Chương 1096: [1031] - Y05.031 - Newcomers VI

'He is holding back,' Jarot thought, watching the fight intently, wondering if he was also that embarrassing when he was young. He decided against looking at either Gangak and Otkan, who would probably tease him about it. He was fairly certain Bael was one of those. However, he didn't step forward because Bael didn't seem to want to kill Adam, just fight. For now. Also, because his grandson hadn't done that yet. Onward Soar: 1 -> 0 Attack: Phantom (Advantage) D20 + 10 = 12 (2) D20 + 10 = 26 (16) Hit!

Phantom: 1 -> 0 Mana: 23 -> 22 Ability: Divine Smite 2D6 + 3D6 + 2D6 + 9 = 33 (7)(8)(9) 33 damage! Attack: Phantom (Advantage) D20 + 10 = 19 (9) D20 + 10 = 30 (20) Critical Hit! Mana: 22 -> 21 Phantom: 0 -> 1 Phantom: 1 -> 0 Mana: 21 -> 20 Ability: Divine Smite 4D6 + 6D6 + 4D6 + 9 = 66 (16)(25)(16) 66 damage! As Bael wound up his fist, ready to punch that puthral armour, Adam flexed his muscles, forcing himself forward, as Phantom flashed white hot and dark with its innate strength.

Even though he was desperate to win, the half elf held back, taking Crowseer's warning to heart.

"I shouldn't have-," Bael said, feeling the magic pour into his body, through his flesh and bones, piercing into his mind. He punched Adam with terrifying force, but as he stepped forward, he missed Adam's head, the half elf noting a crackle tickling his ear, before the stranger slammed against him, finally slumping within his arms. Victory! XP Gained: +500 XP: 25 000 -> 25 500'Phew,' Adam thought as he held Bael, the fellow heavier than he expected.

'Hey, Bell, you should have shared the XP with everyone.' [I did.]'Nice!' Adam thought.

'Oh. So this guy is really strong? I'm glad I went first then.' Lay on Hands: 35 -> 34 Adam's magic gently healed the young man, who jolted awake, ready to fight. His body remained frozen, and since no one had come to attack him, he relaxed.

"The old man was right, I shouldn't let down my guard."

"Are you making excuses already?"

"Me, the great Bael, make excuses?" Bael chuckled, hopping onto his feet.

"You don't have to worry about me keeping my word."

"I got the raw end of the deal, but I guess an extra hand to clean up the toilets, or to fetch the dirty laundry, is still useful," Adam joked. He was pretty sure he heard a snap right beside his ear, which could have come from only a particularly vicious punch, or magic that was ready to burst, but had no chance to thanks to him knocking Bael out too quickly.

"I heard your abilities were strange, but I didn't understand how. Now I know." Bael eyed up the others nearby, from the Iyrmen to the villagers.

"Hey, where are those drinks I ordered?"

"Drinking on the job?" Adam teased.

"I already paid for them."

"So, how do you know about me?" Bael glanced around, his eyes crossing the figures around, before his eyes fell to the sky.

"Just this person and that person."

"I thought you'd tell me."

"You're too weak for me to tell you right now."

"Didn't I beat you up?"

"In this land, I'm strong, but in other lands, there are those who could kill me with a sneeze."

'Who is this guy?' Adam frowned, unsure of whether he accepted a gift or a poison. Once the drinks arrived, Bael offered to pour some for those around him.

"Since I'm working, I can't drink too much." Mork accepted a drink from the fellow, still eyeing him up suspiciously. He sipped the drink slowly.

"Are you from the Far East?" Enjoying the story? Show your support by reading it on the official site.

"I'm from far away," Bael replied, sipping more of his drink.

"I travelled westward for a short while and arrived here."

"Are you trying to sound suspicious?" Adam asked.

"Everyone has their secrets." Bael smirked slightly, sipping the grain wine slowly.

"I'm just a fellow making my way across the lands, looking for good fights."

"Why?"

"That's what my hero did."

"Who is that?"

"It's not heroic to say their name."

"You should pay your dues."

"Once I'm worthy."

"Alright, sure," Adam said.

'I guess he's another Bilal then?'

"Do you have anyone hunting you?"

"I don't… I'm not sure?" Bael recalled a particular figure.

"I doubt it, since he hasn't come to kill me. He probably got himself killed by going after someone he shouldn't have."

'Seriously, what am I doing to do with this guy?'

"Well, if you're looking for good fights, you've come to the right place. We ended up facing Vandra pretty quickly, then we killed some other blue dragon, and that was within a year of making our group."

"Vandra?"

"Yeah, Vandra."

"Who?"

"She was a dragon, a white one, and we ended up killing her."

"Young?"

"No, she was fully mature, Adult White Dragon, right?" Adam asked, and Jurot nodded, ignoring the fact that Bael seemingly didn't know someone as well known as Vandra.

"That is impressive!"

"A few days ago we had some monster appear."

"Who?"

"Starsword."

"Starsword?" Bael asked, raising his brows in surprise.

"Starsword, really?"

"Yeah."

"The Third Guardian Star?"

"That's the one."

"When?" Bael sat up taller, his eyes like that of an Iyrman wishing to hunt.

"A couple of days ago."

"He must still be…" Bael's excitement quickly faded, and the young man relaxed.

"I'll let him go this time."

"You'll get utterly crushed."

"I know."

"So why would you fight him?"

"I don't care if I win or lose, I just want to fight."

"What if you end up dying?"

"Then I end up dying, and that's how far my story goes?" Bael winked towards Jurot, chuckling lightly.

'This guy's crazier than me,' Adam thought, wondering if he had made a mistake.

"How is the Iyr? I heard that you closed your gates recently."

"It is fine," Jurot replied simply.

"That's good." Bael said no more, instead returning to his memories as he sipped away at the grain wine.

'This is weird, even for me.'

'He does not know of Vandra, but knows of our reputation,' Jarot thought.

'He must be from the Higher Realm?'

"What are you all doing in this village?" Bael asked.

"We're protecting it, to assist the Iyr, though we'll be heading back tomorrow."

"What fortunate timing."

'Should we really bring this guy back?'

"How do you know of the Iyr?" Jurot asked.

"The old man used to tell me stories about the Iyr."

"The old man?"

"My great grandfather."

"Oh yeah? What did he say?"

"He spoke of it highly, and told me that even he couldn't cause trouble there."

"Is your great grandfather a big shot?"

"A big what?"

"Sorry, I mean, is he important?"

"Of course, he's my great grandfather," Bael said, smiling warmly, closing his eyes as he thought of his memories with his great grandfather.

"Unlike my father, who lucked his way into great fortune, my great grandfather earned his title."

'This guy is definitely some kind of noble drakken, or half dragon, or dragon?' Adam thought, reaching up to rub his forehead.

'At least he's not stupid, and he respects the Iyr, unless it's some kind of act? I can't really read him.' Due to Bael's appearance, Gangak decided to escort the group back to the Iyr, taking the carriages, with Jurot and Adam sitting opposite Gangak and Bael.

'So this is the business?' Bael thought, his eyes falling across the walls.

'Is this meant to be an impressive fortress?' Adam inhaled deeply, still trying to figure out what he was going to tell his wife. He reached up to rub his pulsing forehead, before glancing to the side.

"Hey, Nobby."

"Executive Adam."

"Where's the Mister Boss title?"

"I have to show respect," Nobby replied simply, while Merl rubbed his arm gently.

'How dare you flirt in front of me!' Adam thought, inhaling deeply. As the fort entered his sight and mind, he turned his back towards it.

"Where's Merry?" Merry sat up, sucking his hand, and when he noticed his mother, the boy smiled. He stopped smiling when Adam appeared, and as the half elf reached down for the boy, he paused.

'Hold on. Is this weird?'

"He is growing well," Jurot said, seeing how big the boy had become.

"Yeah. I was a little worried, since he was born a little early, but I'm glad to see he's alright," Adam stated.

"If, uh, he needs anything, let me know."

"We will," Merl assured, while Adam stood there awkwardly, though she noted how Adam lost himself to his thoughts for a moment.

'Don't worry, Merry. I'll make sure you grow up healthy and well, alright? I'll make sure your old man becomes a Paragon too.' The business' gates opened to welcome the carriages, and then…

'Eh?' Adam thought, stepping out of the carriage, glancing around.

"…"

"What's wrong?" Bael asked.

"The world is so grey," Adam replied back, before he reached out to shake Dunes' forearm.

"Welcome back, Executive," Dunes said, noting the appearance of the stranger.

"Yeah. Where's…"

"I asked them to return back to the Iyr due to your warning," Dunes said, holding onto Adam's forearm, while his eyes took in the sight of the stranger.

"Just in case."

"Thanks." Adam smiled slightly, bowing his head, before leading Bael forward, introducing him to the rest of the business.

"This is Bael. He has decided to join us up until the next noonval. He will be tasked with general guard duty, and not much else."

"Hello," Bael called, waving his hand towards the rest of the business, who eyed up the drakken fellow for a moment. Adam threw a look to Bilal, motioning his head to Bael. Bilal bowed his head, before returning to wiping Mustafa's face, who drank more milk, causing Bilal to wipe his face again.

"Your daughter is so sensible," Dunes said, pouring Adam a cup of milk.

"Of course, since she's my eldest."

"I was speaking of Jirot."

"Jirot?" Adam asked, raising his brow to the Aswadian, who smiled politely.

"She would not return unless it was with her mother and aunt."