cassioferreira
patreon
HC: Handyman | Ch. 94 - Master Leon
🕑 Added 2024-09-20 17:15:42 +0000 UTCJack met Horace at the foot of the statue, a well-known gathering spot for players in Embersgate. It was located at a bustling crossroads near the food market but far enough from its chaos.
Jack studied the statue. It was carved from dark granite and depicted Embergate’s soldiers locked in a fierce battle with dinosaurs. Each soldier bore a courageous expression as they fought off the large invaders, with their stone scales glistening in the sunlight. Jack couldn’t help but feel that he and Horace had just emerged from a battle just as heroic.
Horace finally approached, still with the baby allosaurus slung over his shoulder. The creature had calmed considerably after its mother's roars faded in the distance. Surrounded by the tall walls and the hustle of players passing by, the young dinosaur had resigned to its fate.
"So," Jack said, a note of triumph in his voice, "I think we did it."
"I can’t believe we actually pulled it off," Horace said, grinning.
"You can’t believe it?" Jack shot back. "You kept saying you were sure we'd make it!"
"Yeah, but I thought we were finished when the mother started closing in. I mean, if it wasn’t for you, we wouldn’t have had a chance."
"It was a team effort," he replied.
"I can’t wait to see Amari’s and Marie’s faces when we tell them we finished this quest at only level 15!" Horace laughed, clearly enjoying the thought. "They’re going to flip."
Though the idea of watching Amari and Marie’s jealous expressions was satisfying, Jack was more interested in the reward. This was the most dangerous quest he had tackled so far, and with any luck, the payout would cover the last of his rent. “Shall we go?”
“Of course. Follow me.”
They navigated the bustling streets until they reached the Taming Arena. It resembled a circus tent from the outside, though it lacked the colorful stripes and festive feel. Instead, its faded canvas walls and towering structure made it look rugged and utilitarian. With each step toward it, the sounds grew louder—roars, screeches, howls—interspersed with the shouts of NPC tamers.
The arena was divided into several large pits, each dug deep into the ground and reinforced with sturdy wooden barriers. In one pit, Jack saw a group of players trying to calm a panicked ornithopod like the ones he’d seen hunted at the lake. The creature stamped its feet, its wide eyes darting around, clearly overwhelmed by the noise and commotion.
In another, deeper pit, a creature resembling a tiger with no stripes and oversized teeth jutting out beyond its lips leaped gracefully through a flaming hoop. The tamer tossed it a plump chicken, feathers flying as the beast devoured its reward.
In whatever pit he looked in, tamer players and NPCs worked tirelessly to train the animals, some using clickers and treats, others wielding whips. Chickens seemed to be the prize of choice, their scent mixing with the arena's earthy aroma.
“Wow, this place is packed!” Jack exclaimed, eyes wide.
“It’s one of the most popular majors,” Horace replied.
Jack watched as a nearby tamer coaxed a small theropod into performing tricks. “How does it all work exactly?”
“Well, you either hunt or breed creatures, tame them, and then sell them to players. A lot of the tamers who prefer hunting combine it with the [Trapper] profession,” Horace explained.
Unfortunately, taming wasn’t a minor; otherwise, he might have been tempted to take it up. Commanding an army of bees and dinosaurs would have been epic.
They wove through the arena’s winding paths, carefully stepping along the pits' edges until they reached the NPC who had issued the quest. The man’s chest was covered in scars, and his light gray hair hung in a wild mane, giving him a lion-like presence.
As soon as he spotted the baby allosaurus on Horace’s shoulder—shrieking and protesting —he broke into a grin and stepped forward. The baby dino went still as if recognizing a greater predator in the tamer.
“I can’t believe it! You actually pulled it off!” the tamer exclaimed.
“Master Leon!”
“Well done, lad. Put it down right over there,” he told Horace. Master Leon clapped Horace on the shoulder, then turned his sharp gaze to Jack. “And this must be your friend, the bushcrafter you mentioned.”
“Couldn’t have done it without him,” Horace said, gesturing to Jack. “He’s the reason we managed to capture the beast.”
Jack gave a humble nod. “Nice to meet you, Master Leon.”
The tamer returned the greeting with a nod of approval. “Well, you both did excellent work. Here are the rewards for your quest.”
[Baby Allosaurus Hunt] has been completed.
Completion rate: S-.
Calculating rewards.
You’ve received 50 gold.
+200,000 XP
You’ve reached level 16.
You’ve reached level 17.
You’ve reached level 18.
You’ve reached level 19.
+200,000XP in [Bushcraft]
You’ve received [Ride Coupon].
You’ve received a new title: [Overreacher].
You’ve received a new title: [S-Grade Adventurer].
You’ve received a new title: [Embersgate Civil Servant].
Jack stood there, stunned as the flood of rewards poured in. He’d just got almost 50 credits in gold and shot from level 16 to level 19 in an instant—leaving him only a single step away from unlocking two more minor skill slots just days after receiving his class. He also gained enough [Bushcraft] XP to buy [Sticksmithing], lvl. 2.
And the titles! He went through their descriptions grinning from ear to ear.
Overreacher (Uncommon)
Description: It’s hard to tell whether you’re just plain crazy or if you’re a hero. You’ve bitten more than you could chew, and still, you were able to gobble the rewards whole.
Effects:
+1 strength;
+10HP;
+1 fame.
Conditions to unlock: [Overreacher]:
Complete a quest intended for ten levels above you;
Complete a quest with less than half of the recommended players.
S-Grade Adventurer (Rare)
Description: You excel at any tasks you are given, making the impossible happen. Minstrels sing songs about your achievements!
Effects:
Quest-givers will give you better grades;
+1 free stat point;
+1 fame.
Embersgate Civil Servant (Common)
Description: You’ve become well-known among the ruling institutions of Embersgate and are known to be a helpful, responsible citizen.
Effects:
+1 fame;
5% discount from stores in Embersgate.
Bronze Ride Coupon
Description: A gift from a staff member of the Taming Association. You can exchange it for any ride available for sale below level 25.
Bound to JackOfDiamonds.
They were nothing short of incredible. The [Overreacher] title gave him a bonus for both strength and HP, while the [S-Grade Adventurer] title gave him better rewards from quests. The [Embersgate Civil Servant] title would save him money in town too.
But what intrigued him most was the [Bronze Ride Coupon]. “Hey, Horace! Disappointed?” Jack asked, noticing his friend looking just as happy as he was.
Horace flashed a huge thumbs-up. “Am I? I’m over the moon! Did you get a [Bronze Ride Coupon] too?”
“Yeah. How do we redeem it?”
“Follow me, I’ll show you,” Horace replied. Turning back to Master Leon, he bowed respectfully. “Thank you, Master.”
Jack followed suit, but Master Leon, already busy untying the baby allosaurus, paid them little attention. The young creature growled in protest and stood up, ready to fight. The tamer remained unfazed, his calm and fearless demeanor making it clear he was in control. As much as Jack was curious to see how it played out, his excitement over the ride coupon took priority.
“So, how do rides work?” Jack asked as they entered a tunnel branching off from the arena.
“It’s pretty straightforward,” Horace explained. “Unless you're a knight, you can’t fight from a mount until you hit level 50—and even then, you’re limited. Knights are the only ones who really get the full benefits of a mount in combat.”
“Then how does it work for the rest of us?” Jack pressed.
“Well, some rides are built for speed, and others can expand your inventory by offering more slots.”
Jack’s interest piqued. He’d hit his inventory limit more than once and missed out on loot that could’ve increased his earnings. “Is there any mount that can do both?”
Horace chuckled. “Yeah, but not to the same degree. You’ll have to choose what’s more important to you.”
Jack glanced down at the coupon in his hand. “It says it’s for rides level 25 and below. Is that even good?”
“Don’t let the level fool you, Jack. Plenty of players at level 30 or higher still use level 25 mounts. Rides are expensive.”
Jack thought back to all the times he’d roamed the streets of Embersgate—he hadn’t seen many players with mounts. “How much do you think this coupon would sell for if we put it up for auction?”
“It’s non-transferable,” Horace said without hesitation.
“I know, but humor me. I want to get a sense of its value.”
Horace paused, considering. “The best ride at level 25? Probably worth about 300 gold.”
Jack whistled softly. That was about 250 credits—half his rent. This reward might just be the most valuable thing he’d earned in New Earth so far.
They reached a quieter part of the taming grounds, a space outside the tent but still under cover. Corrals stretched, holding various beasts either in pairs, solo, or small groups. Light filtered through the open walls, giving the place an inviting, rustic atmosphere. Passersby glanced at the beasts with longing, but most walked away, unable to afford them.
The more creatures Jack saw, the more excited he became. Horses, ponies, donkeys, and even an enormous cow with horns as wide as his arm span were all on display. Horace quickly found a vendor and beckoned Jack to join him.
“Show us the best level 25 rides you’ve got,” Horace said.
The vendor was a wiry man with sharp features. His keen eyes scanned them like a seasoned merchant sizing up a deal. His voice carried the confidence of someone who had spent years matching adventurers with their perfect mounts. Jack had the impression that he was talking to a car salesman. "What kind of budget are we working with, gentlemen?"
Jack and Horace handed over their coupons at the same time.
The vendor’s eyes widened. “Ah, a rare sight indeed. The masters only hand these out for great services rendered. Please, follow me.”
They trailed behind him, weaving through paddocks and cages until they reached a larger clearing.
“At level 25, we have the Highland horse,” the vendor said, gesturing toward a paddock where several tall horses munched on straw. Their thick white manes flowed down their black necks. Their dark eyes held a calm intelligence, watching Jack with the same curiosity with which he studied them. “Fast, tough, and able to traverse any terrain. They’re strong enough to carry a decent load too—one of our best sellers. Raised and bred right here, within the prairies beyond Embersgate.”
“How much do they usually go for?” Horace asked.
“280 gold,” the vendor replied.
Horace nodded approvingly, clearly weighing his options.
“Now, if you're after something more exotic,” the vendor continued, “we have the Megaloceros.”
Jack’s eyes lit up at the name. Robert had mentioned hunting these beasts on a quest. The Megaloceros were taller than even Horace, their massive antlers branching out like the limbs of a tree. Each one moved with a calm, powerful grace, their size making them impossible to ignore.
“They excel in speed, especially on rough terrain, and their powerful jump can help you escape tricky situations. Not the best at carrying heavy loads, though,” the vendor explained.
Then came the final offering. “And last, but not least, we have the Megalonyx.”
Jack's attention snapped to the paddock. The name alone sounded promising. Inside, he saw two massive creatures. At first glance, they resembled bears, but their longer limbs and fluid movements marked them as something else. One of them rose up on its hind legs to snatch food from a high shelf, standing nearly three meters tall.
“They belong to the ground sloth family,” the vendor explained. “Incredibly docile, obedient, and capable of carrying quite a bit of weight.”
“How much do the Megaloceros and Megalonyx usually cost?” Jack asked.
“290 gold each,” the vendor said. “So, what’s it going to be?”
Jack pondered his choices. Should he go for the Highland horse, a reliable option with speed and strength? Or the Megaloceros, a swift and agile mount, perfect for difficult terrain? The Megalonyx was tempting, too—with its excellent carrying capacity. Which should he choose?
Comments
Coleman
Jake may have carried the mission but I approve the ticket to ride. Practical mounts are a blessing in anything with travel time.
Cássio Ferreira
Haha. Eventually. We need to leave room for growth. He's only level 19 after all.
Cássio Ferreira
Thank you so much for sharing your opinion David. Megalonyx seems to be the winner for now.
David Zimmerle
Megalonyx would definitely be my first pick, slow but tons of carrying capacity which matters for a crafter. Second pick would be the horse, kind of boring but it has some carrying capacity and speed. Definitely not the speedy boy, I doubt it would be a comfortable ride for the bees.
Scott Frederiksen
Probably the safest option and I'm sure it's actually very cool but if you're in a prehistoric game you gotta rep som dinos. 🤓
Cássio Ferreira
I know! Megaloceros look awesome! Thank you for your comment. I wonder whether anyone will say they prefer the horse. :P
Cássio Ferreira
Thank you for sharing your opinion! Megalonyxes are awesome.
Julia Pennoyer
I think the Megalonyx. As a crafter you can never carry too many supplies.
Scott Frederiksen
Hard to say. Antlers win with cool factor but storage is cool. Id say the antlered speedster but that's due to future knowledge that good ol roth is coming to rage about any day now... Not sure the mc would even think about that and may prefer the storage.
