Chapter 9: Monsters and Mortals

Chapter 9: Monsters and Mortals

Status | Quests | Inventory

Name: Lukas King

Tier: Mortal

Mana: 168

Rate: 10% per hour

Strength: 10 > 22

Agility: 10 > 16

Constitution: 14 > 21

Arcana: 2 > 16

Stat Points: 0

Bloodline: Locked. Conditions not met. (1/10 000)

Charges: 7/10

Luke inspected his Status. Satisfied with his progress over the past two weeks. An exhausting two weeks. With merits to spare, he had spent every moment exercising or sparring. On average, gaining three points a day. All his free Stat Points with the exception of one, which had gone to his bloodline to see what happened (nothing), had gone to the Arcana stat.

Something he was considering to be a bit of a waste the more he invested in it. It was the only Stat that hadnt grown naturally, and he still couldnt feel his mana, nor did he have a way to use it. Something he hoped would change after he crossed into triple digits.

Dismissing it, he got ready for the day. Breathing in the fresh air, he made his way to the Mission Hall. For the first time since his unexpected windfall. Idly scanning the missions on the board for something that might catch his eye.

How can I help you today?

I would like to go on a hunt. An easier one, if thats okay.

Very well. Can I see your wristband please? He extended his hand.

Luke slid it over, and watched with amusement as the man's polite smile slipped from his face. He looked between Luke and the paper, and then at Luke again.

Is there a problem?

The clerk's mouth opened and closed, not unlike that of a fish. There is no problem. Its just that A hunt is dangerous.

Im aware. Luke crossed his arms.

There are other considerations. The source of this content nov(el)bi((n))

Luke lifted an eyebrow, wondering what the man was getting at.

You see, a standard monster extermination mission groups five people together. Most that participate in them are seasoned members of the Society. While I can add you to a team, not many will be happy with the addition of a fresh recruit.

With the initial success, he tore the perforated edge off of three of his remaining five talismans and moved them to his inventory. Keeping two on his person, in case someone else needed to use them.

Watching a clock tick by. He stripped out of his outer clothes, and started doing push ups.

Might as well get a workout in while I wait. What I wouldnt do for a phone right now though. I never thought I would miss doom scrolling this much.

Arriving at the citys gate, it didnt take him long to find his group. Four people, sitting on a large carriage tied to two bipedal raptor-like lizards called raphta. Each of which was the size of a horse, and covered in dark blue and purple scales.

Once he got closer, Luke was surprised to see he actually recognized two of the people on it. One of them being Arya, except she had swapped out her black robes for blue ones. The other was Ethan, his hulking frame easily recognizable. Both of them he hadnt seen since his first days in the Society.

Hi. You guys are hunting the harpies right? He asked, approaching the carriage from behind, not scared of the lizards, but not wanting to get close to them either.

Luke? Said Arya, her face setting into a frown. Clearly unhappy to see him.

Hi Arya. Congratulations on becoming an Inner Disciple. He answered, ignoring the look on her face, he could already guess why she wasnt happy to see him.

What are you doing going on a hunt? She asked. I specifically told Xander to warn you against them.

You know this kid Arya? Asked the other Inner Disciple, leaning in curiously,

Ive met him before. He joined the Society a little over two weeks ago.

Thats fine, right? If he was recruited off season, he should be decently strong. He shrugged his shoulders, and looked between Luke and Arya. Not seeing the big deal.

And he hadnt started cultivating until then either.

So let me get this straight. Youve been cultivating for two weeks?

Basically.

Youre going to die. He leaned back and crossed his arms, a smile playing across his lips.

Laxas! Arya looked at the other Inner Disciple disapprovingly. Youre not going to die. She turned to Luke

Is it really that dangerous?

Its not as bad as Laxas is making it out to be. Harpies are pretty stupid. If we play our cards right, we can get rid of them fairly easily. Normally, we just fill them with arrows from a distance with those. Ethan pointed to a large pile of wooden arrows with metal heads and an assortment of bows on the back of the carriage.

What Ethan isnt telling you is that there are usually hundreds of harpies in a single nest, and if they spot you, they will rip you apart. The other outer disciple chimed in.

Ethan glared at him. Dont worry too much about that. What Arn isnt telling you, He jabbed his thumb in Arns direction, is that harpies are basically blind. They never see where the arrows are coming from. Just stick with Arya or Laxas, and youll be okay. Isnt that right guys?

You think I havent seen that happen before? Arn got to his feet, and glared at Ethan.

Thats enough. Luke, get on, were wasting time. And you two, Arya glanced between Ethan and Arn, If were careful, then the harpies wont even know were there because we hunt them while they sleep, and if they do see us. She reached behind her, and pulled out a wire net, with gaps big enough that Luke was confident he could poke his neck through them. We have these. Well set them up before we attack, and fire our arrows through them. If they crowd around us, well still be fine.

Yeah dont stress too much about it. Like Ethan said, just stick with me or Arya, and well be alright. I was joking about the dying thing. Mostly. Said Laxas, climbing to the front of the carriage, he grabbed the reins.

Hopefully. Luke thought, climbing onto the carriage.