Chapter 25

“Do you really think this is alright?” Nyle asked as we left the Farmers behind. Ryker had kept two of the parties with him around the farmers, and sent the other two, mine and one other, to go hunt monsters. He told us to head back in two hours to check in, but otherwise only told us to make sure we didn’t die.

“I mean, the job is to keep the Farmer’s safe.” I said as we walked away from the field full of cows…which where still a massive point of shame for me, toward the forest. “And the more monsters we kill, the less likely any are to make it towards the farmers, right?”

“I suppose.” Lyn had her bow drawn, a quiver at her side. She’d apparently had to rent the arrows as well, at one copper per quiver of twenty. “It just seems unfair.”

“Beats having to deal with Hans and Lan.” Nyle said cheerily. He was practically skipping as he took in our surroundings. His face was one of pure joy as he looked all about, head on a swivel, at every sound and sight.

“You’re right in that regard.” Lyn said with a nod. “They were vile weren’t they.”

“Ryker said they’re washouts.” I said as we continued our trek. I’d been so nervous my first time, but with a party, and having already faced the goblins of the first floor, I felt almost relaxed. It was nice. “Said they don’t even try to climb anymore.”

“Doesn’t give them a reason to act how they were.” Lyn replied. “I cannot wait to be strong enough to stand up to them like Ryker,” she glanced back even though we were far enough into the woods now that the farmers couldn’t be seen. “He really is something, huh?”

“He’s great.” I confirmed. “He was a great mentor, and apparently, he’s already Rank C. Can you believe that?” I scanned the woods, looking for any signs of goblins. “He even took today off so he could help us out, so we need to make sure we take full advantage of it.”

“Are you sure the forest was the right way to go?” Nyle asked, even though his face said he was perfectly happy taking in all the new scenery. “Wouldn’t it be easier to find monsters in the open fields?”

“Probably,” I admitted, “but during the Reaping I only ran into goblins in the woods.” I looked at the trees noting the occasional mushroom here and there. “Found one harvesting mushrooms,” I pointed with my dagger, “and another had been hunting a rabbit.”

“I found wolves in the forest too.” Lyn confirmed. “A pack of them were near a cave I’d come across. I didn’t fight them though. Just snuck past by climbing some trees.” She motioned upwards at the white barked trees, pointing with her bow towards the branches. “You have to be careful though. The branches will break if you put too much weight on them.”

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I laughed before I could stop myself, catching an angry look from Nyle in the process. Lyn looked back at me.

“Did I say something funny?” She asked, then she looked at Nyle, and it clicked. “Oh, you’re the one who fell from the tree and died right away, aren’t you.”

I laughed even harder, and Nyle punched me playfully in the stomach. “I’m sorry,” I gasped trying to control myself, “you know its kind of funny though.”

“You think so huh?” Nyle said, though he was smiling now too. “If you think that’s funny Lyn,” an evil look crossed his face, “you should ask Ash here about his battle with the Cow.” I stopped laughing instantly. “From how he told it, things got really out of hand.” Nyle erupted in laughter, and Lyn looked from my laughing friend to me.

I shook my head, “it’s not an interesting story, I swear.” I said, shaking my head. “Let’s just focus on finding some monsters so we can level up.”

“No no,” Nyle said, pausing to catch his breath. “I really think you should tell her. Though, if you don’t want to, didn’t you mention there was a stream around here? I just know you’ve got fond memories of that.”

I gritted my teeth and glared at Nyle. He just gave me a ‘you deserve it’ look, and continued smiling. Lyn had a smile on her face as well. In the dim light of the forest, her silver hair looked grey, and her eyes seemed a darker shade of blue than out in the light of the Tower. It made her look older, more mature.

“Actually,” I thought for a moment, “heading to the stream is probably not a bad idea. There are some caves on the map near it, we may be able to find some monsters nearby. And you have to taste the water man,” I added, licking my lips as I remembered the crisp, refreshing taste. I was looking forward to drinking from the stream once again. “Though I don’t think we need to share any more stories from yesterday’s climb. I think we can all admit, things didn’t go how any of us expected.”

We all nodded, and I had no doubt Lyn had parts of her climb she wasn’t keen to tell anyone either. Considering how large these floors were, how filled they were with new and unique things we’d never experienced before; it was practically a given.

“Ah, yous sure about that?” A voice said, and a shimmering massive moved away from a tree to our right. As we all watched, frozen in place, specks of light faded away, and a figure appeared. A figure I recognized immediately. “I was having so much fun listin to yous bond. Though, lil missy,” Hans, the Axe Wielder, looked Lyn up and down as he licked his lips. “Yous should learn not to run your mouth about those stronger en ya. If word got back ta the rest of the gang, well,” he leered, “I’ll let your imagine just play with that thought.”

I tensed and glanced about, looking for the others. Nyle had his rapier raised, and Lyn had an arrow knocked in her bow, as we all stood face to face with the washout.

“No need to look for the others,” Hans said as he drew his axe. “Theys a bunch o cowards. Didn want ta mess with Ryker’s little fledglings.” He slapped the wooden shaft against his palm, the sound echoing over us. He spread his legs, taking up a fighting stance, as he licked his lips hungrily. “But even if he gets mad at me,” Hans said, his eyes narrowing towards me, “ain’t much he can do. I heard em say it imself. After today, he’s back to climbing. Meanin as long as I kills you here and now, and get away before he finds out,” he shrugged his muscled shoulders, “he won’t even know till its too late. He’ll assume it was wolves or sometin, and yous little free leveling day will have been ended before it could even start.”

He shifted his weight, licking his lips as he looked at the three of us. “Now’en, any volunteers on which of yous I kill first?” His axe started to glow with a red light, as his muscles seemed to bulge, “or better yet, hows about I kill all yous with a single blow?”