Chapter 286: Goals to be Mindful Of

It was surprising that Katolin's wounds were healing faster. It was also surprising that the marks of her burned skin were healing as well.

This wasn't supposed to happen, no matter how adept one in terms of mana control, to be able to heal her wounds this fast was beyond comprehension, even for Kon Sas Koron.

Surely, Kon Sas Koron's silk does help in terms of recovery, but to be able to heal even the slightest mark on Katolin's body was confusing.

The humans who were supervising the other shaman goblins were shocked. They all thought that if Katolin overcame the most crucial moment, she would at least stay recovering for a couple of months.

"Her recovery was so fast I thought it was a work of a Tier three Healer."

"Only we don't have healers here."

The humans who looked after Katolin was baffled by her current situation.

Ned on the other hand was standing on one leg with hands crossing as he watched Katolin wrapped in fine mana imbued silk.

It's time for him to leave for Hunter's exam in Sudden Plate City. All the neighboring cities were anticipating this event.

Ned wished for Katolin to be well when he leaves and to at least talk to her.

But looking at her current situation, all Ned could do was to sigh as he left Katolin in the hands of the Hive.

Although he trained, some part of him felt a thrill he couldn't resist. He was going to meet different candidates and warriors trained for this event alone. Perhaps find someone worth his effort and challenge them.

Ned was ready. Not that he needed preparations, but he needed to make sure everything was going well before he left the Hive.

His Silk Road has been imbued with mana. To not look outstanding, Ned changed the Silk Road to a plain and thin coat covering a white shirt. With a pant perfectly fitted for movements.

He wasn't much of an attractive guy, but he at least tried to look pleasing with his hair comb to the back.

Ned can't help but let his deep blue eyes gleamed under the light.

With all his items in his spatial inventory, Ned was ready with his goals:

Meet up with Twali and Sasani back at the Stormcrag Inn. Perhaps talk with Lord Sven regarding the Hunter's Exam and the Libraries where he could find a clue about the Mark of the Knight.

Pay the Hallowguard with mana stones.

Buy pieces of equipment. Especially a weapon (one that won't break after just a couple of use), and healing potions.

And since he got four days left before the Hunter's Exam started, perhaps, he might go to the Market Ventura: buy pieces of equipment like weapons, and healing potions. And if he got lucky, he might want to buy spells and skills that suit him. He needed more Wind and Fire spells. A hybrid spell that could be used both offensive and defensive was what he was looking for.

He needed new boots. His current one was crappy enough that he looked like an urchin wandering the streets.

And most of all, pass the Hunter's Exam and gain a fitting rank of his skills all the while looking for Gogmurch.

"Ah," Ned sighed and shook his head. "Gogmurch. That old Goblin... Where can I find you."

Ned walked to a hallway going to the throne room where Kon Sas Koron and Roy were waiting.

Entering the throne room, which Ned wouldn't miss at all when leaving, he was surprised that Moloatiss was there waiting with the others.

Ned grouped up with the creatures of the Hive along with Kon Sas Koron. There, Ned was informed by Moloatiss as to where Gogmurch was, or where he might be since even Moloatiss wasn't sure enough of the old Goblin's current location.

"Gogmurch might be underground."

Moloatiss body wiggled as he rounded Ned looking at him with his inhumane eyes.

"Where underground?" Ned asked. He was new to Bogblot. Underground means a puzzle in that massive city of Bogmoor.

"Highly profitable and valuable findings of the Hunter's Guild Association were hidden either the Hunter's Headquarters in Sudden Plate City... or Bogmoor. The seat of power of the Great House of Soak."

Which means I have to go to the Bogmoor City to the Great House and went underground to find the old Goblin, Ned thought. Unable to find an easy way in his current situation.

"Gogmurch is your main goal," Kon Sas Koron said. Her Dark Elven eyes were unable to meet Ned's. "Don' try leaving the place. Remember, she is with us and we can do all the things to her. So, Ned, you better hurry and return with Gogmurch. How you would do it is up to you."

Ned gazed at Roy on the other side of the table. In front of them was the Queen with her massive body looking down at them.

"Just take good care of her."

Ned considered Katolin his companion since she did save him more than a couple of times under the ruined castle. Ned was just returning the favor.

With nothing, much to talk about Kon Sas Koron ended their talk and eventually threw a gaze at Ned.

Ned and Roy went back to the training chamber and talk before Ned left the Hive.

"I really hoped you find what you are looking for," Roy said with his back facing Ned. "I must tell you something... It is about Testa and the reason why she was inside the Cube with your Master."

Ned waited for Roy to continue.

"Testa was dying."

"So does my Master."

Roy spun around and faced Ned.

"Testa was... the daughter of a friend before. Thinking of her having a hard time makes me sick. So, please, find a way to extract the Mark and give it to Testa. If Edwin was right, that Mark you have will save her."

"That is what I intend to do."

"Also... just like with my students in the past. I am proud of you to learn the Stance I proudly created. Use it as best as you see fit."

"Thank you."

Ned smiled. Although Roy was his Master nor his teacher, he has given Ned his creation. That alone was enough for Ned to thank him.

Now, Ned felt that he might miss this place. Not that he was leaving but he sure to return with Gogmurch.

Sadly, Kon Sas Koron wanted the old Goblin alive.

"Also... " Roy continued after a long and awkward silence. "The bounty and the rumors about me is true."

"What do you mean?"

"Have you ever heard or seen a Burner?"

"I do, yes," Ned said and nodded. He heard it more than twice already. Back at O'rriadt, Burner was widely popular among the outlaws. But Burners were said to kill a lot of mages. But why was it that they were still being used?

"If someone offered you a Burner—it's a thing in a glass vial. It could either be in powder form or liquid—do not accept it."

"Why is that?"

Roy looked at the ceiling as though thinking of something deep.

"After I stopped being a Hunter. I let my self be devoured of mischief. I used Burner in a town and lost control of all my mana. You see," Roy said and started to lecture Ned—perhaps, his last. "Burner works by soothing your emotions through your mana. No matter how tired or fatigue your body gets, the moment you used Burner, all these were drained. It was so addicting that it was too late for me to notice the effects on my body. The more you use Burner, the more you get addicted and eventually lost control of your mana. It works by boosting your mana to the maximum, yet pleasing and uncontrollable. It was too late for me to go back since my mana was leaking all over. By then, all my spells exploded and burn all the villagers in the small town. Killing at least a hundred of them."

"So that is why... the rumors were true then."

"So, avoid anything that concerns Burner." Roy walked closer to Ned and continued. "But, there will be times that your Quests concerns of Burners, so I'm telling you this. Avoid close contact with it. Especially the liquid one."

"Thank you for telling this," Ned said and smiled. "But I am not a Hunter yet, so I can't take Quests."

"Of course."

Roy then pulled a leather pouch hanging behind his waist. The pouch was looking ordinary with its brown skin made of leather. Giving the pouch he said, "I don't need it anymore. It's nothing much but it will help you get by for weeks. Just in time for you to pass the Exam."

Ned received the brown leather pouch and heard metals clanking inside. They were Gold coins.

"There's only a hundred." Roy raised a finger and said, "It will help you find an inn and perhaps buy some real human food."

"Thank you, Roy," Ned said. In order to return the favor, Ned wanted to give him something. But focusing and looking at his inventory, he gave up. "Someday, I'll pay you."

"Don't mention it, Ned," Roy said, and for the first time, Ned saw his genuine and human-made smile. "Just return with good news."