We stopped at a guard post on the edge of the merchant quarter, looking for directions to the city’s main barracks. A pair of armored men assisted us, though only after we mentioned our upcoming meeting with their captain. The two men pointed deeper into the city, to which I idiotically asked, “Are you sure?” The two men looked at each other before turning back to me with expressions that said, “Why would you ask that? Of course, we know the right way.”
At first only embarrassed, I valiantly failed to explain why I had thought the city’s largest barracks would either be on the east side of town, allowing for easy mobilization against anything approaching from that direction, or at least close to the docks to prevent an invasion by sea. Stella had attempted to interrupt my babbling several times but to no avail. Now bright red in the face, I finally relented.
They were polite soldiers nonetheless and waited until I ran out of steam. “The main barracks are located near the top level of the city,” one of the guards said. “You can get most of the way there by following Helms Street, that one there,” he pointed. “Before turning down Barracks Road on the third highest echelon.”
As we walked away, the younger of the two guards called out to our backs, helpfully adding, “It’s near the heart of the city so guards can be quickly dispatched to wherever they might be needed.” He received a bump into his shoulder from his friend for the addition, all the while Stella pushed with all her might into my back to keep me moving forward. I had attempted to turn around, but she wasn’t having it.
“Thanks again,” she called out behind her and didn’t let go until we were plenty far away. Finally relenting, I didn’t say another word for several long minutes as my humiliation slowly waned.
We soon discovered it had been Helms Street which Duke had wreaked much of his devastation upon. Burn marks were etched as wide swatches dug into the paved road. Whole buildings had been blown apart so only a blackened skeletal fame remained. It all marked his passage deeper into the city proper. To me, it appeared Duke had fired spells out almost indiscriminately, though as I tried to ponder it out the more it looked as if he had been trying to hit a fast-moving target. “Probably Hunter Invictus,” I muttered as I bent low to inspect a part of the road that appeared to have been seared by acid.
The sheer destructive force the man could bring to bear was frightening, to say the least. Chunks of ruined wood, shattered pieces of roofing tiles, and even one split bedframe had been scattered across the road as if thrown by a tornado. Thankfully for many of the residents, only one out of every four to five homes had been destroyed by Duke. Still, many lives had been lost here.
I was happy to see the area bustling with activity though. Craftsmen, laborers, and even a cadre of guards were working together to clean up and rebuild what they could. The city would recover. Everyone was pulling together to restore what had been lost.
“I can’t even imagine considering throwing my spells around so carelessly,” I said to Stella after helping a group of men load a particularly stubborn support beam into a long wagon. The massive wooden joist had been thrown across the street and was blocking the passage of the many carts used to haul off the refuse. “Duke couldn’t have cared less for the innocent people around him as he hunted down Invictus.”
Stella only let out a long sigh in response, her eyes appraising the city around us.
“I’m worried about Duke being max level, Stella,” I said as we pressed on, though we paused briefly here and there to help when we could.
“I am too,” Stella replied from my shoulder. I had noticed she hadn’t taken a turn on Ripley’s shoulder like she sometimes did. Not since before we docked Larsa’s ship. Perhaps she still needed reassurance from our connection right now. “I had thought that maybe we were close to being ready to fight him, but…”
When she didn’t finish her thought, I added where I thought she had been heading, “We likely have no chance against him just yet.”
“Yeah,” she said sullenly.
“Well, then we’ll just need to get to level thirty,” I offered, forcing a little optimism into my voice. “We’re already close to twenty after all. With how quickly we’ve leveled, thirty will be… what? A week away?”
“That would be nice,” Stella said. “Though, the experience needed per level only increases as you progress higher.” It was expected, so I didn’t say anything about it.
“We know his level, and where we need to get,” I said confidently with a sharp nod. “That’s a good thing.” Stella nodded a response and at least a little of my enthusiasm was reaching her. Her head wasn’t hanging low anymore.
I danced a finger up to my System interface, pulling up the spell information that had recently been downloaded into my mind. The spell books we purchased from Arcanum Artifacts immediately disappeared into the ether after leaving the disagreeable store. I was hoping our new spells would help cheer up Stella a little further. I always enjoyed seeing the details of my powerful incantations.
[Lesser Poison Breath]. You exhale a poisonous cloud that expands outwards from the caster in a cone to engulf any hostile target within 15 feet, inflicting a necrotic toxin that burns away at the lining of the target’s lungs. The spell causes 70 plus 2n damage immediately and then every 6 seconds until the spell expires, where ‘n’ equals Intelligence. Cost: 150 mana. Cast Time: 1 seconds. Cool down: 2 minutes. Duration: 30 seconds. Plus 1 foot maximum range, and plus 10 base damage per spell level.
[Lesser Ignite Bones]. A flare of intense magical energy strikes a nearby enemy within 100 feet causing the target’s bones to become immolated and muscle tendons to be burned away. The spell causes 70 plus 2n damage immediately and then every 6 seconds until the spell expires, where ‘n’ equals Intelligence. Additionally, the target’s accuracy is lowered by 2% per spell level. Cost: 75 mana. Cast Time: 1 second. Cool down: 1 second. Duration: 1 minute. Plus 10 feet maximum range, and plus 10 base damage per spell level.
[Lesser Renew Bones]. A beam of magical energy lances from your hand and connects to your undead minion within 25 feet. The energy heals the minion for 44 plus 2n health immediately, where ‘n’ equals Intelligence, and then every six seconds until the channeled spell is terminated. Additionally, the spell cures minor diseases, and acidic and fire-based damage over time effects as long as the spell is channeled for 10 seconds. Cost: 20 mana per second. Cast Time: N/A. Cool down. N/A. Plus 3 feet maximum range, and plus 4 base healing per spell level.
“Adding another pair of DOTs is nice,” Stella said. “The more the better, right? Your area of effect poison breath will certainly be helpful if we’re ever surrounded by mobs, though it can only be used in close quarters which isn’t exactly ideal for a necromancer. Your aegis will be clutch in those scenarios.
“I want to try out Ripley’s new channeled heal, though I am hesitant to do so with so many people nearby,” I added as I peered out at all the faces nearby, everyone hard at work. “I don’t think potentially frightening these people would be a good idea with how freshly scarred the city is from Duke’s rampage.”
“We can try it out later,” Stella agreed. “Combine the new spell with your trusty regen spell, and her health is going to shoot upwards.”
Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.
Not long after, the sun settling close to the horizon, we found Barracks Road. Several hundred guards were milling about, many coming and going to other parts of the city, but our sight was drawn to the three-story building which, if I didn’t know any better, appeared to be made out of an argentine metal. Its silvery shine was unlike anything else we had seen thus far and was an imposing sight that could easily be well-defended if the need ever arose.
As we approached, a small contingent of guards stepped forward to greet us, asking us about our business there. When we explained we were there to see Captain Baracus, the men allowed us to pass. We were escorted through the massive building, heading up several flights of stairs before coming to a pair of double doors. Our guide knocked once, the sound ringing loudly against the dense lumber.
With a prompt answer of, “Enter,” a second or two later, we were led inside. The doors opened inward into a square room about ten yards across. Numerous windows lined the walls, allowing anyone within the room to have easy sightlines to the comings and goings around the barracks. The center of the room was dominated by an oak table so richly stained that the intricate grain of the wood was visible even at this distance. Atop the table sat what appeared to be a replica of the tiered capitol and the surrounding lands, ranging out perhaps a half dozen miles in all directions. Baracus was leaning over the table, flanked by a pair of decorated soldiers. They had been deep in conversation by the looks of it, though Baracus’ attention was now fixed on us. He waived our party over.
“Thank you, Lieutenant Jones. You are dismissed.” Baracus said to our guide who had remained at the door when we stepped inside. The man saluted his captain and closed the door behind him. “Good to see you, Hunter Xazorus. I am glad to see you. If you are interested, I believe we have a need for your talents.
The captain pointed a finger to a portion of the realistic diorama, just outside the city walls. As he spoke, his finger moved to follow a trail leading east out of town. “This is the east road away from Allerton. We need someone, I am hoping you, to follow this route towards a nearby town called Raines to investigate.”
“How can I help?” I asked, though somewhat distractedly as my attention was firmly affixed to the miniature displayed before us. The attention to detail was incredibly impressive, I was actually able to spot several of the destroyed buildings we had passed by only ten minutes earlier. My eyes shot up questioningly to Baracus when a part of the building vanished as if it had been removed.
A knowing smile appeared on the man’s face as he responded. “The table is enchanted. It shows the real-time status of every building in our great city. Though it grows less accurate further away from the central keep. Still, it is a blessing to have in my station. It even allowed me to quickly dispatch my men when Duke attacked.” As he said this last part, his finger pointed out burn marks along Duke’s path of destruction.
“You are a competent Hunter, that is plain to see,” Baracus said as he locked gazes with me. He held out his hand once more, this time indicating particular places on the map, pointing to a pair of ruined buildings in turn. “When the criminal attacked the city, he wrought extensive damage to several of our key stockpiles, whether by accident or design, I do not know. In his wake, the city is sourly missing what was destroyed.”
Baracus pointed once more to the east road and the edge of the map, “We were supposed to receive a large shipment from Raines a few days ago, though only a single battered man arrived in its place. We know not of the shipment’s fate. I am hoping you will assist in discovering what happened, and help us recoup some of the missing goods the city desperately needs right now.”
“What did the man from the convoy say about what happened?” I asked after a moment.
“The report from my men said he had been in the lead wagon when heavy boulders began raining down from the sky, taking the life of the man next to him in the blink of an eye,” Baracus said as he looked to a rolled piece of parchment in his hand. “His wagon destroyed, the survivor took off for a nearby tree line and never looked back. He reported hearing dozens of massive rocks landing heavily behind him, screams of dying men and horses alike cut off in an instant with each collision. Fearing the same fate, he ran many miles to reach our eastern gate. No one else has arrived, he only arrived just this morning.”
“I received a similar report from earlier,” Baracus continued after reaching out to another piece of parchment. “Reports of tall, massive creatures, though it says little else about who or what they might be. My guess is a group of monsters have camped nearby. This I cannot allow. Not only are they close to a major trade route, but they’ve attacked and killed innocent men.” Baracus looked back up at me, a serious expression in his eyes. “You are in good standing with the kingdom, being the Mayor of Merton. And you’re a reliable Hunter. I know this after speaking with the captain of the Moon Siren. I am hoping you will provide aid for us as well.”
The man came to his full height, looking at me pointedly. “I would like you to find these monsters, slay them, and then report back. Once the area is cleared, I will order a guard contingent with several wagons to retrieve any remaining supplies, should there be any.”
After he spoke, a message appeared in my vision. It was being offered a quest.
New Quest – “Vengeance of the Waylaid.”
Reports of towering monsters have begun filtering into the city. Great bellowing howls have been sounding across the countryside. People are dying, merchant caravans are being laid low, all by an unknown force that has likely entrenched itself within arm’s length of Allerton. The Guard Captain, Baracus, has bid you to search out and destroy whatever has been causing such havoc.
Objective One: Locate the unknown enemy encampment.
Objective Two: Slay all monsters.
Objective Three: Locate the missing supply shipment from Raines.
Objective Four: Report back to Guard Captain, Baracus.
Rewards: Experience and a level-appropriate spell or skill.
Accept? Yes/No.
I selected yes, and the message vanished. “Consider it done, Captain. We’ll head out at first light. Could I ask, while we are away, can you please see if you can acquire any information as to where Hunter Duke may have gone, his home base of operations perhaps?”
“I will certainly do so, as thanks upon your return,” after Baracus spoke the quest message reappeared with a small additional near the bottom. The message was interesting. I hadn’t seen a quest update so quickly after receiving it.
Rewards: Experience, a level-appropriate spell or skill, and a possible clue as to the whereabouts of Hunter Duke.
Baracus turned to one of his officers, “Second lieutenant, prepare an order for the eastern gate to supply Xazorus and his company with two able horses. He will be traveling on behalf of the city and I intend to offer him this small aid.” His man gave an acknowledgment and moved to a nearby desk, returning a minute later with a writ in hand. Baracus looked it over before handing it to me. “I wish you luck and look forward to your return.”
With the farewell, we left the barracks and began making our way to the city’s eastern gates. Nightfall had fully descended with the bustle of the city falling quiet in response, though plenty of guards still patrolled. Within eyeshot of the closed barbicans leading out of town, we nestled into a friendly-looking inn called, “The Promenade.” The buzzing inside was lively and cheers sprung up all around the revelers, especially at a round table which reminded me of a roulette wheel.
We didn’t order any food or drink from the innkeeper to his disappointment, answering we only needed a single room for the evening. Stella and I shared a knowing wink, both thinking the same thing, Marv’s delectable barbeque. We would be dining well this night.
Between mouth-watering bites, Stella and I spoke at length about our plans when it came time for us to actually face Duke. Stella, no matter how careful she was, continued to attract more than her fair share of the barbeque across her long muzzle.
"We do have an advantage over him," she said before asking me to hand her another thick strip of jerky, soon becoming her favorite among our varied stockpile of ever-fresh meats and sausages. So quickly had we stored away the purchases, some even appearing in hand still steaming. "We know more about him than he does about us. Yes, his resource pools are substantial, but they are known."
"Plus," she continued, tearing pieces off her jerky with a wrench of her head and sharp canines. "From now on, we will keep all of this in mind whenever we level up. Whenever we choose new spells, whenever we buy new gear."
I nodded along, enjoying a souped-up hamburger complete with a thick slice of cheese, crisp lettuce, dill pickles, and a generous amount of wonder sauce. "The next time we see him, we're going to be ready. We know just how far we have to grow to stand toe-to-toe with him."
Lowki was munching away on a slab of steak tartare. He shied away when we offered a drop of barbeque to his meal, to which Stella and I wouldn't complain about. "We can do this," Stella said as she sucked her paws clean. "I know we can."
Soon after, with the promise from Stella, that she would wake us before sun up, our company was resting snugly in our cozy room. The single bed, at our request with the innkeeper, was thankfully expansive enough to allow both me and Lowki to rest easy. The muffled sounds of amusement drifted up from the floorboards, guiding me to a tranquil slumber.