Chapter 22 - Qualifying Mission Conditions
Primordial Calendar 097, Summer Season 8, and 23rd day, City: Ravelin, Continent Truven, World Javelin
Thanks to a considerable outcry outside the walls of the area they were staying in, Kenneth and Conroy were alerted that Lancer Oljan wasn't the only one suffering from delusions of an alternate dream life.
However, as they watched Lancer Oljan's transformation before their eyes, they realized how tenuous their existence was within this world.
They both were stunned upon seeing what he looked like as a youth: a lean, powerful man with shoulder-length white hair, dark green eyes with red irises, and tanned skin. They watched him depart with some concern.
"I hope all goes well with him," Kenneth muttered.
"He handled the change better than others if I'm not mistaken." Conroy agreed. "he's not the only one who had to face odd physical changes."
They had also altered tremendously.
As Conroy learned, to his dismay, he now had gray pallor, glowing crystalline silver eyes, and dark gray hair. His wings were permanently attached to his back. He did indeed resemble a winged statue.
On the other hand, Kenneth was no longer reminiscent of a water creature or anything else reptilian. He had the stance of a warrior and looked the part with long brown hair, black eyes, and tanned skin. He also regained his former intelligence and was putting it to good use.
What concerned them both was that neither of them managed to find the author, whom they were sure was somewhere in Ravelin. Despite their aggravation, the sneaky man could not be discovered that easily.
"He's hiding from us right now." Conroy shrugged in defeat.
Kenneth shook his head. "I don't think it's us he fears." He shrugged. "More like those damned app creators." A scowl crossed his face. "I did happen to remember what some of them looked like."
Conroy stared at him in dismay. "Are you saying what I think you are?"
Kenneth shrugged. "Well, I suppose some of them didn't want to miss out on the fun of being a part of history being made." His expression soured. "Though I feel at least three of them aren't here by their personal decision."
Conroy snorted. "Serves them right." He shrugged with a sigh. "Now, we should go about our business as well." They would have to consider all the potential options available to them.
At least now they understood what they could do with their work. A sigh escaped them as Kenneth muttered, "It's a good thing we can work as teammates."
They didn't have to worry about being separated since they weren't a couple in the terms laid down by the plot settings. While that was a good thing on paper, it meant that it would have to be very discreet if they did become intimately involved.
That annoyed Kenneth, but since they weren't even intimate right now, he would have to be especially careful in deepening Conroy's interest later.
For now, they had to focus on succeeding in the qualifying mission. "So, what are the requirements that we have to succeed in first?" Kenneth was puzzled as he looked over the conditions of the mission.
Conroy looked them over before making any rash statements. He and Kenneth had to work on that. The last thing either of them wanted to do was bring failure upon themselves by having said something downright stupid.
Kenneth mumbled, sounding revolted. "...Pick 500 of two types of herbs, kill 7 goblins, bringing back their right ears and left hands..." he broke off with a sigh. "That is only the first two items."
Conroy nodded, feeling completely nauseated. Yet they needed to do this to comply with the mission's conditions for success. "You don't think we're going to need these to fulfill other criteria later as necessary materials?" That's the first thing that came to mind when reading off the list.
Kenneth sighed. "I don't know, but I figure it makes sense when you think about it."
No matter what, they had to do all those things before even thinking about doing the mission itself. "Well, we better head out then." Conroy determined.
They packed their gear. There was no telling if they would return. What they left behind was stuff nobody, unless truly desperate, would steal and attempt to sell, except, again, if they were downright desperate.
*
Once the two settled down and accepted that Hanlon Cozen was in dire straits—just as Gavel and Ferina appeared to be—now that they'd descended to the realm of mortals, they went over what needed to be done to qualify for the mission.
It hadn't taken long to gather everything. At one point, while Hanlon was checking to make sure he had appropriate weapons for his temporary class assignment, he realized the other two had vanished. He shrugged it off, knowing he'd run into them again at the main square.
Sure enough, several hours later, Ferina and Gavel returned having finished their quotas. They were accompanied by none other than Conroy and Kenneth, who seemed less than pleased with the other two. Hanlon found their reaction somewhat baffling. When Gavel and Ferina rejoined, Hanlon inquired, "What happened to make them that annoyed with you two?"
Ferina and Gavel exchanged glances. "Er, we thought they would need help with their herb gathering and fighting the goblins." Ferina shook her head wryly. "Turns out it was us who needed the help."
"Oh really?" Hanlon found that interesting indeed. "So, what else happened?"
"Someone who'd guided them earlier came around in time to stop a hobgoblin from decapitating all of us." Gavel grimaced. "I might've been a good spear master, but that was in the past." He shook his head. "I'm far better with a bow and arrow than a spear or sword."
Well, that was interesting, but it was also worrisome. Hanlon could have been better with those long-edged weapons, too. "I can take on the role of a healer now." He admitted with a sigh. "What about you, Ferina?"
"I can wield a short sword, daggers, and carry shields." Ferina shrugged. "I can become a good tank in a pinch."
So, she was suitable for defense and drawing aggro? That didn't seem right to Hanlon. "We still need swordsmen, mages, and someone who could be a porter." Hanlon tapped his jaw in frustration.
When Ferina and Gavel exchanged glances, Hanlon sighed. "Okay, tell me what is bugging you two." He could tell that there was something on their minds.
"We should form a party with Conroy Malkin, Kenneth Loftin, and Lancer Oljan," Gavel told him bluntly.
Ferina nodded when adding. "There are two others who would make good additions."
It was hard enough with two people, but adding an additional five? That would put their resources in danger of being too little to split between them. "Give me the names of the others." Hanlon would do some research.
"Lancer Shayna and Milo Jackson," Ferina told him. "They're fellow warriors that Lancer Oljan brought with him."
Hmm, that seemed off to Hanlon. He inputted the names and looked to see what came up. A sigh escaped Hanlon. "So, the woman is Lancer Oljan's wife. Milo Jackson," he broke off with a frown. "He's notorious for killing rookie adventurers. Does Oljan know that about him?" It didn't seem like it.
Ferina winced hearing that. "Well, Milo seemed disinclined to join any group." She recalled. "Now I understand more clearly." A frown crossed her face. "Oh well."
Oh, well, indeed. That was a close call as far as Hanlon was concerned. Good thing he'd already managed to obtain everything he'd needed to qualify for the mission.