368. Outbreak and Danger IX

368. Outbreak and Danger IX

The days continued to pass. At all times, two people were left on watch, even with the arrival of Lady Shamia and her group. They did, however, make it so that Vonda, Dunes, and Adam could skip watches. It was always best to have one’s magic users ready and fresh for the fight.

Space had become cramped thanks to the arrival of a second giant elk in the form of Jonn’s steed, but everyone was more comfortable with another set of eyes.

Adam yawned, staring up at the sky. He had been informed that the few days after an Outbreak were likely to be safe, which left him more mental space to think as he pleased. He had thought about Rick and the other farmers, wondering what he could do to entice them into joining his future business.

‘Isn’t it already so perfect?’ Adam thought. ‘Food, shelter, education, healthcare, entertainment. Everything would be taken care of. I should definitely offer the chance to become an Expert...’

Adam stretched out his body, before crossing his arms, staring at the sky. ‘Money. That’s what I need. Money. Monies. Monay. Enchanting, right? I gotta enchant. Make some bespoke magical weapons for Nobles, because they’ve got money to burn. I need to bribe them properly too so they let me work in peace.’ He rubbed his eyes. ‘Can I enchant in peace in the Iyr? Will they even let me sell those weapons? I think they said okay, but...’

‘What if I trained adventurers to become Experts, and then take a cut of their loot until it was paid back? No, how could I know they were reporting stuff properly to me? Then what if they disappear to another land? Am I really going to chase them across the world for money?’ Adam sighed. ‘Enchanting it is, I suppose.’

Adam sighed during dinner, taking a bite into a bird which had been shot down and roasted.

“What is the matter?” Vonda asked. It hadn’t been long since he had been harassed by the other parties. She hadn’t understood how it felt, since she was both Aldish and a Priest, but she sympathised with him.

“I miss my Lanababy,” Adam whispered. ‘Are you eating well? Do you miss papa? Damn it! Why did I decide to leave the Iyr?’

Vonda couldn’t help but smile under her scarf. ‘If he’s being this cringe, he must be well.’

“Are you close with your sister?” Shamia asked.

“I’m the brother closest to her,” Adam said.

“No,” Jurot said.

“Obviously I am.”

“You are not.”

“Come on, Jurot.” Adam pulled back, squinting at Jurot. “Are you really going to tell me you are closer to Lanarot than me?”

“Yes.”

Adam scoffed. “Don’t listen to him, Lady Shamia. This is the one time Jurot is wrong.”

“I am not.”

Adam was surprised. He hadn’t expected that Jurot would have fought him on this hill. Adam looked to Jaygak and Kitool for support.

“Jurot,” Jaygak called, “are you sure?”

“Yes,” Jurot replied, sternly. “The Iyr is north west from our position, and Adam is further east than me.”

Adam blinked.

Rick choked on his soup, coughing to the side. ‘Did the Iyrman just make a joke?’

“Lanarot is certainly closer to Adam when it comes to playing,” Jurot said.

“You almost had me, Jurot.” Adam chuckled.

“For now.” Jurot caught Adam’s eyes.RêAd lateSt chapters at novelhall.com Only

“Two waves?” Adam frowned. “Will it be as brutal as the last time?”

“No. It will be much worse, I’m sure of it.”

Adam sighed.

Victory!

Wolves

XP Gained: +50

XP: 10 700 -> 10 750

‘It’s still splitting all the XP to everyone else, eh?’ Adam smiled. ‘How long do you think it’ll take for Nobby to Level Up?’

[Nobby has already levelled.]

‘Really?’

[Yes.]

‘Oh.’ Adam looked to the tall, strapping young lad known as Nobby. ‘Well, that’s nice.’

Adam had made it a small habit to speak with Bell every evening, though he had also done the same to Hades and Zeus.

‘What do you think? Can we beat the Outbreak?’

[If you do not, everyone dies.]

‘Charming, aren’t you?’

[Yes.]

Omen: 3, 9

There was a deep blood lust in the air. Jurot and Lucy had butchered the wolves well, adding them to the loot they had claimed so far.

“We did well last time, but today it will be far more difficult,” Adam called. “I’ll Fireball a bunch for the first wave, and I’ll keep some just in case for the second wave. If things look like they’re going south, well, I’ll be sure not to hold back.”

Everyone was equipped with at least five javelins which they could toss out during the first wave, while the archers each carried a quiver full of twenty arrows, but also had quivers tied to the walls some paces away.

The two giant elks were about too, eager to help, with Hades sitting atop the tower. Adam had remade the tower right before he went to sleep so he didn’t need to cast it until the night, hoping they’d be able to deal with both waves before evening came.

Dunes, Vonda, and Jonn kept their Aid spells for when the creatures would appear, and they would again cast the spells on the same few as previous. Adam wanted to make sure that the Lady and his two younger companions would be safe, considering they were the weakest in terms of Health.

Adam’s heart pounded wildly. ‘Why did I leave the Iyr? This was such a stupid idea. What’s the benefit of fighting here?’

XP: 10 750

Adam calmed, staring at his XP. That’s when he realised. ‘Wait. Won’t I...’ He smiled.

The whistle was blown, and the group readied themselves, staring off towards the horizon. The wait began to eat at them, but the mutterings and chanting of the spellcasters filled them with some respite. All the while, the creatures grew larger as they charged towards the outpost.

“Oh Baktu,” Adam groaned. “It just had to be bears.”

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I didn't realise but I wrote a bunch recently. I've almost fixed my sleep. I have so many interludes to write too.