Chapter 22
"There's already 5 of our people here who went missing inside the mine, and another 6 who were killed right after that, with 8 more when we started suspending our mining work, due to this mysterious disappearances and death"
"That many already? How come you didn't request any aid from the guild?"
"We already did, and the 7 adventurers who took our plea is among those 8 people who went missing, inside the mine. They were at silver rank, but for some reason, for 3 days, we never seen them out from the mine ever again"
"... Is there anything else inside the mine, probably something your people took a notice, or just spotted when you were mining down?"
"Unfortunately, those who have noticed it are already among the dead, while those who got out didn't found any during the mining work"
"I see"
After gathering some information regarding the mine, we then left and thanked the village chief for the cooperation, which we really appreciate if we could get more info inside the mine, like how come a party of silver people got wiped that easily inside a mine, where only silver rank monsters live
"Unless, of course, there are not just silver rank monsters there."
"I don't know, let us ask more people before we investigate"
I said towards Kanade as we leave the village chief's house.
After we arrived in this village in less than a day, we were welcomed by a lot of armed villagers in the gate, as we show up almost after twilight with a 3 Golems standing behind us. Everyone was taken aback at 1st before they regain their composure and pointed their weapons at us. Tsubaki then unsummoned her Golem while I and Elizabeth talked to the head of the armed villagers, and told them we were the adventurers who took their Quest, while showing it to them also.
After some discussion, which really took so long that all of us were getting anxious, especially that those monsters might come out, they then let us all in. We then took our rest inside the village chief's residence. When the morning came, we then reintroduced ourselves before we asked some questions regarding the mine, the monsters that's infesting it, and some other possible things inside of it. After asking the chief, we then tried asking the other villagers, but we gain nothing more than the same answer, with a few of them being notably intriguing
"Before it was closed, down in the mine, we heard this rattling noises. When we tried investigating it, we found nothing"
"Gream, one of the people who went missing, told us about a sighting of some monster he never seen before. Because his nothing but a crazy drunkard, none of us believed him, even the guild"
And nothing more, but with that, we then decided not to go deeper to the mine, or even entering it, but rather use a underhanded trick, which is to smoke those monsters out of the mine, and kill them in the open area. With this, we can secure our safety and finish this Quest without troubles.
After we explained our plan to the villagers, and asked them for anything that we can burn that either gives an unpleasant smell, spicy one, or something monsters hate, especially {Spiders}, we then proceed. Kanade and Tsubaki gathered the necessary woods for blockage and fire, while I and Elizabeth followed one of the villagers to the deep forest.
(Author's POV)
"We will be using [*Citronella Grass], I don't know if it works against those monsters, but we been using this plant for repelling insects and such for years now"
One of the villager's wife stated as they further distance themselves from the village
"How-"
Boom!
"!!"
Suddenly, a deafening explosion erupted right behind them. Elizabeth and Sarah then hurriedly run towards the village, while the villager was left in daze before she snap back, and hurriedly follows the 2 from behind.
Stomp! Stomp! Stomp! Stomp! Stomp!
Tsubaki summoned her Golems before she and Kanade ran towards the direction where the explosion had come from, leaving all the woods they have gathered. The village chief was able to calm everyone, including the children, as they suddenly panicked due to the loud explosion, then evacuating them to a safe place away from the mine, while their fighters then took arms.
Arriving
"What was it?"
Elizabeth then asked the chief as she ran towards him.
"W-we don't, it just happened out of nowhere"
"Was it in the mine?"
The village chief then gazed outside and stated anxiously
"Might be"
Sensing the anxiety of all of them, Elizabeth then muttered
"Bring the villagers to a safe place, while all those who can fight prepare!"
The village chief then nodded and guided everyone towards the 3rd house in the left of the village, where a large basement under a secret room, behind the fireplace, is built, accommodating everyone of them inside. Praying for their safety and success, was all they could do as they hide.
"Guard the perimeter of the village, while we investigate"
Nodding to her words, they then left. Rushing as fast as they could towards the mine
Boom!
They then heard another one
Shrrrrrkkkk!
Bang!
Just a distance from them, a fight broke out.
Aghhhhh!
Boom!
The {Stone Golem} the roared as it brought its two fists down, slamming the monster on the ground
Bang! Bang! Bang!
It then vigorously launches strike after strike, preventing the monster from slipping through
Boom!
And on the other side, one of the {Stone Golem} slammed the monsters down as it grab it, and pinned it down. It then raises its left elbow and
Bang!
Slammed it to the monster's face
Tatatatatatatatatataata
Hurriedly skittering, the familiar of Kanade then brought its sharp fangs to the pinned down monster
Shkkkkk!
And furiously trying to reap its head off. The monster was trying to fight off as it moves its legs around, trying to sway them away, but the {Stone Golem} was immovable, and with its huge body
Bang!
It smash its right arm to the monster's throat
Ghkkkk!
Successfully reaping its head off. But
Shkkrrrrrr!
Shkkkkkk!
The other ones then roared at them as they surround them
Garrhhhh!
Shhkkkkk!
Which then the 2 replied in fury
Tatatatatatatatatataata
Thud
The Golem then stomp its left foot forward as it swing its right arm towards the rushing monster
Boom!
Knocking it down with its thundering might.
Thwip Thwip Thwip Thwip Thwip
While Kanade's familiar keeps shooting webs after webs to the rushing monster
Shrrkkkk!
Immobilizing it. It then tightly wrapped it to its web when it successfully trapped it, before it rushed towards the other monster.
"Tsubaki! Kanade!"
Sarah and Elizabeth then arrived in the scene, only to see Tsubaki and Kanade's familiar fighting against an enemy they never seen before.
"What the -"
They the hurriedly checked the enemy they are fighting
<> [Ethereal Arachnid] [-4% DEF, +7% STR]
[Name: None]
[STR: 428]<
[AGI: 50]<
[INT: 0]<
[VIT: 1,780.5]<
[DEF: 28%]<
[Rank: Silver II]
[Skills:]
<>[Bite]
<|> A powerful bite that could ravage a steel armor like paper. [Mastery - 6: 67/ 150]
> Armor penetration 2% (+2%)
<> [Swift Nimble]
<|> When one's feet is used, body shall move. [Mastery - 10: 130/ 200]
> 3% (+2%) increased in user's speed
<> [Silk Bind]
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<|> A nature course of death and creation. A way to live yet used to kill. [Mastery - 10: 134/ 200]
> Immobilizing the enemy for 20 seconds, and dealing 2% (+2%) accuracy reduction
<> [Chrysalis]
<|> A nature course of death and creation. A way to live yet used to kill. [Mastery - 8: 34/ 160]
> Wrapping its prey in a tight cocoon, entrapping them for 30 seconds.
>> When it successfully casted [Chrysalis], deal 3% damage (3 seconds) to the trapped enemy for 20 seconds.
[Description:]
<> A living creature that doesn't live, a being that doesn't breath. Crafted to be served, made to be commanded, a monster that took its form just to be controlled.
[Race: Undead/ Spider]
"... What the hell is that?"
Sarah asked, as she saw the same {Spider} she have seen before, yet with its eyes coated in a shamrock green, like the one with Kanade's familiar.
Shkkk kkkkkk
Its emitting an ominous aura
"I don't even know where they came from, they just attacked us out of nowhere"
Tsubaki stated. She then slowly went towards Elizabeth and Sarah's side, and whisper
"Be prepared, my Golems has a few more minutes before they disappear"
"..... How many did you killed now?"
"We already took 4 down-"
Bang!
The {Stone Golem} once again slammed its stone fist to the immobilized {Spider}
Bang! Bang! Bang!
And rained it down with its heavy assault
Skkkrrrrr-!!
Killing it in its helpless state
"And that's 5, but their num-"
Ahhhhhhhhh!
"!!"
Hearing a loud scream behind them, Elizabeth, Sarah, and Kanade didn't waste anytime as they ran back to the village
"Guard as we retreat!"
Gahhhhh!
Thud!
While Tsubaki then ordered her Golem to stop any of those monsters from advancing, as she followed them from behind.
Shkkkkk!
Kanade's familiar then rushed towards them as she called it.
"Ride it!"
She told Tsubaki, which she then did as it arrive next to her, followed by Kanade, Sarah, and Elizabeth. Kanade's familiar then activated its skill, [Swift Nimble], increasing its speed as it rushed back.
Whip Whip Whip
"Ahhhhhhh! Fuckkk! Dammit! Dammit! Dammit!"
The man yelled as the monster spewed its sticky web towards him, shackling him. Trying to get away, it tried his best to moved, but failed as the web that was wrapping him was too strong to break.
"Gahhhhh! Ahhhhhhh! Nooooo!"
The monster then bit the man's head, killing him.
Swoosh
Shkkkk!
It then cried as an arrow hits its eye
"Don't let them near you!"
Swoosh
"Hide inside the buildings!"
Swish
"Fucking bastard!"
"[Swift Shot]!"
3 grown men then yelled to the other villagers while retreating, as they keep shooting arrows after arrows to those monsters that were climbing their defensive wooden wall.
"Aim to their eyes and head!"
Swish
Shkkkkk!
As they hide themselves to their houses, they then rained those monsters down with arrows
"Die you fuckers!"
"[Swift Shot]!"
Shhkkkk
Shhkkkkk!
But unbothered, they then rushed towards them in sprint
Shkkk!
Bang!
"Fuck!"
And slammed themselves to the village house, trying to destroy the wall that was separating them from their prey.
Bang! Bang!
Shkkkkk!
"Kill them!"
One of the grown men yelled as he grabbed his sword and stabbed the monster to its body
Shkkkkk!
"Fucking die, bastard!"
Shatnk!
As he successfully thrust his sword to the monsters head, he then take an arrow from his quiver and aimed to the monster, and
"[Sparrow Shot]!"
And fired a quick shot to the monsters head
Shkkkk!
Bang!
But he only made it pissed as it slammed its head once again.
Shhkkkkk!
"Engulfed it, [Ember]"
"[Shadow Dash]"
Swoosh
[You have gained a skill [Seirei no Enjo] (Elemental's aid)
Holding a fiery Iron sword on her hand, Sarah dashed in sprint as she approached one of the {Ethereal Arachnid} from behind.
She then checked her status and unlocked her new skill as she dashed
<> [Seirei no Enjo]
<|> Diversity divided us, yet singularity upheld and rise, for the first touch, order came and bond follows. [Mastery: 1/ 60]
> When receive an aid from any element [Fire/ Water/ Ice/ Wind/ Earth/ Abyssal/ Light], deal 5% physical and magic damage for 10 seconds
Tightly holding the swords on her hands
Bang! Bang! Bang!
Shkkkk!
She then jumped to its abdomen and ran across its body
"Die dammit!"
Swoosh
The man then fired his last arrow directly to its head, while the other one cowered under the table, cursing and praying as he duck
Bang! Bang! Bang!
"Fuck! Fuck! Fuck! Oh God help us!"
Shtakkp!
Shkkkkkk!
The monster then cried as Kanade's flaming sword dug its deep to its head as she jumps towards it
Shtaap
She then took it out and stabbed it again
Stahpp! Tshhap! Shatpp!
And again, and again, and again, and again
Until
Shkkkk!
The monster then tried killing Sarah by squashing it, as it slammed itself in the ground.
Thud!
Sarah swiftly got away before she hits the ground
"[Shadow Dash]"
"[Seirei no Enjo]"
And grasping her sword she then rushed back to it. As the monster was flip upside down, Sarah then used it to her advantage, and rained it down with powerful strikes after strikes
Shhkkk!
"Out of the way!"
Hearing Elizabeth's yell, Sarah then jump back
"[Seirei no Fure]"
"[Flame Burst]!"
Boom!
"[Flame Burst]!"
"[Flame Burst]!"
"[Flame Burst]!"
As Elizabeth's magic bombarded the monster's head
Thwip Thwip Thwip Thwip Thwip
Kanade's familiar then started immobilizing all the {Ethereal Arachnids} that got inside the village - 6 - while awaiting for Tsubaki's Golem to respawn again.
Shhhkkkkkk!
Skrhhhhh!
After it successfully entrapped them, it then rushed towards Sarah and Elizabeth's side.
"[Flame Burst]!"
"[Flame Burst]!"
"[Flame Burst]!"
As she keeps bombarding it with her magic
Shkkkk!
The monster then cried as it flipped itself up. Sarah then jumped back to its body and rushed towards its head
"[Flame Burst]!"
While Elizabeth is trying to get its attention away from Sarah
"[Flame Burst]!"
Shhhkkk!
As it roared, it then rushed towards Elizabeth
"No you don't!"
Shhtapp!
Shhhkkk!
It then cried as Sarah thrust her sword to its head. Even with the flame extinguished, Sarah keeps stabbing her sword to the monsters head
Shkkkk
"[Flame Burst]!"
Thwip Thwip Thwip Thwip Thwip
Kanade's familiar then arrived and shoots its sticky web to the monster's legs, trapping it, making it more vulnerable.
Shhhhkkk
"Just fucking die, dammit!"
Shttapp!
As she stabbed her sword further deep to this monster's head
"!!"
It then suddenly fell down, like a puppet when its string was cut
Thud!
As Sarah landed down
"Did we.... Killed it?"
Elizabeth asked as she went towards her, bewildered also to the sudden conclusion
"..... I don't think so"
She stated. Both of them then used [Appraisal] to checked, and was even more puzzled
<> [Ethereal Arachnid] [-4% DEF, +7% STR]
[Name: None]
[STR: 0]<
[AGI: 0]<
[INT: 0]<
[VIT: 0]<
[DEF: 28%]<
For a monster with a health of thousands and a defense of 28%, for it to easily die like that after a dozens of hits from them, what could have be the cause? Looking at each other, Elizabeth and Sarah just run towards the building, checking if the people inside were okay. They then meet 2 men inside, with one of them cowering beneath the table, trembling.
"Haah.... Hah... Haaah.... I would like to thanked you adventurers..... That was crazy shit there"
The man spoke in haggard tone
".... Yeah, it was"
While Elizabeth replied, Sarah then checked the man's status.
[Name: Blaun]
<> [Class: Hunter]
[STR: 150]<
[AGI: 15]<
[INT: 0]<
[Rank: Iron III]
[Skills]
<> [Swift Shot]
<|> To hunt in silence, to kill in peace, the hunter took their bow and shot their arrows with great speed. [Mastery - 15: 90/ 450]
> 5% increase in accuracy and draw speed, while dealing 2% damage.
>> Additional 2% in damage, and 2% in draw speed if it successfully hits the enemy's vital spot.
<> [Sparrow Shot]
<|> To hunt in silence, to kill in peace, the hunter took their bow and shot their arrows with great speed. [Mastery - 9: 290/ 360]
> Deal 4% damage with 7% accuracy.
[Race: Human]
"It's not him"
She then gazed at the trembling man
[Name: Gunt]
<> [Class: Hunter]
[STR: 100]<
[AGI: 9]<
[INT: 0]<
[Rank: Iron II]
"And definitely not him"
Sarah whispered, which left the 2 clueless. The 2 of them then went outside as the 2 men stay inside the house to relax themselves. They then meet Kanade and Tsubaki as they went out, wearing the same bothered look. Kanade then explained to Sarah and Elizabeth about the 6 {Ethereal Arachnid} that suddenly died out of nowhere, which caused the 2 to be more bewildered.
"..... They might be the same as my Golems? Were they have this cool down time?"
Tsubaki suggested, as just like her Golems, when the timer hits, all of them then suddenly dissappear. Seeing it seems sensible, everyone then agreed that it might be the cause, but who? Who orchestrated it?
After a while, the villagers that were hiding then went outside, when one of the village folks informed them of the unsuccessful raid of those monsters. Elizabeth and Sarah then reported everything that happened, while Tsubaki and Kanade investigate the mine. Sarah then told the village chief that they will stay here for some time, just to make sure that everything is clear and safe. Nodding to her words, the village chief let them do whatever they want.
An hour came, Tsubaki and Kanade then returned.
"The mine is now clear, we found nothing inside there. No eggs, no hiding monster, nothing" (kana)
Sigh
Relieve, everyone felt joy as they celebrate inside the village chiefs residence.
"We can't thank you enough, dear adventurers"
"Don't be, it was our pleasure to help"
After receiving some gifts from them, the party then left. They were asked to take anything valuable to those monsters corpse, but declined as it much better if the villager will sell anything that is still useful inside, which greatly thanked by the folks.
Stomp! Stomp! Stomp! Stomp! Stomp!
As they were traveling back to the guild, Sarah then asked Tsubaki
"Did you really found nothing inside the mine?"
"Not even the corpses of those they ate"
"That's.... Not good" (Eliz)
".... How about the corpses of those we killed?"
"We still found them lying on the ground"
Stating that, the possible theory that those monsters must be familiar suddenly felt flawed
".... My familiar does break apart when I canceled it, maybe its the same? But rather than breaking apart, they just died?" (kana)
".... Might be, and I really hoped it is" (Sara)
"... This is troubling" (eliz)
"But we can't stay there for so long, we just hoped they are safe and sound" (kana)
".... Yeah"
Stomp! Stomp! Stomp! Stomp! Stomp!
....
<<×<<>[Everyone's Status So None of Us Forgot, That Includes Me]<>>×>>
[Name: Elizabeth Moore]<
<> [Class: [Blood Witch]<; [Witch of the Ancient<
[STR: 14]<
[AGI: 3.5]<
[INT: 25]<
[Rank: Silver (+1)]<
[Skills]
<> [Fire Blast]
<|> A fire sorcery that cast a ball of flame. [Mastery - 1: 2/ 80]
> Discharge a burst of flame that deals 5% magic damage
<> [Magic Proficiency] {passive}
<|> Dawn in the era of Sorcery, those who wields magic were regarded as Prophets, upon their knowledge and skills, the world is engulfed with heightened curiosity. [Mastery - 1: 2/ 80]
> For every successful magic casted, 1% magic damage is added
<> [Seirei no Fure] (Elemental's touch)
<|> Diversity divided us, yet singularity upheld and rise, for the first touch, order came and bond follows. [Mastery: 1/ 60]
> When any object engulfed with any elements [Fire/ Water/ Ice/ Wind/ Earth/ Abyssal/ Light] deals 5% damage [Physical and Magic] to the enemy. [CD: 10 seconds]
[Race: Witch]
..
[Name: Sarah Johnson-Smith]<
<> [Class: [Blood Maiden]<; [Night Walker]<
[STR: 12]<
[AGI: 8]<
[INT: 2]<
[Rank: Silver (+1)]<
[Skills]
<> [Appraisal]<
<|> Thief are mischievous and cunning, not by skill, but my experience and knowledge. [Passive skill: activates when you focus your sight on something you wanted to know]
> You can easily determine the worth of what you see. [Green - Normal: Brown - Common: Blue - Rare: Red - Special: Gold - Unique]
<> [Shadow Dash]<
<|> Speed that could hide its presence. A quick footwork that could hinder its enemies vision and sight. [Mastery: 25/ 40]
> If [Speed Dash] is activated, additional 3% speed boost for 1 second
[Race: Vampire]
..
[Name: Tsubaki Moore]<
<> [Class: [Inanimate Caller]<; [Charmer]<
[STR: 17]<
[AGI: 3]<
[INT: 31]<
[Rank: Silver (+1)]<
[Skills]
<> [Appraisal]<
<|> Thief are mischievous and cunning, not by skill, but my experience and knowledge. [Passive skill: activates when you focus your sight on something you wanted to know]
> You can easily determine the worth of what you see. [Green - Normal: Brown - Common: Blue - Rare: Red - Special: Gold - Unique]
<> [Summon Golem]<
<|> Companionship or slavery, a skill refined to be 2 than 1. Created from inquisitiveness, yet not a novel made. From a mad man to an expert, the master insured his creation will be written and foretold. [Mastery: 24/ 50]
> Can summon 3 {Stone Golems} for 1 hour. [Flaw: any summoned have its stats in halves] [CD: 20 minutes]
[Race: Dark Elf (Dragon)/ Undead]
..
[Name: Kanade Johnson Smith]<
<> [Class: [Puppeteer]<; [Undead Knight]<
[STR: 15]<
[AGI: 4.5]<
[INT: 5]<
[Rank: Silver (+1)]<
[Skills]
<> [Appraisal]<
<|> Thief are mischievous and cunning, not by skill, but my experience and knowledge. [Passive skill: activates when you focus your sight on something you wanted to know]
> You can easily determine the worth of what you see. [Green - Normal: Brown - Common: Blue - Rare: Red - Special: Gold - Unique]
<> [Marionette]<
<|> Fate or destiny, luck or fortune, upon the hands of the creator, one is a pawn while the other is a Knight. [Mastery: 26/ 50]
> Using the corpses of the dead (+1), the user can manipulate their body. The corpse will gain 10% of the user's stats. [Monsters health will be quartered from its origin]
[Race: Undead]<
<><><><><>
[For those who are curious about the village]
The village has a circular area with wooden walls made of logs surrounding it, 2 gates - south and east - with 2 archer towers each. The village chief residence is located at the top north with 11 houses build, 4 at the left and right, and 3 at the center - includes the chief. All houses are 2 storey one, can accommodate 10 people, with each houses having 2 families, but not all houses.
The graveyard is located at the top west, just a distance from the village, with the mine at the top east. They chopped their woods in the bottom east, while hunting near the mine or near the chopping area.
The tunnel inside the mine is diagonal, with a building built at the right entrance where their equipments is stored, and where they changed their clothes.
Village of Graven: Small Village
Villagers: 71
Mine: Iron, Silver, and Copper
Hunters: 20 [8 archers, 12 fighters]
[×××××××]
*My characters dealt 402.19 damage at the spider, with 178.1 for Sarah and 224.1 for Elizabeth, and 1,122.66 damage for the blaun, which gives 1,524.85 dmg - 2350 hp = 825.15 hp
*Citronella grass (Cymbopogon nardus and Cymbopogon winterianus) is a perennial grass native to Southeast Asia. It is known for its strong lemony scent, which is derived from the citronella oil found in its leaves. This oil is commonly used in various products as a natural insect repellent. (chatgpt)