The three of us decided to leave the camp as it is no longer safe to stay there, especially with how Eric tear off part of the forest and the leader sent hawk message towards his possible allies.
Before we leave though, we took his equipments just in cases. We weren't able to loot the other gears because they're shredded to pieces. Based on the runes written on them, his armored gloves has minor magic enchantment, his light metal armor has minor increase endurance and durability, and his boots has minor increases in agility. And since Eric's knight armor has more enchantment, he didn't need it.
....yeah, it was very obvious which one of us gets which items.
After equipping the boots, I feel my body is far lighter than before. It wasn't much but a little percentage is enough to made a differences. If I recall, minor increases are around +1% - +5%, or +5 - +10 stats points. If the enchantment only writes 'increases', it means that the stats bump are around +6% - +10%, or +20 - +35. And if it's major increases, it'll be around +20% - +30% or 50 - 100 stats increases.
It maybe sounds crazy, but average lvl 50 players have total stats points of 600. So, those stats bump were not as much as you think it'll be.
"Okay.....I think I'm not the...only one who thinks....that we need to do.....something about it, right?" I cough at the end, curses at my sore throat.
"Indeed, those bounty hunters have grown bolder." Eric said as I sweatdrop.
"They have every right....to be bold....there's only two of us.....by her side....and let's not forget.....I'm a mere Kobold....." I said as Eric grunts.
"They're too stupid to underestimate you." Eric mutters.
"Thanks for the flattery.....but it's a stereotype...to everyone....believing Kobolds are weak." I grunt, rubbing my neck. "Besides....no one knows about me....until now....."
"....fair point." Eric replied.
"So, what are your suggestions, Darren?" I look at Liza before humming.
"We might need.....to infiltrate their place...." I said before pulling out a notebook, the one I found on the guy's pocket, with a pen attach to it. I didn't try to open it though. "I....found a book.....possibly written by the man...maybe there's an information....." I give it to Liza and she's read it before her face made a deadpan expression.
"Who's an idiot dumb enough to wrote down a diary detailing about their mission!?" I stare blankly at her, completely dumbfounded. Of all things I expecr from the book, I didn't expect a diary of all things.
Then again, in a world similar to typical RPG games, there's a chance that enemies dropped a diary of all things after defeating/killing them, so I should at least expect this bullshit.
...killing.....I am still conflicted by that moment.....I stab a human enemy without batting an eye....just like what I did few days ago.....
Why can't I feel a thing?! Why am I so indifferent!? I feel nothing! No regret, no sadness, no fear, only indifferent! And why did the thoughts only start to occur now!? Why not back then!? Back when I was killing that man!?
Did....did I slowly turn into a real Kobold? A monster who shows no remorse on killing? Will I even slowly become joyful at the thoughts of killing?
Why.....why am I not reacting at all?
".....ren.....Darren. Darren!" I snapped out of my thoughts as I look at Liza and Eric who give a worried look. "Are you okay?" I continue to look at them before rubbing my furry arm.
"I'm fine...." I mutter.
"No, you're not. You don't act like you're out of breath and nervous out of nowhere." Eric points out.
".....If I tell you.....it'll sound like...I place my burden....on you all...." I admits.
"That'll be true...." Okay, not expecting Eric of all people to agree, given how he act. "....only if they're strangers. You help both of us twice despite the fact that it's unnecessary for you. So, hearing your troubles won't be a problem for both Miss Elizabeth and I."
"Ooh, to think you start to speak on my behalf now." Liza said in a teasing manner to Eric.
"Let's be honest, you'll exactly says the same thing." Eric huffed. "I know you since you're a child, Miss Elizabeth, and I've follow through your antics for a long time."
"True, true. But, I wasn't expect you to do that." Liza said while grinning.
"I simply try to reassure Darren." Eric said as Liza narrows her eyes.
"Oh, drop the honorifics, huh?" Eric widen his eyes in realization as he stammers. I can't help but snort at the moment, getting their attention.
"Good, you're feeling better." I blink as Liza winked while sticking her tongue out. "Feel comfortable now?" I stare at her with a deadpan expression.
"Maybe next time....don't ask people that...It'll prove you're....a schemer.....and a manipulator." I said as Eric snorted.
"She's the heir to the throne. Scheming and manipulations are somethimg that was taught to face the kingdom's polictics." Eric said. Well, that'll explain why people hate politicians. I simply sigh at them.
"I.....I've been thinking..." I mutter while starting to rub the fur on my head. "I...it's been bothering me...how I didn't feel.....anything about killing...."
"....you do?" Liza looks surprised, which id din't blame her. I am a monster and monster always have an instinct that told them to kill anything and grow stronger.
"I....never like killing....in fact, I kill.....because of survival....." Flashes of monster getting murdered by my paws while getting injured plays in my mind. "...I never felt this way....because they're monsters.....but, when I did...to humans.....I feel nothing too.....and it worries me...."
"Why did you start feeling this way?" Eric asked as I look at him before sighing and turn towards Liza. No going back now.
"Liza.....I need you to.....use memory reading spell....on me." Liza looks surprised.
"H-how did you know...such spell exist?" Liza asked.
"Read mine.....then you'll understand....." I said as Liza looks nervous before magic circles appears on her arm as she touches my forehead. I felt a foreign thing crept into my mind but I ignore it, knowing that it's Liza's spell at work.
Liza suddenly gasp before taking a step back, her hand shaking. I look at her as she looks back.
"You're....an otherworlder? And was a human?" I look at her before nodding. Eric looks surprised as well.
"Yeah...." I mutter. "Been stuck here for...a year.....sorry for lying...."
"....I lied about my reasons to go on an adventure as well." Liza said, catching me off guard. "I never like my position, being the kingdom's princess. I lied to my parents about getting a peace treaty so I can escape my responsibility."
".....what does this.....have to do....with my lies?" I asked.
"It means that I did lie too. You have your secrets and I have mine as well, no matter how big or small it was. I don't blame you for not telling us..." Liza said while looking shy. "But....thanks for trusting us with the information. Your secret is safe with me." Liza then turn towards Eric.
"...I lied to Liza about her magic spell book being missing. I hid it so she won't destroy the castle, unintentionally or not." I burst out laughing as Liza's face flushed in anger and embarrassment. "So, you don't have to worry. I did lie as well."
"You jerk!!!" Liza starts hititng Eric on his armor as Eric simply chuckles. I'll be honest, I wasn't expecting their reactions to be this.
"So.....what is this game that is similar to this world?" I stiffen before I felt cold sweats escaping my body.
Welp, I guess it's more complicated than that.....
To be continued