I have some time to think while I'm on the floor.
Addie is scrambling for a potion somewhere in the tangle of shelves so I'm not too worried; its just... strange. We met this morning and here we are just playing around. I mean, she's a monster. Full stop. She's literally a giant bee monster.
A lot of things are weird here, some monsters can talk and have titles; that goblin... it... is monster even the right word?
I think Addie and I might be friends now.
I can't remember any friends from home, I know I had them but... I can't put together names or faces and I feel a little bad about that.
I suppose when I get it all back I'll remember them, but even so what good does that really do me. I've been so focused on the moment-to-moment survival that I've not really thought a lot or planned out my future. Sure, some pie in the sky nonsense about being an adventurer, but really do I want to involve myself in whats probably a medieval level society?
Do I really want to leave the forest? Maybe I could just stay here with Addie, I mean she apparently had my bedroom built on a whim.
Things are going alright for now, maybe if I just stick with her I'll be fine; I do sort of want my stuff back from the church... and I do have to start making offerings to Ikenia again soon.
Why am I sitting on the floor anyway? I've been more hurt than this while doing flips and blowing the shit out of a giant boar... then again that was also when I lost my hand, so lets take it slow and wait for the potion.
After the application of a good quality healing potion, which thankfully didn’t list cancer as a likely potential side effect, I was back on my feet and discussing the incident.
“I can’t figure out what went wrong.”
Even with a healing potion down and my HP back at full, my head is throbbing. I'm not mad though, there’s no way she could’ve known.
“I might have an inkling… by ‘Mana Core’ did you mean something like those little gemstones I dug out of the Alarunes?”
“Well, yes.”
“Yeah, I don’t have one of those… I’m not entirely sure if that’s because I’m not from this uh… ‘kingdom’, but I don’t think any humans have those.”
“What, really?”
She seems genuinely shocked by this information.
“Yeah, I mean as far as I know… how about we table the subject of magic until we figure out why I explode when I use it.”
“That’s… probably for the best.”
She seems a bit… disappointed? I’m not really an expert in insect body language, but I guess that first lesson going wrong has her disheartened; I find my eyes wandering as I consider how I can cheer her up before curiosity in a different subject strikes me.
The potion she gave me was much higher quality than the ones I first encountered and the shelf full of them is a sight to behold; they glow just ever so faintly and the one I drank was delicious, fruity with a minty aftertaste.
| [Apidean Queen's Lesser Health Elixir] |
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Rarity: Very Rare Common side effects to over consumption include but are not limited to: Headache, Stomach Upset, Weakness in Limbs, Flu Like Symptoms, and Addictive Dependence. Uncommon side effects with a statistical probability of well below 1 in 1,000,000,000 uses include: Cancer |
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Potential Ingredients: Bush Cherry(?), Moonlight Mint(?), Apidean Honey(?), Apidean Royal Jelly(?), and Several Unidentified Botanicals Potential Processing Techniques: Grinding? Potential Brewing Techniques: Boiling? |
Apparently just thinking about it was enough to activate my alchemical analysis skill; with more information to boot!
“Hey… how about you tell me about that potion, you know how to do alchemy? I’ve got alchemical analysis and it doesn’t tell me how to make it.”
She’s quick to recover; apparently as much as she likes learning, she likes teaching just as much.
“Oh! That I can definitely do!”
She shuffles off behind some shelves and emerges a moment later with all four arms full of glassware and little stoppered jars that she deftly stacks onto cleared table.
“This one I know humans can do! Galan was the one who taught me how to do alchemy the human way after all! I’ve been practicing a lot over the past decade so I can show off when he visits again.”
Should… I say something?
I’m just gonna let that rest, I don’t know if he’s dead or not; besides, I have a bigger question.
“What do you mean by doing alchemy ‘the human way’?”
“Oh, right, there aren’t any Apideans where you come from. We can perform alchemy internally, just have to swallow the right ingredients. Like this!”
Before I can stop her, she eats a few dried roots, a handful of grass, and something that I think might’ve been a beetle; she pauses for a second and then brings a glass bottle to her mandibles and spits out a bubbling green fluid.
“Here, take a look.”
She hands it to me and the frankly pungent smell once again activates alchemical analysis.
| [Apidean Queen's Minor Stamina Tonic] |
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Rarity: Uncommon Side effects are rare and in fact this product has the potential to permanently provide increased stamina through repeated consumption, though some users report exhaustion after the initial effects fade this is likely a psychosomatic effect. Usage Directions: Shake well and drink quickly, it is recommended that it be taken with food and whilst holding your nose as the taste and smell can induce vomiting. |
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Potential Ingredients: Ginseng or Gentian Root(?), Yerba Mate(?), Unidentified Beetle Species Potential Processing Techniques: Chewing, Application of Unknown Digestive Enzymes: consider rennet, papaya, or pineapple extract for replication(?) Potentially a bacterial culture(?) Potential Compounding Ratios: 2:1:1 ratio of Roots to Grass and Beetle(?) Potential Brewing Techniques: Application of Unknown Digestive Enzymes: consider rennet, papaya, or pineapple extract for replication(?) Potentially a bacterial culture(?) Potential Refining Techniques: Unknown, may require unique physiology. Recipe Comprehension: 11% |
I can tell she’s proud of it by the way she’s watching me… she made this in a few seconds?
“Woah…”
“Pretty neat right? I’m pretty sure humans copied us when they started doing alchemy, the glassware is more precise but its pretty much just a copy of what apidean insides do; the entire hive is built with an alchemically treated wax, even the windows! We can change how hard or soft it is and even how clear it is when we’re making it.”
She takes a hands-on-hips a hero pose for a few moments before laughing a cute little chirpy laugh, completely different from the regal one she had in the throne room.
“Eheheh~ Sorry for showing off, its just nice having someone genuinely excited about what I’m doing; the workers and drones will call anything I make amazing… anyway, we’re getting off track, you wanted to try making potions?”
She’s… really lonely. I sort of understand why, the apidean that guided me to the throne room wasn’t a great conversationalist and somehow I imagine most of them aren’t.
Is it racist to make that assumption? It feels like it.
“Oh, yeah... yeah! I’ve got basic compounding and potion refinement; do I need any other skills?”
“Oh no, its easy enough to start, just mix something up and see what comes out!”
After the last event, in which I… exploded, I’m a bit nervous.
“Is it alright for me to just… play with this stuff? I mean, what if I do something wrong?”
“I can give you a hand and keep you from doing anything too dangerous. We should probably start with something basic… you probably want to know how to make a healing potion, right?”
“Oh… yeah, that’s a good place to start.”
She buzzes off once again to retrieve a few assorted materials and stacks them together on the edge of the now crowded work space.
“Okay, so I’ve grabbed a few basic ingredients for you to work with, all of them are good for healing potions. There are a lot of recommended ratios in the books Galan brought me, but I usually come up with something better just playing it by ear; sometimes alchemy is more art than science.”
“Okay… just don’t judge me too harshly if I get it wrong on the first try.”
“Honestly I’m just excited to see what you make; go ahead and pick through my stock, I didn’t pull out anything too rare or dangerous!”
With that invitation how can I turn her down? Most of the stuff is dried and one of my skills or some combination of them tells me that will reduce their efficacy in a potion so I opted to grab the fresh stuff.
I’m noticing that a lot of these are the same plants I’ve seen on my island, even some of the dried ones; but they never stuck out all that much there. I guess my herbalism skill is a little higher, even if I can’t see it yet with the system still doing whatever math is involved in the background.
| [Emerald Aloe] |
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Rarity: Uncommon Magical Uses: Properly prepared, Emerald Aloe can be used to produce a number of magical concoctions with more dramatic effects than it’s mundane counterpart. An acceptable ingredient in mid to high quality restoratives for Health and Stamina as well as magical medicines capable of treating Hellfire burns. Reports of the product being a component in a literal anti-aging potion ingredient are to be taken with a grain of salt, though it has use in medications that can temporarily invigorate and energize. Description: A magically charged variant of the familiar evergreen perennial succulent Aloe Vera, capable of growing in a broader selection of climates but only so long as sufficient ambient mana is present to supplement it’s natural growth. Easily distinguished by the crystalline growths found along the center ridge of each leaf; Often sought for use in cosmetics, ointments, and medications similar to it’s mundane counterpart. Other Names Include: Gemleaf Aloe, Star Aloe, Greenheart Aloe |
| [Nine Dragons Grass - Spring Harvest] |
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Rarity: Rare Magical Uses: In the appropriate preparations, spring harvests of Nine Dragons Grass can be used to produce extremely high quality restoratives for Health as well as magical medicines that can reduce or completely remove scars depending on the skill of the alchemist producing it. Description: A unique species named for a myth propagated regarding it’s variable effects; depending on the time of year this herb is harvested, it’s properties change significantly. This particular example was harvested in early spring, easily identifiable by its sweet scent and the presence of small powder pink blooms; as such it has powerful restorative properties and a magical association with new life and new growth. It’s other seven variant properties present during each of the other seasons and on the solstices and equinoxes. Beyond these mythical and magical uses, it is also noted for the delightfully piquant zing it brings to dishes when harvested in spring and the various other flavor profiles unique to its other seasonal forms. Other Names Include: Dragon Weed, 8 Flavors Spice, Life Blossom |
| [Alarune Nectar] |
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Rarity: Very Rare Magical Uses: The many varied intrinsic properties of alarune nectar can be coaxed out by a skilled alchemist, while it is nearly unmatched in quality base for restorative potions for HP, it is more commonly used as a component in potent recreational drugs or expensive perfumes that make the wearer appear more attractive or charming. Description: Alarune nectar is a greatly sought after commodity by alchemists from all walks, though most often for unscrupulous purposes. In its raw form, it can be consumed as a soporific and pain reducer, though it can prove to be addictive with long term use. The flavor has been described as sweet but with a bitter aftertaste. Other Names Include: Sweetwater, Venom of The Temptress |
“Ooh, good choices, though you should probably add something for taste; the nectar is a start but it’s not enough to offset the flavor of Nine Dragons Grass.”
“Thanks for the tip, maybe some… some honey would probably work.”
I go ahead and add Apidean honey to the list of ingredients, though I must admit I'm shocked that it registers for my herbalism skill. Maybe its because it's used often in herbal medicines or something.
| [Apidean Honey] |
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Rarity: Rare Magical Uses: Alchemically speaking, apidean honey functions as an amplifier of effects, both negative and positive; some experiments have pegged it as capable of increasing the efficacy of final products by 20 to 30%. Beyond that, it is functionally neutral and acceptable as a base medium for high quality potion production. Description: A sweet and thick syrupy production of Apidean workers used as the primary food source of Apidean hives; delicious, nutritionally complete, and difficult to obtain without destructive harvesting tactics unless you possess positive diplomatic relations with a hive. |
Sneaking a glance at her, she seems to be watching intently to see what I’ll do; but honestly I’m not really certain how to go about this.
I opt to just… make everything a liquid and mix it together; split and scrape the aloe for the gel inside, bruise the nine dragons grass in a mortar and pestle and then soak it in water it to extract… the juices, mix it with the nectar and honey... and I have a chunky soup of raw ingredients.
Alright, what now, I’ve got all of it mixed up… maybe I filter it? Or should I boil it first?
Addie is still just watching me as I agonize over the decision, when I go to reach for a flask I notice she shakes her head subtly and I reconsider; so there are wrong answers… somehow I’m beginning to feel that these little lessons are almost more about watching and learning about me than teaching me anything.
In the end I opt to filter it through a fine mesh cloth and just pour it into the flask from there… but it still doesn’t register as a potion or even at all with Alchemical Analysis.
“Okay… I’m stumped, what’s the next step?”
“Alright, alright, I was hoping you’d guess it yourself but you got pretty far on your own. You’ve almost got a finished product there, but now you need to infuse it with mana; just a smidge should be enough to cause the final reaction.”
“... and how do I do that?”
“Its a bit like that earlier magic casting, only you push it into the liquid instead of just out into open air; I promise it works for humans, it’s how Galan did it when he taught me about human alchemy. Oh, just make sure you don’t seal the jar yet, the pressure could-”
"Make it explode?"
"... yeah."
Oh, joy, same thing that launched me across the room earlier.
With no other option ahead of me and the knowledge that there are enough potions around here to bring me to full health almost 10 times over I just went ahead with it; carefully this time though.
1 MP and it’s not reacting
3 and some tiny bubbles form...
"Hmmm... Maybe I should crank the gas?”
When I drop another 30 MP into the vial of strained vegetable goop and honey it boils and then glows vibrantly.
“Whoa… I think it’s happening! Hey, should I be wearing goggles?”
That would’ve been a prudent thought to have considered earlier, but thankfully they’re not necessary just now; no noxious fumes or sudden detonations come of the experiment and instead the result is a vial of sparkly somewhat gritty pomegranate colored fluid that smells like honey and cough syrup.
Before I can say anything about it I get an alchemical analysis menu of the finished product.
| [Unnamed Potion 01] |
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Rarity: Uncommon As a convenient side benefit due to the Apidean Honey, this potion also offers the same nutritional content as a full meal, though it does not satiate hunger. On average, perhaps only notable for its safety and utility for patching up small injuries, but as a first time creation it is nearly miraculous in its quality. Usage Directions: Drink slowly to avoid illness and avoid consuming more than one in the same ten minutes or efficacy may be reduced. Ignoring directions or excessive use of this particular formula may result in stomach upset, diarrhea, dry mouth, and loss of appetite. Topical application to injuries is possible, but not recommended. |
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Ingredients: Emerald Aloe Gel, Nine Dragons Grass (Spring), Alarune Nectar, Apidean Honey Processing Techniques: Extract Aloe Gel via scraping, Bruise and soak Nine Dragons Grass in water Compounding Ratios: Equal parts Aloe gel, Nine Dragons Grass extract, Alarune Nectar, and Apidean Honey Brewing Techniques: None Refining Techniques: Sieve through cloth before mana application. Recipe Comprehension: 100% |
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You have successfully brewed a potion, would you like to rename [Unnamed Potion 01]? ►Y/N |
Ah, I know exactly what to name it.
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Save recipe for [Healing Potion I (Cancer Free Version)]? ►Y/N |
Sure, why not?
“Amber that’s amazing! You made it on your first try!”
“Do… most people not succeed at first?”
“Well… honestly I don’t know, but Galan seemed pretty amazed when I succeeded on my first try too.”
“Huh… in that case, I’ll take the complement… but honestly something like this probably won’t be too helpful in the long run… think you could give me a hand making something stronger?”
“Definitely!”
With that she eagerly instructs me on the finer points of making potions and even a simple alchemical bomb. It’s a fun day… the first I’ve had in a long time, its almost enough to make me forget the larger concerns I have and really I just lose myself in it.
Addie is kind enough to give me a sheaf of papers and a stick of charcoal to keep my own notes on as we go through various experiments.
Some part of me feels weird, my first friend in this other world is a bee-monster queen and we’ve bonded over laboratory experiments of questionable safety and an event of accidental self-detonation; after the first hour we’re really just playing around with ratios and techniques for maximizing effect and minimizing side effects.
As we’re winding down and cleaning up the worktable, I feel a weird tingle at the base of my skull and receive a notice.
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System Alert! Advancement tabulation complete, status synchronization beginning. ►Accept◄ |
Addie stares at me and takes a few steps back, “Amber… are you okay?”
At first I’m not sure why she’s reacting that way until I notice that I’m glowing, similar to the little experiment with magic earlier in the day; small crackling bolts of blue energy leap off of my skin and singe wood or set small bottles of liquid reagent boiling.
“I think I’m about to level up… a lot”
Before I can say anything else, it begins. This time, it's not painful, it’s a rush of impossible power; my muscles swell and my biceps actually tear the sleeves off of my tunic before receding back to their normal size, my eyes rapidly focus and unfocus on various objects about the room with dizzying speed and I stumble to the side. For a few seconds I perform long division in the back of my mind and the day’s entire events play back from my memory in a 30 second blip.
The room, dimly lit by afternoon sun is subject to an incandescent white glow from my body as every sense, every nerve and muscle, every physical and mental capability is put through its paces or rearranged somehow.
I’m left kneeling in a scorched section of the floor as the log finally speeds by my vision; quest rewards materialize from shimmering light in the space around me or even on me in the case of wearable equipment.
span>
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Resuming Suspended System Log Please be patient while queued messages are delivered Though it is by chance you planted your flag on Amber Island, it has become your home. Now a challenger comes to take it from you; if you let them, you may never rest easy again no matter how far you run. Fight for what is yours. Reward: Greater Random Pull
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Event Bonus! For deciding to turn and face impossible odds, you've proven that fear has little hold on your heart when the chips are down. You've gained the title [Fearless Heart]! Effect On Equip: You may feel fear, but you refuse to let it command you! Gain resistance to magical fear effects.
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Skill Up! [Daring Leap] increased to Lvl 4
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Event Bonus! For finding time to show off in a life or death battle, you've earned the title [Showoff]
Effect on Equip: Even in desperate situations, you find a way to have fun! life is a performance and you know that. Gain bonuses to damage, armor penetration, and critical chance when you use showy attacks. Title [Showoff] automatically equipped.
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Event Bonus! They put you down once, but you got back up; a bit worse for wear sure, but you've definitely earned the title [Undying].
Effect on Equip: Death's grip on you is tenuous at best, you force your body to move and your mind to work even when you would otherwise be a pile of meat scraps, you do not lose consciousness at 0 HP and can continue to fight until you take enough damage to cross the final threshold. Title [Undying] automatically equipped.
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Learned Ability [Point Blank Annihilation]
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Defeated [Blink Hog Alpha] x 1 Gained 25000 XP + 6250 XP (25% XP Gain Boost) Level Up! [Guerrilla Fighter] Lvl 17 Level Up! [Guerrilla Fighter] Lvl 18 Level Up! [Guerrilla Fighter] Lvl 19 Level Up! [Guerrilla Fighter] Lvl 20 Level Up! [Guerrilla Fighter] Lvl 21
Level Up! [Combat Alchemist] Lvl 13 Level Up! [Combat Alchemist] Lvl 14 Level Up! [Combat Alchemist] Lvl 15 Level Up! [Combat Alchemist] Lvl 16 Level Up! [Mad Bomber] Lvl 11 Level Up! [Mad Bomber Lvl 12 Level Up! [Mad Bomber] Lvl 13 Milestone! Level 50! Class Unlocked: [Wildheart Berserker] Level Up! [Wildheart Berserker] Lvl 1
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Completed Quest: Defend Home and Hearth They came for your home and you didn't let them take it from you, your body wracked with wounds and your mind drowned in the ecstasy of battle but you survive. Rest well Champion of Aonus. Rewards:
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Event Bonus! They came for your home but you refused to yield, as the last line of defense you stood and triumphed earning you the title [Final Defender]
Effect on Equip: Your body is a shield against foes, your blade strikes down those who challenge your right to life and liberty. You've also got some serious home field advantage! Phys Def and Critical Chance doubled while defending against invaders Title [Final Defender] automatically equipped.
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Event Bonus! For taking on a foe of massive proportions in more way than one single-handedly, you've definitely earned the title [Titan Slayer]
Effect on Equip: While some folks might ask for a bigger knife or a smaller enemy, you prove that size doesn't matter; after all, the bigger they are, the harder they fall. Bonus damage vs Megafauna of all varieties!
Title [Titan Slayer] automatically equipped.
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Learned Skill [Iron Gut] Lvl 1
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Event Bonus! You’ve very clearly proved that there’s no condition you can’t sleep in, dangers and environmental conditions hardly matter when you go seeking the sandman. For proving this, you have earned the title [Accomplished Sleeper]
Effect on Equip: A good night’s rest is a vital part of staying a step ahead, you still gain the [Well Rested] buff even in inclement or hostile locations without the benefit of cushion or cover and in addition when you do have safety, warmth, and comfort your wounds heal more quickly. Title [Accomplished Sleeper] automatically equipped
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Defeated and Spared [Razorfang Warg Prince] x 1 Gained 5000 XP + 1250 XP (25% XP Gain Boost)
Level Up! [Wildheart Berserker] Lvl 2 Level Up! [Wildheart Berserker] Lvl 3 Level Up! [Wildheart Berserker] Lvl 4 Level Up! [Wildheart Berserker] Lvl 5 Level Up! [Wildheart Berserker] Lvl 6 Level Up! [Wildheart Berserker] Lvl 7 Level Up! [Wildheart Berserker] Lvl 8 Level Up! [Wildheart Berserker] Lvl 9
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Event Bonus! For spurning the attention of royalty in a most uncouth way, you have earned the title [One Who Scorns Princes]
Effect on Equip: Royalty shmoyalty, if they want respect from you they have to earn it. Gain resistance to [Sovereignty] effects. Title [One Who Scorns Princes] automatically equipped.
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Event Bonus! For dishing out pain in a cruel and unusual manner in service of your goals, you have earned the title [Cruel Tactician]
If they didn't want to get hurt, they shouldn't have gotten in your way. Gain bonus [Pain] and [Bleed] debuffs on successful critical strikes. Title [Cruel Tactician] automatically equipped.
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Event Bonus! You are no stranger to sadness and misfortune, to opposition and constraints, but they have never been able to stop you for long. Origin World Title [Irrepressible] Unlocked. Effect on Equip: Every storm breaks to reveal the sun, every lock has a key, every trouble has an end and you have the strength to see it through. Gain resistance to [Despair] and [Bind] effects. Title [Irrepressible] automatically equipped.
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Event Bonus! Your mind is a palace, your will is iron, your decisions may be unwise but they are yours. You remember the promise you made to yourself. Origin World Title [No Kings, No Masters] unlocked.
Effect on Equip: You are the captain of your own fate, as ill begotten as the voyage might seem; if you should dash yourself on the rocky shore it will be your own steering but by the same metric if treasure and wonder come of your deeds they are yours alone. Gain extreme resistance to magic that controls or coerces, +400% Mt Def.
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Skill Up! [Mental Resilience] increased to Lvl 6
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Defeated Alarune Courtesan x 1 Gained: 16000 XP + 4000 XP (25% XP Gain Boost) Level Up! [Guerrilla Fighter] Lvl 22 Level Up! [Guerrilla Fighter] Lvl 23 Level Up! [Wildheart Berserker] Lvl 10 Level Up! [Wildheart Berserker] Lvl 11 Level Up! [Wildheart Berserker] Lvl 12
Level Up! [Combat Alchemist] Lvl 17 Level Up! [Combat Alchemist] Lvl 18 Level Up! [Mad Bomber] Lvl 14
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New Quest: Unforgivable Trespass Your mind is a temple and none shall tread within it's halls unbidden without paying a dire price. The Alarune will attempt to coerce and command you for their own gain as many have before and worse than that they will do it to others if not destroyed. Prevent this through proactive means. Slay 3 Alarune Reward: Random Pull
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Defeated Alarune x 3 Gained: 30000 XP + 7500 XP (25% XP Gain Boost) Level Up! [Guerrilla Fighter] Lvl 24 Level Up! [Guerrilla Fighter] Lvl 25
Level Up! [Wildheart Berserker] Lvl 13 Level Up! [Wildheart Berserker] Lvl 14 Level Up! [Wildheart Berserker] Lvl 16
Level Up! [Combat Alchemist] Lvl 19 Level Up! [Combat Alchemist] Lvl 20
Level Up! [Mad Bomber] Lvl 15 Level Up! [Mad Bomber] Lvl 16
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Skill Up! [Field Medicine] increased to Lvl 3
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Completed Quest: Unforgivable Trespass Three have fallen before you but this only whets your appetite to eradicate the creatures. The hunt will continue, but for now know that your works are incredible by perhaps any standard but your own. Rewards:
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New Quest: Pulling Weeds It cannot escape notice that few living things in The Ficklewood can grow or live near Alarune, they drain the life from the soil and devour whatever their tendrils can reach in service of their hunger and ambition. Like weeds in a garden they offer little good even in the wild places they call home. Go pull some weeds. Slay 5 Alarune Reward: Random Pull
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Defeated Alarune x 5 Gained 50000 XP + 12500 XP (25% XP Gain Boost)
Level Up! [Guerrilla Fighter] Lvl 26 Level Up! [Guerrilla Fighter] Lvl 27
Level Up! [Wildheart Berserker] Lvl 18
Level Up! [Combat Alchemist] Lvl 21 Level Up! [Combat Alchemist] Lvl 22 Level Up! [Combat Alchemist] Lvl 23
Level Up! [Mad Bomber] Lvl 17 Level Up! [Mad Bomber] Lvl 18
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Completed Quest: Pulling Weeds Once again you have proven yourself a capable hunter of Alarune, but there are no doubt more where that came from. Rest easy now because there is more work to be done. Rewards:
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New Quest: Extreme Gardening Though you have traveled for days and ripped the hearts from no fewer than eight Alarune, more of the parasitic menaces grow near you. It's time for some extreme gardening. Slay 10 Alarune Reward: Greater Random Pull
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Defeated Alarune x 10 Gained 100000 XP + 25000 XP (25% XP Gain Boost)
Level Up! [Guerrilla Fighter] Lvl 28 Level Up! [Guerrilla Fighter] Lvl 29 Level Up! [Guerrilla Fighter] Lvl 30 Level Up! [Guerrilla Fighter] Lvl 31
Level Up! [Wildheart Berserker] Lvl 19 Level Up! [Wildheart Berserker] Lvl 20 Level Up! [Wildheart Berserker] Lvl 21 Level Up! [Wildheart Berserker] Lvl 22
Level Up! [Combat Alchemist] Lvl 24 Level Up! [Combat Alchemist] Lvl 25 Level Up! [Combat Alchemist] Lvl 26
Level Up! [Mad Bomber] Lvl 19 Level Up! [Mad Bomber] Lvl 20 Level Up! [Mad Bomber] Lvl 21 Milestone! Aggregate Level 100! Class Unlocked: [Heart-thief Assassin] Level Up! [Heart-thief Assassin] Lvl 1
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Skill Up! [Primitive Crafting] increased to Lvl 4
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Completed Quest: Extreme Gardening Ten more Alarune have fallen to your campaign against them, but more will rise up in their place. Enjoy the satisfaction of a job well done but remember that there is always more to do. Rewards:
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New Quest: Rip The Roots Your quarry falls like wheat beneath a scythe and your resistance to their traditional tactics is something that rightly fills their final moments with fear. Continue the campaign, rip them out at the root. Slay 15 Alarune Reward: Major Random Pull
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Defeated Alarune x 10 Gained 140000 XP + 35000 XP (25% XP Gain Boost)
Level Up! [Guerrilla Fighter] Lvl 32 Level Up! [Guerrilla Fighter] Lvl 33 Level Up! [Guerrilla Fighter] Lvl 34 Level Up! [Guerrilla Fighter] Lvl 35
Level Up! [Wildheart Berserker] Lvl 23 Level Up! [Wildheart Berserker] Lvl 24
Level Up! [Heart-thief Assassin] Lvl 2 Level Up! [Heart-thief Assassin] Lvl 3 Level Up! [Heart-thief Assassin] Lvl 4 Level Up! [Heart-thief Assassin] Lvl 5 Level Up! [Heart-thief Assassin] Lvl 6 Level Up! [Heart-thief Assassin] Lvl 7 Level Up! [Heart-thief Assassin] Lvl 8 Level Up! [Heart-thief Assassin] Lvl 9 Level Up! [Heart-thief Assassin] Lvl 10 Level Up! [Heart-thief Assassin] Lvl 11 Level Up! [Heart-thief Assassin] Lvl 12 Level Up! [Heart-thief Assassin] Lvl 13 Level Up! [Heart-thief Assassin] Lvl 14 Level Up! [Heart-thief Assassin] Lvl 15 Level Up! [Heart-thief Assassin] Lvl 16 Level Up! [Heart-thief Assassin] Lvl 17
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Skill Up! [Alchemical Analysis] Increased to Lvl 2
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Amber "Goddamn" Wilson Interface Patch Notes - Version 1.08.91.32
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System Log Synchronized Fight on, Champion of Aonus
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The moment my level up finishes I feel a powerful terror overtake me; every warning ability I have screams at me that something is very wrong.
“Addie… something is coming.”
By the change in her bearing, I can tell she senses it too; something in her shifts and all at once my bubbly lab partner is gone, replaced by a regal leader, a queen with command over thousands. Her voice rips through me and travels far beyond.
“Attention, the hive is in danger. All labor-caste are to be recalled, war caste are to spread out and identify threats; so commands your queen.”
The hive rumbles with activity beneath me as she marches out to the balcony to survey the meadow and I can’t help but follow until she stops me with a wordless command just behind the curtain.
Peering through the opening I spot the threat in question instantly; a stag with a silvery pelt and antlers that look like spun glass walks forward followed by an uncountable swarm of insectoid bodies.
Addie… no, The [Apidean Queen Mother] Adelaide marches out from her hive through the layered shear curtains to stand on the balcony, eyes cast down at the army amassing on the edge of her relatively small territory.
The [Stag Lord] Cernunnos steps forward ahead of a horde of [Devourer Hornets].
“Queen Adelaide, I would have audience with you. My empress commands that a certain human be found and there is reason to believe this human is sheltered by your hive.”
It was clear which human he was searching for, the one she’d spent the day with, the girl who’d saved one of her own; more relevant the one who maimed [The Forest Prince].
“Can you refute this?”
It wasn’t a question, it was a threat; he has an army of the deadliest natural predators the apidean species has ever known under his thrall.
She hated him more surely than the seasons changed, but regardless of how much of a conniving bastard that he was, he had power; he sold out his own herd to ensure his safety and now followed the orders of that great bitch who ruled the forest.
It was a tenuous relationship that allowed her to maintain her hive here and one that he opposed; now defacto leader of his herd in service to the [Lupine Empress] he wanted to annex her territory into his own.
“Well? It was moments ago that I sensed an aura of power, the sort humans emit in times of growth; could you explain that?
It wasn’t hard to guess his play; it didn’t matter whether or not Amber was present in the hive, though that light show from a moment was surely enough evidence to demand a search.
No, it was all to obtain casus belli, a reason to dethrone her and claim the meadow for his own purposes.
“What you sensed was likely one of my experiments, but I will have to consult within my hive to be certain. It is possible that we have a human guest, though such things are beneath my notice; it is likely that she has already left if she was here.”
He should have to leave and gain permission to force a search now.
“I see… though Adelaide, [Wise Queen], there is one small issue with your claim; I never mentioned the human’s gender.”
Adelaide cursed in her mind using one of the new words she’d learned that day.
"Shit."
Wouldn't a bee use female pronouns by default when referring to a generic or hypothetical gendered person? 'Tis a paper-thin CB pretext indeed...
True [Wildspeech] has layers that are difficult to completely communicate via text, the 'words' they exchange are conceptual meaning carried on an invisible supernatural force, what you're reading is a translation meant to express the explicit or obvious meaning of their communication rather than a literal transcription.
Her slip was letting out confirmation that she knew Amber was a she by directly specifying it in her response.
But yeah, he's also totally a d*ck and it's a whisper thin pretext.
Oh no! D:
I wonder how they'll get out this, I just hope the queen survives, it'd be really sad if she died protecting amber. though what will happen, will happen(it's your story after all). either way, I'll be waiting for the next chapter with bated breath...
I was hoping her hand would regrow after the system finished rebooting. Oh well, or maybe it has and just not mentioned yet. Thanks for the chapter.
BTW: I don't know about other devices, but that light green text was painful to read on my phone.
Some things are a bit beyond natural healing, even if it is vastly accelerated; for now she is still a compulsory lefty but who knows what the future holds.
Also, I'll see what I can do about the green text; I assume you're referring to Cernunnos speaking?
@Roxyreads Yes, his words.
@Warrin I've switched it to something hopefully less hard on the eyes. Sorry about that, I always leave the theme set to Dark and didn't realize how obnoxious it was on the standard color scheme.
@Roxyreads Yeah, that is a lot better.