“So no talking to you in public. I’m glad I asked.”
“I would have mentioned it.”
While we were walking there were four clusters of bunnies we ran into, just like the last time the alpha took a few hits and the other two would attack me. Which added 16 shots of my arcane bolt, the first 6 brought me up to Novice 5, then the remaining brought my to 75%
Arcane bolt - Novice 5 (75%)
Fires one bolt of arcane energy at a target. Higher levels offer more power as well as extra evolution options. 10 Mana, 13 Damage
While it was starting to take more time, the leveling of the spell was still going well. It was gaining 7.5% per hit. Preferably it would be good to have the spell out of the novice ranks before reaching the town. Following the rabbit, tracks had also added 40% to my tracking skill. Would need to find another 4 sets of tracks to get it to rank 2.
Stopping for a quick break and some already prepared food after the last set. The rabbits were staked in two groups thankfully. The regular rabbits in one and the Alpha rabbits in the other. Then with the skins and food each taking up one. I was running out of the room quickly. There was no telling how many rabbits would be able to fit in a stack. To be honest I was a little surprised they were stacking at all. Must be a help for the hunters in this world so they can hunt more food for their families.
After my quick lunch, Alic started leading the way. Though it was easy to see that he was worried.
“Alic is everything okay?”
“I’m worried about bringing you into town. This was supposed to happen after you had reached level 10. Even then we would have had to be careful. You’re not even level 3 yet, so I am worried about what could happen.”
“Don’t worry about it. I am sure the goddess has thought of this and will bless my visit to the village.”
“I’m hoping so as well.”
After an hour of walking, we found tracks for another cluster of rabbits. Following it was easier than before. The area around the tracks seemed more disturbed than the others. The three Rabbits were fighting against another animal when we entered the clearing.
Enraged fox
Level 5
HP: 60/80
Alpha Rabbit
Level 3
HP: 10/20
Rabbit
Level 1
HP: 8/10
Rabbit
Level 1
HP: 10
They were not doing to bad, but it was easy to see that they would lose. It would take about 5 shots to bring the fox down while it was distracted by the rabbits. Then each rabbit would each take one shot. That was also if the fox happened to stay focused on the rabbits when I started my attacks.
Taking a deep breath and entering into the clearing launching my attack. I was able to get two shots off before anyone knew that I was there. Then there were two more before anyone could react. The fox launched itself at me and took the fifth hit, killing it. Then, three attacks on the wounded rabbits killing them.
Experience gained 77
5X2 Rabbits
7X1 Alpha Rabbit
60X1 Enraged fox
I was surprised that the fox offered that much experience, it must have been because he was a higher level than I was. This brought me to 279/300 experience points. It was exciting to think of leveling again so soon. I’d like to run into some more of those foxes they were worth some good experience. Though he was wounded to start with and had been fighting other animals which had let me get the jump on him.
This fight brought me up to the next level of Arcane bolt as well as bringing it to 28% towards the next level. It was exciting that it was leveling so fast but each level required a little more effort. Getting this skill all the way up would take a while. I was curious about what would happen once it went below 1%. It couldn’t go negative, but it couldn’t stay at 1% for every level after that could it?
Walking for the last half of the day didn’t bring me any animals to fight. Which was kind of upsetting. As night set in, I found a tree and climbed it. Trying to find an easy spot to rest for the night where others wouldn’t see me. Alic informed me that he would keep watch since he didn’t require sleep. The night passed peacefully, excerpt for almost falling out of the tree a couple of times. Until Alic found a better set of branches which helped to hold me in the tree.
Dropping out of the tree as the sun started to rise brought me face to face with a fox sticking its head out of its den. Instead of fighting me it hid away. And I wasn’t feeling like fighting yet. Setting up a small campfire and skinned the animals from yesterday as well as butchering the meat. These skills seemed to gain progress randomly.
“For skinning and butchery to level they require a proper cut.” I looked up at Alic. “You had a confused look on your face. With what you were doing I assumed that was what you were wondering.”
“I was, with this set both skills reached Novice 4 and are about halfway to novice 5.”
“Each time you level you have learned more about the skill. And it offers better rewards. So the more you level them the easier it will be to get a proper cut. If you had a hunter teach you the proper way to do this you would be gaining much more experience. You are having to learn on your own though so it is taking a little longer.”
“That makes sense. I’m excited to learn a trade. I’ve never taken the time to learn one before. I’ve only focused on my spell casting.”
“Well, I’m glad you are excited. Learning to create potions will be helpful.”
“If we can convince her to help us.”
The skins took a few hours to dry and the meat took a little longer to get it all cooked. Placing everything in my bag and looking at the fire. Throwing some dirt over it, it took a few minutes before I was satisfied that there were no embers left to cause a forest fire.
Setting out hopeful, knowing that we would approach the village sometime late this afternoon, because of taking time to dry the furs and cook. It was an important break and it might be better to enter the town the following day anyway. So there was more time while people were awake.
About two hours into the hike something caught my attention. Walking over there was a foot sticking out of a bush. When pulling it a body started to come with it. The owner had clearly seen better days. Searching the bush there were three more bodies in them. Their names were gone, just saying, deceased hunter. Most of the items on the body were destroyed by animals, but there were a few things I found. 3 lengths of rope, a tent, and a little over 2 gold.
Everything else on them was in tatters it was clear that animals had gotten to them. Though animals wouldn’t have piled them in the bushes like that. And that worried me, they were killed by humans. By the height they were adults, but there was little left to the bodies themselves. Nature was much more real here than in Etis online.
Though some magic in the air, kept it at a more mild form that earth. The bodies would probably vanish in a couple more days. “About how far away in the village now?”
“Only a few hours away. This could easily be a hunting group of theirs.”
Looking for any personal effects to try and bring back to the family, in case they were worried. Which they should have been. On one of the men, I found a necklace hidden in his pocket. It seemed to be a locket, but I didn’t see a way to open it.
I would have buried the bodies but with no shovel, it would have been a nearly impossible task. So I placed them back in the bush. And said a small prayer to the only goddess I knew. Setting off deciding to try and get in the village tonight and see if I could let the families know.
The outskirts of the town came into view about an hour before sunset. Taking a deep breath and walking into the village. People stared at me, which confused me until I thought of my ragged appearance as well as the looks of my race.
Finding an Inn was my first goal. Hopefully, in a small town like this, they would still have one. People were moving about and while there were still a lot of stares sent my way, they went about their business. The children were the ones most interested in my appearance as I reached the inn.
Renting a room was simple it was 10 coppers a night. So I paid for 3 days to start with. There wasn’t much in the room, there were a bed and a small table with a chair. There was a second room that held the bathing area.
A hot shower felt heavenly, as I cleaned the grime off of me. Wishing there was an easy way to clean my armor as well. Running the tunic and leggings through the shower and soap with me I hung them to dry. Placing the armor in my inventory. Keeping the dagger belted to my waist.
Once dressed in the cloth clothing I made my way down from my room. Thankful that I’d found that one guy that attacked me. It was going to allow me to rest at an inn for a few days before having to go back to roughing it. As long as people didn’t try to take me as a slave anyway.
Walking through the town it took me a minute to find the town hall. Going inside there were a few people talking. Looking around didn’t offer any help in knowing who was who.
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