Chapter 24 - The Mist

Author’s note: I decided to change the names of the king and queen of Fori kingdom to Theodore Nicholas IV and Cecilia Nicholas. The names of other characters will remain unchanged for now. I will try making up original names for new characters in the future.

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A couple of days passed since we entered this jungle swamp and our group is still traveling through it. I wonder just how large is this place as traveling in it on foot is very unpleasant with all the mud. Not to mention the heat with humidity added.

The elves are leading the way and I notice they won’t cut down the vegetation to make a path. This trip is hardest on Lancer as she is still young and her level is low, so her stamina is not yet good enough.

“Why won’t you guys cut down the plants? So we can travel easier?” –Dasas

The elf Byron gives a disgruntled response with body language indicating he is mad.

“This is why I hate dealing with other races…” –Byron

The female elf Calista appear to be the most level-headed of the group, as she stopped Byron from spouting more racist obscenities.

“Please don’t mind Byron. The reason is we don't want to harm the plants.” –Calista

“No problem.” –Dasas

The damn elves and their tree-hugging ways are making things more difficult for us. Without any mounts this trip will take forever. The elves refuse to travel along the road. Getting mounts from a human settlement is also not an option because of the elves refusing any human contact. I am personally fed up with the situation.

My anger from the battle with the bitch goddess went away since Caster is alive and well. Aside from a wounded pride I would have no problem just dropping this matter. However, I doubt the bitch goddess will just let the matter be settled as she desires a war with me.

We been traveling for seven hours straight as I keep track of time using the clock on my game menu, which is convenient. Lancer is starting to lose her breath and staggering with exhaustion. I proposed we take a break. The elf Byron again makes a fed up expression with something to say.

“You people...” –Byron

“Shut up vermin! Your incessant ranting! Shall I cut out your tongue? –Saber

“Eh?” –Byron

Byron gives an awkward look towards Saber. I guess he is unsure what to make of Saber as she is an elf but gives no leeway to him. I wonder if elves are a close-knit race of people.

“If my master wishes for a break. Then we take one. You worms should shut-up and follow suit.” –Saber

“Yea!! What Saber said!! Little Lancer is tired. Break time!” –Archer

The smug look on Saber’s face and the wide mischievous grin on Archer as they said such things made me almost burst out laughing. We start preparing to settle down a bit for our break so that Lancer can freshen up. I then realize Byron is still staring at Saber in an odd manner. I am not sure what to make of it.

“Very peculiar. Yet interesting.” –Byron

The elf woman Calista proceeds to hit the back of the head of Byron with an exasperated face.

“Is it love? My first time seeing it.” –Calista

“Wah? What do you mean…” –Byron

Byron is getting flustered at what Calista said. I do not want to believe it but is that really the case? I never thought about it before but my NPCs are alive now so that means they can have relationships too. The possibility of them having children is not farfetched either.

However, I do not want Byron to be with Saber. I dislike his attitude and I doubt he will be pleasant company for my NPCs and me. I do want Saber to find happiness in life and if she does ever find that special someone then she will have my blessing.

“I’m not interested in being paired with an insect.” –Saber

It seems Saber shot him down. The shoulder's of Byron droop with a depressed expression emanating from his body. Nice one Saber!

“Ouch...Byron. She is a tough one.” –Calista

“…………….” –Byron

“Hehe. Saber is too good for a weakling like you.” –Archer

“What? I’m the strongest warrior in Elfheim!” –Byron

Byron unsheathed his dagger as the flame of rage is lit in his eyes. This sure escalated fast. I thought elves were better than humans. Ah this Byron fellow is ruining my image of them. I can only look on in disappointment.

“I demand a duel you lowly mongrel!!” –Byron

“Hmph! This stupid bug is still buzzing. Annoying. [Shield Bash]” –Saber

Faster than I could react Saber moves in a blur then raised her shield Aegis to lightly hit Byron’s body. Byron flew a little distance away hitting a tree as blood spurted out of his mouth but he remained conscious. At least he has some strength so I can give him that.

“Go! Go! Go Saber!!” -Archer

Archer is cheering on Saber while waving around her arms in excitement. The other elves start to move into their battle stances but Calista move fast to the front of them.

“Stop it! I apologize on Byron’s behalf. He is usually not like that.” –Calista

Calista is lowering her head in apology and trying to meditate the situation. I raise my hand with a smile on my face to show that I accept.

“Keep that worm of yours in line. Or I will do it for you.” –Saber

“Will do.” -Calista

Saber overreacts too much when our crew is threatened. I need to fix it soon or it will be harder to get allies in the future.

“Strong…beautiful…shining…you’re the one.” –Byron

This elf has not learned his lesson. Will he be alright? Is he a masochist? Maybe he just discovered it just now. I personally have no problem with the fetish of other people as long as they don’t shove it in my face.

The group of elves finally put down their weapons. They all carry bows and daggers while wearing green tight fitting clothes that reveal a lot of skin on their upper body. I see no metal armor at all so I wonder if they are all similar to the ranger job class. In this world the job classes differ from the game. Make sense since this is a different world and not a game.

“So can we take that break now?” –Dasas

“My apologies. Yes we can.” –Calista

A couple of elves move toward Byron to help him up as he is clutching his chest area where Saber hit him. We finally can sit down and relieve our fatigue, for my body is not tired but mentally I am. The most relieved one is Lancer as she can rest finally.

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I decide to change the hairstyle of Lancer now from a ponytail to a twin tail. It makes her look more childish and innocent. If only the black dragon tattoo on her left cheek wasn’t there then it will make enemies let their guards down. Who am I kidding? I just want to see her with twin tails because it is amusing. I need to relieve my stress after all.

While we were resting I start to hear a loud animal call. Curious I got up and went to check it out as it appears to be very close. We usually avoid any dangerous magic beasts thanks to the guidance of the elves, but Archer could pretty much do the same thing.

My crew also got up to follow me as I make way towards the animal call, which seems to be around eighty meters away. Calista and a few of the elves from their group decide to follow us as well. They probably want to keep an eye on us in case we might leave them behind.

I reach a small clearing and notice a pool of mud and a large deer-like animal stuck in it. I realize it is quicksand so I let my crew stay away at a safe distance. The brown deer-like animal with its dangerous looking antlers is making noise as it too exhausted to move. I notice some sort of black mist rising from the deer. Then a pop up message window appears.

Congratulations administrator Dasas. By having the Death authority you are now able to see the shadow of death of those nearing death. The shadow of death of living things can also be manipulated by using the ability Death Mist.

I am surprised after reading the message window as I gained new powers. The ability to see if something is near death is quite unsettling, but I can see the use of it. I want to test out the new ability [Death Mist] so I can learn of its effects.

Suddenly, something blurred out of the trees nearby as it looks to be a strong monster with camouflage capabilities. The monster is a huge centipede-like monster with an exoskeleton resembling the leaves and bark of a tree. It moves fast across the quicksand then it clamp down upon the defenseless deer.

The monster notices our presence and started to make way towards us. Everyone in our group start to ready their battle stances as the monster came and opening its large mandibles. I use [Scan] on the monster.

Swamp crawler - The big eater - Level 34

“The monster isn’t that strong. Saber in front. Lancer, I need you to try and hit the monster at least once if possible. Archer please stand by.” –Dasas

“As you command!!” –Saber

“Okay master. I’ll try.” –Lancer

“Okie dokie boss!” -Archer

My group moves to the front of the elves to prevent them from interfering. I notice a small black ball of mist on the center of the centipede monster's body. I might get an opportunity to try out my new ability.

Saber uses her shield to block the mouth of the monster as the mandible-like pincers are trying to cut her in half. It is a futile effort on the part of the monster. Lancer attacks the monster by repeatedly thrusting her spear but barely do any damage to it.

“Let me see what this can do. [Death Mist]” –Dasas

The small black mist on the monster enlarges as it encases the entire body. Then the giant monster centipede just falls to the ground dead. My new power looks to be an instant death attack of some kind. A useful power if I want to keep the body of the victim intact without any damage I suppose. I feel like a grim reaper. They are the gods of death so maybe I am considered one already.

“What is that attack…” –Calista

There is a horrified look on Calista as she and her elven companions witness my new power.

“I told you. I am a god.” –Dasas

“As expected of my master.” –Saber

Saber gives a triumphant smile with her chest puffed up showing the elves who is boss. I check Lancer and notice she leveled up five levels to seventeen with the defeat of the monster centipede. I smile as Lancer got stronger. I love how there is no experience point penalty in this world if a low level fights with high levels in the same party.

I also realize the pain from when I took on the [Death] authority finally subsided. I start checking my administrator tab on my game menu to see if I got any useful powers unlocked. The options to create divine beasts and the use of worldly teleport are available now.

I immediately open the option for worldly teleport and a world map appears. Most of the world is blurred out except for the areas I have been to or in proximity of. I let out a sigh as the realization I can only warp to places I been to before.

The divine beast option is also available so I open that to see if there are any possible mounts to make our trip go faster and smoother. I scroll down the list with pictures and names and decided on the beast called Qilin. It is the only beast I found to be the closest to horses. The option to create two of them is selected.

Two large balls of light appear in the sky above our heads as it falls onto the ground before us. The balls of light go out and two large figures appear. The two beasts resemble a mix of a dragon and a horse with scales all over their bodies. The hair on the head down to their neck and tails look like flames.

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An example of what the Qilins look like if you want a visual:

http://wiki.rageofbahamut.com/images/f/f4/Qilin2.jpg

I found this picture online so it is not mine. Picture belongs to their respective creators.

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The two Qilins stand at around 240cm tall with one being a red female and the other is a green male. They are huge but the description indicate they are still in their infant stage. It means they are probably much larger once they become adults. Everyone around me stares in awe at the sight of these two Qilins.

“With these the journey to your great forest will be much faster.” -Dasas