CHAPTER FIVE: GOBLIN FOREST

“Agh that was so good! I wish we had rice or side dishes!” Juzo pats his belly and his armor makes loud noises.

“We need so many items but we're so poor.” I laugh, holding up three fingers.

“Oh yeah that's true, maybe we'll hit a treasure chest.” Azula says as I take one last look at our campsite, the tree is so huge, towering above for as far as the eye can see.

“Maybe we can sell the jerky to food merchants?” Eva says, gently landing on the ground, “So long tree.”

“I'm sure we'll figure something out! I can't wait to see nice places and a dragon too and-” The few birds that were singing moments ago are now silent.

“Juzo quiet down, I'm trying to listen.” But he continues talking.

“I can't wait to try out different foods too agh it's going to be so-” I punch his arm.

“Juzo stop! Azula watch out!” My body moves on its own and the arrow plunges deep into my back, “Azula Fireball into the tree branch to the left. Juzo two approaching behind, Eva Wind Bullet to the bush on the right, hurry!” I try to reach for the arrow but it's too low for me to reach.

“Fireball!”

“Wind Bullet!”

“Dragon Armor! Grand Slash!” I can't see what they're doing because I'm trying to reach the arrow before it makes me bleed out. I hear the goblins screaming, some falling to the ground with a hard thud.

“I don't hear any more, Azula pull the arrow out please.” Not having armor is going to be tough.

“Got it got it! Hold still.” She tugs really hard and I grunt.

“Check to see if there's any poison ailments, goblins use poison weapons sometimes.” I can feel the arrow tearing through my back as it gets pulled out.

“No nothing! There's so much blood, the number minus five keeps appearing next to you and your health is dropping fast!” I quickly dig for a Health Pill and swallow it.

“I'm so sorry I should've paid more attention!” Juzo punches the tree.

“Juzo it's fine you were excited for the day but remember we're still in a dungeon, please be ready at all times to fight until we get in the city. Azula did the hole close?” The pain is gone but I have to double check.

“Yeah it's closed but your shirt still has a hole.” I sigh.

“Okay good. Take any weapons or Nugz from the dead goblins. We should keep going.” I dust off my pants.

“I got the loot. There wasn't much. A few Copper, two bows and two axes.” Eva grips her staff, “I really need to learn healing.”

“We'll be better equipped soon.” I say as we begin walking, Juzo walks in back of everyone in silence, “Wait.” I stretch out my arms to stop Azula and Eva from stepping on a vine.

“What is it?” Eva asks.

“The color is different from the rest of the vines. It's a shade too light.” I pull out my sword and slice down on it. It wriggles violently while spewing out a green liquid as a screech sounds in the bushes twenty feet away. Ten long vines whip violently from the bush, “Fireball!” The vines shrivel up and begin to retract slowly.

“Grand Slash!” Juzo cuts them all off in an instant and then leaps back towards us.

“Air Bullet!” Eva shoots the flames that rise towards the top of the trees and they disappear.

“Focus Slice!” I can feel the mana charging, but I channel and focus it into my sword faster, it seems the meditation helped. I swing and the charred massive venus fly trap falls to the floor in pieces.

“I'll carve the teeth, make sure the fire doesn't spread.” I pull out the Carving Knife and begin carving away at the many rows of sharp teeth. The beast dropped twenty Copper. Eva uses wind magic to put out the small flames that cover the area.

“Good job everyone!” Juzo says as we begin walking again.

“Azula try practicing on controlling the flame, it might have to do with how much mana you put into it, that way we don't burn ourselves too.” I say as nicely as I can.

“Yeah I get what you mean, it's just hard to control but I'll work on it!” She smiles and moves hair from her face.

“We should see if there's any quests in town that give Nugz as a reward too.” Eva says, gliding around, using wind to push the dense thicket of dead branches away.

“Yeah we could use more Nugz.” I say focusing on the ground in front of us in case there's more of those vine monsters.

“Hey Umbra?” I look over to Azula who smiles at me.

“Yeah?” I smile and look back at the ground.

“You think you can teach me how to meditate? That's what you were doing in the morning right?” The village is in sight finally.

“Yeah I can! It'll help with mana control too. Agh finally the city!” There are massive cobblestone walls surrounding the big city. Elf guards with bows patrol on top, we emerge out of the treeline into plains once more.

“Woah we made it!” Juzo says loudly while waving at the nearest guard who waves back and smiles.

“Sweet!” Eva walks next to us.

“Thank you love! Agh we can look at the different shops too!” Azula holds my hand and kisses my cheek. We all put our weapons away and walk through the massive wooden gate.

A tall muscular elf holding a lance greets us, “Welcome to Cobblestone Village, a small resting stop for all Adventurers, the gate closes at sundown so if you plan to leave on a quest it is best to return before then.”

“You mean this isn't the Earth Kingdom Capital city?” I say, looking around at all of the tall buildings.

He lets out a hearty laugh, “Oh no boy, this here is a mere sliver of the glory that is the Earth Kingdom, I do hope you survive long enough to feast your young elf eyes upon the homeland. Fight hard young ones! Fight hard!”

“Thank you sir, I hope I get to see it one day as well. We will be off now.” I bow out of courtesy and so do the others. We walk into the massive entrance of the city that is a courtyard with a fountain and many people walking around. The buzz of a crowded city with carts being drawn by massive lizards and so many Adventurers walking around with various power levels.

“Look a level 60!” Azula points at a man in shining gold armor riding what seems to be a mix of a polar bear and a eagle.

“Woah we get mounts too!” Juzo says, trying to keep his eyes off of a big breasted catwoman who is being followed by a young man in a white shirt holding a sword.

A deep morbid sigh from Azula and Eva, “Out of all the classes we could've been cat girls.”

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“I know right!” Another deep sigh.

I let my thoughts get to me imagining Azula as a cat girl drinking milk and getting it all over her huge melons, “Umbra what's with that look?”

“Uggh! Nothing! Let's um lets look for a merchant okay?” I laugh nervously and hurry down the street.

The city is so massive and crowded, shops are all over the place and Adventurers have their own mini shops on the sidewalk either in small stands or on the floor on blankets. Many people yelling out their specialty and what they have for sale.

“This is a bit overwhelming, could we take a small break?” Eva says, clutching Juzo's arm tightly.

“Leader is a break fine?” Juzo asks.

“Yeah sounds good, we can sit in that alleyway.” It's a small side alleyway and no people selling items in it so we all take a seat, all except for Azula, who is digging through her satchel, “What you doing?”

“Hmm I almost got it.” She continues digging into the satchel.

“Did it really work?” Eva says.

“Did what work?” Juzo scratches his head.

“Another way of preserving meat. I put water in a jar and then added a Cold Pill and then wrapped meat in leaves to preserve it. I stored away logs and I made a holder for my cooking pan so I can cook comfortably just like this.” She pulls out a jar full of meat and the logs, it looks similar to a makeshift table now.

“That's actually really smart.” Juzo says while staring at the meat with a gleam in his eyes.

“We have to plan ahead right?” She smiles and uses her left hand to keep a small flame under the pan while placing the meat with her right.

“You're so smart Azula! Make sure to rest after though okay?” I smile at her while she concentrates.

“I will I will! After we eat!” The sizzling of meat along with the smoke, “Oh yeah I can't really keep up these flames, it was just to heat the pan. Eva can I use your pan as well please?” She stops her flame and digs through the satchel once more, pulling out a huge pile of sticks and logs.

“Here you go!” Eva quickly hands her the pan and Azula places another log underneath the first pan and then puts small sticks in it, making a small fire. The intensity of the cooking meat rises and the sweet juices make the alleyway smell so good. Before we realize there are people gathering around, spellbound by the wonderful food.

“Is that meat!?” A man in a full armor set says, taking a big whiff.

“Yeah but sorry not for sale we're just trying to eat.” Azula politely says.

“Five Silver! I'll give five Silver for a bowl of meat!” He begs.

“Someone has meat over here!”

“Meat!? Like actual meat?”

The crowd is in a uproar. I stand up, “Everyone please calm down! Is meat really that rare here?” I look at their drooling faces.

“The only food here is sweets and basic pastries along with Food Pills. Nobody's actually cooked or eaten meat here before, or at least not these low level noobs! And meat in shops or restaurants are super overpriced.” The man says.

“Hey you're only level ten!” One guy yells.

“Shut up! So how about it? Five Silver okay?” I don't think this guy will take no for an answer.

Azula looks back at me, “What should we do?”

“We could sell the jerky for Nugz? Would you guys be fine with eating Food Pills and maybe we can find more edible beasts in the next dungeon?” I turn to Juzo and Eva who give a thumbs up.

“We can get new gear too!” Juzo stands up slowly.

“And afford a Healing Spell Scroll as well.” Eva smiles.

Juzo takes in a deep breathe and then shouts, “This meat is not for sale! But we have Boar Jerky for sale for-” He quickly turns to me, “How much?”

“Three Silver each, limit three per customer.” I finish counting the jar of two hundred pieces.

“Three Silver each! Limit three per customer! You can also store these for up to a year! So make a single file line if you're interested!” As if he cast a magic spell all of them quietly got in a line, “And if you don't like it you can have your Nugz back!” He looks at me and gives a thumbs up.

“I'll take the Nugz right here and he will hand you the pieces don't worry he just washed his hands!” Eva turns to me, “He just washed his hands. Right?”

“Oh yeah! Sorry!” Juzo helps me quickly wash my hands.

“I'll be over here cooking so have fun!” She waves at me while the line moves away from her.

“Three!” Eva says, taking the Nugz.

“Thank you!” The man says, eyeing the piece as if it were a fine gem, “Well I guess I'll try it.” He shoves the whole thing in his mouth and chews. Tears fall down his face, “This is so good! Please let me buy more!”

“Limit three per customer.” Eva sternly says.

“I'll give you ten Gold for the whole jar! Please I beg of you this is the best thing I have ever tasted!” He gets really close to Eva.

“Sorry man, everyone is equal here so wait in line.” Juzo pushes him away from Eva gently.

“Don't push me! Are you trying to fight! I'm ten levels above you pal!” Juzo moves Eva back towards me.

“Don't do this man.” Juzo grips his sword with both hands.

“Paralysis.” The man begins to fall to the floor and is put against the wall by a level 60 Adventurer, his face is covered by a black mask, his armor pitch black and a massive Greatsword rests on his back.

“What did you do?” Juzo asks.

“Don't worry the effect will wear off in ten minutes. In the meantime I would like to pay for everyone, all I ask for is one small piece of the cooked meat. I'll offer ten Gold.” The man pulls out a pouch with ten Gold coins.

“That sounds like a fair trade, Azula give him a bowl please. Thank you for helping as well.” I bow to thank him but he holds his fist out.

“Aye, It's no problem at all, I'm sure you had it all under control.” I bump fists with him, his hand is firm and strong. The sign of a true warrior.

“Here you go!” Azula hands him a bowl and the man stares at it for some time, then back at her, and then back at the bowl.

“Thank you. I will be on my way.” He teleports by muttering something under his breath.

“Well there's enough for everyone and it's all paid for!” Juzo yells as everyone cheers.

We spend the next ten minutes passing out the jerky, the paralysis wears off on the man and he runs away.

“We're all out of meat! Go on and have a great day and fight hard! Find us next time we might have more! Thank you all!” Juzo is a great merchant.

“Thank you!” The people yell and the crowd quickly disappears.

“Meat is all ready. And we made some Nugz!” Azula hands us each a bowl and we take a seat.

“There's even Silvers in the tip jar!” Eva shakes a jar filled half way and then sets it down and holds her bowl.

“Time to dig in! Thank you Azula!” Juzo yells at the top of his lungs.

“Still in merchant mode huh? Thank you Azula.” I can't help but laugh.

“Thank you Azula!” Eva quickly takes a bite.

“You're all very welcome, thanks for selling the meat and making us Nugz! We could retire and just become merchants. Or have merchants work for us and make a whole chain of jerky shops!” Azula takes a bite of her food while I savor every juicy piece.

“That would be nice!” Juzo laughs, scoffing down his food.

“This is the life!” Eva smiles, we finish eating and clean up.

“We should go to the merchant shop, we need new armor, Health Pills and seasoning for food, and a shield for Juzo. Was that everything?” I help Azula up from the floor.

“Healing Scroll!” Eva yells.

“Oh yeah that too.” The city is so massive and there's even more merchants on the sidewalk than before.

“I'm not sure if I should use a shield, my mobility would decrease by a lot. I need to get used to all of the weight first. If that's fine?” Juzo asks, looking left and right down the pathways.

“Yeah that's a good idea! It looks like you're carrying a lot too!” Azula says while pointing at a merchant on the floor, “Isn't that the person who helped us? The level sixty?”

There's an arm piece and a chest and back plate, “Let's go see how much those are!” Juzo hurriedly walks towards the man, who still wears the mask. I weave in between passing carts and people, “Hello again! How much for those pieces please!” Juzo is still in merchant mode.

“Why hello Adventurers, these three pieces are epic legendary items that resists magic attacks, you can look at them if you’d like.” He hands them to me, the material is firm and cold, as if made from crystals. They're smooth and black, the chest and back plates are lighter than I expected, “Usually these go for a couple hundred Platinum, but I'll make a deal with you four if you're willing.”

“What's the deal?” I ask calmly.

He holds out his hand, showing four small black earrings, “These are called Nethershard, very valuable and hard to obtain, I want the four of you to wear them. It gives me the ability to take half of your mana no matter how far the distance, the skill can only be used once, but it the four of you will have matching pieces everywhere you go, it helps me and is also stylish and symbolic for you. If you take the risk and wear two sets then I'll also throw in this very effective legendary healing spell scroll, since your mage doesn't have any.”

“Agh so pretty!” Azula holds an earring in her hand.

“This is too good to be true!” Eva reads over the scroll, “Has a one-hundred percent chance to give a random buff as well as healing!”

“What's the catch?” I say, this is too perfect.

“There is no catch, I just have good ears and thought If I was ever in a pinch I could use the extra mana.” He gives two thumbs up.

“What do you think?” I ask Juzo who is rubbing his chin.

“Hmm, would I look good with those? Yes! Yes I would! I'm in!” He smiles.

“We could use the gear love.” Azula holds the earrings in her hand.

“I’m in as well.” Eva says.

“Okay looks like you have a deal.” I take the earrings from the man.

“Thank you, pleasure doing business. If you would hold out the earrings in front of you please.” He stands up and we put our hands out. He has earrings in his hands too, “Seal!” Both earrings glow and float up towards our ears, quickly pushing through the skin and latching themselves, “See quick and painless. Now mage just point your palm towards the scroll and yell learn.”

“Um like this?” She points her palm, “Learn!” The scroll glows white and vanishes, “Thank you!”

“Fight hard Adventurers and may we see each other again one day!” The tone of his voice changes, “Goodbye Nova.” He mutters quietly, but my ears are the only one that hears, “Teleport castle.” He vanishes.

“Well looks like we got gear!” Juzo says as Azula and Eva touch their earrings.

“We should get Health Pills and head out to the next dungeon.” Azula says calmly, my mind still lost in thought.

“Yeah that's a good idea! Umbra let's go!” My mind has more questions, but I snap out of my daze and run to catch up to them.

“You okay love?” Azula smiles at me.

“Yeah sorry was looking at my new armor.” It feels warm and smooth against my skin.

“It looks very lovely.” She holds the door open for me.

“Thank you.” Eva is talking to the merchant, another elderly elf, almost identical to the one in the city before.

“Umbra we have fifteen Gold with all of our Nugz counting the tip jar as well. Health Pills are two Gold each or we can do a fetch quest for a jar of fifteen Health Pills. What do you think?” Eva asks, shaking her jar of coins.

“What's the quest?” I ask, nodding at the merchant who smiles warmly.

“My young Dragon Slayer, the quest is a simple quest called Fetch the Goose Egg. I need a single goose egg to finish crafting a certain item. The reward will be a jar of Health Pills. Do you accept?” He talks calmly and slowly.

“What do you three think? Do fetch quest, finish quick and head into dungeon with Health Pills and save our Nugz for an inn?” I count the price difference in my head, we can get seven pills and be broke or do this quest.

“I say we do the quest.” Juzo gives a thumbs up.

“That would be helpful.” Eva puts her jar away.

“We'll be done with it in such a short amount of time!” Azula cracks her knuckles.

“Okay sure, yes we accept the quest.” I press the accept icon on the quest summary.

“Good! There are no monsters in that area and the quest requires the use of no weapons, fists are allowed though. You can keep your weapons here.” I hand him my sword.

“Okay sounds good! Looks like we'll be relying on Azula a lot.” They hand their weapons over as well.

“The goose is near the big tree near the lake in the outskirts of town, Be very weary and heed my warning, this goose is very strong. It would be best to try to befriend it instead of stealing the egg. And the goose will never make your health go down.” The old man chuckles, but Azula and the other two are already out the door.

I nod, “Thank you sir, I'll be on my way.”

“Good luck!” He begins to laugh while stroking his long grey beard.