“Or she's as unlucky as a devil… Send word to the boss, she will want to hear of this. We can't have a knight like her going around messing with our business. Her grandfather has no interest in us and as long as we stay out of the town, he won't send the guards after us, but she is another story.” I ordered.
“Then you clean this up, and I'll go to the boss. She's at the south cave, right?” he asked.
“Yes. Go quickly.” I told him as I grabbed the rag.
He ran past me and left.
[Alkelios' point of view]
Half an hour…
That was how long it took the draconian to analyze all the plants I gathered and estimate a relative price for them both here and in the capital. The moment I stepped in, he squinted his eyes at me and immediately asked who sent me here. When I mentioned Seryanna's name, he asked what sort of ‘weeds' did I bring him from the forest, but once he caught sight of the rare plants I found, his jaw dropped all the way to the floor.
Seryanna's estimates about that strange first plant I found were a bit off. It didn't cost 20 gold, it was a whooping 35 here and almost 70 in the capital. It was an all-cure sort of plant that a lot of special medicine required it. He wanted to buy it from me, but I just couldn't let it go. I felt like I had to hold onto it for dear life. The others, however, not so much. I ended up selling about half of them and gaining about 47 gold, 38 silver, and 24 copper coins.
Honestly, there were quite a few coins in there, and I still had a bunch of herbs left in the bag, but they were all good for one thing or another as far as [Bartender] skill could tell me. I was curious about trying them, but there were also others which I felt a bit reluctant about letting go of. My first guess was that my Luck had something to do with them, but I couldn't really figure out what exactly this stat was bugging me about.
Letting out a sigh, I took a few steps away from the entrance of the shop and sat down next to the wall. I had no idea where Seryanna was, and I couldn't remember if I told her where we should meet after we were done with our individual business. Of course, I had no fears of thieves or anything like that since I had me trusty ol' bag o' luck with me. One wish turned me invisible in their eyes, but then again, I could probably defend myself with my current stat points.
Sigh… This isn't a video game. Now that I think about it, even if I am ridiculously strong when compared to the previous me, the fact that I have no idea how to use my current abilities means that I am quite pointless in battle. I'm like one of those first-level bosses you encounter in a game. Lots of health points, insane strength, but swings like an idiot and has no special skill. All you have to do to defeat him is run around him and poke him in the ribs with your trusty toothpick! Maybe I should ask Seryanna for some combat lessons? Yeah, I think I'll do just that! I thought looking up at the sky and acting a bit absentmindedly.
“How did the trade go, Alkelios?” asked the dragoness.
Blinking surprised, I looked to my left and saw her standing there.
“47 something gold coins. Are you done as well?” I asked her.
“Yes.” she nodded and smiled back at me “With that money, we could get you some starting gear. Staying only in those clothes isn't good for adventuring.” she told me.
“Oh? Really? That sounds exciting! What should I get first? A fire sword maybe? Or a diamond plated armor?” I asked jumping up with excitement.
The dragoness raised an eyebrow at me and then giggled.
“Nothing that ridiculous! Besides, you can't even properly use those things yet.” she told me.
“Aw…” I made an exaggerated sad face and looked up at her with puppy dog eyes.
“Don't look at me like that… I'm serious, the diamond plated armor doesn't even exist.” she quickly said, flicking my forehead.
“Ouch! At least the fire sword is real…” I grumbled while rubbing the struck spot.
“Yes, idiotic humans often use it thinking that it's a very powerful sword.” she then patted the hilt of her blade. “Enchants are what makes the difference in a weapon. Some are powerful, some are weak, but use them wisely, and you can turn a copper sword into a ridiculous weapon.” she explained.
“How do you know that?” I asked.
“I told you before that I know someone who is a good blacksmith, right?”
“I think I vaguely remember that. You also told me you had a pet and that you would kiss me when we get to this town. But I saw none of those.” I told her crossing my arms at my chest and shaking my head.
“I never said that last part. As for Tulip, she's currently hunting in the forest. She'll probably return in a day or two. You can meet her then… Hm, that gives me a good idea! Why don't we get you a pet as well?” she told me with a determined nod.
“What about feeding expenses?” I asked her, raising an eyebrow.
“Are you stronger than Kleo?” she asked me.
“In strength, yes. But I doubt I am in magic.”
“Not many can beat that brat in magic, but if you are stronger than her, then we can go to Andromeda and register you with the Guild of Adventurers.” she explained.
“That's a rather generic name, but something like that actually exists? Also, why can't we just register here?” I asked her pointing at the ground.
“Why would the Guild build a Hall here? It's not that big of a city, there's no dungeon around here, and most of the troublesome things are dealt with either by the guards or by my grandfather.” she explained.
Honestly, I was surprised when I heard her say that. In my world, games usually dropped a Guild Hall everywhere they could as long as it wasn't a village. With Tomeron being an actual town, I thought there was surely going to be one here. To think they actually thought of building one only when there was sufficient activity and requests in the area to satisfy the eager adventurers.
“Makes sense…” I said.
“Then let's go and buy you some basic gear. We can go tomorrow in Andromeda to register you as an adventurer and buy you a pet as well.” Seryanna patted my shoulder and smiled.
“Alright, but me being human won't cause any troubles, will it?” I asked her.
Considering the fact that my species in this world was in constant battle with hers, I was worried about getting her and myself into some nasty trouble.
“As I said before, as long as you have the recommendation of a knight, you are safe. Grandfather will certainly write you one as well.” she reassured me.
“I guess it's fine then. So where should we go to buy some armor?” I asked.
With a smile on her face, Seryanna pulled me along to some of the merchant shops in this town. The people were quite happy to make a deal with Brekkar's granddaughter. Some of them even displayed the best armors they had there. In other words, they knew she was loaded, so they tried to get her to buy everything in sight. Thanks to my [Identificus Processus Juridicus] skill, I was able to spot the fakes and the very bad ones, but surprisingly, what those merchants recommended were actually items of high quality. They weren't trying to trick her or anything.
Some time later, after trying out all sorts of weapons and armors, we were done with buying some basic stuff. I got a steel chainmail, a hardened leather armor set with boots and helmet included, a steel short sword, and a backpack. After that, we went over to the enchanter and made sure my armor wasn't going to break once I moved at full speed. The way of accomplishing this was by infusing Magic Energy in it periodically, otherwise, it would wear out very fast. The strange part was that the way it worked didn't appear on my [Identificus Processus Juridicus] list.
As for conversations, it was mostly along the lines of: we want this; wear that; do this; how much is that; what other stuff you have? Meanwhile, I was the dress up doll for the redhead dragoness.
There were many armors and weapons meant to be used by the anthropomorphic type of dragons. Unawakened versions were pretty rare, so we didn't have too much variety to pick from, that was why we double and triple checked
everything there.
“You are all set now.” said Seryanna after we left the enchanter.
“I can't believe there's no actual spell to raise the endurance of the armor.” I told her while looking at my gloves.
To be honest, I was expecting the enchanter to have one, but now that I remembered, no item I used [Identificus Processus Juridicus] on showed its actual strength and endurance. If it was broken, it simply said where and how broken it was. If it was chipped, it showed me where. If it was wearable, then it said so.
This made me realize that I couldn't judge an armor by enchants and looks alone in this world. Guess that was why Seryanna said that you could make even a copper sword into an insanely powerful one, the downside was that you would spend a lot of coins to make it like that. Still, it would have been a huge waste of resources, but the dragoness didn't lie, it was possible. You could technically do it.
“Magic and Physical damage absorption enchants are the cheapest and most often used on armors. I think you got a decent deal for them.” she told me.
“It's only 10% though. It doesn't even come close to what you have.” I pointed out.
“True, but this armor is a bit special. Not anyone can have it. The better the skill of the crafter, the higher the chance is that you will find him in the capital or a big trade city, where he is bound to have lots of customers looking for him.” she explained.
That pretty much didn't change when compared to a game. The difference in items rarity and levels was always apparent when comparing merchants from Noob Town to those from a Major City.
“Hm?” I noticed then something in the far. It was a trail of black smoke. “What's that?” I asked the dragoness, pointing at it.
“What?” she asked furrowing her brow.
I thought that maybe someone started a barbecue somewhere, but when Seryanna's face turned serious and she clenched the hilt of her sword, I knew that something was wrong.
“Fire… and it's coming from grandfather's mansion!” she said.
“What?” I asked, but she didn't waste any more time and dashed forward in that direction.
“Ah! Wait for me!” I shouted and ran after her, trying hard not to drop my bag.
Was there an accidental fire? Arson maybe? But who would dare attack someone like Brekkar and Seryanna? I hope that old man is safe, and everyone else there for that matter… I thought while trying hard to keep up with the redheaded dragoness.
Chapter 16: Brekkar's secret
Fire engulfed the entire mansion while all the servants and some dragons from the town tried to put it out. Summoning spheres of water, they sent them over, letting them splash and pour over the flames.
Even from afar, I could see the effort they made trying to put out the fire. Those few who had no water spells used buckets of water from the local well or helped those touched by the burning flames. Normally, in this time and age, a fire could only be controlled by demolishing the nearby buildings and let it burn out, but with the help of those water magic spells, they had a chance at saving the mansion.
Meanwhile, I ran after Seryanna as fast as I could, but she was like a speeding cheetah and had long since lost me in the dust. Once she entered my gaze, I saw her standing next to her grandfather. I thought I finally caught up with her, but just when I was at about ten meters or so from her, she turned around.
In that moment, I saw a pain-struck expression on her face. I stopped and stood still for a moment, knitting my brow and wondering why she would show me such a gaze. Before I had the chance to call out to her, the redhead dragoness turned to her left and ran as fast as she could in that direction.
“Seryanna!” I called out to her but to no avail, she was already gone from my sight.
What just happened? I asked myself and then went to speak with the only one who could shine a bit of light over this whole confusing mess.
“Alkelios…” said Brekkar.
The old man was being supported by one of his maids. He was injured, and his armor was cracked in various places. Without a doubt, he just went through a tough battle, but who would dare to attack him? He wasn't someone just anyone could take on, after all, his strength was over 2000.
“What happened?” I asked him.
The man looked back at his burning home. The fire was fighting back against the draconic spells, but little by little, it was being put out. Still, the damage done was immense. So much was destroyed, so many things damaged, I could only imagine just how he was going to recover from this loss. Still, this was just a building, it was a good thing that he and the servants weren't still inside at this moment.
Then I noticed that Kleo wasn't here. I blinked surprised and looked around. That prankster was probably somewhere around here complaining about her dress, the mess, and everything else. A chill ran down my spine as I thought of the alternative, but… that couldn't be it, right?
“Where's Kleo?” I asked him again.
“She's…” Brekkar looked back at me, he clenched a fist and looked down. “I couldn't protect her…” he said.
“What?” I was surprised to hear him say those words. With wide eyes, I looked back at the raging inferno struggling to keep itself lit by eating away at the mansion. “You're telling me she's still in there? No!” I said and clenched my fist.
I don't have a water-based spell, but if I take a blanket and pour some water on me… If I have some healing potions and rush in, maybe… maybe I can save her. I am strong now, I can do it. I thought as I was prepared to run in after her, forgetting for a moment that I had set my [Dragon Tamer] skill to track her.
“No! She's not caught in the fire.” said Brekkar before I rushed in.
I jumped back from the flames.
“What? Then where is she? What happened here?” I questioned him.
“Bandits… They called themselves the Twin Daggers. The bastards spoke something about a debt and then set the mansion on fire. During the chaos, one of them grabbed my granddaughter and fled. I chased after him, but their leader… she stopped me. I never thought someone so powerful was here. If only I had my original strength, then this whole battle would have been a child's play for me to win, but now… I was far too weak. She defeated me with ease and took Kleo as ‘compensation'. Those bastards even burned down the stock of Bloody Mushrooms I had. They set the entire storage on fire…” Brekkar said clenching his fist.
“Twin Daggers? What? There's someone powerful enough to defeat even you?” I asked surprised.
“Yes… It's a woman with silver scales. Her strength is great. I could tell she was merely toying with me, but she didn't have any intent on killing me or my servants. If she wanted to, she could have done so easily… Frankly speaking, I don't understand why she left me alive. It's like she's not afraid of revenge…” Brekkar spoke and looked down.
The gaze he held in his eyes and the tone of his voice hinted me that this wasn't just the opinion of a defeated old man, but the experience of a veteran. He could easily tell those who wished to kill from those who didn't, but the way he said it made it sound as though this dragoness was the only one with this thought in mind.
Either way, she was able to easily defeat Brekkar. This meant that she was no easy opponent even for Seryanna. Actually, it was highly likely she would end up in a worse state than this old dragon was.
A chill ran down my spine as I compared our strengths in my mind. Forget about defeating, I couldn't even catch up to Seryanna, and she was no match for Brekkar, yet this bandit easily defeated him.
I gulped and remembered the pained look in the redhead's eyes from a moment ago.
Looking back at Brekkar, I immediately guessed what she had in mind.
Seryanna went after them… I thought.
“What's going to happen to Kleo?” I asked him.
The old man looked down and clenched his teeth.
“Sold to a noble or sent to another kingdom to live as a slave.” he then punched the ground, blood spurt out of his wounds an
d a small crater formed under his fist. “I can't believe I let them take her away! They are going to pay for this!” he roared furiously.
As Magic Energy gathered around him, he suddenly had a coughing fit, spitting blood. His hands shivered and eyes reddened. It was as if the very act of gathering this energy harmed him.
“Brekkar's status.” I commanded and the menu appeared before me.
[Name]: Brekkar Draketerus
[Species]: Draconian
[Awakened Status]: 2 of 2 Conditions met.
[Level]: 824
[Strength]: 2430 (-1250 from injuries)
[Speed]: 1810 (-1220 from injuries)
[Dexterity]: 2108 (-1400 from injuries)
[Magic]: 1004
[Luck]: 24
[Magic Excellence]: 34%
[Current Buffs]: [Dragon Tamer] <3X Life Force and Magic Energy Absorption from kills/Learning Speed>
[Current Debuffs]: [Weakened]
[Berserker's Burst Debuff]
[Illness]: [Berserker's Burst]
Dragons Can Be Cute Too Page 16