Yi Qiang's ears perked up - finally, some answers to the strange behavior of the lizardmen, as well as some, hopefully, information about his race that seemed to be shrouded in mystery and in stigma.

The Grand Elder began.

"I'm sure you're aware of the persecution of your race, the Dragonblooded Elves. Do you know why?"

Yi Qiang thought for a bit, then recalled the information.

"I believe it was because of the races' widespread fear of our potential as warriors, that they banded together to eliminate the bloodline of the Dragonblood Elves."

The Grand Elder responded with a slight frown on her face.

"That's partly what happened, but it's not the full story. See, the underlying reason was what you said - the races formed an alliance to eliminate the bloodline of the Dragonblooded Elves because of their potential to tower above the other races in power and stature. But this was not helped by the Dragonblooded Elves' direct conflict with the High Elves. The despicable, shameless 'nobles' were affronted by the inherent elegance and stature within the Dragonblooded Elves, seeing them as a threat not only to their affluence, but to their position as the most elegant of the races. Thus, they plotted against the great leader of the Dragonblooded Elves, grouping up on him when he was severely weakened from a battle he had fought and staked his lfie on to protect the nation.

"He managed to kill them, but became a cripple in the process, resulting in the crumble of the greatest pillar holding up the rapidly-growing Dragonblooded Elves.

"The other races saw this as a chance: they grouped up rapidly, pouncing upon the still-debilitated elves and exterminatig them, quashing any hope of the race rising up again. Outside of the Chosen, who, from what the winds of knowledge tell me, seem to have dredged up long-extinct races, the Dragonblooded Elves are all but gone - perhaps there is a haven somewhere for the escaped elven refugees, but if there is, it's unlikely to find.

"Regardless, the allies of the Dragonblooded Elves still remain on this world, and there are still those honorable enough not to end a fellow life based on unjust persecution. The Lizardmen of the Red Mountain are counted among those. Thankfully, we're isolated enough that very few races come to bother us, so it's unlikely that your presence will be discovered.

"That's enough about your own race. There's plenty more in this old head of mine, but I'm sure a youngling like you has more to do than listen to the ramblings of an elder about an extinct race, so let's talk about the problems of the present. Before that, though, do you have any questions?"

Yi Qiang blinked, trying to commit all of this new information to memory. The High Elves were really so malicious? But Ororil and Elgael didn't seem nearly so venomous... They struck me as the type of people that would die for their ideals, rather than foraske them based on a self-imposed threat. I suppose one or two individuals can't represent an entire race, then. I really should be more wary; people here are just as ambitious and ruthless as in the real world.

Yi Qiang, now more knowledgeable about the ways of the land he lived in, nodded at the elder for her to continue, no questions about his race's tragic fate coming to mind.

"I have no questions. Please continue."

The Grand Elder nodded

"As I've said before, we're a very remote race. Outside of very limited other clans and tribes, we avoid contact with nearby cities and more powerful, numerous races, because the lizardmen aren't seen positively - it's possible we will not only not receive help, but even be attacked by the larger races. That's why we're in such dire straits now.

"Recently, a new threat has popped up here that is placing our tribe at risk. Suddenly, in the large wilderness in which we live here, which is closed off by all the cave walls, diseased beasts have started appearing. They're berserk - unable to reason or understand speech, they attack anything in their sight, and are both extremely strong and numerous. And, even if our warriors defeat them, any open wound that's infected by their disease causes death within a week. Essentially, we're helpless.

"We don't know why they've appeared, but the important fact is that without outside help, it could mean extinction. And the few groups we are allied with are far too small and weak to help us at all. So, Dragonblooded Chosen, are you willing to help us? I know the Chosen grow quickly, and while you may not be able to handle it right now, I'm confident you'll be able to eventually solve our problem. Please. We can't reward you much, but we'll do what we can."

Yi Qiang considered. This should be an opportunity for me to level up, train my stats, and get more gear if I'm lucky... and the quest Ororil gave me isn't of much urgency...

"All right, but I have a few questions now."

"Of course!"

In the forest, a crouched figure could be seen silently traveling through the treetops. Each time a graceful step hit the healthy wood, barely a pat could be heard.

Perfect, this method of travel is perfect for training both my Grace skill and my Sneak skill! And I get the drop on any plague beasts I encounter. Unfortunately, I still make a sound when I land on a tree. That should disappear when my Sneak skill levels up to Journeyman, I think, but it should take quite a while.

Suddenly, the archer's sharp eyes caught onto a bulky boar charging through the forest, at speeds matching his own. Silently, he drew his bow and notched an arrow, focusing intently on the diseased animal.

An arrow flew through the air, moving in a perfect arc and sailing silently deep into the boar's neck. It slowed down some before stumbling, the huge boar sending up a spray of dirt when it crash landed into the dirt.

Plagued Boar

Level 35

Elite

HP 2000/5000

A single well-placed arrow capitalizing on the many openings of the animal finished the boar off, netting Yi Qiang some more experience, though he didn't need the experience from a Level 35 anymore.

On with the hunt.

Yi Qiang scanned the area, not finding any tracks of diseased beasts, thus continuing onwards. I'll thin out the masses then track the diseased animals to their source.

This is some general information Yi Qiang learned from the Grand Elder of the tribe:

The place he was in right now was some sort of strange, secluded area bordered by cave walls. The entire lizardman tribe had laid claim to it, and often patrolled the few known entrances - this was how Yi Qiang was discovered so quickly.

Although they were surrounded by walls, the top of the forest was open-air, which weakened the seclusion factor but allowed a constant stream of fresh air to flow through.

The golem Yi Qiang had to fight to enter was news to the Grand Elder; she had never heard of any sort of guardian or goliath, let alone a key to the door that allowed Yi Qiang inside in the first place. According to her, the last time someone entered through that door, there was no trace of the taxing battle Yi Qiang had to go through last time.