Seeing that Phobe wasn’t behind the counter, I quickly ascended the stairs to my room, locking the door behind me. I spread the papers from the tavern across the bed, then pulled the chest over to sit on and began examining them.
Kinowa was circled on the map in thick black ink. A green line, if I had it right, led from the east gates, snaking through the forest toward that same cabin where I’d been taken. But along this path, red circles marked spots with small scrawled notes, like “base1” and “base2.”
A darker green circle caught my attention, near the well I'd seen in the forest, about fifteen minutes on horseback. I muttered under my breath, “Their second base, maybe?”
I set that map aside and unrolled another paper. This one detailed Kinowa and its surroundings even more. The well, the cabin, and the green and red circles were all marked here too, but with more specifics. Above the dark green circle was a sloppy note: “Kora Village, direct the goblins there, scoop up the dead, new base plus food.” I clenched my fists. Mortan had mentioned a goblin raid on a village—this had to be it.
“Damn it… So she was behind that attack.”
I rubbed the back of my neck, frustrated. I could try to investigate the base myself, but those two were stronger than me; there was no chance I’d make it out alive. I’d have to tell the guards.
Level 2: Axel
HP: [██████░░░░░] 50/110
Mana: [░░░░░░░░] -1/100
Stamina: [█████░░░░░░░] 43/120
Options: [Inv | Skills | Quests(!)]
I noticed an exclamation mark beside the quest option on my HUD. Curious, I tapped it, bringing up a new translucent box.
================
NEW QUEST
================
Quest Title: Queen’s dagger
--------------------------
Deadline: Today
Objective:
* Get the Queen’s dagger
before midnight. Alone.
--------------------------
Rewards:
- Gold: 2
- Experience: 25 XP
==========================
[Accept] [Decline] [Enhance]
I sighed, stepping over to the window. Rain was still coming down hard, and the few people on the street looked miserable… like me.
I could try declining the quest, but failure to deliver the dagger would likely cost me my life anyway. And---getting there alone? My plan had been to let the guards know about the place and have them raid it. Honestly, I wouldn’t have even thought twice about declining the quest if that crazy bitch hadn’t stolen my money. But I needed the cash to survive. Five gold would make all the difference.
Since discovering my new skill—the fireball—I might even be able to have a fighting chance and get the dagger. Unless, of course, she’d already fenced it off. It was a risk I was willing to take. With that money, I could buy better armour and pay the rent for the Academy dorms.
I tapped “Enhance,” wondering what it would add.
================
NEW QUEST
================
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Quest Title: Queen’s dagger Through the mud
--------------------------
Deadline: Today
Objective:
* Get the Queen’s dagger
before midnight. Alone.
* Kill Suzan and her mother.
--------------------------
Rewards:
- Gold: 2 7
- Experience: 25 XP 75XP
- 1x Common item material
- 1x Uncommon item material
- 1x Rare item material
- 1x Epic item material
- 1x Exotic item material
==========================
[Accept] [Decline]
I shuddered, realising I’d have to kill them both to complete this version of the quest. Grimacing, I declined that option and accepted the original quest. Sighing, I slumped back onto the chest, deep in thought. I had the location of their hideout, but no way to get there. I needed a horse or something.
“Ugh… where to get a horse, now…” I muttered, opening the door.
“Oh!” Phobe gasped, hand raised to knock. “I heard what happened… I’m sorry, hon, for dragging you into all this.”
“It’s fine,” I replied, keeping my voice neutral. “You couldn’t have known.”
Her brow creased with worry. “The guards mentioned you were hurt. Are you alright?”
“Yeah, yeah,” I assured her. “Thank you for asking, ma’am, but I need to head out.”
“Oh, school, right? Aren’t you late?”
“Uh, yeah.” I said with a dull tone.. “Definitely late. I’d better hurry. See you later?”
She nodded, her smile tight. “Stay safe, hon. Keep away from that woman if you can.”
I nodded, stepping past her and heading downstairs. Hunger gnawed at my stomach, a cold ache spread through my body, and every step felt unsteady. I needed to sleep---heal a bit, but I didn’t have the time, not while Suzan had the Queen’s dagger with her. I had no other choice but to keep going.
My hand reached the door handle, but my stomach’s protest stopped me in my tracks. Reluctantly, I turned back. I had to eat something.
At the counter, a woman stood behind the bar, ladling oatmeal from a pot. It looked plain, basic, but it was better than nothing. I leaned on the counter, my face as dull as ever.
"Could I get a bowl of oatmeal, please?" I asked, my voice weary. "Think I could pay later?”
She shook her head, already reaching for a bowl. "No need. Phobe’s orders. You’re covered today; she feels responsible for everything."
“Oh…” I murmured, a little taken aback. “Thank you, that’s kind of her.”
“Thank her, not me,” she replied, placing the bowl and a spoon in front of me.
I sat down with the bowl, wanting to savour it, thinking it might be my last meal for a while. It tasted bland, like the kind of food my mom used to make when she’d tossed random ingredients together when she was high on drugs. But I’d gotten used to eating whatever was in front of me; years of weird dinners had numbed my taste buds to almost anything.
“You look rough,” she observed, drying a plate as I took another spoonful.
I nodded, pausing to chew. She handed me a cup of water, her gaze shifting back to her work.
“Yeah… It’s been complicated,” I finally admitted, stirring the oatmeal absently.
“Queen’s dagger, right?” she asked with a faint, sympathetic smile. “You’ve got the worst luck. So unlucky.”
I raised an eyebrow, surprised. “How’d you know about that?”
“My boyfriend’s a royal guard. He mentioned it,” she explained, her tone warm but serious. “I hope you find it in time.”
I exhaled, taking a sip of the water. “Thanks… Let’s hope so.”
“You could’ve sat down, you know,” she added, eyeing me with concern. “Why the rush?”
“Oh, just… late for school,” I lied, scratching the back of my neck.
She chuckled, shaking her head. “Right, I’m helping you skip class! You’re probably missing the first lesson as we speak.”
I nodded, scooping the last bite. “Guess so. Thanks for the meal; it was great.”
“Good luck out there,” she called, waving as I headed for the door.
I murmured back, half to myself, “Yeah… luck.”
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