Taru: "Were exactly did it happen and did you see were the Monster went afterwards?"
I was jogging down some side alleys towards the South Gate. Ilya how the Fairy Girl was called was running besides me. Since she was so small she had to run really fast to keep up with me but if it was true what she said then her brother was in imminent danger and we had no time to waste.
Ilya: "It... It ran back into the woods."
She said under her quick breaths. While watching her run I wondered if she wasn't able to fly with those wings of her. They looked big enough to carry her after all.
I dodged a couple coming down the street and took a turn left. The Couple complaint but we were out of sight before they could utter more then a few words.
I had decided that we took the side streets to get to the South Gate because I feared that the main street was to crowded as to get forward very fast.
We came out of side alley and turned right towards the huge Gate. We ran past the surprised guard and Ilya turned left. I followed a second later and just up ahead spotted the Forest she must have been talking about. It was about 1 mile away from the last house.
We ran past a run down shack and just as I wondered were Ilya lived I noticed a weird humming sound. I turned around only to see Ilya flapping were wings strongly. She lifted off the ground and gained speed quickly. In a few seconds I was the one how had to run with all my might to keep up with her.
But it was no use, a few moments later I was just looking at her butt while trying to maneuver around the stones and earth holes that were everywhere. I was glad that I had started to run again or else I would have been left behind even faster.
We were close to the Forest now and I already laid my hand on my sword. Ilya had gotten quite far away from me but instead of waiting for me on the entrance of the Forest she just flew right in.
Taru: "HEY!!! WAIT!!!"
I screamed at her but to no avail. She was probably in some kind of catatonic state and wouldn't hear me anyway. So instead I saved my breath and speed up again. I jumped over a few roots of the first tree and finally entered the Forest. I ran forward while also looking out for Ilya.
???: "KYAAAHHH!!!"
I heard a scream from my left side and immediately turned around slithering across the wet Forest floor. I almost tripped but managed to capture myself and speed towards the clearly Female Scream.
I ran towards some bushes but instead of walking around I decided to break right trough. I jumped while drawing my sword and for a second was blinded by the leaves.
As I came to a stop on the other side of the Bushes I was standing in a clearing. It was about 30 Yards in Diameter and big trees were standing all around the clearing. They were so densely packed all around that the bushes I just burst trough were the only entrance you would be able to go trough if you wouldn't want to climb or if you couldn't fly.
About flying. Ilya was directly on the opposite side of the clearing. She was hovering a few feet over the ground with a terrified face. I followed her gaze and saw the reason for her terrified face. It was a truly terrific site after all.
In the middle of the clearing was a big flat stone of maybe 5 feet in Diameter. And the table as well as a few feet around the table everything was drenched in blood. The Blood came from a Boy maybe 4 and a half Feet big. he had brown hair like Ilya and like her had wings as well. Not that they would ever flap again. His head was cut open and his brain was missing. He was gutted as well parts of his innards sprawling over the table and parts missing completely.
I gulped as my nose finally picked up the stench. It was unlike anything I have ever smelt before and the only thing that kept me from puking was the adrenalin rushing trough my body. I breathed in trough my mouth and looked back to Ilya. But while I looked back I noticed another Figure Standing in the clearing.
The Creature was about 7 Feet Tall had Light Green Skin and was bulked with muscles. He had dirty Brown hair and two short horns sprouted from the top of his head. He only wore a loincloth to cover his genitals and his weapon of choice seemed to be a wooden club.
No matter how you looked at it he wasn't a Logar. He was something else. A new monster I new nothing about. The Right choice would be to carefully observe his movements and in a defensive way learn what his strengths were.
But the problem was that he was focused on Ilya and slowly walked towards here. Ilya was out and about so I doubted she would do much but hover in the air even if he came really close. I didn't make it in time to save her brother but I could at least save her.
And Luckily I had the Right tools to do so. {Lions Roar}.
Taru: "Roooaaarrr!!!"
As said by the Description of the Skill a scream echoed from my mouth so deep and primal that for a second I was shocked of myself.
But it had the desired affect on the creature and he immediately turned around. His Face most closely resembled that of a Orc from other Fantasy Games. He had two long sharp teeth coming from his lower jaw and he was smeared with blood.
Orc: "No!!! NO!!!"
The Orc voiced his complaint loudly and came charging towards me. I raised my sword but remembered that this wasn't all my Skill set had to offer. {Charge}.
My Hand turned itself and pointed the pommel of my sword at the Orc. And then the Skill activated. It was a similar speed as my {Back Step}. But instead of retreating the World became blurry for a second and as I could see again I was looking at the chest of the Orc.
He was still in full charge and for a second I was scared that he would ran me over but without me even moving a muscle my hand shot forward ramming the Pommel of my sword into the Orcs Chest. [150].
The Impact was really strong. So strong in fact that the Orcs Charge was stopped in a split second. My Hand however didn't even fell numb. This was the true power of a skill like that. While using a skill the body surpassed any human limitations.
I still stepped back out of reflex. But I realized what was going on a second later and followed up my Charge attack with a big slash across the Orcs Chest. [180], [420].
The numbers were so big that for a second I was stunned. Luckily the Orc was as well or else this might have cost me my live. I Realized the Big Numbers were a mix that came from the Scaling and Obviously since he wore no armor.
I stepped back further as the Orc Twitched and suddenly screamed. It seemed the stun duration was over. But still. In just 2 Seconds I had done over 700 Damage.
´This was insane. And I still had a lot of my Mana left. That Guy wouldn't stand a chance.´
I regretted my thoughts a second later as the Orc swung his Big Wooden Club with surprising speed towards my side. Luckily the memories of fighting the Logars were still fresh and I had my sword already close by.
Like this I was able to intercept his swing.
Or so I thought but as expected my sharp sword bit into the wood witch lead to me losing control over my blade and trough his powerful swing I was suddenly disarmed. For a second I thought he would attack again with the club so I was really focused on his weapon were also my weapon was stuck. But instead he head-butted me.
The Force of the head-butt was enough to break my nose on impact and I stumbled backwards. My Vision became hazy which was way to dangerous in this situation. I tried to shake the dizziness of but I couldn't do so in time as he attacked again.
I saw the shape of the Orc move his hand and from before I knew it was his weapon hand. His CLub was about 2 Feet Long so I had to step back even more.
I heard the swish and felt the air brush past my face telling me that I managed to dodge his swing. {Step Back}.
The retreat stopped and I shook my head again. I lost the dizziness and was able to see clearly again. The Orc was charging towards me his club raised high. For such a big guy he was incredible fast. I barely managed to step away from his wide downward swing.
I stumbled back further until my back was against a tree. He grinned victoriously as he came after me again. {Charge}.
You cannot use any Weapon Skills while not wearing a weapon.
In my desperation I couldn't think of anything else but to try a skill. But sadly this time the Game wasn't nice to me. I raised my hands before my head but the force of the side swing still rattled my brain trough really good. The last thing I noticed was that I was flying towards the ground face first.
The impact hurt quite a bit but right now the side of my head was in even more pain. Black sprinkles were dancing in my field of vision.
´He had hit me on the right side of my head and even though my hands were in the way I probably suffered some brain damage.´
I stopped thinking for a second and wanted to let go of my consciousness but instead I noticed something.
´Why didn't I die yet?
Last time the death came so quick I didn't even now what had happened. If that hit had killed me I would already be besides the Fountain again.´
This was when I realized that I wasn't dead just yet. I breathed in deeply trying to sort my thoughts. I heard something and out of pure instinct rolled to the side. And just in time to. The point were I was laying before was no home to a big wooden club. The Orc grunted angrily and stepped after me.
I rolled away again and again trying to escape but the Orc simple stepped after me giving me no time rest. My Thoughts were already spinning from the whole rolling and probably from the wound that I had suffered before. But the pain wasn't really strong. of course it wouldn't be. It was limited after all. But the trauma from the force was still there I mean after all my nose is broken as well.
After a quick roll I noticed that I was already coming close to another tree and a plan formed between all my confused thoughts. I rolled and kept rolling the Orc Stepping after me confidently. He was just playing with me now and exactly that would be his downfall. Most literally.
The Second I rolled against the Tree the Orc tried to stop me by stepping before me but I abruptly changed my roll and rolled towards him instead of away from him. I collided with his shines and together with the force and the use of my hands brought the Orc out of balance. Since I still held his feet close to my chest he couldn't to other but stumble and fall backwards. [15]
I wasn't really interested in the Damage I did with letting him Fall but instead on the chance that it gave me. I quickly stood up but regretted my choice as my head started to spin again. I stumbled back again and held myself up on one of the nearby trees. I breathed in short sharp breaths to fight against the spinning. And after a few seconds I really managed to fight back the spinning and somewhat sorted my thoughts.
´I have to run!´
This was the first thought that came to my mind after the spinning vortex of thoughts and pain dimmed down. I stood no chance against such a strong and fast monster in my condition. Getting away would be a miracle by itself seeing as he was already standing up again.
´If I pulled myself together now forgot about my sword and ran with all my might I could get away.´
I looked towards the bushes were I came from. I spitted some blood onto the ground.
´I wont. I absolute wont!´
I straightened up stepping away from the tree.
´For my sword, for Ilya and for my pride I have to defeat that asshole.´
I was much calmer now that I had resolved to take him on. He stood up and growled at me angrily. He was able to understand what I say as proven by himself uttering words in Japanese before.
Taru: "Come on! Attack! You piece of shit!"
He screamed loudly and attacked. It was a wide swing from my left. He was aiming at the other side of my head. But this time I was prepared. I raised my hands again holding them before my face luring him into thinking that I would try to block his attack again.
But instead of blocking I turned towards his attack and duck down at the same time. I had avoided his attack but my hands still collided with something. And that was the important part of the plan. My hands hurt like hell from the impact but the combined force of my push and his swing was enough to rip my sword free from his club. I changed my holding on the hilt slightly and turned the same way my enemy still did. Unlike me however he was still in his movement and unprepared for my attack. That's why he wasn't able to stop me from slashing trough his neck with all my might. [210], [400], [315].
This was my first time in the game that I actually landed a critical hit. Critical hits in this game worked only if you hit a special place on a monster. Those special places were different on each monster and only high class Skills could make them visible.
Critical Hits would add Half the Physical Damage you did to the Already did Physical Damage and combine them into a new number.
But all this I only noted in the back of my mind because I was In a blood rush. I changed the trajectory of my sword and once again sliced trough his neck. [200], [420], [300].
I turned my sword again and sliced at his neck once more. But instead of hitting his neck I only hit air. This caused me to stumble and almost fall. Only true sheer willpower I manage to stand sturdy. I looked around trying to find that piece of shit Creature but couldn't find him. Only the `Ping` Sound of a appearing Pop Up window managed to get me out of my seething anger.
You have Killed a Bogar
+1500 EXP
I noticed the corpse of the Orc/Bogar only as I also sank to my knees. I steadied myself with my sword and breathed in deeply.
´See. Totally easy. I told you.´
I looked at my Life bar seeing that I had managed to survive the whole ordeal with just 10 HP Left to spare. This was of course all thanks to my Natural Defense and the Up in defense that the Lions Roar Provided or else I would have gone down in one blow. Maybe even the Head-butt would have killed me. I didn't yet have a point of relation on how much armor I actually had. I only knew that it saved my life and for this I was grateful.
After about a minute or so of me just kneeling and breathing heavily I noticed the corpse of the Orc Dissolving into light particles. He left behind a dirty brown back were most likely money was inside and one other thing.
It was a Glass Flask filled with a red Liquid. If I would have been in any other game I would have been sure that this was a healing potion but who knew what it could be in this game. I took the brown back and filled the 1 Silver 4 Cooper into my Magical Purse. Afterwards I also stowed the flask away. I would have to find out what exactly its effect were afterwards.
And even if it was a healing potion it wouldn't help anyone on this clearing. The Orc was dissolving, the Boy was Dead for sure, I would regenerate my HP from alone after a while and I was sure that no healing potion could ever help Ilya.
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She had stooped hovering and was kneeling on the ground know. I don't know how long she was kneeling already but she had buried her face in her hands and was sobbing weakly. I understood her very well.
For them this was the real world. This meant she had memories with her brother. They had laughed and cried together and now he was gone. Forever.
There was this stinging pain in my chest again. This always happened when I thought about Hyo. Hyo was a really close friend of mine and Kaen. He died in a tragic car accident a few years ago and it really shocked me. I was so shocked in fact that I wanted to kill myself over it. The one that broke me out of my depression was non other then Kaen. My Best Friend.
And that was exactly what Ilya needed now as well. Someone that held her and accepted her feelings. Someone that would make her forget the pain but at the same time accept it.
I stood up and slowly sheathed my sword. I staggered across the clearing still feeling dizzy from the fight. I was wondering how long a wound would take to heal in the game but instead off pondering on that question I thought about what Kaen had said back then. I knew it wouldn't work since the situation was different but I had to try. Or else she might die as well.
Although I didn't even know the boy I got teary looking at Ilya. I knew the pain to well. I kneeled in front of her and took hold of her hands. She froze for a second and raised her head. Her eyes were losing there light with every tear she cried.
I smiled. It was a sad knowing smile but unlike Kaen that was like a unshakable rock I was very emotional. This was the best I could muster. But it was enough. Seconds later she threw herself at me burying her face in my chest hugging me tightly.
I hugged her back holding her fragile trembling form close to my heart. I blinked tears away thinking back. How I was just sitting in my room thinking that I was responsible for his death. And then at how Kaen came into my room and started making the most inappropriate jokes. Looking back they were really bad but they made me smile. And still had the same effect on me.
´I have to be strong. For her.´
I pushed her away just enough that I could look her in the face. She looked up at me with dead eyes.
Taru: "You need to stand and be strong. Eat for two, drink for two, sleep for two, work for two and most importantly live for two. I am sure that´s what he wanted to."
Ilya looked at me and a sparkle flickered in her eyes. Slowly it grew bigger and at seeing that my smile grew bigger. I will manage to pull her out of her dark pit and if it took me days to do so I would still be gladly helping.
I pressed her against my chest and lifted her from the ground. She was very light so even in my battered condition I managed to carry her out of the clearing. After we had steeped trough the bushes I checked the surroundings before slowly lowering her to the ground.
Taru: "Stay her. I will give your brother a proper Burial so that he may find peace in heaven."
I didn't exactly knew or cared about burials and I didn't even know if people in this world believed in any God but it seemed to calm her a bit and she sat besides a tree.
I turned around and walked back into the clearing. I breathed in deeply and walked forward. The Stench of iron was so intense that I had difficulties breathing but I pushed forward till I reached the boy on the table. Taking all my pride, honor and courage together I pushed the innards that were laying sprawled across the table back into his stomach and lifted him of the table.
I swallowed loudly fighting back my own vomit. I laid down the boy nearby a tree and started to look around. I stepped a few steps away from the corpse and was happy about the fresh air. Then I went on my knees and started digging away the soft Forest Ground.
~~~~~
About half an hour and a lot of bruises on my hands later I had dug up a big enough grave to lay the boy with his wings inside. Although I was sure he was dead I checked his pulse one last time before lowering him into the grave. I closed his wide open eyes and sent a little prayer for the safety of his soul into the sky before I buried him again leaving a small hill of earth to identify were he laid. I also put a big stone I found while digging in front of his feet as a improvised memorial.
I prayed again before turning to leave the clearing. It was late afternoon by now and the Forest was taking on a orange color from the setting sun. It was quite beautiful. Although I was sure Ilya wasn't seeing it right now.
As I came out of the bushes she was still sitting as I had left her, her head buried on her knees. I smiled sadly.
Taru: "I cleaned it up and buried him. If you want to see him off then now is your chance."
She looked up at me for a long time without saying anything. But after a minute were we just starred at each other she stood up. She formed fists with her tiny hands and trembled. After a second of this she breathed out and stopped trembling. She looked up at me with a smile on her face.
Ilya: "No. Its alright. If I were to go there now I am sure that I would stay there forever and I am quite busy now. Since I have to lives two life."
The last part she said a bit meekly and her head dropped a little bit. But it was just for a second and then she had recaptured herself.
Ilya: "Lets Go."
She started to walk the light particles dancing around her while the forest was dyed a shiny orange-red. I shook my head and smiled into the air while a soft breeze past me. I started to walk after her wondering just how strong that Girl will become in the future.
After we had left the Forest we went back towards the city. Ilya didn't fly this time but just idle walked besides me. After a while she reached for my hand and didn't let go of me until we had reached the run down shack I had also noticed before we had went into the Forest and the whole tragedy unfolded. It took me a few seconds until I realized this was her home.
My guess was verified as Ilya stepped forward and opened the door. She turned on the doorstep and looked at me with a complicated smile. I smiled back.
Taru: "Can I come in?"
Ilya. "Mhhmmhh"
She turned around and walked inside I close after her. I closed the Door behind me and looked around. It may had looked run down from outside but it was In better shape then I had expected. There were no leaks in the Roof the door closed properly the wall may were a bit dirty but it was acceptable, it had a wooden floor and it was filled with furniture.
It had two rooms of which I suspected one to be a bathroom and toilet while the other one we were currently standing acted as a living room dinning room and Bedroom. Ilya had ran up to a Wooden Leak like the ones in the Guild hall and I was at awe as I saw clean water coming out of it. She filled a wooden cub with drawings on it and placed it on the Big table on the left side of the room.
I got the hint and sat down on one of the two chairs. I chugged down the water and looked at Ilya that was standing besides me. She looked as if she wanted to say something. Something big.
Taru: "You can tell me whatever you want. I will listen."
She fidgeted around her wings flapping slightly. I was wondering what was going on for her to be this nervous about it.
Ilya: "I..... Well....... I.... I can´t......."
She breathed in deeply smacked her cheeks and looked at me straight.
Ilya: "I cant repay you for what you did. Nor can I ever repay your kindness. Not even Knights out of Fairytales have fought for someone they barely knew like that. That's why.... That's why................."
Ilya blushed furiously and broke her gaze with me. She tried to look up again but whenever she looked at me she just blushed even more.
I was slowly pulling back into the chair while raising an eyebrow.
´I read enough Light Novels and Mangas to know what´s gonna happen next.´
Ilya: "Please accept my body as payment!"
After she blurted out what she wanted to say she sank together her head deep in her hands. I could practically see the steam rising from her whole body. It takes a lot of will to say something like this.
Taru: "Did you ever see a knight in your Fairytales asking for a Prize after he saved the Princess. Because I sure as hell wont. I should be the one that should pay you because of me your........"
Ilya had grabbed my hands interrupting my sentence. She was on the verge of tears.
Ilya: "Please...... `sob` ... Please... Don't leave me alone."
´I am an idiot.´
I had thought she was making that offer out of pure stubbornness to pay me back but in reality she just tried to keep someone close no matter the cost. For a second I had really thought she was already over the Death of her Brother.
Taru: "Sorry. I am stupid."
I hugged her tightly and she immediately started to cry.
Ilya: "... `hic` I cant........ `sob`... I cant do it...... ´sniff´.. I tried but I..... I am sorry!"
Taru: "No. Its my fault. I am sorry. I didn't thought about how you felt at all."
Ilya flinched away from me and looked at me with a mix of fear and sadness.
Ilya: "Please... Please don't apologize. Its.... Its all my fault.. You got hurt so bad just because of me and... .and...."
Taru: "Shhhhh."
I pulled her back into a warm embrace and patted her head. This was a Dilemma of the worst kind. I couldn't leave her alone nor could I take her with me. I may owned a tank class but I wasn't sure about protecting someone besides me all day long. And there was the issue with food and how I would vanish for a day because the server shut down.
That was if the NPCs kept moving in this time. But I believe that is the case.
~~~~~
After a good 20 minutes where she just hugged me tightly and I patted her head her grip got lighter. I noticed that she had cried herself into sleep.
´I guess its pretty exhausting.´
Taru: "Now what?"
A idea snapped in my mind.
I stood up carefully placing her onto the old worn out Sofa that was standing close by. I carefully removed her hands from me which caused her to flinch then whimper but luckily she still slept on. I stood up breathed trough and with silent steps left the house. I closed the door carefully and turned right. I walked up to the neighboring house which was just Wooden shack but still in far better condition then Ilya´s home. I knocked on the door and waited.
It didn't take long until a elderly woman opened the door looking at me in surprise.
Elderly Woman: "Yes?"
Taru: "Excuse me. I hope I didn't interrupt you while you did something important?"
Elderly Woman: "No. But. Excuse my manners. How can I help you?"
I turned half around and pointed at Ilya´s house.
Taru: "Do you know the Girl Living in that house?"
Elderly Woman: "Sure. Ilya is such a lively girl. Why? Is she in trouble?"
Taru: "Well..... Depends on how you see it. My name is Chiame. I am an Adventurer."
Elderly Woman: "Ahh. So you are a Adventurer. I always wanted to meet a Adventurer one day. My name is Silviya."
Taru: "Well. Sorry. I think there are more important things right now."
My serious tone caused the Elderly Woman to tense up.
Silviya: "What is it? Whatever she may did I can pay if you want."
Taru: "Its not something she did but something that happened to her. Her Brother....."
I lost my voice and we stood there for a few awkward seconds before she luckily asked.
Silviya: "Her Brother? What happened?"
Taru: "He..... He got kidnapped by a monster. Ilya hired me to save her Brother but...... I was to late........ He died."
The Elderly Woman was in shock. She reached for her heart and tears started to well up in her eyes immediately.
The Old Lady with the nice face seemed to be very close to Ilya and her brother. Since they had no parents I guessed she had taken care of them a lot. This would make things a lot easier.
Silviya: "And... And Ilya?"
Taru: "Physically she is alright but..... she saw what had happened to him and I think she really needs someone. Someone that can stay by her side."
Silviya: "Of course. Lets go immediately."
The Old Lady had fought back the tears and was in full protector mode. It made me happy to see her care so much but i stopped her right on the doorsteps.
Taru: "Wait. Before you go over there. I have to clear a few things."
Silviya looked at me confused.
Taru: "When she wakes up. She will ask for where I am? I wont tell you and even if you see me you absolutely mustn't tell her. Understood?"
Silviya: "I..... Ok."
Taru: "Good. Don't let her go into the city for at least today. Even if you have to hold her back forcefully."
Silviya: "Alright. But I wont hurt her no matter what."
Taru: "Good. Otherwise I wouldn't let you off the hook easily. And one more thing."
Silviya: "What is it?"
Taru: "I realize that living may not be easy so I promise to pay any amount of cash you may ask of me."
This was the least I could do if I already bothered her so much.
Silviya: "I don't believe that is necessary. Most.... No all other people would have just up and left or even demanded payment from her but you.... you not just cared for her but you also organized help and even planned to pay for her.
You know Ilya loves Fairytales. But sometimes I guess there exists knights in the real world much nicer then any Fairytale ones. Thank you."
She bowed deeply before me and then pushed past me towards Ilya´s house. I grinned knowing that Ilya would at least live somewhat of a normal live. I turned around and walked towards the city gates.
I remembered the tip from the Guard walked up to the city Guard told him my name and that I was an Adventurer and he waved me trough. I walked to the guild In a sullen mood and as I had reached the Guild the First thing I did while ignoring anything else was paying the 2 Cooper to the bartender.
´At least now I don't owe anyone.´
I breathed in set up a smug grin cracked my neck and blocked out the dark thoughts.
Since it was already night there weren't many People Left in this Floor. Except the bartender and the 4 Guild Ladies there were only 5 People Left. Most of which where slightly Drunk Male NPCs.
´Nothing to interesting. Well I guess its time.´
I strolled out of the Guild Hall and turned towards the Main Plaza.
Taru: "Time for some shopping i guess."
---
Hello Everyone! Sorry if the Chapter bored you.
But for me its important to let the world be a living and breathing environment instead of just a sandbox for action scenes. There will be more Chapters like that and the story will take on a darker and grittier look later on.
This is M-Rated after all.
I hope you still enjoyed his first encounter with a new enemy and the use of his skill set.
Well, Ok, See you next Week. BYE.