I think Varusa did not realize Nicole was such a fighter or a level eleven. By the second night, her back was healed, and she was staying awake longer. By the third day when we entered the Aspen Woods, she had healed her butt completely. I think she had leveled up that self-heal orb. Out of all of us, she was grinding magic the hardest. I checked, she was still an eleven but blue eyes were open for longer than normal.
“Gryff where is my leg,” she asked with furled brows and a scrunched face. I happened to be sitting in the back of the prison wagon with her. I found stroking her hair and humming to her soothing. “Are we prisoners? Who captured us?”
“Ah, no dear. We are going to a new healer but I don’t think we'll need them by the time we get there. This is a friendly wagon and we are heading north to Aeva.” I said with a smile and she returned the gesture. “I need you to heal again Nicole.”
“Wait… I am a trained surgeon and a fantastic doctor. What happened?”
“A lot. Yariw is not a sophisticated place. They called the parasite a bum beetle. No idea the real name but that could be it. I smashed the invasive bug so hard when I spanked you it spurted toxins into your body,” I said with a soft bedside laughter. There was clearly nothing worth giggling over but she was smiling. “Goes to show you asking for a harder spanking may not be what you want. You almost died. I rushed you to a healer in Bonwe. A few elvath ditched us when we had problems and I figured it was better to leave Barry behind.”
“Ugh. A bug nearly killed me. I am over two billion years old Gryff. A fucking bug. Perception and Lily said to expect the unexpected. A bum beetle…” Nicole spun her head around looking for her battle sisters. “Where is everyone? I see that look Gryff, I am a doctor and more importantly ancient. I can handle the truth.”
I sighed and Zoey poked her head over the bars to the driver’s seat. I forgot elf hearing would pick up our entire conversation. Zoey waved and then talked through the bars with a smile.
“Glad you are looking better Nicole. You know me, I am going to give it to you straight. Werewolves ambushed us; they toppled a tree in front of the rhica who violently hopped over the obstacle. Javee, Patree, and Odesia fell out and were pounced on. We hesitated to save Odesia but she at least got a fighting chance. They were fifteen feet tall with claws at least a foot long,” Zoey reached a hand into the wagon and pointed at me. “That one threw a javelin so fast and hard it made a sonic boom. He got the revenge they deserved. And Nicole, well, and the creator if you are listening - I don’t want to lose a leg. But getting hurt and having that cutesy back there dote on me would be nice. He has not gotten a full night’s sleep since you got hurt. Always gingerly stroking your hair and humming to you.”
“Losing Patree, Javee, and Odesia will be hard to accept. They were ancients like me. What about Carolina and Jessie?” Nicole asked while still expecting to see them.
Mysti opened a ceiling door and peeked her head in. “They ran to Barry at the first sign of trouble. Probably best that way. We did not need to drag them with us into battle that they would shriek from.”
“I concur. So we are going to Aeva…” She said while closing her eyes with an exhausted sigh. “I am going to heal and go back to sleep.”
A half-inch of her leg leaped into creation. There was no swirl or glow, it just materialized. That was the best way I could describe the process. I continued to pet her hair and hum to her.
“Hey stud, Barq says in a few hours we will be in a decent hunting area for level fours. He recommends we start there and then move to the eights when we are comfy,” Zoey said from up front. “Take a nap, get some rest before we fight.”
I closed my eyes for what felt like a few minutes when I was jostled awake by Mysti. The sun was at the full midday mark and the calls of birds were loud.
“We are here. Get sleeping beauty to heal then meet us on the left side of this thing.”
I stuck a wet finger into Nicole’s ear and I knew at some point I would have to apologize, but it worked so damn well at waking her. Her brown hair spun with her head until her blue eyes gazed up at me. She smiled and I gently raised myself while she propped herself up.
“We here?”
“Yes and no. We are at a leveling spot. I am only three. Look at your wrist and wish to see your level. Then scan your orb. You will find a small circle on that should be green. There should be a number and then an exterior circle showing the progress.”
I waited patiently as she did as instructed.
“Eleven, and the green orb shows a long gash healing. Fourteen and it is almost fifteen. Can I come to level?” Nicole asked with pleading eyes.
“Yes and no. Heal yourself and get level fifteen on your self-heal. That is the flooring you need. No offense if I take you out there you would have to be hauled out on a cart and be a liability. Heal and get better. I know you don’t like that answer, but it is what it is.”
“Flooring?”
“Local term for leveling. Who knows what they will use in Aeva but fitting in is not the worst idea.”
I saw Nicole’s leg heal another half inch and she passed out. At least she didn’t fight with me. I exited the back of the wagon with a stiff and aching back. My legs were half asleep and I jumped a few times to get the blood flowing. A quick stretch and I joined the group that was waiting for me.
“Alright let me cover something about these level fours. They can kill you. A lot of adventurers that quest out here come under-leveled. A team of two thinks that they can make some easy work of some boars. They are unorganized and uninformed of what to expect.” Barq said while inhaling a deep breath and pointing into the woods. “We should be fine. I need you to understand something though. We can lose and we can die out there. Do not summon your hydra and pass out. If you are gored and we cannot bind your wounds you die. Game over.”
A smile crossed my face. I like unanswered questions finding a conclusion.
“Got it, this is not bunny farming. Strategy?”
“Pull one at a time with the babe… sorry, archer Mysti. Every time we engage an animal, we back up. When they die we cut the heart out and let the forest consume the dead. The leather on these is too poor to salvage. We’re looking for a blue orb drop. If you get it you just found a dozen durca.” My eyebrows shot high at his statement. “Rare mounts are desired. It is a one in a few thousand chance. We won’t be here but for a dozen or two. Mainly to get the team coordinated for a bigger version, the war boar. Oh… if we see a white bear about three feet tall run.”
“Why we running from a little white bear? Wouldn’t my arrows kill it quickly?” Mysti asked with resting bitch face. I stifled my laughter at her expression but some still escaped which caused her to frown at me. “What Gryff?”
I shrugged not wanting to get into a quibble match.
“Oh, he is a roaming boss that is immune to all magic. You may think a bear is slow. This one is not. I will be running. I have zero ways of killing or slowing him.” Barq said with a gruff determination. “You are right though a well-placed arrow will kill him. That boss out floors me and the bear counters my magic so by all means save the day with an amazing arrow.”
“Barq, those werewolves were huge and insanely intense for level fives. What gives?” Zoey said while twirling her black hair. “Shouldn't they be way farther north?”
“It depends. Look, I think you have grasped we’re not in a universe of pure reason or no chaos. My family and I think that is on purpose. There is some reasoning as to why. The werewolves, if they never roamed near Bonwe there would never be a threat and never be a need for guards and a militia. A level five would have no poison claws, less sharp teeth, and thinner skin. Prepare to expect the unexpected. The only true safe places are inside cities. Sort of, because there the other residents will kill you.”
“How do you tell the difference between residents and monsters meant to be killed?” I asked and he sighed at the question. I decided to push him on this as it
was detrimental. “Like that lizardgirl I saw serving us. If I saw her out here I would have assumed she was a monster to kill. Same with the orc.”
“There are orbs called identification orbs. You should all get one and carry it with you so you can rotate it into your core when needed. I actually lost mine somehow.” Barq said with patting his outfit as if it would make the orb reappear. “An identification orb is exactly what the name implies, it gives information and details. The amount of information depends on the level and color of the orb. There are a few portions that even the most basic orb at floor one will show. Status - Citizen. Then there is Status - Non-Citizen.”
I paused him to ensure I had this right.
“There are universal citizens who have protected rights such as you cannot stab them at the market. They have to pay taxes and they are treated like a real human, gnome, or orc.”
“Yes we are getting beyond boars but correct, there are sentient non-citizens of all the races. They have many other terms such as fodder, farming monsters, respawners, NPC or non-participating citizens, and loot droppers. For instance there is a pirate fort on an island far away where you go to a specific zone and go kill humans in a pirate theme. There is even a non-citizen gnome dungeon on this planet. You go into the caves and kill gnomes while freeing the slaves. Non-citizens do not roam into cities and mingle with others. They are leashed to an area and respawn on death. They have limited backstories but you can get them to say just about everything.” Barq said and he waited for my inevitable question.
“So I have this identification orb. I go to this dungeon and I see a group of gnomes outside. The information would say Barq and then I would see a citizen tag. I go into the dungeon and I will assume non-citizens are aggressive. I look at them and it tells me indeed non-citizens with slashing and piercing weakness.”
“Not bad Gryff. Not bad at all. Here in the Aspen Woods; the boars are weak to piercing and all magic types minus healing of course,” Barq said with a big smile on his little gnome face. “Good catch on understanding there is a lot more to it than if they are friend or foe.”
“I wish I would have gotten my sword sharpened if I am going to have to stab stuff,” I said flatly. “Thanks for the information. We ready to go?”
“Barq is the best. What can I say besides you're welcome,” The gnome said while whistling a tune. I watched his little gnome legs strut to the front of the wagon. He lifted the cabin seat up and reached in. He tossed a metal six foot long spear to me. I caught the weapon mid-flight. “Well, you bought this, but still. Here you go Zoey. This is a bandolier sash. Bind it how you see fit. That will hold a dozen knives. I bought extras in case you lose them. When we enrage a beast snare it after… Remember this, after I freeze it. And finally here are two full quivers of arrows for Mysti.”
“Awesome, thank you for buying these. I know we actually did with our hard work but Nicole never let us upgrade stuff,” Zoey said while accepting the sash of throwing knives. “I think I am ready to go.”
“I will take a full quiver,” Mysti said while accepting the arrows. “Can we leave Nicole here locked up?”
“We can rotate. Or I can cart her nearby,” I said making suggestions.
“No, she will be fine here. Military prison wagons are avoided. Even bandits would not come to steal the horses. The setup would scream of a trap.” Barq said and then jogged into the woods with us trailing behind.
The Aspen woods were almost barren of underbrush and thicket. There was old growth here that shot up almost a hundred feet high. The white bark peeled in some places and the sun was blocked out besides rays of light that pierced down. Birds chirped, sung, and flitted away as we walked deep into the trees. I saw an odd turtle with a bushy tail that curled into a ball as I passed it. Barq noticed the creature and never gave it a second glance.
My head was scanning for threats but the area seemed so serene and peaceful. We walked for another ten minutes and the biggest thing I saw was a small deer that darted away. The sound of a roaring river hit my ears and a few minutes later I could see the shoreline. Water bubble and flowed at a fast pace. Barq scanned left and right and gave an ‘ah ha’ as he turned right for something he saw. We followed him until we reached a low arched wooden bridge. Immediately I thought of fishing while sitting in a chair with a cold ale. The location was really enjoyable and peaceful.
I used the large spear as a walking stick and was enjoying the trek minus leaving Nicole behind. The sound of footsteps on the bridge was drowned out by the gurgling of the water as it sped under us. I saw on the other side of the river there was a break in the trees and a hundred boars about the size of Sharky were grazing spread out over a few square miles. I looked for signs of dead adventurers or boars and saw none.
“Okay Mysti shoots one. The boar runs at us angrily. I freeze the animal, and then Zoey casts snare under the feet. Mysti keeps shooting while Zoey starts throwing knives. When the boar is frozen, Gryff here zaps the beast with lightning. If we get in trouble we race to the bridge and support Gryff while he spears things.”
I shrugged. I was not the expert here. The plan was simple, concise, and sounded like it would work. I was trying to think of a better one when Mysti shot the nearest boar. The animal snorted and squealed in anger. A second arrow hit it in the eye and the boar fell over dead.
“And now you know why healers hate to go farming. I forgot elvath are renowned archers. Shoot one wounding arrow and then wait. Gryff needs the levels the most,” Barq said and the next arrow was already flying.
A new boar squealed and then grunted in anger. The headlong charge slowed and then halted as its feet were frozen in icy prisons. Snaking vines entwined the boar and it struggled to break free, which meant it was my turn.
A deep inhale and I added energy into the lightning orb and burst forth a zap. I used too much energy. That was abundantly clear when the boar exploded in shower of gore. I flinched and then smirked from the unexpected result.
“I wonder if my arrow survived. Maybe dial it down a bit hero,” Mysti said in cutesy tone.
“He is using a rare spell on a level four. And yes dial the power down. That way we can kill a few more before you become useless. How much energy left?”
“Little more than half,” I muttered while rubbing the back of my neck. Zoey scoffed and I defended myself. “Hey, this is why we are here. Next, pull please.”
I was able to kill six more before I ran out of mana. My wrist displayed a four now and my lightning a five. Another step closer to getting home. We earned three orbs and I studied them as we walked back to the wagon. There was one interesting revelation that I chose to grumble to myself about. We did not need to behead the boars only remove the heart. There may have also been a revelation that beheading the werewolves was unnecessary.
“This one I get Barq, it is a boar summon. This one is a spell to swirl liquid and this one is a spell to push air,” I said with confusion.
“The gut swirls liquids and the pushing air is farting. Granted…” Barq said while he chuckled. “Not all the drops are always going to have logic. The eight boars we killed are going to respawn in a half-day or so. And Gryff… They are a higher level, therefore they have a longer respawn. Catching onto a pattern yet?”
“Yeah, high-level stuff turns into a long-timer grind instead of repetitive killing. Okay, at least I know. You taking notes Zoey? I need you to write a how-to guide,” I said to Zoey and the young elvath rolled her red eyes. “Okay, fine Nicole is probably better suited to the task. If we are creating a faction we need a leveling guide.”
“There are thousands already,” Barq quipped.
“Sure I bet there are. My troops will be given an up to date and efficient guide without gimmicks that no longer work or have been exploited,” I said and let out a long exhale at seeing the wagon was safe with a sleeping Nicole tucked safely inside. “Is there an inn or something near where you want to level on the war boars?”
&n
bsp; “Sure, but this is the Aspen Woods. The inn is just as dangerous unless you bribe the right people. I avoid this inn and all of the others for a personal reason. My cabin an amazing place to sleep as it is an epic orb and still flooring. I think I get a large main room at level two hundred. My point is that I avoid this area, which is what I told you earlier when you were staring at this one’s ass,” Barq said and then pointed to Misty who proudly twisted her hips. “Or was it this one’s tits.”
I laughed at this. I had been eyeing them hungrily even with us having sex every night in our cabin room. Too bad he could not get far from his cabin without it despawning. A prison wagon was probably the best thing when I thought about it.
“Did you buy extra rope?” I asked while studying how the cart was tied up.
“Yea, of course. What adventurer doesn’t have excess rope?”
“Toss it all in the back please, and tell me about what drops off the war boars. They were actually a thing in Prox. A highly desired mount and bred in certain circles,” I said and he tossed the rope back into the cabin. I hopped into the bed and realized I woke Nicole. “Hey, sleepyhead. We were only gone for an hour at most. I need you to sit against my chest after I take my armor off.”
Mysti’s head shot through the ceiling opening. “You guys going to do it? Can I watch?”
“What? Um… we were until I spanked her and blew her leg off with beetle toxins. There was some chemistry. No, I am getting my armor off so I can figure out best to carry Nicole when we get to the next area,” I said and Nicole gave me a ‘you’re crazy’ look. I stripped my armor off and then realized I would need to put her on my back. Unless I had her straddle my chest. “Okay before you start asking what I am doing I do not know yet. Barq cover what the war boar drops are please.”
“So there are thousands of orbs that can drop including familiars. I will go over what we will probably see. A war boar has a one in a mid-hundreds chance of dropping the alpha mount. You will notice this is common that drops of sought after items happen more frequently in tougher creatures or non-citizens. Same with a grizzly vs an enraged higher floor grizzly. The war boar will drop the same three orbs you saw earlier. There is the pet, stirring, and pushing air but they will might be a tier up on the colors. The war boar drops are generally special or white. They have a unique chance and the best drop can be a rare. There is a screaming stun spell drop. A large war boar can give a grunting roar if it is ambushed. The spell has a medium-range at best and the stun is fairly short and easily countered. A great spell for breaking free of undead if leveled. There are far better stuns out there though. Why? What were you thinking?” Barq said while ensuring we were all set.
Gryff Boxset Page 127