Hoshisu broke at a dead run, trying to put some distance between her and the four canines. They gave chase immediately, and she threw more knives at them as she ran. Some hit, causing no damage, some missed completely, and another one struck my shield and was repelled, joining the other three on the ground. She had only a single throwing knife left. The mysterious bandoleer she’d kept hidden all this time was disappointingly underwhelming.
Still running ahead of my hounds, Hoshisu circled back toward me. I shot more drilling arrows her way, just to make it more exciting, and she dodged them all while still keeping a step ahead of my hounds. That girl had some mad evasion skills.
She nearly reached me and was about to attack with her handheld daggers when my mastiffs finally caught up to her. One of them lurched forward, and Hoshisu finally missed a dodge, acting a fraction of a second too late. The mastiff clamped his jaw on her ankle and tripped her at my feet. The others, obeying my commands, clamped their jaws on her other leg and arms, pinning her to the ground. Hoshisu was left staring up at me, her eyes flashing in anger.
“I’m a bit disappointed, to be honest.” I looked down at the woman sprawled on the ground. I put my sharpened staff’s tip under her throat. “With all your not-so-subtle hints that you were ready for me, I expected more out of you.”
Her angry look evaporated and was replaced with a smug smile. “And you were right.”
In an amazing display of dexterity, she deflected the point of my staff with her chin and ripped away one of her pinned arms from the jaws of a mastiff. In her bleeding hand, she held her last throwing knife. With a triumphant shout, she struck down, burying the knife blade in the ground.
I looked around, my eyes opening wide with realization. With this last knife, the woman had completed a perfect pentagram around me.
An instant later, lightning burst from the hilts of the five knives. The cords of electricity arced around my shield, surrounding it with a web of lightning.
I stared with disbelief as the magic overpowered and shattered my shield, leaving me exposed.
Effortlessly, Hoshisu released her other limbs and rolled to her feet in front of me. Her body flickered.
I recognized the move and managed to bring my staff up in front of my neck. Similar to the move she used against the bugbear, she reappeared behind me. I raised my staff just in time, blocking the two crossed daggers centimeters from my throat, straining against the pressure.
I couldn’t match Hoshisu physically, but I didn’t have to. I had bought myself a second, and that was all I needed. I channeled my mana and froze the woman.
She stopped trying to force her weapons at my throat and stood completely immobile.
I blew a sigh of relief. “Got to hand it to you girl, you were damn close. I didn’t see that one coming, I bought your whole act. You could have ditched my hounds any time you wanted to, couldn’t you? You’re an amazing actor, but I’m afraid you missed your only chance.”
Still standing in the awkward position with her behind me, I made my own dagger fly out of my belt and hover next to her neck. “Goodbye, Hoshisu.”
From the corner of my eye, I saw one of her fingers next to my neck twitch. Something flashed, and I felt a stinging pain on my neck.
Poison needle hit you for 2 damage. You are afflicted with the Goblin Bane poison.
Effect I: 10 HP damage per second. 60 seconds duration
Effect II: Paralysis, 10 seconds
I couldn’t move a muscle, I couldn’t resist. The devious woman had me. She’d used the ring I had gifted her against me!
The poison ran through my veins, the searing pain breaking my concentration and my hold over her.
Hoshisu leaned in, putting her lips next to my ear. “Goodbye, Chief.”
With a sharp flick, she slit my throat open with both daggers. An assassin’s execution skill.
Damn, the woman’s a stone-cold killer, I thought with admiration.
Then I reached zero health.
21 – Outsourcing
Nihilator’s Sanction triggered
Due to receiving a fatal amount of damage, you have transformed into a being of shadow for one minute. You are completely undetectable and invulnerable for the duration and may move freely. Once the duration is over, you will return to the material plane, fully healed.
Mana regenerates at the normal rate.
This ability will not be usable again for the next 24 hours.
Well, I’ll be damned. Hoshisu won.
I couldn’t begrudge her victory. She had earned it. She was well prepared and I had seriously underestimated her. It was a lesson in humility. I’d let my hubris get the better of me.
Not that I hadn’t planned for this possibility. I had carefully phrased my words when I stated we’d fight until one of us hit zero health. I counted on her not knowing about my ‘get out of jail’ trump card. She’d seen Nihilator’s Sanction once before when we fought Jawbreaker, but she died before having a chance to question me about it.
I remained standing in place, one with the shadows, watching the frustrated woman with amusement. She kept glancing around, looking for me, occasionally swiping her daggers as if expecting I’d jump at her from the shadows.
The four newcomers exchanged baffled glances and talked in hushed whispers. I distanced myself from Hoshisu, waiting for the spell to expire.
I appeared back in the material plane, fully healed, clapping my hands. “Well done, Hoshisu.”
She scowled and advanced on me, clutching her daggers tightly.
I raised a hand. “We’re done. You’ve won. Congratulations.”
“We are not done,” she snapped. “It’s not over until one of us is dead.”
I shook my head. “The terms were until one of us reaches zero health, which I did. You consented by not objecting.”
“Damn you!” she seethed. “I spent days hunting to get this poison and earning enough gold to buy these daggers. Now you tell me it’s over? It’s bloody hell not over. I demand a rematch!”
“Sure, by all means.”
She looked at me suspiciously. “You’ll rematch?”
“No.” I winked at her. “But feel free to demand one.”
“Damn you!” she hissed again.
It wasn’t my fault she’d fallen for the same trick twice.
“See you later.” I waved at her and moved toward the gawking newcomers.
***
Once the fight was over Raystia finally managed to close her mouth. Her friends responded with similar signs of astonishment.
That was an amazing display of power and battle prowess. The angry woman had some mad skills, but that Totem guy was incredible. Yet for some reason, he’d conceded. What was going on?
This game is simply amazing! Raystia felt charged. I wish I could have joined these goblins when I was still a student.
“How the hell did he survive that?” Fox muttered.
“Maybe he has some artifact that protects him?” Riley offered.
“I didn’t see any special items being used …” Raystia said, her gaze still fixed on the chief. All she knew was that she did not want to face him in combat.
“Quiet,” Misa said sharply. “He’s coming over here.”
***
“Hi again.” I said to the group. They were obviously ill at ease. “Sorry about that interruption. Where were we?”
They exchanged nervous glances.
“Oh yeah, I believe you called me a weakling?” I smiled pleasantly at the yellow-furred bugbear.
“Err, yeah …” He gulped then added gruffly, “Sorry about that.”
“Think nothing of it.” I waved him off. “So, I heard you got to see around our little valley while I was away. What do you think of our settlement?”
“I love it,” the catgirl, Raystia, said eagerly. “So many people working together, taking care of each other … and you even have an Ogre!”
“Two, actually; the other one is patrolling outside the
valley.”
“So what’s your deal, man?” the bugbear asked. “How come a player gets to lead a clan of monsters?”
I shrugged. “Careful planning and a lot of luck. It might look impressive, but we’re woefully exposed here and there are factions that want to see us destroyed. We have to grow fast and get stronger. I heard you guys helped with that already, thank you.”
The goblin dwarf nodded. “We built you a wall at the valley’s entrance. Got some nice gear as a reward too. Thanks for that.”
“My pleasure.” I hesitated, not sure how to get to the heart of the matter. “So … you have no qualms about … playing as monsters?”
Misa chuckled. “You mean supporting mobs to fight normal players, worship dark evil forces, and kill prisoners in cold blood?”
“Eh … yeah?”
Her grin broadened, revealing sharpened teeth. “I love it. It’s a chance to play from a completely new perspective. Even games that let you take an evil role don’t let you play as the mob fodder. This is refreshing. Besides, evil is fun.”
I scratched my cheek. “I wouldn’t say we’re evil … we help and support each other. We just have … different priorities.”
“You won’t hear any complaints out of us, especially this one,” she said, gesturing at Raystia. “Don’t let those big, innocent eyes fool you. She let your ant-hob eat the brain out of a living victim and stood watching without twitching a muscle. Even the big guy had to look away.” She patted the bugbear’s shoulder.
“It’s not like that,” Raystia protested, then blushed as everyone focused on her. “I mean, ahem, the poor man was starving, I couldn’t leave him like that. It’s not his fault he has to eat living brains. We eat meat, right? Is it so different?”
“Hey kiddo, I’m cool with that, but our resident dwarf nearly fainted when he had to sacrifice the vegepygmy on the shrine.” Misa nudged Riley.
Riley made a sour face. “I didn’t like it, but becoming a dark priest sounded cool. At least I can heal now, right?”
“So, you’re a full priest of Nihilator now?” I gave him a searching look.
The dwarf nodded.
“It’s good to have another dark brother in our clan. I see you have a sacrificial dagger?”
“This thing?” He held up his black dagger. I could easily tell it was not as powerful as mine. His dagger wouldn’t kill a helpless victim with a single strike or create a void crystal like mine did, but it was still a holy relic of our cult.
“Yes. In your future battles, try to deliver the finishing blow with this dagger. The creature will become an offering to Nihilator, increasing your reputation with him.”
“Hmm …” The dwarf mulled over my words. “Thanks for the tip.”
“We’re going to build a Dark Temple soon,” I continued, “which should further increase the power and influence of Nihilator’s followers.” That gave me an idea on how to make my point. “As a matter of fact, why don’t I show you around the clan?”
They exchanged uncertain looks.
“Ahem, are you sure?” Raystia sounded hesitant. “I mean, I’d love to … this place is amazing but …”
“Follow me.” I led them through the path between the buildings. “That’s the rabbit warren; it produces raw meat every day.”
“What’s that pink building?” Riley pointed at the Breeder’s Den. “Looks kinda out of place.”
I wasn’t about to let them in on the single most important structure in the clan. I feigned misinterpreting his questions and led them to the structure near it. “That’s my own house. I hope I don’t have to say that, unless I invite you in, it’s off limits.”
“Cool totem piece,” Misa said, pointing at the Ogre totem on top of my house.
“Yes, that …” A sudden idea came to me. This group had demonstrated their resourcefulness and proved they deserved a bit of trust. I could use someone like them around. “I have a proposal for you.” I gave them a crooked smile. “There should be another piece like it at a camp about half a day’s travel from here. Would you be willing to go and fetch it for me?”
“What’s in it for us?” the burly bugbear grumbled.
My smile widened. “I’m glad you asked.” I concentrated and brought up the Quest Giver menu.
Grant the quest [Retrieve Totem Piece] to The Mob Squad? Yes/No
I set up the quest rewards for an even hundred gold and reputation points and added a minor magical item for each of them. Then I approved the quest and watched the four expressions change into shock.
“You can grant quests?” Misa and Riley exclaimed together.
“Yup.”
“Oh, yes we will do it!” Misa said, accepting the quest for all of them.
“I’m not sure what the totem piece looks like exactly, but it should be similar to this one. It shouldn’t be too hard to find. It’s likely to be heavy, but between you four, you shouldn’t have much problem carrying it back here.” I could probably order my hobs to search for the totem, but carrying it back to the valley meant we’d miss a coal shipment. This way was better.
They nodded in understanding.
“Oh, and there’s a small force of my people there; a few goblins and hobgoblin guards. Don’t interfere with their work and don’t cause them any trouble,” I said with a tone of warning. They had just seen an inkling of my power, so I was sure the message got through loud and clear.
“You got it, Chief,” Misa said lightly. “By the way, what’s your name? Everyone just refers to you as the Dread Totem; a bit silly if you ask me.”
“That’s how I roll around here.” I shrugged. “Some call me Chief instead, take your pick.”
“Ahem … excuse me, Mr. Dread Totem Chief,” Raystia said haltingly. “Do you have any advice on how to play better? I mean, it’s hard finding equipment, and we’re not allowed to use the crafting areas …”
She was right, newbies had it rough around here. Her remark sparked an idea, a plan to win over the newcomers’ support. “For now, just keep doing what you’ve done so far – complete quests, help the clan. Aim to reach ‘friendly’ reputation with the clan. Once you do, we’ll have a lot more to offer; access to our crafters and resources, maybe even trainers.”
Misa raised her brows. “So it’s basically like a guild?”
I felt a surge of anger. “No,” I said sharply. “Not like a guild. We’re like a family. Everyone is working together to reach a common goal … to be better, stronger, able to defend our people from trav– … players, and advance our civilization.”
Riley shrugged. “Sounds good to me.”
“I just want to kill stuff,” Fox grunted.
“That sounds amazing!” Raystia blurted, then blushed again “Ahem, I mean you’re basically running a frontier town. The challenges must be staggering.”
“You don’t know the half of it,” I said grouchily. “But we make do. Anyway, it’ll be a while until you get there. The quest should go a long way toward helping you.”
“What are we waiting for?” Misa grinned. “Come on guys, the place is already marked on our maps.”
They all turned and left. I heard Riley mumbling, “Why would they name it Raider’s Camp?”
I chuckled, happy at my spur-of-the-moment idea. This group shouldn’t have any problem finding and bringing me the second totem piece. It spared me the need to use my forces or go in person, and it cost me nothing. A win-win situation.
I turned and walked back toward Totem’s Watch. When I was there ten minutes ago, I could tell something about the shrine had changed, but I was too busy spying on the newcomers to investigate. Now that I had dealt with them, I wanted to have a closer look.
A loud scream came from within the cave as I drew near. Two snakefolk slithered out, shouting and screaming. More travelers.
Snakefolk had the upper body of a human and the lower body of a snake, kind of like land-mermaids. The two were slither-running as fast as they could. A single large shadow mastiff appear
ed behind them, giving chase.
I directed my will at the mastiff, ordering it to disengage. The hound complied, returning to the cave. The two travelers continued running past me, screaming as they went.
“Stupid, no good travelers poking their noses where they don’t belong,” I muttered to myself.
Still shaking my head, I climbed the ladder to the stone ledge above. I approached the altar, feeling tendrils of information swirling excitedly around it. I reached out and touched the shrine. It was filled to the brim with thrumming, dark power; it had more than enough to activate Eternal Night.
Soon, I promised myself. Very soon.
It had been a couple of hours since I’d given Trillian, the new exporter, her first assignment. It was time to go check on her progress. I teleported down and made the short walk to the marketplace.
I arrived just in time to see Trillian and her gofer bringing in the last pieces of lumber to the Export Office. Somehow, they’d managed to fit the entire load inside the small enclosure.
I watched, curiously, as Trillian went to stand next to the central market’s pole. She laid both her hands on the glowing orb and closed her eyes. The pile of logs started fading, slowly becoming transparent. In a few seconds, the entire stack of lumber vanished, and in its place stood a much smaller pile of square, clear glass.
We finally had glass.
I looked around, excited, wanting to share our success with someone. But for once, Kaedric wasn’t nearby. I frowned. “Vic, can you please go get Zuban.”
Vic glided away from my shoulders. “So spiky-face is unavailable for a moment and I become an errand boy again?”
“I did say ‘please,’” I pointed out.
“Fine. One stupid hob puppet to go.” He left the marketplace, muttering.
I didn’t let his antics spoil the moment. The Export Office worked! This single building was the ultimate answer for our resource issues. To top it off, the gremlin marketplace put a high value on wood, which we had plenty of. We were rich. We could buy most any valuable resource we needed.
I concentrated briefly, connecting to the information threads that permeated the air, looking for our daily production quotas. There – we were producing 52 units of lumber per day and had over 300 in store. A good amount. It more than satisfied our construction needs, but I wanted more. I could now use the Export Office to bring in resources instead of having to produce them on my own. I needed a lot of lumber for that.
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