Chapter 38: Farewell To Probet

Chapter 38: Farewell To Probet

Of all the things you might force someone to do by pointing a sword at them, reading probably isnt one that immediately springs to mind. I pointed at the posters on the wall, each with a line of something unintelligible written on them.

I said read it.

Grayson stood with his hands held up, more requesting calm than offering surrender. Now, you dont want toargh.

I only meant to poke him slightly with the sword to show him I meant business, but the tip slid into his side with ease. I pulled it back out, a red smear on the end. So this was how a real weapon worked.

Grayson started reading. Ogre, easily confused, 300 bits. Frogman, uses basic beast magic, 200 bits. Gnome, weak to bright light, 100 bits. Lamia, able to mesmerise, 250 bits.

Maurice, grab some paper and write this stuff down. Claire, you get some paper too and copy the map off the wall. Mark where the different creatures live. The colour of the poster matches the same colour region on the map.

They quickly did as told. Grayson continued reading out the names of different mythical beasts (apparently not as mythical as I had been taught to believe) and their weaknesses/abilities. Maurice scribbled everything down. A cheat sheet.

I held the sword pointed at Grayson, although I felt like he was letting me. If he had rushed me, I doubt I could have stopped him from taking his sword back.

It took about ten minutes to get all the information jotted down. Some of the monsters Id heard of, others were new to me. Grayson had one hand on his waist, stemming the flow of blood. It wasnt spraying out or anything, but it did look painful. I had an urge to ask him if he was okay, even to apologise, but it would seem a bit disingenuous, seeing as how I was the one that had wounded him.

Okay, I said, lets go.

We backed away from him, heading for the exit. Grayson didnt say anything, didnt call for help from his men outside. It occurred to me we would be fugitives from now on. Outlaws. I really didnt want to be on the run for the rest of my days (not that thered be many of those the way we were going).

I looked at the sword in my hand. It was a beautifully crafted weapon, even I who knew nothing could tell that.

This sword probably means a lot to you. I dont really want to take it from you. If I leave it here, will you give me your word you wont come after us?

Grayson looked surprised, but he nodded. I place the sword on the bench nearest the door.

Will you be reporting us for this?

For showing some initiative? No. But if we cross paths again

He left it hanging, but I got the idea. Keep paths uncrossed. We had made it to the door and were about to leave when Grayson said, Wait. Youre going to need this.

He opened one of the desk drawers and grimaced as he awkwardly took out another piece of card. He had to swap hands to write, grabbing his side with his free hand and picking up the charcoal stick with the one now painted red. After writing something on the card, he walked towards us.

We all flinched and took a step back. He stopped, placed the card on a bench and backed off. I took a few steps forward and picked it up. A white card with writing on it.

They dont allow strangers into cities without one of those. It confirms you are visitors with full privileges. No tax, no tolls. The closest city is Fengarad to the west, but it will work in any of them. Show it to the guards at the gate and they should let you through without problem.

Thank you. I didnt know what else to say. Even though I had threatened and wounded him, he was still willing to help us. That is assuming the card didnt read, The person holding this card is a criminal, lock him up immediately. I really had to learn their stupid language.

We walked out of the shed and immediately found ourselves facing the soldiers waiting by the cart. The one I had spoken to earlier in the day saluted me. Turned out all you needed to gain respect in this place was to commit mass murder.

He looked like he was going to say something, but I didnt want to hang around making small talk while Grayson changed his mind and had us all strung up by the neck.

Right! I said in an authoritative voice. Evening training session starts now. Everyone keep up with me. And then I ran through the town as fast as I could with the others chasing me.

We didnt stop until we were well out of town. It was getting dark and we needed to find somewhere to make camp. There was a small group of trees off the main road that provided cover and hid us from sight. Building a fire didnt take long, but we didnt have any food and only a little water.

Wait here, I have to do something.

I gave him the spike, a little reluctantly. I hadnt realised Id have to return it. I dont suppose you could make me another one?

Wait here, said the blacksmith. He disappeared into the back.

Where will you set up your forge? I asked Kizwat. If youre to make good on our deal I need to be able to find you.

Kizwat was staring lovingly at the spike. I will head to Dargot. It is the city in the north. They had a silver blacksmith there who died recently.

Wont his apprentice inherit his hammer?

Silver hammers cant be passed down, they must be earned. Come find me there in a couple of months and I should be ready to make you whatever you wish.

Seemed like a good plan. The blacksmith returned carrying something wrapped in green cloth. He opened it to reveal a short sword, about the length of my forearm.

Take this. The same deal you made with Kizwat. A man who gets lucky once might get lucky again.

I took the sword. It wasnt as flash as Graysons, but it had the same feel. A real weapon.

Agreed. I will come back if I kill another unique beast. Although, to be honest, I had no intention of hunting any more monsters. Defending myself from other humans, however, would probably always be a thing.

Or maybe something higher, said the blacksmith.

Higher than a unique beast? Theres something like that?

Indeed. A very unique beast.

I couldnt help but scoff a little. If unique means theres only one of them, what does very unique mean?

There is only one unique beast in a group. When they die, a new one is born, eventually. A very unique beast, there is only one in all the world, and when it dies, it is gone for good. They are tremendously powerful. The blacksmith sucked in his breath. It is unlikely you will ever encounter one, but

I made a mental note to avoid very unique beasts at all costs.

On the way out of town I bought some chickens from the butcher. He also sold animal fat, which we could use to fuel the lantern. I found this out by asking, a new skill I seemed to have picked up. I also bought a proper bag and some other bits and pieces. With money in my pocket, I could have spent hours shopping, but the longer I spent in town, the more powerful the urge to get out of there got. Leaving Probet felt like the only way to truly graduate from being a noob.

I still considered the chances of this all turning out to be a game to be high, but whether it was or not didnt make a difference at this point. I had to find a way to survive. To not only to be able to live, but to be able to live with myself. Killing monsters made no sense if I had to become one to do it.

I headed out of town to meet up with my party.

Roll Call

Gadget Tramp - Can disguise weapons to look like trash, because thats what theyre made of.

Angry Witch - Can cast Lower Self-esteem on herself and everyone else.

Grinning Priestess - If laughter really is the best medicine, youre saved. Otherwise, say your prayers.

Slow Ranger - Uncanny ability to always know exactly where the sky is.

Batman - The hero this world neither needs nor deserves.

End of Volume 1.