Chapter 47: The Art of Thrillseeking
So i lied.
I couldn't sit there just listening to the bell. And whoever was ringing the bell made it torture to listen to. Not because it was too loud to the sound was horrible, it was because each ring the bell made, it was different. The volume, the length between rings, and even the pitch of the bell. Idk how you can achieve that but somehow this idiot of a guy managed to. This is just Chinese Water Droplet Torture but with a bell.
I came over to check out what was happening and the closer i got, i could hear the guy on the watchtower alarming the camp "The intruder is a darker-skinned Adret with bright two bright yellow lines through both his eyes and one cutting across his face across his nose". The alarm blared across the valley, which would be almost impossible to not hear. It piques my interest, just a bit, which was a reason more than enough for me to look into this further.
If you haven't realised it already, I'm a bit odd about the reasoning behind my actions. Instead of what normal people do which would be to decide how to act based on a situation that will lead to them trying to predict a sought-out outcome, i decide how "Thrilling" it would be to involve myself. My goal is to hunt down Goldency, the guild that hired the mercenaries to wipe out the village, not because of revenge, but because it would be boring living a peaceful and "forgiving" life. My actions are not fueled with rage, but rather excitement.
There was once recorded a man who was so swift and powerful that he managed to go against hundreds of mercenaries and could go toe to toe with the legendary pathfinder/adventurer, Kazuha Kiryu, The Dragon of the Divers. This man's feats were recognised so much so that the enemies of his faction started to fear his reputation and were later given the title, The Mad Dog of the Summer Company, Garou Majima.
Ever since i heard the story of Majima when i was younger, i always seemed to resonate with the character of this man. It felt like i can relate to him in a way, i can understand his thinking, his reasoning, what he'll do and what he won't. It's almost as if the author took inspiration from him and made my character, Aloysius Kanreshi like Garou Majima...nah that's taking a stretch.
As i inch myself closer to the camp, bit by bit to hear the commotion better, i can hear more and more people scurrying around the base. It seems like they might have found the intruder- Hmm? I had touched something soft and fabric-like, hidden under some bushes. I pull it out to reveal some clothes that look like that of a traveller. Whoever this traveller was had 0 fashion sense. These pants? With this white, thinass t-shirt? Filthy. I lay down the eyesore of clothing and begin sneaking closer to the camp under all the commotion.
While creeping closer, i notice something to my left, behind a tree that was poorly buried. As i reach for the mysterious object, i begin to realise that it was a person! I jump back in shock as to discover a stripped Gremor, possibly dead and poorly hidden behind a tree. What could've happened? Did this intruder impose as a bandit? That could explain why this guy's stripped and unconscious. Are they also responsible for the clothing earlier? But if so, why would they also hide the "clothing" as if they wouldn't want anybody to find the horrendous thing instead of just throwing it off the cliff? That matters later, i have more interesting things to look into.
Chapter 48: Banditle Bididlebandidle (idk)
Drawing closer to the bandit camp, I find myself with a higher heart rate than before. Blood is pumping through my veins faster than the regular Freshie dies at Etris. I'm not sure what it is, but I can feel it coming in the air tonight. Suddenly, there cries a beast's screech, identical to the Sharko incident, if not the exact same one. Fear shivers through my entire body, remembering that night when i almost lost my life, if not for the Khan, Huge Anus.. or maybe his name was Hugh Janus.
Not long after fear comes, thrill follows. Adrenaline surges through every point of my body to the point where i no longer feel anything but excitement.
I can hear stomping and can vaguely see a person, which appears to be an Adret, running around the corner to the front of the camp. What's this idiot trying to do? That doesn't matter now. The overflowing excitement is too much which sends shivers down my spine and I can feel my Ether about to explode, I can't hold it in anymore. In the same feeling and letting out that one cheek-clapping fart that makes the stomach ache go away, the built-up energy was all let out in a gust of wind filled with Ether. Unluckily, this attracted the attention of the Sharko which set it's dotted eyes on me instead of the Adret. After he saw he was no longer in trouble, he made a run for it and ran towards the right side of the valley to an opening and kept going.
Now, I'm fucked, like I wasn't already before. Currently, I've got a fractured shoulder blade and I can't fight a Sharko for shit. What do I do? What can I do?
Chapter 50: Second Encounter
I see a figure of a person no older than 20 yet no younger than 10, running towards the opening towards the cliff then disappearing around the corner. On a more troublesome matter, the Sharko that had marked me as an afternoon snack runs towards me, shaking the ground with each step. It ready its right leg to follow up a devastating kick, but I have already experienced it once and I'm the type that learns from his mistakes. Instead of foolishly attempting to parry the kick like before, I roll towards the right, barely surviving its attack.
Now the stage is mine. The Sharko has explosive power but it takes some time for it to regain its posture. During this time, I use it to my advantage. Though not much can be done by a simple stiletto, it's enough to give a deep cut in its left ankle for it to slightly lose its balance, but not completely. It pulls back its left arm and swings it like a pendulum onto me. Luckily, I'm able to make contact with its long nails with my stiletto and redirect it. Or more so, move myself easier to get out of the way. I'm now in a position where I'm underneath the sharko, between its legs.
Now with the damaged ankle right in front of me, it'll be more than easy to knock this big boy over. I take a deep breath and spread the oxygen throughout my body, into my veins, my lungs, and into every muscle fibre. Unlike before, when I used Gale Lunge to launch my entire body forward in a chaotic gust of wind. I did some theory crafting and thought of how many ways I can exploit that one move. I thought of one that seems viable and so I am using it now in this situation.
In theory, if I had compressed and concentrated all that uncontrollable wind that only pushed me in one direction into one singular point, the end result should be the same as if you were to send all the electricity in your house right now into one singular flashlight that can only let light out in one direction.
And so, as I had thought. The power of the Gale Lunge compressed into a single point seemed to have shattered the entire left foot of the Sharko and even left marks on the solid ground behind it. Bones could be heard crumbling and the flesh looked like it had been fried under the wind pressure. The Sharko fell as it could no longer withstand the pain in its left ankle nor could it even move it anymore. Only just skimming the top of my head, the Sharko created a loud thud as it hit the floor.
Chapter 51: Erisian Bandits
Over at the bandit camp where the Sharko had emerged from, three men were arguing in front of the gate. Their disputes had no relation to each other whatsoever.
"Ugh..Ey..that guy over there looks like he's in trouble, shouldn't you guys help out? That Sharko scream really did a deal on me." Said a youthful Etrean
"..That can come afterwards, and he looks like he's handling it on his own. Instead, we need to go after that Adret, not only has he got valuable information on us but he's also an Adret." Exclaimed a stern-looking Etrean.
"I still can't trust that you're Roy Ytreshi." Said, a shallow-minded Canor "The last guy that said he was Roy Ytreshi tricked us."
In the midst of the arguing between the three amigos, a Vesperian who is skilled in adventuring was trembling in fear. Not because of the Sharko, but because he had thought someone saw him talking to the Adret intruder which would lead to people realising he's not all he says he is.
"Hey, you four idiots," Shouted an egotistical Felinor "Answer me this, have you seen the Adret run around here?"
"Nay, he must've fled in fear of me, Zote the Mighty! Twas a smart choice, fleeing-"
"That so?" Interrupted by the Felinor. She took one glance at the three amigos, and seeing how chaotic the trio is, she decided it wasn't worth her time. The Felinor soon walks off, kicking the dirt in frustration.
Groans could be heard from the side of the camp where the Sharko screech was heard. Lots of bandits were left staggered by the mind-scratching scream. Many were laying down to gather their thoughts again and the luckier ones were only left leaning against something.
What boggles the Vesperian is that the Felinor had no reaction to the scream whatsoever even though Felinors have increased hearing. Even regular bandits who had normal hearing sensitivity fell to the ground after hearing the Sharko's screech, this girl is left unfazed by the whole Sharko situation, she didn't even ask about the Sharko, she asked whether anyone has seen the intruder.
The Vesperian walks past the traumatic trio, still arguing as if their lives depended on it, and watches the short fight between the Voidwalker and the Sharko. The Vesperian recognises the Voidwalker from one of his expeditions not too long ago. The Voidwalker was seen accompanied by another Pathfinder, estimated to be around Power 4 as he was able to neutralise a Sharko easily. The Voidwalker however, is estimated to be around power 2 as he has shown gifts of the Song but cannot beat a Sharko.
That is, until now. The Voidwalker is seen unleashing a strong gust of wind that was capable of pulverising the entire left ankle of the Sharko. The Vesperian had never seen such destructive power in a while that he nearly falls back in awe and some fright.
Chapter 52: A punishing wind
Suddenly, a painful sting has come over me. It was as if someone had used a sacred hammer to repeatedly bash my right shoulder until only fragments remained. Even the slightest movement caused great pain. It was enough to make me fall to my knees and wail in distress. What's going to happen? Will the Sharko eventually get up? Will it use its other leg to attack? I can't fight it anymore, no I can't even defend myself like this.
Just as I was lost in thought as to what was going to happen. The Sharko begins to stand up on its other foot and regain its balance. Fear latches onto my soul as I begin to tremble a little. Is this really the end? Is it curtains for me? This early? Again???
As the Sharko balances lopsided on one foot, it raises its dreadful hands and strikes me down. The power behind the strike was so powerful, I don't even realise where or how I'd been struck. Its other hand begins to rise, and so does my heart rate as if It wasn't already beating the fastest it can go. The second strike swipes me to the left and I topple right into the floor, suffering blood loss and probably multiple fractured ribs.
Maybe this time is different than the last, this time. Nobody will come to save me. So many mysteries from this world are left to be untold.
I try to get back on my legs but the damage i suffered from both swipes pulls me back down. I try again, this time I keep hobbling away, attempting to get away from very death. Though, as expected, it wasn't enough. The Sharko raises it's left foot, the same foot I had damaged severely with my wind, and readys to end my life.
My last thoughts were nothing much. I only had wished to live a long, fun life. Dying at the age of 15 is pathetic, i didn't even make it to 18 years of age where the game is supposed to start.
Whatever, nothing really matters anymore. It's not like plot armour is going to save me this time...
Chapter 54: Second Wind
There used to belong a great serpent of the North. It would dance from cloud to cloud, and shimmer from forest to forest. Mankind would pursue this giant snake in hopes of wisdom. However, mankind was greedy and bit off more than they could chew...
...My waking eyes slowly open as they adjust to the world. My weak eyes view a ceiling. One that I do not recognise. Don't say it...Don't say it, Aloysius.
"...An unfamiliar ceiling" God fucking dammit Aloysius, you really had to say that goofy ass cliche like millions of other characters have said when they wake up in an unfamiliar room.
I tilt my head to the side and try to get a clearer look at the place. It seems like a sickbay or clinic of sorts. Natural light flows in, lighting up the entirety of the area. There looks to be a couple more people in here.
"God...my head still hurts." An Adret complains.
"Well yea dude, you were passed out naked behind some log," Said a somewhat familiar voice. I've heard this guy's voice somewhere but I forgot where. "You were lucky you didn't get toned by the Sharko, like the Etrean over there,"
Wait a minute...Aren't I supposed to be dead? How the hell am I still alive? Wait no this really might be the afterlife. These guys must be the recently dead ones, just like me.
I tried to sit up but was interrupted by the immense pain felt throughout my entire body all at once. It was as if a Sharko had completely messed me up, delivering an attack enough to kill multiple Freshies after an attack. Then violated me by giving my backshots or something. Naw that'd be a bit of a stretch.
But if I felt this type of pain when I'm dead, am I really dead? "Ahh, you're finally awake," Said a guy in the doorway, just like the guy from Skyrim had. I carefully swing my head towards the door, careful not to make a sting. Over in the doorway, there stands a masked man wearing a white uniform. I recognise this uniform. It's that of a bandit captain, I've seen this twice on this island. Once when I got jumped and the second when I met the insane ones.
Uncertainty and anxiousness flow through my body, as I don't know what to do. Jumping to conclusions, this may just be the medical bay at a nearby bandit camp. "You see, you're lucky to be found by the great-"
"What do you bring me here for?" I had interrupted him. "If you're looking for loot to steal, I got none."
"See, why must you say it like we're the bad guys? It's not like we enjoy looting the corpses of youthful pathfinders. In fact, I bet 80% of us are forced to do it in some circumstances. The other 20% might be racists"
"You're point is?"
"Don't judge a book by its cover. Only I can, so you can't. Aye, that stuff doesn't matter anyway. What matters is that you were rescued by the great, Zote the Mighty!" Looks like he can't decide whether to choose 'Great' or 'Mighty' as his title. "You see, Etrean, you've been out for 3 days. Try to recall your latest memories for me, see what you can remember before passing out."
I lay my head and try to remember. It's not like I'd forget that experience anyway. I was fighting a Sharko, then got my shit rocked. "Hmmm, I see I see..." Mote the Zighty says, stroking his imaginary beard. "Do you also recall a great wind or a powerful force of any kind?"
Now that he mentions it..."Yea I do remember trying one of my moves out. But then afterwards that's when it all went downhill."
"Heres how it went," Pote says, walking towards my hospital bed and sitting beside it on a stool. "I have a theory as to why it happened. But i'd like you to tell me how you used that move."
"So you see, basically, I can use what's known as Galebreathe. One Mantra I had made up allows me to push myself across the air, but the energy all comes out in different locations and kinda of wastes a lot. So I thought that if I were to concentrate all that energy into one singular point, then it wouldn't be so wasteful. So that's probably the powerful wind you were talking about."
"...I got it." He says. I look at him with a confused look on my face, telling him that I don't follow. "What you did was equivalent to if you got all of the energy over an entire house and stuffed it inside one singular lightbulb to create an extremely bright light that could illuminate an entire street."
This sounds like the example I used when I tried to explain it.
"What do you think would happen to the lightbulb?"
"It'd... just get really bright?"
"No, stupid. It'd break obviously."
Why didn't I think of that, of course there would be a price to pay.
No wonder why my shoulder hurts like shit. It hurt like shit even before the fight because of some other Sharko a week before the incident.
"So that's what happened to you. I bet your shoulder hurts a lot, no? That's normal. For now, heal up and make yourself at home. This camp kinda owes you one anyway."
...Something's wrong I can feel it...
"How come, what did I do?"
"Well, you scared off the Sharko. After you got knocked out, the Sharko looked like it didn't really wanna do anything anymore so it kinda just pissed off. You practically saved the camp, and we also found one of our comrades because of you. Plus, some new clothes, we don't know whose though..."
Toze finally left after a while. It seems like I made unintentional friends.
I'm quite fond of this bed. Haven't been able to sleep in one of these for a while ever since I came here. Talking about sleeping, I also didn't wake up in the Dream when I was out cold. Instead, I had this wacky dream about a large serpent, rich in wisdom and resides in the North.
The Vesperian also said I was out for 3 days. That's a while. I wonder when that Khan's gonna return, even if he actually comes back. What was his name again? Huge Anus? If I'm counting properly, he should be back tomorrow or tomorrow tomorrow. Will he be able to find me here? Or will he get jumped by bandits trying to find me?