Chapter 9 pt2 (These posts can only have 60,000 characters and my chapter 9 had 78k, so i had to split it. Sorry for inconvenience)
Crane and the witches walked for about two hours. They saw bulls, large deer, boars, and other animals around. Crane was emitting a battle aura that gave the animals the impression that they were a small group of horses slowly walking by. The animals did not run away when Crane passed them. Eris said in a somewhat low voice, "hey, what is going on, this area has too many animals. If a pack of wolves showed up here they would be in heaven." Once again Crane was impressed by her insight and he said, "They would sooner be in hell, wolves come here pretty often and are eaten quickly."
Eris stopped in her tracks. "Eaten?! Wolves are eaten? Aren't wolves the top predator in the animal food chain? A pack of wolves can even take on a bear." She wasn't wrong, monsters were divided into categories and although there were many types on the Senbain mountain, the most common type in the plains was animal. Animals were ordered into a hierarchy of who ate who and in most of the plains, wolves or bears were at the top, with nothing else stronger living there.
"In other areas yes, wolves are at the top, but the territory is home to a Fire Cat."
Eris looked at Crane like he she had just been stabbed. Her sisters weren't aware of it but Fire Cats were the most dangerous animal type in Kallamore Kingdom. They were giant sabertooth tigers that had flames come out of their body meaning that Salem's skills would mostly be useless and the fire cat's level ranged from 80 to 130. However Fire Cats were not native the the area, but a pack of them lived to the north of Kallamore, opposite the grasslands of their location.
Eris solftly said, "Why is there a fire cat here? Wait, how do you even know there is one here?
Crane replied, "There were reports in the area of a predator free zone, this is trait of fire cats, they kill all the predators in their territory. As for why, we'll probably find out later."
This was obviously not making Eris feel better, "Why did you bring us here?!" Of the three witches, Salem was their best damage dealer, with Eris debuffing the target and Tonya buffing and healing the party. But a fire cat was pratically immune to fire spells meaning it was one of the few monsters the trio stood no chance against.
Crane said, "I told you before that part two would try to eat me, now if you'll stay here I need to call the fire cat."
Eris almost yelled, "Call?! You're actually going to bring it here?!.... Wait a second, you said wolves get eaten and predators get killed when they come here, how come we've made it this far in?"
Crane smiled at her insight again and said, "Because I've been masking our presence. When a wolf with the intention of eating enters the territory, it gives off fighting spirit. A fire cat can sense fighting spirit, so I've replaced mine temporarily with something else. Now I am going to enhance my fighting spirit high enough to call the fire cat here."
Crane looked at the trio and said, "Now this is important, I am going to fight the fire cat and you three are not going to interfere, you understand?"
Tonya said, "At least let me bless you!"
"Not even that"
Eris looked at him and said, "But if you get killed we don't stand a chance against it."
Crane replied, "I don’t want you fighting it in any circumstances. Go to the tree line there and cast magic to hide your presence."
It was common knowledge that dark magic could manipulate shadows to extend darkness over them to become less visible. Eris nodded and lead her sisters to the tree line. Crane removed the image of him and the people around him being simple horses from his mind and drank a mana potion. He had been using battle aura for the past two hours and wanted to be as close to full strength as he could be. When Crane's mana reached full, he imagined himself as a mighty dragon descending from the sky, intending to conquer the area and kill everything there. Crane heard a roar that echoed from a while away and kept up his presence. After a minute he saw the fire cat. Whether he was fortunate or not he did not know yet, because the fire cat's flames burned blue, a sign he was at least level 120. The beast looked like an image of a sabertooth tiger he had seen before except for the darker coloring, the truck sized stature, and the fact that flames licked themselves down the length of it body like quiet embers in a campfire. Crane reached for his knight potion and loosened the cork a bit. He approach the Fire Fat as it tried to circle him. When he got within range he shouted as loud as he could and threw the bottle at the fire cat's mouth. Direct hit! The cork opened fully and the potion ran into the mouth, the cat spit out the bottle, but it was empty. Crane changed his battle aura to that of an honorable knight seeking a worthy challenge.
If Crane had drunk the potion he would not have gained the +50 honor points, but if a monster drinks it that is another story. Monsters had a wider range of attributes making them more affected by the things around them.
The now honor filled fire cat seemed to respond to Crane's aura and it slowly approached him. They would both fight honorably, and the stronger one would emerge. However Crane was about 30 levels below the Fire Cat, and all the effort put into becoming stronger at the training center was negated by the fact that Fire Cat how had +50 STR, AGI, VIT, and Honor from the Knight's potion. If this was going to work Crane needed to win honorably which meant no help, no cleric buffs, no potion buffs or even potion healing, just his strength and skill against the now super fire cat before the potion wore off in three minutes.
But Crane wasn't worried, he made a discovery while training his finesse for two months straight. Crane imagined exactly how the battle would go, he envisioned exactly how the cat would move in response to his own movements and how he would counter it, Crane saw the entire battle in his mind, right up to his own absolute victory and performed his majestic stance. 120! His level six Soa's routine gave him about a 60% increase in attack strength and speed with 95 finesse, but with intense mental imaging beyond what Soa himself could've performed, Crane broke the limit and his stance gave him a 75% increase in attack strength and attack speed for the next six moves. Continuous use of the 12 forms counted and a single move until interrupted, but without interrupting it his moves would be too predictable and he would not be able to move or dodge without slashing his sword.
Crane dashed to met the fire cat with power lunge, Crane stopped before reaching him and turned to intercept where he would dodge. and started his twelve forms. He only had three movements left. The cat was unprepared to take an attack after a dodge and Crane delivered six strikes in an instant before the cat swiped its flaming paw as Crane ducked to it's side.
You are on fire, your health will decline.
.
Getting close to a Fire Cat meant getting caught on fire but Crane knew the risks and planned for them. While on fire but at the cat's side he dove behind it to once again intercept it if after moving away from him and started his twelve forms again. The only real hassle of fighting it was the fire, by watching the Fire Cat’s spine and muscles, it wasn't difficult to predict how it would move and soon Crane had it panting heavily and tired while he was down to half health from being on fire. The cat was still under the effect of the potion and gave Crane a look that said, 'give me an honorable death.' Crane dashed forward and struck the cats forehead, dropping it to the ground. However the fire cat did not dissolve as a dead monster would. Crane's last blow to its head was from the hilt of his sword, not the tip.
"Alright, you girls can come on over now."
The trio ran over to see Crane, unaware that the beast still breathed.
Tonya called out, "Healing Hand, Purify."
Crane's life returned to close to normal and his on fire status had been cured.
Crane then said, "If it isn't much trouble, could you heal him too?"
Tonya and the rest looked back at the Fire Cat and when they realized it was still breathing, they jumped back. Tonya looked at Eris who shook her head. Crane figured this might happen and took out a health potion. He popped to cork and poured it into the fire cat's mouth. Eris yelled, "WHAT DO YOU THINK YOU ARE YOU DOING?!"
Crane saw the blue flames on the Fire Cat grow a bit stronger and said, "Step 2."
In one of the books Crane read about the difference between a regular horse and the horse ridden on by elite knights, there was an obscure reference to 'taming the honorable heart of the steed.' Crane interpreted this as to mean that the horse was given the honor stat through a buff or potion before it was broken by the knight. Of course the chances of this working on a monster while Crane himself wasn't a knight was practically zero, but when Crane saw the Fire Cat adapting to the honor stat, he went through with his plan and did not finish him off. Now he needed to wait and see the results.
Crane let off a powerful aura of the honorable knight recognizing an equal in combat over the cat as it began to wake up. It looked around and spoke in a low tone of voice, "Why did you not finish me off?"
Crane smiled, some higher level animals, even wolves were capable of human speech. Crane looked at him and said, "Because I see the potential in you. I have been looking for a partner, an equal to fight as one with. Join me, give me your speed and strength, and I shall give you my skill and sword."
"Hmm, you are strong, one of the strongest I have ever fought, but there is another I know who is stronger, if you defeat him, I shall be your speed."
"Who is this stronger one?"
"Saber, the leader of my pack and killer of my mate. I fought him with all my strength but he defeated me with ease and banished me from my home.
Ding*
The Fire Cat has asked you to prove yourself by killing the only one he ever lost to, the killer of his mate and pack leader, Saber.
Difficulty: C
Reward:
The Fire Cat will join you as an ally
Crane needed a mount now, so he made a comprimise. "I shall defeat this Saber, but I require your speed at this time. Lend me your speed until the end of the week and I shall kill Saber by the end of the season.
The fire cat said, "Very well, I shall be your speed for now, but if you have not defeated Saber by then, then I shall know your word is not good."
You have accepted the Quest
Quest Requirement added: Finish within three months
Quest Penalty added: Failure to finish will result in future hostility from the fire cat.
The named leader of a pack of fire cat would be around level 150. Crane did not mention it, but an honorable fighter fights without tricks, that is the reason he could easily predict each of the cat's moves. Had he fought in a natural setting, after the cat saw Crane's strength it would've burned him repeatedly and waited for Crane to turn to ash. Even if it didn't, without the ability to predict the cat's moves, a single attack would likely kill him. Majestic stance doesn't increase defense at all so in a real 1 on 1 fight Crane would only be able to use Noble step to dodge and Regal Guard to block, leaving him only capable of using basic attacks to slowly whittle away at the monster's enormous health reserves. If Crane wanted to keep his new acquisition, he need to become stronger, and he only had about three months to do it to do it.
"Now you need a name, I shall call you, Kegan."
Eris slowly walked over to Crane while looking at the Fire Cat and said, "Are you gonna ride it? There is not enough room for all four of us up there."
Crane turned to her and her sisters with a smile and said, "But there is room for two and a half."
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Crane was running at a Dash powered speed to the mountains. Running at his side was a fifteen foot from tooth to tail Fire cat being ridden on by two small girls and one even smaller girl. Crane's dash skill could be used continuously for about a mile before Crane had to refill with a mana potion, and he had over a hundred of them. This would be completely impossible if he had not increased his Perseverance stat by so much in the training hall, giving him almost three times the stamina he had before. After ten hours of running, night fell on the valley. The fire cat stopped embers from coming out of his back, but his legs, tail, and paws glowed with a blue flame as he ran. After another few hours the cat could not keep up with Crane and Crane said, "Let us rest now, my stamina is almost gone." As Salem got off she said, "Oww, my butt hurts.” Riding bareback for long periods was painful.
They rested till morning and when the sun rose, the group could clearly see the mountain range.
Crane said, "Ok girls, we're almost there so it is reveal what you're hiding time. I am here searching for an overdue library book, why are you here?"
The trio stared at Crane for a while before Eris said, "If you're not going to tell us the reason you're here, why should we?"
"It's the truth, I am on a quest to return a library book that contains knowledge about herbs found in the senbain mountains. In this section of the senbain mountains is a herb that can be used to make many powerful potions, one of which is capable of extending life."
"Ok, why do you think that is the herb the guy who borrowed the book is looking for?" Eris asked.
"Because he borrowed it 170 years ago."
Eris raised her eyebrows letting a shocked expression slip by before saying, "So the only place he could still be alive is here, if he is anywhere else you'd be looking for a corpse, so you're starting here first."
"Correct."
Eris nodded and said, "Ya, he's there, it's pretty impressive you found him with so little information."
Now it was Crane's turn to be surprised, "You know he's here? How?"
"Because I was given a quest to find an old man here last seen in this part of the mountains, from what I know, making a life extending potion sounds within his capabilities."
Tonya said, "So we're gonna stay together?"
Salem said, "Only if big sis says so."
Eris raised her shoulders in defeat, "If we have the same destination, I see no reason to separate."
Tonya jumped up and down, "Hurray!"
Crane was pretty sure the small cleric was just happy she could still ride Kegan.
Crane asked, "Ok, how much do you know of his location?"
"Thats it is around this area."
Crane wondered how on Versailles she had intended to find the man in a area filled with monsters between level 90 at the lowest and 350 at the highest if the reports he read were accurate."
"Ok, tell me everything you know about him, we'll work from there."
"He is a powerful user of dark magic. That's about it."
"Powerful huh, I can work with that. Kegan, I know there are plenty of powerful spirits in the mountain, but is there an area that others avoid completely?"
Kengan closed his eyes and remained silent. After a couple minutes, he said, "I can not get a clear picture of areas that are being avoided.
Crane had an idea, "Ok, if I exert a strong spirit, the monsters in the area will react by strengthening their own right? Can you use this to get a better picture?
"Yes."
Crane go on top of Kegan, Eris said, "What are you going to do?"
Crane replied, "Sonar," and he rode off on Kegan.
Crane had never ridden anything before, much less a giant sabertooth tiger, he was barely keeping his balance as Kegan jumped from rock face to rock face with Crane giving bursts of battle aura with the thought, "I am a powerful dragon come to kill you all." Every monster in that area felt the proverbial hairs on the back of their neck stand up and heightened their guard, releasing a stronger fighting spirit. Kegan avoided them keeping them far away but within range for Crane's sonar idea to work. After about an hour of jumping around, Kegan returned to the base of the mountain. "I've found a small area that others are definitely avoiding."
"Good work, lets go collect the girls and head up."
"But there is a problem, there are no paths we can reach the area without running into others."
"I see."
Crane found the trio again and they got back onto Kegan.
They approached each area they had to pass to see what path had the least risk. The first path was blocked by a pack of twenty or so Terror birds, velociraptor sized chickens thats were about level one hundred apiece. The next pass went through an underpass that had about half a dozen mountain trolls on it, giant four armed apes that averaged level 150 and had massive regenerative abilities. The following path seemed to be the home of rock lizards, five foot long lizards with a rock hard hide and a poisonous bite. And the last way to get to the empty area looked empty, but Kegan told Crane he sensed dozens of strong fighting spirits in the area.
"So, which is your favorite?"
The girls were all silent, their options were to pick a path or return to Yarsan.
Crane volunteered, "I've got a suggestion."
Eris looked up at Crane. He started, "I need that book, you need to meet the person, so here is the plan. We'll go down the last path, I'll run through it and draw whatever comes out at me, leading them away. You guys ride Kegan, get in, and do what you need to do. There is a good chance I'll die, so if I do, please ask the guy for the book, Herbs of Senbain."
"If you die, how will you get the book back?"
"Well that's the easy part, Eris, would you be my friend?"
She slowly nodded.
-Eris has been added to your friend list.
"Alright, lets go."
Crane stood at the edge of the area with hidden monsters and started walking forward. He had walked about a hundred feet in when he realized something. He walked back to his starting point making sure to take the same steps he took to get there.
Salem said, "Welcome back, how was your trip?"
Crane ignored her sarcasm and said, "Kegan, did I step on any of the fighting spirits you felt?"
"No, you walked within eight feet of three though and they did nothing."
"I see, I think these are cliff fly larva?"
Eris said, "Never heard of them."
"Cliff flies are giant flying bugs that swarm in certain areas, they dig holes in rocks with acid spit and lay their young inside. If the larva feel pressure above them, as in they get stepped on, they exhale a poison gas most monsters are vulnerable to. Other than Fire Cats there are no monsters in these mountains that can sense fighting spirit from a great distance so they could not pass through here without getting poisoned."
Crane had to test it first of course. "Kegan, where is a close one?"
"To the left of that stone."
Crane walked over to the stone in question and saw a tiny hole inside the rock. Crane took out a bottle and tossed it over the hole while holding his breathe. As soon as it hit the ground, a large puff of green gas erupted from the hole. Crane ran into the gas cloud and quickly capped the bottle. He ran back to and said, "Identify."
Larva fly poison gas
A noxious fume that dissolves the inside of whatever breathes it in.
Breaks down to harmless gas in a under a minute
-Skill Level Up: Identify [7]
You can now identify the properties of items
Crane was both happy and sad. He hoped that collected gas could be used as a poison grenade but it was useless. But if Crane now used Identify on unknown herbs, he could find out what properties it would give a potion
Crane told the girls it was all clear as long as Kegan was taking the lead. They walked in an awkward zigzag path until, "We have reached the area where no others travel, but there appears to be a ring of these bugs around the entire area."
"Not a problem, go wait over there until I'm done," Crane said.
Kegan and the girls waited a good thirty feet away as crane took a deep breath in and walked over the area, activating one gas cloud at a time. After waiting a few more seconds for the gas to dissipate Crane took in a breath. After that he held it again and walked through the area, no poison. "All clear."
The group entered the ring and walked to the center. Crane looked around and said, "Yup, this place should have that herb, split up and look for a house."
"Why can't Kegan find him?"
"Because monsters and most warriors have fighting spirit, magicians on the other hand do not, you three for example are undetectable." Crane answered as Kegan nodded.
The group searched the immediate area, looking for signs of a hidden doorway or dwelling. Then the group heard a high pitch, "Foouuund iiit!"
Crane and the others gathered around Tonya who spotted a cave. Kegan confirmed there were no fighting spirits inside and they investigated. A couple feet inside there was a door, and feeling adventurous, Crane knocked on it four times and waited.
A few moments later the door opened revealing a tall old man without a shirt, bones in his hair and tattoos over him. He looked at the Crane in his blue and black outfit, the witch trio, then back to Crane and said, "Would you know which witch is which if every witch did switch?" He then raised a wand with a small skull at the end and said, "You can take a while to guess who, walk a mile in another shoe." The skull lit up for a moment and died down, the crazy old man then closed the door. Crane looked at Eris and said, "What was that all about?"
Eris looked back at him and said, "Heey, I’m Tonya."
Tonya then screamed and Salem said, "Why am I in Salem's body and why is Tonya in mine?!" Crane shook his head and realized what was going in. He looked at Salem, now Eris and said, "He's a witch doctor isn't he?" She nodded, embarrassed. The now tall Sonya said, "This is awesome, we should stay like this," while jumping up and down. Salem and Eris in unison said, "No way!" Crane then said, "Tonya, can you use purify?"
"Well, ok, Purify." Nothing happened. It seemed that not only had their bodies been switched, their classes had as well. Crane turned to Salem and said, "Ok, you try." "No problem, Purify." This time a light did surround Salem, but nothing happened. Crane caught Eris looking downward and asked, "Was there something you had to tell us?" "Well, witch doctor curses can't be dispelled as easily as a regular curse. The require something more, I'm guessing that this spell can't be undone unless all three of us get purified at the same time, and purify only affects one person at a time."
Crane got three of the four antidoted he made and passed them around. "Drink up on three, one, two, three." The girls drank at the same time, and a small light passed over all three of them simultaneously. The eldest body spoke first, "I'm me again.", the Salem, "Me too," and Tonya pouted a bit. Crane turned around and knocked on the door again. When the witch doctor opened up, Crane said, "I figured out who is who, they are themselves." He looked surprised and said, "Well well, aren't you something." He motioned them to come inside and sit at a table. "Hmm, sorry about earlier, I haven't had visitors in sixty years and I wanted a little fun." Rather than be mad, Eris asked, "Why didn't Crane switch?" "Ho ho, that is because you three are the same, and he is different. You three are around the same age, the same gender, you are related by blood, and are all magicians. Which the exception of age, the blue one has nothing in common with you, so no switcheroo." Crane could see the uses and limitations, it was not all powerful, but it could be used on a horde of same type monsters to create mass confusion which can be taken advantage of. Crane now realized Eris's purpose for coming here.
This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.
Eris started again, "Let me introduce myself, I am Eris, I have come to learn how to become a witch doctor."
The old man looked at her and said, "But I am not interested in you."
Eris furrowed her eyebrows and said, "Why not?"
"Simple, crossing the mountain and larva field was a test of shorts, you did not pass it," he pointed to Crane, "He did. From what I can tell little miss, you came here without any trouble whatsoever, you did not have to fight a single monster, I know this because if someone as weak as you fought anything on this mountain, you would be dead. Yet the reason you live is because of luck, the blue one could’ve come here without you, but you could not have come here without him. You do not deserve the class of Witch doctor." Although what he observed was true, Crane felt what the old man had said was too harsh.
Eris collapsed onto the table, but the old man ignored her and walked to Crane, "What do you say, would you like to become a Witch Doctor?"
Crane waited a moment, but the class confirmation screen did not show up, a Kallamore Warrior can not change to a class that was not used by the royal family, and all those classes are in the Royal Kallamore Army of which Crane could never return. "I can not accept your offer."
"But why? You have great potential as a spell caster, and witch doctors use a variety of combat skills as well, you would become far more powerful."
"I agree and I would if I could, but when I say I can not accept your offer, I mean it literally, I am unable to accept your offer."
At this point the old man was curious, he asked, "Why can you not accept, does it have to do with why you have come? Tell me your story."
The man already told Eris he was interested in Crane, this man who had no one to talk to for sixty years must have been very anxious to hear a good story. So Crane said, "I will tell you my story from the beginning to end only if you agree to give Eris the witch doctor class."
"Hmm, only if you swear to return every once in awhile to share more stories."
Crane had intended to return regularly anyways to train and collect herbs so he agreed.
The witch doctor turned back to Eris and said, "hey little girl, would you like to become a witch doctor?"
Eris raised her head suspiciously and said in a quiet voice, "yes?"
A ring of light surrounded her, and she had a surprised look on her face.
Crane began his story.
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The witch doctor said, "So you seek a power to replace what you have lost from the crippling effects of being a Kallamore Warrior who does not serve Kallamore."
Crane nodded. The doctor walked upstairs and Salem said, "Woah, I can't believe you were the guy who the Archers were talking about, and I'm sorry to hear about what those noble jerks did." Salem, Eris and Tonya had listened to his entire story as well, but Crane didn't mind. The witch doctor came down the stairs and put a book on the table. Herbs of the Senbain mountains. Crane took the book and put it in his inventory. He then said, "Excuse me, but could you teach me how to harvest herbs?"
The witch doctor said, "Sure, follow me outside." He lead him outside to an herb and said, "The trick is not damaging the roots, dig around the plant to preserve the roots and lift, not pluck,"
You learned new skill: Medical Botany.
The witch Doctor then said, "I know of something else I think you should learn."
"Yes?"
"You know of Yarsan's history?"
"Intimately."
"Then take this." He handed Crane a piece of paper with a name on it, Er'tan Eldamor, "find that person in the history of Yarsan, and he will show you the way to the power you've been looking for. I feel I must warn that the path will be treacherous, filled with dangers and all sorts of things. But something tells me you are in fact the kind of person who enjoys such things."
Crane smiled, Crane had learned many useful skills and secrets in the library, and now he had a place to start inside the restricted section.
The witch doctor lead them back to the ring of cliff fly larva and cast a paralysis spell over them so Crane and the others could pass, they thank each other and parted ways. After three days of travel over the planes, they arrived back at Yarsan, and parted ways. Crane made plans to meet with Kegan in three months, and Salem and Tonya both asked to be added to Crane's friend list. Before departing, Eris said meekly, "Thankyou for helping us get there, and for helping me get the class and well....." She quitely mumbled the rest, prompting Crane to say, "Not need for thanks, we're friends right?" For some reason this made Eris mad and she said, " Well I'll pay you back with interest! Just wait and see!" She lead the trio off and Crane went the the general store. Crane bought a large amount of paper and pens and headed for the library.
He walked up to the librarian and said, "I'd like to return this book, but I don't want to burden you, I'll just turn it in myself." The librarian nodded and bent down, opening a latch that revealed a stone staircase descending into the restricted section that was behind the counter. Crane walked down over a hundred feet, and found the door. He tried the handle but it felted looked. Crane took Herbs of the Senbain Mountains out of his inventory and tried again, this time it opened revealing a room that held about forty shelves. Crane had three months before he had to fight the level 150 Fire Cat leader or he would lose Kegan, and he needed to find every method of becoming stronger this room had to offer. Crane looked up the number on the back of the book and found the empty spot in the shelves that matched up before returning it.
Quest Complete: Retrieve the Book
-You have leveled up!
-You have leveled up!
-You have leveled up!
Crane remembered the numbers on the spine of the twelve volume history of Yarsan and looked for it. The books were in a corner of the back wall, but around the books were histories of other cities and countries. This meant that all there was to read about Yarsan’s history had already been read by him. Crane remembered what the old man said about the name, ‘he will show you the way’,’ and took out the piece of paper and read the name aloud, “Er'tan Eldamor.”
The shelf that held the histories started to rumble, the shelf then slid back, revealing a stone hallway. Crane walked through until he found what appeared to be a modest study. There was just a table, two chairs, an empty bookshelf, and a large pile of ash in the corner. Crane realized that whatever secrets this room once contained were torched by another party, but Crane still had to look around.
Crane noticed the bookshelf was leaning just slightly to the right, he peared under it to see the left side was elevated less than half an inch off the ground. Crane carefully tilted the shelf forward and placed in on its front side. Crane went back to check and found two books, one large and one small, the large one was taller than the baseboard of the shelf bottom elevated it off the ground which was why it was leaning. Crane took both books to the table and looked at the covers, the small book had a vertical line with a triangle the pointed to the right at its center making it look like a line with a large thorn. The larger book had the name Er'tan Eldamor on its cover.
Crane opened that one, but as soon as he did, a screen like a frameless television appeared in front in front of him. It showed a middle aged man who seemed to be the teacher of three children two boys and a little girl, the scene changed to show the same man, only older instructing the one of the now taller boys on using a sword, then to a scene of the man instructing the second lad on carving a piece of wood, then to a scene of the man instructing the girl on handwriting. A slide show of movie clips was shown on the screen with the man teaching each of the three a different skill, and how they progressed and aged.
Then came a scene where all three, now early teens, were in a classroom with the man being shown a board with twenty-four symbols on it, the third of which matched the one on the smaller book. In the scene the little girl spoke up, “Where do they come from?” The instructor answered, “Boafu discovered each one and the power they contain through research and exploring. ” The girl said again, “Not where he found them, where did the runes come from?” “The instructor nodded and said. “In the time before the world, Odin, father of Thor, found the world tree, Yggdrasil and sought to learn where its power came from. So he stabbed it with a spear. “ The class laughed for a bit before he continued, “Well the tree was not amused, it grabbed Odin and hung him upside down facing the tree for nine days and nights. For all that time Odin could only face the tree, on that ninth day, he saw the runes. The bark of Yggdrasill has many lines of course but Odin saw that these lines formed the runes which gave Yggdrasil its great power. After grasping the truth he was released, and used the rune magic to become the first high magician. After he gained power he shared his knowledge with the world below. They were the first magicians of this world. All magic that people have today was derived from the rune magic discovered by Odin, rediscovered by Boafu, and is now being taught to you.” In the next scenes, each was getting older, but their practice was different, the tip of the first boy’s practicing sword now left a glow that remained, like the sword was being used to write something in the air. The second lad was now using sculpting tools to carve glowing symbols in objects, and the girl was writing the same glowing symbols on paper. Another scene and the instructor was much older and the three kids were now adults. The swordsman wrote the symbols in the air which seemed to give added effects to his attacks, the second man was at a blacksmith forge, the weapons all had a line of the symbols glowing on the blade, and the young woman was writing glowing symbols on talisman paper. A scene then appeared of the old instructor speaking to the three young adults, “My princes and princess, military advisor Joul Rotan has betrayed us, he leads an army of King Kallamore’s soldiers to the city. The lady said, “But why Er'tan? Our father has done nothing wrong.” The swordsman spoke up, “Because he wants power and our father’s throne, but how did he convince King Kallamore to give him soldiers?” Er’tan answered, “Through fear of course, no one outside the royal family knows the secrets of the great sorcerer, Boafu’s magic. The only exception is my family, which descended from Boafu’s best students. Joul Rotan likely convinced the King that our magic was a threat to Kallamore.” The blacksmith prince said, “So what do we do?” Er’tan answered, “The king has instructed us to do as I taught you.” The scene changes to Er’tan and the blacksmith prince in the forge with a large pile of weapons which glowing symbols, then to a scene of Er’tan and the princess making neat stacks of glowing talismans. The next scene showed Er’tan, the sword using prince, and a small legion of soldiers wearing armor and wielding swords with lines of glowing symbols on them. The two lead the soldiers to skirmishes where the glowing swords cut through the mercenaries like butter, some of the swords even cast spells. Er’tan waved his sword with a glowing point and wrote a line of symbols in the air, then pointed his sword at a wave of mercenaries who were then consumed by black fire. The swordsman prince called out a strange words and extended his hand, then men in front of him fell to their knees and could not lift their swords, he then wrote a long line of symbols and called out another strange word. Lightning dropped on the group. The scenes of many battles between the the Joul Rotan’s army and the royal family's soldiers played before Crane. A scene of catapults launching rocks at a wall only to be pulverised on impact with the wall unaffected switched with a scene from inside the same wall showing it was covered in hundreds of talismans, and every time a rock hit the wall, several would dissolve. Then a scene of Er’tan, now a wrinkled old man and a younger man who was crying. The crying man said, “Why did my son have to die?” Er’tan answered, “Because it is war.” The man stopped crying and tightened his fists. He got up and said, “Goodbye Captain.” Er’tan said, “Where are you going Roricas?” Ruffio Roricas looked back at Er’tan and said, “To end the war.” The next scene was of a young man running up to Er’tan and saying, “Father! The royal family is dead!” Er’tan looked shocked and said, “Impossible, no one could have gotten through our defenses.” His son shook his head, “No father, they were not killed by an enemy, they were poisoned!” The already old Er’tan seemed to age even further in the instant he realized what had happened, and said, “It is only a matter of time until they find out the weapons no longer work. To save as many lives as we can, I will surrender as the leader. “ “No father!” “It is the only way they may spare the men. Take Baofu’s books and hide them away.” The scene ended and the screen closed. But to Crane’s surprise another screen opened.
You have discovered the secret Rune classes. You may chooses to convert to a Rune class. Each class can use rune magic and has a specialty and a bonus that affects the specialty.
Crane could not believe the screen that appeared in front of his eyes. A Kallamore Warrior cannot change to any class that was not used by the Royal family, but this seemed to be a loophole. Although not the royal Kallamore family, These classes were used by the Yarsan Royal family. He looked through the list to see what he would choose.
Rune Swordsman+Gain Rune Sword Skill
+Gain Rune Call Skill
+50% Attack with swords
+50% Effect Strength Rune Sword and Rune CallRune Blacksmith+50% Maximum Mana
+Gain Blacksmith Skill
+Gain Sculpture Mastery
+Gain Rune Smith Skill, Immediate Use
+50% Effect strength of Rune smithing
-50% mana deduction when using rune smithRune Writer+50% Maximum Mana
+Gain Handicraft Skill
+Gain Rune Write Skill
+Gain Rune Call Skill
+100% Effect Strength of Rune Write Skill
-50% mana deduction when using rune writeRune Master+Gain Skill Rune Mastery
+25% Attack with Swords
+25% Maximum Mana
+Gain Rune Sword Skill
+Gain Rune Call Skill
+Gain Sculpture Mastery
+Gain Rune Write Skill
+Gain Handicraft Skill
Now Crane had to decide which he would pick. If he choose anything but Rune Swordsman, he would lose his current +50% Attack and proficiency growth rate of sword mastery all swordsman enjoyed as well as a massive drop in sword mastery proficiney. However what interested him was the rune skills, below the selection was a list of the Rune skill descriptions
Rune Sword
Can write Runes with the tip of sword.
Strength of Rune effect multiplied by 100/Finesse stat
Effect of Rune Determined by intention when used
Mana Costs: 5 per second
Requirements:
Sword Mastery
FinesseRune Call
Can use Rune magic by calling out Rune names or sounds
Effect of Rune Determined by intention when used
300% Mana Cost to use Rune EffectRune Smith
Can carve Runes into weapons and armor that grant additional options without decreasing max durability
Effect of Rune Determined by intention when used
For every rune carved, Maximum mana decreases by 50
Mana returns upons item’s destruction
Effect Strength determined by Sculpture mastery
Requirements:
Sculpture Mastery
Unless used by a Rune Blacksmith, Intermediate level Blacksmithing required to prevent loss of Max DurabilityRune Write
Can write Runes on talismans
Effect of Rune Determined by intention when used
For every Rune written, Maximum mana decrease by 25
Mana returns upon talisman's use
Effect strength determined by Handicraft skill
Requirements:
Handicraft Skill
If Crane became a swordsman, he would be able to fight like the first prince did and call lightning from the sky or even cooler. If he became a Rune Blacksmith or Rune Writer, he could create and sell magic items anyone could use. However he would not be able to do that in Kallamore Kingdom and would have to leave, and even if that weren’t a problem, he could not make an infinite amount of either because of the maximum mana deduction. That left him with two options, the rune swordsman who could take on a squad of Kallamore Knights and emerge victorious and unscathed, or the jack of all trades master of none, ironically called Rune Master.
Crane truly wanted to become a rune swordsmans, but he could not stand the thought of letting the smith and write skill be lost to him, so he said, “Rune Master.”
You have selected Rune Master
Warning!!! You are switching from a sword based class to a all purpose class. You will incur a penalty of -50% Total experience of Sword mastery, reducing it to beginner level [8] 35%. Will you still convert?
Crane had expected this. The game had a system in place that prevented people from using the experience bonus of different classes to increase several proficiencies by swapping classes. However all the experience he would lose could be gained back. "Yes."
Crane emitted a bright light for a moment before returning to normal and seeing the screen that appeared before him.
Avatar- Crane.Alignment- NeutralLevel 96Class- Rune MasterTitle- NoneFame- 260Health- 4150Mana- 2200Strength- 240+20Agility- 245+20Wisdom- 80+20Intellect- 80+20Vitality- 90+20Luck- 0+20Leadership 12+20Finesse- XX+20Fighting Spirit- 68+20Perseverance 99+20Endurance- 40+20Attack- 180Defense- 75+ All stats are added 20
+ While using a sword you receive +25% bonus to Attack
+ +25% Maximum Mana
+ Enables you to learn all craft skills to the stage of a master.
+ Can learn skills that use the stat finesse
+ Can learn and use rune magic.
+ Can harness true power of runes to increase variety of effects when used.
+ As a Rune Master, you understand that all magic originates from runes, Enables you to learn modern magic spells based on your level in Rune Mastery.
You have learned new Skill: Rune Sword
You have learned new Skill: Rune Call
You have learned new Skill: Sculpture Mastery
You have learned new Skill: Rune Smith
You have learned new Skill: Rune Write
You have learned new Skill: Handicraft
You have learned new Skill: Rune Mastery
Crane’s health and strength now surpassed what it was when he was a Kallamore warrior and his mana far surpassed his previous amount due to the fact he was now a jack of all trades part time spell caster. From what he understood, that last two bonuses of being a Rune Master would come in very handy later. The first part seemed to imply he could practically create his own rune spells, outside the rune's original uses. And the second part stated that he could learn any spell, as long as it's level did not exceed the skill level of Rune Mastery, but he was sure there would be a catch of some kind.
Crane opened the small book with what he now knew was a rune on it. Within the cover was a picture of the 26 runes and the cover page said, Thurisaz, with a picture of the same rune on the cover.
Thurisaz, 3, th
The directed cosmic force of destruction and defense. The lightning of Thor’s hammer Mjöllnir, the weapon that defends the world below and Àsgardhr above. A force against hostile powers. Directs power and force. The regeneration that follows destruction
From what Crane could tell, this book was a guide to the use of the rune, thurisaz. Crane closed the cover and put his hand on it, “Learn.”
-You have learned the rune magic Thurisaz
“Show Skill window rune magic."
Rune Magic [1] 0%
Can use learned runes to perform rune based spells and skills
Thurisaz, th, 3
Mana cost 100
Crane understood the basics of the concept. It worked similar to Battle Aura. Crane faced an stone wall and imagined Thor’s hammer Mjöllnir granting him it’s destructive lightning to strike the wall, he raised his arm and said, “Thurisaz.”
A bolt of lightning shot out of his hand at the wall, costing him 300 mana. He then drew his sword and said “Rune Sword,” The tip of his sword glowed and Crane imagined that the sword in his hand was the powerful Mjöllnir and he wanted a bolt of lightning to shoot out the tip. He wrote Thurisaz with a slash down and a two flicks of the wrist to write the point, 71! He then thrusted through the glowing rune and it absorbed into the blade and lightning ejected from the tip. The spell was not as powerful because he needing practice writing the runes in the air, but it took two seconds to write and costed only 110 mana. Then Crane remembered what he had seen the prince do. Crane used rune sword again, 81!, but at the moment he thrusted he called out “Thurisaz!” A lightning bolt shot out of Crane’s sword that was twice the size of the either of the first two. It costed 410 mana but the skills could be stacked. And hopefully the mana cost would go down with an increase in skill proficiency.
However Crane knew that Thurisaz was likely the only rune he could learn inside this room. Crane looked back at the pile of ashes and decided it was about 25 books worth. This did not deter him though, according to Er’tan, Boafu discovered each one and the power they contain through research and exploring and Crane would now have to do the same. But that was for later. Neither of the two books had a number on the spine which meant they were not bound to the restricted section so he put the in his inventory and went back to through the hall. Crane had only been down there for an hour or so and he still had three months to look through as many books as he could. “Let’s get started.”
Chapter 10 The Last Days of Yarsan part 1 viewtopic.php?f=91&t=623
Chapter 9 part 1 viewtopic.php?f=91&t=580&p=2359#p2359