Edited by Solyom
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As usually, I didn’t even notice when the middle of the day turned into evening. When I start working, such trivial things like time seem less important to me, of course I do measure time! The time needed for a potion to boil, the time needed before adding new herbs, the time needed for the fire to gain the optimal heat. But… I am simply not adding those separate periods together, thus the only way I can tell how much time actually passed is by watching my students. When they collapsed, it is time to stop!
Diavora stayed all this time in the room beside Morgana. Later, she would leave the factory to tell her report to Madam Godamn, who would later repeat it to Rogue. After a few hours, the first “patients” had arrived. Dirty, exhausted men and women, mostly elderly – people that no one would hire and thus, they were struggling to even feed themselves. Many of them suspected the worst after coming here, yet they simply had no other options. Oh, the look on their faces when they discovered that someone is actually willing to help them, wanting nothing in return!
For me, this was first step I needed to make to step out from the shadows and open a fully functional and LEGAL facility. Medium quality potions would be sold to the adventurer’s guild, high quality to nobles. At first, the idea of selling lows to cover the expenses was not that bad, but I decided to change the income into investment. For now, as the sun was setting down, I headed back to the guild. I need to rest well, in the end soon I will have visitors in factory.
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Adventurer’s Guild
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It was actually quite peaceful in the guild. Most of adventurers already heard that the infamous-duo has returned. Most of veterans paid barely any attention to this fact, even more as they were sure that they left for nothing more than a vacation.
Still, the mood got a bit heavier when Gisele returned once again, this time alone. Oh, her expression frightened most of the people that wanted to greet her. The only person smiling widely after seeing the dragoness in this state was the catgirl. She was the one who originally convinced Gisele to follow her boyfriend. She, as many other beastkins from Neira, was raised in the slums. Pink Ether was one of first places in which she was looking for job. Back then, she was sent away for she was far too young, yet she remembered one thing – a little, cheap necklace that every “worker” of the Ether was wearing. The same necklace she saw on the neck of the girl that asked for a meeting with Zariel. She actually hoped that things would end this way.
Why? Maybe because it was her nature? Yes, cat tribes was never a noble society. When you were thinking about a catman, the first thing that came to your mind was either a thief, a bandit, an assassin or a fencer. They were weaker, but far more agile than most of the races. They were witty, sly… and had one ugly vice – they never forget and forgive if someone wasn’t kind for them. They would spend every single minute of their free time imagining torturing those they didn’t like. Yes, because of that, most people were treating their kin with distrust. It was very hard for Kimi to get this job. And this is why she promised herself that she would never, ever, be disgraced or disrespected in her job.
- “Gis, honey!...” she stepped to the dragoness’s table as she had her break in. “…why such a sad face? Something happened?”
- “I don’t want to talk about that right now.” She said and took another gulp from her mug.
Her eyes were burning as she used every single bit of her will to keep her anger inside. Even if Kimi hated Zariel she needed to admit it, because of him Gisele became far less… “passionate”, which was a good thing.
- “Come on! We are friends! Who will you tell if not me!” She didn’t lie. She really loved Gisele, she was like a sister to her. When she started working here, Gisele was the first person that started treating the catgirl as a friend. Right away, with no prejudice. She simply couldn’t stand that filthy, cheeky brat around her! Even more as from time to time, he used advantage over Gisele’s naivety and foolishness to openly joke about her. He pretty much offended her right in her face, but she wouldn’t understand it. And that was one of the many things that she couldn’t stand.
- “You remember when you jokingly said that I should check on Zari and the other girl? How you said it?
- “… No way! Don’t tell me that you actually saw them two doing… you know?” Ha! If so that would be better than planned! If he was cheating on her then…
- “No… I mean, no exactly. But I found out that girl is a… WHORE!” Last word she yelled drawing attention of every in the inn. “You get it? Just like that! And the worst thing is that they said it right in my face! I simply didn’t understand it back then!”
- “Who could have thought?” the catgirl covered her mouth in disbelief. “Who knows what they are doing right now…”
That was the last push that Gisele needed. She grit her teeth and dug her claws in the table, leaving long scratching marks.
She got up from the table and moved to the section yet behind the inn – the training one.
- “If he would return… tell him that I am in the training room… and that I am waiting for him.”
She took her meteoric blade and walked toward the rooms in the back.
Things were going much better than expected!
Couple of hours later.
- “Home, sweet home! The smell of beer, cooked meat and unwashed dirty adventurers! I know that you are there, Loki! No point in hiding now!” I yelled as soon as I entered guild.
I really smelled Loki, why don’t use this possibility to insult him a little?! A few people chuckled hearing my words.
- “Oh, fuck off, shorty!”
… what did he say?
- “WHO THE FUCK ARE YOU CALLING A SHORTY, YOU PIGFACE, GOAT-FUCKING PIECE OF TRASH!? WHO IN YOUR OPINION IS AS LITTLE AS A SEED OF BEAN?! TELL ME! I DARE YOU! I DOUBLE FUCKING DARE YOU!”
Ok, I could overreact a little, I admit it.
- “Oh, friends! Why arguing right after reuniting!” Aloizy hugged me with one of his hands and forced me into moving closer to the assassin “Loki, you shouldn’t neglect your hygiene, and you, Zari, shouldn’t worry about such silly things! It doesn’t matter how tall you are, but how big your heart is!” he smiled at me
- “… so you also think I am small?” my eyes shined dangerously.
- “Oh, as I think about it, I think you are shortest male adventurer! Only Mike is as tall as you, but he works at the reception, you know – whole life in books…”
That was too much.
- “I AM NOT SHORT! I GENERATED ADVANTAGE BASED ON THE FREEDOM OF MOVEMENTS! SUCH A CLUMSY, FAT MOUTAINS OF MUSCLES LIKE YOURSELF MUST TRIP OVER EVERYTHING!”
I started to jerk my body in all direction trying to free myself from his grip.
- “A-ha! You have good attitude about that!” a bald, mustached man cheered. “… indeed, it must be quite useful to be able to fit in every rabbit hole!”
… rabbit hole… so tiny that fits in the rabbit hole… seed of bean… rabbit hole… cute little boy… rabbit hole…
… rabbit hole…
.. rabbit h…
OH YOU LITTLE PIECE OF… NOW YOU’VE DONE IT!
- “THIS BODY IS PERFECT, YOU BASTARD! IT WAS DESIGNED BY A GODDESS HERSELF! WHO ARE YOU TO JUDGE IT!”
I am bloody 172 cm tall! I am not THAT short! BAH! In Asia I would be more than in average! You are oversized beasts here!
- “Having fun?” the catgirl came from the reception.
- “Ah, Kimi! Everything is allright! As you can see, we are getting perfectly along…” Aloizy tried to say something in a peaceful manner.
- “BEGONE, SPAWN OF SATAN!” I yelled still struggling in his grip.
- “Who the fuck is Satan?” the oversized cat titled her head to the side. “…Doesn’t matter. I am here just to tell you that Gisele is waiting for you in training room at the back, she said it is something important.”
- “Ah, then fear not, madam, I will personally deliver this boy to his lady!” he changed his grip and threw me over his back. “Ah, your size is indeed very
- “LIES! DECEPTION!” I managed to yell before being carried away from the inn.
Despite the fact that door behind us were shut I managed to hear Kimi purring to herself.
- “Awww… they are both in such wonderful states! I wonder what is about to happen!”
No one was supposed to hear that. Still, what did she mean by that.
- “Here you go, lad!” the frontliner said, kicking the door open and throwing me inside. “Whatever it is, you should never let your woman wait! And remember! In the end, swords, bows, magic! They are all unimportant! Your strongest muscle is your heart!”
- “FUCK OFF, BRAUM!”
- “… Something wrong with your head? You forgot my name?”
- “… and no one here to understand my puns. Again. Damn it!”
He shut the door behind himself.
I get up from the ground and turned in Gisele’s direction. She was having her back pointed to me. Over and over again she raised her huge, heavy, two handed sword and hit the dummy in front of her. If not for the magic that was imbued into the wood, it would have been destroyed years ago.
Something was wrong with her, the air around her was different. After fast appraisal I saw that her “rage bar” was actually quite filled. 57 points? If she is not fighting with real enemy it should be below 10! Something is wrong. Maybe if I will try making her laugh a little…
- “Sweetie!” I called from afar. In the end room was very, very spacious and she was focused on her training “…You need to tell me something. Actually, I am quite sure I am right, yet I still want to hear about it! Imagine that this fucker Loki called me short! Tis a blasphemy! Even more, that bird-brain Aloizy said same thing! … Now it is time when you are telling me I am perfect. Come on, don’t be shy!”
- “So maybe that’s the reason… ha? You hang around girls smaller than you because it makes you feel more comfortable?!”
She actually yelled at me.
- “Honey, is something wrong?”
- “Wrong? No! Everything is just FUCKING perfect! Mind telling me how your date with that whore went?!”
- “One, it was not a date, two, calling people you don’t know names is at least impolite. Unless you are me, but I can offend whoever I want.”
With a smile I shortened distance between us.
Unauthorized duplication: this tale has been taken without consent. Report sightings.
- “I am not calling her that to offend her, I am simply stating her profession! Am I not right?”
… A-ha. So she knows. Fuck, it is bad. Think Zari, think. How to calm her down? The problem is that she is not willing to listen. As soon as I would start talking she would disturb me and yell some more.
- “Ah. I see. So you found out. Yep, Diavora is a w… courtesan. You have no idea what a vast knowledge women of her profession ha…”
- “Oh! Suuuuure! That must be why you are spending time with hookers! To open a fucking philosophy research group!” she literally boiled with anger.
- “Gis… That was… Sarcasm! You actually used sarcasm! I am so proud babe!” hey! I really was!
- “… pick a weapon, Zari.” She said through her teeth.
I looked around. Every wooden imitation of a weapon that we were using for training has been replaced with their metal cousins. Hey, she is joking, isn’t she?
- “Gisele, I know I shouldn’t be saying it because it usually has the opposite effect, but please, calm do…”
- “DON’T YOU FUCKING DARE TELLING ME TO CALM DOWN! You are mine! You get it!? MINE! And I will remind you about it! Painfully!”
- “I am not going to fight you.” I said, crossing my arm on my chest.
- “Indeed, it would not be a duel. It will be a one sided punishment!” She yelled, charging at me with her sword bit behind her back
Quick lesson about two handed swords, kids! They are very nasty weapons to deal with, especially if your opponent is a dragon mutant with genetically re-engineered muscles, and was studying using this tool for most of her life.
Do you know how to recognize if you are truly fucked? By the position of the blade of the charging individual, for example, if someone is carrying a sword just like Gisele now – along her body – then you are usually dead.
How will she attack? This very position lets her pick the type of the attack at the very end, giving almost no time for reaction to the poor bastard that stands in her way. She can slash from over her head, from the sides, change the grip and pierce. As long as you are in front of her, you are in the radius of her attacks.
I decided to trust my reflexes and wait till very end – to the moment she would perform an attack.
It was wide, horizontal slash. I ducked under it and rolled behind it.
- “God damn it, woman! That was dangerous!”
- “It was supposed to be!” she screamed, turning in place, dragging the sword behind her and attacking from over her hand.
Each of her moves lasted a split of the second, pushing me back. She was serious! She wouldn’t be able to hold these blows, which meant that if I wouldn’t parry or evade I would be cut in half.
- “You are overreacting! You will admit that yourself after you would listen to me!”
- “Then I simply won’t listen!” vertical swing, change of grip, thrust.
At first, I saved myself jumping back. As I tried to avoid the piercing attack, I moved to the side… just to remember that Gisele likes to fight dirty. I was foolish thinking that I got in her blind spot. She moved her whole body and attacked me with her shoulder.
I was sent flying about meter or so.
I quickly inspected my body. Nothing seemed to be broken. I looked at the dragoness. She was walking in circles, looking for an opening. If you were curious if I had any openings… I did. Many of them.
- “Gisele, stop it! You are acting like spoiled kid! I did not cheat on you!”
- “You never slept with that woman!?”
- “Technically…”
- “AND YOU DON’T CONSIDER IT TO BE CHEATING! YOU LITTLE BASTARD!”
- “D’IABEL! FUCKING SWORD!”
- “Command
A metallic like voice in my head whispered.
I raised my own blade in the very last moment. Fighting in close combat with Gisele was foolishness! She was much stronger, and each time our swords met I was pushed back. Each strike was shaking my whole posture to the core.
- “You have no bloody idea what are you doing! Stop it right now before you would hurt som…”
Lesson number two, guys, if you are in the middle of a fight, don’t talk. It is disturbing your breathing, and breathing is the key to every physical combat.
Once again, Gis got closer, far too close for swords to be efficient and ram her body into mine. Once again I was pushed back with my balance out of place. I barely registered the blade that was falling from above.
You took [128] slashing damage
You are now [bleeding]
Once again I landed on the ground, but this time I noticed something laying next to me. Pain came after the moment, as soon as shock left my head. I yelled in pain. In actual pain. At least it wasn’t arm with tattoos.
- “GISELE! FOR FUCK SAKE! YOU CUT MY ARM OFF YOU STUPID BITCH!”
- “S..So what! It will re-grown!”
- “You hurt me!”
- “You hurt me too a…”
- “Can you hear yourself! I keep talking to you that it is misundersta… No. It is no longer important. Do whatever you want, but only after I would be done with you.”
I wasted around 150 mana points to instantly grow a new hand. Liquefied calcium started recreating the structure of the bones. Then, like a flood of serpents muscles, veins and nerves started to entwine around it. Then everything was covered by skin. I still felt the phantom of the pain.
- “I wasn’t fighting back only and ONLY because you were wrong. But apparently someone needs to remind you that you have advantage only when it comes to close range. You are right it will be…”
[Morphing in process]
- “… one sided…”
You chose following avatar: [Angel]Attributes bonuses:STR- 25VIT- 25END- 25RFX+ 10DEX+10INT+25WIS+25SPI+ 25Abilities bonuses:Light Magic improvedYour [Light Magic] is now level 35Dark Magic reducedYour [Dark Magic] is now level 5Semi-ethereal form35% physical damage reductionFly gainedYou can now fly
- “… Punishment.”
I felt that my hair was vanishing into my skull, an additional pair of hand was growing, and wings were appearing on by back.
I lost all my teeth, my tongue got morphed into a weird organ. I simply knew I could use it to drink blood.
My skull turned into a weird insectoidal shape and parts of my body got covered in an exoskeleton.
I was hovering over the ground. My wings were nothing more than symbols. A status. Additional six eyes opened, enlarging the pool of my vision.
Gisele once again tried jumping at me. All I did was raising my hand and casting the first Light-based spell that come to my mind. From the tip of my fingers, a lighting bolt was fired, hitting her body. [Minor Paralyze] status appeared under her name.
At first, the momentum of the spell pushed her back. She grimaced in discomfort as she resumed her march onward. Step after step she kept coming closer. I already started preparing another spell in my other hand.
Funny. Double casting used to be my weakness, yet in this form it is as natural as breathing. Two meters, I empowered that lighting, one and half, she was shivering, one meter…
I stopped my assault of electricity. Gisele, not prepared to be released from magical obstacle dropped forward… exactly in front of my other hand, that I was rising. I used the first magical attack that I ever learned. The one that saved me multiple times.
A mana shock wave pushed her to the wall.
- “I am not done!” I clasped my hands together. “oh, bellowed light, Shining down upon us, mark impure, tainted by desires, chained their wicked bodies, so they would not harm lambs of your no more…”
It must have been the light version of
- “May the heaven above, Forgive you, oh cruel wolf,
For you used to be a lamb that lost her way,
May you know the mercy of the beloved sky…
For I have none for you…”
One last spell crossed the air. The beam of light was shattered into a dozen needle-like bullets and fell on the girl. I made all the spells disappear as I shifted back to my human form.
The dragoness slowly raised from the ground, she kept gazing at me angrily.
- “Now, as you are less eager to jump at me. Yes, Dia is a whore. Yes, I slept with her. No, I did not cheat on you. How it is possible? Very simply – because I slept with her before the two of us started dating.”
- “But you said you two are having intimate business relations! What kind of intimate relations can you have with a hooker!?”
- “That’s what I wanted to keep a secret from you – have you heard about the Syndicate?”
- “Who didn’t?! They are assassins and…”
- “No. Not only. They rule the criminal world. Actually, the Syndicate is a cluster of dozens of lesser organizations. Thieves guild, assassins guild, smugglers, fencers… whores. And since a year or so, a drug store. I am making potions for them, you silly idiot. Dia was send to deliver message from Rogue – the guy that could be called as the king of the underground.”
- “… but it doesn’t make any sense!”
- “It does. You simply don’t want to believe it as you are refusing to take a blame. Stupid, stupid girl.”
- “But why did you start working with them in first place!? When did you want to tell me!?”
- “Because there are many people after my head. I used the Syndicate to: one – find out, who precisely wants me dead, two: send fake messages to those people. In return, I got rid of their financial problems. And when I wanted to enlighten you? Never. I wanted to keep you away from this. And now, be a nice girl and pretend this whole… grotesque event did not take place. I… I on the other hand need to have a drink and rethink a few things. Somewhere away from here. And away from you, before you would cut my other hand off.”
- “W…Why? Why weren’t you telling me about these things?! I hate it! You know everything about me! I just… I just want to know if I can help you a…”
- “You were, Gis. You were helping me all the time. More than you can imagine – just by being near. Now, ‘scuse me. We will continue this conversation… tomorrow. For now I will take my leave.”
- “W…where are you going?”
- “Told you, to have a drink. With Daralon, if he won’t be busy.”
- “C…could we…”
- “Talk about it? Really Gis? Now?... I wonder, could your tail regrow if I would cut it off? In the end you are partly a lizard… You get what I am trying to say?”
The dragoness lowered her head.
- “I was just afraid that you are no longer interested in me and…”
- “And cutting my arm off would help you keeping me?”
- “I did not intend to do it… maybe bruise you a little…”
- “With a meteoric sword?!”
- “I… wasn’t thinking clearly, I guess…”
No. This conversation will get us nowhere. She needs to rethink a couple of things. And I need a drink. Pain is still pulsating in my arm.
I turned in place and walked away, slamming doors. As soon as I left the room I stumbled on Kimi.
- “You? Where is Gisele?” she asked surprised.
- “And what are you doing here?”
- “Checking on my friend, of course!”
I wanted to just walk past her dropping an insult, but then, the realization hit me like a train. She was teasing me near Gisele about Dia coming to me. She stayed with her as I left the guild and she was the one who told me that Gis was waiting for me.
Gisele is overly attached, but she would never spy on me by her own, not after I calmed her down and asked her not to. She needed a push, from someone. And who, for fuck’s sake, would ask her to follow me in the entire guild?
- “What did you do?” I asked with a dead-cold tone.
- “Nothing. You did everything needed!” she puffed her chest proudly. “So? She dumped you already?”
The desire to cut her stomach open and bury my head in the wound as I would slowly feast on her liver was so very tempting.
- “Well played, Kimi. Because of you, Gisele has depression. Do you know how our little sparing ended? Check on her. Oh, and don’t forget to tell her it was all your idea.”
As I walked past her I allowed myself to hit her with my shoulder.
I hate her, I really wouldn’t mind if she would trip over a pebble and snap her neck. Heck! I would be the one who would put that pebble there! But despite being bitch, she is a good worker and one of the few true friends Gis has.
Once again, where does Daralon live?