Bryan held the guild letter given to him by the guild master. He put it in his bag and headed back toward the tavern.
He walked down the street, taking in the evening air and the chatter from people.
Yeah, this place was not so bad.
He bought one of the strange fruits he’d been eyeing up for a while and took a bite while walking.
He spat the food back out with a surprised disgust.
Oh god, it tastes like a peach… Not for me.
Bryan looked around, noticing no bins, so he put the fruit in his bag for now.
He reached the Rest & Ruin and opened the door, breathing in the familiar wave of garlic.
Bryan took his seat by the fire, put his bag on the floor, and slumped.
Ahh, comfy.
After relaxing for a short while, Tessa placed down a steaming bowl of stew and a mug of honey ale.
“Thank you, Tessa. I’ll have a few ales tonight before bed - I’m heading for the capital tomorrow,” Bryan said with a warm smile.
Tessa placed a hand on his shoulder. “Aw, that’s a bit sad, but I’m glad you’re doing well, hun.”
“I hope you stay safe and come back and visit one day. You can tell me your adventures.”
Ah, she’s too good to me.
Bryan thanked her. She smiled brightly before walking back to work.
Taking the spoon, he dug into the stew, mumbling sounds of enjoyment as he ate.
Mm. Garlicky goodness.
He finished his stew and ale with gusto, the chatter of other patrons drowned out by his own thoughts.
Bryan enjoyed a few more ales over the next two hours.
The honey touch was very smooth...
Once finished, he made his way up to his room, took off his clothes, and relaxed, staring at the ceiling.
Thinking about the town and Tessa before nodding off.
Bryan awoke to a beam of light on his face. Groaning, he got out of bed and stretched.
Ok, should drag all my stuff downstairs and try to pack.
He carried down what he could, making a small pile on the table near his usual seat.
Seeing Tessa, he asked for some stew for the road. She smiled and headed into the kitchen.
Ok, a lot of clothes, soap, rope, canteen, potions, food and more...
Yeah, that’s not going to fit in my bag…
Tessa came back with a large stew pot and placed it on the table.
“There you go, my boy - should last a day or two,” she beamed brightly.
“Thank you. Just have to figure out how I’m carrying it all.”
Spatial folding… interdimensional storage… are these things in this world?...
Bryan grabbed his guild guide and skimmed through it.
After some time, he found what he was looking for.
It mentioned an Item Box, but nothing on how it works.
That’s helpful.
“Okay, Tessa, I’m going to try a few things.”
Tessa watched curiously as Bryan stood, concentrating with his hands out.
Storage… Box… Other dimension…
His hands glowed, but nothing else happened.
Dammit. Erm… need to try something else…
He looked around the tables and grabbed his sword. He held it and focused.
Sword… Gasoline… Wrapped in flames…
His hands glowed. The sword glowed red for a while.
Fire Enchanting Unlocked
Ok, point in that. Got an idea.
Bryan picked up his bag, put a hand inside, and concentrated with his eyes closed.
Box in space… gate on top… connected to bag…
Not much happened at first, but after a while, the bag glowed a blue colour.
Item Box Enchanting Unlocked
Booyah. Point in that - and read it.
Reading the description, it said it holds up to a cart’s worth of items and the space contains no air.
Whoa I feel drained, think I used too much mana.
Bryan steadied himself on the table.
“No living things. Probably. Not testing that, but that is cool,” Bryan said happily.
Tessa blinked. “I don’t understand. What did you do, my boy?”
Bryan took the large stew pot and placed it into his bag. After going past the opening, it vanished.
“That. I made an item box,” he said, with a forced smile trying to hide his shakiness.
Tessa blinked again. “How did you figure that out? I don’t know anyone who can do that.”
“I just figured it out. Easy enough.”
Bryan started packing all his items into the bag and threw it onto his shoulder.
Tessa raised an eyebrow. “Hmm, you are certainly a unique boy.”
“Remember to come visit me sometime,” she said, returning to the bar.
Bryan waved as he reached the doors to leave the tavern.
Well, onto whatever is next, I guess.
One last look back before he made his way out onto the street.
He stepped outside, the humid morning air slapping him in the face.
Ok, to the guild.
He walked down the streets and approached the doors to the guild.
After entering the room, he looked around. He noticed the adventurers who saved him weeks ago.
Well, I’m leaving. Last chance…
Bryan walked closer to them but stopped short and watched for a moment.
They’re chatting about a recent quest - hunting wolves in the forest.
Ok, time to try this out… Subtle Manipulation.
Bryan’s hand glowed lightly. Under the table, Sword Guy’s shoelaces began slowly moving.
One from each shoe unraveled and tied together in the center.
Ok, part 2…
“Hey guys,” Bryan said loudly.
The three adventurers stop talking and turn to him.
Sword Guy said, “Who are you again?”
Well, this will be harder to forget.
“I just wanted to shake your hand and thank you for saving my life,” Bryan said, sounding sincere.
Sword Guy and Axe Guy share a look, then Sword Guy laughed.
“Well, we are pretty great, so sure.”
He went to stand, but his feet caught. His chair slipped backwards, and his head bounced off the table.
Bryan approached the guy, now face down on the ground and grumbling. 'What the fuck.'
He placed a minor healing potion down next to him, then stood up straight.
“A healing potion, just in case you’re feeling weak as a slime.”
Bryan walked away with a slight, smug smile.
The men helped their friend up, grumbling more, while onlookers shifted awkwardly.
Well it’s settled with them…
Bryan approached the guild desk. Milan turned to him, looking annoyed.
Milan said, “Causing trouble, are we?”
“No. I wanted to thank him. He fell. So I gave him a potion.”
Milan narrowed her eyes. “Doubt that’s all it was, but fine. What are you after?”
Not sure she believed me. No proof though, so meh.
“Looking for a caravan quest heading to the capital.”
She looked behind the desk and pulled out a sheet of paper.
“Here. Centre of town. Aims to leave around mid-day. Ask for Edric”
Bryan took the sheet and went to thank her, but she’d already turned around and started reading again.
I don’t think she’d ever like me. Oh well.
He waved to Reorn in the courtyard and headed out of the guild.
Bryan made his way to the town centre, spotting several caravans preparing to depart.
Pretty busy today…
He approached one of them.
“Looking for Edric,” he said.
The driver gestured to a wagon one row over.
Bryan walked up. “Hey. I’m Bryan from the guild. Took the escort quest.”
Edric gave a curt nod. “Good. Help me load up before we set off - it’s just us, the cargo, and two passengers.”
“Okie dokie.”
Bryan rolled up his sleeves and started packing crates onto the back of the wagon.
Urgh. Guess levelling up doesn’t stop me from sweating…
Thirty minutes later, they were ready to leave.
Bryan hopped onto the rear board of the wagon, grateful for the cloth roof overhead.
God, this sun sucks.
Two cloaked passengers sat across from him, their faces hidden.
“Hey,” Bryan offered.
They replied with polite nods, then went quiet.
Mmm. Not shady at all. And that amulet? Better not be hidden royalty. I’ve seen that anime.
He leaned back with a sigh as the wagon rumbled forward.
A few hours passed. Trees and hills blurred past.
Sooo bored. Medieval travel is sooo slow. Snack time.
He rifled in his bag and pulled out a huge loaf of bread and a wedge of cheese - both far too big to fit naturally.
Using a dagger on his hip, he sliced some off and tossed the rest back into the bag.
The woman in the cloak spoke up.
“You’re going to the capital. You shouldn’t be so cavalier about high-level magic.”
Bryan blinked. “It’s a sandwich?”
“The bag,” she said, exasperated. “Don’t say I didn’t warn you.”
My bag? It’s just an item box…
“No one in Dawnstead said anything, but… thanks, I guess.”
She shook her head and looked down again.
Okay… weird lady.
“Edric, I really should’ve asked - how long is this trip?”
Edric said, “It will take about five days.”
A long time to be with these talkative people…
As night approached, Bryan helped Edric set up a camp off the road, quickly getting a fire going.
Hmm. Wonder why we’re stopping so early.
“Do you always stop this time?” Bryan asked.
“Well yeah, best to cook before night and put out a fire if you don’t have protection.”
Fair enough.
Edric grinned. “But we don’t need to put out the fire - that’s why you’re here.”
Well yeah. So I’m cliché protection… One-stop defense from bandits to wolves… woot.
The man cooked while both cloaked passengers sat further away.
Bryan and Edric cooked and ate their own food.
Wonder which random event I’ll roll tonight.
“You should sleep a few hours so you can be alert during the night.”
“Ok, will do.”
Bryan pulled out his sleeping bag and set himself up for a nap.
Yay. Graveyard shift. My favorite.
He woke up later and kept the fire going, adding sticks to it periodically.
Bryan occasionally paced around the camp to check for anything suspicious.
Ok… so wolves… goblins… or bandits?
The night continued this way until dawn broke and Edric woke up.
“Best get ready to go as soon as possible. Grab something to eat and we’ll go.”
This guy is very matter of fact. Better than someone who waffles on though.
They pack up and headed out again. Bryan immediately crashed in the back - his turn to nap.
Later that day, Bryan is awoke and they passed a guard checkpoint. Quick inspection, and on they went.
They stop for the day, and Bryan asked if he can practice a bit. Edric said sure.
Best to keep sharp… should be fun.
Bryan headed into the forest near camp. He hunted a few creatures, blowing them up with Fire Bolt and stuffing them in his bag.
Back at camp, he started getting suspicious looks from the cloaked duo.
I’ll grab a deer-like thing for dinner.
He pulled it out of his bag, his hand covered in blood.
“Fuck. One moment, Edric. I’ll prepare that shortly.”
I didn’t drain them… I bet that bag is full of blood now… ugh, cleanup time.
Putting the bag down, Bryan concentrated. His hands glowed, and using Subtle Manipulation, he slowly drew blood from the bag.
He guided it all to the floor near camp, then moved on to butchering the deer-like creature.
Well I’m not great at this, but it’ll do.
They cooked and eat the meat while talking.
“What did you do out there? The camp practically shook from the explosions.”
“Oh, just some Fire Bolt spells. Like using them for hunting. Not the most controlled. But I rarely miss,” he said smugly.
Edric blinked. “Erm, ok… each to their own, I guess.”
The cloaked lady shook her head and mumbled something before returning to their side of camp.
Such a grumpy lady. I mean, it worked, didn’t it?
After the night passed and morning came, they set off again.
By mid-day, they reach the second checkpoint.
Edric slows the wagon down before a checkpoint blocked with a wagon.
“Think there’s an issue ahead, could be the caravan with the new adventurer” Edric shouted back.
Aw, but all of these have been smooth thus far.
Curious, Bryan peered around to see what’s going on.
He jumped off the cart. “You wait here - I’ll check what the hold-up is.”
Bryan took a light jog. As he got close, he saw a merchant caravan stopped, surrounded by guards.
He slowed his pace and approached calmly.
“So what’s going on?” Bryan asked while looking the guards up and down.
Hmm yeah, because guards obviously have light blood stains and clear sword holes in their clothes…
One guard replied, “Just waiting for these to pay the tax to pass. You’ll be next, don’t worry.”
“Ah, need the money to fix those clothes, I imagine?”
The guard stopped and looked at Bryan. With a hand gesture, the others started circling him.
Bryan smiled. “Oh no, this does not seem friendly… why are you surrounding me?”
The guard scowled. “You know why. Don’t play around.”
They got closer, swords raised.
Bryan tilted his head. “Oh no, don’t tell me you’re not actually guards?”
“What are you talking about?!... Get him, boys!”
Blink.
He appeared behind the one who was speaking. The others recoil in shock as Bryan placed a hand firmly on the man’s shoulder.
The guy struggled, but before he broke free, Bryan focused.
Lightning Bolt…
He shook violently before dropping to the ground.
That still hurts, but too many to be nice.
One of the bandits shouted, “He’s a mage! Close the gap!”
Still twitching? Just in case.
Bryan unsheathed his sword and plunged it calmly into the chest of the man on the floor.
Killing people still feels very wrong… but it’s them or me.
They rushed to surround him. Bryan launched a few controlled Fire Bolts, knocking several to the ground, but one closed in.
He swung hard from the side - Bryan parried and punched him in the chest, denting the armour.
Ow. Ok, that was cool… but I may have broken a finger.
A solid whack to his back made him stumble forward.
Shit must be behind me.
Bryan fired a Fire Bolt behind him.
A scream, then an impact. Bryan darted between the remaining enemies, slicing several with a combo of side slashes and thrusts.
Down to one left standing, the last bandit tried to run.
Bryan blasted a Fire Bolt, blocking his exit.
He backed away toward the stopped caravan, begging to be spared.
As Bryan approached, a catgirl jumped out of the wagon, smashing the bandit over the head with a pan.
The man slumped down, rubbing his head.
She dropped the pan and stumbled onto her feet, her ill-fitting chest plate clunking as she landed, pointing a sword at the bandit.
“Have we met before?” Bryan asked, confused.
“Yes. My name is Tali. You saved me in Dawnstead,” she said with earnest tone and a soft voice.
“Oh, in the shop?” Bryan replied - the remaining bandit horrified as Bryan casually stabbed each downed body.
Level Up
“Must they all die?” she asked looking up at him.
“Well, we could spare him - but we can’t exactly arrest them all.”
A slightly sad expression crossed her pale face.
“That is true, I guess.”
Ok, she is cute. Alright. Be cool.
Bryan approached the last bandit.
“You better change your ways and live a normal life,” he said, standing hands on hips, looking down at him.
Nailed it... I think.
The man thanked him and scrambled to his feet.
“I will, I swear, sir!” he said, sounding earnest.
Yeah, he’s totally going to rob or murder someone immediately… tomorrow’s problem.
The man ran off into the forest.
“Thank you. That felt like the right thing to do,” Tali said softly.
“Yeah. How come you’re out here?”
“Reorn suggested I might learn more at the capital.”
“Oh, I’m going too. The people I’m travelling with suck. Mind if I ride with you?”
Tali blushed a little.
“Uh, that would be nice.”
Bryan told her to help get her wagon ready while he dealt with his merchant.
He walked back toward Edric and seeing the passengers watching.
Edric looking concerned “Did you just murder all the guards?”
He backed away slightly. The cloaked people look uninterested.
“No, they were bandits. Bloody clothes with stab holes was a pretty obvious giveaway.”
Edric exhaled. “Oh, thank the gods. I thought I’d hired a lunatic for a moment.”
“I’ll be in the other wagon, but still protecting both. That fine with you?”
“As long as you still do your job, it’s ok.”
Bryan noded. “Cool.”
He walked back to help Tali clear the path.
About twenty minutes later, Bryan sat down next to Tali in the wagon.
Well… can’t be worse than the talkative bunch I’ve been with.
They traveled until nearly nightfall and set up camp.
Hmm, I’ll do some of Tessa’s stew - should be good.
After heating it over the fire, he dished it out and handed Tali a bowl.
“Thank you. I did it, by the way.” She smiled brightly, her angular features and bright green eyes with oval pupils illuminated by the firelight.
Bryan dug into his bowl but stopped briefly.
“I’m sorry, did what?”
“You told me to go for it and just be an adventurer. I did.” A proud look on her face.
Did I?... Hmm. Sometimes I just say shit… should pay attention to myself more.
“Erm, that’s good. I’m glad you followed your dream,” Bryan said, smiling back.
He returned to eating his food.
Tali stopped moving it around with her spoon and lifted it to her mouth two small fangs visible as she does.
Tali coughed a little. “Oh my… that is very garlicky.
” Bryan chuckled. “My bad. I’ve grown fond of the taste. Maybe it’s a bit much.”
Tali coughed a bit more. “It will be ok - just surprised me.”
With a determined look, she ate several more spoonfuls.
Aww. Well, cute… but shouldn’t force herself to eat it.
“If it’s too much, you can have something else,” he said, sounding concerned.
“No, it’s not bad. Wasting food is a bad thing.” She smiled before continuing.
“Ok, fair enough.”They finish their meal and take naps one after the other. Once morning arrives, they get ready and continue the journey.
Bryan kept an eye out on the wagons and peered toward the front now and then.
“So, got a plan for when we arrive?”
Tali said, “Other than training and trying to earn money… I don’t know.” Her voice a bit unsure.
Oh. Opportunity…
“Well, you could party with me. I’ve not done it before and could help you train?”
Tali blushed. “Erm… yeah. But only as long as you think I won’t hold you back.” She shyly looked down.
“Trust me, it won’t be an issue.” He smiled sincerely.
They rested and continued traveling until night approached.
After setting up camp, they ate and relaxed.
Tali said, “Those cloaked people don’t speak much, do they?”
“Oh - the secret princess and her bodyguard.”
Tali gasped. “Oh my! Is that true?”
“Maybe. I don’t know.” Bryan chuckled.
Tali gave a playful scowl. “Oh, you were teasing me. I’ll take the first nap.”
She lightly huffed and got into her sleeping bag.
Hmm. That seemed to annoy her. My bad.
The night passed, and they set off again. Bryan, having not slept much, napped in the wagon.
Hours later, he felt a light poking in his side.
No… leave me be… I live here now.
After a bit, he’s shook lightly, so he opened his eyes wearily.
Tali said, “We’re at the capital now. Wake up.” A big smile on her face.
He stretched and groaned. “Guess we better see what it’s like here, then.”
Tali said, “It’s so big. Much bigger than the town.”
Well yeah, it’s a city.
He stumbled out of the wagon. Both he and Tali are handed a small pouch by their respective merchants and thanked.
Looking around the busy streets, a hooded figure bumps into Bryan.
Oh no you don’t… Subtle Manipulation.
The figure disappeared into the crowd, but Bryan is now holding two pouches.
Tali said, “What just happened? I’m confused.”
“They tried to take my coin pouch. I took theirs instead,” Bryan said smugly.
Tali looked concerned. “Oh… but isn’t that stealing?”
Bryan smiled, placing a hand on her shoulder.
“No, my dear. It’s justice.” He chuckled lightly.