Chương 13: The Realm of Humanity

'Ding', New Quest Chain: The Realm of Humanity.

'Ding', Quest Completed: Introduction: The Wolf or The Sheep'Ding', New Quest: Not Powerless'Ding', New Quest: The Worst Smith'Ding', New Quest: Spirit Contractor The goddess did mention something about quests. Without mulling over it too much, I take a glance at all of them. New Quest Chain: The Realm of Humanity Estimated Difficulty: Extreme-Moderate Estimated Length: Months-Years Background: You have successfully ventured into the Realm of Humanity.

A great adventure awaits, be it to the vast Snarq Mountains, The Great Plains of The Veza, Or even The Archipelago Of Despair. The sky is the limit for what you might accomplish in this realm. Great treasures lie just waiting to be discovered, naturally, untold dangers are also eager to be found. Associated Quests: Not Powerless, The Worst Smith, Spirit Contractor Quest Completed: The Wolf or The Sheep Type: Introductory Background: The Realm of Humanity is one of many factions.

The path that one can choose is truly endless. Be it siding with those that are strong, or those that are weak. The choice is yours, and do make it a good one. Completion: You have rejected the Lord's offer of power and instead sided with those of lesser power. Whether that was a good decision is yet to be seen. While you have made allies, you have also made just as many enemies. Rewards: +10 unallocated stat points, Emblem of The Vast Horizons (Rare).

New Quest: Not Powerless Type: Progression Background: The Realm of Humanity is one full of many dangers. At present, you are weak. So, get stronger. Objective: Reach a combined level of 50 (9/50) Rewards: Lesser boon, Greater time-sensitive boon. New Quest: The Worst Smith Type: Progression Background: Creation is an important path in this new world. Whether you are a blacksmith, a woodworker or anything else. But, every crafter has to start somewhere.

As a smith of previous talent, you will likely quickly progress. But first, you must relearn the fundamentals. Objective: Craft any item of inferior quality. Rewards: Normal Boon. New Quest: Spirit Contractor Type: Progression Background: Every spirit mage must start somewhere. For most, that begins with a simple spirit. This quest may seem redundant, as you already possess a great spirit, but, having just a single spirit won't do, now will it? Objective: Bond with a simple spirit.

Rewards: Lesser boon, lesser boon, normal boon. So apparently all of that was some sort of introduction. I didn't even realize there was a choice between the lord and Calder. I made the right decision, probably. Freedom seems much more important than powerful allies at least. The rest of the quests do cause me to sulk a bit. Each one is basically saying I am currently worthless. Well fuck that, guess I will just have to get stronger. Speaking of stronger, that one quest gave me some stat points and a fancy item.

I quickly throw five into both strength and agility, as they are starting to lag behind. Then I retrieve the item from my storage. It is a small golden disc, about the size of my palm. Some sort of mountain is inscribed on the top, and I can feel a bit of mana pulsing from it. With much excitement, I inspect it. Emblem of The Vast Horizons (Rare) This emblem is one of four variants. To hold it means that the receiver has been recognized by a higher power as worthy of the honor.

This item is soulbound, and may not be traded, sold, or otherwise destroyed. Imbuements: Agility Boost (Minor), Perception [Spirit] Boost (Minor), Travel Fatigue Reduction (Minor) Requirements: Soulbound Huh, that seems fairly handy. I wonder what the other three versions do. Not that I dislike this one, it makes me a bit faster and my spirit things a bit better. Given the distances and dangers I have already seen in this world, I bet that will come in quite handy.

This narrative has been purloined without the author's approval. Report any appearances on Amazon. As I lay back on my bed, I feel a wave of excitement wash over me. In a way it is hard to believe all of this is real. But all such thoughts are dispelled when Luma curls up on my chest and starts to purr. Before drifting off, I take a quick glance at my full readout.

Name: Orn Spiritus, Hero of Spirit Corestone: Hero of Spirit Grade: 0 Stars Race: Human Class 1: Spirit Mage - Level 6 Skills: [Lesser Spirit Sight (Rare)], [Form Spirit Contract (Common)], [Spirit Actualization (Rare)], [Spiritual Resonance (Uncommon)] Class 2: Magic Smith - Level 3 Skills: [Lesser Inspect (Common)], [Lesser Forging (Common)], [Lesser Mana Imbuement (Common)], [Lesser Metallurgy (Common)], [Lesser Hammer Wielding (Inferior)] General Skills: [Lesser Identify (Inferior)], [Lesser Mana Sense (Common)], [Storage (Unique)] Traits: {Restricted Spirit Nexus}, {Competent Adventurer}, {Spirit Summoner}, {Spirit Contract: Luma} Titles: {Hero of Spirit}, {Spirit Contractor}, {Great Spirit Contractor} Contracted Spirits (25/28): Luma - Level 1 Stats Vitality: 26 Endurance: 25 Strength: 19 Agility: 20 Intelligence: 23 Wisdom: 22 Spirit: 59 Unallocated Points: 0 Resources Health: 260/260 Stamina: 250/250 Mana: 220/220 Spirit: 590/590 — Knock knock.

"We arrive in ten minutes, Sir Hero." A voice says at my door, followed by footsteps pacing away. I am unsure if 'Sir Hero' is better than 'Honored One.' Honestly, I wish people would just use my name. I doubt that is going to happen though. So, with a very heroic stretch, I stand up and give Luma a few head scritches. She wastes no time nuzzling up in my hood again. Exiting my room, I trace my steps back through the ship and manage to find Calder and his party standing near the exit door.

"Honored One, glad you could join us. I trust you slept well?"

"Yep, like a log."

"Ha, what a clever idiom! I shall have to remember it." Calder says and then walks over and places a hand on my shoulder.

"You really good though? I can't imagine what you have been through recently." I smile, "You're right there, I'm definitely a bit shaken, but surprisingly I feel fine. So, when does the adventuring start?" Calder mirrors my smile.

"Eager to get stronger, I see. Guess we can skip all the formalities and get right to the fun stuff, eh? Take a look, we should be able to see the city momentarily." He points to a nearby window and I turn my head. Vast sprawling wheat fields fill the entire view. They seem to go on forever and ever. Roads crisscross them, and are packed full of a sea of people. A few seconds later, the city comes into view. My immediate impression is that it is small.

Though that is in comparison to Loder, which is clearly not the norm. Calder's city is still far larger than anything I have seen before though. I guess The Realm of Humanity just likes big cities, which makes sense when you have natural disaster equivalent monsters lurking about. The curls of smoke rising from what are clearly forges give me hope that I can find someone to teach me how to craft things. The quest apparently made it clear that I will have to relearn how things work.

Making that bow for Luma will have to wait I suppose. As I survey the city, I notice a large tower structure in the center. It is made of a blank white rock, and stretches high into the sky.

"What's that tower?" Calder follows my finger.

"That would be the Blackvine dungeon, a great place to level up and gather materials. Though I don't recommend taking on dungeons until level twenty five, so you have got a bit to go before that."

"Sounds like my kinda place."

"Figured you would say that." Calder says and scratches his beard.

"You know, I think we are gonna be great friends." The ship crosses some sort of boundary, and I get the expected location notification. You have now entered the Minor City Blackharbor (Level 14) | Danger: None-Extreme I do take note of the system saying this place only has extreme danger at most. I wonder if the only one causing the absurd classification in Loder was the lord himself. That is certainly the impression the guy gave off. While the ship does its landing, we talk about a whole bunch of random stuff.

Nothing too important, just a bit of history about the city and Calder's family. To summarize, two eras ago, his great-great-great-great grandfather –keeping in mind that most dwarves live to a few centuries old– found the dungeon and formed a city around it. Thus, the Blackvine house was established. This world's politics are just that simple. All one must do is claim territory and have people live under them, oh and a bit of system stuff, naturally.

Not to mention a metric shitton of paperwork, or so Calder complained. Apparently in the realm of humanity, there is some sort of council or something that those who hold sway vote in, based on how many they rule over. As Calder seemed quite eager to point out, all of the smaller territories are not much compared to even a single great city. The voting power is just orders of magnitude different. Though I can foresee the smaller lords banding together to hold greater sway.

Really hoping I don't get involved in any politics, they just suck. Alas, I get the feeling that I am going to get involved at least a little bit. Heroes just seem far too important to be allowed to hide at the fringes of society. My thoughts are interrupted as the airship finishes landing and we exit the ship. Greeting us is a tall woman wearing full plate armor. Her long black hair certainly gives quite the impression.

"Darling, I hear you ran into some trouble in your negotiations?" Given how she addresses Calder, I presume she is his wife or something similar. Calder laughs.

"Something along those lines." He steps to the side and motions me forward.

"By the way, this is Orn Spiritus, Hero and Honored one and currently wanted by the Lord of Loder." The woman sighs.

"Of course you would bring home a hero…" She turns to me, "Pardon my manners, I am Reli Blackvine, my job is to make sure this idiot doesn't get himself into too much danger. Though it would seem that I have failed in that task." Calder leans away from her piercing gaze.

"It could've been worse." Reli sighs again.

"Anyways, welcome to Blackharbor. We aren't the fanciest city around, but if you need something, we probably got it." She flashes me a smile as she casually brags. Naturally, I ask the most important question.

"So, where might one get some ale?" Instantly, I feel as though I have been welcomed as a true member of the town. Huh, who knew diplomacy was so simple. After my display of raw talent, Calder proceeds to lead our party to the nearest tavern. I quickly learn that this new world has some really fucking good ale.