Chapter Twenty Eight - 028Harn scowled.
Things weren't going how they were supposed to.
The fog rolled, thick as ever, but now it covered a treacherous ground covered in ice. Ever since they entered these city ruins, bigger and bigger chunks of the path had been coated in the stuff, as if something was walking around and freezing all it touched. To Harn's knowledge, there was no record of a creature capable of this, not in the Foglands.
Something's changed. Harn made eye contact with Magda, seeing his own uncertainty reflected there. What's going on here?
Madga had been increasingly reclusive during this trip, leaving most of the training to him. If he were being honest, that is how Harn preferred it anyway, since two captains can muddy orders. But Maggie and Harn had worked together for nearly five years now, and they had worked out all the kinks of their partnership. Usually the duo would take some trainees into a dangerous area, bring them close to death to activate their Reveal before pulling them out and eliminating any threats. They'd done this close to two dozen times now, and while they had some higher profile trainees this time, nothing should have changed.
But then Callie went missing.
Calesca Boscal was their third member in the beginning, but had left a few years back to pursue a promotion. She was Silver Rank just as they were, but her skills as a finder of lost things gave her an edge in the Guild's acquisitions department. She'd go to remote locations, scout them, find any treasures she could carry and report back on the rest. The Guild would send others to get the remainder, while Callie would get shipped off on another mission. It was perfect for her, and she had seemed truly happy.
Maggie hadn't liked it.
The two of them had a complicated history, and their on again off again relationship was part of the reason for Callie taking the job. At least in Harn's opinion. Never one to mix his personal life in his job, he saw the warning signs long ago and stayed far away from it. It all blew up quite spectacularly but Maggie still carried a torch, that was clear.
Harn stepped up toward Magda, speaking in a low tone. "This is getting bad. Reminds me of Neven in all the wrong ways."
Magda nodded absently, her eyes scanning the fog. "It's too quiet."
Harn fingered the axe blade at his waist, thinking. "I know--listen, Maggie-"
"-there's nothing here!" Came the furious whisper behind them. Harn turned to see Atar leaning aggressively toward Evie and the Duke's kid, arms spread wide as if to encompass the whole area. "It's been hours! They said this was filled with monsters that would push us to our limits! HAH! We haven't seen a beast greater than a mouse since we passed that ravine!"
"Shut it, Sparky," Harn growled. The kid was getting on his nerves, even if he was making some good points. "There are--"
"No!" The kid puffed himself up, his face red from outrage and hands balled into fists at his hips. "You're not in charge anymore! You don't even know what you'r--"
"I said quiet, fool!"
Harn heard something. A soft crunch not coming from their own boots.
THUD.
"What was that?" Atar asked, his voice finally softer.
THUD.
"That?" Harn asked, unsheathing his axe and rolling his shoulders to loosen them up.
THUD.
Four hulking humanoids loomed in the fog, easily twice their size, blue skinned, and covered in crude metal armor. They hefted large metal clubs and axes, a dangerous gleam in their dark eyes.
"That's a monster, Sparky." Harn grinned under his helmet, his blood rushing through his veins as his Brawler's Physique was unleashed. "It's time to hunt."
"RAAAAHH!"
I can't believe it.
Felix had huddled in the shadow of the ruined home for almost ten minutes now. He felt paralyzed, alternately looking at his Quest update and the giantfolk that were still visible through the window. Not only did his Home Sweet Home quest list the Risi as threats to be eliminated, but also the Archon? That big golden douche with the pet sandwurm?
This quest is trying to kill me, he decided. How--what possible way did he have at his disposal to--
Felix took a breath.
It'll be...fine. I-I can figure it out.
Felix crept back toward the window, careful not to touch the sill which was slowly being covered in the encroaching frost. One of the Risi were agitated, and the other seemed like they couldn't be bothered. He could use that.
Think. Use the environment against them. Felix scowled as he inventoried his available Skills. He had built up quite the diverse range of tools, so he had options. I just have to make the most of them. Gotta lure them away, handle them one by one. Those muscles suggest high Strength, and those weapons...
He Analyzed the nearest club, a great beast of a weapon at five feet long and nearly a foot wide at the tip. Like a brutal iron spike, it tapered toward the handle, shaped into a rough pyramidal shape. His range had extended since hitting Apprentice Tier, pushing him well past twenty feet.
Name: Crude Iron Club
Type: Bludgeoning
Lore: Made of crude iron, it is a raw and rough weapon, being both extremely heavy and poorly balanced. But it is brutally effective.
Ok. I can use that--
A high pitched scream cut off his thought. A third Risi warrior stomped into the square, carrying over his shoulder a squirming figure wrapped sloppily in a huge rope. The giant dropped its captive roughly onto the ground, where they hit the ice with a clatter of metal armor. The captive stopped moving, and Felix sucked in a breath. He ducked low as the giant turned toward his direction, and he motioned for Pit to stay back.
"Lathu. Ikta na raatu!" The newcomer roared. Felix peered up and saw the blue-skinned humanoid gesturing to several slash wounds on its arms and legs, where the armor didn't protect as well. It was gesturing back the way it came, and for the others to follow. The uneasy giant wanted to follow almost immediately, bounding over to the new arrival like an eager puppy. Felix narrowed his eyes. It was hard to tell with their craggy features and white beards, but it seemed like that one was much younger than the rest, less experienced. The younger giant turned toward the other, who was still sprawled on the ground attempting to take a nap.
"Atcha, Jurvo! Klepas ta nata!" Young urged Lazy to get up, gesturing with his hands. Lazy ignored him and rolled over, muttering something in their tongue that Felix couldn't make out. The meaning was clear, however, and the newcomer pointed at the unconscious captive and back at Lazy. They did this repeatedly, vigorously, until Lazy waved them off and nodded. The other two left, quickly jogging out into the dark.
Felix's heart was in his throat. This was perfect, but only if--
Thunderous snoring began to fill the square. Lazy had fallen asleep.
Hell yes!
Felix crept outside the fallen building, coming as close to the outer corner as he could without passing into the square. Asleep or not, he didn't want that giant to have a chance at line of sight on him. At the corner, the captive was just within range of his Analyze.
Name: Unknown Human Woman
Race: Human
Level: 19
HP: ???/???
SP: ???/???
MP: ???/???