∼ Cragspire ∼

Chapter - 071

At the crackling warmth of a fire sat two figures enjoying a bowl of something hot and steaming. "So where did you say you were headed?"

"Meadesborough," Nyx said with his scratchy voice around a mouthful of soup, his spoon held pointedly.

"That's in Cragspire, ah- a beautiful place that is." The older human said, glancing to the stars. "Such a shame though, with the bandits and all. No man, not even the merchants, are willing to travel there anymore."

Focused on his meal, Nyx muttered absentmindedly. "Not for much longer,"

"What was that?" The man asked.

Nyx seemed surprised that the man had even heard. "-Uh... nothin',"

Sitting in companionable silence as they ate their food away from the rest of the caravan, Nyx glanced at the older man. He was a human in his late fifties fitted in modest clothes, going by the name of Horst. He wasn't anything special, powerful, or out of the ordinary. But Nyx still tolerated this human for the sole reason that he was a damn fine cook. His stew was almost enough for Nyx to forsake his commission. But then again, his call for blood and gold was louder.

"Well, I'll be heading off to catch some sleep. We should be passing by Cragspire in the morning, so do be sure to be ready for then." He passed. "It's been a pleasure, Nyxel Brasshand. May our paths cross once again so we can share another bowl."

Watching as the man walked off to the larger camp of the caravan, Nyx just stared at his retreating back. Why weren't all humans like this? To the point, great cooks, and not so damn annoying. If they were, Nyx might not have been so inclined to slaughter them at any given moment. Humans, such stupid creatures.

Nyx went to sleep and woke only later in the morning. It was then around the early coming of dusk that Nyx split off from the caravan at a crossroads. He had spent the last four days traveling with them, so if he remembered correctly, he shouldn't be farther than a couple of hours' ride from Meadesborough.

But before he went off with his annoying horsey, Nyx noted just how the terrain had shifted. From the normally flat or rolling plains Moravia spotted with woodlands and rivers, Cragspire was actually more similar to that of Nyx's birthplace. It shared the rugged landscape of the Netherworld, except this place, was of course a lot more green and a lot less ridden with savage demons and roaring infernos.

With ravines, valleys, and cliff faces crisscrossing every which way across the scenery, Cragspire was an uneven and jagged piece of land made of gray rock and stubborn flora that clung to the terrain for dear life. As menacing as it looked, it held an equal amount of beauty in it. Nyx even found himself feeling a little nostalgia looking at Cragspire, recalling his early days of scurrying in between the cracks and holes as he hunted prey to survive another day.

But not this time. Things were different. He was not the weak hiding in the cracks, scrounging for scraps in fear. Now, he was the one who hunted and others feared. As his [Mark of Pride] pulsed fainty under the dark gloom of his hood, Nyx rode into one of the many valleys. There were sheer rock walls on either side, dipping high and low as the terrain kept changing in a head-spinning manner. But to Nyx, he felt like a fish in water.

He checked his notifications as he rode.

[Congratulations, through your hard work and dedication, you've moved further down the path of mastery.]

Gained Mastery - Riding (Proficiency - LVL: 1)

[Through dedication and hard work, your mind has expanded, and your reservoir with it]

∼Mana: (+2)∼

Smiling with satisfaction, Nyx also pulled up his status, noting the growth ever since his run-in with the raith.

Status Information

Attributes Name Nyx Health 40/40 STR 15 ⇒ 20 END 4 Race Imp (Prideborn) Stamina 12/12 DEX 7 ⇒ 8 INT 28 ⇒ 30 Level 14 - (52%) Mana 11/11 (12) VIT 4 CHR 2 Class Main-Class Warlock Rank Apprentice Grade Rare Sub-Class None Rank None Grade None Traits Demonhide - (Racial), Fire Resistance - (Racial), Mark of Pride - (Demonism) Titles Bearer of Pride - (Demonism) Skills Demonbolt - LVL: (6), Impfire - LVL: (3), Summon Familiar - LVL: (1), Wither - LVL: (2) Masteries Proficiencies

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Techniques Demonology - LVL: (6), Hand-to-Hand Combat - LVL: (4), Mana Manipulation - LVL: (3), Riding - LVL: (1), Words of Power - LVL: (1) None

Nyx's travels hadn't just been spent idle. As usual, he kept going with his meditation, regardless of how he still loathed its boring nature. For nothing was quite like the sweet, sweet feeling of power it left him. Moreover, as his mind's reservoir had expanded, so it would seem his repertoire of masteries had.

Glancing at the still, oh-so, empty [Techniques] section of his status, Nyx grumbled to himself that he had yet to learn any. That useless human, Iggy, if he remembered correctly, used one such thing. At least, according to Aria's descriptions of what a technique was. That human had actually managed to surprise Nyx during their brief fight. If not for his [Demonhide], his unpredictable and swift blade would've probably left Nyx gravely wounded. It was a testament to the abilities and skills that techniques granted an individual.

Returning to matters at hand, he couldn't help but wonder where the supposed bandits and raiders were. He had been riding for a while now, yet he remained unmolested. Many of the signposts and markers that would've otherwise led travelers and merchants through Cragspire seemed to have been tampered with or outright removed. Probably at the hands of the supposed bandits. Though, Nyx easily found his way, trailing the man-made pathways and roads. Then finally, as he turned the bend of a narrow pass with high cliffs hiding the sun, Nyx came upon a large clearing in an expanding valley.

Unfolding before him, was a large town, nearly rivaling that of a city, built along both sides of a large gorge. The valley was immense, with waterfalls cascading in the backdrop of the scenery. It was quite different from Boreas or any other city Nyx had seen. From what he knew, this was a borough, so even though they were a part of the country, Moravia, they were independent - in a sense. It was the reason why they had called upon the Guild for help. This was Meadesborough.

Coming up on a bridge that crossed a calm river, Nyx came to a stop. The river appeared to be flowing into the gorge that then split the town like so many of the other rivers riddling the landscape. Two armored guards with spears were stationed at this post, their weapons pointed their weapons at Nyx as they came out of their small guardhouse by the bridge.

"Hold!" The one to the left said, slightly bigger than his colleague and more sure with the hold on his weapon. "State your name and business."

Nyx was rather surprised by their hostile welcome. But as much as he wanted to teach this human so deference towards his betters, he did also reason that the strained tensions around the bandit raids had the people of this place wary around strangers. "Guild business, so move aside human," He said curtly, flashing his tag that hung around his neck. Nyx wanted to make this short. Not particularly wanting to mingle with the humans for too long. After all, he had a mission to complete. And he was tired of humans getting in the way of that.

The guard slowly lowered his weapon, scrutinizing eyes peering through the leather helm. However, his caution clearly did not wane. "Stay here, we'll report to the elders."

Nyx's frown deepened. With the leniency he had already given these humans after they recklessly pointed weapons at him, this was pushing it. "No," He said simply, kicking his horse in motion as he moved to pass them, unheeded of their orders.

"Hey! I said hold!" The guard yelled, swinging back around to jab the spear inches from Nyx. In a tumble of thuds from the muddy ground, both of the guards found their world suddenly spinning. Nyx tsked, not even having gotten off his horse as he moved past them. "Stinkin' humans."

Nyx wasn't even in the wrong here. As a registered mercenary, he was allowed entrance into any city in Argon. Without question. So they could not hold him, regardless of whether they were skeptical of his intentions or not. With [Wither] on both of the guards, it would be a while before they managed to catch back up to him, so he took it easy as he rode into town.