A/N: I edited the previous chapter to include a way for Taishi to wipe off monster blood without help. She buys a cloth designed for just that when they sell their loot, and ties it the the side of her pack. Enjoy the chapter folks!
Day 7
{Max Mana +26}
{Endurance +1}
{Dexterity +1}
That morning I beheld a wonderful sight. The sky was barely getting bright when I fell out of bed and landed on my ear, but when I looked back at the bed I couldn’t stay grumpy.
There was Chi, sleeping curled up with her head on Selena’s chest. And Selena had her arms around Chi. It looked like a mother and child. But the question in my mind was, ‘Did Chi want a softer pillow? Or did Selena trap her there?’
Since I was up anyway, I took care of the necessities, then had some breakfast in the common room downstairs. Sensing that we had a lot to do today, I brought up breakfast for the others as well to wake them up.
When I opened the door though, both were awake and sitting up with embarrassed looks on their faces. I couldn’t help myself. “Hey lovebirds. Here’s your breakfast.”
“No! It isn’t what you think! I was dreaming of you Taishi, but I woke up on those things.”
“Hey, just because you don’t have any doesn’t mean you can call them ‘things’.”
“Okay, okay. Calm down you two. It was just a nice image to remember. Now come and eat.”
Eventually they cooled off and the talk turned to our plans. With silver burning a hole in Chi’s purse, she was ready to leave right then, but Selena brought up a good point.
“Chi, today you should spend time with your Granny Julia. You won’t see her for a while. Plus, she’s probably worried that you spent the night here. Let’s use today to prepare and leave tomorrow morning.”
“Aw, I guess you’re right…” Poor Chi. Waiting was not her forte.
“Plus, I have some people I need to say goodbye to. And we need supplies. Speaking of that, where do we head first?”
“Oh, Granny helped me with that already. Our first stop would be Naru, to get a ship to Damasca. From there it’s, a circle around the map ending in Antor.”
“Okay. That means we can go light on food for now. There are plenty of roadside inns between here and Naru. How’s that sound to you?”
Selena asked me as if I really had a say in it. “I don’t mind our first stop being the country of nekos. But are we going to be able to hunt properly?”
“Well, there are some monsters on the way to Naru. They can be fast, but they’re weak. I think we’d be better off training our magic in that time. How about you? What plans do you have for today?”
“First I have to go collect my weapons at the smithy.”
“You’re getting more?!” Chi was dumbfounded.
“No. My old ones are getting altered. After that… Hey Selena. What’s the best way to train my endurance?”
“Ah, I think the fastest way is to just run a long time.”
That settled it. “Okay. I’m going hunting then. If we’re going to be walking all day every day,I need more endurance. And I might as well hunt a few goblins while I run. Oh, that way I can say my goodbyes to Jils and Stella when I get back.”
“Taishi… Do you really like hunting that much?” Chi was dubious at that.
“Well, I don’t know how to explain it. It feels good to get stronger, but that’s not the only reason…”
“Well I don’t get it, but if you get hurt come to me. From now on I’m your dedicated healer. And bed war- Ow!” She got a slap on the head for that one. Not from me, mind you. “Fine, just healer for now. Jeez, big sis is really protective isn’t she?”
We went our separate way after that. Since I was going hunting right after, I brought my gear with me to Eve’s smithy. At first I thought it was still closed, but as I got near, Ven poked her head out the door.
“Young one! Come in. My wife’s still out for the moment, but the shop will open when she gets back.”
I followed her inside, “Now, you’re here for your daggers, right? I must say they’re not as pretty as before, but should work better.” Ven reached behind the counter and handed me my blades.
They now looked like brass knuckles with a dagger attached, but with only one bar between the middle and ring fingers, and a more comfortable palm grip. At the far sides of the forward knuckles were little points designed to keep blades from just sliding off the side. Even the sheaths were altered in a way that they would fit more snugly in my pockets.
“Thank you. This should do well.”
Just then something caught my eye. A new sword was on the counter display. Long, thin, curved blade and a hard scabbard.
‘Katana!’
“Oh, you like that one? Standard issue damascan sword. Just got it in last night. Poor girl was broke and needed some fast coin.”
‘Wait, damascan? As in neko country? Could it be Damasca was modeled after Japan?’
“Oh ho. Well, Eve was saying...” Starting to mumble, Ven took down the sword and handed it to me. “Tell me what you think.”
The sword was a bit small for a true katana, for someone like me it was big enough to be a two hand sword. Only about 25 inches(64cm) for the blade, and another 10 inches(25cm) for the handle, it was more accurate to call it a two hand wakizashi.
Holding it though, that was the key. It was immediately obvious why nekos, who tended to be smaller, preferred them. The blade was light, and balanced almost to the hilt. This meant little strength was needed, but speed was crucial.
“How much?” I didn’t care that I had other weapons. This seemed made for me. ‘Wait. You don’t suppose… For someone to sell this here, just before I visit for the last time…’
‘Is that god meddling?’
My thoughts were interrupted then as Eve came bustling through the door with a handful of fresh produce. “Ven! You said you'd be at the door.”
“Ah, sorry hun.” Ven rushed over and helped her wife settle things before she looked back at me. “Say Eve. You mentioned last night you still felt bad about not rewarding that young girl enough…”
“Oh, yes. But why would you br…” That’s when she finally spotted me, still holding the sword. “Oh dear. I’m so sorry Taishi. I didn’t realize you were here. And, that sword, oh dear...”
“Well, I just asked how much it was when you came in.”
“We actually paid 5 gold for it. I don’t think we could hand it over just like that. Even if it’s you. I’m sorry.”
5 gold? Damascan swords must be as well made as ancient katanas were.
“Well... I could hold it for you until you can get some coin together. You seemed to be able to get quite a few silver in just a couple days.”
“Sorry, but I’m leaving town tomorrow. A friend is heading for Damasca and I wanted to go with her.”
“Damasca? Through Naru port?” At my nod Eve smiled. “Hey Ven, your sister still works there right?”
“Yeah, what of it? She can’t make damascan swords any better than I can.”
“No, not that. Couldn’t we have the girl pay fell instead? She’d owe us a favor then, wouldn’t she?”
“Oh! That could work! Okay young’un. The sword’s yours, but you have to pay all you can to my sister Fell in Naru. I’ll write a letter to her so she’s expecting you. How much Eve?”
“Let’s set it at 3 gold. Taishi, you’ll have time to earn that on your way there, or you can work it off once you get there. Or if all else fails you can turn the sword in. How about it?”
I was being given another massive credit, and 2 gold off what they paid. If I used all my mana from then on to gather gold, I might just be able to afford it. And I could practice with it all day!
“I’ll take it. Thank you so much.” I figured the moment called for a bow. ‘My first real japanese sword!’
“Ah, hold on a moment. The scabbard’s set to be held at the waist. You’d want it on your back though, right?” I couldn’t really argue with Ven about that. It would probably get in the way if I left it at my waist. Plus, I’d have to wear a belt over my dress.
I chatted with Eve about our travel plans while Ven altered the scabbard to fit on my back. When she came back, I noticed a symbol had been etched into it.
“Ah, I figured your arm might not reach high enough. That symbol should let the blade pass through the scabbard when drawing or replacing it.”
Magic even had a use like this. How versatile could it get? Ven helped attach the scabbard to my dress, and I tested drawing it.
Smooth. That’s the only way I could describe it. I did feel a trickle of mana being used, but it was nothing to worry about. My next concern was my hair, but before leaving the inn, Selena had helped me tie it back.
Overall, it was a wonderful addition, and I couldn’t wait to try it out.
Once I was outside of town, I started running. Not a sprint, but a steady run. What would normally take an hour to reach the spawning areas, took less than half that. This time though, I collected gold the whole way. If I was going to pay for the sword, I couldn’t waste mana doing anything else.
The first goblin was dealt with by my daggers, just for safety. After the running, I needed a bit to breathe. It’s one thing to say I was training my endurance, but quite another to actually do so.
When I spotted the next target, I drew my sword, and found I could do so with my pack still on, even though I still dropped it for the fight. Holding the sword in both hands, I ran up to the startled goblin and slashed first at his knife.
Being the complete newbie at two hand swords, I missed and hit his hand instead. I guess it served the same purpose though. He couldn’t hold on to the knife after losing half his fingers.
Recognizing I was safe, I took my time and practiced my aim with the sword. It didn’t matter if I did little damage. I was just trying to get used to the length, and where I had to hold my hands. The goblin though, he kept coming at me until I scored a deep cut to his other arm.
Unauthorized duplication: this tale has been taken without consent. Report sightings.
One thing I learned about goblins during my time at Krale. When they lose both arms to injury, or archers lose their range advantage, they run. I don’t know if they heal eventually, but it’s really annoying. Even if they are slow runners.
So of course the one in front of me turned to run. Seeing that, I used all my strength to slash downward at his exposed shoulder. *Crunch* Even with such a sharp blade, my strength was barely enough to break a collarbone. But it did slow him down enough for a follow up stab to his lower back.
{Skill Unlocked - Two Hand Blade}
It always felt good to see that. Like the equivalent of getting a 1 penny pay raise every time you do well at work. It might not mean much by itself, but it feels damn good to know your work is paying off.
Maybe that’s why I liked this world so much. You’re rewarded for almost everything you put effort into, eventually. It made me wonder if there were crafting skills as well. ‘If so, Selena must have the one for sewing.’
From then on I slayed goblins using only my sword, and I ran between every other encounter to keep myself gaining endurance. One time I even attacked a goblin while still sprinting past him, and laid open his stomach. I hadn’t even bothered taking off my pack.
{Skill Unlocked - On the Run}
‘What? There’s a skill like that?’ I had to check it out. It wasn’t under my skills section though, but under my equipment.
Movement Skills
{On the Run - 0} - Enables use of combat skills while sprinting
“That’s awesome!” To think there were movement skills too! I felt like I had barely scratched the surface of what skills the world had to offer.
{Two Hand Blade +1}
{On the Run +1}
Hours passed as I hunted nonstop, while gathering gold in between fights. At least when I had the mana. It was only when I spotted a large black lizard that I realized how far I had gone.
{Obsidian Lizard}
{Level 37}
“Oh crap.” They were only supposed to be more than a day south of Krale. I had run in too straight a line south. If I had the mana I might have tried fighting it, but seeing that it was almost double the level of ogres…
“No thanks.” I had no confidence in my ability to cut into those scales. Level 37 meant the lizard could very well have over 100 toughness. Levels are only averages anyway, and I doubted many monsters had much intelligence.
I needed to get back anyway. Good thing it was only just past noon. I turned back and headed back the way I came, running as long as I could until I found an ogre.
“Now that I might be able to deal with.” It was dangerous without a shield or magic, but with its back turned I couldn’t pass it up. I quietly dropped my pack and ran as lightly as I could, drawing my daggers. When I got in range I switched to full sprint and leaped at the ogre’s back.
“Alright!” The way I jumped ended with both my daggers buried at an angle in his back, and I was able to hang on like I was rock climbing. *Argh!* The ogre knew something was wrong, but as he turned I stayed right there, out of sight.
Using my tail as much as I could to hold on to one of the daggers, I used my free hand to draw my sword. Just in time too, because the ogre must have realized where I was and swung his huge club at his back. I quickly stabbed the sword and jumped off.
*Thwack* It took a moment for me to land and turn around, but what I saw was the point of my sword poking through his chest. “Well, not what I had in mind, but that works.” I sure as hell didn’t have the strength to pierce his chest like that, but his club did. I was just aiming for his throat.
When the ogre finally fell and disappeared…
{Skill Unlocked - From Above}
{Racial Skill Unlocked - Neko Tail}
“I love this game!” I didn’t care if it was real or a game anymore. That had been the most exciting thing, ever. I had to check them out.
Movement Skills
{From Above - 0} - Enables use of combat skills after jumping
Racial Skill
{Neko Tail - 0} - Enables limited prehensile use of a tail
“Oh god… That’s for monkeys! Not cats!” I couldn’t help but feel that Tanas had gotten his animal tails confused. Oh well, at least I could use my tail for more than just balance. Maybe Damasca even has weapons designed for neko tails? No, I couldn’t get carried away. Otherwise I’d just be a walking weapon dispenser.
I killed my last goblin of the day just in view of town with the sun getting low.
{Two Hand Blade +1}
“Ah, just barely.” I was exhausted. Running off and on all day took its toll, and all I wanted was food and sleep. Then I realized just how close to town that goblin was.
It was on the low land under the plateau. Did goblins really spawn that close? Spotting Jils at her table, I waved lazily.
“Is that Taishi? Hey there. I was wondering if I’d see you.”
“You talk with Selena yet?”
“Yeah. She took me out for lunch before my shift. You’re leaving for Damasca tomorrow right?”
“Yup. Thanks for seeing me through this past week.”
“No, thank you. Since you showed up Selena’s mood has improved a ton. And now my mother at the inn will finally have an open room again.”
‘Is that how she got the permanent room?’ Well, I was glad that at least Selena got to say goodbye. She seemed to get along really well with Jils compared to most people.
“Well, head on in. I’m sure you’re tired after being out there all day.”
“You don’t know the half of it, but thanks anyway.”
My first stop inside was Stella general store. I didn’t really know her too well, but I made sure to thank her for taking care of me while I sold her my loot. I only got 43 copper there, but at the coin exchange I received exactly 18 silver coins and 1 copper. Not bad for hunting lone goblins by myself.
When I got back to the inn I bought some precooked dinner from the common room, then headed upstairs to eat. Inside was just Selena going through supplies.
“Oh, welcome back little one. How’d it, wait. What’s that on your back?” I couldn’t hide my tired grin as I unbuckled the sword and handed it to her. “A damascan sword. How could you afford this?”
So as I ate, I told her the deal I made with Eve and Ven, and how I got a 2 gold discount for helping them score a large order.
“Damn, you’ve been busy. It’s a great blade though. Maybe a bit short but, yeah, just right for you. So how’d your running go?”
I continued with how I ended up getting three new skills and even got my two hand skill up to level 2. “Movement skills huh? I’ve heard of ‘em, but they don’t really have much use with a shield.”
“What different kinds are there?”
“Oh, the two you got, and one more for attacking after being knocked down. There might be more, but I never paid attention to them. Your racial skill though, I’m surprised it took this long.”
“I guess… Hey, do you have a racial skill?”
“Ah, I don’t, but only because I’ve been stuck hunting low levels for so long. Humans get a sixth sense to warn us when a higher level monster is nearby.”
“Okay, good. I was worried it would be something absurd like ‘levels magic twice as fast’ or something.”
“Hahaha, no no. Nothing like that. Racial skills are merely little things. Though I’ve heard the nekos’ tail skill is needed for forging those damascan blades like yours.”
“So that’s why they’re the only ones who make them?”
“Yup.” I had just finished eating, so I took that chance to ask.
“Hey Selena, you have your bath yet today?”
“Sigh… You need help with your hair?” I nodded. “Okay. Chi won’t come looking for us until tomorrow morning, so why not?”
We had such a nice long soak, I nearly fell asleep in the bath. When we retired for the night, I barely noticed when I laid down that Selena was still sorting things. ‘Oh well, I trust her.’
As long as she doesn’t find my spare silver crown.
???? - INTERMISSION
So this is Krale? It doesn’t look like much.
Ah well, it’s just the first stop. Not like I’d find the one I need right away. Still, It was a bit odd for my mother to send me here instead of a bigger city. Did it have something to do with her own travels? Sure she always talked about them, but who really listened anyway.
Just give me something to fight. Those lizards and goblins were too simple. Hmm, maybe I can find someone to spar with. Oh what am I thinking? In a place with such easy monsters, how could anyone be strong enough to fight fairly?
Ah, forget it. All this thinking hurts. I’ll just find an inn and ask around tomorrow.
END - INTERMISSION