Another day, another EXP grind.
'DING!'
[You've leveled up!]
"Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha!"
I've finally did it! After killing more than a five hundred of those stupid squeaking blobs, I finally leveled up!
My blue profile displays the number of Slimes I killed so far today.
[Slimes killed: 1134]
In the process of my Slime hunt, after the one thousand kill mark, I also obtained another interesting title. Rather, it's more of a title advancement.
[Your Slime Hunter Title has changed to Slime Killer.
You deal 20% more damage to Slimes.
When actively looking for Slimes, you are more likely to encounter one. (Chance increased+)
Slimes instinctively feel nervous around you.]
Nice! This'll make hunting Slimes easier, but my pouch is getting heavy with Slime Cores, I think I'll it a day for now. Hopefully there's a magical tool shop selling storage items and whatnot. Given the amount of monsters I'm killing and need to kill in the future, I'm going to need a spacious container to house all the loot and bodies. The important body parts I can cash in at least.
'Kraw!'
"Hmm?" I look at my new pet Raven I gained from the Boon I received from my Patron. It flaps its wings eagerly with its gaze fixating on the Slime core.
When he, I assume it's a he, showed up outside the window, I was hoped he'd be quite useful. Unfortunately, when I try to issue commands such as scouting an area or for it to attack a Slime, it does nothing except fly in circles above my head. Occasionally when it's tired, it'll land on my shoulder for a rest before taking off again.
Didn't the Boon say the Raven will obey my commands? Its behavior during the hunt is extremely contradictory to what's been promised.
[Raven Sentinel gains EXP.]
"Oh! So that's how you level up! Here have some more."
The Raven shakes its head, it uses one wing to gesture at its slightly bulging body.
"Ah, too full I see. Can't blame you, I never had much appetite for breakfast or lunch. Dinners the only time I naturally feel like eating.
At least now I know how you level up. Come on, let's go back to the Guild, I can't carry anymore of these Cores."
With a bulging raven and an even more bulging waist pouch, I head back to the city. Calling it the city seems boring. What is the name of the place anyway? I should ask somebody, but they're most definitely going to find me either suspicious or an absolute idiot.
"Hmm, I got it! Since it's in place called the Frontier, I'll call the city Frontier Ville! What do you think my gluttonous friend?
The raven gives me a hard stare, it droops its head, shaking it from side to side with an air of resignation.
"Oh, come on! I'm only calling it by that name for now."
Speaking of names, I should give this one as well, oh well. I'll put it off for tomorrow, I already used up a
Just like yesterday, the pair of us safely return to the city.
...
Miranda stares at the counter with twitching eyes and a straight face she desperately tries to maintain.
"What the hell is with all these Slime cores!?! Are you trying to wipe out their entire race or something!?!"
"No I'm not, I have a 20x EXP penalty, so I need to kill quite a few monsters."
"You know what, I'm going to ignore what you just said. Killing a thousand Slimes in a day is ridiculous!
Look, just take the goddamn Promotion exam so I don't have to deal with you anymore."
"Nah, I'll kill a few more slimes first."
"BASTARD!"
Yikes! She's mad! If the counter wasn't bolted to the floor, I bet she'd flip it over.
"Get out! Shoo! You're not allowed to take anymore Slime-killing Quests! I've had enough processing the Slime Cores you've given me yesterday! Now I have to deal with another five hundred!"
"But I need money to pay for rent."
"Here! Take this Herb-gathering Quest and get out!"
Miranda roughly rips a piece of paper nailed on the Quest Board, shoving it in my hands before drop-kicking me onto the street.
"Yeowch!" I rub my stinging behind, I might be half-Undead, but that doesn't mean my pain tolerance has increased.
"Oh, and take this!"
I turn around and get hit in the face with a pouch full of coins I earned from today's hunt.
"Double Yeowch!" Rubbing both my face and behind, I walk over to a nearby bench, ignoring the bystanders and spectators who witnessed the comical scene.
With a wince, my butt plops down on the wood planks. Leaning back I tie the pouch of fifty or so silvers around my waist. Then I take a look at the Request.
Request:
Gather Herbs.
Details:
Harvest whatever you think might be a herb. How would I know what a medicinal herb looks like? I'm a receptionist not a herbalist.
Reward:
Depends on what you collect.
Did she make up a Quest to get rid of me? Yeesh, she must be really pissed.
As much as I want to go on another Slime-killing spree, I bet the girl will have a stroke if I bring back another thousand or so Slime Cores. Guess, I'll look into the Herb-picking quest. Herb-picking, Flower-picking. Hee-hee, they sound so similar.
Hmm, now where's a good place for Herb-picking?
My eyes wander toward a local flower vendor's. Seeing the middle-aged man selling flowers gave me an idea.
I get up and head over to the to the stall, with a genial tone, I ask, "Excuse me, sir. If you don't mind me asking, where do you get your flowers from?"
The elderly florist turns around and strokes his beard as he speaks, "My flowers? I don't mind telling you, it's in a meadow close to Fairy Tear River."
"How far is it away from the city?"
"Southwest, the trek's about double the time it takes to walk to the slime-infested forests."
"Thanks. By the way, Fairy Tear river? That's an unusual name. Is there a story behind it?"
The vendor smiled, "Oh, yes! It's quite a touching story with a bittersweet ending. A very old one as well, I remember how my grandmother told me the tale when I was a lad, and her telling me how her own grandfather told her the story when she was a child. Oh, sorry! You must be bored hearing this old man ramble on."
"No, not at all. Please, go on. I would like to hear the story." I truly wasn't bored, I'm partial to a good lore drop every now and then. Especially when it has some tragedy and dark elements. Reminds me of the times I watch online videos about various theories and lore on Mindie horror games.
The vendor laughs, "Ha ha ha! It's rare to see people interested in old folk tales, but nonetheless, I shall tell you the story to the best of my ability.
Long ago, when the city we stand upon has yet to be built, the world was much smaller and a far more dangerous place.
However, there were brave people who stood against the darkness, some of them are the founders of several countries we know today, including our Alanse Kingdom."
Ooooh! Interesting! Didn't know I was in a place called Alanse. This new content update is really cool. I wonder if this is going to be some sort of new server.
I continue listening to the old man's story.
"One of these was the Sir Galot, a brave knight who never hesitated to defend the weak and stand up against evil.
Sir Galot's feats were numerous and well known throughout the land. Listing just half his great deeds will take an hour.
However, the most renowned feat he performed would be the rescue of the Fairy Princess, Diane. A beautiful maiden said to be made from a star, sculpted by the Goddess of Beauty herself. Blessed with the gift of song and arts, loved by her people and the Spirits, and a soul clearer than running water.
Naturally, it is impossible for any man not to covet her. Suitors would flock from all over the world to her castle.
After Galot rescued Diane from captivity, the pair fell madly in love. The famous warrior and gifted mage duo would go on many adventures, until they couldn't. More specifically, Galot couldn't.
Despite all his great battles, there's one enemy he could never beat. Time.
He wished for a glorious death. However, no one could give him this wish, for all the powerful evils who once terrorized the world have been vanquished.
And so, he asked the only one he knew who fit the bill, someone who's been with him on many of his exploits, someone who understands him, willing to fulfill his wish.
The Fairy Princess, Diane.
Understandably, Diane at first refused to kill her beloved, but her love for Galot won over her personal desires.
So in a clear plain under the night skies the pair dueled.
Galot's final battle was intense, mountains were levelled, monsters foolish enough to interfere evaporated into nothingness, clouds parted and the stars shone like stage lights.
Eventually, Galot's age caught up with him. With his muscles no longer as strong, his joints no longer as flexible, and his wits no longer as quick. He finally succumbed to his injuries.
After realizing what she had done, Diane mourned her beloved's death and let loose a flood of tears.
The sadness and sorrow for Galot's death was so great a river formed, stretching from the Marro Mountains to the Great Balta Sea."
"What happened to Diane then?"
"Aye, that's where the story diverges. You see, there are different variations of the ending. In one ending, Diane turns into a statue and forever guards the Fairy Tear River meadows. Another one has her return to her home home country never to be seen again. In a grittier one, Diane kills herself shortly afterwards to be with Galot."
"But what do you think sir?"
"Sir? Please that makes me sound like some pompous noble! Just Oren is fine."
Damn! Insulting a noble so casually! This man has either balls of steel or has some deeper backstory! I really hope it's the latter!
"Well, Mister Oren-"
"Still too formal, lad. Feel free to call me Old Man Oren."
I like this geezer already!
"Well, Old Man Oren, what is your take on the story?"
"Me? I'm just an old man aren't I? If you want my two coppers, I think she's still out there, searching."
"Searching for what?"
"Who knows? Maybe you'll find out yourself."
Ooooh! Very mysterious! I like it! I'm definitely coming back to visit him again!
"Here, I'll buy a bouquet, how much will it cost?"
Old Man Oren gives a knowing smile, "Paying respects to the heroes of old, eh? Consider it on the house. It's fun talking to you, few people have the time to listen to the ravings and fantasies of elders like me. Be sure to drop by again if you want another story. Then again, buying flowers doesn't hurt every now and then."
"You got it."
The elderly florist picks out a colorful combination of flowers, wrapping them up with dexterity and grace akin to a pianist. In mere moments, what had once been an assortment of random flowers transform into a beautiful artwork. With a final tug of the bow to ensure the bouquet doesn't fall apart, Old Man Oren hands his masterpiece to me.
"As much as I'd like to chat with you some more, I feel you're in a bit of a rush. Goodbye for now strange boy with
I jokingly respond, "Goodbye to you to mysterious old man."
The florist chuckles, we bid each other farewell.