Ch 44 Life Forger's Revelation
**NecroViper**
- Level 5 Swordsman
Necro couldn't help but feel a sense of belonging as he saw his name and class.
Fritz leaned back, his eyes focused on the forest that stretched endlessly around them. The rhythmic footsteps of their unique mounts provided an almost soothing backdrop to their conversation.
"It's quite strange, you know. When someone here turns 15, they touch the mana checker stone and choose a definitive name for themselves."
Necro, a touch of unease in his expression, inquired, "Why do you find that strange?"
"Well, let me put it this way. A name usually reflects a person's heritage, influenced by both their parents. Yours, on the other hand, seems like you randomly combined two monster names together."
A bead of sweat formed on Necro's forehead, and he thought to himself, "This guy is sharp. I need to be cautious with my lies and stick as closely to the truth as I can until I learn more about this world."
Fritz, sensing the discomfort, broke the silence that had settled between them.
"Anyway, let's not dwell on it. We're almost at the dwarven fortress."
Necro, eager for more information, asked, "Does the fortress have a name?"
Fritz nodded, his eyes scanning their surroundings.
"Indeed, it's called Granitepeak."
An awkward silence lingered, and Fritz couldn't help but address the tension.
"Listen, if you have more questions or need help understanding this world, don't hesitate to ask. No memories can make things quite challenging, especially in a place as perilous as this."
Necro: "You mentioned you're a medic?"
Fritz, a hint of pride in his voice, responded, "Yep, that's right. I have a friend who's quite the alchemist. I purchase alchemical supplies from him and, in turn, offer medical services in various villages."
Necro, curious, inquired further, "But don't you folks have healing magic around here?"
Fritz acknowledged, "Indeed, we do have healing magic, but it's not a one-size-fits-all solution. Some ailments don't respond well to magic. Take cancer, for example. Healing spells might worsen the situation. That's where a medic comes in, to diagnose the issue and apply the right treatment."
Necro, baffled, asked, "And how exactly do you treat cancer?"
Fritz explained, "For creatures of a vermin kind, we use a restoration potion to slow its progression, then follow up with deworming potions. We also advise the patient to cut out sugar entirely from their diet and get more sunlight."
Necro was taken aback, his thoughts echoing with "What the fudge."
Necro probed further, "People still die from cancer?"
Fritz responded matter-of-factly, "Only if they choose to. It's entirely treatable. Some folks, though, are more afraid of monsters than anything else. They'd rather meet their end in any other way."
Necro, now intrigued, questioned, "Monsters are that dangerous?"
Fritz nodded solemnly, "Yes, some are. Goblins, for instance, can be quite cunning. In the past century, our numbers grew, and those little rascals figured out new ways to be a nuisance."
As they rode, the once-dense forest began to thin out, and Necro seized the opportunity to dig deeper.
Necro: "Wait, what do you mean by 'those little bastards learned a way to circumvent that'?"
Fritz, seemingly caught off guard, hesitated before replying, "Well, how do I put it... LOOK, WE'VE ARRIVED!"
Necro, sensing a potential red flag, was determined not to let the topic slide so easily. He pushed further, realizing that this might be a pivotal moment in his quest for understanding.
Necro: "What do you mean? How do they circumvent it?"
Fritz cleared his throat and explained, "Well, some goblins specialize in stealth. They kidnap children, then raise them as their own. It's a way for them to acquire a race-unique ability."
Necro was intrigued, "Race-unique abilities?"
Fritz nodded, "Yes. When different races interbred, it resulted in various unique abilities. But goblins, you see, are quite warlike. They use kidnapped males for slave labor and females for breeding."
As they approached the fortress, Fritz grew increasingly tense. He urged Necro to dismount, emphasizing the need to appear non-threatening.
Once they dismounted, Fritz tossed two white balls, one at the pegasus and the other at the Tyrannosaurus Rex, saying something under his breath.
Necro, still captivated by the sight of the mysterious fortress, was momentarily distracted.
Fritz, growing impatient, reminded him, "You need to store your beasts."
Necro, puzzled, responded, "Store them? How? Why?"
Fritz inquired, "How did you acquire this slime and wolf? Were they with you when you lost your memories?"
Necro lied, "I don't know. They were just there with me when I woke up."
Fritz sighed, "That explains how you survived, but for now, open your palm and say 'storage.'"
Necro does that and the system says to him: "incompatible job, do you mean absorb?" In his mind, he thinks: "Absorb wolf and slime". In an instant, both the wolf and slime turned into blue smoke and were absorbed into his body.
Fritz, witnessing this strange occurrence, was baffled and concerned. He asked, "Mate, what did you just do? They turned into smoke and went into your body. This isn't a beast-tamer ability. What is it?"
Necro, deciding to be open about it based on Lyra's information and keeping his teleportation ability ready just in case, replied, "It's a life forger ability."
Fritz was flabbergasted and concerned as he stammered, "Life forger? Are you serious?"
Necro, unafraid, nodded and said, "Yes. Is there a problem?"
Fritz explained, "Not with me, but it's not well received among the dwarves. They can be quite...racist."
Necro was puzzled, "What does life forger have to do with race?"
Fritz sighed and said, "Well, you don't know it because you don't have your memories, but it's the unique ability of the demon race."
Necro's eyes widened in shock, and he exclaimed, "What the fudge!!!!!!"