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Chapter 297- An overnight fall from wealth
An overnight fall from wealthA cold wind descended down the mountain tops in the north and blew across their stony feet. By the time it ventured along the rocky plains to Frost City, it became a pleasant, welcome breeze. From the farmers tending their fields to the nobles relaxing in their villas ou...
Chapter 296- Washed incense stones?
Washed incense stones?Another intermittent groan interrupted the monotonous creaking of the axle as the wooden wheels tumbled over another dried rut. The dust raised from the clopping horse and rolling caravan sought to powder their sweaty skins and accumulate between their toes. The taste of clay p...
Chapter 295- Travelers on the road
Travelers on the roadThe night sky stretched out before them towards a horizon lost in the distance. A full moon hung overhead as it kept the company of the limitless stars. A chirp of an insect or disturbed bird drifted above the low rumble of the wooden wheels. A riderless horse tethered to the wa...
Chapter 294- Preparing for a journey
Preparing for a journeyEver since Mr. Thomas converted half of the old corral into a training ground, the site had undergone a myriad of changes. A stout fence encircled the area, not for keeping prying eyes away but to prevent accidents from the practicing weapons. An unroofed house with narrow cor...
Chapter 293- Dreaming of a weapon
Dreaming of a weaponChu ran his finger across a segment of the drawing plans before tapping his chin. Old Hodge had spared no expense in sieving out large sheets of paper for exclusive use in the farm expansion. The building plans he currently browsed covered his entire desk with lines, numbers, and...
Chapter 292- Future plans
Future plansMr. Thomas bent his head while walking under the low, crooked doorway. With the door creaking close, with a complaint behind him, he sighed on hearing the greeting from his wife. There she sat on the bench by the table, occupying the only pieces of furniture in the room. The unhinged woo...
Chapter 291- Building a reputation
Building a reputationChu cast an apologetic face at Lucy while handing over a refilled waterskin. A sense of shame lingered in his mind as his eyes fell on her drenched shirt under her red leather armor. Gritting his teeth, he ignored the sweat dripping over his own eyebrows as he joined his compani...
Chapter 290- Overcoming fears
Overcoming fearsDepending on the discerning eye, a forest can take many forms. On a relatively dry, sunny day, the shaded canopy, bubbling brooks, and natural growth created a free and unfettered landscape. Conversely, plopping rain at night, rustling leaves, and eerie calls in the darkness could me...
Chapter 289- Battling against an invincible foe
Battling against an invincible foeThe death of the wolf demon lifted the terror overhanging the goblin race. Free from that calamity which prowled and depopulated entire villages, the goblins began the process of reclaiming their lost territory. Thinking about it while stepping into the small cleari...
So sorry!
Hey readers, I am so sorry about the recent delays. Had a little scare last week and it's still being sorted. Will have all chapters out by the end of the week. Thank you for continuing to stick with me.I hope everyone is holding on and being extra careful throughout this trying time. Please don...
Chapter 288- Gathering raw materials
Gathering raw materials"Elder Brother Ming, the forest around us is secure. I'm heading out to scout ahead with Fenrir."Dyna reported in a monotonous tone to the oldest male in the resting party. The redhead then flickered among the trees just as quickly as she appeared. No doubt, she ha...
Chapter 287- Testing and Prodding
Testing and ProddingChong passed a tired hand across his face and then forced open his bloodshot eyes. Last night, when Doug chose him to tag along to the meeting of the Bloodnight Society today, he hardly slept a wink. Rising from his bunk, he first washed with a basin of cold water before donning ...
Chapter 286- The swap and steal
The swap and stealThe light from the flames of the outer fires traveled over the grassland. Rolling over a knoll, Stevven Gofart knew they would soon arrive at the Military camp. Breathing a sigh of relief, a smile broke on his stiff face. If not for the fear of demon beasts still lurking within the...
Chapter 285- On the road
On the roadChu stood motionless in the ankle-deep stream. With his back bent, he scanned below the clear bubbling water to the spaces between the stones and rocks. Tensing his shoulders, his body resembled a coiled spring ready for release. After what seemed like hours, a tiny claw protruded out fro...
Chapter 284- Subcontracting
SubcontractingMerchant Quin twisted his face on seeing the bluish fruit placed on the table. Even in a darkened setting, he would recognize the useless item. Reigning in the displeasure from his voice, he raised his eyes to the brunette girl sitting behind the crowded table."Indigo melon. Pardon...
Chapter 283- Contracting merchants
Contracting merchantsChu sat on a weathered log under the evening sun. From his position on top of the hill, he had an open view of the grasslands. Most importantly, however, he held an unobstructed view of the road in the far distance. Tapping lazily against the tough but hollowed log, he listened ...
Chapter 282- Setting the stage
Setting the stagePriest Quarrie cast a pitiful face from his lying position, up at the young Healer kneeling beside him. Even from his blurred vision, the angelic features of this raven-haired beauty shone in the campfire. He forced a contorted smile in the hopes of improving his haggard disposition...
Chapter 281- Weapon of mass destruction
Weapon of mass destructionMing continued chatting with the three scouts as if meeting up some long lost brothers. Chu, on the other hand, focused on the short priest. In the few travels he experienced on the road, he never encountered an oldish priest being part of a scouting party."Priest Quarr...
Chapter 280- Brothers on the road
Brothers on the roadAn open grassland didn't always mean one could gaze around till as far as the eye could see.Like the gentle waves of a calm sea, the rolling, low undulations blocked the traveler's view depending on their location on the road. Small knolls rose like sparse little islands ...
Chapter 279-Adventuring on the grasslands
Adventuring on the grasslandsDeep within the grasslands during the night.Lucy heard them before the wolves. The sun had set for only a few hours and she had drawn the first watch. Sitting with her back supported by the lone oak on the hill, the faint flapping sounded vaguely familiar. The beating ca...
Chapter 278- A steady fire
A steady fireTwo days later, Chu walked past the east gate of the farm while tightening the leather straps of his left gauntlet. Lowering his neck, he cast aside all politeness as he tugged with his teeth. The ponytailed older brunette and beak-nosed elder accompanying him, however, never voiced any...
Chapter 277- An opportunity
An opportunityPatriarch Gofart heaved a long sigh and then relaxed by slumping his flabby, old figure on the oversized chair. A few steps below, the Elders and decision-makers slowly trickled out of the large hall. The heavy doors closed so as to signal the end of another daily meeting of the mercha...
Chapter 276- Thoughtful Training
Thoughtful TrainingLucy slipped on her boots and then pulled and tied the leather straps tight. Rising from the wooden stool, she fixed the buckles on her leather belt. Attached to it, hung her small first aid pouch at the back, while a pair of dagger sheaths occupied both sides. Satisfied with her ...
Chapter 275- Double Turning
Double TurningUrsus made his way across the slum lanes to the south gate. His companion this time was a wiry young man who had visited with the Boss. Similar to his relation to Little Tuck, in the beginning, this man proved a poor conversationalist. Threading past some unsavory looking characters, h...
Chapter 274- A helping hand
A helping handThe weary door from the silent hall creaked open to the concoction room. The scent of medicinal herbs, potions, and lingering smoke greeted the fifteen-year-old boy as his eyes blinked naturally to regain focus. Worn tables and the familiar apparatuses saturated from the ages of countl...
Chapter 273- No shortcuts
No shortcutsIshara shook her head again in the negative on seeing what the human scribbled on the paper. She had no idea why the boy kept pushing this belief about magic. Twisting her lip at the crude circle drawn and dissected into quadrants, she pointed at the words fire, water, earth, air written...
Chapter 272- The Alchemist Guild of Frost City
The Alchemist Guild of Frost CityThe Alchemist Guild occupied a relatively large portion of land adjacent to the Military headquarters. Situated in the northwestern quadrant of the city, it served as a major distribution node. Potions, antidotes, salves, and ointments used by soldiers, adventurers, ...
Chapter 271- Hair color
Hair colorMing stood by the stable fence while watching the actions of the old man. As if accustomed to a familiar routine, the balding man approached and petted the horse from the side. Coaxing the large animal, he ran his rough hands across the mane and then down a front shoulder. In no time at al...
Chapter 270- Finding new guards
Finding new guardsChu twisted slightly on the saddle to ease the pressure on his rump. The three-hour ride this morning across the grasslands reminded him of his status as an amateur rider. The slow clops while the horse picked a path across a stony spring brook and the bumpy gallop along the hills ...
