Chương 587: 550. Questing Again II

The firehounds were of little consequence to the group, with Adam and Jurot killing one each quickly, and the other three finding themselves under the heavy brunt of sixteen others, some of whom did very little, and others who went on a rampage for blood. Victory! Firehounds XP Gained: +200 XP: 9050 -> 9250 The Iyrmen butchered the creatures, finding five cores, while placing their hides out to dry out. Adam and Vonda used their magics to speed up the process.

"Sorry about all the slaying," Adam said, clearing his throat.

"Some creatures may be slain to allow for safer travel," Vonda replied.

"This year there is an influx of far too many creatures, and, so, it is permissible to cull them."

"Right." Adam still wasn't sure about it, but since Vonda had reassured him, he pushed away the thoughts. Omen: 5, 20 Several noonval wolves tried to bother the group, but quickly found themselves dead under the might of the group of seventeen. Victory! Noonval Wolves XP Gained: +100 XP: 9250 -> 9350'I wonder if they're Experts yet,' Adam thought. They had slain a great many creatures, and though they had to share the XP, they still gained a great amount.

They had travelled together for some time, so he assumed that they were close enough to Experts, or at the very least, Nobby was close.

'Hey, Bell?' [Yes?]'How close is Nobby to being an Expert?' Bell did not respond.

'Come on, don't be like that.' Bell remained silent.

'How much XP have I made total?' [Almost eighty thousand.] Adam whistled, causing the others to glance his way.

"Sorry, I was talking to myself in my head." They left him in peace, understanding that Adam was Adam.

'If I didn't spend my XP on other stuff, I could have been Level 9 or so? That's not bad. Three levels isn't so bad, though I suppose I probably punch well above my weight regardless.' [Yes.]'Do you have any recommendations for me?' [No.]'Do you want to talk about anything?' [No.]'Okay.'

"Noonval's not going to be nice in a few weeks," Remy said, sipping from his waterskin, staring out across the land.

"Might not be so good if other creatures of fire keep showing up."

"How likely is it to see so many fire creatures?"

"Highly unlikely, I reckon." The porter nodded his head, looking out towards the plains.

"Especially this early."

"Hmm…" Adam wondered if he had anything to do with the fact they were coming across so many creatures. They had faced against elementals creatures so rarely, but this time they had come across a few across the year, and it was barely noonval. Remy stepped away, filling his waterskin. He settled himself in a corner, dropping to a knee to pray to Lady Elaveil.

'I should really pray more. Not just pray more, but put some money in donation boxes.' Adam narrowed his eyes, unsure of how he felt about donating to the Divine.

'I suppose they're undoubtedly real in this world, but still, they probably up to some horrendous nonsense either way.' Adam vaguely remembered something someone had said about how Mother Soza hadn't spoken directly to any of her Priests in centuries, and yet the Priests of Life had lied in order to keep their place at the top. Adam looked to Vonda, who was keeping an eye out even though she wasn't on watch. She was a noble and a Priest, and yet she didn't treat him like most nobles did.

He thought about Dunes too, the pair of them were Priests Adam spent most of his time with. Other than a few times when they felt their ideology had been challenged, with Adam telling Dunes to step back from a fight, or Adam killing creatures, there had been such little friction between them, and they had always treated him well. A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.

'I need to figure out a way to keep them on my side. They've accepted roles within the business, but should I do something else?' Adam thought about how much money he could make each month through enchanting, and how much money it would cost to make a business.

'I can't just spend all my time enchanting, can I? That'd be way too boring…' Omen: 4, 6"Adam," Jurot called, motioning a hand to the blurry smoke in the distance.

"Firta."

"Firta?"

"Elementals of fire."

"Oh," Adam replied.

"Are they strong?"

"They are equivalent to ertas."

"Oh," Adam said, nodding his head, smiling slightly. Then, remembering that ertas were meant to be difficult to face, he frowned.

"Hmm…"

"Jaygak," Jurot called, the Devilkin Iyrman appearing beside him.

"Firtas?" Jaygak asked.

"This will be difficult."

"The three of us should be able to deal with it, with the others supporting us from behind," Adam said.

"If they set us on fire we'll be heavily injured," Jaygak said.

"Jurot and I can handle it, but it'll hurt you most."

"I can handle it," Adam said, donning Strong Shield and grabbing Wraith.

"Careful, Adam," Jaygak said, drawing Stormdrake in hand.

"You shouldn't play with fire or you'll get burnt."

"Jaygak, making quips like that is beneath you," Adam replied, though he flashed her a smile.

"Sir Vonda, I'll entrust everyone to you. If you can, please send down any magic you can to help us."

"I can cast Aid," Vonda offered.

"Good idea." Vonda held her shield as she prayed to Mother Soza, before the great magics began to fill the trio. A warmth encompassed them, like being in the arms of a mother. Health: 78 -> 83 The trio made their way forward, towards the strands of flame, which moved like leaves on the wind. They continued to sway, moving from side to side as they slowly made their way towards the three.

The tiny strands of flame, which were creating more smoke than they should, struck the ground, setting the nearby area ablaze, before forming into man sized hurricanes of blazing fire. The sounds of crackling fire met their ears as the three firtas formed. Battle Order D20 + 1 = 21 (20) Fighting Spirit: 3 -> 2 Attack - Wraith (Flanking) D20 + 11 = 13 (2) D20 + 11 = 15 (4) Hit! Mana: 21 -> 20 Ability: Divine Smite 2D6 + 2D6 + 7 = 22 (3, 5)(2, 5) 22 damage!

Attack - Wraith (Flanking) D20 + 11 = 12 (1) D20 + 11 = 24 (13) Hit! Mana: 20 -> 19 Ability: Divine Smite 2D6 + 2D6 + 7 = 25 (4, 5)(4, 5) 25 damage! Onward Soar: 1 -> 0 Attack - Wraith (Flanking) D20 + 11 = 14 (3) D20 + 11 = 17 (6) Hit! Mana: 19 -> 18 Ability: Divine Smite 2D6 + 2D6 + 7 = 25 (1, 5)(6, 6) 25 damage! Attack - Wraith (Flanking) D20 + 11 = 15 (4) D20 + 11 = 25 (14) Hit! Mana: 18 -> 17 Ability: Divine Smite 2D6 + 2D6 + 7 = 22 (3, 3)(4, 5) 22 damage!

Jurot's entire body unfurled into a raging leap, as his entire body turned red hot with rage, and he swung his axe with such might, he cut through the body of his firta, which engulfed him for but a moment, before it almost entirely dissipate into nothingness. The flames tried to reform themselves as Jaygak's Stormdrake crackled with lightning through them, destroying the flames.

Adam inhaled for a moment, feeling the heat of the creatures, before he stepped forward and swung towards the creature made of fire, managing to sink his axe deep into the flames. He almost expended a charge of his Wraith, but decided against it, instead carving into the flames until they were almost gone. Stormdrake cut through the last of the flames, and they were left with a final firta. The final firta swam around Jurot, trapping him in a sea of fire, burning him slightly with its flames.

Fighting Spirit: 2 -> 1 Attack - Wraith (Flanking) D20 + 11 = 25 (14) D20 + 11 = 26 (15) Hit! Mana: 17 -> 16 Ability: Divine Smite 2D6 + 2D6 + 7 = 29 (5, 6)(5, 6) 29 damage! Attack - Wraith (Flanking) D20 + 11 = 17 (1) D20 + 11 = 27 (16) Hit! Mana: 16 -> 15 Ability: Divine Smite 2D6 + 2D6 + 7 = 20 (2, 2)(3, 6) 20 damage! Jurot did not inhale, instead roaring as he swung wildly with his axe, cutting into the flames raging around him.

Adam's axe and Jaygak's blade cut into the fire, swiping them out, while Jurot continued to burn. Victory! Firtas XP Gained: +300 XP: 9350 -> 9650"Jurot, you okay?" Adam asked, watching as the flames continued to spread across Jurot. The Iyrman dropped onto the ground before rolling around, putting out the fire. Adam looked out to the flames spreading across the plains, before using his magic to put it out before it became too much to handle.

Jaygak glanced between the pair, each of whom who had managed to nearly slay a firta with ease, while she barely struck them to finish them off. Even when she held resistance to fire, somehow the easiest enemies for her to face ended up being so easily dealt with by the pair. The teen Iyrmen watched from the outpost, nodding their heads approvingly. Nirot and Laygak inhaled deeply, puffing out their chests in pride, seeing how well their cousins fought. The back of Naqokan's mind tingled.

She had watched how the trio had fought over the passing months, and she could feel her mind fill with greater insights. It wasn't just about how to move one's weapons, but also how to move one's body. Jurot, though unarmoured, moved as though he wore armour. He allowed himself to take strikes that could kill any normal Aldishman in order to grant himself a greater boon against his foes. Jaygak fought in a way that was very much not like an Iyrman, for she hesitated a half step.

Yet, thanks to that, she was able to react to the scene as it unfolded. If she had faced the third firta, then the other two firtas would have engulfed the area in greater fire, which would have led to disastrous consequences. Adam… Adam was Adam. Even without fighting, the teens could feel themselves grow more experienced. Such a process was typically much slower than actively fighting, and yet, somehow, they were filled with greater knowledge and wisdom of battle. Their eyes fell to Adam, who picked up a core.

Health: 83 -> 82 He gasped and tossed it between his hands, blowing against the core to cool it down, while Jaygak picked the others up, smirking at him playfully. Though she smirked playfully, Jurot could see the strain against her brows.