Hello everyone, this message is mainly to apologize for dropping this story. I could say it's because I don't have the time, but that's not true; it's mostly due to the negative comments. Honestly, I'm always surprised by how some authors can overlook negative feedback because, for me, it's honestly difficult.
I'm criticized for my English, and I have no excuse for that. I'm French, and honestly, I try to minimize my mistakes each time for your understanding. Because, honestly, in this story, I have a ton of ideas, but every time, I can't seem to take the leap, telling myself that, anyway, people will criticize my mistakes.
This message is mainly to see if there are still those who would continue to read my story because I will post 10 chapters along with this one. Depending on the number of people who leave a comment on this paragraph, it will tell me if they want me to continue this story or not.
I'm not asking for 80 people to say yes or no, just 2 or 3 people. After that, you can just as easily say the opposite, and I will never be offended.
Anyway, happy reading, and have a great day! :)
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Finishing my discussion with the commander, I headed towards the inn, but not before making a stop at a grocery store because I had given the rest of my food to the little girl. I needed to restock. So, I went to a grocery store, picking up some dried meat, because during my monster hunt, I wouldn't know how long it would take just to find the monster.
When I arrived at the inn, the atmosphere was much more festive, even though the monster was terrorizing the town. After all, a good beer to chase away negative thoughts is always welcome. I looked around until I saw Jaskier gesturing for me to join him. I moved towards Jaskier and sat down in front of him. The innkeeper brought me a drink, likely ordered by Jaskier.
"I thought you had forgotten me."
"No, I just went to get the contract and find out the bounty."
"Money and witchers, that's like oil and water. So, when are we heading there?"
"Are you sure you want to come? According to the commander's information, the monster is probably more dangerous than I thought."
"Of course, I need to watch over you for Geralt, and besides, I feel like I'll get inspiration for a new poem."
"Alright, let's go."
We stood up, but Jaskier first put down five crowns before we headed towards the inn's door and then towards the town's entrance. Upon arriving at the entrance, I looked at Jaskier.
"Show me where the attack took place."
"Alright, follow me."
We headed towards a sort of plain where a path stood out, likely where the townsfolk would go for a walk. This path was between a beach and a forest.
"The fights took place on the beach."
"Alright, but first, here."
I took my bag and pulled out some bombs tied to a rope.
"Jaskier, have you ever used a sling?"
"Yes, when I was young and handsome."
"Just 'yes' would have sufficed. The bomb is for support in case, during my fight, you need to throw them to create an opening for me."
"Don't worry, I'll support you perfectly."
I headed towards the beach. Upon arriving, we could still see the traces of the fights with the turned-up sand and craters created by a colossal force. Squatting down towards a footprint, I saw it was large, very large. It was as wide as a cart wheel and as long as a lance, showing that I should indeed expect a tough fight.
But I thought of something: making an ogroid oil. As its name suggests, it's an effective oil against giants or cyclops. Though this is pure speculation on my part, I think I will make this oil and hope it works. Getting up, I looked at the calm sea, but focusing a bit more, I saw the sea hitting a sort of stone tablet. Moving towards it, I picked it up despite its considerable weight and placed it heavily on the sand.
Jaskier dusted off the stone tablet before looking at me and saying:
"There are things written on it, but I don't understand any of it."
"Let me see."
"I don't think you'll manage. I believe it's in Elvish. At least, it looks like it."
Looking at the stone tablet, I saw that indeed, due to the seawater, the stone and its writing had slightly faded. As Jaskier had said, I didn't understand any of it. But without warning, the words I didn't understand started to move, eventually forming words I could read.
"Did you see that?"
"What's up? I still see the same incomprehensible words."
So only I can see it? Is this due to my strange power again? I should test it later.
"I can read it."
"What?! What does it say then?"
"Here lies one of the most dangerous pirates in the world. Rape, murders, and pillaging were his main crimes. Punished according to ancient texts to become a sea monster, losing his rationality over the years to become the monster he was destined to be, judged by Vesarys, an Elvish mage."
"Wow, what a story! But I don't get it... Anyway, I'm going to set up camp."
Jaskier left me alone here, and I was deep in thought. Is it a coincidence that the place where the monster emerged also had a stone tablet explaining that a curse and judgment took place here? That's why my instinct is one of the most important things, because right now it's screaming at me that it's not a coincidence.
Getting up, I headed towards Jaskier, who had finished setting up camp.
"What's the plan now?"
"Wait until night to see if the monster comes."
"Alright, let me play to pass the time."
"Oh God..." Sighing in dismay, I listened to Jaskier's songs until nightfall.
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A noise of something emerging from the water could be heard. Turning my gaze towards the sea, I saw a gigantic monster emerge.
With a shark's head, the height of a giant, equipped with a trident and leather greaves, this monster looked at me with a killing intent that would make even the strongest warriors pale, with blood-filled teeth dripping.
Standing up, I woke Jaskier, who was surprised by the monster and trembling with fear.
"Jaskier, stay here. I'll handle this."
"Wait..."
Ignoring Jaskier, I drew my sword. Perhaps sensing the start of the fight, the monster roared, and the cries and howls of wolves and sirens echoed. But there was no time to worry about that, as the monster rushed at a speed not befitting its size. Dodging just in time, I swung my sword at its tendons. Roaring in pain, it swung its arm towards me, forcing me to create some distance.
As I backed away, I noticed its wound had already healed.
"Great, regeneration and a call for help."
Then followed swings of its lance and stomps that created pits, forcing me to be careful not to fall into them. As the dodging and attacking continued, I put up an ice wall separating the monster and me because I sensed a siren rushing at me from the right. Dodging, I grabbed her by the back with my hand, slamming her to the ground before delivering the final blow. But no time to rest, as the ice wall shattered before the monster.
The cycle continued: dodge, attack, ice wall. But perhaps due to the prolonged fight, I had a moment of inattention, causing me not to react quickly enough to an attack from a wolf. Preparing to grit my teeth against the impending pain, no pain arrived.
"Bang! Bang! Bang!"
"Ahah... Aiden... I've got your back."
An exhausted Jaskier had crushed the wolf's skull with his lute, now broken. But with no time to thank him, the monster rushed at me in a black rage, probably because its minions were dead, making the fight easier even though I was much more exhausted from the relentless attacks.
"Jaskier, throw the bombs!"
"Yes!"
Swinging thanks to the rope, the bomb landed on the monster's face, which roared in pain. Taking advantage of this, I cast Igni and Aard simultaneously, creating a fire blast directly on the monster.
Waiting for the smoke to clear, I didn't react in time to the punch hitting my chest, launching me several meters away, and Quen took most of the damage.
"Aiden!"
Coughing up blood, I knew I had broken bones. But drinking a swallow, I got up before seeing the monster, burned with multiple wounds that weren't regenerating. Smiling at my plan that had worked, as I had hypothesized the monster might have regeneration, I had prepared a special bomb that stopped regeneration. It was used against lesser vampires or werewolves.
Rushing towards me, it was much weaker due to the injuries but still dangerous. Dodging like in "Matrix" against bullets, I threw ice crystals directly into its eyes, making it back off and roar in pain. Knowing it was in a bad position, it swung its trident wildly. I rushed at it, casting the Axii sign, stopping it for two seconds, which allowed me to strike at its openings. Climbing onto its back, I swung my sword at its head to cut it off. It didn't come off immediately, and sensing its end, it tried to grab me. But putting my remaining strength into the blow, I finally severed the monster's head, which fell shortly after.
Collapsing next to the corpse, I couldn't help but smile.
"Contract completed."
Jaskier, approaching me tired, sat down beside me and said while trying to catch his breath, "I forgot how enduring you witchers are."
I replied to him, still lying on the ground, "Maybe that's why Geralt has so much success with the ladies."
Jaskier looked at me with an annoyed yet comical expression, "You and Geralt always seem to think with your lower heads."
I returned his gaze with a comical look, "Pretty contradictory, Jaskier, especially with your numerous conquests."
Jaskier stood up, raised his hands to the sky, and said, "It's not me who attracts these ladies, but these ladies who draw me to them. And you know I'm such a gentleman that I can't refuse such an offer."
Jaskier turned around and said dramatically, "Aiden, do you understand me? I sacrifice myself for all the gentlemen to please these ladies."
Rolling my eyes, I said, "Yes, yes, sure. For now, let me rest."
Jaskier looked at me and began to move toward the camp with a smile on his lips, saying as he left, "I'm going to get you the canteen and sing you a song to keep you company while you rest."
"You didn't forget that your lute is broken, did you?"
Jaskier froze in his movement, fell to his knees while looking up, and said dramatically, "Why so much despair in this life?"