by Aaron Oster
“I’m actually pretty young, only 59, but then again, elves do tend to keep their youth for far longer than humans, especially star elves.”
Milly was 59?! That was impossible, though. She didn’t look a day over 18! Damn tropes.
“What difference is there between star elves and other types of elves, if you don’t mind me asking,” Sam was quick to add, not wanting to insult the elf woman.
“There are several different types of elves in Somerset, the most common of which are plains elves. Somerset, from what I’ve heard, is mostly open, grassy fields, so it would figure that the plains elves would be the most common. There are also light elves, night elves, under elves and over elves. I believe that there is another race of elves that serve the illustrious Overlord, but I have never seen one.”
Sam nodded along, now more interested in all the information Milly had to offer, rather than just her looks. She’d pretended to be somewhat dim earlier, but he could tell that she was as brilliant as they came.
What the hell had a woman like this been doing, selling herself as an escort, when she could easily have become so much more?
“All of the sub-races have some similarities, but we all have our distinct differences as well. We each have race-specific traits that help us along a specific path, and those that hinder us from others. Star elves can be identified by this,” Milly swept her long hair away from her forehead, and Sam could now see a small pinprick of white light shining near her hairline.
“What does it do?” he asked, as her hair fell back into place when she removed her hand.
“As far as I can tell, it does absolutely nothing; though my level isn’t high enough for me to be sure,” Milly replied with a shrug.
“Exactly how long can you expect to live if you don’t increase your level?” Sam asked.
“My, aren’t we getting personal,” Milly said with yet another wink.
Why did she persist on continuously being flirty with him?
“But, I guess I’ll answer. Like I said, all elven sub-races get certain bonuses. The main one of the star elves is longevity and a youthful appearance. Most star elves live to be around 400 if they don’t level at all and can expect a significant increase in life expectancy if they reach level 18. Most star elves won’t even start showing signs of aging before they’re around 350, though if we increase in level, the aging process will slow even more.”
Sam nodded as she finished her explanation, and thanked her.
“Thank you for explaining that to me, Milly. I can tell that you’re a really smart woman, so there’s no need to keep acting so forward with me.”
Holy shit. He couldn’t believe he’d actually said that. So badass!
Milly stiffened at his words, and the light airiness completely dropped from her demeanor. She went completely silent, staring at the road ahead, not making so much as a peep. Sam was beginning to wonder if he should apologize for insulting her, when the girl finally spoke up.
“I don’t try to be, it’s just the way I am. After years working in the service industry, it’s almost second nature to me.”
Sam inwardly cringed at her sad tone, and really wished that he hadn’t brought it up.
He didn’t know the first thing about women, let alone a woman who was a full 40 years older than him and had more life experience than he could ever hope to match.
So he did the only thing he knew how. Reaching out a shaky hand, he lightly patted her on the shoulder. When she turned to look at him, he gave her his most genuine smile, hoping he didn’t look like a total creep.
“I don’t know what you’ve been through, but you can rest assured knowing that I won’t judge you, no matter what you’ve done.”
Milly’s cheeks actually reddened a bit, something which Sam had yet to see from the gorgeous elf, and she nodded, a small smile curling the corners of her mouth.
+2 Charisma
CONGRATULATIONS!
Through your manipulation of others, you have gained a new skill!
Mental Manipulation: If you know what to say, you can turn anyone to your way of thinking Effect: +10% Increased chance to sway uncertain parties in your favor
Fuck you, Overlord!
15
They continued walking until after one in the afternoon, at which point they stopped to eat some delicious stew rations. Gordon had wandered off somewhere when the two of them had set up camp, and Sam was secretly glad for that. He felt bad not being able to talk to him and hoped that he wouldn’t take it personally. After all, he felt like they were finally starting to get along after his near panic attack back in the dungeon, and didn’t want them to go back to sniping at one another.
Milly was the real surprise, however. After he’d swiped away the notification for the new skill, she’d begun opening up about her life. She’d apparently grown up in a place called The Perilous Peaks - another horribly named place - and had set out for a life of adventure at the age of 45, despite her parent’s warnings. She’d soon discovered that a lone elf girl couldn’t do much against the monsters of the wild, and joined up with a caravan heading further East.
After traveling some distance, she began running out of money and that was when the caravan leader had made her an offer. Milly had become fidgety here, as though she’d never actually told anyone this story before, which made Sam wonder just what type of world this was, where someone would tell a complete stranger their entire life’s story.
It made no sense whatsoever.
She’d said that he’d made a few advances on her, and though she’d initially refused, her lack of funds soon had her doing whatever the man wanted. The money had been good, and soon, she’d found herself doing the same with other men. She’d switched caravans a few times, paying her way with her body and charm. Eventually, though, she’d had enough of traveling, and when they’d stopped in Farmer’s Rest, the innkeeper had made her a pretty good offer to stay. Three meals a day, a place to live and a steady income. She liked the town, and after a few day’s debate, decided to stay and that was where she’d been for the last 10 years.
Milly admitted that she’d made many friends, and one had even offered her a job in the city if she could make it, but she’d been too afraid to make the trip herself. She’d been looking for the last few months, but strangely enough, no one seemed to be traveling to, or from the city recently. She’d received a letter from her friend - another innkeeper - just a few days before Sam had come into town. He said that his staff was overworked, and he could use someone with her expertise in running an inn.
“I was actually beginning to debate going on my own when you just happened to show up and ask for work. I took it as a sign from our illustrious Overlord and jumped at the chance, and now here we are,” she finished, standing from her seated position on the ground and brushing off her pants.
“I see,” Sam said, rising as well and stretching out his cramped muscles. “Will you be doing the same type of work in the city?” he asked, careful to keep his tone casual.
He’d already built up some goodwill with the gorgeous elf and didn’t want to ruin a potential friendship. Even though he was attracted to her, he found that the more he spoke with her, the more his mind seemed to ease.
Maybe it was because she was the first person he’d had any sort of conversation with since coming to this place; or maybe it was just that they seemed to click, which he found very strange, seeing as she was so much older than him.
“No,” Milly said with a knowing smirk. “This job will pay way better than my last one, and I won’t need to debase myself for it in the slightest. Not unless… I so choose,” she said, her voice dropping in pitch, and taking on a very sultry air.
Damn, she was good!
Thankfully, Gordon chose that moment to return, emerging from the low bushes that dotted the side of the road.
“I believe that there may be bandits up ahead,” Gordon said, as he approached.
“How many?” Sam asked, instantly alert.
“I cannot be sure, but as I was walking through the trees and perusing the variety of new sticks, the wind suddenly shifted, and I caught the scent of a group of sapient creatures heading our way.”
“How do you know that they’re bandits?” Sam asked, holding a hand up to forestall Milly’s questioning gaze.
Gordon bunched up his muzzle in what Sam assumed was an expression of distaste.
“Their smell. Those who are about to plunder and kill all have a very distinct scent, and it is not one that I particularly enjoy.”
“Sam, what’s going on? And why are you talking to your dog as though you can understand him?”
Sam turned to Milly, a pained expression on his face as he tried to decide how best to explain it. Finally, he decided to just go with the truth, or a version of it anyway.
“Gordon is more than just a dog,” he said, scanning the nearby trees for any sign of movement. “He is my companion. I didn’t want to say more earlier, as I didn’t want to alarm you, but I’ll do my best to explain.”
By the time he was finished giving his explanation, Milly’s eyes were wide with shock and disbelief. It was an especially notable expression, as her eyes were so large.
“Yes, I know that it’s a lot to take in, but is it any less believable than being able to use magic, or gain skills just by performing certain actions?”
Sam inwardly groaned, imagining that his new Mental Manipulation skill was rapidly leveling as he spoke. He just really hoped this wouldn’t come back to bite him in the ass.
Milly’s eyes clouded over with doubt for a few moments, and she bit her bottom lip as she contemplated all he’d just said. At last, she looked up at him and nodded.
“Okay, I believe you. It would explain your lack of basic knowledge of Somerset, and why you seem so amiable and open-minded. Anyone else would have demanded I service them anytime they felt like it during the trip as additional payment for their protection. But you were nothing but a gentleman, and even though your gaze does tend to linger, you never act on your base desires.”
Sam’s cheeks reddened, even as Milly’s turned the same color, and she gave him a shy smile.
Oh, fuck me! Sam thought as he felt himself being drawn in by those sparkling green eyes.
“I believe that our attackers are near.”
Thank you, Gordon! Have to remember to get him something nice when we get to the city, maybe a new stick or something.
“Right. Milly, I want you to go hide in those bushes. Gordon and I will handle whoever is coming this way.”
Milly looked between him and Gordon, then nodded.
“Be careful,” she said, running to the indicated bushes and hiding.
Sam took a chance to look the hiding spot over carefully, before being satisfied that she was completely hidden from view, then he stepped away from the bushes and purposely made himself visible in the middle of the road.
He wasn’t sure what they were about to face, but he wasn’t going to let them get Milly; even if had only met her, he was already growing fond of her…
Was this place screwing with his brain too? Or maybe Milly had some kind of skill to manipulate men? She had been an escort for years, so she had to have picked up some skills along the way. He would have to find out more once this fight was over.
He shook himself, and pulled his wand from his bag, running a mental checklist over his abilities and skills.
Gordon padded up to him, nose twitching and ears flicking back and forth.
“They will be here momentarily. I believe they are four in number, and should not pose too great a threat, or at least, three of them shouldn’t,” he revised as four figures came into view.
Sam took a moment to inspect them, noting that three were human, and one was a dwarf.
No! It couldn’t be!
SCORE DWARF
Name: Aoife Level: 8
HP: 210/210
Status: Aggressive
“Fuck you, Overlord!” Sam yelled as soon as the screen vanished.
What the hell! It was almost as though the Overlord had known he’d run into a female dwarf and had made it so he couldn’t kill her!
“What is the matter this time?” Gordon asked, giving him a sideways glance.
After Sam explained what his rule for the day was, Gordon nodded his understanding.
“Very well then; I shall kill the dwarf, so you need not worry about incurring a divine curse.”
He nodded his thanks and took a moment to use Inspect on the three men walking behind her. After confirming that they were all level 6, he closed his status, only to have a loud, trumpeting sound play in his head, followed by a new screen popping up in his view.
SKILL RANK UP!
Congratulations! Your Inspect skill has advanced from Novice to Beginner!
Inspect: If you stare at someone long enough, eventually, you’ll crack open their minds Level: Beginner 11 (4%) Effect: More in-depth information on people, monsters, and items
Finally! He’d been waiting to advance a skill forever!
Sam then snorted, admonishing himself for being so impatient.
This was only his third day here, after all. If anything, his progress was to be commended.
Focusing on the dwarf woman again, who he could now see more clearly, Sam used his upgraded Inspect skill.
SCORE DWARF
Name: Aoife Gender: Female Level: 8 - HP: 210/210 - MP: 20/20 - STA: 190/190
Status: Aggressive Score dwarves are a sub-race of the dwarf race and receive bonuses to both Endurance and Constitution, with each new level. They also, however, receive penalties to Intelligence and Wisdom.
Now that was one hell of an upgrade! Not only did he receive a much more detailed view of her character status , but he had also received some information on her race !
He idly wondered if he’d be able to identify that strange vial of liquid he’d found in the dungeon, but decided to hold off on that, until the fight was over.
“Are you quite done perusing your skills?” Gordon asked conversationally, pulling Sam from his wandering thoughts.
Looking up, he saw that the group of bandits were now a mere 30 yards away, and all of them were staring at him with open suspicion, or contempt.
Yup. This was definitely going to be an interesting fight.
16
“Alright, human. Drop all of your valuables, and we might just let you live.”
It came quite the surprise when the female dwarf was the first one to speak up, meaning that she was the leader of this little gang.
“Yeah, don’t think I’m gonna do that,” Sam said with a cocky grin.
His bravado was, of course, completely false. In truth, he was scared shitless. All of these thugs were of a higher level than him, and Aoife was the worst of them all. She was level 8 and unlike the dungeon boss, Bun Ni, had the intelligence to fight smart.
The dwarf grimaced and held up a hand to prevent one of her men from moving forward.
Sam couldn’t help but notice that none of them seemed to be casters. All of them carried some sort of weapon, which he found to be quite strange.
Shouldn’t there be more magic users in a world like this?
“I don’t want to kill you, human, but if you don’t comply with our demands, we’ll have no choice.”
“You literally said that you might let me live, just a moment ago,” Sam said, quietly signaling Gordon to prepare for an attack.
If they had the element of surprise, then they may just be able to kill one or two of the men quickly, and even the odds a bit.
The female dwarf growled, then dropped her hand and motioned her men forward.
“Fine then, have it your way. Just don’t say I didn’t warn…”
Sam lifted his wand, targeting the man on the far left and used Mana Burn. At the same time, Gordon shot forward, sinking his teeth into the man’s calf and making him cry out in pain.
“Trey! Stop them!” Aoife shouted to the man
standing next to him.
The bandit named Trey raised his rusty looking sickle and ran right at Gordon, screaming in anger and fear.
Gordon disengaged right as Trey swung for him, then performed a maneuver that left everyone, Sam included, completely stunned. As Trey’s sickle came down, the dog did a perfect backflip, lashing out with one of his rear paws and connected with Trey’s weapon hand. The force of the kick wasn’t all that much, but Gordon’s plan became immediately obvious when Trey’s sickle bit deeply into his companion’s right arm.
The man screamed in pain again as Gordon landed neatly on all fours, then darted in and latched his jaws around Trey’s throat. He quickly jerked his entire body to the side, mid-leap, and his momentum carried him past the bandit. With a sickening, tearing sound, a chunk of Trey’s neck came off in the dog’s jaws. A fountain of blood sprayed across his heavily injured friend, who was still screaming in pain and clutching at the sickle lodged in his arm.
Trey took one stumbling step forward, then his HP hit 0 .
Human Bandit dies! +247 XP
What the hell? How’d he get XP from Gordon’s kill? Sam wondered, as he raised the Basic Wand and used Mana Burn on the injured bandit.
You Deal: -17 Damage to Human Bandit (Mana Burn).
Human Bandit dies! +299 XP
Maybe his earlier thoughts about parties being automatically formed had been correct. If so, it stood to reason that the more he contributed to each kill, the more XP he would gain.
Sam turned his attention back to the dwarf and the remaining bandit, both of whom were staring at the other two in shock. Though it had felt like minutes, the entire scene had played out in only seconds.
“Gordon! Get back!” Sam yelled, suddenly dashing forward toward two bandits.
Gordon, guessing what he was about to do, quickly leaped back and out of the way. The bandits only had a moment to react, before Sam closed the distance and used his most powerful ability. An explosion of blue energy washed out from him, sending the dwarf staggering back, and the human sprawling.
