Escavile, Dakota Dukedom
World: 80 days.
Escaville: 9 days.
"Alright! That's win number 9." Said Jason as the defeated Ogre body returns to normal and they both begin their 9th round within his lucid realm. Jason had 'awoken?' here in his lucid realm after losing consciousness from the Goblin beating. For some time he dreaded his passing, but after a considerable amount of time passes, he come to the conclusion that he must have been saved by now, most likely by Adair who was nearby. With nothing better to do, Jason decided to review his fight to ascertain what he did wrong, and the things he can do to improve.
His first mistake was not using a weapon. A ki blade is sharper than a regular sword, but a regular sword coated in ki would be sharper than a ki blade. He could have dealt way more damage if he had a sword.
His second consideration was getting something that would blind opponents more completely and way longer than dirt. Mixing dried pepper with dirt or fresh pepper with water would be great starters. He'll progress to something as effective as wasp water eventually.
Some kind of poison, preferably one to paralyze the foe. Either coat a weapon in it, or make ice needles out of it and fire at the enemy.
Affecting the enemy's footing by using Earth Manipulation. "It would have been great to make that Ogre lose it's footing especially while it was chasing me around. Tripping over a brick sized protrusion and falling on an earth spike would have been sick."
With that, Jason put together some short term goals: get a sword, blinding agent, paralyzing poison, and better Earth Spells.
"I win! Round 10 over. Gotta try something else. This is getting boring." Jason said as he waved over what appeared to be Sammy and Quinn who were watching him and cheering him on. These weren't real, but rather clones created from his memory of the two and act as identically to them as Jason's memory allowed. They've kept him company this whole time. He then materializes a massive TV and a gaming console, and began playing co-op games with the two for hours.
SEVERAL HOURS LATER
The lucid realm begins to shimmer and shake. "Oh! Looks like I'll be waking up soon. Oh well, it was fun guys." Jason said as he bid the two goodbye.
"Bye." "See ya." Sammy and Quinn clones both replies as the lucid realm collapses.
"Ughhhh..." goes Jason as he regains consciousness and the sensation of his injuries hit him hard. He tries to move, but his chest hurts, but nowhere near as much as he did before, so he was glad to be recovering.
Laying there in the bed with his eyes shut tight in concentration, Jason meditates inorder to get a clearer picture of his condition. He is glad to learn he has nothing but hairline fractures in most of his ribs, plus his broken arm has been set, and is healing quite nicely. Breathing would be painful for a bit, but not too long. He'd still be out of commission for a few days especially with the sling supporting his healing arm.
'Huh?' Jason wondered. "There's some weight on my other arm..." With that, Jason opens his eyes for the first time to see what it is.
"..." Someone with blond hair is sleeping on a chair beside his bed with their blond head resting on his arm. Jason knew who it was instantly.
"Sammy?" Jason said in surprise.
"Nnnhhhhh..." Hearing his name made the blond begin waking up. He raised is head and rubbed the sleep out of his eyes before blinking a few times as the sight of Jason looking at him like a deer caught in the headlights comes into view. This causes Sammy to freeze for a moment.
"Uhhh... Good morning?" Was Jason's poor attempt to diffuse the awkwardness before being half tackled by the blond.
"Cuuughh!..." Was the only sound Jason could make as the air was knocked out of him and the pain in his chest flared with a vengeance.
"Oh crap! I'm so sorry! How could I be so stupid. Are you OK?!" Panicked Sammy as he recoiled away. However Jason pulls him back by the waist before saying "Good to see ya, buddy".
This gesture mostly calms Sammy, before he begins to struggle to figure out what safe way he could hold Jason without hurting him. Soon he settles for resting his head on Jason's shoulder before replying "Yeah. Me too."
Elsewhere. "I still find it hard to believe that a kid still in the 1st Stage of the Mortal Realm managed to single handedly take on and defeat an Ogre 1 Stage above him plus his posse of Hobgoblins. Heck! I hear he did it in 5 minutes. That would have taken 5 of us 6 minutes to pull off." Said a tall bearded man with a greatsword on his back.
"Well, if it will make you feel any better, my pupil was rather lucky. Alot of things went his way, yet it was still quite a close victory." Chanty responds casually.
"Oh? Please elaborate, then." Replied Greatsword Beard.
"First, he had the assistance of a wyvern rider in pooring his 'Wasp water' on the entire group led by the Ogre. This caused the Hobgoblins to disperse, making the battle considerably easier.
Second, this happened on an open space. His strategy wouldn't have worked in a forested area with trees to interfere.
Third, the Ogre immediately went berserk which despite making things more dangerous, shortened the fight because of the backlash." Greatsword Beard. nods in understanding as Chanty continues.
"And Fourth, the Ogre threw away his club, severely lowering his reach, and allowing Jason to get closer. Everything was in Jason's favor, yet he only won by a whisker, so it's not as impressive as you make it out to be." Finished Chanty.
"Hmmm... What you said makes sense. It's still an insane feat, but now I have context. Oh well, I'll be heading off to clear one of the mines. See you later." Said Greatsword beard as he walks off; Chanty to watching him depart.
As the man gets out off earshot, Chanty is joined by someone else."Although what you said wasn't false, you did underplay the lad's performance by a sizable degree. Would I be wrong in guessing that you're trying to keep him under the radar?" Asked the other person.
Chanty shrugs disarmingly before confirming the guess. "Best not to have too many eyes on him. Many would gladly offer their daughters to have someone like him in their party as he is now. And that's not even considering his potential for growth."
"Your reasoning is well thought out, and your proactive steps are most appreciated. You know, I all but jumped into the lad's arms when I saw what he was capable of. I didn't wish to delay and lose the opportunity to form a party with him."
"Hmm! I know what you mean. I too did not delay in that regard. Be that as it may, I am glad to know I will be adventuring with you once again, Sam. I was pleasantly surprised when you revealed you were his party member. " Agrees Chanty.
"The feeling is mutual, old friend. I feel this adventure will have alot in store for us. I wonder if we can get the old group back together in the future." Replies Sam.
Back in a random room in the village, Jason finishes a glass of water which is taken by Sammy and put away.
"Are you sure you're OK?" Asked Sammy still not convinced.
"When did you become such a worrywort? I'm fine. Now get over here. I need to a rundown of what happened while I was out of commission." Responds Jason as he taps a spot on the bed beside himself.
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Sammy rolls his eyes before taking a seat on the edge of the bed beside the lying Jason as he explains what he had missed. Turns out Jason was unconscious for 3 days, with Sam and his adventuring posse showing up a day prior. As Jason had guessed, Adair had saved him from the club goblin and dragged his unconscious body back to the village. With the defeat of the Ogre, the goblin hoard fell to pieces and they all retreated back to the mines. It was bittersweet. The villagers were torn between jubilation at the end of their goblin problem, and the sombre atmosphere brought about by seeing their 'hero' brought back broken.
Jason received treatment in the Mayor's home by caretakers for 2 days, after which Sam arrives and had proper healers attend to Jason while the rest of the adventurers got to dealing with the goblins.
Unsurprisingly, the group was collectively shocked to learn that Jason had taken on and defeated the Ogre solo. Now there were waiting for his recovery, and itching to see the kind of man who would pull off such a feat. Suffice to say, Adair has been harassed nonstop for the passed day, and decided to lock herself in her room in the inn to get some peace and quiet.
With regard to goblin eradication, the adventurers are systematically and meticulously clearing out the mines as well as every possible hiding place in the area. They intend to make goblins extinct around this town for acres otherwise they come back.
"And that's it. Oi! Where are you touching?!" Hearing the protest, Jason moves his hand from where he was caressing and draped it across Sammy's thighs instead.
"You left out the part about why you're here." Asked Jason while acting like nothing happened.
"I answered the guild's summons. Besides, Sam said you'd be here, so I wasn't missing out on a chance to see you again." Hearing that, Jason pulls Sammy closer by the waist.
"I'm hungry. Go grab me something to eat." The moment died with a whimper.
"Way to ruin the moment, bro." Sammy said while rolling his eyes before getting off the bed and making his way to the door.
"I'll let Sam and that Martial Art lady know you're awake while I'm at it, so expect some visitors soon."
"Tell the wyvern riders too if you have the chance."
"Will do." With that, Sammy closed the door behind him and left Jason with his thoughts.
"Dang! I forgot to ask him what happened to the Ogre's body. Oh well, I'll find out later. Hopefully nobody took it. I'd be pissed if someone did."
Minutes Later: Knock Knock Knock.
"Come in." The door opens after Jason's response. Behind it were the Wyvern Riders and Sammy who's holding a large tray of meat.
"Jayjay! Good to see you awake. I thought you were dead when Adair brought you into the village like a sack of potatoes. Then I thought you wouldn't wake up since you were sleeping like a sack of potatoes. You are looking nothing like a sack of potatoes right now, so now I can rest easy." The room went silent at Skyler's odd monologue as she stood their smiling like nothing was wrong.
"Uhh... Looks like I made you worry, Sky." Jason responds with a sweatdrop.
"OK! You can all continue your chat while he eats, so please make way cuz this tray is heavy." Interrupted Sammy as the group sheepishly made room for him to pass and set the meal.
"The folks at the inn prepared it on the house to show their appreciation, and it's all meat from the butcher shop: your meat, so its free. Now eat up." Continued Sammy as he placed the tray down.
"Oh! Nice! But could you help me cut it up? I'm short an arm." Asked Jason as he materialized a knife.
"Sure thing." Replied Sammy as he took the knife and got to work. After that, Jason proceeded to materialize a number of plates and utensils. "Why don't you guys to join me?" Offered Jason.
Nom nom munch munch
"So... About that Ogre..." Inquiries Jason before taking a bite.
"Oh, that. We retrieved the body and took it to the butcher. As for the Lifecore, it's in the hand of the expedition leader: an elf archer in all green. He said something about being your party member." Sid explained.
"Ahhh good. Glad it's in good hands. I was mentally preparing myself for the royal beating I would inflict on anyone who tried to claim what I risked my life for." Jason says releaved.
"Yeah... You know, I still find it hard to believe you took down the Ogre. You're the talk of the town right now, you know." Continues Sid.
Jason rubbed the back of his head and smiled in embarrassment. "Truth be told, I didn't think I could take it down either. My plan was to chase it off from the very beginning till near the end. Things just worked out the way they did." The last part jogs Jason's memory, and he turns to the last member of the Wyvern Riders.
"Oh! And thanks for saving my behind at the end, Adair. I thought I was a goner." Jason said to the Drakin who seemed absentminded throughout the conversation.
With a curt nod she responds "It was nothing. I'm glad you made it out alive."
With that, their chat continues for a few more minutes before the wyvern riders depart to handle their various duties. Leaving Jason and Sammy alone once again.
EVENING.
Sam and Chanty make their way to Jason's room.
Knock Knock Knock
Shuffling can be heard behind the door for a few seconds. Which makes Sam raise an eyebrow.
"Who is it?" Calls out Jason with a tinge of nervousness in his voice.
"It is I, lad. May I be let in?" Responds Sam. The door is opened soon after by Sammy who smiles sheepishly at the two.
"I see you've been taking good care of the lad. I deeply appreciate your efforts, Sammy."
"It's nothing, really. Hahaha..."
Chanty walks past the two towards Jason and stops right beside his bed. She stands there, scrutinizing him with her hands on her hips while Jason stares back at her confused. After awhile she nods her head in satisfaction and goes to take a seat beside Sam who was already seated.
'What was that, just now.' Wondered Jason on puzzlement.
The conversation with his party was no different than with the wyvern riders at the beginning. However the second half was different when Jason expressed his plans.
"I see... Luckily you can accomplish most, if not all of your goals on your way to the Tournament. I'll provide you a note of what you can do and where by the morning." With that, Sam got off his chair before continuing. "I shall leave you to your rest, lad. As I go have my own. Goodnight." He said with a backwards wave as he left.
Chanty on the other hand pinches Jason's cheek, pats him on the head, then finishes off with a light jab to his shoulder before wishing him a good night as she leaves as well.
'What's with her today?' Jason wonders in confusion of Chanty's antics.
"Well, guess it's time for me to hit the hay as well." Said Sammy who Jason had forgotten was still in the room.
Jason agrees before making some room on his bed, then patting the empty space. This makes Sammy almost double over as he tries to hold back a sudden fit of laughter.
"In my own room, silly." However his words were ignored as his arm was grabbed and was pulled forward.
"Wait! At least let me lock the door!" Protested Sammy.
DAYBREAK
Escavile, Dakota Dukedom.
World: 81 days. Escaville: 10 days.
Jason awakes at dawn. He notices his bed is empty and assumes Sammy had woken up earlier and left the room. He jokingly imagines Sammy carefully prying himself out of his grasps to do so.
Thoughts aside, Jason gets out of bed and heads to the shower. He felt alot better today than he did yesterday. The recovery speed in this world was insane in his opinion. By the time he was bathed and dressed, the door opened, and in walks Sammy with a large tray of food.
"Morning! I brought breakfast." Announces the blond.
They both have breakfast together and Jason devours his portions with gusto. When they finish, Sammy picks up the tray and asks Jason what his plans are this morning as they both make their way downstairs towards the Diner.
"I'll drop by the butcher's shop, then the Mayor. After that, I'll go check out how the Goblin genocide is going. It's my day off, so I'm not doing anything intense. What about you?" Answers Jason.
"I'm supposed to be part of the reserve. We're meant to chip in where the main force feels overwhelmed. Since your team handled most of the work, we've been tasked with mondane duties. Mine is to look after you; courtesy of Sam." Replied Sammy.
The two made their way to their destination and handed the tray to the cook. Jason thanked her for the meal, and she thanked him in return for saving the town.
This got the attention of the people having breakfast at the Diner. Jason had become something of a local celebrity the past few days. The Adventurers from out of town could finally put a face to the elusive hero the locals won't stop talking about.
Not one for this level of attention, Jason ignores their stares and murmurs and leave the inn with Sammy in tow. Shortly thereafter they make their way to the butcher shop where they are welcomed by the Owner.
"Hahaha! Welcome back to the world of the living, young man. I knew you wouldn't kick the bucket so easily. Hahaha!" Bellowed the owner.
The two exchanged pleasantries, and Jason was brought up to speed with the goings on. More smoking shacks were built to handle what the Adventurers were bringing in. They've been super busy processing all the bodies.
Speaking of processing, the ogre's body had just been processed, and the Owner took Jason to see it. The hide had been removed, and it was suggested Jason find someone to turn it into leather armor, or trade it in for a similar quality armor to save time. Jason took the meat and hide, and put the service cost on his tab.
Next up, Jason was told of Merchants who came with the adventurers itching to buy his meat. Selling his wares would create room for the owner's shop, however Jason knew enough about economics to realize it would be best not to sell all his wares at once, as their surplus supply made them dirt cheap. He'd make more money selling them in other towns where the supply was lower. Problem was, he couldn't transport all that meat in his mindscape, nor did he have a carriage to compensate. After some thought, he came up with an idea. He'd sell the meat cuttings that were the cheapest and hold on to the ones that cost more per pound. Additionally he'd find a merchant who 1.) didn't have much inventory, 2.) Don't have much cash on hand, and 3.) was following their route.
He'd make a deal with such a merchant where he'd hand over the meat at no upfront cost, and in return not only does the merchant hire his party to escort the goods, Jason would be paid after the goods got sold. He'd need Sam's help to streamline the whole process, and even if the lovely elf can't for some unfathomable reason, he can still rely on the butcher, the chief, and his newly attained local fame to assist.
After assuring the butcher he'd handle that, he was led to a room where after a brief rummage, he was handed a large sack of life cores. They were all the butcher had carved out from the bodies over the last number of days, and numbered in the hundreds. Jason graciously received the cores, the ogre leather, and some meat and left to see the Chief after which he and Sammy left the village to see what the Adventurers were up to.
Reaching the closest mine, they saw a group of adventurers camped outside the entrance and unaliving any beast that tries to escape. This was the same scene at every mine they encountered along their walk.
Soon they reach the largest mine that once housed the Ogre. And there they saw a familiar head of long blond hair with pointy ears clad in all green. Sam was supervising the operation.