Finding the Chieftain's tent wasn't hard, it towered over all the others. While most of the other tents were barely tall enough for them to stand up in. This tent was massive and made of a thick red canvas that reflected the desert sun fine enough that the inside was cool and comfortable, despite to musk of orc stank.
Entering the tent, it became clear why the tent was so big. The tent was not only Barolo's personal lair, but it was also some sort of council room. Maps and papers laid haphazardly on top of a large oval table in the center of the room. Upon looking through a few of them, Malcolm saw that most were either exact copies of his Adventures Map or cut outs of it. Though there were quite a few maps of places Malcolm had never heard of before. The Isles of Valayun, Yugocheknia Republic, Azmar's Bay, and the Ruins of Aurita. It appeared that the orcs had been searching for something, or possibly planning on their next plundering target.
Malcolm pulled out his map from his bag and compared the markings, to his surprise a prompt popped into his vision.
Would you like to update your map with the more detailed map locations? Yes or No. Be wary, this is irreversible.
Not seeing an issue with learning more about his situation and surroundings he mentally selected yes. He watched in awe as the fog on his map shifted and revealed more landmarks and land formations. Placing his map on the table he traced his finger southward from his location to find out where the Death Goddess was sending him, he stopped at a set of squiggle lines that indicated a small ridge. Squinting his eyes, he saw a small dot and a jumble of words that had a line crossed through it. Abandoned Mine.
So, Lorne wants me to take sanctuary in an old mine? But why did the orcs cross it out... There must be something there. But to his annoyance he couldn't find anything else. Just squiggle lines that indicated more desert with fog blocking off the rest to show him even the orcs didn't travel that far.
Looking over the map again, he marked a small town that was maybe a two day walk away called Goulcrest. It was to the northeast, it'd be the smartest route to safety, but his eyes still trailed back to the south. He couldn't quite place it, but in his gut, he could feel that heading south was his best bet.
With a sigh, he rolled up the map and placed it into his bag. Tightening his grip on the chest key he went back to searching for loot, either way he'd need supplies and gear for his trip. There wasn't much else in the meeting room, moving to the back of the room he pushed a curtain to the side. The silk curtain was being used as a divider to separate the meeting room from Barolo's private quarters.
Immediately Malcolm wrinkled his nose at the potent musk that lingered in the room. Steeling himself against the stench he continued his search. After a moment he found a plate of moldy food and beside it a basket of mostly untouched fruit, losing to his grumbling stomach he grabbed a fruit that looked like an apple and bite into it. The satisfying crunch and sudden flow of sweet juices washing over his tongue made an uncontainable moan escape his lips. Over the past few weeks of eating nothing but moldy bread and drinking muddy water, this fruit was pure ecstasy. Quickly he consumed the fruit and grabbed another, then another.
You have found: Elppa Fruit!
Info: A sweet tasting fruit. Restores 2 points of Health. Weight: 0.1. Value: 8 Copper.
Malcolm placed a few into his bag for future consumption.
Pulling a sheet off a shelf in search of more unspoiled food, he finally found the chest. Letting out a whoop of excitement, he marveled at the size of it. The wooden chest came up to his waist! He clapped his hands in excitement, then not delaying any further he shoved the key into the lock and twisted. With a satisfying click the lid unlatched, he swung the lip open and let out a whistle.
Three large sacks of coins sat in the corner of the chest, next to them was a stack of old books, then to the side of that was a bundle of cloth and wedged at the front was a war hammer. It was about the length of his arm and had a heavy looking block of metal at the end of it. It looked plain, but the wonderfully etched patterns on the handle and head peaked Malcolm's interest.
I swear if those scribbles say ' Whoever holds this hammer, if he be worthy, shall possess the power of Thor. I'm gonna lose my shit! Curious, he pulled out the war hammer first and awed at the heaviness of the weapon.
You have found Enchanted war hammer! Info: You lack the skill to identify this item, but you can feel a strange energy emanating from this weapon. You do not meet the requirements to equip this weapon. Damage: 15-20. Magical Effect: Unknown. Weight: 15. Value: Unknown.
Damn, I need to learn that identify skill! He bit his bottom lip in annoyance. And what requirement do I not meet? Do I need more strength? He lifted the hammer and felt the weight of the weapon, it was slightly unbalanced, and he could tell he'd tire easily from constantly swinging it in a fight. There was also a strange coldness that emanated from the weapon, already his fingers were growing numb due to the cold. Quickly, he placed the weapon into his bag. If he couldn't use it, he would sell it, the hammer had to be worth some gold to be stored in the chest.
Adding to his frustration most to the other items in the chest were also enchanted or magical and made it unable for him to identify them. But the sacks of coins put a smile back on his face. He greedily dumped the sacks into his bag and watched as his money tab on his status page shoot up.
Wealth: Gold: 655. Silver: 9. Copper: 35.
"I'm rich!" Malcolm began to holler like an old prospector, jumping and knocking his heels together. He had literally just gone from rags to riches and he wasn't even factoring in the handful of jewels that were in each sack as well.
This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it.
Forcibly calming himself he went through the jewels and nearly squawked in joy.
You have found 4 Flawless Garnets! Value: 150 Gold each.
You have found 3 Uncut Amethysts! Value: 100 Gold each.
You have found 1 Ruby! Value: 300 Gold.
You have found 10 Minor Soul Gems! Info: Empty. Value: 10 Gold each.
You have found 1 Flawless Sapphire! Value: 500 Gold.
Doing the quick math, Malcolm cackled at his newfound wealth. Altogether he had over twenty-five hundred gold! He tilted his head back and let the laughter burst out of him freely.
"What are you doing in here?"
Malcolm nearly choked at the sudden voice behind him, he whipped his head around and saw Saria with her hands on her hips leering right at him. He sputtered to put a lie together but could already see from her look and the way her eyes drifted to his bag of holding that she already knew what was up.
"Did you find anything good?" The expression on her face was unreadable.
He could lie to her, there was no way for her to see into his inventory. She probably wouldn't believe him, but she wouldn't really have a choice, only he could open his bag.
"Yes, actually." He opened his bag and took out the items he found in the chest and even the items he found on Barolo's corpse. "But I can't even tell what most of it is."
Saria looked surprised to his honesty, but she drew closer as he pulled out the books. She let out a sound of intrigue as she looked them over.
"Do you know what it says? I can't find anything out about them. It just says I lack the skill." Malcolm tutted.
Saria opened the book and sighed. "Oh, yes. I have an identify skill. This one here is very old. Here," She handed the book back to him. "I identified it for you. You should be able to see it's information now."
You have received: Soul Familiar Summon! Info: This book teaches you the one time use spell Summon Soul Familiar. A Soul Familiar is the other part of your soul you never knew you were missing. This creature can be very helpful in battles and become a true companion for life. Cast Time: 60 seconds. Mana Cost: 1000 Mana. Value: 500 Gold.
A familiar! Malcolm thought to himself. Now, that'd be an awesome thing to have, especially in this chaotic world. Having a trusty pet to watch his back would be a serious boon. Gently, he set the book into his bag of holding and promised himself he'd use the spell as soon as he had enough mana.
"Oh!" Saria let out a gasp as she looked at the other book, this one was the more aged of the two. "Now, this is a special one! Look."
You have received Tome of Mana Manipulation! Info: This tome can teach a person the ancient art of manipulating their own essence at will. This can be a very power skill if used carefully. Comes with two spells, Mana Arrow and Mana Shield. Cast Time: 0 seconds. Mana Cost: 0 MP. Value: Priceless.
You meet the requirements for this skill! Would you like to learn Mana Manipulation? Yes or No.
"Now, don't be disheartened that you can't learn it. This is a high-class skill book. There hasn't been a Mana Manipulator in centuries. Even I, as a Life Magic master can't learn it. They say that only those of the highest affinity could-"
"It says I can learn it..."
"WHAT?" Saria jumped and stared at Malcolm with astonishment. She continued to stare, and Malcolm began to realize she was using Analyze on him. "But how? You're so young and only level eight! In the stories I've heard only those of great power and after countless years of study could even dream to use this skill..." She continued to mutter under her breath of the impossibility of it all.
Malcolm looked at the book again, he didn't really see what was so great about the old book. From what he remembered, mana manipulation was always a beginner spell in video games. Though the way Saria was hyping it up was really making him curious, plus it'd be his first magic spell.
Since coming to this realm, he had dreamed of using magic, not the pulling a rabbit out of a hat bullshit, real magic. But then there was the value, priceless. Though, that in on itself could be a gamble. Even back on Earth the term priceless was just a turn of phrase, meaning it could be worth an astronomical amount of cash or diddly-squat.
Following his gut, he did what felt was right.
You have learned Mana Manipulation! You can now wield your own essence as a weapon or for protection!
You have learned the spell Mana Arrow level 1! Info: An attack spell that is condensed mana into an elongated shape. This spell is unique to those with the skill Mana Manipulation. Cast Time: 0 seconds. Mana Cost: 5MP. Damage: 5-6.
You have learned the spell Mana Shield level 1! Info: A defensive spell that is condensed mana into a circular shell that surrounds the caster. This spell is unique to those with the skill Mana Manipulation. Cast Time: 0 seconds. Mana Cost: 30MP per minute. No cool down, but your mana is drained by 20% of the damage it absorbs.
Pure knowledge poured into Malcolm's head as the book he held began to turn from page to page in rapid speeds. Images, formula calculations, theories, and even ley line formations burned themselves into his mind.
And just like that, he knew.
The book in his hands crumbled into dust, the remains blowing away in an unfelt breeze. But Malcolm didn't need it anymore. He now knew how to draw upon his own mana and then mold it like clay with his will.
Pressing his hands together, Malcolm concentrated and formed an image in his mind. Carefully, he pulled his hands apart. Both he and Saria stared in astonishment as a luminescent strand of neon blue energy stretched between his palms. Focusing, Malcolm continued to pull his hands apart until the strand was ten inches long.
"Uh, now what?" Malcolm dropped his hands, yet the mana arrow continued to hang in the air in front of him.
"Shoot it." Saria said straightforwardly. "At that, over there." She pointed to a vase sitting atop one of Barolo's many dressers.
Nodding with excitement, Malcolm jabbed his finger in the vases direction and the mana arrow followed suit. It zipped through the air at an amazing speed and struck the vase dead center causing it to shatter, the mana arrow made a fizzling pop noise as it disintegrated into nothingness.
"Nice shot!" Saria clapped her hands.
"Yata!" Malcolm whooped. "Did you see that? Holy damn, I'm a wizard. A wizard!" He pumped his fist. "Oh, could you say to me in a gruff voice 'Yer a wizard Harry'? That'd make this moment in my life so complete."
"Say what? Who's Harry? I thought your name was Malcolm." Saria's face twisted in confusion. "Also, you aren't a wizard. It's taken more than two meager spells, no matter how potentially powerfully, to earn you the title of Wizard."
Malcolm deflated slightly. "That's not what I mean-"
"And furthermore," Saria held up a finger. "If becoming a Wizard is truly something you want to strive for, I'd suggest you place more points into your Intellect and Wisdom!"
Thankfully, before she could continue her lecture, Darion poked his head into the room and motioned for them both to follow him outside.
Thank god, this lady was about to talk my ears off!
"Oh, I nearly forgot why I came in here." Saria placed a hand to her cheek and shook her head. "Come along, wizard boy." She tugged at Malcolm. "Place all that gear into your bag, I'm sure no one will care if you took it. I identified it, so you can look it over later."
"Are you certain-"
"Of course, I'm certain! Now, come. We have much to discuss and there's quite a few people out here who'd like to talk with you."