Adding Jonn to the roster didn’t take long at all, by the time they stepped out from the Adventurer’s Guild, every Guild was soon updated with the information that Jonn had joined Fate’s Golden.

“Can you track it?” Adam asked as they made their way to the main road, before veering off into the forest, heading towards the general area it was last spotted.

“We will try,” Kitool replied, simply. “I have never seen one before.”

Jurot nodded his head. “Its tracks may be obvious, though it could be confused for other creatures as large as it.”

“I realised it was a stupid question to ask,” Adam said. “I’ll keep that to myself next time.”

“It is fine,” Kitool said. “You have placed your faith in us to complete our task, and we place our faith in you to lead us.”

Adam rubbed the side of his neck. “Yeah.”

Suddenly, it felt as though the entire world was on his shoulder. This was the strongest creature they would face to date.

Other than the White Dragon, but that didn’t count since he had three Silver Rank Adventurers, all three of whom were Iyrmen or Iyrmen adjacent, at his side.

‘I know I said I wanted to test out our strength, but I wasn’t this serious about it,’ Adam thought, glancing at Jurot’s back.

The Iyrman always walked with his head held high, his powerful back a sight of safety.

Adam wondered if his back was the same.

They spent hours within the forest, with Jurot and Kitool grunting to each other in their tongue.

“Wolves.”

“Daily?”

“Yes.”

“Around?”

“Doubtful.”

Each word contained a sentence that only the other person truly understood, as Adam couldn’t keep up with what they were saying.

“We have not found its tracks,” Kitool eventually said.

“We may not have reached the area it resides,” Jurot added.

‘Sounds like a bad omen…’ Adam recalled Sir Dorian, his face twitching into annoyance.

“Adam?” Jaygak called, patting his back.

“Right, sorry.” Adam cleared his throat, returning back to the present. “Let’s camp for the night?”

“I will stay awake with Jonn,” Jurot said.

“Alright,” Adam said, catching Jurot’s eyes, which said to leave it to him. Adam snapped his fingers, and an owl fluttered to a branch to the top of a tree. ‘Let me know if something dangerous approaches.’

Omen: 2, 9

“Here,” Kitool said.

Jurot checked the tracks before catching her eyes, nodding at her.

“So you’ve found it?” Adam asked.

“Yes,” she said. “The tracks are only a few days old.”

“Let’s find fresh tracks,” Jurot said.

With that, the pair continued to lead the group, with Dunes behind Jurot, Adam behind Kitool, and Jaygak and Jonn side by side.

Eventually, Kitool and Jurot stopped the group, nodding to Adam.

“Soon,” Jurot said.

“Wait,” Dunes said. “The good Lady has blessed me with greater powers.”

“Which spells?” Adam asked.

“Second Gate.”

“Nice,” Adam said, smiling.

“I can cast Aid on Jurot, Kitool, and Jaygak.”

Adam furrowed his brows. “Jurot doesn’t need Aid, you do. Don’t you worry about Jurot, he’s got me to aid him.”

“As you wish,” Dunes said, dropping down to a knee and praying to Arya, before the three were finally filled with greater power.

‘Aid,’ Adam thought. ‘I should get that spell too. With how much Mana I have, I can have it active on these three without much thought.’

Eventually they followed the large tracks, which were larger than even Adam’s by nearly double the size, and they soon could hear the sounds of something large and lumbering.

Jurot donned his shield, causing the rest to draw their own weapons. Even Jonn, who was no longer an observer, drew his greatsword, the amulet at his chest filled with power.

Battle Order

D20 + 1 = 15 (14)

The tree in front of them shook violently before a large creature then crashed against it, before it stepped forward to see the group of Adventurers waiting for it.

It was a large humanoid, almost twice as large as Adam, with long and spindly arms and legs. It’s face was ugly, with a large protruding nose, and a mouth which was almost wolfish, with teeth like daggers, and each hand was more like a set of swords. Its skin was a pale green, with darker warts and shrooms growing from its skin.

The scratches from the splintering wood of the tree it had crashed into were slowly closing up as it roared at the Adventurers.

“Oh good Lady, please grant us your blessing,” Dunes chanted, half shuddering as he heard the roar of the creature. He raised his shield and sword, keeping them close to him, staring up at the creature as he peeked above his shield.

Jonn, on the other hand, was not quite so shy, as he charged in to fight the creature. Jonn’s blade cut into the creature’s arm as it tried to catch the blade in its hand, only for the blade to flash with fire as it tore into it.

Seeing the flames, the large creature screeched in pain, horror flickered within its eyes as Jonn cut into it.

Warrior Spirit: 3 -> 2

Attack (Flanking)

D20 + 8 = 11 (3)

D20 + 8 = 14 (6)

Omen: 2, 9 -> 2

9 + 8 = 17

Hit!

1D6 + 2D6 + 5 + 3 = 19 (4)(3, 4)

19 damage!

Jonn was not the only Half Elf eager to fight, as Adam leapt beside the creature, plucking a Thread of Fate in order to cut the creature deeply across its back.

Kitool, who had been full of fear in front of this huge creature, inhaled deeply.

Adam opened a large wound across the creatures back, one which did not close due to the fire which had engulfed its arm.

“See?” Adam said, gripping Lightsear tight in his hand. “You don’t need a weapon like mine when you have your magics.”

Jonn decided not to fire a retort, too busy engaged with their foe.

Onward Soar: 1 -> 0

Attack (Flanking)

D20 + 8 = 13 (5)

D20 + 8 = 16 (8)

Hit!

1D6 + 2D6 + 5 + 3 = 18 (1)(4, 5)

18 damage!

Jurot grit his teeth, his entire face turning a deep red as rage fuelled him. He leapt into the fray, his shield leading the charge, his flaming axe brought up towards the sky. The creature turned towards him, seeing the flickering flames, eyes full of terror as not one, but two of its meals wielded a weapon with fire.

The creature brought up an arm to protect itself, and Jurot’s axe cut it clean through, causing its arm to drop beside the Iyrman, who was crouched, his axe striking the ground from the might of his blow.

Kitool, let out a soft exhale as Jaygak stepped beside her. However, as the Devilkin took her place beside the other Iyrman, the woman disappeared.

A shadow loomed over the terrified creature, one by the name of Kitool, whose Fate had been shifted, filled with the magic of Wahtu.

With Seekerstaff gripped tightly within both hands, Kitool brought her weapon down, slamming it across the back of the vile creature’s head, shattering its skull, and sinking deep within its brains.

If Jonn and Jurot did not have their flaming weapons, the creature would have been able to stand even after Kitool’s heavy blow, but as Kitool landed beside it, the creature dropped, unable to regenerate.

Victory!

Troll

+300XP

Jaygak stared at Kitool, confused for a moment, but she smiled. “Good strike.”

Kitool stared down at her Seekerstaff, wondering how she had managed to strike so harshly. Her blow had been hard, harder than even Adam’s typical blow, and she had managed to land the last hit on the Troll.

‘I didn’t die?’ she thought.

“Nice,” Adam said, sheathing his Lightsear. “Looks like I was worried for nothing.”

Jurot threw Adam a look, a small smile on his lips.

“I know, I know,” Adam said, patting the Iyrman against his powerful back. “There’s a reason why I accepted so easily.”

Jurot dropped down to butcher the creature for proof, though took some of its body parts which would be useful for those who made certain potions.

“You’re very strong, Jonn,” Adam said. “I didn’t expect you to be that strong.”

“Is that a joke?” Jonn asked, staring at Adam. “You had defeated me previously, when I was not at my strongest.”

“Strongest or not, I did beat you senseless,” Adam said, nodding his head. “Though I’m not talking about that. I’m talking about that Aura you give off, the one which empowers our attacks.”

Jonn nodded his head slowly. “Even Oathbreakers have their own power.”

Adam nodded his head.

“A power which is unsightly,” Dunes said.

“Relax, Dunes,” Adam said. “Unsightly or not, it helped us out.”

Dunes frowned. “We should be careful keeping him with us. I kept my tongue before, but I hope that you don’t forget what he is.”

“And what is he?” Adam asked. “A bastard Half Elf? Last time I checked, that Dwarven friend of yours isn’t about, so don’t go talking shit about our pointy ears.”

“No,” Dunes said. “That wasn’t what I was talking about. I meant the fact he was an Oathbreaker.”

“I know, I’m just pulling your leg.” Adam chuckled. “I understand you might not like him, but we can’t deny how easy this was because of him. I haven’t forgotten what he is, and how he’s already broken his word to me before. That’s why Jurot is keeping an eye on him when we take watches, and why I’ll be cutting him down if he betrays us.”

Dunes stared at Adam. “I will assist you if you need to cut him down.”

“I appreciate the help,” Adam said.

“You keep talking about how much you distrust me,” Jonn said. “Are you sure you should be saying so right in front of me?”

“It should be obvious, right? We don’t trust you, that’s why we keep an eye on you. You don’t trust me, that’s why you keep an eye on me.” Adam raised his brows, smiling like one smug bastard towards the other Half Elf. “Come on, Jonn. If you’re going to keep saying stupid stuff like that, I might have to kick you out of our party.”

Jonn narrowed his eyes.

They finally returned to town, and with the gate fee paid, they quickly retreated to the Adventurer’s Guild.

“You all slew the Troll?” the Guild Worker asked. Their eyes caught sight of the three Iyrmen and then Jonn. “Right, of course you did. Well done.”

Quest Complete: Troll Hunting

XP Gained: +150

XP: 4220 -> 4370

Currency Gained: +37GP, +5SP

“Since you’re a member of this party, that means you need to understand a few things. First, I’m the leader. Second, you need to pay into the Party Funds too. I expect a minimum of one tenth, but one fifth is probably best. We did start off with a certain percentage, but so far everyone’s been putting in a decent chunk.”

“Understood,” Jonn said. He had no need to deny it, since this was the first step between building a proper relationship between one another.

“I should probably make some more…” Adam glanced at Jonn. “Nevermind.”

Jonn remained silent, wondering what Adam was about to say.

‘Now that I think about it, we have enough Health Potions. We probably don’t need any more…’

“We should do that,” Jurot said.

“That?” Adam asked.

“That thing,” Jurot stated, staring at the Half Elf.

“Right, you mean that thing,” Adam said, as though he understood what Jurot was saying. ‘What are you talking about?’

Jurot led the group out of the Adventurer’s Guild and through the town. Adam and Jonn always wore their helmets, or kept their hoods up when walking about, considering they were still in Central Aldland.

It was then Adam smelt the fresh smell of…

“Oh,” Adam said. “That thing!”