“What is the best way to kill a monster or creature, Garendell?”
Garnedell looked at Joe quickly before glancing around, taking in where the siblings walked ahead of them and replied quietly, “Kill their core.”
Joe nodded when he heard that. And if monsters have a core in the abdomen. “Do most people know where cores are?”
“It is common knowledge.”
Joe pondered this for a bit before continuing, “Is there a reason why … you did not tell me of the cores in the goblins or mukfrogs?”
Garnedell said nothing, seeming to draw in on himself. Joe quickly realized his words sounded like an accusation and quickly replied, “I’m not angry. Do not worry. I just want to understand.”
Garnedell nodded at that and calmed, “You were destroying the spark cores in the advanced dungeon. I thought you would not want the impure cores here.”
Joe quickly nodded, “Two questions well... three... and … yeah, good point. We do not want too many cores showing, so… but what about Zilnek and Kilniara?”
Garnedell quickly shook his head, “You are so wealthy with many pure cores and wasting time to seek out cores when you’re wealth is overwhelming. They know you have many other cores and have no need of these. They likely think you are only fighting because you are bored as we tire too easily for you and when we are fighting, you would rather train us than waste time finding cores that are likely damaged?”
Garnedell looked to Joe as he said this, almost seeming to believe it and Joe sighed and shook his head, “ I did not know, Garnedell! Ha! I knew about the cores in the sparks only because they fell out after they died and the slimes … they are easily seen. Please help and remind me, OK?”
Garnedell quickly nodded although he hung his head a bit, “I’m sorry, Joe.”
Joe laughed, “Don’t be. How can you know what I don’t know. It is impossible. Let’s just keep helping each other and hopefully I will learn soon.”
Garnedell perked up at this and nodded, but said nothing.
Joe continued, “So… Zilnek and Kilniara are probably not… suspicious?”
“No.”
“OK. But, maybe tomorrow, we will spend some time ‘practicing’ removing cores. We will only do a few, just so the apprentices can ‘learn’ about it, although I do want to do a bit of an experiment.”
Garnedell quickly nodded in agreement, “OK. I believe they would believe such a thing.”
“Good. Now, second question. Pure and impure cores?”
“Ah, yes,” Garnedell quickly nodded, understanding quickly, “Pure and impure cores simply refer to the mana in the cores, but I know little of such things. They are pure because they have one mana and impure have several or many. But I do not know what this means. I cannot explain. I’m sorry.”
Joe shook his head and ruffled Garnedell’s hair, “No need to say sorry. Relax. We’re good,” Joe quickly assured Garnedell before continuing. “So, then… the sparks are pure cores, yes?”
Garnedell quickly nodded.
“And the slimes?”
Again, a nod.
“Hmm… but not this dungeon,” Joe said thoughtfully as he thought back on the goblins, mukfrogs, and snows. Maybe the snows? Or would that also be a mix… cold and water? Joe’s thoughts meandered but seemed to have some clue. Sparks… so if this a bit magic based then lightening… but this is reality, so it still should be electricity, right? And the slime… oh!
“What’s the slime?”
“Huh?”
“Well, the spark is electrici… uh... lightning, but what’s the slime?”
“Well, the spark is technically thunder, but…”
Joe interrupted, “That’s not technically… you know what? Never mind. I got it.”
Garnedell looked a bit confused, waiting cautiously before continuing once again, “So, yes, the slime. The slime is acid.”
“Of course it is,” Joe said with a roll of his eyes before quieting and turning inward. When is acid a magical element. That… Well, all magic I know is pure speculation, so maybe it is? But… it doesn’t feel right. It’s gotta… Joe sighed and let it go.
“Alright. That’s fine. Last question. If the core is the place to attack it, then why all the strikes to the limbs when there isn't a chance to hit the core?"
"Magic can still greatly harm a monster."
"Oh!" Joe blinked in surprise, "So their ... magical attacks."
Garnedell nodded, "Yes."
Joe fell silent into thought after that, only waving out to the Acokzau ahead of them and saying, "Let’s catch up to the other two.”
Garnedell nodded and sprinted ahead, and Joe chuckled but remained in his thoughts for a time as he began taking the stairs two at a time, quickly reaching exit. He looked around with some surprise as he saw the sun had already almost set and dusk was well upon them. Huh… guess we’ll head straight home. I’ll swap to my new job tomorrow morning.
Joe took the time look at his available jobs and found the next one just as he expected: believer. Nice! Oh, wait! He found another job opening up under another column, its label now visible to him as faith. Huh… guess that makes sense… these are all the religious jobs, then, right? And since it’s the same job, am I going to get something like the duplicate jobs from cook and waiter? That would be nice! They are the same name, right? Two for one, tomorrow!
Joe tamped his excitement down as they sped out of the dungeon area, all three having long learned that Joe preferred to escape the attention of the Dungeon Guardians. The three swept down the street in front of him, happy dialog a bit raucous and Joe had to call them to quiet a few times before the made the inn.
When they got inside, Joe found Kukurnal and the matriarch awaiting them once again in the corner table. Joe waved to them, a bit depressed to find them here as he was really looking forward to simply resting, but didn’t allow it to show on his face, happily greeting the two as he joined them.
He offered the three apprentices another table to eat at, and all three leapt at the chance, leaving him to his fate while found himself once again in a deep educational and semi-philosophical debate on the running of countries. After the conversation began, he found himself quite enjoying it and lost himself in the debate with the evening stretching long. He soon found himself yawning and realized quite a bit more time than usual had passed and Joe quickly excused himself, now a bit reluctant to leave, but too exhausted to continue.
The other two released him easily enough and he bade them goodbye before slipping up to his room. He found the room empty and even Kilniara’s room quiet. Did they all go out again? Hope they get enough sleep! Joe was too exhausted to really be concerned though, and stripped himself down to his underwear, taking a much more relaxing wash and feeling cleaner than he’d felt in a long time. Man! Still want a good shower… although I would settle with just a freakin’ soak in a tub!
Joe sighed deeply, exhausted and a bit depressed over whether he would ever feel a shower again before he slumped on his bed. He looked down at his clothing. I don’t have the energy! But he grunted and reached down for them and draped them over various poles, corners, and edges around the room before he collapsed on his bed, pulling his sheets up around him. Oh! So nice… been a while since I’ve slept au natural… well… except for my underwear.
His relief at not having to wear a night shirt had his eye lids drooping quickly, although the semi-itchy fabric of the sheets and blankets almost kept him awake. Almost, but not enough, and he fell deeply asleep almost immediately.
A few moments later, his bed shifted and he felt a warm silkiness slide across his skin and he quickly shuffled into it, its smooth comfort deeply appealing to his skin. Snuggling in, he fell into a deeper and more relaxed sleep.
Status
Blessings
Current Job
Available Jobs
Current Skills
Available Skills
Log
Joe McConnell
Status
Physical Resistances
Magical Resistances
HP
31.00
Physical:
Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.
MP
62.00
Piercing
0.00
Attack
31.00
Crushing
0.00
Defense
31.00
Slashing
0.00
Magic
62.00
Magic Defense
62.00
Strength
31.00
Dexterity
31.00
Agility
31.00
Theologian
31
Speed
31.00
Endurance
31.00
IQ
465.00
Wisdom
465.00
Learning
465.00
Luck
0.00