23- Holy celebration.

Somehow all the events that had taken place during the day had lead them to this very weird moment.

Mimiru found herself sitting on top of a small straw filled cushion, at the right side of Feugan while Bannon was on the left, both staring ahead at a campfire, with dozens of kobolds dancing around the disturbingly big ceremonial bonfire.

Immediately after the news of the burial ground consecration (and one very excitable dwarf passing out) had been known, the kobolds in the village started going back and forth like bees in a hive, full with purpose. Mimiru couldn’t help but to feel the excitement and relief on the air, it was almost palpable to her, possibly due to how her senses now included some sort of beastmaster-enhanced perception for the feelings of living beings. Or at least this was the only reason she could think of this change.

The handsome elven researcher Auric, told them that the kobolds had been in some sort of pilgrimage looking for a new settling based on a vision the kobold shaman had. Apparently the Kobolds had been wandering as a nomadic tribe for quite some time. In the very own kobold words (or at least from what the researcher team had managed to translate) the kobold tribe had been traveling and looking for their new home for 5 old moons and 3 new moons. This felt very cryptic to her, but the moment Auric had told her this and she looked at him with obvious confusion on her eyes, the elven researcher just shrugged and shook his head, showing how he shared her confusion regarding such an explanation of time. Of course this manner of astronomical approach made no sense to them. They knew of the term “new moon”, which was a widely spread measure of time. Even if it required more detail on which one of their 2 moons they were talking about. But it was a moot point for the moment, with all the researchers fully focused on a different subject. The researchers were engrossed with taking notes and sketches of the live and breathing kobolds, documenting all changes they were observing within the last few weeks.

And speaking of the researchers…

The 3 of them had been relentlessly taking notes for quite a while now, almost since the kobolds started their preparations for their celebration (after they managed to wake up their fallen comrade). With two of them taking notes while each one of them was assisted by a magic scribe spell. Light Notetaker. A fancy spell that you would see among magically inclined administrative workers. After a short incantation and using a few cheap catalysts, a pen made of light would start taking notes for you on a sheet of parchment (or that fancier papier preferred so much by merchants and the banking guild). A rather simple spell to take notes while the caster was occupied doing some other chore, as long as the tasks the caster was undertaking didn’t break his/her concentration, the spell could continuously take notes for them.

Mimiru briefly remembered the details of such spell, as she recalled from her own research on it. She initially thought it could be a handful tool to have available. Being able to take notes while examining animals and beasts. It seemed like the ideal tool for someone like her which original aim was to work in the stables of some noble, taking care of their animals and monsters. It seemed like something all too convenient (unlike the price tag on the scroll to learn the spell). All the while, she observed the research team taking body measurements and notes on the kobolds. Cheese coins were being handed freely to kobolds. They were being handed to any kobold willing to exchange some of their time and an intrusion to their personal space in exchange of the cheesy treats. The frantic exchange taking place was quite reasonable after all. For the kobold tribe as a whole had undergone physical changes within minutes of the hallowing of their burial grounds.

Mimiru just didn’t had the eye for physiological details the researchers seemed to have on them. So she was just forced to believe them as they were currently almost oozing with a zealous dedication to their research. She could hear some of the details as they continued giving notes to the dancing pens of light, notes on the shape and coloration of the scales, as they had apparently changed. Notes on the slight coloration of the little horns the kobolds showed on their heads, she even heard a comment on how one of the younger kids would probably develop horns on a different angle. From their excited expressions and continuous notes, she could see that there were many more things going on. In what seemed almost a choreographed odd dance performed by the 3 researchers. First, they would lure invite a kobold closer to them by offering a cheesy treat. Each volunteer, the next one of the line of willing subjects that had promptly formed, would be taken its measurements, size, limbs and tail’s lengths, then they would check the kobolds’ eyes, the scales, offer a cheese coin and invite the next one in the eager line of little mulberry colored beastkin lizards.

Weren’t they a little more cherry-colored like?... Must be the poor light inside of the cavern.

As the kobolds started their celebration, they dragged the 3 of them deeper into their encampment, it was then that they realized only the entrance had the looks of a burrow, deeper into the cavern, the place expanded greatly, one would be able to fit a building the size of the adventurers guild within this cavern with ease, quite possibly a few of them actually. It was now obvious to Mimiru that what she considered their main encampment was only a temporal settlement and this cavern was their desired place to occupy.

In the middle of this cavern they prepared a bonfire, possibly the next key place for their celebration. After some time, the kobolds had been going at it, reveling in the celebration for the newfound home, feasting and dancing without reserves.

They had been quick on preparing a small celebration, one that had seemed to extended for some time now. It was definitly hard to guess the pass of time within a cavern. A small celebration from which now they found themselves in a position of honor somehow. With the apparent arrival of their prophesized -Dragon Lord- to bless their final abode, Bannon and Mimiru were now somehow playing the roles of retainers (while conversing with the kobold shaman, she had managed to at least upgrade their standing from servants to retainers, conserving some modicum of dignity)

It was then that another log from the campfire cracked, in an overly loud manner, startling Mimiru. Again. This had been going for a while, she couldn’t help herself, those logs were making loud cracking noises. And sometimes with each crackle, she swore she could see small lightning arcs going out of the fire too. Which must be just her tired eyes and some sparks flying off from the same logs. The ceremonial fire, already way too big for the size of the campfire, seemed to burn with a will of its own, its flames reaching all the way to the roof of the cavern, licking on it everynow and then. Up there on the roof, the light seemed to be playing tricks as the shadows cast by the stalactites on the ceiling and walls seemed to dance almost at the same weird rythm the kobolds around the bonfire.

The Kobolds seemed unaffected by such shadows or sounds and continued dancing around the fire. If one was inclined on describing it as a dance at all. They movements involved a lot of waving their arms up and then towards the fire, thumping their tails on the ground and then some yapping. She found it weird that she could not understand those cries, which then again made her think it was just that, excited cries. Not so much of a song or even a chant at all but rather just some excited expression of joy.

Out of the corner of her eye she notices the Kobold shaman is standing beside her, staring (Maybe?) like her at the dancing and celebration talking place.

“We have been wandering for a long time now. Not all our brothers made it. But they accompany us in spirit even today. We are greatly indebted to you, human child. For now we can focus settle down, lay strong roots and grow strong”

“P-please just call me Mimiru. Besides, don’t you mean you are grateful to all of us? And even more so to Feugan? Since he was fundamental for hallowing your cementery?”

“Heh! One could see it that way”

He has a whole lot of these puns, doesn’t he?...

“It was shown to me, in my visions. There would be a Dragon of nobility in this land. We respect, and revere Dragons, but we make no mistake, we know they can be fickle and temperamental. It might be unforeseeable to the children dancing here tonight. But I know he is here tonight, thanks to you”

“How do you kno-”

“I saw it in a vision” hastily replied the Shaman, not letting Mimiru fully finish her question.

Of course…

“Now for more important matters. Lord feugan has told us you leave in the morrow back to your human settlement. Alas I see no better time than the present to proceed with the blessings”

She wondered if there was something else the shaman might be trying to avoid discussing. Right after giving his puzzling explanation he stood in front of Mimiru, and then for all intents and purposes, Mimiru swore he was looking all over her before holding her hands, each one on one of his own.

“I had problems looking at you when I first laid eyes on the 3 of you. Never seen so much light on living beings before” The kobold shaman continued his explanation while pressing Mimiru’s hands poking here and there with his clawed fingers, the onslaught of weird sight oriented jokes keeping her slightly distracted as he continued his prodding.

“It seemed weird to me. After consecrating our cementery and receiving the blessings of our gods old and new, I was shown a new vision. I couldn’t fathom a greater visage, granted the opportunity to assist in the protection of this realm!”

“Now. Make a small prayer to your gods and don’t mind the pinch”

“Wait. What do you mean-”

“Shhh! everything else can wait. For now, focus on an honest prayer and try to not pass out. The gods are understanding, but they appreciate the effort nonetheless”.

With his cryptic words said, he pressed clawed thumbs on both of Mimiru’s palms even before she could even decide if she wanted part on this or not, Puncturing her palms on 2 different points, somehow not drawing blood while doing it, the pinch in itself was nothing great but she immediately felt as if the shaman had injected something inside of her. “Did kobolds come with venom claws?!”

Before the brief thought could be further evaluated or properly made her go into full panic, she felt a gentle warmth surrounding her. Where the cold damp air of the cavern was felt before, now she felt enveloped by a soft and warm feeling all around her, it was not an unknown feeling to her, it actually brought forth warm and jubilant memories of her youth. A warmth that was present in all the joyous celebrations in her small village, the merry spring festival dances, the gentle warm winds on summer nights, the mirth of the harvest festivals, eating with family and friends under the cold winter starry nights.

Feeling a bit overwhelmed by all of it, she then recalled the words of the kobold shaman, and so she closed her eyes and focused on earnestly repeating a simple prayer, one that her mother had once taught to her in order to show gratefulness to the nature and the spirits of the land. She did it so without paying attention to a towering draconic figure, seemingly made out of light, in front of her, or the visage of the kobolds, performing their hectic dance in company of whimsical dancing spirits. The towering Dragonic figure laid its eyes on her, watching her intently as she continued her prayer, and then, after deeming her resolution good enough, it gave a silent nod of approval and then turned towards Feugan. Determined to complete the mission it was entrusted and honored with. He needed to bestow the blessings while the gods saw him fit to be the vessel for such a task. He would see to it.

Your interactions with other living beings has broadened your horizons. You have been successfully consecrated by a priest of the land. You have acquired the ability to perceive and manipulate Divinity.

Your favorable readiness to embrace your faith ha- 6r0*7 y0* 0!^!n3 6L35%in9%---

…

…

Hearken oh child of man. Learn and survive. Persevere, Thrive. Do not falter while looking for thine happiness. Share thine blessings. You are loved.

21.5 - Overseeing

Morning. A dark, damp and lukewarm morning. Bliss.

Mate left early, with all the available space left he stretched to his heart’s content. No company was lonely, but it was roomy too, great for stretching. First he popped his old back into place, after one too many bones popping, he sat on the side and then stood almost unwillingly. He felt the moist moss tickling him just as he walked off their bedding. Things to eat, things to do, a tribe to lead. In that order.

Food was served and mood improved. It smells great. But the cook comes, she snorts angrily. So long pleasant meal. She demands more food for the young’uns. Food they cannot get, not the time.

{When?}

{When hallowing takes place}

{When is that?}

{When the time for it comes. Can’t you see it? hah.}

She takes my unfinished food. She says it will better serve us by feeding the young’uns, they need strength she says. She is right, but I don’t tell her that.

Then the tanner, the clothemaker, they all complain to me. Not enough hunt, not enough fruits, not enough hide from hunt, not enough light. 

{You are the overseer, oversee things done!}

Harharhar very funny. I snap back at him, he manages to evade my bite. Tsk. old age!

{We remain unwasteful until the hallowing!}

{Why do we keep entertaining the humans then?!}

{For their golden nectar!!}

They brought with them many things, most useless or pointless. But their foodstuffs! They had nectar with them, farmed they claim. A delight it is, a tribute can be! Its entrancing golden color! and even shaped like golden coins! Oh! He could almost hear their forefathers crying full of envy for them! If only the hallowing could arrive faster so they could get as many of their delectable morsels as we would ever desired! A hoard of them all for himself! 

And maybe some for his mate, a few for the kids perhaps. 

Perhaps.

Oh. And the tribe share.

It will be soon, regardless. Their forefathers revealed it to him in a vision! The dragon, his guardians. The time was close! He saw it! … HAH! that was a good joke.

Wait…

WAIT!

What is this?! This light!

So bright! A spirit?! No, I would have sensed it first!

This light is so bright! It has to be them!

For the first time in many more moons than he could remember, the blind kobold shaman had to cover his sightless eyes, aiming his body toward the entrance of the cave where his tribe had made a temporary home.

21- Of first encounters

12 Goblins and 40 medicinal herbs gathered later.

Their motley team had done fairly well without any relevant incident for all the day. Which of course was a bad sign they were not fond of, regardless of how absurd it sounded. Even Feugan felt uncomfortable knowing that nothing wrong had happened.

Well. Maybe Feugan himself was the one most torn about this peculiar feeling, a feeling which he couldn’t help to think it was due to his master’s experiences with life and luck. Or “the lack of if”, as he recalled his master's constant pleas for “At least decent dice rolls”.

And then it happened.

Feugan had a weird mixture of feelings as he felt relieved their good luck was finally interrupted. Which then made him concerned on how much of his master’s twisted sense of bad luck he had inherited. All of which was a matter for an entirely different time. Setting himself in a low position, claws and tail at the ready for combat, after having warned Mimiru, which in turn had made their guardian, Bannon, ready himself.

There was a presence lurking nearby. A very faint and well-hidden presence. They had failed to notice until this moment not because of a lack of experience, or because they had been reckless or overconfident. Quite the opposite, they had realized something was wrong, because in fact nothing felt wrong at that time. Wandering or traveling in a forest which happens to be the habitat of dozens of dangerous kinds of animals (and even plants) is akin to treading on danger during your whole trip. For the experienced, it is not a matter of finding a completely safe place, but rather finding a path which makes it less likely to be spotted by predators, or a path from which you can easily escape.

But at this very moment they realized there was no apparent danger around them, they couldn’t feel any predators nearby. Even from the trees, they noticed they couldn’t hear the chirping of nearby birds. Soon the whole area fell silent as they remained still and explored the surroundings with all their senses, weapons readied on their hands as they stacked closer together with their backs to each other in order to avoid leaving blind spots.

The sudden rustling of nearby bushes, shrubs and a few low branches, along with the movement of shadows on nearby trees, all of this still somehow devoid of any other signs of life, told them all they needed to know.

They were surrounded.

“Tsk. We have been had. We got too confident and walked right into an ambush. Mimiru! Feugan! Get closer, don’t show your back to them. We find a gap in their formation and you guys flee first onto any sizeable gap we find”

“{Ill rush forth first, even if the gap is small I can surely push forward}”

“Good to have your help on this Feugan”

“Really?! Can you two talk or not?!”

Cut short by the increasing noises and the now noticeable presences coming from all directions, even from above them. Mimiru noted that, as she tried to make a reasonable count from the different directions the sounds came from, she could now easily pinpoint the wide unmasked presences. More than having been surrounded without her realizing it to this point, it bothered her even more that she was now quite able to perceive them. To be able to even count them with the ease and accuracy she was experiencing only meant one thing, they were surrounded by some kind of monster. She had realized that one of the changes she was experiencing due to having her class changed to “Beastmaster” consisted in being able to perceive more easily where monsters were. She had noticed it but kept experimenting with this feeling, after all it was basically an extra sense which she was not entirely used to (and sometimes not comfortable with). But her main concern was other right now. A monster that was not only able to hide its presence but also capable to set an ambush and conspire along with others? Those all were unmistakable traits of a fearsome enemy.

“That can’t be right! We are too far from their usual territories!”

“What is it? What do yo-” Mimiru was suddenly interrupted as she got a clear view in front of her as a pair of short thin figures came out from their hiding among some bushes, holding weapons and showing themselves way more closer to comfort than what she expected.

“{Kobolds?}”

They all agreed in this assessment within an instant.

Small bodies the size of a child, but that’s where that comparison ended. A lizard like tail and fanged snouts. Resilient bodies covered with strong scales, sinewy arms and legs bearing sharp-looking claws. The unmistakable small lizard figures were closing in, slit golden eyes fixated on them, just like a varied assortment of crude-looking weapons.

Bannon was no stranger to fighting against the creatures, but he much preferred to be on the other side of an ambush against them. While he had no doubts he could take on this many of them in a more favorable situation, with Mimiru still doing her very first job that involved fighting monsters head on, and Feugan seemed strong enough to take at least half of them, but his size was against them in this situation, he was certain that Feugan couldn’t use his strongest skills with the 2 of them so close. He had noticed that the Dragon was basically pulling his punches whenever to close to Mimiru or him, probably too worried to not hurt them. Surrounded by all sides, in the open with their backs to each other as the only cover, the odds were wretchedly stacked against them.

Covering himself with his shield, using it along with his sword in order to distract the kobolds in front of him, with the reminder of the original well-polished sheen his equipment had before they undertook their current task. Fully aware that he wouldn’t be getting anyone blinded with the current state of his gear, the goblins and slimes had made a number on the prim look of his shield, nothing a rag and water wouldn’t fix. But right now he would require to use a spell to have a truly blinding effect, a spell that required energy he wasn’t sure he would need for something different later on, this went double for creatures such as the kobolds, creatures that not only had sharper senses, they also boasted other methods of detection that were completely foreign to normal human senses.

Rather, he was just making sure they had their attention fixated on him, it was simple yet effective so he could save up his strengths and special skills for a real dire situation.

Bannon, using all the experience that he had acquired as an adventurer, expanding all his senses, swiftly examined their surroundings. Thinking to himself he then made an assessment of their current situation. “8 Kobolds. All scouts. Maybe migrated from the swamp. No obvious gaps. Mimiru could probably hold 2 of them. If Feugan’s size and robust-looking scales are any indicator of his resilience, he may stall 3. I can dispatch 3 easily but I have to be fast so they don’t get injured, I wont have any room to hold back…” He thought while then focusing on possible scenarios based on his repertoire of spells and skills available.

“Twelve surrounding us.”

“Whaa~ really? But I can only see 8 around us!” Replied Bannon, making sure to sound confident and carefree. Trying his best to avoid his own anxiety show and affect his companions. Keeping a group’s confidence was important -specially- during a bad situation. Nevertheless, Mimiru’s matter-of-fact statement was distressing. His previous headcount was already well past his zone of comfort.

“There are 4 more on the branches above us. I can feel their presence, I think its due to –Beastmaster- ” Mimiru stated with a small and very brief sense of pride that she put aside for maybe another occasion. She thought that after dealing with this hurdle, she would find a good moment when to rub her small victory on Bannon’s smug overconfident face.

She then cuts short her own thoughts, focusing on keeping her shield ready to provide some degree of cover from any possible incoming attack. She lowered her own stance “low hips…” then made certain her feet were set on firm solid ground “don’t slip…”. She was sure she was ready to react at a moment’s notice now. Which wasn’t much of a relief with her shield being no more than a small buckler with the diameter of her own forearm, not an ideal protection against arrows or stones. That and she could perceive the kobolds hiding on the branches were flanking them.

In a swift motion, her dagger changed hands. She threateningly moves her left hand, which now has her shield strapped to it and holds the dagger as well. All in an effort to force the kobolds to look at her weapon. She had observed Bannon doing something similar before in order to get some Goblins eyes focused on him. She disliked the idea of copying him, but it was efficient and didn’t require any specific tools or even magic at all, unlike some lesser spells she had observed spellcasting adventurers using in the field, to obtain the same results.

But. The Guildmaster had asked her to pay close attention and make sure to learn everything that Bannon would teach her, and then, -learn all the things he doesn't teach you too-. Making sure the eyes of the kobolds in front of her were focused on her weapon, she cautiously reached to her bag with her free hand. She had prepared something just in case a similar situation occurred. If she could find it in time, they would have the perfect escape route. Her hand deftly rummaging through her bag, her eyes focused on the enemy in front of her as she kept them distracted with the swaying dagger. Fortunately for her, she had conscientiously arranged everything in her bag, so she knew where she was supposed to look for the tool.

A sudden movement from behind, along with the sound of rushed footsteps, startled her, forcing her to take a glance towards it. Distracting her and making her unable to promptly find the right tool within her bag. Letting her own inexperience shown in such a crucial moment was something she was already berating herself for.

The 3 kobolds in front of Feugan moved forward dropping their weapons to their sides and prostrated themselves in front of him.

“{Oh Noble Dragon Lord! We greet you today, we salute you and humbly ask for forgiveness by so rudely showing ourselves to you!}” Clamored the Kobold in the middle.

“{Forgive us Noble Dragon Lord!}” Chimed in the one to the right.

“{Praise be the Dragon Lord.}” Chirped the third kobold.

“Eh?! What’s going on?!!” replied a flummoxed Bannon, as he was startled now that the rest of the Kobolds seemed to be prostrating themselves towards Feugan, their arms on their sides, their clawed hands in front of them as if begging for forgiveness.

“{We saw you and we so desired to come and honor you, but your humans startled us! Surprised us! But now we see! It is obvious! It is only natural! A Noble Dragon such as yourself can have any entourage he desires!}” Praised the middle kobold in front of Feugan.

“{It is obvious!}” Lauded the kobold to the right.

“{It is but natural!}” Added the last kobold.

By now, only 2 out of the 3 members of their adventuring expedition could correctly understand what the Kobolds were saying. Not that it was much help in their current situation.

“{Yes! You are right! a gallant Noble Dragon such as I is bound to find himself surrounded by heroes and champions just as easily as nobility and royalty!}” Replied back Feugan, whose chest had quite obviously swelled up, full of pride, fully basking in the compliments.

Through your continuous efforts to overcome external ailments, you have acquired a new proficiency! Resistance to confusion, skill. Acquired!

“Deep breaths… exhale slowly…” slowly repeated Mimiru, with distant glassed eyes, a distinctive tired and defeated feel to her, just as she promptly closed the ethereal blue informative menu that had popped in front of her without paying it too much attention.

“{Of course! A Noble Dragon, has to be surrounded by heroes and nobles!}” Happily chirped the Kobold in front of Feugan.

“{It is obvious! Nobility begets nobility!}” Enthusiastically seconded a starry eyed Kobold in front of Bannon. (At least Bannon’s perception was such, as he had yet to find a Kobold excited from anything else besides food)

“{It is known! Regality calls forth royalty!}” complimented a Kobold in front of Mimiru, startling her, same which she noticed beforehand because its tail was moving so profusely, it was stomping the ground in a manner that made Mimiru think of a helplessly happy puppy.

“Feugan? Mimiru~? Care to tell me what’s going on?!” Bannon was very concerned about what was taking place. 

He was very confused because the kobolds kept making happy (“possibly”, he thought) chirps and yips all around them, after which they tossed their weapons and prostrated in front of them. Mimiru just seemed very tired and defeated. Was it a spell? But he hadn’t perceived any sort of magic influence nearby! But what about Feugan?! He... He seemed to be… Beaming?!

20- Forest Woes

The three of them stood still while listening to Bannon, he was explaining making a brief review of the general plan for this expedition, within a safe spot within the forest. They were right under one of the forest’s mysterious “safe gates”, big wooden structures that somehow resembled gates. Big structures that seemed to be made out of two gnarly and twisted wooden pillars with an inclined ceiling on top of it.

The visage was more like a mockery of an invitation to come into the forest, or at least most people felt that way when seeing such an odd “natural” structure. It was a confirmed mysterious occurrence within several parts of the forest dungeon. Widely used by adventurers and travelers due to the abnormal absence of predators around such structures, regardless of how questionable was the use of non-man-made buildings. They took this opportunity right in front them, right on what was considered an entrance to the forest dungeon.  They were conversing right beside the remains of a campfire, which was most likely used by a group of adventurers that came before them.

Rather than discussing the whole plan, Bannon was going over the little details pertaining battle strategies with their current numbers and skills. Feugan stared intently at the rough draws Bannon was making, nodding in either agreement or acknowledgement every now and then, as Bannon continued drawing shapes with a stick on the ground. Explaining basic “by-the-book” strategies to use when confronting different kind of enemies. Positions and how to handle very specific situations they could face given the circumstances and their current objectives. Bannon would explain, make a pause and then look at Mimiru and Feugan in a cursory glance looking for questions or a doubtful look on their faces, once he felt there was no discernible doubt or any of them made an inquiry, he proceeded to the next possible scenario. Nothing too complex, truly. It is said that the simplest strategies were more oft than not successful enough for a group of amateurs, and Bannon was taking that to hearth, going along with the most likely scenarios. The need for such simplicity was even more important given that there was a language barrier in between them. Even with Mimiru’s “translation” for Feugan, it was best to establish and understanding their combat roles beforehand.

Which was great because Mimiru was practically out of the picture by now. A myriad of thoughts assaulting and distracting her. “How come I had never gotten such a warning from food before?”, “Just how expensive can those red dragon curry meat buns be in the open market?”, “What did those -plus strength/vitality- mean?”, “how could that affect me?”, “Would she loose the benefits if she ate something else during the day?”, “Am I the only one freaking out right now?” and many more questions kept her unable to focus on Bannon’s explanations.

***

Not too long after separating themselves from the main path, following a trail left by monsters, they have reached an open space occupied by one of the targets of their expedition. Green Slimes.

They stopped upon realizing the thread in front of them, looking at each other in acknowledgment of the fight that was about to take place, readying their weapons (and claws).

Their tactic was simple in itself, at the very least it was easy to explain. Yet the key to success laid heavily on their proper coordination. Green slimes were well known to defend themselves by shooting a viscous highly acidic fluid. A direct hit on your body would result on a mild inconvenience and maybe a rash, it was much bothersome on leather armor if left unattended for a few days. But it was best known for the really severe reactions it has on the eyes, resulting in an immediate severe irritation, tears and cries for help. The slimes themselves were not much of a threat, if one was to encounter a single one. The real danger laid on facing too many of them at the same time, which would make avoiding their attacks far too difficult of a task, increasing the chances of such an attack finding its way onto an adventurer’s eyes. Which would in turn, make what should have been a simple fight against an easy prey, to be much than they had bargained for.

The easiest way to handle the problem was in itself quite simple. all they had to do was to split around the cluster of slimes and divide their attention on more manageable numbers.

*Through your continuous efforts you have acquired a new proficiency* Dagger novice skill, acquired

“Not. The. Time!” Mimiru berated to no one in particular, trying her best to maintain focus on the battle taking place. Quickly closing the magic blue information window without losing control of the flow of the battle she was faced with. Grateful that she decided to practice the usage of the magical menus in her spare time, closing the message with ease and no ill repercussions.

“One slime.” She mumbled after dispatching one of the slimes she was facing. Sidestepping so the other 2 targets would be one in front of each other, making use of them as cover, making sure the 2 of them were unable to attack her at the same time.

“Low stance… firm grip… look for openings…” Mimiru performed well practiced motions, drilled into her head in the guildmaster’s training camp. Although she had never actually engaged into any sort of life threatening combat before, the guildmaster made sure all the participants to his camp came out with an unsettling amount of weapon handling experience. Today, her dagger felt lighter on her hands than usual, her movements went much more fluid than what she is used to. Reflecting on this, recalling how the guildmaster had taught her to visualize herself in combat situations and imagine the possible responses and actions she could take, she was handling her dagger far more skillfully than she had done before. She would see herself in her own mind performing a series of actions through combat, but once she tried the same movements on a practice dummy, her body would feel sluggish and she would react slower than how she pictured herself doing it. She always had issues with her own movements when practicing on her spare time.

But not today.

Her movements were short and sharp. A precise thrust of her dagger here, her shield back up between her and the slime she had just attacked, a swift sidestep to avoid an attack by the third slime followed by a well-timed counterattack.

“Two slimes...”

Through your continuous efforts your skills have increased Dagger Skill +0.5

“Oh, the curry bun had indicated something about -physical skill- increase, right?” She thinks to herself, closing the glowing blue menu in a swift motion, with a quick glance she confirms her share of slimes was reduced to a single one without others closing by, a little more at ease now that she confirmed this. One single slime which in turn tries to tackle her with all its gelatinous mass behind an all-out attack, just to be timely blocked with the buckler strapped on her left arm, and then immediately stabbed right into its core. The green slime now turning into a limp mass of green gelatinous goo.

“Three.”

She gave a quick cursory glance around, confirming her share of slimes has been dealt with. After making sure there were no more slimes closing by to her, or any other unexpected threats around them, she then checked on her companions. That was when she saw it, another slime, to her surprise it was trapped under Feugan’s claw. Even with no face, no discernible features to it, no language or even an intelligible message given to her with her monster talk skill, she knew the gelatinous blob was in a fit of rage, furiously squirming under the dragon’s claws.

“What are you doing Feugan? We are supposed to collect a sample from their body, not capture one, we have no means to carry it back-”

“{You got better during combat}”

“Hehe! so nice of you to notice! It’s nothing but the result of practice-”

“{Use your crossbow on this one}”

“I… I was hoping you weren’t going to say that…”

“{They are more plant than animals, better this little blob now, than something more dangerous without real practice}”

“It still feels kinda bad…” She grimaced, the entirety of the offer seemed to make things too easy to her. Even though she knew Feugan was right, slimes were no more than an accumulation of magic and moisture with an appetite, it still seemed unfair somehow.

Now alone, without the rest of its cluster, immobilized by Feugan (and mostly unable to retaliate due to being under the dragon’s claws), the blob seemed too pitiful.

“Mimiru, Just do as Feugan says, you do need to practice using that crossbow against a living target, need to get used to the feeling of it”

“{Can you understand me or not?! Which is it?!!}” Retorted the irritated Dragon while looking at Bannon, which was now scooping up samples from the green slime gooey remains of what had been his share of the fight. Putting big gelatinous chunks inside special flasks, which were a common part of the basic adventurer kit.

“I cannot communicate with you like Mimiru, Feugan. I just figured you wanted her to get some hands-on experience! All my years of experience gives me all this insight, but there is no need to praise me Feugan! No need to look at me with such unbridled admiration!”

“{Is he like this all the time? Is this why you avoid him so much?}”

“-It- is usually worse with women…”

“Yeah! Women cannot stop looking at me while full of admiration and awe! Hahah!”

Mimiru ignored the pointless monologue that started taking place. Bringing out a piece of cloth from her bag. She started cleaning the goo off of her dagger, then proceeding to inspect the edge of it. After confirming the good shape of her weapon, she sheathed the dagger back and then reached back for the crossbow she had strapped to her backpack, bringing it forward already in a ready-to-shoot stance. All in a swift motion she had almost down to heart by now. Looking at the angry slime with uncertainty clearly showing in her face.

She aimed the crossbow at the slime, holding it firmly as to avoid misfiring and hitting Feugan. Even though the crossbow wasnt loaded or even not cocked, the cheap bolts she had would most likely just bounce off his scales if she were to miss. But in her mind she had stablished she would rather not test this out. Sighing in full knowledge that it was for the best to just go for it, Mimiru began preparing the crossbow to put it in use.

Cocked.

Loaded.

Holding it properly.

Her tance was right.

Aim. Exhale slowly and then with a firm grip, squeeze the trigger.

...

Through your continuous efforts you have acquired a new proficiency. Marksman novice skill, acquired. Through your continuous efforts your skills have increased. Diligent worker +1.0! Diligent worker has reached level 2!