The next few days were actually quite tame. We spent some time disarming nearby traps(+1 Exp), I spent some more time feeding and training Cobaltio(+1 Exp, who could eat a lot faster since he gained way more jaw strength), washed my robes, and we sorted the treasure(we looted the bodies).

I took notes on our loot. It would be useful for later, to make sure nothing was snatched.

2 iron shovels

1 stone shovel

2 iron greatswords(very old)

3 crossbows

5 daggers + a machete

2 shortswords

4 slingshots

45 crossbow bolts

various gear for mining(it was an active cobalt mining operation)

450+ chunks of cobalt(equivalent to 1 Exp each for Cobaltio, could also be sold for cobalt dragonoid trainers)

3 pounds of unrefined gold(including the stuff used as bait)

some gems(est. 300 gp/40-60 Uexp), including a tiny diamond I took for myself(est. 20gp/4-5 Uexp[Units of Expirence are the equivalent of a level 20’s expirence])

a lair/cobalt mine of free real-estate

various other items

All in all, probably a good haul. After we were finished, we also had to put up a sign that claimed the pile of loot as ours, so we built one of cobalt and stuck it into the ground in front of the alcove, where we placed all the loot, ‘property of the Howling Hunters’

“Looks good to me,” Maladrain said after finishing it.

{What about me? I own at least half of this stuff}

“...fine,” a few more minutes passed as he wrote a clause into the stone, ‘but mostly Saya,’ “Do you have a family name?”

I shook my head. Not many village dwellers bother with last names.

“Now, I do have to ask, do you plan on taking an oathbreaker class?”

{maybe, why?}

“Well, it’s not as if that’s illegal or anything, but a lot of people will resent you just for having no patron. Also...” He gestured to me weirdly.

I tilted my head.

“Uhh, if you are, why are you still wearing Seraph’s robes? I don’t know too much about you all-I mean, the worshippers of Seraph-but I feel like that could really get on their nerves.”

{Well, I’m still a mute.}

“I don’t understand. What’s that got to do with this?”

{They tend to treat people like me with respect.}

“Even if you’re an oathbreaker?”

I noded.

“Ok...but if you get thrown out by a church, don’t come running t’ me.” I got the feeling he was a little insincere with that statement.

Each time I fell asleep, I felt like a ‘memory was almost on the surface of my mind, but it never fully came. It seemed like something was a little special about that time.

By that time, Cobaltio had finished eating twelve chunks of cobalt. It seemed as if each chunk was netting him about two Exp, so he had 24 Exp and was level 1. Apparently, monsters can overeat as much as they want and just store the energy. Who knows how long that much will last him.

On the day we had planned to leave, I packed what I would need.

Chapter 17

Saya: Age: 13

Chaotic Good

Patron: None

Class: [apprentice]

Race: [human]

Level: 9

Exp: 14

Base Stats: Str: 13 Dex: 13 Con: 10 Wis: 17 Int: 17 Cha: 12

Stat Growths: Str: 40% Dex: 15% Con: 20% Wis: 30% Int: 35% Cha: 30%

Inherent skills: [mute] [oathbreaker] [fast learner] [trainer]

Trained skills: Trained skills: [storytelling tier 3] [scribing tier 2] [magic tier 1] [print communication tier 2][monster hunter tier 1] [swordsmanship tier 1] [dead as nightfall] [ruthless striker tier 1] [back to back] [perception tier 1]

Inactive Skills: [poison resistance tier 1] [stealth tier 1]

Equipment: backpack:(rope, cobalt slate, 4 sticks of chalk, 2 weeks of food, robes, slingshot, diamond, pickaxe, 13 cobalt chunks, ink, quill, paper), intermediate boots, sword, robes of the Seraph, [soul cushion]

Magics: [mage hand] [flame manipulation tier 2] [water creation tier 1]

[oathbreaker]: resistance to divine damage.

[trainer]: you hold the sole ownership of a creature.

I lost [hope], [seraph’s wisdom], and [life wing]. It stings to see those gone...

I also changed my gear up, adding a machete, slingshot(rocks are more convenient ammo than bolts), and pickaxe(since Maladrain got a shovel), and borrowed Maladrain’s writing supplies. All of that was super heavy so I could get a ton of exercise in, and getting stronger is pretty important since I’m still a 13-year-old girl trying to be a monster hunter.

Maladrain walked back into the lair to finish packing for himself, so I decided to spend my free time trying to unlock Cobaltio’s flight ability, [draconic imbuement].

[draconic imbuement]: upon casting this spell, this creature gains two wings for (one minute)(24hr cooldown)

I led him to the base of a large tree, then climbed really high, placed a piece of cobalt on a branch, and climbed back down. I then had [soul cushion] try to pull him up. He ignored it, a little confused. So, I picked him up and threw him into the air. Before he landed on a potentially hurtful fall, he seemed to lose his momentum for just a moment, then resumed his fall.

I couldn’t see it, but that was definitely [death wing]. He yelped at me a few times with his eerily humanoid yelps-’Eek!’s- then sat back down. I instead began holding the food high above my head and out of its reach while trying to drag it upward with the cushion. After a few minutes of trying to snatch it from my hand with its invisible [death wing], it took a few steps back, then leaped into the air, sprouted two dragon wings from its back, then flew up to my hand, snatched the cobalt, then glided back to the ground.

“Woah, it really can fly.” Maladrain was ready to leave and walking out of the cave.

I held up my hand again and guided Cobaltio to fly back up to it. Afterward, Cobaltio flew around haphazardly before suddenly losing its wings and falling to the ground harmlessly.

“Not for long, though.” I vaguely wondered what happens to its [death wing] while it has the two dragon wings. Three wings? “So, you ready to go?”

1 Exp gained for training your pet(reproducible).

Finally, we were on the road. After spending a good portion of the day traveling, we were out of Cobold Valley and just a mile away from my home.

“Hey champ, do you want to send your family a note or something for them to pick up? You said you lived here, right?”

I scowled, {I’m not doing that.}

“I’m sure they’d like to at least know what you’re up to...you sure?”

I looked forward and didn’t respond.

“...Well, tell me if you ever want to send em’ mail. I get it. It’s difficult to want to talk to your family after walking away without a word, but one day or another, you’re gonna feel bad about it......your choice then.” He gave a hesitant shrug.

We camped off-trail and ate from our rations. I was absolutely bushed after carrying so much equipment and handling Cobaltio, so I fell asleep nearly instantly upon placing my head on my [soul cushion]. I felt Cobaltio snuggle near me just as I lost consciousness.

I was Sayanica again. This time, I was in a dead garden in front of a broken, aged castle. It was nighttime. The boy, ‘Zachel,’ was next to me again. I was leaning on a large bush, devoid of leaves. Zatchel was pouring water from a flask onto a bird fountain.

There aren’t any birds here, I signed. I could understand the implicit thoughts of Sayanica, even though I knew no sign language.

I know. But I feel bad if I don’t leave any water out.

I smiled, Not a good reason, but whatever you like.

He finished what he was doing, then looked up, Moon’s right above us.

Think my mom is watching?

I’m sure she is, Saya.

February 27th