Shokō and Syèl surveyed the loot left behind by the draugr army and Krogh. The basic skeletons had nothing valuable. They left behind rusted swords and shields. Since neither of them was a Blacksmith, they could not fix these up and such would not sell for much. Krogh, on the other hand, left a treasure trove of items. These included two katanas, a coat, a ring, and an oddly shaped stone.
Neither Shokō nor Syèl had the [Identify] skill so they could not tell what the ring did. Luckily, the coat and katanas were already identified.
Syèl took the jacket and immediately equipped it, pleased at its warmth. It was a long red jacket with a matching cowl. Its ends were tattered by design to give the illusion of burning flames when they flapped in the wind.
Shokō picked up one of the damned katanas and marveled at its black scabbards and grip that was of a silver metal set with black pearls. The sword's guard was styled to resemble a hand with a gray-colored material inlaid in the fingernails, which curled protectively over the wielder's own, adorned by a pommel shaped like a pyramid. She drew out the sword and sliced the air with its keen blade.
"Heavy... This is a magnificent blade," Shokō remarked as she sheathed it and strapped the other to her belt.
Syèl and Shokō had a short game of rock-paper-scissors to determine the owner of the unidentified ring, which the swordswoman won, much to Syèl's chagrin. She placed the ring into her inventory, making a mental note to see an appraiser as soon as possible.
Syèl bent to pick up the stone, but it suddenly glowed bright and shot into the air, causing him to reel back and enter a combat stance.
"Hahaha!" Krogh's voice rang out from the stone. "To think I was beaten. I applaud your strength, travelers."
"You're not dead?" Syèl asked, trepidation in his voice.
"I was never alive to begin with," Krogh corrected. "I perished several years ago. My soul was merely trapped in this soul stone."
"You said you would show us the way out?" Shokō implored. If she felt odd talking to a glowing stone, it did not show on her face.
"Ah, yes. I do not have much time. Place the stone on my throne," Krogh said.
Shokō looked at the throne, which had at some point during the battle shattered to pieces. "It's broken."
"Doesn't matter," Krogh replied as the stone fell onto Shokō's outstretched palm. "Now, gently place it in the middle and then step back."
Shokō did as she was told.
The stone's glow brightened and increased in intensity until Shokō and Syèl were forced to shield their eyes. Eventually, the light slowly dimmed, accompanied by a loud grating sound and low rumblings of the earth.
Syèl and Shokō looked on as spiral steps ascended from where the throne had been, leading to a higher floor. Puzzled and slightly excited, the duo climbed the stairs. The stairs led up into a pure white room filled with several statues of a beautiful woman which were lined up toward an altar.
Syèl and Shokō walked up to the altar and paused, shocked by what they saw. The 'altar' was actually a transparent coffin, within which lay one of the most beautiful women they had ever set his eyes on. The lady in the coffin had soft, fair white skin and long white hair running down to her ankles. She looked to be in her mid-3os and had an ethereal, otherworldly vibe about her.
Beset by curiosity, Syèl placed his hand on the coffin. In response, a system prompt popped up.
Syèl looked at Shokō who had also received the same message. She nodded her approval, and he said, "Yes."
Boom!
The coffin's lid burst off with so much force that it knocked Syèl back. The lid crashed into one of the statues as black demonic aura gushed out of the coffin and slammed against the ceiling.
"What the hell?!" Syèl cursed as the force from the dark aura threatened to throw him off his feet.
Shokō's gaze narrowed as she examined the miasma. She clucked her tongue and cursed. "Not again."
The body in the coffin levitated horizontally and then righted itself slowly, white hair billowing in the wind.
"Shit!" Syèl shouted and dove onto Shokō, effectively pinning her to the ground as Alure's eyes abruptly snapped open. BOOM! Several pillars suddenly exploded into dust and rained debris around the room.
Alure hunched over and then let out a shrill cry that threatened to burst their eardrums.
"One last thing," Krogh's soul stone suddenly said. "Alure has gone mad from centuries of imprisonment. It will take some time before she regains her senses."
"Now you tell us?" Syèl chided as he rolled away from over Shokō.
Syèl stood up, Shokō by his side as they stared at the goddess of death.
The question marks told Syèl and Shoko all they needed to know. They did not have a snowball's chance of winning this fight. This would be a battle of survival.
"The hunters have become the hunted," Syèl remarked with a wry smile. "These kinds of battles can also be fun."
Warheh Plains.
10:20 p.m. 16th Peniel 1091.
Kashi sat underneath one of the few trees in the open fields southwest of Rosendun, reviewing the information he had gleaned from the villagers while several beasts ran past him, instinct instructing them not to attack lest they lose their lives. Meanwhile, Kira hunted the local wildlife for their dinner and practice a few miles away.
Kashi's little stunt at the village had proved useful. He'd learned that in the south-west region, there were several tiny villages like Ranad with mini harbors and five major towns with large ports for trade and fishing, excluding the captured capital.
Kashi had never been one to embark on a quest without sufficient information, so he specifically asked about the security around the neighboring harbors. He learned that the smaller towns like Ranad had little to no security around their ports.
There were usually no more than ten men stationed. These guards generally consisted of three Archers, three Rogues, three Warriors, and a leader whose class varied. The only major port close to him was called Nohra, and it boasted close to fifty guards.
To make things worse, the froggers and bandits seemed to have teamed up to protect the harbors. The bandits and froggers also boasted several Mages in their ranks, which was bad news for someone like him who had absolutely little to no considerable Magic Resistance.
'How do I do this?'
Kashi sighed as he pored over a map he had obtained from a villager. While well detailed, it was made from an awful material that threatened to crumble to dust any second. It was miserable to be poor.
"I can go here... then here... I get this... maybe... let's try this out," Kashi mumbled, finally deciding on a course of action. He folded the map carefully — he would not get any as detailed as this anytime soon — and then whistled.
Kira abandoned her hunt, her scrunched brows revealing her displeasure in the hunt's results. She had only managed to capture the stragglers of the groups. The rest were usually long gone before she reached them.
Kashi noticed her sour expression and remarked, "Still no luck, huh?"
'Way to state the obvious,' Kira thought, but as expected, Kashi did not understand her.
Luckily, Kashi did not have to read her mind to interpret the disdain in her eyes. "Don't know why I'm helping someone who's trying to kill me." Kashi sighed as he crouched in front of Kira. "Look, you're too impatient. I have no doubt that one day you'll beat them all with speed alone, but for now, you need patience if you're going to succeed."
Kira cocked her head to the right to indicate she was listening. Although she hated the daeben to no end, she could not deny the fact that the lessons he had taught her over the past months had made her a more efficient and powerful direwolf.
Kashi, oblivious to Kira's thoughts, continued, "Next time, don't just charge at them. It might work on rabbits 'cause you're faster and on other carnivores 'cause they attack you, reducing it to a contest of strength, but when you're hunting 'cowards,' you have to treat them as targets for assassination, not killing." Kashi's voice lowered to a whisper as he said, "Take your time... stay hidden... approach carefully... then wait. When your target is least prepared... BAM!" He suddenly shouted and clapped right next to Kira's ear.
Kira yelped and jumped back in fright but then growled in anger when she realized Kashi was playing with her.
"Oh my. You should have seen the look on your face," Kashi chuckled with a glint in his eyes. "Come on, we've got to, pfft, get going."
Kira snorted and marched off in the direction of Ranad, followed closely by a still laughing Kashi.
Several minutes later, Kashi and Kira reached the village, but this time they walked past the village to its harbor located at the back. Long, thick grass populated the area, but there were clearings at the shore for people disembarking from their boats and on the path leading to the village.
Just as the intel suggested, Kashi spotted nine bandits at the harbor. One tended to a tiny rowboat, while three chatted near a large stone building he guessed to be their HQ, and the remainder were scattered around to spot any intruders.
The fact that the pirate crew did not have any more security told Kashi that none of the villagers were traitors. This in and of itself was crucial information.
'Game time.'
Kashi whispered some instructions to Kira then made his way towards the shore, using the large shrubs as cover. When he was in a position he deemed suitable, he signaled Kira, who charged into the harbor and barked at the bandits.
The pirates at the harbor spotted Kira as she ran out of cover and shouted with excitement.
"What's that!?"
"A black direwolf!"
"Quick, catch it! Its fur'll sell fer a pretty Syros."
Several of the men chased after Kira, who turned on her heels and ran away, careful not to lose them.
"Good. That leaves only three," Kashi muttered. "One tending the boat, and two guarding the entrance." He waited until none of the guards' eyes faced his direction and then dashed toward the river and dove in.
"Hmm... Did you see something?"
"No. You gotta lay off the drinks, man."
"Says you."
Kashi held his breath as he swam underwater, stopping just below the pier where the good boat was being tended to. He bid his time, thankful for his high Stamina which allowed him to hold his breath for more extended periods.
Kashi bided his time until the guard tending to the boat turned around and then slowly climbed onto the boat. He paused after climbing onto the boat to ensure the other two guarding the entrance to the building were not near them. After confirming the two guards by the door would not notice the commotion, he grabbed the guard from behind and slammed him onto the boat. Kashi shut the guard's mouth with his left hand and repeatedly punched him with his right till he passed out.
After Kashi punched the guard until he fell unconscious, he crossed the pier and entered the building through an open window. Although he would have preferred to kill the pirate, he was afraid the guard's body might burst into light petals and alert the others.
Kashi dropped from the windowsill into a room that housed several dead fish, most of which were rotten.
'This better not stick.' Kashi used [Silent Feet] as he walked through the room and then slowly opened the door. It led to the main hall, within which lay broken bottles and tables.
Kashi had two choices. Take the flight of stairs leading to the higher floor or a door located on the right wall. He could also take the exit right across from him which led outside, but the remaining two guards were chatting amicably there.
"Tell me, Pedo, what you think about the women in the basement?"
"I dunno..."
'Thank you for the well-timed, convenient info.' Kashi left his place by the door and climbed the stairs with deft, silent footsteps. He reached the landing at the top and paused in front of the door. 'Shit! What if it's locked?' Kashi offered his prayers to the god of assassins and then twisted the doorknob. His pounding heart settled when he heard the familiar click.
The daeben's eyes gleamed with delight when he opened the door to see his target dressed in a leather tunic, snoring like a drunk pig on a bed. The captain's heavy armor, which Kashi would have found bothersome, was neatly placed by the side of the bed.
'Yes! They don't unreasonably sleep in full armor!' Kashi rejoiced mentally. Judging by how buff his target was, it might have proved difficult to hold him down like he had the bandit.
Kashi equipped his weapons, notched an arrow onto his bow, and then drew it to full length. He released, and it struck neatly through the guard's throat.
Much to Kashi's dismay, the captain did not die instantly. Instead, he shot up from the bed and crashed into his armor. He proceeded to stumble around the room like a mad goose, slamming into everything before he finally succumbed to the fatal injury and collapsed.
"Acha..." Kashi whistled at the sight. It reminded him of a beheaded chicken for some reason.
"What's going on?!"
"I heard something! Cap'n!"
Kashi heard footsteps running up the staircase and calmly waited behind the door. The first guard opened the door and was greeted with three arrows through his chest. The force behind the shot launched him off the stairs and over the railing. He fell onto a broken table and cried out in pain as splinters stabbed through his abdomen and leg.
"Pedo!" the second cried as he looked down at his dying friend. He looked up and saw the sole of a boot.
Kashi kicked the second guard, then rode him down the staircase. At the base, he kicked against the bandit's skull, launched himself into the air and then whirled around and fired several arrows through the bandit, ending his suffering.
Kashi walked over to the first guard who pleaded for his life, tears streaming down his face. "Sorry. You've seen me. Can't let you live." He shot an arrow through the guard's skull. "Aethir guide you," Kashi said and walked to the second door, which led to the basement.
Kashi found out the door was locked and returned to search the captain's room. Sure enough, he found a bunch of keys on a dresser by the bed. He returned to the door, and after several tries, a key finally worked, opening it up.
The door opened up to a narrow staircase. There was no lighting inside, so Kashi picked a lantern hanging on the wall and proceeded down the stairs. The basement was quite wide, if dark and musty. He heard muttering voices and walked over to a series of cages.
Kashi's face twisted as he looked at the tied-up missing women and children, most of which sported plenty of bruises.
"Please leave us alone!" the women cried and huddled with the children in a corner of the cell, frightened by the scary daeben. Everyone there had heard of or witnessed the daebens' atrocities. A scary one had probably come to use them for vile experiments.
Kashi realized he was scaring them and relaxed into a peaceful smile. "Don't worry. I'm here to help you." He opened the cages, then freed the women from their bondage. "Foll—!"
Thwack!
Kashi dropped to the floor, slowly losing consciousness, and he realized he had been whacked from behind with one of the handcuffs by the distrusting women. 'Seriously... I don't get women...'