I would describe the fight, fights, plural… but really… what’s the point? It’s just the same thing again and again, a singular task dedicated to a singular purpose. Monotonous work to achieve a goal. Yet despite that, despite what the opening to this incoming tangent may have sounded like, I don’t find this journey dissatisfying in the slightest.

Each cleave of my blade aspires to a goal. Each monster slain is a +7 exp! to the pile, or a +11 exp!, or a +13 exp!, or even a +15 exp! on a few choice encounters. A stone laid at the foot of something greater, a construct reaching to the skies, like antennas to heaven.

Each action is purpose itself, purpose I know I won’t regret. I never have, and I never will, to that simple fact I swear myself. When I set my mind to a goal, it’s a goal I will achieve. No matter what, what I desire will fall within my grasp, no matter what.

At some point, Jasper leveled up. We celebrated, she put in her points, at some point, Jerry spoke a few words, I celebrated, he didn’t put in any points because he had none to spend, things moved on.

Sorry if I’m being a bit of a downer here, but at a certain point I just kind of start to space out. More than anything, this is a quest of endurance. And while I have the mental energy to spare completing this quest, I certainly don’t have the energy to hop, skip, and jump right on over it. So I suppose in a way, Screech beat me.

The constant vigilance, fighting, it has a tendency to wear down on somebody, regardless of who they are… So I suppose what I’m trying to say with all of this…

Good, God, am I bored!

There’s certainly a light at the end of the tunnel to keep me focused here, and it’s a light I absolutely intend to take hold of, but I’m so tired of walking! In all seriousness, you likely don’t need to put nearly this much effort into this quest to finish it. It’s not like capturing Screech is a requirement, after all, take a look at the damn thing!

Tamers Escort

500 exp

???

It certainly has a ??? so further reward isn’t out of the question, but the bare minimum is just being an escort. You don’t need to go out of your way to take the lion’s share of the fighting to gather up as much experience as possible, you don’t need to make an effort to go out hunting for a monster almost twice your level! But here I am, doing it all the same.

Why am I doing it? If I claim to hate this so much, you ask? Well… that’s a good question my proverbial inquirer! Allow me… to elaborate.

To be frank, this, is what I live for. The negatives of such a pursuit may be clearly on display as of the moment, but the sweet, succulent appeal of getting what I want from this ordeal will be mine. And when it is mine, I will look back fondly on this time, not with a shred of regret to be found. Each second spent on this front will be worth it, in that; I have absolute faith.

—

The rain comes slowly at first. I… expected it, given, you know, the concentrating clouds. And it’s also starting to turn to dusk as well. That’s just great, really, it’s great, I am a fervent enjoyer of reduced visibility. Really adds a positive spin onto a fight where I need my senses running at a hundred.

And then… it pours a little harder, the increase is gradual, and before long, I’m absolutely soaked. Breathing in and out slowly on the top of the wagon as it prattles along, the rain rolling off of the surface of the roof. I don’t subject Jasper to the elements, and instead [Recall] her before she has the chance to voice a complaint, basking in the cold rain myself instead.

And it just… keeps coming. The clouds were dense, but… this is rather unexpected to be frank. I didn’t think the rain would come down this-

Rainstorm!

Water affinity attributes are 10% more effective!

Lightning affinity attributes are 10% more effective!

Fire affinity attributes are 10% less effective!

Burn related status effect durations are halved!

…Huh. That’s mildly interesting. And if Screech ends up attacking, suppose it could be helpful given they used what seemed to be fireballs in our last fight… unless they also have the ability to use other forms of magic, in which case, darn. This is a buff to them. Well, if they can use water or lightning, I mean. Wouldn’t be too surprised if they could though…

Well, it doesn’t change anything I suppose. There’s work to do, and a little rain won’t deter me from seeing it through.

“Mmm?”

Oh, guess I can’t help the frown. The rain IS cold… but like I said, I’ll deal with it. Just another obstacle to the goal.

Though… this one might be a little bit more annoying than the rest now that I think about it. As the clouds continue to roll in, it just gets darker and darker… The devs clearly aren’t so cruel as to add frostbite to the game, but I’m not sure how well cold interacts with pain dampening settings on this game. Probably considers it of the same ilk, but it’s not exactly pleasant either way.

Well… It’s not like I can go somewhere else and spend my time elsewhere. As it gets darker, darker, yet darker, the only place that has the necessary vantage point to pick out Screech remains here still. So…

For once, let’s turn that frown upside down, alright? The goal’s within grasp, it’ll all come to an end soon enough.

—

It’s almost impossible to spot Screech through the storm, and that’s if it’s even coming. Can’t be sure if it would decide to fly in this turbulent weather, so… I could just be wasting my time up here, staring into the sky with no chance of recompense… But that doesn’t matter. I’ve made up my mind on this front, I’m going to catch them.

If you come across this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.

So I keep my eyes peeled, even as raindrop after raindrop pelts them, I don’t relent for a moment. It is dark, yes, but it’s not pitch black quite yet. The sun still peeks over the sky, even if it is smothered by the clouds. So as far as I’m concerned, it’s still possible to finish things today, to finish things at all.

Even if it’s difficult…

“Aye,” a voice calls out from beneath me, giving me slight pause as I tear my eyes away from the clouds.

“We’ve reached your stop! The path streaking off to the left leads to Pierre’s Karst, so this is where we go our separate ways.”

“...What?”

“Yer stop! It’s right here!”

…What? No, that can’t be right…

Hopping down from the roof, I watch my step so as to not slip and make a fool of myself, staring off into the distance at the misshapen landscape off in the distance. Trees littering the ground with limestone peaks scattered about. That… about matches the definition of “karst” I suppose…

“C’mon, a few of us will see ya off! It’s the least we can do after all your help. Y’really went above and beyond y’know!”

…I nod, my left eye twitching ever so slightly.

—

“So what was it you were transporting anyways?” I ask the three men around me as we traipse through the rain.

“...I don’t think we can tell you tha-” one of them started to mumble, but was quickly cut off with a rumbling laugh from another of them.

“Aye, calm yourself Aoi, there’s not much he could do with the information now! No harm in sating a harmless bit of curiosity, yeah, Frank?” He tilted his head at the last of the trio, whom, slowly nodded in response.

“T’be frank, it’s nothing all that special, just a rare commodity from Resiala! Mighty popular treat for Tamer’s and their folks, s’called a Mana Truffle. We had a fair few of em on the ride, so it was fairly high stakes, n’the scent must’ve been drawing the attention of that big’ol bird that was harassing us the whole way through. Wouldn’t be surprised if that was the reason why! It’s a favorite among monsters I hear, but especially among birds and the like.”

“...I see.” I nod again, thinking it over.

So… it was targeting us because it smelled something good? That’s a rather base reason, but whatever. It was targeting the wagon because of the “Mana Truffles it had…” and apparently they have quite the pungent smell to them then?

It hasn’t been long since we started walking…

“Jasper?”

“Mmm?”

“How do you feel about theft?”

“Mmm, Meh!”

“Good, good.”

[Summon]!

Turning my head back to the land ahead, I put on my best neutral smile and pat the so far unnamed npc on the shoulder.

“Right, thanks! Curiosity was eating me up inside, thought you were transporting some kind of legendary artifact with the level of secrecy you were upholding there!

[Hunter’s Pursuit]

“Pff, hah! Nothing so serious lad. Just, you know… you’re a Monster Tamer, you’d certainly have reason to go for it if you had less than fair intent! No offense of course, you’re made of sterner stuff than that!”

“Mhm, of course. Well, you’ve seen me off far enough, you can cut the delay and be off now.”

“Ah, of course. Hope you have a good time around here lad! But, I do hear it’s not exactly the safest of living conditions around these parts…”

“I’ll be fine,” I smile and dust my tunic off. “I’m sure you’re well aware of that.”

“Right you are lad, right you are.”

[Hunter’s Pursuit]

“Mmm?”

“Just take whatever smells funny.”

“Mmm… hmm…”

“I don’t know, just gather it all up into a pile! But whatever smells the best to you, hold it in… your mouth??? But DO NOT EAT IT!”

“Right, have yourselves a great night, and good luck with Screech.” I smile and nod again, before waving the men off as they return to the wagon.

“Mmm-mm-M!”

[Recall]

[Summon]

In her jaws is a small case, sealed and shut, locked in a nice box… seems to fit the bill, to be frank.

“Mm-MM!”

“Not everything you had came with you? That’s fine, that’s fine, just let me see that…”

Taking it in my hands…

Mana Truffle X3 (Epic)

Epic.