《This Troublesome Adventure》Chapter 16: Prelude
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It has being two days, I wonder if that stranger will really come to save us tonight.
~*~
Two days ago
I was out with my master on his daily stroll, as usual us slaves can only follow in silence and obey his every command.
I was particularly unlucky that day, it seemed the master spotted a food stall that he desired, and so I was chosen to do the erand.
The master proceeded to throw a handful of coins at my face, it hurt, it hurted alot, I was bleeding but I mustn't cry. If I showed hesitation I would be punished with no meals.
I hurriedly picked up the coins and made my way to the shop. The food aroma was hypnotizing, but I had to hold back the saliva, we as slaves only get 2 meals a day, sometimes only 1 meal, if we are caught we will definitely have no meals, maybe no meals for a couple of days.
As I stood with the coins grasped in my hand, I patiently waited in line when suddenly a strange man came up next to me, at first I thought he was just lining up but he begun whispering.
“(Don’t move young lady, it’s ok, stay calm, I’m here to help.)”
I was surprised, but I decided to listen for now, it looks like he noticed he had my attention.
“(My friend is from the same race as you and she was very troubled and sad seeing you in this state so we decided to help. If you understand, slightly pull my robe once for yes and twice for no.)”
Same race? Another Dark-Elvin like me wanted to help me? I don’t usually don't see many Dark-Elvins, there are more Elvins than Dark-Elvins around, even amongst slaves I had never met another Dark-Elvin.
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So although hesitantly, I gently tug his robe.
“(Ok, we don’t have much time as the line is moving up, it’s up to you if you want to trust us, but we really want to help, look I also have this.)”
No way! That- that’s a holy medallion! How does he have this? Is he from the Equilax church? I have only seen a Cardinal from the Equilax church wear those, they often preach in the public to the masses about equality between all races. A church that supported equality with many countries backing it, even us slaves have heard of them.
“(We will help you and your fellow slaves to be released, in two days time, simply help us in to the mansion at midnight, can you do that?)”
Even if this man isn’t a Cardinal, he must be a high ranking person from the Equilax church, or maybe even a special agent of the church? Will they really be able to save us?
I tugged on his robe once nonetheless, no one has ever even tried to help us slaves. If they are willing to help us, I should help them.
“(Good, now keep acting normal, don’t worry, we will definitely rescue you and the other slaves, I promise.)”
After that he left.
~*~
After purchasing the goods, I returned to the cart with the master sitting in the cart directing his gaze at me. No, at the goods instead.
I offer up the bag but only receiving a slap to my face, the force sent me falling back.
I held in my tears and waited for the master to finish his abuse.
Soon after the group takes off leaving me to myself, I must chase after them or I will be punished, as I get up to chase after the cart, I notice two people wearing the same robes as the one I held onto at the food stalls line. One of the robed figures winked at me and lifted his finger up.
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Ah, his asking me to keep quiet, it was the stranger from before, he must be sitting with the friend he mentioned.
I replied with a nod before moving on.
~*~
Once I got back, the master was not in a good mood and took out his frustration on me, beaten me with a whip as he toyed with me before I got thrown into a cell.
My body was sore all over, it hurt, I had no energy to move, I simply laid there, no dinner was given that night.
~*~
Back to the present
I am on toilet cleaning duty tonight, I asked my fellow slaves to swap roles with me just for tonight so I could clean the toilets, a job the Nobles prefered us to complete late at night due to the smell.
Midnight was soon here, the moonlight lit the corridors as I was moving to the next toilet location. If it wasn’t for the ugliness of the contents of the mansion, the bright crescent moon would have being beautiful.
I patiently waited as I carried out my duty until I heard rocks hitting a window, it was easy to pick up the sound as this is near the back of the mansion, there was almost no sound in the surroundings.
Surely that was not a stray rock, could it be the church’s agents? Another rock sound was heard during my confusion, this time I am sure it was not a coincidence.
I moved to the room where the window is located, it was luckily a store room. Did they know this window was in the store room? I quickly and quietly opened the window and was greeted by two shadowy figures covered in dark mantles almost pitch black. I almost let out a scream as I covered my mouth, they looked so ominous.
“(Hello young lady, remember us? We are here to help.)”
The man I met before whispers as he shows a medallion from his pocket.
I quietly nod in response, as I was about to ask about what they will do afterwards, he quickly motioned me to be quiet.
“(Don’t worry young lady, I have a plan, just leave everything to us. Simply tell us how to get to the ugly Noble’s room.)”
I follow their instructions and directed them to the master’s bedroom.
“(... he should still be asleep at this hour.)”
“(Thank you, just act normally after this and do your duty, tomorrow everything will be better, you will be saved, I promise.)”
For some reason his words sounded trusting, I have only met him for the second time and his friend for the first time, yet why could I trust them so deeply?
I nod in response to his whispers and closed the window before heading back out to the corridor and carried on my cleaning duties.
“(Oh dear God, if you are really willing to help us, please let your followers succeed.)”
I quietly murmured a pray as I cleaned.
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Luck And Chronomancy
Time Magic is the best magic as everyone knows, although there are lots of unique Talents in the world. Most people only remember Haste because it is hard to get to higher Phases of Chronomancy. That is still enough to make the Talent iconic. A lucky enough Aleatory Talent can position you for greatness or leave you languishing in obscurity. The only true equality in the world is when that glowing message pops up at 8 years old. Even if it doesn't activate until you are an adult at 16 you still know. Sure you can find a new dungeon spawn and get another chance at a rare Talent, even this one, but you have to already be ready to delve into the *Far Wilds*, which is far easier with wealth or family power. This is the story of where my good fortune took me and the difference it made, even among a party of 7 others including an Arcanist. It is a journey of magic and monsters but also math, which some think is actually worse. Luckily I was born with Intelligence and Focus as my personal traits, and my parents were scholars. Of course Chronomancy can also be a frontline combat talent. Versitility well beyond other Elder Talents like Gravity, Abstraction, or Arcana. Might could have worked for me, too. I also met a runaway princess. All the best adventures have a princess. She hated being a noble and we didn't get married but it still counts. Besides she really filled out our front line. All that Leadership training came in handy. I still don't know where she's from. Who cares? How well Haste goes with giant hammers is what's important. I never learned much about anyone in the party, except the one I grew up with. I'm not a people person. I just wanted to optimize dungeon clearing time. *******Story Details******* No romance, politics, or traumatizing content, slice of life, or even dialogue. 1st person narration, like a guide/adventure log. 2000-7000 words a day, maybe 40-60% rpgish combat log with some reasoning on combat decisions, with the rest character Talent discussion and progression stuff. 8 person party with a decent variety in roles. Party members usually have 2 primary functions. Told from the support/control Chronomancer's perspective. Each party member will have 6 Basic/Background Traits, then 3 actual Talents with abilities. Capstone from their Educational Institution, Arbritrary as a gift from the temples, and Aleatory which is decided at birth, revealed at 8, and activated after adulthood at 16. Aleatory Traits ignore requirements and are random why is why they are so important. They'll gain new Talents from finding Dungeons to consume in the *Wilds*. Mature dungeons in cities can provide *Challenges* to raise the Phase of a Talent, up to 3 times from 1 to 4. Each character will get to roughly 8 non-Trait Talents. Attributes come exclusive from Talents, are required by Talents, and provide various effects as well. I designed about 220 Talents with abilities, 4 in each of 4 phases. "Traits" are just Attribute stuff. I'm not sure how many will be detailed in the story, more than 100 for sure. I used Talents because I want to be free of the legacy of tabletop. Half those rules are just because of the limitations inherent in a pre-computer ttrpg. This story mostly uses combat Talents, although like 1/3 of the 220 are for crafting and other society and economy stuff. If you really wanted to be a Thief you might take Intuition, Awarness, and Might for Basic Traits and Deftness, Manipulation, and Trickery for Family/Education. Then you'd pick Acrobatics, and Climbing for Educational Capstone and Arbitrary traits. You Aleatory Trait might be Shadow(Light/Dark) Magic, Umbramancy. A Bard might swap Dexterity for Charisma, Music for Acrobatics, and have gotten Illusion(Shadow/Sound(Air/Force)) for their Aleatory Trait.
8 177An Afterlife Odyssey
A dead lady, in love with the fantasy of a demon -- or maybe it is no fantasy. Anyway, death is only the beginning, as there are whole world(s) to explore!
8 188Mindshifter: The Mind War
Most of the Malkene world is shrouded in fog which transforms everything. Remaining humans are forced to live in a few isolated areas. War against mind-snatchers on the east will affect peaceful west. Time for changes has come, the decision is in thehands of the group of volunteers. On their path they will interact with many forces including Gods. To reach the truth and victory they will have to lose everything and battle utter hopelessness. From this different kind of mind war strongest one will emerge as a mindshifter. All mysteries will be revealed to him. Only one question is left without answer: when mankind's everlasting hunger for power is finally saturated, is there any humanity left?
8 101Princess with blue eyes | completed
Ер бусын цэнхэр нүдтэй гүнж мэндэлжээ. Neptune гараг даяараа баярлан цэнгэж байвч хааны ордон тийм биш байлаа. Гүнж цэнхэр нүдтэй. Усан цэнхэр мэт. Гэвч зарим үедээ гүн цэнхэр болж хувирна. Хаан Гүнжийг ордноос холын хол руу явуулж насанд хүртлээ ирэхийг нь хориглоно. Цэнхэр нүдтэй гүнжийг амьдралыг төсөөлөөрэй.
8 139Devil's Meal // Jungkook ✔
Kim Na Ra started working in the most successful company in Seoul.Without her knowing, the Chairman of the company has thousand and one secret. A dark and twisted secret.A secret that involve blood, sweat and tears."Being the devil's vessel is not easy but it is a blessing."⚠️Read at your own risk. There are some sensitive content. If you can't handle it, stop reading and find another book to read.⚠️🔞𝑪𝒐𝒎𝒑𝒍𝒆𝒕𝒆𝒅: 22/5/2020Ranking:#7 - occult#6 - thriller#1- Cannibalism
8 66What a small world (Tobi love story)
"I wish I told Obito that I love him before he died." Hinoiri said to Tobi as they watch the sunset. Tobi looked at Hinoiri shocked and said "Hinoiri.."Hinoiri was taken by the akatsuki because of her amazing taijutsu and medical ninjutsu. They also need to have someone to take care of the hideout while they were on missions. She was assigned to take care of Tobi while the others are off trying to catch the four tails because Tobi got injured trying to get the three tails.Will Tobi tell the truth?!⚠️There will be spoilers! For those who have not watched naruto shippuden, I recommend not reading this.⚠️I don't own any of the pictures you see.I don't own Naruto.
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