“Don’t be surprised,” I heard Tirliora's voice. "Most of the residents are now at the plantations, where they grow haloptiriuses, mushrooms, and moss. That's why, there are only children left here, and those who are looking after them. Turn left here and go all the way to the end."
“I see,” I said, and headed in the showed direction.
“I didn’t expect it would be so hard to awake the gift so hard,” the girl sighed. “It seemed to me that the shell would break into pieces at the very beginning. Oh, this Mohr. And how could you learn to manage your energy and your gift?”
“Hm ... by chance, because I didn't even know that I had any kind of gift,” I replied, deciding not to mention the goddess because I remembered Kroark's reaction, and I didn't want to invite anyone to the ruined, but my, city.
“Your gift differs from mine and from that of Skal, doesn't it? How do you manage death then?" I could feel the piercing glance at my nape. This warrior seems to be no less curious than I am. “That very passage is my home,” she pointed out as I could hear the joy in her voice.
“I didn’t have time to manage death properly and I know only the things Mohr had told me about,” and the goddess I added to myself.
We went through a small passage and found ourselves in the tiny cave. In the middle there was a small crystal illuminating the place, to the left I saw a cozy bed made of soft moss. To the right there was a couple of stones, just like Mohr had, they seemed to be used as a table. It was quite modest but cozy dwelling.
It was strange, but I felt almost no weight of the female-warrior, I wonder was it because of her being so light or because of me being so strong?
Having put the girl on the bed and looked at her closely I decide the first variant was the right one. She was too tiny, I wondered how I managed not to break her while carrying here.
“There are some haloptiriuses under that stone. You can have some,” she said and made herself comfortable on the bed.
“Thank you, but I am not hungry,” it was strange I didn’t feel any hunger. I guess the living dead state is not as bad. Or might not realize the disadvantages yet.
“Can you stay here for a while and tell me about yourself?” Tirliora asked. “The rest are gathering not far from here, I’ll show you.” I showed her the map and she pointed out the place with her little claw.
“Alright, but my story will not be long,” I replied. “At first it was all dark around and that lasted rather long and then I finally saw a cave around myself. I can remember my kinsmen, killed by the rippers. I was killed by them as well, but my relatives didn't rebirth. I met another bug, who was also killed by the rippers then.
I explored the cave and made friends with Skal. I learned about the spikers and got to know how to manage the energy and I also met many different creatures. I talked to the Supreme and I tried to talk to the rippers.
Well, and I met you all. That's it I guess. Though…I was on the surface and saw much there."
“Can you tell me more?” the girl seemed tired.
“A high mountain with a white hat, green forest with lots of plants around, but most of all I was struck by the sky. It was so bright and wonderful that I couldn't keep my eyes off it...” I noticed the female-warrior was already sleeping.
Having taken another look at her I involuntary kept my eyes on her body type. Hmm… I guess I understand why Skal looked at her that way. I stood up quietly and left the dwelling heading to the rest of the warriors.
It didn’t take me long to get there so I reached a big passage very quickly and having walked some more noticed the mercenaries. The beetle-warriors were discussing something vigorously and didn’t even notice me at first.
“We must do something at once,” Garadan said. “Since this is unacceptable.”
“You are right, Gard,” Mohr agreed. “Meanwhile I will have more bodies for the experiments”
“But we could have not enough strength,” another warrior added.
"We will not leave this matter to its own and we are going to help our people," Derergon said and he saw me. "Aha! Here is Sel Er."
“What’s the matter?” I didn’t quite understand why everyone turned to look at me.
“We have a proposal to you,” the leader of the mercenaries said. “At first we go to the surface and find our little relatives and then you pass through the grey mist of the passage to the surface and come back. And after your coming back we will be helping another squad.”
“The proposal is quite interesting, so I will not refuse it,” I agreed, since I wanted to test the death energy a little, and there will surely be a couple of goblins on the surface. “And what were you discussing before that?”
“Well, you see, the spikers killed some of ours from another mercenary squad,” Derergon answered my question. “So, our friends asked for help. Narr Nutt was really furious about our actions, so he ordered to attack the mercenaries.”
“Hm…” I don’t like this. I feel like… a rat. Seems to me I framed the warriors.
“Don't worry, Sel Er. Such things have already happened before,” the leader of the mercenaries sighed. “The head of the spikers is just a little bit mad, and he is crazy about the rippers and their stuff. He is quite self-centered and hates anyone opposing him. He thinks he is the Supreme here since Kroark seldom leaves his realms. But we constantly show him who he is, and he hates it.”
“But we can’t do anything to him as well,” necromancer sighed. “For his trinkets really give him substantial power.”
“To make our chances at least equal we need new warriors and the weapon of rippers, which we have either to fight for or trade. You can, believe me, the second variant is sometimes even harder, especially in the case with short rippers, called dwarfs. These shorties can feel gold even in the spatial pockets, right from the surface." Derergon said. “Our friends’ squad decided to fight the spikers tomorrow. So, we only have time until that. In other words, we have only day and night at our disposal, so I suggest moving on now.”
“Yes!!!” the leader was loudly supported by the warriors.
“I am going to explore it.” Mulf’s quiet voice made Skal start. “The spikers might have already set up an ambush.”
“I’ll take a couple of dead with me.” The Death Herald said. “I’m gonna need them for sure.”
“You have one here, why do you need the others?” Gard twisted his jaws pointing at me, as all the rest rattled their jaws loudly expressing laughter.
“How very funny,” I frowned.
“And where’s Tirliora?” Skal asked me.
“She is sleeping,” I answered. “The waking of the gift seemed quite a hard ordeal for her.”
“Don’t worry,” Mohr came up to us. “She is quite strong, like all the other garadaroks. Not as strong as karkants, but she will be alright in a couple of days. Master the energy manipulation so far.”
“Alright,” Skal said joyfully and his hands got wrapped in dark grey mist. Wow! When did he develop them?
My friend seemed not to waste time while I was out. I need to train as well. I was so eager to fight those nasty goblins.
Chapter 45
The mercenaries' task. The surface. Hunger.
The squad didn't take long to get ready and moved to the surface exit with us. At first, I was afraid the spikers would wait for us at the site of the previous battle, but fortunately, I was wrong.
Having passed the iron vein, I remembered I needed to visit it somehow to collect more mushrooms and to learn about the shining life and other mushrooms. Mohr could tell me much useful information about other objects I was lucky to find as well.
On entering the tunnel leading to the surface Mulf warned us to hurry up as he had seen the spikers squad around and we didn’t plan to fight them.
Having avoided the unnecessary battle, we passed numerous branches and came to the cave where there was the exit. The light penetrated from the surface and I didn’t notice any grey mist when I came closer.
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“Can’t you see it?” Mohr and Derergon asked me.
“I can’t”
“Well, then we do the following: we go to the little lads and protect them, and you fetch some food from the surface.” The leader of the mercenaries said.
Derergon offers you a task “Supplies”!
The goal: Collect any supplies from the surface for the leader mercenary detachment.
Accept: Yes / No?
“Hold on!” The Death Herald shouted. “Look for something I need for my experiments then”
Mohr offers you a task “Experiment”!
The goal: Bring a couple of the surface inhabitants’ bodies to the Death Herald, on which he would later be able to conduct a series of his experiments.
Accept: Yes / No?
“Certainly,” I nodded and accepted both tasks. “I will fulfill your tasks, but don’t forget about my request. Talk to the Supreme and to the beetle named Rald. Persuade them to go with us, since they will die here, and I wouldn’t want them to lack the opportunity to rebirth and die the final death.
“You needn’t worry,” said Mulf, appearing from nowhere, “We’ll do this.”
“Then I set off, “I said and left the cave through the passage after which I heard many various sounds and turned around.
Everyone was looking somewhere up as if not seeing me, while Derergon and Mohr were touching an invisible wall. All the mercenaries expressed great surprise.
“Ha-ha! I told you, didn’t I?!” one of the beetles hit a stone and another one gave him some golden rounds clenching his jaws.
“We’ll be waiting for you here till tomorrow,” Derergon said. “If you die, go to the place where we killed the rippers.”
“Agreed,” I said and went on.
The surface is quite a wonderful place for sure. It was so interesting here, only this time I didn't feel anything in the air. It seemed so light and pleasant earlier but now there was nothing of that kind. Soon of all, it's all because I have died, but this doesn't matter, I will live again.
I looked at numerous trees, growing not far from the entrance and was amused by the bright colors they had in them. Countless leaves were gently caressed by a chilly wind.
The brightly shining sun appeared from the amusingly white clouds which seemed unbelievably soft. I felt so warm in my soul that I felt I could learn to fly.
This time there was nobody at the entrance, the map wrapped all the surrounding space with the mist, so I chose the direction and went forward without hesitation.
Everything was so strange here, that I couldn’t understand my own feelings. I felt no danger and wasn’t afraid of spikers appearing from nowhere.
Some strange creatures were flying from one tree to another making strange but quite pleasant sounds. Little fluffy creatures crossed the road several times. They had long ears and after watching them I suddenly remembered I was hungry.
Wow, I saw rather a big mushroom with a dark brown hat and a thick leg, but it was suddenly smashed by quite a big paw of another creature.
A Wolf, Forest Resident, level 17
Such a strange creature. So shaggy with big ears close to his head, nothing surprising though, just the fags were impressive. There were quite big claws on his paws, which could damage some small beetle, but there was one but – I wasn't small.
Hm, I felt something strange. Was it hunger? Yes, definitely, it was hunger but the wolf seemed quite appetizing to me. Previously, I did not seem to look at living beings as food, maybe my status was to blame. However, that made no difference. I wanted to eat.
Having growled the wolf rushed at me and bit my paw. It wasn’t painful at all, but I lost some health. Such strong jaws this creature had. But I’ll show him my strength now.
I hit the wolf on the head the cudgel and he jumped off. There appeared some twists above his head and this creature just stood there shaking his head.
I didn’t lose the moment and quickly reached the wolf hitting him again. But this beast bit my hand and I dropped my weapon. He tried to jump at me, but I was clever enough to be able to jump off and bit him with my jaws.
The wolf squealed and tried to set free, but he couldn’t. Finally, I bit a piece of meat off him and ate it at once. Hm, it was quite tasty, I didn’t even expect it. I want more.
The wolf howled wretchedly trying to attack me, but I clung to his throat and killed him.
80 points of experience gained!
I gained much experience, which pleased me greatly since the fight wasn't too hard and I didn't feel pain. Having eaten the whole wolf I satisfied my hunger a bit, but that wasn't enough. I wanted more meat and…blood.
The last thought frightened me, and I saw a picture before my eyes of two-legged warriors in shining shells killing my relatives. No, I would rather have only meat, I don't want to see blood.
I grabbed the cudgel and put it in the spatial pocket. How am I going to fetch supplies if I don't have any space in my spatial pocket? Well, I'll think of something. At least I can fetch it on myself, I am strong.
No sooner had I walked a little distance from that place when I saw something very unpleasant. I didn’t like it at all.
Chapter 46
The wood inhabitants. Too dangerous opponent. An Unexpected Encounter.
A Wolf, Forest Resident, level 18
A Wolf, Forest Resident, level 19
A Big Wolf, Forest Resident, level 23
Well, this is not good. I coped with one enemy and I am afraid I will not cope with all three. Though I became stronger, but not enough. However, I can try out death energy on one of them. I didn’t want to use the explosive balls.
I imagined quite a broad cord and stretched it to the big wolf. A dark violet wave of energy stretched from me at once and clung to his snout.
The top of the wolf's head was gone. The note about critical blow popped up and I felt weaker. Hm… that’s nonsense. The rest of the wolves ran to the sides and I saw that they had a Fear debuff. Where are you going? I am hungry!
The body of the big wolf was gradually wrapped in dark violet mist and evaporated. What is it? Don’t you dare eat my prey! I came up and the energy got absorbed into me leaving just the wolf’s skin and skeleton.
I seemed to feel better, but I had less amount of charges. The hunger was still there. Ohhhh! I was wandering around the forest and most of the animals were scared at me and ran away. And they were fast enough to run from me. Such bad luck! The hunger started burning me from inside, becoming unbearable. Ok, I should be smarter. I took out the cudgel and having seen quite an interesting creature on the glade, I lowered myself so that it wouldn’t notice me.
Big branched horns decorated its head. The body was much bigger than that of the wolf and was covered in bright brown hair. The legs had hooves, like demon's ones, but smaller. Maybe this is also a demon? Taking a closer look, I understood that I had made a mistake.
Forest deer, level 17
Demons don't eat grass, they eat the others. Though I also eat the others now, I am not a demon. Or am I? No, I am not. Well, this was just a creature from the surface.
I crept up quietly and threw the cudgel at the deer abruptly getting out of the bushes. I aimed at its body to be sure to hit it, but I missed, and the weapon hit its head.
There appeared some twists above its head again and I rushed to the deer. Coming up I dug into his throat with my jaws at once and immediately tore out a piece of meat. Blood spattered on the ground.
120 points of experience gained!
60 points of experience gained!
Wow, the first message was about the big wolf, I didn’t notice it at first. Having eaten the entire deer, I finally satisfied my hunger. Hm, I think the others will like deer meat, so I’ll fetch a couple of bodies to the mercenaries.
I think I will not refuse this meat being in my usual state. I decided to take deer to Derergon. Now I need to understand what would make Mohr happy. He will hardly set his experiments using deer.
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br /> I need to find something more substantial. Wolves seem to be the right ones for that, but I was rather skeptical about them and I decided to wander around the forest for a while since I had enough time.
During my small journey, I already went to a very decent distance. The forest became much thicker, so it was impossible to get through in some places.
I had to clean my way with the spiker's claw. Soon I got to a small clearing with a hill nearby. At first, I wanted to climb up the hill with a couple of pretty big tree growing on the top, but then I saw a hole nearby.
My curiosity pulled me there. There were countless bones of different animals near the hole. I wonder who lives there.
I crawled inside and having passed some bends I saw a sleeping owner of the place. Large shaggy body covered in dark brown fur. Huge sharp claws on each paw and very long fangs.
At the time this creature was giving out strange loud sound making the walls shake and the dust fall from the ceiling. My memory called this sound snoring.
Potapych, a Brow bear, level 80
This bear was larger my size three times, if not more. His level scared me. It seemed even if I blew all the remaining five explosive balls and used all the energy charges he would not wake up.
I slowly headed back and left the cave quietly in case this monster was a light sleeper. I left his lair and breathed deeply. It seemed I got to the place where all the creatures are stronger than me, so I’d better come back closer to the cave and search for someone there.
Anyway, I would not be able to carry so huge bear to the passage even if I had a single chance to kill him, though I am doubtful about that.
It got dark already, but I decided to walk back by another route to open more of the map since I was going to visit the surface again later.
Wish I found goblins, I think a couple of their bodies will satisfy Death Herald. Thinking about places where to find these little creatures I noticed something strange in the distance.
A light was shining jumping among the trees and I could distinctly hear some crackling and somebody's voices. I wondered who was so brave there? Now I am going to look at whether I should be afraid of those who are there.
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