Chapter 27 – A Dark Watcher

  Everything seized in me as the giant claws rushed towards me from both sides. By every single indicator, that should be it.

  Yet, all of a sudden the claws stopped right next to me.

  I trembled where I stood. The dark gleaming eyes of the Giant Ice Embraced Mire Tyrant greyed over. Its smile faded as it fell backwards making the ground tremble with the impact.

  On unsteady feet, I looked up and saw the health bar of the raid boss. It was empty.

  Yet, I heard no impact before that, no strike. I hurriedly took two of my remaining health potions and my stance steadied as the red flashing stopped. Leaving one last potion. I was suddenly super glad I bought them. That had been too down to the wire...

  Still, the mystery remained.

  I walked forward in utter confusion. Talia laid there groaning a distance away, struggling to get up. It wasn’t her that did it.

  What stopped it?

  Then as I approached the giant corpse, I saw the fang of the Ice Embraced Gremlin I lodged deep into its foot early in the fight.

  Surely not...

  But then I remembered the blinking icon. Of course! The damaging ice effect of the Ice Embraced Gremlin’s fangs! My word! I completely forgot about it.

  At the time, I was counting only on the initial damage it would do being lodged into the monster’s foot. Never did I expect that little damage over time effect would finish off a raid boss.

  I sat down on a rock with a huff, flabbergasted and shaking my head.

  Ping!

  Ping!

  Ping!

  Ping!

  I jumped at the sudden notifications. But before I could tap them, I remembered Talia, so I ran over to her. “Are you alright?”

  She groaned, but after a few moments sat up, her face bruised and the fingers of her one hand swollen. “Agh, I’ll live... ouch.”

  I took out my last health potion and motioned for her to take it. But she shook her head. Next moment, she held her one hand over her swollen hand and gentle water flowed from her fingers. Steam rose up, so it was clearly a bit warm. And a few seconds later, her swollen fingers looked more normal.

  “Useful.” I said, impressed.

  “Yeah, but only for the small stuff for now.” She said, frowning a bit as she held her side. “Guess, I’ll take the health potion after all.”

  A chuckle bubbled out of me. And I let the red vial slide into her hand. As soon as she drank it, she sighed out of clear relief.

  “Is it dead?” She asked, her hazel eyes locked onto mine.

  “Bizarrely... yes.” I said, ruffling a hand through my own hair, still a bit taken aback by the turn of events, “We were... well, fortunate.”

  “I am so relieved, Leo... for a moment there...” Talia murmured.

  “I know, it looked bleak. But hey, now without the Artifact having to keep that monster frozen, the lands can heal.”

  Talia then got tears in her eyes. For a moment, I thought I said something wrong. But then her whole face broke into the warmest smile I have ever seen. She jumped up and gave me a tight hug, her shoulders trembled, and I just hugged her as her lithe body pressed against me.

  I remembered keenly when she first shared her plight. When her emotions flowed into that moment...

  A tear ran down my cheek.

  Then I slipped out of the hug, a bit overwhelmed by it all and winked at Talia.

  With a soft whistle, I wandered towards the ice Artifact.

  Picking it up, I could feel the intense waves of cold that flowed from it. So intense, I knew I could only stand it for less than a minute. I could see my exposure meter taking a nose dive, ticking down fast.

  A prompt came up then.

  Destroy the Artifact or Deactivate the Artifact.

  Choose carefully.

  My breath hitched.

  Why was there even an option?! My eyes darted around in a panic.

  I forgot...

  Certain harder to find quests in the world carried a deep weight. And with the cataclysm that happened outside, it really might cause a lot of trouble choosing something that might make certain future quest regions much more difficult...

  But which?! Would destroying it make the game harder, or would keeping it unlock a vast quest that could alter the fate of the world, and bring in a lot of unknown new factors to contend with?

  Why should I be the one to make this choice. Maybe... yeah, maybe I need to leave it here and go find Nate. He would know what to choose.

  Yet, the moment I looked at Talia. For some reason, I knew to my bones, I couldn’t leave the quest unresolved without other dire consequences. Aaaaagh! I gritted my teeth. My exposure meter almost empty.

  Finally, I squeezed my eyes shut while reaching over and tapped, destroy.

  The moment I did, the Artifact pulsed its last and a crystal orb in the middle of it popped out and shattered on the floor. A warm shock wave flowed like a wave over the entire arena and the cold effect from the Artifact stopped. For a single moment, I thought I saw movement up on a balcony, the edge of a cloak disappearing. A play of my eyes?

  I was about to sprint towards it, when Talia touched my shoulder, startling me. “Did you finish it?”

  I nodded and showed her the empty shell of the Artifact.

  When I turned back, I saw no movement at all. Had it been my imagination? With a sigh, I shook my head and turned towards the corpse of the giant raid boss. In the vicinity of it there lay a number of items. Two finely woven travel bags, two small chests of silver coins and some gold. Two compasses and two keystones.

  Immediately I grinned broadly and rushed forward, picking up the keystone. Knowing it was my ticket out of the challenge zone!

  I whispered, “Identify.”

  [Congratulations! You have an incredibly rare keystone! Take it to the city, in the region you found it, and attune it to the travel stone there. It will open a travel point to:

  ??? ]

  +2 Insight

  +7 Serendipity

  The question marks made me tsk! But again, I was pulled to level 1 when I went flying across the sky, thus my map wasn’t filled in at all. Which reminded me, I had to find a map of Sturm Tsadar, if possible. Which also posed a problem. The healing of the lands wouldn’t happen within a week. So, the city Talia showed me wouldn’t show any sign of change for a while yet.

  That be it as it may. The keystone still opened up opportunities for me. Those great storms in the mountains wouldn’t stop soon. So, getting to the main continent was a higher priority.

  Then I froze.

  I looked at the ground and the fact that each dropped reward had duplicates. Which only happened when more than one adventurer beat a boss. I touched the objects and frowned deeply. Talia... But what were those quests then? The voice whispering to me to follow her stars. What did it mean...?

  I jumped as Talia approached me, her face carrying none of the inner turmoil that was roaring inside me.

  “So, what are all these items, Leo... Leo? You know those pixies would really have a field day with the frown you are making.” Talia said, giggling, “Did you step in something?”

  I blinked, and then chuckled, a slight bit nervously, “Haha, no, just a few mysteries that I still need to figure out.”

  “Anything I can-”

  “Look! You have a bag now that has a special spacial dimension for carrying quite a bit more things with you. A cool compass and a chest with money!”

  “Woah! Really? That’s really neat!” She said, taking the second bag and looked inside it.

  “It is, isn’t it? And here, this is a keystone. It is a way to use the travel stone in Shaura to go to and fro between Sturm Tsadar and the main land on the other side of the Great Spine.” I said, but still my thoughts lingered on the mysteries Talia posed.

  “I can leave, and come back?” Talia asked, her hazel eyes wide, the orange tints in her eyes shining with wonder.

  I nodded as Talia looked down at the keystone in her hand. Wonder sparked in her eyes as she wandered off.

  I used that moment to tap my bag and the compass and said, “Identify,” under my breath.

  Woven bag of holding.

  This bag was woven in the villages deep in the swamps of Sturm Tsadar. The vines used is unique to those swamps and carries a soothing yet tingling feeling to the touch. Though bag of holdings have been a coveted price for many an adventurer, some hold extra tricks up their sleeve.

  Stolen content warning: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.

  Carry Capacity 250 kg (+250 kg extra)

  Herbs and meats don’t spoil in its inventory.

  [Empty Rune Slot]

  Okay, the extra weight was more than one could expect to find for a bag of holding and the rune slot was rare at the very least. Definitely not something you’d find before level 60 in the mainland. I was about to click on the compass, when I paused. Wait... what? Herbs and meats don’t spoil in its inventory!? That’s huge! That meant, I could carry around all kinds of exotic meats and try to figure out how to cook or apply it in different ways. Score!

  I grinned and tapped the compass.

  Tara’s Compass

  A gold inlaid compass that has weathered many a season. It has moss patches on it. But what is fascinating about it. It doesn’t just point north. There are different inactive runes on it. What the mysterious figure of Tara used this compass for remains a mystery.

  Gives direction.

  Glows when within a hundred metres of hidden obtainable runes.

  [???]

  At least the question marks only meant my Perception wasn’t high enough yet. That at least is easier to figure out than when an item has a [Secret] tag, like my Amulet.

  That said, apart from the mystery, this compass was a big drop. Having the thing glow when within a certain range of hidden obtainable runes, made it one of the most significant boss drops I had found since starting to work on the company. I know some players that would PK (Player Kill) for it without a moment of hesitation in the elite zones, risking it just for this one single item.

  Not that I was going anywhere near an elite zone with the uncertainty the cataclysm brought outside.

  I then went on to tap the chest of silver and gold and received a lovely sum of 2000 silver and 300 gold. The silver would translate to something like 200 gold. I smiled, that would definitely help me stock up next time I found a merchant.

  Just as I was about to tap on my pings from earlier, I heard slicing sounds, and flesh tearing. I glanced up and saw Talia busy carving meat out of the boss’ corpse.

  “Talia... what on earth are you doing?!” I asked, perplexed.

  “What? The meat looks good. So...” She said as if it was the most obvious thing in the world.

  I stared at in utter confusion before I burst out laughing.

  She chuckled, “What?”

  “Haha, don’t mind me. You surprise me, that’s all.” I said and pulled out my skinning knife and joined her. As she said, the meat looked good. And not just that, the hard-to-cut leather like skin of the monster on closer inspection looked amazing.

  I was about to start cutting up large enough pieces when I had the bizarre thought... No wonder it caught me so off guard. Nobody ever takes the time to skin a raid boss... not that I have ever heard of, not even on a skim through the forums.

  Fascinating.

  “Talia,” I said with genuine admiration, “You just opened my mind to something really significant, thank you.”

  She just giggled gleefully and continued cutting up parts.

  As I cut off larger vines from its head, and plucked two its massive fangs, the body finally started dissolving into pixels.

  I needed to take inventory, so I looked at my inventory tab and took a breath, prepared to be assaulted as I tapped it:

  INVENTORY

  Equipped:

  Xianmou [Rare]

  This sword originates from the Cloud Sanctuary. The slightly curved blade has from its beginning, been passed on from master down to student. Considered a great honour to wield this sword, all students who took it up has sought to master its secrets.

  Upon pausing with complete composure to take a strike mid battle, the sword gains the attribute Master’s Edge for 2 seconds.

  +25% Attack damage

  +30% Critical strike chance.

  [Master’s Edge: + 25% Sharpness and a chance to ignore 20% Physical Armour]

  Sharpness 280/300 of a minimum of 150 (Use sharpening tools to restore fully.)

  [1 active slot, 2 passive slots]

  (Current Slotted Runes) [Deep Harrow Tree- Epic Rune][Attack Speed III-Rune][-]

  Skinning Knife [Common]

  This is a knife often found with hunters. It is excellent for skinning.

  +1% Attack Damage

  +70% Skinning effectiveness

  Amulet of the Emerald Twins

  Though long forgotten, be sure this one has an old tale intertwined. It flows in the great winds and glide across the thunders. Let it be a close companion in your grand dance with the storms.

  +20 Stealth & Reflexes in the presence of strong winds or lightning.

  [Secret]

  [Shadow Veil Ring]

  A ring forged in the Dwarven fortress of Higharch up in the mountains of the Great Spine, that makes the wielder a little harder to detect.

  Stealth +10%

  [Ring of the Mountain Goat]

  This was the ring of an old hermit that these people called the Mountain Goat.

  It gives a boost to reflexes and speed for those who wear it.

  + 2 Agility

  + 7% Movement Speed.

  [Etched Silver Gauntlets]

  Meticulously forged and engraved silver gauntlets, given to the heroes of the Tower Siege of Rumbar. These gauntlets are proud tokens fit for the courts of palaces.

  + 15% Accuracy

  +10% Agility in combat

  [Have free access to the Fortress town of Higharch.]

  [Active: + 3 Charisma for 10 minutes. 15 hour cool down.]

  [Swift Strike I- Rune][Stone body II-Rune]

  [Frost Sabre Fur cloak][Novice]

  Using the pelt and fur of a Giant Frost Sabre Tooth and inner bark, this cloak was created using average, but intuitive means. The fur offers good protection against cold weather, and gives the wearer protection from sharp objects. The durability is good.

  +20% Exposure Protection

  +3 defence against piercing damage

  +4 Armor Rating

  250/250 Durability

  [Sabre Fur trousers][Prim]

  Using the pelt and fur of a Giant Frost Sabre Tooth and inner bark, these trousers were created using basic, but intuitive means. The fur offer decent protection against cold weather and gives the wearer some protection from sharp objects. The durability is decent.

  +14% Exposure Protection

  +1 defence against piercing damage

  +2 Armor Rating

  250/250 Durability

  [Sabre Fur boots][Novice]

  Using the pelt and fur of a Giant Frost Sabre Tooth and inner bark, these boots were created using average, but intuitive means. The pelts themselves offer proper protection against cold weather and give the wearer protection from sharp objects. The durability is low, but better than basic items.

  +15% Exposure Protection

  +2 defence against piercing damage

  +2 Armor Rating

  120/120 Durability

  Woven bag of holding.

  This bag was woven in the villages deep in the swamps of Sturm Tsadar. The vines used is unique to those swamps and carries a soothing yet tingling feeling to the touch. Though bag of holdings have been a coveted price for many an adventurer, some hold extra tricks up their sleeve.

  Carry Capacity 250 kg (+250 kg extra)

  Herbs and meats don’t spoil in its inventory.

  [Empty Rune Slot]

  Tara’s Compass

  A gold inlaid compass that has weathered many a season. It has moss patches on it. But what is fascinating about it. It doesn’t just point north. There are different inactive runes on it. What the mysterious figure of Tara used this compass for remains a mystery.

  Gives direction.

  Glows when within a hundred metres of hidden obtainable runes.

  [???]

  Stored:

  [Gravel Edge Shield][Uncommon]

  A shield that once belonged to the captain of the River Guard. It’s sides are filled with polished river stone gravel. This technique is unique to the River Guard, and carries its own secrets.

  Rune Slot[...]

  Blocks 70 damage when held up

  +10 Toughness

  +10 Resistance

  Durability 850/850

  [???]

  [Swamp Dagger][Uncommon]

  A dagger from the swamp forts of Sturm Tsadar. It is a very old blade, yet the edge is still very sharp.

  Rune slots[...][...]

  +5% Attack Damage

  +1% To cause bleeding.

  Potions:

  Regular Energy Potion [Mustard Yellow]

  Fills 70 Energy Points(EP)

  Regular Mana Potion [Dark Blue]

  Restores 120 Mana Points(MP)

  Regular Crafting Potion. [Lime Green]

  +10 focus while crafting.

  +15% chance of creating one tier higher item.

  Lasts 10 minutes.

  Miscellaneous:

  Maple Sap [20 grams]

  Maple Bark Strips [100 grams]

  Dire Ermine pelt x 1

  Frost Saber Fur pelts x 4 [Various]

  Ice Embraced Gremlin Fangs x 5

  Giant Ice Embraced Mire Tyrant Fangs x 2

  Giant Ice Embraced Mire Tyrant Skin [29kg]

  Giant Ice Embraced Mire Tyrant prime meat [50kg]

  Giant Ice Embraced Mire Tyrant Vines x 5 [10 meters]

  INVENTORY CLOSED.

  When I had time, I had quite a bit crafting I could attempt. Stretching my arms over my head I walked towards the bookshelves, and had barely got within range when my compass started glowing on my hip. I grinned. A hundred meter range, eh?

  I smiled and activated my Rune Seeker Ability, immediately upon activation, I noticed my Mana bar blinking. If I want to use it again after this I might need to pop a mana potion or wait a long time for my mana to refill at its agonizing slow pace.

  I scanned the bookshelves and saw the colors I ignored during the boss fight. I hurriedly grabbed the three books that lit up. And flipped to the back of each. In the back covers each of the old books had a little material flap. And lo and behold I lifted three glorious runes from it!

  Man that never gets old. Runes in Realm of Ancients were not common, not common at all! Apart from novice runes you can buy at shops in the main cities, finding them out in wild was always a highpoint. And finding higher levels than Novice, even better.

  So, I tapped each.

  [High fall Strike II – Passive Rune][Expert]

  Weapon Strikes while falling do 30% extra damage.

  [Dark Ice Stab III – Active Rune][Expert]

  The next two attacks has chilling ice attack, small damage over time effect, lasting 2 minutes and slowing enemies for 5 seconds. 1 hour cool down.

  [Fire Starter I – Active Rune][Apprentice]

  Use your blade as a flint to make a fire making spark. 20 seconds cooldown

  I grinned and without waiting a second, slotted the first rune into Xianmou’s last slot. With my Primary Class skill Wind Step, I could easily make full use of that dangerous rune. I almost drooled at the prospect. Huehuehue.

  Then I pulled out my Swamp Dagger and slotted the last two active runes into it. Funnily enough, that Dark Ice stab kind of reminded me of the Ice Gremlin Fang’s ice effect.

  And not funny at all, the irony of finding a Fire Starter rune... Nope! I didn’t want to even think about the devious system at that moment. It had mocked my fire making ability enough.

  Just then Talia came up to me and said, “We should leave... there is something lingering in these ruins that makes my spine crawl.”

  I couldn’t argue with that. I had thought it was the raid boss before. But now... now I was not so sure. So, I followed her to the stair well. And we started leaving.

  I still had to stab a few of those cave lizards for their hide anyway.

  ~~~~~

  The black leather pulled taut on the Watcher’s hands. Fury simmered underneath his skin like a parasite.

  Ruined! Ruined!

  There wasn’t suppose to be adventurers anywhere near Sturm Tsadar. Her highness had assured him of that.

  Yet... Yet!

  They were here. Killed the Great Monster before he could free it from it’s icy prison. It had taken weeks! Weeks to bend the Ice Embraced Gremlins to find the objects needed to not just partially release the boss, but fully. The quest to find the arena should have been taken already, none should have been able to find the place for another week.

  Yet... The Watcher slammed his fists and broke the marble table underneath them. He should have attempted to kill them. He should have! But... he wasn’t sure. They were strong. They might have prevailed and discovered too much.

  It was too soon. Far too soon.

  No. He was right in not entering the fray. But... But...! His Queen would be furious! This Great Beast rampaging free once more had been a huge piece on her chess board.

  She might kill him for it. No. He had to find another secret beast and discover a way to free it. But the closest was back on the main land...

  He grabbed the angry pixie by its throat and said, “Not a word to the guild of this failure. Just say, there has been a delay. You got that?!”

  The pixie shot him a glare before fluttering off.

  It was far too soon for his benefactor to be revealed, much less her plan.

  _