“Heh, relax Lena. You’ve brought me all the way back home just to try and smother me? I’m fine now.”
“Sera, I’m not listening! You keep getting hurt so I’m going to make sure you heal up as quickly as possible. That way, I can worry less.”
Back to Bordertown with a clingy dragon refusing to let go of me, we wander the endless high-street with only Lena having a clear goal for today. After what happened back in that ruined town, she made it her sworn duty to get me to safety so after a long flight back, she can do whatever she wants.
I’m not sure on the specifics but I do know when I was out, Lena looted the bandits for some evidence and came across a journal mentioning how a certain dark armoured figure was seen leaving the town shortly after everything went to shit. Judging by the content inside, it wouldn’t surprise me the evidence was written with a paw if you catch my drift.
She did bag us a load of coin though so I woke up with a coin purse sitting between my breasts. Have I said how much I love this dragon yet? Maybe not in that way but waking up with money on top of me is one way to my heart. It’s either that or I’m a hooker on drugs apparently.
[STORAGE][WEAPONS][ARMOUR] [Name][Quality] [Weight] [Name][Quality] [Weight][Iron Dagger][Weakened]1[N/A] 0[Wooden Bow][Weakened]1.5[N/A] 0[CONSUMABLE][MISCELLANEOUS] [Name] [Weight] [Name] [Weight][Waterskin: Partially Filled]0.5[Adventurer's Guild ID - Sera]0[Waterskin: Empty]0.25[N/A0[Alchemist's Book]
Spoiler
[Potion Type][Solid Ingredient][Fluid Ingredient]HealthHealing HerbsGlacial WaterStaminaEnergetic HerbsGlacial WaterMagicMagi OreGlacial WaterHealth PoisonHealing HerbsDemonic WaterStamina PoisonEnergetic HerbsDemonic WaterMagic PoisonMagi OreDemonic WaterAphrodisiacSuccubus CoreSea WaterNight VisionPurple CarrotSea WaterWater BreathingShark's ToothSea WaterSpeedCheetah's BloodSwamp WaterJumpingRabbit's FootSwamp WaterCarry WeightCamel's ToeSwamp WaterWeight GainTroll FatOasis WaterWeight LossAvocadosOasis WaterInvisibilityGriffin HeartOasis WaterPerceptionSalmon RoeMineral WaterIntelligenceOpiumMineral WaterSpeechcraftGold CoinMineral WaterStrengthOrc BloodMineral WaterEnduranceSuccubus SalivaMineral WaterDexterityCoffee PlantMineral WaterCure DiseasePearlHoly WaterCure PoisonSnake VenomHoly WaterExperienceDragon HeartHoly Water[Current INT Range: 10 - 29] [Brewing Quality: Weakened][collapse]
0 ["Evidence"]
Spoiler
So, it was like, we try and find a new home and some scary ass looking dude walks away from it, black as the night and terrifying as a dragon. You should’ve seen the red glow his helmet let off! Once he and few others went away, the shiny coin we got looting the town was totally rad! It’s just a shame we spent most of it on ale and drugs already…
[collapse]
0[CURRENCY: 372c][CAPACITY: 8.75/13.5]“In my defence, what low-levelled bandits can excess potions like that anyway? Luck clearly wasn’t on my side. How were you even able to fly us back?”
Ignoring the fact Lena’s arms are hugging somewhere suspiciously close to where the money is made, this dragon also received that stamina poison. Losing three quarters of your stamina in just a moment and still being able to fly for over a day shows just how strong she really is.
“It’s just a dragon thing, Sera, we can go without sleep for months if the conditions aren’t right. Like in the jungle, sleeping in the rain sucks! If there’s no cave to be found, you don’t sleep.”
“Heh, wouldn’t take you for being a picky sleeper. You could probably create a body pillow if huggi-”
Instead of allowing me to finish, I find a wandering finger up to my mouth from my grinning partner. Guess she wants me to shut up.
“I know what you’re doing, Sera, don’t change the subject! Today, I’m making sure you heal properly, one way or another. No more quests or anything fun till you’re better!”
‘Heh, don’t argue with the dragon, Sera. You’ll never win.’
Arriving at a small building just around the corner from the beating heart of Bordertown, this place is giving me an awful gut feeling. I trust Lena but this looks sketchy as hell, no?
“Erm… Lena? How is this supposed to help with healing?”
“Hehe, just wait and see, Sera… these tokens should be okay, right?”
Being practically forced inside, the interior is as basic as the exterior making me question things even more. All that’s inside is a few lockers with a grumpy looking person behind at the desk…
“Both for the ladies, I presume?”
“Hehe, of course! Why wouldn’t we be?”
“Eh, you never know these days. Now I’ve got to say the stupid greeting… on the right, if you have a thing, go on in! On the left, if nothing hangs low, then there you go.”
‘That’s the motto of this place!? Where the hell are we?’
I’m still mystified from where we are and why Lena would bring me to such a sketchy place. That’s until the second the person behind the counter passes us two towels and a couple of sponges.
‘Oh Lena, you really are one bad dragon…’
__________
“Be honest with me… this was just an excuse to see me naked again, wasn’t it?”
“I swear on my hide, Sera, the waters here are supposed to have healing properties! Just look, most of your cuts and scrapes are already gone! I have to take your health really seriously considering you seem to ignore it.”
“Heh, I do care about myself, Lena, it’s just the heat of the battle more than anything else.”
The fabled but cliched bathhouse, a place I’d never consider visiting and if it wasn’t for Lena forcing me along, I’d never consider it. There is a lot of naked people in here.
Feel like these should be put behind spoilers even if I'm breaking no rules...
Spoiler
[collapse]
‘Lena must understand what my problem is, right? This is not for the faint hearted. If I get a nosebleed here, I’m officially done.’
Maintaining hygiene is one thing; naked women are another. Combine them together and you get the clusterfuck of a mess I’m in.
The place must have another dozen occupants and even though the steam may be thick, I can see everything. Everything! No one in this world appears to understand how modesty works.
Sponges sloshing, soapy hair drizzling down all the bare-chested Goddesses, giggling, women cleaning each other’s backs. I feel like I’m committing a cardinal sin being here, possessing a male mind I mean.
“Oh my, it’s you two! Hello again, mistresses!”
“Who were thes- oh! It’s the lady who ate an entire cake and the crimson elf!”
‘Oh no… was hoping they didn’t see us.’
Spoiler
[collapse]
If it isn’t the maid twins at that restaurant we visited once! And both of them, floating breasts as well waddle over to us. I’m trying my best to look away but when they bobble up and down in the water like this… my hands are tied.
“Hehe, hello you two. I don’t think this is the time or place for small talk.”
“Y-Yeah… do you two mind if we h-have some privacy?”
“Oh… is this your first time in a place like this? We’ll leave you mistresses alone!”
“Yup, enjoy the bath, elf!”
‘Is it weird two sisters bathing together? Ah, who cares Sera, this isn’t healing me at all!’
I’m in a torturous world where everything is designed for maximum retention, the algorithm is putting out peak content yet all of it is NSFW! My face has to be redder than my hair now and Lena must’ve known this would happen.
“Hehe, everything okay, Sera?”
“You k-know exactly what my problem is, Lena. Don’t start acting coy again because I see behind that smile of yours.”
There’s just too much visual stimulation. Petite ones, average ones, floaties, the older looser kind, even melon sized. Ecchi is great and all but not at the cost at wiping out all our purity. I think we’re both technically virgins?
The only place I can look for comfort in the steamy, albeit dingy ceiling. Every time I look up, it’s safe… purposely ignoring the cobwebs. This place is unclean, literally and figuratively.
“Hehe, you could just train your eyes to focus on me, Sera. I’m right here.”
Again with the breasts, it doesn’t help Lena is nearly identical in size to myself so trying to avoid looking at her is really difficult. Deep down in my heart, there is still a part of me that wants to be a gentleman.
“Can we just get cleaned already? *Sigh*… I could use a drink.”
“Hehe, okay dokey, Sera! Wet that sponge and you can start on my chest first, then I’ll do yours!”
…
“We’ll meet up later, Lena. I’ve decided you can’t be trusted.”
“No! Get back here! Seraaa…”
__________
“Hehe, all I needed was a strong and strapping elf to help me clean but someone said nooo. Now I’m going to remain dirty and unclean until the next time we visit.”
‘Heh, she really thinks she’s found a weakness.’
After basically running away from the mantis like dragon trying to gobble me up, she’s now returned to my side as we wait patiently inside the guild. Inside the manager’s office, he should be getting back from dinner any moment now.
As for Lena, this dragon has never been dense so I know exactly what’s going through her mind.
Why am I suddenly turning down her bold advances and not teasing back when I know it would’ve made her stutter and fluster? Wrong time, wrong place. We need some boundaries set and one of them includes a public place used for cleaning!
“You two weren’t waiting too long, I hope? Already checked in with the girls and the journal given is solid enough. Here’s the coin for a job well done.”
Entering his office, the guild leader immediately returns to his desk holding a dagger, quickly wiping something off it and putting it away under his desk. Guess he really enjoyed his “dinner” then.
Once he appears back above, his chucks us a bag of coin which Lena gets to work splitting it for us. I’ll get onto this in a moment but he looks different from last time, no?
[Sera has received a load of EXP for that quest and has risen to level 7. Regular decision applies and this guide presumes Sera will save the point for later.]
‘Y’all know me too well… HP this time. Better to go for a tank build if it’ll settle Lena’s nerves.
[Status now updating...]
[STATUS][Name: Sera][Species: Elf][Level: 7][EXP: 251/280][Age: 22][Gender: Female][Skill Point/s: 1][Health][145/145][Stamina][106/125][Magic][105/105] [STATS]
Spoiler
Extra bonuses from P.I.S.S.E.D.
PER:
5% Archery Damage
1% Critical Chance
INT:
+5 Magic
-1% Spell Costs
SPE:
+5 Stamina
1% Bartering
STR:
5% Two-Handed Damage
+1 Carry Weight
END:
+5 Health
1% Armour Resistance
DEX:
5% One-Handed Damage
1% Movement Speed
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[Perception: 11][Intelligence: 10][Speechcraft: 11][Strength: 10][Endurance: 13][Dexterity: 15][This guide would like to remind Sera that Lenore’s concerns are justified though. Even though Sera’s HP has already returned to full capacity, only 100 points can regenerate a day.]
‘Don’t you start, I’m already cautious enough. Being weak and unskilled is the problem… really can’t get over how this guy looks.’
“Heh, bloody hell dude, you’d put a dwarf to shame with that beard of yours.”
That’s what I’m picking up on. In just over the course of a day, his facial hair has grown this much.
“Ha! I am part dwarf if you can believe it, the good half anyway. You should’ve seen the beard my mother could grow! There’s a reason why I shave every damned day.”
“You’re part dwarf? Shouldn’t you hate all elves then?”
From the somewhat cheery atmosphere, Lena asks a question that actually causes him to twitch and a small vein to bulge at the top of his head.
“Ack, that dwarf hating elves stereotype does my head in! Dwarfs don’t hate anyone, especially those who pay their dues. The elven tribes and leaders just got blacklisted after they thought paying in a timely fashion wasn’t befitting of elven superiority.”
“Didn’t that war happen over a hundred years ago? And I thought they paid you back after you sacked Yggdrasil?”
“Huh… not many know of the war. And no, they never did. They were supposed to pay the debts in instalments. After learning the debt would be paid with acorns, mushrooms and berries, the dwarven leaders gave up.”
“Hehe, elves do like their vegetables. Sera is really different compared to other elves I’ve come across…”
While those two seem to be discussing something that I’ve got no clue on, I can’t help but get fixate on that dwarf comment. This guy may be built like a dwarf but his height is as average as it gets. Need to check for more.
[STATUS] [Name: Devin][Species: Human][Level: 47][Age: 47][Gender: Male][Affection: 61/100][Health][260/260][Stamina][288/350][Magic][150/150]‘Hey Guide, is he a liar or are mixed races not a thing?’
[Species born in Seraph can only be of one majority, Sera. The target most likely has traits of dwarfism but obviously took more of the human blood.]
‘Fair enough, might as well check Lena, or Lenore’s while I’m doing this.’
[STATUS][Name: Lenore][Species: Dragon][Level: 28][Age: 312][Gender: Female][Affection: 84/100][Health][240/240][Stamina][10/280][Magic][200/200][It appears target Lenore has grown 2 levels since last check and affection has grown to 84 as well. Sera must be doing something right even if this guide doesn’t understand what.]
Back to the conversation, ignoring the fact Lenore makes levelling look easy and my Guide is a dick, the guild leader reaches for a stack of papers, then his smile turns grim.
“Now… onto something more official. I’ve got some bad news followed up by some more bad news.”
“Heh, give us the bad news first then.”
“Well, you see lass, I’ve got no more investigation quests for the both of you. That third set of ruins were known to be destroyed by bandits long ago. The General may have been involved but I cannot divert more resources to confirm that hunch.”
Taking a sip from the tea I’ve only just noticed he brought in, now I can’t help but fixate it’s as milky as a cloud. Ignoring the fact he hasn’t offered us a cup… I’ve really got to give up on this tea snobbery.
“Next, the other set of bad news is about the people enquiring about your services. They are unfortunately involved with the kingdom.”
“Huh? Why is this a bad thing?”
“Because lass, the Kingdom of Tuscany are stingy bastards and it’s never a good idea to turn them down. That’s how entire generations disappear in the blink of an eye…”
‘Well great, this is exactly what I was fearing. We’re building up a reputation now.’
From the little titbits I’ve heard about the kingdom thus far, we should probably stay away. Yet, if there’s money to be made, I’m highly flexible… mentally I mean. Physically, not so much. Pretty sure that’s tied to dexterity.
“I am sure they don’t know why you’re able to complete jobs so fast, the advisers are the sorts to only look at the result. Heck, I’m not even sure they know if you’re an elf yet! That’s bound to draw up controversy.”
“So... why is that bad as well?”
Instead of having the guild master answer my question, Lena answers it for him as he tries his best at finding the correct words. Just say it for what it is, I’m diving straight for the belly of the beast and said beast is a city full of racists.
“You’re going to hate it, Sera. From what I’ve heard, elves are basically cattle.”
“To be fair, it’s not just elves with more of the slave population being of animal blood. It’s just that those considered higher quality are mostly elven.”
…
Both of us look at the guild master with suspicion in our eyes as he just said something he probably shouldn’t have. Why would he know elves are higher quality slaves?
“Please don’t ask, lasses. My internship was spent under their branch leader… he wasn’t a very kind man. I spent a great deal of time tending to the wounds of the slaves that pissed him off…”
Obviously leaving a sour taste in his mouth, me and Lena aren’t going to question further on this. At least it’s more lore I suppose?
“The point I’m trying to make is that the city won’t be hospitable to you. If I respond to the invitation mentioning your race, they’ll likely find someone else.”
That’s quite nice for the guild leader to do. The problem is, I’m a very curious elf and want to see just how racist a city of bigots can get. Will they spit and curse at me in the streets or will it be a subtle, more reserved sort of racism?
“No no, don’t turn it down yet. Do we at least know what the job is?”
“It’s unclear but something related to investigation again. Doubtful it’ll be any town in ruins, their lands are far more stable if you exclude the bandit infestation.”
“Look, I’ll give you the details and some maps anyway. I’ll send a pigeon along telling them you accept if you really want this job. The choice is yours…”
[QUESTLOG][Details][Risk][Reward][The Kingdom of Tuscany is calling. Do you embark on the long journey over there?][Unknown][Unknown][Continue your odyssey and someday a cure may present itself for Lena's affliction.][Unknown][Unknown][The Alchemist's Bucket List.] [0/24][Extreme][Insane]__________
“Are you sure we’re doing this, Sera? It doesn’t sound like a good idea.”
“Heh, if you’re gut says no then we’re definitely staying away.”
“Nah, my gut feeling is fine, Sera. I just don’t know if I can steady myself against those that will look down at you.”
In the end, we agreed to the quest so after spending an hour or so preparing for the trip, we’re on our way.
And so, the journey begins. Backpacks equipped, food and water sorted and weapons sheathed, we quickly make fast work getting out of the town.
However, before we can progress any further, a quick distraction stands ahead of just as we get far enough away out of range of Bordertown…
“Oi ladies, you’ll have to pay to go any further. This road is under our control.”
“Yeah, this is now a toll road! Thirty-coin, hand it over or turn back!”
‘Figures. Now we’ve unlocked the random bandit encounter.’
Right outside of town, a couple bandits lay in wait clearly looking for a quick payday. Before Lena goes absolutely ham on these bandits though, I have a question I’d like answered.
“Weren’t you lot supposed to be stealthier than this? Last time we came this way, it wasn’t worth your time.”
Referring back to that time both of us travelled with the caravanners, the bandits around here were supposed to run a competent organization. This just feels sloppy considering we’re still in range of Bordertown. It wouldn’t surprise me if there is a guild listing warning of these two in a day’s time.
“Please, as if we’re with that group! They’ve got their own territory and we’ve set up just over here!”
“They charge too much for protection anyways, I’m not giving away thirty-percent of my loot! No, we’re a better and higher class of bandit! Stop asking questions and pay up.”
…
Not even needing to exchange words, me and Lena take one look at each other and realize these two are way out of their depth. They may put on a scary face, but both look incredibly weak, even malnourished to an extent and can barely hold the rusty blades they now aim at us.
‘Is this good luck for a change? I’m finding it hard to believe’
[STATUS][Name: Gabby][Species: Human][Level: 1][Age: 18][Gender: Male][Affection: 24/100][Health][100/100][Stamina][51/100][Magic][100/100] [STATUS][Name: Owen][Species: Human][Level: 2][Age: 18][Gender: Male][Affection: 26/100][Health][110/100][Stamina][49/100][Magic][100/100]“Huh, actual low-level trash. Lena… feel free to tear them apart.”
“Okay dokey, Sera. Let's do this...”
With the backing of my words and Lena’s ungodly dopey smile, an explosion of fog falls swamps all four of us. Once it fades… the face of death stares blankly into their souls.
“I-I… e-erm.”
“F-Fuck.”
Together in sync, me and Lena go for the bandits staring deep at their doom.
[HP: 62/100] [-38]My blade dives deep into the torso of the shellshocked man in front of me while Lena does a magic trick, making her bandit disappear in a place filled with razor sharp teeth,
“Urgh! P-Please…n-no!”
Abandoning my blade entombed within the frozen bandit’s chest, I give him no quarter and reveal my backup dagger. Still stunned, there is no challenge in this.
[HP: 25/100] [-37] [HP: 0/100] [-37][Dexterity improvement +1] ‘Phew… that let some frustration off. Eh, don’t steal if you don’t expect to be mercilessly stabbed.’
Two hacks later aimed for his neck, the stun locked bandit breaths no more. Knew this encounter would be easy but this almost feels like bullying.
As I’m recovering my blade lodged inside my bandit’s chest, I glance over to my partner and see her spitting out what once was a bandit in a single piece.
Giggling with one arm stuck between her teeth and blood dripping from her jaw, it says a lot about me this doesn’t put me off at all. If anything, I like how passionate she gets.
“Hehe, what would you do without me, Sera? He’s yours to finish.”
“*Cough cough*. W-Why Seraphim, have you forsaken m-me!?”
‘He’s still alive!? I’m counting this as a mercy killing.’
Crawling away with just one arm and one leg with a trail of blood as dark as the night itself, his wounds are too far gone for anyone to survive. I’m just doing him a favour really.
“Yeah yeah, Lena. Think I’m getting desensitized to this now…”
[HP: 0/110] [-57]