Chapitre 26: Gibberlings

Archer was looking at the black smoke of the remains of the camp; he shook his head as he cast Cleanse on himself and made his way to Stonethrone to deal with the gibberlings. It was the last quest he needed to complete until he could return.

While trekking through the forest, Archer didn't encounter any more beasts, so he started eating the hearts again. They were small, a bit bigger than a golf ball, so they weren't hard to eat.

After a brief walk, Archer reached the road and turned south. As he continued along the road, he spotted a caravan approaching him. They passed each other. The caravan guards eyed Archer suspiciously, as if he were a bandit, especially while he nonchalantly chomped away at the goblin hearts.

Archer ignored the looks and carried on walking. A few hours later, he felt sick again after finishing the last of the hearts. He found a tree to lay down in while he had a stomach ache; it was his fault for being greedy, but he didn't care.

'Status.'

[Experience: 0850/6000]

[Level Up: 26>42]

[SP:4>181]

[Mana: 3120>3200]

[Rank Unlocked: Novice>Adept]

[Void Blast: 2>3]

[Cosmic Shield: 1>2]

[Cosmic Sword: 1>2]

[Blink: 2>3]

[Plasma Shot: 1>3]

[Fire Missiles: 1>3]

[Short Sword Mastery Learned]

Archer got excited about the giant boost he received in stats. Also, many of his spells leveled up because he used them so much against the goblins. He also unlocked the next rank to create another spell, but he will deal with that later when he has some spare time.

Looking at his stat points, he had 181. After thinking for a little while, he decided to spend all of them to boost himself again. So he put thirty into HP and mana and twenty-five in every other stat apart from intelligence, which he put twenty-one in.

[HP: 900>1200]

[Mana: 3200>4100]

[Strength: 340>590]

[Constitution: 370>620]

[Stamina: 370>620]

[Charisma: 450>700]

[Intelligence: 320>530]

When Archer checked his status, a satisfied smile crossed his face. He felt a significant improvement. His body had gained strength, and he experienced an overall well-being that surpassed his previous feelings.

He started working out how much experience he earned from that little exercise; the total was 37,650 experience from the kills and hearts. 181 status points due to leveling up and eating the hearts.

As he approached a quiet part of the road, he smelled something nasty nearby. Casting his Cosmic Sword, he headed towards the smell. When Archer got closer, he heard growls and yipping noises.

Archer ventured deeper into the forest and discovered the unsettling smell's source. Before him stood hunchbacked humanoids with pointed, canine-like ears and wild manes of black hair framing their hideous, grinning faces.

These creatures, known as gibberings, had overly long arms ending in razor-sharp claws. Their black, maniacal eyes added to the grotesque sight. Archer had found the quarry he sought: about twelve gibberings surrounding what appeared to be a rhino-type beast.

The beasts were circling it while giggling. ''Kekekekekeke.''

Observing the gibberlings. Typically seen in large, writhing masses of dark fur and flesh, they emitted unsettling sounds—howls, clicks, shrieks, giggles, and odd chattering noises.

They creeped Archer out beyond belief and gave him goosebumps as they let out their creepy laughs. He didn't give them a chance and fired a few Fire Missiles toward the nine beasts; one died, but the others managed to avoid the attack.

Archer used Blink to appear behind the furthest one and plunged his sword into its neck. The creature fell to the ground with a heavy thud.

He rushed toward another beast leaping at him and wildly slashed with its grimy claws. Using his right arm, he effortlessly blocked the attacks with his scales, then countered them by stabbing the beast in the head.

Archer's smile unsettled some of the others, and in response, four gibberlings rushed toward him. He cast four Eldritch Blasts, unleashing powerful purple beams shot through the air, slamming into them and killing them instantly.

The spell pierced through the four gibberlings without issue. As he surged forward, one of the creatures leaped at him, slashing with wild abandon. Archer dodged and counterattacked, slicing its chest.

It dropped to the floor in pain as he finished it off, leaving only two left. Looking at the remaining two, they instantly turned around and fled. But he wouldn't let them escape, so he rushed after the fleeing creatures.

After catching up, he butchered the two and extracted their hearts as he dismissed his sword. He walked back to the scene of the fight. As he reached the area, he started ripping out the hearts and storing them in his Item Box.

Before storing all twelve bodies, he cut off some fur and smelt it. He was revolted by the smell but picked up a strong scent from the north. Archer started following the smell and came across a cave.

Yipping and screeching could be heard from inside, and he felt it was their den. Archer swiftly climbed into a nearby tree, positioning himself to observe the ongoing scene below. Gazing into the sky, he noted that it was still early afternoon.

He thought he wanted to return to Vassia before sunset, prompting him to watch the surroundings. None of the beasts came out as he waited, so he fired a void blast into the cave. All the noises suddenly stopped.

Getting fed up with waiting. Archer entered the cave when he heard loads of footsteps rushing out. He saw them exiting the cave in a panic. Smiling as he got an idea, he raised his hand and cast five Eldritch Blasts at them.

The purple beams flew through the air, smashing into the group. Screams and whines could be heard as the dust settled. Only two gibberlings remained standing. Archer cast Blink on them and finished them off before they could react.

After confirming all seven were dead, he walked into their den. He quickly held his nose as a rotten smell assaulted him. It was a mixture between a week-long shit cooking in the sun and a dead body. Looking around, he saw the bodies of beasts and humanoids.

In one corner, there looked to be a nest. Walking over, he saw loads of baby gibberlings all growling at him. Aiming his hand precisely, Archer unleashed a barrage of Fire Missiles into the gibberlings below.

He knew they would have met their demise anyway, so he opted for a swift and decisive end, ensuring a quick death for the beasts. Archer left the cave and started to make his way back to the city. While walking back, he decided to check his status again.

[Experience: 2000/3000]

[Level Up: 42>43]

[SP: 0>2]

He was happy with his progress. It took him a few hours of speed walking, but he arrived back at the city gate. Archer entered and made his way to the guild. After a ten-minute walk, he was standing outside the guild.

He entered and made his way over to Sarah. As he walked up to the desk, he spoke. ''Hello Sarah, I've finished the four quests.'' Archer handed the magic grass bag to the woman somewhat begrudgingly.

She glanced at him with a hint of exasperation, sighing before requesting his guild card. Complying, he handed her his card, and she began processing some paperwork, stamping the documents, and adjusting the card.

Sarah handed it back before going to get his reward. Not long after, she returned and handed him ten gold coins, but she asked him something as she handed them over: "I bet you have bodies to sell?"

He nodded his head. She sighed yet again. ''Well, the guild master has asked us not to buy any more. We have to sell the ones you've already brought us.''

Archer wasn't as bothered because he'd save them and sell them to guilds, so he replied. ''That's no problem. I'll sell them when I can.''

Sarah smiled and handed over the coins before telling him about a quest. ''Archer, there is an escort quest going to the Rhodora Kingdom to deliver relief supplies to the guild in Karna city. They asked for our assistance, so we've made it a quest.''

He thought about it and wanted to do it. ''Yes, sign me up. How long is the quest, and where is this kingdom?''

''It takes a month to get there and back, so two. It's on the southwest border of the empire; the reward is two hundred gold coins, and there's a bonus if the shipment arrives.''

Archer agreed with everything and got signed up. Sarah told him to meet up at the southern gate tomorrow at sunrise.

She smiled as she told him something that made him happy. ''The guild will count this quest as two, so you'll only have to complete two more quests, and you'll be able to rank up.''

Archer smiled and said goodbye as he walked over to the quest boards.

***

Archer's current status.

Name: Archer.

Race: White Dragon.

Age:13.

Rank: Adept

Exp: 2000/3000.

Level: 43.

HP: 1200/1200.

Mana: 4100/4100

Magic: Fire- Water- Earth- Wind- Lightning- Space- Darkness- Light.

Strength: 590.

Constitution: 620.

Stamina: 620

Charisma: 700

Intelligence: 530.

Status Points: 0

Spells: Void Blast(3)Cosmic Shield(2)Cosmic Sword(2)Body Enhancement(-)Blink(3)Cleanse(-)Eldritch Blast(2)Plasma Shot(3)Fire Missiles(3)

Skills: Spell Creation(-)Item Box(-)Mana Regeneration(-)Regeneration(3)Dragon Senses(-) Short Sword Mastery(0)

L’AVIS DES CRÉATEURS
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Editor: Ayce-o-Spade.

[Check out my other novels, The Runner's Odyssey and Darkness - A Tale Of The Lost One's Journey]

commentaire Commentaire 25

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ENVOYER LE CADEAU

Chapitre 27: Sweet tooth

He approached the board and searched for a quick quest. He had to meet Ella tonight and couldn't escape the city, so he found the perfect one.

[Help me transport my goods to the port. I will pay for any help I get. Meet me at my shop, The Block and Anvil, in the southern part of the city]

He tore the paper from the board and returned it to Sarah, handing it to her. She examined it while accepting his card and proceeded to stamp it.

Archer left the guild and headed south. He arrived outside a blacksmith's shop and knocked on the door. ''Come in, come in.''

A resounding voice echoed through the air from within. As he stepped inside, he was greeted by the sight of a quintessential blacksmith shop straight out of a fantasy novel.

Emerging from the back of the shop was a towering, burly man with a bald head and a massive, bushy beard.

The blacksmith looked at Archer before speaking in a deep, commanding tone. ''Boy, we haven't been open for a while. I got to head to Starfall City for the entry test for the blacksmith competition.''

Looking at the man with a questioning look, Archer spoke. ''I'm here for the quest you commissioned in the guild.''

The man's eyes widened as he started to laugh loudly. ''Sorry, boy, how are you going to help? You're not exactly a big guy.''

He narrowed his eyes as he answered. ''I have a storage skill, old man.''

The man looked shocked but smiled as he motioned to follow him as he walked back the way he came. Archer followed him and entered the room. He noticed it was a storage room packed to the brim with crates and barrels.

The blacksmith requested he store ten crates and five barrels. After doing that, he inquired, "Why are you taking all this with you when entering the competition?"

The man looked at him before answering. ''I'm selling this stuff in the capital. It will fetch me a lot of gold coins.''

Once getting the answer, he didn't bother asking anything else and gathered more stuff the man pointed out. Sometime later, they were done; Archer followed the man to the ship he was unloading the stuff onto.

After a ten-minute walk, they stopped before a merchant ship; the man turned to Archer and spoke. ''This is the merchant ship Vindhara. It travels down the Deep Flow river to the capital.''

Archer nodded and directed his attention to the majestic ship, which sailed across the rivers and oceans of the world. The ship is a sight to behold, with its sleek silhouette and tall masts adorned with shimmering flags and pennants.

One of its most striking features was its hull, painted a deep, midnight blue and decorated with intricate carvings of sea creatures and mythical beasts that seem to come to life.

The ship's prow is fashioned as a dragon's head, with sharp, gleaming teeth and fiery eyes that glow in the dark. Its sails are made of sturdy canvas dyed with a rich crimson hue and emblazoned with the sigil of the merchant house that owns the ship.

The ship's belly was filled with the sounds of bustling activity. The decks were alive with merchants and crew members who were loading and unloading exotic cargo, including spices, silks, and precious gems, from far-off lands.

While he observed the vessel, he spotted a grizzled old man approaching them.

"Irphan, you're late. We are about to set sail," the old man declared. As he spoke, his gaze fell upon Archer, and his expression shifted to puzzlement.

It was evident he had never encountered someone with such a unique appearance – a pair of white horns, bright violet eyes, and glittering white scales.

Irphan turned to Archer and introduced the man, "This is the ship's captain, a grizzled old sea dog named Captain Thorne. You'll usually find him on deck, barking orders and keeping a watchful eye on the crew. He's an old friend of mine."

He nodded to the captain, and then the three made their way onto the ship, where Archer helped unload Irphan's belongings. After unloading the stuff, Irphan gave him two gold coins. After that, Archer said his goodbyes as he left.

He made his way down the street, hungry and in the mood for sweets. As he looked around, he found a shop that reminded him of the old sweet shops on Earth.

Its name, "Sticky Sweets," which made him chuckle.

Archer entered the shop. While looking around, he saw many things: chocolate in the shape of cubes, gummy cubes, and all sorts of sweets shaped the same.

The shopkeeper walked over to him and greeted him. ''Hello, young man. How can I help you?''

He pointed at the chocolate cubes. ''What are they?''

The man looked at the cubes and explained. ''This is what we call chocolate. It comes from the Nagendra Kingdom in the south. The other stuff is slime cubes from the Sabat dynasty.''

Archer looked at all the sweets before him and decided to buy them all. ''I want to buy as much as you can sell me, the chocolate cubes, white cubes, and as much of the other things you can sell.''

The man looked at him in shock and instantly started thinking. 'Why does he need so much?'

Shaking his head before smiling. ''Have you got the coin for such an order?''

Rolling his eyes, Archer pulled out five coins while grinning. He saw the man's face drop, but he coughed.

''Okay, young man, let me prepare the order for you.'' The shopkeeper spoke.

He walked off before grabbing some bags and loading the chocolate and sweets into them.

Archer watched him work as twenty minutes flew by. When the man was finished, he sat in front of a sea of bags and baskets full of goodies.

The man stepped behind the desk and looked flustered. Pastries, sandwiches, sweets, desserts, and chocolate.

''Boy, you got me working like a golem in the mines. Why in the name of the goddess do you need so much?''

All three Archers had one thing in common, they all had a sweet tooth, plus he wanted to give some to Ella and her mother.

He looked at the man while smiling. ''I like them, and I want to give my friend some. I also have to go away for a while, so I wanted some snacks.''

Archer opened one of the bags, took out a chocolate cube, and ate it. The taste was perfect, and his eyes opened wide. It melted on his tongue as he chewed and swallowed it. He started eating more, and it reminded him of the chocolate on Earth.

He stopped eating once he saw the man looking at him strangely. Archer held up a chocolate cube. ''Do you have any more of this old man? And anything else that involves chocolate.''

The man sighed as he answered. ''My name is Garett, not old man, but we have more. Why?''

''I'll buy all of it.'' Archer instantly replied.

Garett gave up and rounded up everything the boy wanted, which was all the chocolate he had in the shop, which was a lot. Archer saw him bringing over more bags until the counter was swamped. The shopkeeper started working out how much coins it would cost.

After a little while, he spoke. ''Eight gold for it all, and I'll throw in some mana sweets.''

He took out the Eight gold and gave it to him as he asked. ''Mana sweets, what are they?''

Garrett smiled before rushing off to grab something. He returned and opened it, revealing various colored balls, each twice the size of marbles. Archer picked up a black one and asked what they were. ''What are these things?''

''They are mana sweets, whatever affinity you have, whether fire or light. Eating the sweet and your affinity matches refreshes the body and refills your mana.''

He became interested, so he popped the black one in his mouth and felt his body relax. He looked at the box, and there weren't many in it. Being greedy and wanting more for the sake of it, he asked for more as he pulled out a pastry and started eating. ''Garett, I want more of these. Bring as much as you can.''

Garrett sighed again and walked to the back of the shop. While Archer was waiting, he thought the pastry tasted good once he finished it. It was full of chocolate and had some fruit in it.

Shortly after that, Garett returned with two more boxes. ''That will be another gold. You never told me your name?''

He responded. "Archer."

Throwing the extra gold his way, he started putting all the food into his Item Box, a process that required a dedicated five minutes of continuous effort. Upon completing this, Archer prepared to depart, bidding farewell with a casual, "See you later."

Observing Archer's departure, Garett pondered, 'What a peculiar lad, splurging so much on sweets.'

Shaking his head with a grateful smile, he headed to the back room to settle some debts. Meanwhile, Archer exited the store under the fading afternoon sun, relishing a sandwich from his recent purchases as he made his way towards the castle.