I quickly made my way down the hill towards the commotion. Seven bandits were assailing a small trade caravan. The three guards were being quickly overwhelmed despite being better equipped. I grabbed a stone and threw it at one of the bandit's head knocking him back. He held his bleeding head in disbelief and glared at me.
(That didn't knock him out?)
"Tha hell is this thing-"
Dash! I instantly closed the distance and punched him straight in the face. He tanked it and immediately slashed at me with his sword. I weaved under it. Powershot! A blow to the liver finally made him keel over in pain. Before I could finish him off another two charged right at me and slashed right at me. Dash! I managed to create some distance. They tried charging me again. They were underestimating my speed. Bullet Jab! Bullet Jab! I got them both straight in the nose stunning them for a moment. I kicked one in the head making crash into the ground head first. Powershot! A liver shot for the other made him keel over in pain. The others had already finished off their fights.
[+12 Experience, +1 Dexterity]
(No vitalis from these tough bastards is a fucking crime!)
Instantly I could feel cold steel on my neck. I stared at the guards. The other two had flanked me already brandishing their weapons. I clicked my tongue and scowled.
"Identify yourself!"
"Greg."
"What manner of beast are you?!"
"Human, obviously."
He sunk the steel deeper into my skin, "What man has no face!"
(Crap.)
"Stop this farce!"
A man got off the old carriage accompanied by an old man and made his way to us.
"He could be one of those witches for all we know!" a guard yelled.
"He'll be the judge of that," said the man, "Andalusia, could you dissolve their suspicions?"
A golden light emanated from his hand and he passed it over me.
"I-i-i-it's a-a-a-a C-c-curse."
He gasped. Turned to me as if he just had a revelation.
"Are you a survivor from Amaine?!"
I nodded.
"How can we just believe a senile old man serving a dying god!" one guard complained.
"A god is a god mind you! Watch your tongue!"
They shut their mouths.
"Besides, he's just survived a witch attack and you're out here calling him one! Do you have a better explanation for his curse?!" the man castigated.
"I apologi-"
"Yet he managed to handle three of them with his bare fists! What am I paying you for?!" he rebuked further.
He turned to me, "I apologize good lad, the name's Moffat. They're ruffians I just happened to hire. Pay them no heed."
I nodded. After that he offered me a ride to the closest town, Bagnolet. Apparently there was a dungeon there. That was good enough for me. Andalusia fixated his gaze on my face but I could tell he was perhaps on the spectrum. One of his eye's was lazy, his nose was crooked, he was constantly salivating and was shivering as if in a blizzard.
"I-i-i-i h-h-h-ho-hope y-y-you do-don't mi-mi-mind m-m-me,"
"I don't. We're both rather spectacular,"
He had a hearty chuckle broken here and there by spit and coughing. I didn't mind though, seemed rather relaxed. I had gotten an easy alibi too, nothing to complain about.
"Greg! Are you going to dungeon dive today?"
"Yes, why?"
"I wouldn't advise for that, the dungeon has many stealth and poison based enemies that a lone adventurer may find, eh, difficult to fight off,"
"Aren't there antidote portions around?"
"No, I'm actually delivering some to the town but aside from traders such as myself, no alchemist or herbalist are within the town, the last floor was conquered you see, many adventurers moved to other towns and cities to try and conquer their dungeons but that isn't the worst part of it really,"
"Oh? What is?"
"The locals have recently been diving into it and as you may as well presume there have been casualties, each death making the dungeon stronger, at this point only Bronze level adventurers can dive into it safely, some are even worried there'll be a dungeon spill,"
"What's caused the upsurge?"
"The bandits you saw. They're under a witch in this area somewhere, presumably the same witch that destroyed Amaine. They've been kidnapping and enslaving the locals and any passersby. The locals have tried asking for help but money is rather tight in the kingdom right now,"
"So they try getting materials and treasures from the dungeon?"
"Exactly lad! Even though the quality has decreased they're still worth something but that's besides the point. You'll need a scout if you're going to dive."
"Any mercenaries in town?"
"No, but we can hope there are some adventurers around, we'll check the guild when we arrive,"
The rest of the trip was uneventful until we arrived. The village was edged right next to a cliff face with high wooden walls surrounding it. Even the guards at the wooden gates weren't as well equipped as the caravan's guards. Their spears were rusty and had old worn down leather armor. Moffat showed the guards a permit and paid for mine too after briefly explaining my 'situation'. A hefty 100 Bronze. We made our way to the trade depot and the guards started unloading the cargo. Andalusia had already disappeared somewhere into the town.
Moffat and I made our way to the guild catching gazes here and there to his amusement.
"What an eye catching face you have, look at the ladies drooling,"
"Very funny,"
"Oh lighten up lad! I'm sure there's a way to cure your curse,"
I sighed. I was dressed in rags on top of having a non-existent face which didn't exactly help my case. We made it into the guild and made our way to the receptionist. She took a step back.
"Umm, Moffat, there's-"
"He's cursed don't be rude Orianne,"
After hearing, she gasped and looked at me sheepishly.
"I'm so sorry sir!" she said quickly bowing her head.
I was already tired of this, "Are there any scouts available for hire?"
She quickly pulled up a ledger from under her desk and skimmed through it.
"I'm sorry, they seem to be booked all the way until next sennight,"
[A/N: Sennight -> Week]
"How unlucky," Moffat sighed.
"Umm, if you join the guild maybe you could get enough commissions to buy a slave. I heard they have beastkin on sale," Orianne suggested, "may I ask what your class is?"
I thought for a bit. I had to get a means to earn money quick. I couldn't live off of Moffat, he was leaving soon anyways and I didn't want to just be a tag along. Besides, this time period seems eerily similar to the Dark Ages in Europe. Laziness equated sin. Didn't want any of that. The slave part though, I wasn't too keen on.
"Pugil," I answered.
Moffat seemed shocked. Some wasted adventurers a few tables from us snickered. Others laughed.
(No wonder this place is like this. The bastards are drunkards.)
"Sorry but , erm, we have a pugil exclusion policy so I can't register you...." she said her voice trailing off.
I sighed and made my way out of the guild.
"You're a pugil, lad?!"
"Yes, is there a problem?"
"Not necessarily, they just have a notorious reputation of meeting the makers early. I couldn't even tell with how strong you were! I thought you were just a tank with no equipment!"
Well that was to be expected. Going against a monster with your bare hands was rather suicidal. It made sense why the guild didn't want to invest in such a class.
"Let's go to the slave market, maybe we can find something salvageable,"
"What do you want?"
"Pardon me lad?"
"Why are helping me?"
"Lad, I'd be halfway to a witch if it wasn't for you, though I'm not buying you one, we're just looking for a friend there. Oh and before I forget,"
He passed me a pouch of 100 bronze. He then turned and proceeded to the slave market. It was located within the cliffside of the town lit by torches and lamps on the wall. It wasn't a pleasant sight. Wails, cries and screaming punctuated the air with the occasional whip crack that silenced some and rang through the air like a warning. The air smelt of a pungent rot. Some slaves had diseases and others untreated wounds that festered with flies constantly buzzing around them. Some lay limp in their cages, others glared at passersby and a feisty few slammed themselves against the metal bars. Either to kill themselves or a futile attempt to escape. Any way you looked at it, it wasn't pretty.
"Moffat is that you?!"
We turned and saw an old rinkly man dressed in silk approach us.
"Marius! How have you been?!" Moffat said
"As horrible as always,"
They had a good laugh for a moment.
"Who's your friend here?"
"Oh, this lad's Greg, helped me out on my way here,"
"Oh ho, Greg are you interested in some slaves?"
"Yes, preferably one that can scout,"
"Oh, those cost quite a hefty penny but come to my stall and look around,"
He led us through the crowded streets of the slave market until we came to his "stall". It was a massive mansionette.
"Your stall is atrocious,"
They both burst out laughing.
"Damn right, rich bastards like him don't get us folks,"
We entered and we were escorted to a lounge.
"Bring us a ledger," he ordered one of his servants.
After the ledger was brought. I hesitated for a bit.
"Go on lad, pick through it,"
I sighed and skimmed it through. The prices were as expected. All of them were in the gold coins area.
"We have a special sale today, I'm sure you've heard!" Marius started.
He pointed at one name in particular. Désirée Chappuis. 10 Gold coins.
"She's especially gifted. She attended Besançon magic academy, she was taught court etiquette and all manners of a lady," Marius leaned, "we've also taught her some skills necessary to satisfy the needs of a man such as yourself."
I ignored him and continued flipping through the ledger. All the scouts were too pricey. I went to the second best option. A beastkin. They were pricier except for one. I pointed at her name. Runa Bertrada. 1 Silver. In the ledger it said she had just arrived yesterday and that she was in critical condition. Probably factors that led to a decreased valuation.
"I wouldn't recommend it, you'd have to tend to her almost everyday for the next couple of weeks before she could even be remotely useful, besides, beastkin have needs that, if I were to put it gently, human men can't satisfy,"
"I don't mind, but how much is 1 silver exactly?"
"Lad, you don't know the denominations?!"
(Crap)
"I haven't exactly handled more than a couple of copper in my life," I quickly blurted out.
"Oh, what a sad life you must have had! Were you a serf?"
"...Yes in Amaine."
"The one that got-"
"Yes, the very same one," Moffat interrupted, "don't remind him of bad memories."
(He's more considerate than he looks)
Marius was stuck in thought while Moffat taught me all the denominations. It was Copper -> Bronze -> Silver -> Gold -> Platinum with a hundred coin difference per jump. They were also used to give ranks to adventurers too.
"Hmmm, I'll hand her over for free, additionally I'll offer an alchemy and herbal textbook, I believe they'll be of use to you no?"
"What needs to be done?"
"I'm sure you're aware of the increase in activity of the bandits in this area correct?"
"You want me to eliminate them?"
"Precisely! We've located their hideout and we were planning on rooting them out,"
"I've heard they're enslaving people, isn't that to your benefit?"
"Lad, that's inappro-"
"No, no it's fine he has a point. However, Greg, you must realise that they're hampering trade not just within the Bagnolet area but in the entire barony of Charpentier, moreover, enslaving in such a manner is illegal and if a slave was proven to have been wrongfully enslaved the owner might just get lynched," he said and then his tone shifted, "worse still, they're not enslaving them, they're sacrificing them."
"Are you serious Marius?!"
"That's right, the witch is trying to create an elixir of some kind, we don't know what it is but we can't let a witch be two steps ahead of us. They're transporting captured individuals to the main hideout, presumably where the witch is," he turned to me, "there are about 13 of them. do you accept."
"Of course."
"Great, here"
He passed me a push of 5 silver.
"That's the upfront reward, don't dissappoint,"
"Lad shouldn't you inform him of your class-"
"Pugil, I'm well aware. I've already read his cypher,"
I recalled that the world did inform me there were classes that could read the cypher. I clicked my tongue. I had to be more careful.
"Whoa, sorry. I meant no harm, I was just interested." he said then passed another pouch of 5 silver, "take that as an apology."
"Bastard,"
"I prefer the term rich," he said shaking the pouch gently infront of me.
I grabbed it and he showed me the location of the hideout. It was actually quite close to where I exited the dungeon.
"Why didn't you reveal this to the Bagnolet's Maire?"
"I did but his lame excuse was 'I can't spare money for peasants'. He couldn't wrap his head around how this affected Bagnolet's economy. This slave caravan was just about to leave because of that,"
A vein popped on my skin. I took a deep breath, sighed and got up.
"Alright, do you want any alive?"
"No, dead is good."
I exited the premises and headed out. The sun was setting. Running around town had taken too much time. Good. They wouldn't see me coming. As I was heading out of the gate, the guards stopped me.
"You're that vagabond that came in with the trade right?"
"...Yes?"
"There's a curfew, the gates will be closed not long from now so whatever business you have finish it quickly!"
(What's up his ass?)
I quickly took off. I had no idea that was even a possibility. Though, with those bandits and with monsters roaming around it wasn't exactly unexpected.
I made my way through the dense vegetation and mountainous terrain to arrive at my destination. The cavern was dimly lit with only one winding path to it that ended in a abruptly a few meters away from it. Hard to notice through all the dense vegetation. There were two men standing guard outside the cavern. I noted that they were very similarly equipped to those I had encountered earlier in the day. If that was the case, things just got much easier.
I waded through the dense vegetation to the foot of the winding path. I went past it though. I had to catch them by surprise to avoid raising suspicion. I didn't believe I was strong enough to handle all of them at once. I examined the rocks leading up to the cavern and found the perfect path. I covered my hands in dry sand and got ready.
(Rock climbing club for the win.)
I started scaling the rocks up to the cavern as quietly as possible. It was a long way up, long enough for most rock climber's stamina to fail. However, my perks came in clutch and just in the nick of time. I was right at the edge of the cavern. Without delay, I grabbed the nearest bandit's leg and chucked him over the edge. The other quickly tried to run inside, however, I wouldn't let him. I quickly climbed over the edge. Dash! Bullet Jab! One straight jab to the throat rendered him mute. I grabbed his throat and threw him off too. After that I quickly made my way inside. Soon enough I started hearing voices.
"Damn bastards set us back a few days! What're we supposed to tell her now?!" one yelled pacing around the room.
"Calm down, we'll rendezvous with the others to raid that depot," another stated.
"The Baron will be on our ass if we even try that!" another retorted.
"He hasn't sent any help here has he? Besides, we've already drained this land enough, will just transfer to-"
"Silence! Someone's-"
(Shit!)
Dash! Powershot! I instantly got out of hiding and threw a meaty cross right into the closest one's occiput.
[+12 Vitalis X 5 {Same race}, +3 Experience X 2 {Critical Kill}, +1 Dexterity X 2 {Critical Kill}]
(Alright, aim for vitals. Three more.)
Before I could even react, a bandit's sword shot straight at my side piercing right through me. I grabbed the sword with my bare hands. Powershot! A clean shot to the chin. He dropped to the floor, his legs unresponsive.
[Vampiric: 5%]
Blood was drown from my wounds and I could feel myself lighten. The other tried blitzing me with his daggers but I managed to weave through all of them. The last bandit was casting a spell.
"Get up you buffoon! Defend him till he finishes casting-"
In that moment I made it past him. Dash! I closed the distance and used the momentum to sock the mage right in his face. He slammed against the wall and got knocked out.
[+2 Experience, +1 Dexterity, +2 Endurance, +1 Strength]
Immediately, I felt two daggers dig straight into my back. I turned. He slashed at my eyes. I swayed back. He tried rushing me again but I swayed right back and crashed my skull into his. He staggered back. Powershot! One right hook snapped his neck.
[+17 Vitalis X 2 {Same race}, +3 Experience, +1 Dexterity, +2 Endurance, +1 Strength]
The glass jaw guy was finally getting his feet to act coherently. I didn't let him get up.
[+12 Vitalis X 2 {Same race}, +1 Experience, +1 Strength]
I noted that I had gotten vitalis for the two kills but not for knocking out. Alright got it. I stared at the mage for a second noticing the distinct tattoo on his neck. I shook my head. He heard more value alive than dead. I looked around the cavern some more and found some cells deep inside.
"Please let us out-"
He caught a glimpse of my face. He screamed and shrank back. The others did the same.
"Keep quiet, I'm here to set you free,"
They grew silent for a bit. Obviously puzzled. I sighed, ripped the bars of their cells and released them from their shackles. I did note that the moment I released them from their shackles they seem to regain their strength.
(Better grab one and take it back.)
I did so and also grabbed that unconscious mage. I guided the people back to Bagnolet. Once we got to the gate the guards stopped us again.
"Are those-"
"Robin!"
A woman rushed from the crowd and dove right into the guard's arms.
"Marie! Oh thank the heavens I thought you were gone forever!" he said quickly landing a passionate kiss on her lips.
(Oh so that was it.)
"Ahem! The rest need to see their families too,"
"Ah right of course, Jules, guide them in."
Jules opened the gate and let the frantic people in. Robin turned to me.
"Who's that?" he said still snuggling up against Marie.
Something about that slightly irritated me.
"One of the bandits,"
His face immediately soured. He took a deep breath and bowed.
"Firstly, thank you for what you've done for us, I'll ne-"
"Yes, yes, I believe he should have a bounty no?"
"Erm, yes."
"What's all this commotion about?" an old man in his late thirties strolled out.
"Commander!" he saluted him while Marie curtsied.
"He has brought in one of the bandits alive and is demanding compensation,"
"Is that so?" he took one glance at him and Marie still glued to each other's hip.
"Go home, tell the others too,"
His eyes shot up with glee. He swiped Marie off her feet and they went straight inside. That still pissed me off.
"What's your name?"
"Greg Quagmire,"
He sighed, "Thank you Greg. How did you know their location?"
"Your maire was informed, he refused and thus it reached my ears,"
"He what?!"
The commander held his temples. The frustration clear on his face. He turned and grabbed the mage.
"His bounty was 100 Silver. Pick it up tomorrow,"
"No keep it,"
"Why?"
I gestured at the wall, barely being held together by hopes and dreams. Besides, I wanted to make a small name for myself. I knew having no face would cause problems in the future so I might as well start early.
He sighed and bowed, "Thank you, this much is deeply appreciated."
"My pleasure," I said.
There were screams and shouts of joy all over the town. Many of those who had gone to sleep had awoken and joined the merrymaking. I ignored all that and headed straight to Marius' stall. As soon as I arrived a maid came to me. She was dressed in a short tight dress revealing her plump thighs and bodacious curves. It was then that most of the women working there were dressed in a similar fashion.
(Old man's got fetishes)
"Master has requested your presence in the lounge,"
She led me to the lounge and there sat Marius with a beastkin right next to him.
(Well he's quick. That must be Runa.)
Runa and I crossed eyes for a moment before she quickly averted them. Her eyes were flat, like glass marbles left in the sun too long- no spark, no reflection, just a vacant sheen. She was covered in bruises all over and she leaned too heavily on one foot. Even her tail's fur looked unhealthy. Her left ear also had a swollen wound leaking pus. She was short and her frame small, almost skeletal.
"Sorry, the previous traders banged her up a bit," he sighed and slowly nodded his head as if to confirm my suspicions.
"It's alright, what class is she?"
"Thief, hope that isn't disappointing,"
"It's what I need,"
"Alright, take off your clothes," he ordered Runa.
I stopped him, "What for?"
"To transfer ownership of course," he said handing me a small knife, "prick yourself with that I'll need your blood for the cypher process."
Runa was still a bit hesitant. This immediately got on Marius' nerves.
"Insolence!" he flicked his hand and immediately her chest grew a virulent red before her screaming in agony and collapsing on the floor.
I grabbed his hand and stopped him. He looked me dead in the eye.
"Tch!" he said getting his hand away from me.
"We only need the cypher," I said turning to Runa, "could you reveal your cypher?"
She was recoiling from the pain before she slowly revealed it, careful not to reveal her breasts. Marius' quickly got things done all the while murmuring things to himself. An insignia appeared upon my hand. He quickly handed me the two books promised and as I was leaving he stopped me for a moment.
"Young man, a slave is like a woman," he started, "they'll take advantage of your kindness, they'll consider you weak willed, remember that."
I stared at him for a moment. His eyes glowed with an indignant fury that I was all too familiar with.
"...I'll keep that in mind," I said and left.
As we made our way through the slave market, I could tell she was getting more and more uncomfortable. The occasional whip crack making her tremble and slow down. It was an acceptable reaction. I was getting a headache though. Something felt wrong. It didn't take a genius to figure that out. I sighed. I grabbed her hand. At the state she was in she could've been just whisked away. As I made my way to an inn, I was constantly bombarded by gratitude and praise. I could feel the introvert in me wail in pain but I persevered nonetheless and made it inside the inn.
"NOFACE!" a unanimous yell erupted inside the inn.
I felt like I had just received a blow straight to the soul. What kind of nonsense name is that?! I tried my best to ignore that. I had 10 silver and 100 bronze coins. I had to use them effectively.
"I'd like a room for two," I said as they bystanders kept chanting.
"Of course! You know what, on the house, first sennight's free!" the innkeeper yelled.
"No, I'm paying, what're the prices?"
"But-"
I glared at him.
"O-of course sir! It's 10 copper a night with 5 copper per meal."
"Great,"
I dropped 8 bronze on his table, took a key, lantern too, and went upstairs to the rooms. It was a small one, a simple desk and one bed in the corner. I placed the lantern on the desk and collapsed on it. Runa remained by the door, motionless. She still hadn't said a word.
"Runa,"
Her ears shot up.
"Lay on the bed,"
She clenched her hands and trembled for a bit. She started undoing her tunic. I sighed.
I got up and she stepped back for a moment. I carried her over to the bed and put her under the sheets. I sat beside her and looked her dead in the eyes. She was silent but didn't avert her eyes. We stayed in that stalemate for a while meanwhile she sunk further and further into the sheets. I sighed and got up. I grabbed the herbal book.
"Stay in bed, you need to rest. I'm coming back with something to help with your injuries."
After that, I closed the door behind me and informed the innkeeper to not let anyone in or out of my room. I had a lot of buying to do. Firstly, I needed to know the equivalents of willow bark, yarrow, elderberry syrup and other medicinal herbs were in this world. They'd help in Runa's treatment. I already knew the process I just needed the resources now. I also needed to buy some equipment for our dungeon dive. That would probably be where most of our funds are allocated.
As I made my way collecting the herbs and equipment, I came across the dungeon at the center of the city. A one story cylinder with a massive door at the middle and what seemed like magical arrays drawn on the floor around it. The guards collecting the entrance fee for some as others displayed their permits. All went in and none came back out.