Chapter 20

"Question for the group," Pierce began, "do we proceed directly as the Guild instructed, or do we employ a more… expeditious method?"

"Oh no," Evolon joked, "he's got another 'Now hear me out' idea brewing."

"Is this like the time you spent three hours in-game trying to circumvent a magical door instead of simply finding the key?" Flint inquired with a chuckle.

"Exploiter gonna exploit," Ignis grumbled. "I spent twenty hours meticulously preparing for that haunted house, and Healerpants over here decided to skip eighty percent of it, breaking three axes chopping the non magical doorway around the door."

"I am uncertain of the precise question," Grok responded, "but I choose the path that brings the most glory to The Donner Party."

"Grok, summon your beasts," Pierce instructed. "Have Bromli scout ahead in an arc through the forest to locate the girl. Upon finding her, carefully retrieve her and return to the party. Then, dismiss your beasts from the search."

"Called it, using flight to trivialize the quest!" Evolon exclaimed, shaking her head.

"These rolling hills and wagon tracks give me an idea," Pierce said, removing his bike from his inventory.

"OH HELL YAH!" Evolon shouted, "Shredding on an alien planet – take that, Mark Watney!" The group retrieved their bikes from their inventories and began pedaling up the gentle incline.

On the subsequent downhill, Ignis executed a spectacular wheelie, overtaking Pierce on the left-hand rut of the winding path that led through the grassy foothills towards a copper-hued forest a few miles distant. On the next short ascent, Evolon performed a gravity-defying no-handed jump, followed by a perfectly executed no-handed landing.

"This dexterity stat is insane," Evolon exclaimed with glee. "I've always enjoyed technical riding, but jumping like this… I understand why you all love it so much."

The group enjoyed ten minutes of exhilarating hill-climbing and gravity-defying jumps before reaching the edge of the woods, where the cart trail narrowed as it became enveloped by the trees. Stowing their bikes, they continued on foot, weapons drawn and senses heightened, prepared for any encounter.

"My canine companion has detected the scent of an Orc to the southeast of the road," Grok informed the group. "I am unable to fly through the dense tree canopy, so we must proceed on foot. Pierce, the dog requires healing; he lost a foot to an acid root monster. I will land near you shortly." Grok concluded, just before she gracefully descended with Bromli into the field at the forest's edge.

"I'll take point," Pierce declared, a serious expression on his face.

"I can practically see the gears turning," Ignis remarked, the expression of a seasoned Dungeon Master etched on his face. "He's about to attempt something unconventional to 'break the game.'"

"Good thing this isn't a game," Flint commented as he used his shield to flatten saplings, creating a makeshift trail.

"I keep forgetting that," Ignis admitted, rubbing his arm where the cut had healed, though a strange tingling sensation still lingered. "It feels so incredibly real, like we're at a gaming table, visualizing everything in our minds. But then I get hit by an enemy blade, and… well, that certainly brings you back to reality!"

Pierce removed his boots and, barefoot, led the way cautiously and deliberately, carefully navigating the forest floor, giving each tree a wide berth. Flint followed, using his shield and hammer to clear the path for the others. Grok followed closely behind, her sword expertly severing any branches or saplings that Flint might have missed. Evolon, her bow drawn and her eyes constantly scanning the surroundings, followed easily. Ignis strolled along as if unconcerned, but mentally, he prepared his Time Stop spell, just in case it was needed. The group proceeded in this manner for approximately thirty minutes before Pierce let out an excited shout.

"IT WORKED!" he exclaimed.

"Oh mighty Pierce," Ignis quipped, "regale us with your latest exploit!"

"I finally stepped on an acid root," Pierce explained, "and just as I felt the burning sensation, I cast Purify on myself. The spell must have interpreted the acid root as 'filth,' because it vanished completely, and I'm perfectly fine. I removed my boots because as healing is an option, losing comfortable boots is not.”

"Of course," Evolon joked, "the all-powerful healer receives a seemingly harmless spell that ultimately proves to be the key to accomplishing the near-impossible task… an idiot could write a better story than this."

"Choose your words carefully," Grok cautioned, stepping gingerly around the massive copper root of a tree. "In my experience, insulting the Gods rarely has positive consequences for the party."

"If I were the Dungeon Master of this adventure," Ignis joked, "I'd have a bog monster devour you after a comment like that."

"For one," Flint declared solemnly, "I am thoroughly enjoying this adventure, and I would like to take this moment to express my gratitude to the Creator, Guide, Dungeon Master, System, God, or whoever is running the show."

Pierce ignored his friend's playful banter as he carefully placed his bare foot on the next foot-tall tree root, cast Purify, and then shifted his weight onto it. His foot passed through the root as if it weren't there, landing on solid ground. The root dissolved before his eyes, and a notification appeared in his vision.

New Spell Acquired: Mana Shield – You weave a protective shield of magical energy around yourself. For the duration, when you are subjected to an attack that deals damage, you can expend a number of mana points equal to the damage dealt. If you do, the attack has no effect on you.

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"I got a new spell!" Pierce exclaimed with a laugh, his mind already racing with potential applications for this powerful ability.

"Of course he does," Ignis muttered in a dejected tone.

"It's a Mana Shield," Pierce explained. "I believe I can leave it active, and it will consume mana instead of health when I am struck. While not as mana-efficient as healing myself, forgoing the pain and the possibility of instant death is awesome."

"Why do the healers always get this kind of crap?" Flint exclaimed, exasperated. "Why not the guy who gets hit the most?"

"This all stemmed from the Purify cloth, correct?" Ignis mused. "I think Pierce should focus on all the enchanted items we encounter. His ability to transform an item into a personal spell could be a significant advantage in this world for all of us. I wonder if I could do the same with cooking recipes."

"Ahead," Evolon whispered, silencing the others and aiming her bow towards the left.

The group cautiously approached a small ring of large copper trees, within which sat a small Orc girl playing a game with black and white stones, resembling checkers. "About time you got here," the short Orc declared, extending her hand without even looking at the group. "Now give me something tasty to eat, or I will have Lok to deny your application!"

"Ignis," Pierce instructed over the mental chat, "give her an Energy Drink and a bag of Reese's Pieces."

"But won't that make her hyperactive?" Evolon inquired over the chat.

"In approximately thirty minutes," Pierce explained, "which is roughly how long it will take Grok to fly her back home and deliver her to her parents."

"BROTHER," Flint exclaimed over the mental chat in a voice reminiscent of Macho Man Randy Savage, "never expected the noble healer to turn heel, but I respect the game. OOOOH YEAHHHH!!!"

The four humans erupted in laughter, much to the confusion of the two Orcs, as Ignis handed the child a handful of chocolate candy and opened a Watermelon Monster for her.

"Oh, the humanity!" Evolon joked over the group chat. "He gave her the Watermelon Monster! What's next, are you going to kill her dog?" Evolon detested anything watermelon-flavored.

"I figured I'd dispose of one while I had the chance," Ignis admitted. "Our supply of snacks from home is dwindling, except for that particular flavor."

"You said to get Energy Drinks," Pierce protested over the mental chat. "How was I supposed to know half the case would be this undrinkable monstrosity?"

"It's alright," Flint assured him over the mental chat, "just be prepared to heal the child from the effects of consuming that garbage."

"Elara, I presume," Grok said, picking up the girl. "Come with us. We will return you to your clan." Grok reversed course, retracing the path the group had carved through the forest.

Without any further complications, the group emerged from the forest and returned to the grassy hills. They remounted their bikes and proceeded towards the city, with Grok carrying Elara on Bromli's back. The two Orcs soared through the air in a joyful circle before heading directly towards the city, Elara squealing with delight and urging Grok to fly faster. After an exhilarating ten-minute ride through the hills, the four humans approached the main road, bustling with travelers coming and going. They dismounted their bikes and continued on foot, blending in with the crowd. Outside the city gates, the humans were recognized by the guards and waved through without a word.

On their way back to the Adventurers Guild, Ignis and Pierce were on the lookout for inexpensive enchanted items with specific effects they could potentially utilize. They acquired a variety of intriguing objects: an enchanted Campstove, four luminous stones, a magical spyglass for long-distance observation, a bean that, when placed in the mouth, allowed for underwater breathing, a feather that granted the caster slight levitation and a slow descent from great heights, and a set of fluffy white earmuffs that provided the wearer with cold resistance. Pierce placed all of these items in his inventory, eager to study them and potentially replicate some of the enchantments into his own utility spells.

As the sun started to creep below the walls of the City the group arrived back at the Adventurers Guild. They found themselves standing in line behind several Orcs at Sally's counter, while two other receptionists sat idly, seemingly bored, with no one to assist. After a brief wait, the group reached the front of the line, where they were greeted by Sally with a warm smile.

"Welcome back," Sally said. "Sktrat will show you to your room. And I would like to express my sincere gratitude for your care of Elara. She is my pride and joy."

"It was our pleasure," Evolon replied with a forced sincerity to the Orc, before following the group to their designated room.

The four humans entered the same meeting room where they had previously met, finding Lok and Grok already seated at the table, a large book open in front of the older Orc.

"I see you made it out of the forest alive," Lok remarked, her gaze lingering suspiciously on Pierce's bare feet.

"Oh, I completely forgot about that," Pierce said, quickly sitting down, retrieving his socks and boots from his inventory, and pulling them on.

"Let's see here," Lok began, her voice dry as she consulted her book. "Deductions for bribing a guard. While not strictly forbidden, conducting such transactions openly is generally frowned upon. Deductions for flying with my granddaughter at an excessive speed. Deductions for… shall we say, 'energizing' a child with substances that appear to have had a significantly stimulating effect on her cognitive and physical functions, leading to an apparent craving for more. It will be a miracle if I don't have to sedate her within the hour. And finally, deductions… simply because." Lok finished, a sneer playing on her lips as she continued to write in her book.

"But did we pass?" Pierce inquired, squatting and jumping in place to ensure his boots were properly positioned.

"Before you answer," Evolon interjected, hoping to sway the decision in their favor, "I would like to present you with a family heirloom from my clan back on Earth. It is an artifact that can bring great fortune to its wielder." She retrieved a crystal-clear stone with intricate markings from her inventory and placed it before the older Orc.

"I must admit," Lok said, picking up the clear rock with a newfound interest, "I did not expect an attempt to bribe an officer of the Adventurers Guild. While my position precludes me from allowing my judgment to be influenced, it does not explicitly prohibit the acceptance of such gifts."

"What does your clan call such an artifact?" Lok inquired.

"A D20," Evolon replied reverently.

"I would like to thank you for this generous gift," Lok acknowledged. "On a completely different matter, I hereby award each of you Tier 1 badges. These badges grant you the authority to undertake solo Tier 1 jobs or participate in group Tier 2 jobs. They also provide you with free access to the Arena, both as spectators and as participants. Another benefit is a 10% discount on rooms at participating inns." Lok placed five white stones, each inscribed with glowing runes, on the table.

"How do we know which inns participate?" Pierce inquired.

"They will display an Adventurers Guild shield near their check-in area," Lok explained. "In smaller villages and towns, they often serve as extensions of the Adventurers Guild, with their own job boards. Now, be off with you. And if I hear of you even so much as bending a single Guild rule, Your membership will be revoked!" Lok declared, slamming her book shut and rising to leave the room.

"Good thinking, Evolon," Flint remarked over the mental chat. "I thought we were doomed."

"Artifact that brings good fortune…" Ignis added, "Good thing you didn't explain what happens when you roll a one."

"Enough chatter," Flint declared, slapping the table with a resounding THACK! "Grab your badges! I was promised an Arena session!"