The Way of the Clan 6: World of Valdira

by Dem Mikhaylov

  And next door— a sort of stone candle, five meters high. Or rather it was a sort of well made of stone. It stood surrounded by piles of large boulders, which were separated by channels filled with sloshing water. One of these was an entrance leading inside the well.

  And there!

  Well… it certainly wasn’t the legendary cave of Ali Baba and his forty bloody mercenaries, but If you make an exception with scale it was very, very similar.

  The inside of the small cave was flecked with stone ledges and cracks. At the bottom was water, and a variety of objects— all glittering in gold and silver. There was nothing that wasn’t there… there were coins, bowls, chandeliers, silver helmets, hanging gold and silver chains. But it wasn’t just a warehouse of stolen things— it was a real temple of gold and silver! Some was obviously crooked, but all was hung with true love. There were coins in that pile— and a real golden sword, the blade of which was also gold. There was another stone with a crevice which was empty— it seemed to me that the silver glove and golden bracer had been there.

  “Afrosio, you’re a hell of a fisherman,” I shook my head. “You’re a monster!”

  I wasn’t afraid to say this out loud— the drunkard stayed outside, staying on his boat and whining. He couldn’t escape anywhere— the predatory temple pikes swam around the boat, Zubrava guarding him with a special zeal. The fisherman would stay there until he learned to fly.

  “The holy items!” Spruce pointed a finger into one of the crevices, where there was a silver object. “Belonging to the sanctuary! And there are the rest of them!”

  “Take them, Spruce,” I nodded immediately, though no one had asked for my input, really. “They’re yours by right. Afros was fairly punished for the theft. What do you say, Spruce? Will you have mercy?”

  “I do not see repentance in him… but he was severely punished,” she said Slowly, taking the silver objects, as well as a couple dozen coins. “Zubrava will no longer purse the fisherman Afros. This is on your conscience, Rosgard. Remember— one can regret their kindness. Those such as Afrosio do not know gratitude!”

  “No doubt about it,” I sighed sadly, looking happily at the lines on my screen:

  Congratulations!

  The job “Monster of the Lake Depths” is done!

  Reward:

  Will be presented by the fisherman Afros!

  Experience gained!

  Congratulations!

  You got a new level!

  you got a new level!...

  I got to level one hundred and sixteen.

  “Goodbye, Rosgard,” nodded Spruce, and disappeared with a splash into the shallow water.

  I was left standing in the temple, viewing the treasures. Exchanging glances with my servant, I indicated that he should follow me. But I was more interested in receiving several messages:

  Attainment!

  You’ve received “Unicum” of the second rank!

  The table of obtained achievements can be seen in the settings for your character.

  Your reward for reaching achievement: + 4 % chance of getting unique jobs.

  Current chance: 9%

  Attainment!

  You’ve received “Unicum” of the second rank!

  The table of obtained achievements can be seen in the settings for your character.

  Your reward for reaching achievement: + 3 % chance of getting unique jobs.

  Current chance: 12%

  (For the successful completion of two unique tasks in one day!)

  Click!

  The figure of an immortal stepped out of the wall directly to the right of me. The immortal caught my eye, smiled gently, and said:

  “Congratulations, Rosgard. You are now in the historical records of Valdira. A picture depicting your achievement will be hung in the taverns of Valdira.”

  I had heard these words once before…

  “Good day,” I smiled back.

  “Good day, Rosgard,” said the angel. “You have the right to decide whether you want your achievement to be known throughout the world of Valdira.

  “Performance of two jobs?” I asked.

  “In less than a day,” said the Immortal. “This is up to you. What do you decide? To make it public? Or keep it a secret?”

  “To publicize,” I didn’t think for long.

  “Thank you, Rosgard. Within ten minutes, the moment you achieved this task will be immortalized in the taverns and inns of Valdira. Here is the image…”

  In front of me appeared a painting of myself, standing knee deep in water, with my hands behind my back— staring at the surrounding gold and silver objects. Beside me was a servant, better dressed than I was— but this time, at least I wasn’t naked! And without the beaver…

  “Good day to you,” the angel smiled again and vanished to the ring of an invisible crystal bell.

  Oh, yes… the servant had been staring at a large oval dish the whole time the angel was there, and only moved towards it when he was gone.

  The surprises didn’t end there. After the immortal disappeared, there was another message:

  Attainment!

  You have achieved “living legend” of the second degree!

  The table of obtained achievements can be seen in the settings for your character.

  Your reward for achievement:

  Silver figurine of your triumphant character, holding a golden plaque above his head with the inscription “Legend of Valdira!” (The appearance of the character is taken at the moment of receipt of this achievement!)

  Silver breast badge in the form of a many-rayed star inlaid with precious stones.

  (The presentation of the badge will occur in the festive atmosphere of your “home” city of Algora, in the courtyard of the royal palace, on any day of your choosing— apply with the eastern tower guards.)

  Current bonus: + 1 goodwill with NPC.

  My “native” city— the town where I was “born,” where I first passed through the gates and into Valdira. In this case it was Algora.

  The badge would be a special item with some stats. Plus, there would be something to do with reputation. But to wear it on my chest— it would mean acquiring many friends and enemies among other players. Right, let’s not get ahead of myself. I have to get it first.

  But now I was thinking about Afrosio’s words about the golden crown.

  The “bowls” I saw— a couple of them were lying around everywhere. But I didn’t see the golden crown of a headdress. Looking up, I noticed that it was time to climb, and activated “vine.”

  I told the servant to wait at the bottom. But not to just stand there, but start collecting treasure into his knapsack. I myself had packed light…

  My conscience wasn’t nagging me at all. Afros was a thief! He had definitely stolen everything from somewhere.

  As soon as I stuck my head out of the top of the pillar, I immediately saw the crowd— or rather, a thick golden ring with a purple stone on the forehead. Grabbing it, I grinned and looked around— and then I realized that I understood the feeling of the drunk Afros, when he, wearing a golden crown, sat down on the top of the rock and watched the cheerful bog creatures. He must have felt like a real king looking down on his subjects…

  “Hey!” A hoarse and threatening voice sounded from the bottom, a familiar voice— but it sounded strange and dangerous. “Who are you? What are you doing here?! Huh?!”

  “S-shit!” I muttered, catching the vine and making my way down.

  That voice…

  Afrosio…

  The fisherman stood knee deep in the water, swaying and waving his arms. In his hands were two blades. His face was evil, unknown, his eyes burning with rage. He wasn’t the same shaky drunk. Now he was something terrible and frightening. A wild drunk and a killer who had caught someone in his lair…

  “Afros! It’s me!” I quickly said, as soon as I fell into the water. “It’s me! I’ve completed your quest!”

  Boy was I wrong to do that…

&nb
sp; The burning eyes of the fisherman fixed on my crown and with a wild howl, he rushed forward, holding the knives in front of him.

  “Mine! Mine! Mine!” Each hoarse cry was accompanied by an attempted blow.

  And each strike missed, because a servant, rushing forward, had managed to keep him back from behind.

  I frantically shuffled spells, trying to figure out what one could use to defend oneself and not kill the enemy. And I saw, over the head of the drunkard, a red blazing inscription:

  Wild Afrosio!

  Level 130.

  That’s how all the beer had upgraded him!

  “Shall we kill him?” Asked the servant dispassionately. He asked so casually, so quietly… and this made it all the worse.

  “No! Have you gathered everything?”

  “Only a few coins left.”

  “Clear. When I saw so— follow me,” I said, again climbing up the magical vine.

  “Alright!”

  I began to climb, and Afros tried to follow, seeing his beloved crown disappear. But the attempts of the fisherman were thwarted— he was quickly blocked by a much more skillful and powerful warrior.

  Once I was at the edge, I threw down the vine and shouted:

  “Come on!”

  A moment, and the servant jumped out of the cave like a frenzied devil. There was a very veritable roar, and Afrosio tried to climb up the wall of the pillar after me, looking up through matted locks of hair. I don’t think he would’ve given me the reward… I already robbed his entire stock…

  I directed my aim down into the column, and created a thorny wall. And the fisherman got stuck like a bug in a web, continuing to yell wildly.

  “Let’s get out of here!” I muttered, making the jump.

  Flopping down, I quickly got up, and waited for the “arrival” of my servant. Then we ran to the boat, and took course quickly to the nearest shore. We still heard the frantic cries of Ambrosio. No, he definitely wouldn’t have bestowed anything upon us… maybe only a punch in the eye.

  And I wasn’t going to kill a potentially good and cowardly local. To hell with the award. I got the experience I needed, and performed a unique job. I couldn’t ask for anything more.

  As soon as we got to shore, I gave my next genius order:

  “Return to Tishka. Pay for repair of this cart, hire a new one, and two more guards on horseback. Then go to my bride and Strogus. I will arrive by magic as soon as I finish some business.

  “Alright, sir— here, take this!”

  I was given a heavy leather bag— the loot we had taken from the magic cave.

  “And this is for you,” I gave the servant a few handfuls of gold coins. “There are about two hundred. Spend them as needed. And another hundred— for my bride Kirea.”

  “Yes sir!”

  “Leave quickly. While Afros has not returned. Good luck!”

  Stepping back, I took one of the scrolls, and activated it.

  “Alfalfa hill!” I whispered.

  Flash…

  Chapter Eight

  We aren’t sleeping! Strange guests. The wicked aunt…

  I rushed like a wet and dirty hurricane into the hotel lobby.

  Leaving stains on the clean fluffy counters, I went up to the counter, smiling guiltily at the girl behind it.

  “Hello. I am sorry for all the dirt.”

  I laid three gold coins on the counter.

  “Oh sir, you are too much… oh, and you have a new picture!” The employee cried, pointing her finger at the opposite wall.

  “Uh-huh,” I nodded on the go, sweeping past a couple of players like a meteor.

  I crossed the hall and went up the stairs in a few bounds, slamming the door behind me. I went inside and stopped short— the bag dropped with a crash onto the floor.

  In the middle of an empty room, on the dusty floor, a huge black and white wolf slept peacefully. And beside him sat aa young girl with golden curls, flowing over a plain white dress. Around them danced a strange creature which looked like an animated short staff, which was humming something happily…

  “Dad!” Joyfully cried the girl.

  Sh-hah! And she was gone in a flash, and appeared strongly embracing my neck. “You came! And I woke up!”

  “Hello… daughter…” I said hoarsely. “Hello… good sleep, huh?”

  “Yes! Now I won’t sleep for a long time!”

  “Woof…” The sleepy Tyrant greeted me.

  “Yeah, yeah, hello to you too,” I said.

  “A really evil aunt came! Very, very angry!”

  “Who?” I said warily. “Where? When?”

  “Knocking at the door!” She said in a whisper. “Strong! Loud! Calling me! But I didn’t open! Very scary! But she couldn’t open the door! And I didn’t open!”

  “Very good!” I commended. “And that lady… did she say anything? Her name?”

  “Nope! But I know her name!”

  “How?”

  “I just know…”

  “And what is it?”

  “Guorra! Aunt Guorra! She knocked, calling for me! And then she went away… very quickly!”

  “A-a-aw,” I said, with extreme sadness. “So… do you wanna eat?”

  “Very much! And Ty wants!”

  “Ty?”

  “He woke me up! Ty is good!” Smiled the girl. “Or I would have kept sleeping…”

  “Well well, Ty,” I muttered, looking at the wolf, who pressed his ears down to his head. “Well done! So… give daddy a couple of minutes, and then we’ll go find something to eat! And a clothing store… by the way, what is this running around here, my daughter?”

  “Nyursh! This is Nyursh running around!”

  Hearing his name, the knotted root animated and jumped for joy, continuing to run circles around the room.

  Okay, we will understand that later.

  We’ll figure out the legendary equipment by evening. But the trophies from the lair of Afros I had to sort out right now.

  And also Guorra.

  Guorra…

  Or rather, the goddess Guorra. She had four arms, and is a goddess of the gray orcs. She is a lot like the crab god. She likes death and destruction. And I don’t know anything else about her.

  But if she came to “visit,” it could only mean one thing— the oracle had put her on the blacklist.

  The goddess would do anything to kill my daughter.

  Why did she leave very quickly, as my daughter had said? Was she being chased by someone?

  I have no idea. But a deity could not go into a private room. Already, this made me very happy.

  But it was also a disaster! They were hunting her in the open! They tried to get into my house!!!

  I need help! I need reliable information. And reliable protection for my daughter.

  There was no longer a point, it seemed, in hiding her existence— one by one the goddesses found out. And they had started to come to visit. In addition, I am sure they told my name to their most ardent believers…

  And also…

  “Dad, what is my name?” Asked the awakened child. “Dad— is Rosgard. He— is Tyrant! He— Nyursh! And I?”

  “I’ll tell you a bit later,” I smiled. I was already working, setting down the legendary set onto the floor. The bag with the rest of the bounty I threw over my shoulder and stood up, hugging the child to my chest.

  “When?”

  “Very, very soon… let’s get ready. Daddy needs to talk to an aunt…”

  “Which aunt?”

  “Angry one…”

  “Aunt Guorra?”

  “No… even angrier than that! She is a very, very, very, very wicked aunt!”

  “Oo-oo-ooh!”

  My message was responded to quickly. Very quickly. After exchanging a few messages, I left the private room, carefully surveying the corridor. And both my daughter and Tyrant followed me this time.

  I managed to slip through the hall freely, and then through a few more alleys, heading for the Mage’s G
uild. I needed to perform a very important task for my character.

  The first thing I had to do was distribute my points, gaining an incredible amount of mana. At the same time, I intended to remain quite fit— not just an easily breakable jar of mana. But in principle, such a combination was also possible— over the last few days, I had seen players in Valdira who were virtually indestructible.

  The stately buildings of the Mage’s Guild of Algora looked as always— they imperiously dominated the neighboring buildings. There were impeccably shining glass windows and a well-kept garden, every bush trimmed perfectly— and a giant pentagram on the tiled garden floor. There were awful statues of demons and gargoyles, and statues of knights in helmets.

  I had to practically drag my daughter behind me— the child displayed remarkable curiosity, eagerly taking in the boundless world. The giant wolf walked slowly next to her, impressively, showing off his thick fur and bushy tail.

  I have rarely been able to enter the Mage’s Guild quietly. Usually I am always grabbed by the hand and taken somewhere, hitting my head on jambs and corners. I might as well put on a helmet and a shirt that says “I went to the Mage’s Guild and all I got were these bruises.”

  But this time it happened differently. I wasn’t caught, was not condemned, not praised, not seen. But one slender old man in a robe saw me and started. Gliding across the floor in slippers with curled toes, he quickly disappeared behind one of the doors.

  Taught by experience, I hunched my shoulders and hurried my daughter along, following him and heading into a room with many doors.

  However, the elder was much faster than me. Perhaps behind the door was a flying broom or other instrument of transport. Thanks to them, he was able to inform the senior management about the visit of one Rosgard, and soon, I was honored to witness the familiar harsh face of the Archmage Tarnius, looking thoughtfully at my daughter. Could he sense her potential to be a goddess? He didn’t take her eyes off of her, staring her down like a cat.