Surprisingly, as Elron drifted in and out of consciousness, he noticed his back was littered with what appeared to be massive splinters. In reality, they were kobold spears. Though scaled to kobold hands, these makeshift weapons looked more like javelins to him. He reached to pull one from his shoulder but quickly realized he didn’t have the strength for it.

Of the three, he was in the worst shape. Sylra had only minor cuts and bruises, while Kael had a spear embedded through his calf. Neither of them could extract their injuries alone, leaving it up to Sylra to handle the task. She decided to leave the spears for removal back in town.

Supporting her battered companions, Sylra guided them back, stopping frequently to rest, yet somehow making it before nightfall. With help from a local elf, she managed to remove one of the spears from Elron’s back. “Lucky none went too deep; that leather vest of yours did its job,” she remarked, trying to sound upbeat, though concern lingered in her eyes.

Elron groaned, face down on the table. “Ahh… good to know,” he muttered, wincing as every movement sent jolts of pain.

Kael, seated nearby and similarly injured, tried to cheer him up. “You’re already looking better,” he said, though the sight of Elron resembling a wounded porcupine made him wince.

Elron flinched as another healer packed a wound with ointment. His attempt at a relaxed demeanor wasn’t going well.

“It’ll be a month before either of you are back to normal,” the healer deadpanned.

During their recovery at the tavern, the townsfolk trickled in, bearing small gifts and tokens of gratitude for the group’s efforts, especially their rescue of the town’s enchanter. A few villagers even bought Sylra drinks, toasting to her bravery. What had begun as a grueling task turned out to be unexpectedly rewarding.

Once Elron was fully healed, the trio gathered for a meeting, ready to discuss their next steps.

"Are you really heading east?" Kael asked, a spark of curiosity in his gaze. "I mean… everything you could need is right here in Bridgewood, isn’t it?"

Sylra shrugged, gesturing to Elron with a smirk. “He wants to get stronger.”

Kael glanced between them, contemplating. “And you? Journeying for the same reason?”

Sylra took a sip of her drink. “Nah, I’m just here for the laughs and free booze.”

Elron, noticing Kael’s interest, added, “In a year or so, I expect we’ll reach the coast.”

Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

Kael rubbed his chin, muttering, “That sounds… intriguing.”

Elron started to say, “It could be dang—”

“I’m in,” Kael cut in decisively.

“Barkeep! Two more beers!” Sylra called out, grinning as she raised her pitcher in celebration.

Elron and Kael shared a look, mildly amused by her boundless enthusiasm, but willing to indulge it. Together, the three clinked their mugs, toasting to their newfound alliance and the adventures waiting just beyond the horizon.

A few days later, they traveled down a main road until they approached an ancient stone bridge. Thick vines covered most of the structure, and though it looked to be crumbling, a faint aura of plant magic suggested it had been reinforced.

Kael halted just before the bridge, eyeing it warily. “This thing… gives me the creeps.”

Elron assessed it briefly. “The structure seems stable enough for all three of us to cross.”

Sylra moved to the front. “I don’t think that’s what he meant.”

Before they could debate further, a massive, gnarled hand emerged from beneath the bridge. A hideous, lanky creature with long arms pulled itself into view, its grin revealing rows of dagger-like teeth.

“Hellos, elves,” it rumbled. “Give me your golds, and you pass.”

The three stood frozen, hesitation gripping each of them, but Elron swallowed hard and forced himself to step forward. He barely held his voice steady as he spoke, “How about my sword instead?” With a slight tremble, he tossed it into the sand.

The creature’s grin widened. “No sword. I smells golds. I wants gold.”

Sylra scoffed. “We don’t have any gold, you big oaf. We spent it all!”

Elron glanced at Kael, then Sylra. She probably doesn’t have any gold, he thought. The pouch in his possession was nearly a hundred coins, enough to support a family for years—he wasn’t about to give it up.

“Alright, alright. Here,” he said, holding out the pouch.

The troll stomped over, its greedy fingers flickering above as Elron held the pouch out. In an instant, the pouch dropped from his hand, replaced by his bonded sword. With a swift, fierce motion, he drove the blade deep into the troll’s eye.

Chaos erupted, and Sylra and Kael charged in, joining the fight without hesitation.

Elron narrowly dodged a massive swing while Kael cast Shield on Sylra and fired off mana bolts.

“Go for its ankles!” Elron yelled, setting his sword ablaze as he cast Shield on himself.

Sylra darted forward, slicing cleanly behind the monster’s ankle, severing the tendon.

Kael called out, “It’s down! Elric, now!”

Elron charged, but as he reached it, the troll’s eye had already healed, steam rising where the wound once was.

“Nooo!” he yelled as his shield shattered under the troll’s crushing grasp.

The monster wrapped Elron in a vice-like grip, raising him toward its gaping maw. Sylra slashed furiously at its thick skin to no avail.

“Dominate!” Kael shouted, pressing his fingers to his temples. The troll froze, shrieking in pain. Elron seized the moment, summoning his sword and driving it up through the creature’s skull, the flames crackling as they seared the troll from within.

With one final, guttural howl, the troll slumped, its life snuffed out as Elron maintained his relentless grip on the hilt, steady until the end.

You have leveled up.