by Jackson Bale
Rathic stops, his eyes turning hard, but tears still continue to form. ” It was when we were in a town, and I let the mercs relax while I went to the Mercenaries guild to get a new job. It was that day that Kana had disappeared.”
“When I couldn't find her the morning, I had all of the [Mercenaries] scour the town, looking for her… her body couldn't be found. We had looked for several days, and had found out that a slaving caravan had exited the town the same night she went missing.”
Gen listens aptly to Rathic, watching the old man as he tells his story.
“So I took my company and we rode hard, following their trail, eventually finding the caravan as they were camping.”
************************************Flash Back******************************************
“Rathic, we found the caravan, they’re making camp on the side of the woods about two miles away. No clear sighting of Kana, but they have several tents.”
Nodding quickly, Rathic flicks his hand, signaling his [Mercenaries] to follow.
With a hard nudge, his horse gallops in the direction his [Scout] had informed him.
A minute later and Rathic finally sees the camp. Several wagons can be seen surrounding large central tents while [Guards] patrol the outskirts. With hard eyes, Rathic gallops into the camp, ignoring the [Guards] as they shout warnings.
With a quick glance, Rathic quickly rides towards the largest tent, dismounting his horse.
“[Slaver]! Get out here NOW!” he yells, his [Loud Voice] skill echoing throughout the clearing.
[Guards] quickly converge around the [Mercenaries], wary of doing any battle against a well-armored group even though they have numeric superiority.
Tensions rise as a gangly man exits the tent, his disheveled robes speaking loudly on what he had been doing inside.
“What is the meaning of this, who dares interrupt me!” he yells, only then realizing the heavily armored group in front of his tent.
“I-um… what can I do for you? Is there something you need?”
Rathic eyes the man, ”Where is Kana,” he snarls, making the [Slaver] flinch.
“I… I'm not sure who you are talking about.”
Rathic’s arm flicks out, grabbing the gangly man by the robe and lifting him up in the air, ”A cat demi-human by the name of Kana was captured by your men! I will have her Returned!” he yells out once more, startling the [Guards] as they unsheathe their weapons.
The [slaver], panicking, starts tapping Rathic’s hand, the robe tightening hard around the man’s neck.
With a sneer, Rathic drops the man, who takes a deep breath and shakily gets back on his feet.
Waving at the [Guards], the men comply and resheathe their weapons, still wary of the [Mercenaries] eyeing them carefully.
The [Slaver] straightens his robe and slowly bows towards Rathic as one would towards a [Noble].
“I do apologize for this misunderstanding, we had gained several cat slaves from various towns, so this Kana eludes me. Could I trouble you for a better description?”
Rathic glares, his hand resting on the palm of his sword, eyeing the [Slaver] with contempt, ”She has a short, white furry tail and white furry ears. A birthmark on the left side of her neck and dark blue eyes.
The [Slaver] straightens, his eyes moving towards a tent quite a bit farther from his own. ”I see, we do indeed have that,” he pauses, reading the situation, ”Individual.”
Rathic, eyes cold, glares at the [Slaver], promising pain. ”Where is she?” he says slowly, eyes the man as a wolf would prey.
Swallowing hard, the [Slaver] starts to walk towards a tent, ”Follow… I will take you to her.”
Angry, Rathic complies, fearing the worst.
Several seconds later, he enters the tent alongside the [Slaver], finding a horrid scene.
“This Kana… had escaped, taken a sword from one of my [Guards] and butchered several of my men. When we finally apprehended her, the damage she caused was substantial,” the [Slaver] explains, not realizing that Rathic isn't even paying attention.
“And since many of the [Guards] at my employ were quite upset, I had allowed them to punish the woman in their own way.”
Rathic continues to stare that the disfigured corpse of Kana, her body twisted, crotch covered in blood and semen, cuts covering her entire body, eyes gouged out, tail cut off…
“Unfortunately, she had not weathered the punishment well, having died from her wounds rather recently,” the [Slaver] explains, finally turning and seeing Rathic haunted expression.
“Of course we will reimburse you for your loss. We have several fine young women for your liking who still have their virginity. I can guarantee the highest qua-Ghuahahaaaaa,” the [Slaver]’s eyes widen as he finds Rathic sword impaling him through the neck.
With unprecedented speed, Rathic pulls out his sword, allowing the [Slaver]’s corpse to fall on the ground.
Taking one last look at Kana, Rathic exits the tent, his eyes cold and sword bloody.
***********************************End Flashback*************************************
“When I exited the tent, I had ordered the entire camp butchered… I lost several [Mercenaries] that day… but we had killed off the camp, freeing the [Slaves],” Rathic pauses, staring forwards, watching the leaves swish upon the tees, ”and buried Kana.”
Gen’s horse just trudges alongside the carriage, his mind whirling over the story.
Rathic turns to Gen, watching the man look at him with pity. ”I tell you this story Gen because I don't want you to make the same mistake I did. When you find someone that you love, that you care about, make sure to protect them.” Rathic says, his tears finally stopping, but his eyes are still wet.
Gen, silent, nods slowly at his mentor, taking the pain and hardship of the man to heart, finally understanding why such a beloved and respected [General] would leave his kingdom. His eyes turn to the carriage, finding Rathic’s daughter sleeping peacefully.
Chapter Eight: Fog
“I think this is a horrible idea.”
“Probably is.”
“We're going to die.”
“Most likely.”
“I don't want to die.”
“Nobody usually does.”
“So why are we still heading to the fog?.”
Without stopping my pace, I listen in, hearing various movements around me. Ignoring the sound of my and Janie's boots striking the ground, as well as the bare feet of my undead…
WAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH
...and the giant beasts moaning in the fog. I focus my hearing, listening in to tiny legs scuffling on trees.
It seems to still be following me. A rather mobile little guy for his size. Didn't know spiders could jump so far.
“Because, as a [Hero], it is my job to jump headfirst into the unknown… and not because a god cryptically told me to 'not to fear the fog’.”
The sound of Janie's footsteps immediately stop, but I ignore it and keep walking, listening to the little critter as it jumps from treetop to treetop.
Noticing that I am still walking forward, Janie sprints past me and blocks my way. Her complexion slightly better today, the dried fruit and meat helping her gain a bit of color.
“What about me, I'll die if you die,” she says, pointing at my hand which holds the ring binding her collar to me.
I stop walking, smiling at her, thinking about what she would look like with quite a bit more meat on her bones.
God damn, I'm horny. What the hell is wrong with my hormones? Did Loki fuck up with this body? I feel like a horny teenager all over again.
Shaking my head, I dispel my sexual thoughts, mentally calling up my stats.
Thoric Elum
Level 14 Necromancer
Level 29 Hero
Raise Undead
Advanced Analyse
Skeletal Renewal
Enhanced Undead
Bone Telekinesis.
Advanced Mana Sense
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Strength
23
Dexterity
36
Stamina
32(34)
Perception
235
Endurance
14
Vitality
227(229)
Mana
700(1000)
M/regen
2.3(3.83)
Affinity
13
Intelligence
435(545)
Willpower
3047
Soul
4143
Robe of the Undead Caller(Rare): Halves All mana regeneration costs for undead upkeep. Does not allow additional Upkeeps.
Ring of House Kizor(Rare): +0.1 Mana regen, +200 mana, +2 Vitality, +2 Stamina, +10 Intelligence.
Ring of Enhanced Mana Regeneration(Legendary): Mana Regeneration +20%, +1 mana regen.
Necklace of Regenerating health(Rare): Applies Passive buff [Minor Regeneration]
Staff of Dark Blood(Legendary): Reduce cost of dark spells by 18%, +100 intelligence, Greater durability. Special Skill: absorb blood to temporarily increase max mana quantity+100 mana per liter.
Dagger of Bloodletting(Uncommon): An enchanted dagger which restricts blood from clotting.
Necklace of the Slaver(Common): +50 willpower on slaves.
Ring of Enslavement(Uncommon): Connects to a Collar Of Enslavement. Ability to restrict skill usage of a slave. Ability to know the exact location of a slave. Ability to end the life of a slave. The ring must be worn or slave will die after three hours.
Alright, so my Mana Quantity stat had seemingly increased with my [Necromancer] Level. Seems like 20 Mana per level. Decent I guess. The [Hero] class seems to be doing absolutely nothing though.
“Hey Janie, I have a question.”
Her eyebrows rise up, a pout forming on her lips as I ignore her question.
“The [Hero] class, I don’t seem to be gaining anything from it even after several levels. My [Necromancer] class is giving me bonus Mana and [Skills]. What’s the deal?”
Blinking rapidly, a frown forms on her face, ”I… am not sure. The stories say that those with the [Hero] class always become named people.”
Named people…
“Janie, you're forgetting that I'm not from this world. What the heck is a named person?”
Her eyes widen, ”Oh!, I’m sorry.” her face gains a reddish hue, ” A named person is someone whose strength is unrivaled.”
Does she mean the Strength stat? Or is it some kind of system achievement?
*Sigh* ”Can you please go into more detail?” I ask, rubbing my forehead.
Looking towards the ground, she quickly moves the hood from her robes over her head, covering her face.
She’s embarrassed… because she’s panicking around me… Dear god, I found myself quite the companion.
“A ‘Named Person’, are individual people who have gained significant levels in their class or classes. So much so that they rival armies.”
Armies… shit, I guess my plan to create an undead army to rule the world isn’t going to be enough... Well, if it takes significant levels to become ‘named’, then I guess I get a bonus considering I can train several classes without penalty due to the [Hero] class.
Cracking my neck back and forth, a nasty habit I gained when I was younger, I turn around and look towards the trees. ”Now then,” I say, my eyes moving towards a branch, and the critter hiding behind it.
“I know you've been following me. I noticed you since I first slaughtered those [Mages]…” I say, my eyes trained at the branch.
Flicking back her hood, Janie looks up, ”Spider!” she yells, watching a spider the size of my fist reveals itself, crawling into view.
Ignoring her, I move out my hand, opening my palm, feeling a weird sense of camaraderie with the spider.
“I’m going to enter the mist, you can either follow me around, or you can come alongside me. Choose.”
The spider just watches me, its eight red eyes blinking, analyzing me.
Intelligent.
Having decided, the spider bends its legs, thrusting outwards, traveling several meters and landing perfectly on my hand, its head and eyes looking straight at me.
Weird, it seems to have black fur. I don't think that's normal for spiders.
“Got a name?” I ask, curious If it can communicate somehow.
The spider blinks, taps its legs on my palm, and then quickly travels up my arm, sitting on my shoulder, where the spider tattoo is located.
“Ok, fine, I’m calling you Petyr,” I say, gazing into the spider’s red eyes.
Turning around, I find Janie, her mouth agape, eyes watching the spider with fear.
“Janie, this is Petyr,” I say, pointing towards the spider, ”Petyr, this is Janie.”
The spider moves one of its legs forward and waves back and forth, causing Janie’s eyes to widen further.
A moment pauses, only a word, barely audible, escapes from her mouth.
“Why.”
“Various reasons,” I say, walking towards the fog once more, passing the wide-eyed Janie as her eyes are still focused on the spider on my shoulder.
A moment later, I hear her footsteps behind me.
“That spider-.”
“Petyr,” I quickly interrupt.
“... Petyr… what is it?” she asks hesitantly from behind.
I shrug my shoulders.
“Not sure. Seems like a very smart spider. First time I ever saw one with fur.”
“Fur, it has fur?” she asks from behind, finally noticing that its body isn't like a normal insect.
“Yes, Petyr has fur, which is actually pretty soft. Not sure what he was doing here, but I think he's related to the spider tattoo on my shoulder.”
A loud inhaling breath can be heard behind me. ”I just remembered you had several marks.”
“Marks?” I ask, my eyes still focused forward.
“Marks are placed upon the bodies of people who are the servants of a god.” she explains.
“I have one on my lower neck of a white crow. It is the sign of the goddess Eir.”
Interesting, so each of those balls that I saw flying towards my newly created body is a mark of gods?
“Well, I have a spider and a wolf mark on my shoulders. My bottom back has an intricate picture of a fox. My upper back has some weird circle things and my legs have feathers.” I say.
“Oh, and I have no idea what the gods related to them are. The system doesn't even tell me.” I add.
Silence passes for several moments as she silently thinks, my own mind focused on the spider and the information I had gleaned about it.
What the hell is a [Scion of Anansi]? Anansi sounds like an African god… which it actually could be considering my patron god is probably Loki… and that spider mark on my shoulder might mean I’m also a servant of Anansi… this just gets weirder and weirder.
“The only god mark I am well familiar with is the one with the feathers on your feet. That is quite clearly the mark of the god Hermes. The spider and wolf I have no idea of. The fox seems like it could be related to the goddess Kumiho, but her mark has not been seen for centuries.”
“And the mark on my back?” I ask curiously, considering the sheer size of the thing when compared to the other marks.
“I haven't seen the mark, So I can't tell. You would have to show me.”
I’m sure you would like that, wouldn’t you?
