. ¡°I wanted to explain why you haven¡¯t gotten a class from me yet. It¡¯s not that I don¡¯t want to give you one, it¡¯s just...¡± He hesitated, searching for the right words. ¡°This thing that Sais and I call the system... it decides what we can and can¡¯t do, and it doesn¡¯t always explain why.


    "I wanted to give you a class. I just don¡¯t know why it won¡¯t let me. Maybe there¡¯s a limit to how many I can give out, maybe it¡¯s about trust, maybe it¡¯s something else entirely. I¡¯m not sure.¡±


    Loose Tooth paused, pulling out the last thorn.


    Then, without hesitation, he met Cromus¡¯s gaze.


    "Maybe I didn¡¯t fully trust you yet," he admitted. "But now, Cromus... I promise to follow you as long as I can be useful to you."


    Cromus opened his mouth to respond¡ªbut stopped.


    A notification flashed across his vision.


    A wide grin split his face.