Chapter 8: You don't skarn me!

Chapter 8: You don't skarn me!

Ardale wondered why life could never be easy.

Shed finally achieved her goal of locating the new dungeon. There it was, in a large clearing that had once been filled with ancient trees. Trees that she now saw being cut down and carried away by the skarn. So many bloody skarn too! Dozens of them!

Could I possibly need some assistance? She thought to herself in dismay.

The very thought of asking anyone else for help was abhorrent to her. Ardale succeeded or failed on her own in life, and she never failed! Begging for aid would be the same as admitting she couldnt do it on her own, and Ardale could do anything. This was just going to take a bit more finesse was all.

It was nothing she couldnt handle. She was the best.

Yes, there were a lot of skarn out there, but numbers werent everything. Ardale possessed a technique that could easily deal with a large group of enemies. But in order to use it effectively, they had to be gathered in one spot. The question was how? Preparing the spell took time and required that she sit still. That meant she couldnt deal the blow while also being the bait.

This is so annoying.Well, maybe an opportunity will present itself if I just wait a little longer.

That was unlikely. If there was one thing that Ardale had learned in her brief twenty-one years on the planet, it was that life rarely gave you free opportunities to succeed. As much as she hated to admit it, accomplishing her mission was going to require some luck. And luck was harder to acquire than gold.

All right then, she decided. This is not a tactical retreat nor an admission of failure.I was hired to find the Barrows and locate the dungeon and Ive succeeded at doing both.If anything, Ive gone above the requirements of the contract.The Aureum Order can hire some adventurers or mercenaries to deal with the skarn.Ive done my part.

Yes, that was the sensible choice to make. The sort of decision made with the cool-headed logic of a pragmatic professional. As disappointing as the conclusion of this little jaunt had been, Ardale had to give herself credit for once again following through on her personal creed: Never get carried away.

And then an idiot got involved.

Helloooooo?Helloooooo? Miss? Where aaaaare you? Hellooooo? shouted a voice that instantly alerted the skarn, who all turned their heads towards it as one and began smiling toothy, malicious grins.

What sort of careless fool just gives away his location in a monster-infested area like this one

Into the clearing entered the boy shed stumbled into earlier. Within moments he was surrounded by the skarn.

Oh.

__

Wow, these guys looked friendly! Heh, nah, Im just being silly. They were clearly filled with murderous intent!The source of this content nov(el)bi((n))

There I was, wandering around the woods, hoping Id bump into that girl again so we could chat it up; you know, enjoy a little conversation, get to know each other better, really break the ice! And then once wed gotten all the preamble out of the way, I was going to chop her up and learn her [Magic] trait. Then Id be able to use magic too!

Wed have so much in common then! She had magic, and I was going take her magic; just imagine the conversations we could have had if she wasnt going to die painfully in the process! Mutual interests are the cornerstone of a successful relationship, you know. Sure, opposites attract, but all too often that was only temporary. In my opinion, commonality was the binding glue that truly made romance possible.

Oh, gosh, look at me going on about romance! Could it be? Was it possible? Did I have a c-c-crush? Oh, Im blushing just thinking about it! No, no! I had to put away such silly thoughts! I was just an axe from earth, she was some magical girl from whatever this place was called. That made us as star-crossed as it got!

Still, she was so pretty!

Oh, I understand, I said sympathetically. The people I used to work for were the same way. Always cutting the budget to squeeze out every last possible profit! No vision for sustained growth, just slash and burn economics.

Hey, youve got a little more life in you than I realized! the old guy exclaimed. Well, while youre talking, would you mind telling me what you were doing here?

Oh, I was just looking for this girl I met, you see...

Oh ho-ho! Did I hear that right? Looking to make a little romance happen under the starlight? he asked with a wink.

Oh, gosh no, Mister! I blushed. I dont really know her that well, I justwell, its just, she has magic you see

Oh, is that a fact? Heh, thats a coincidence, I know a little magic too.

No way! I exclaimed excitedly.

Yes way!

What kind?

Im a master of Spirit magic, believe it or not.

Really? I asked. But youre so tough looking!

Well, I pride myself on being able to handle myself in a fight. Lots of spirit users lose themselves to meditation and pondering the universe and all that crap. I like eating red meat and kicking ass! So, I balanced my studies with rigorous physical training. Muscles like these are the result.

Wow, youre so cool!

Thanks kid!

So, if youre a spirit user, whyre you here with these skarn guys?

Well, Im controlling them mentally. See, Skarn are idiots. Cant learn a damn thing on their own. Im here to supervise them and keep them from being too stupid. Spirit magic lets me manipulate their minds and keep them under control.

Spirit magic is awesome!

It really is, he agreed. He stood up and said, Well, it was nice meeting you kid. I really dig your energy! Its rare to meet such positive people in my line of work.

Its no problem at all, sir! Really, I feel honored just to have met someone like you!

Thanks! All right guys, you can finish eating him now.

Huh?

And then oblivion struck.