Biter

“Healing to those who are sick, and health to those who clear the blight on this world. That is the mission for those under Niorr’s teachings. Student priests and handmaidens are common figures of the churches, primarily feeding those who are without homes and healing the adventurers who risk death culling the demonic beast’s population. Holy water and Healing potions are a blessing, while not a cheap one, available for purchase thanks to Pope Melo Robnic of Disel.

If the church was gone, not even gods could save humanity from the overwhelming number of demons that plague the land. Niorr truly is the Goddess of Mercy.

Hell waits for those who don’t know when to be saved.”

- Excerpt from a section of “Dogma of Niorr’s Church”

Awake. Silence. What was once a shaking building from rowdy drunks, songs of the heart, and pure nonsensical joy sits dormant and empty. The floor creaks as Sebas’ feet hit the wood.

Down the stairs, only 2 guild members sit at the handler’s booth. Across the building, adventurers, some students and other guild members are found eating, studying, or performing menial tasks.

Throbbing pangs from his wounded hand, along with his aching stomach. Relenting on the lesser of two expenses, Sebas decides a fish that cost him some copper pieces covered in pond water would be a welcome start to his morning.

“No can do, sorry.” the chef says.

What do you mean no can do. “Why not?”

“Fish don't last that long. We got eggs and bread.”

“But I paid last night, it came with the room.”

“Didn’t eat it, didya.”

“…How much for eggs and a bread?”

“10 pieces.”

“How many eggs???”

“4.”

A disgruntled sigh, followed by a pile of coins, leaving him with a single silver and 16 copper chips.

“Itll be out in a momen. Just wait.”

it was probably the best bread he’s eaten during his life as an orphan. Like an apple, a small circular sourdough loaf is eaten in small bites, dipped into the runny yolk of the warm creamy orange eggs.

Chewing on the leftovers and cleaning himself in a trough outdoors, Sebas washes out bloody stains from his palms and mouth, flicking the reflection of his shaggy mane, reminding himself to add “Haircut” to his to-do list when the world will live and let live.

Returning inside the Guildhouse, Sebas goes to the merchant’s stall and finds a nice looking shirt that costs him an additional 32 Copper.

“Sir, want to strike a deal?”

“Why should I?” Sebas says while fitting the black shirt over his head.

“I’m a bit low on copper coins, for your change. And it would mightily inconvenience a poor merchant like myself.”

Sebas, who has pulled out a silver coin and placed it on the counter, stares at the merchant. “So you want me to work for my money?”

“Precisely, I could benefit from a hard working young man doing my chores.” The silver haired human pushes his glasses upward and guffaws.

“Surely, this is a joke.” Sebas says, pointing to his arm. “A wounded young man?”

“Not atall, in fact I will let you get any one item from my area for free if you make it back… dependingontheitems…!”

“What is it you wan-”

“Just make a trip to The Chipped Anvil, and drop this off at the bank for me if you wouldn’t mind my boy! And don’t think about stealing it! There’s tracking magic!” Another boisterous laugh comes from the strange merchant, discouraging Sebas.

“If you don't mind me asking, why an adventurer?”

“Bandits! Bandits m’good gentlemen, the old Eruka lord can’t be bothered dealing with such a thing, us lowly and bottom-of-the-barrel must only look out for ourselves!” Wringing his hands together, the strange merchant smiles at the adventurer.

“You know what, sure; I could use a reason to rob a merchant of a great deal.”

“Splendid! That's the mercantile spirit m’good sir!” The cynical merchant pulls a large bag, with the sounds of metallic clanking and clattering, along with a parchment with a smaller bag next to it.

“So just take this to the blacksmith and drop off what I assume is… “a good day’s work?”” he hefts the bag up, shaking the metal coins inside.

“The less questions, the better dear customer.”

“Sebas.”

“Ah, well dear Sebas, Ito, Ito Jella. To a successful delivery.”

Mmn. Sebas places the small packet through his belt loop, slinging the sack of money around his back.

The bright sunlight is a suckerpunch to the eyes, everything is too bright for Sebas’ needs, which brings a delightfully negative emotion on his ever-scowling visage.

Wounded adventurers seem to gather so little attention, playing children almost rush headfirst into him on the way to his affair, swiftly fleeing in fear afterwards screaming about the red haired goblin. Much to the joy of the other kids, as they chant “RED HAIRED GOBLIN.”

I hate kids.

Sebas asks a guard for the Eruka lord’s manor, who gladly informs him of the directions.

Hammering upon a forge sounds from within a log cabin. A young half elf with brown hair sits upon a stump chair where a book is placed down, bringing her attention to the subject of our “adventure.”

“Delivery from some… white haired guy. Merchant. Oli? Real annoying one.”

“Yeah, that’s us, thank you, want to make a purchase while you are here?”

“ ‘Couldn’t afford it if I wanted to miss.”

“Well, that’s not true, I’m sure-“ slam.

“What a rude little bastard.” A stout and stumpy bearded man says from the door behind the counter, opening it slightly, a few flames singing his hair.

“It’s not that bad. Calm down.”

On the way through the alleyways through Eruka, Dexterity being his specialty makes him strive for improvement, and he begins to feel a need to train and feel useful, so Sebas takes forth and begins leaping from rooftop to rooftop, alleyway to alleyway, brick wall to brick wall, before a block in front of the Eruka Banker’s Guild, a few humans are seen relaxing at the end of an alley, bringing forth a slight worry within Sebas.

Regardless, he pushes forward, promting a yellow smile from the left side male of the duo. “Granted, we are nice blokes, we ain’t gonna let you go through here sir, but this is a checkpoint for… luggage inspection.”

Sebas says nothing and attempts to walk forward past the thugs.

“My brother means to say, drop what you’re holding.” Says the other male thug. Additional, a firm hand is placed on his shoulder, and what feels like a cold knife pierces his shoulder. Causing Sebas to drop the sack and free his arm.

“Fine, take the shit, I don’t care.”

The man’s [Skill] stops inflicting pain on his shoulder, but removing his hand is far from his priorities.

“What a good lad, a smart lad.” Thug number 1 rambles on. “We may also need anything else you might have… luggage comes in many different forms…”

Sebas sighs and stares at the man. “I don’t have any money.”

“Aw… Davis we have a liar! How fun…”

A painful cold stabbing sensation returns, originating within his shoulder, warm blood flowing down atop of his new shirt.

Sebas, thinking for a minute, sighs… and focuses.

[Access. 5 Stat Points are available for Distribution.]

[Current Stat Point count is 0.]

[Strength 6 -> 9]

[Dexterity 8 -> 9]

[Constitution 4->5]

His shoulder’s cold stabbing lessens significantly, and his muscles ripple with a burn. Bones stiffening from autonomous restructuring. A few cracks can be heard as Sebas launches his fist into the thug who holds his shoulder. Launching him to the floor.

“Lively one!” The skinny bandit that stands pulls out a dagger and it glows purple, before stabbing it directly at Sebas’ chest.

Grabbing the man’s wrist, Sebas kicks right above the man’s knee and twists his arm in a single movement.

“Ow-owowowo, fucker!!! Fucker!!!.” The knife clatters onto the ground. Sebas’ mouth aches, feeling a primal pull to brutalize the man, settling for throwing him past him and kicking him into the wall.

With a swift pair of kicks, both men gain a brand new lump on their heads.

Sebas decides to pick the sack up and walk off, before thug number 2 stabs him with the blade, getting a scream from Sebas, along with a headbutt as the man pins him to the street, coins going everywhere.

“HEY!” Says a guard, patrolling the area.

“Oh shit! Come, Davis we gotta go!”

“But the money…”

“You do what you want, I’m out.”

The men begin to flee as the guard rapidly approaches Sebas, pulling out a small corked Vial of green liquid. He begins to pour it into the wound, which gets a violent reaction from Sebas as he punches the ground and grumbles in pain.

“Fucker… you… huh?”

“Are you okay sir?”

“Yeah… no… yeah… ugh… shit… what did you do to me?”

“I just used a potion, it should have healed that stab completely.”

“Great. How much.”

“Sir, it’s really not that big of a deal.”

A sigh, followed by a nihilistic laugh, “yeah okay, just, go kick those fuckers in yeah? I got shit to do today.” Sebas begins to pick up what coins are found strewn across the cobbled alley road.

“I’m… okay sir, I’ll do my best.” The timid guard says before making a belated chase.

A minute later, and a sour look on the redhead, Sebas walks forward, to the bank where he can finally deal with a chore.

When coming in, a line of 3 people in an opulent waiting room, he joins. Before long he is successfully able to deliver the money bag, and wander his way out scratching the back of his head.

So that’s completed. Maybe I could go to that church or whatever.

But that would involve talking to others.

Sebas makes his way back to the guild, and speaks with Ito; “Young man, anything… gone wrong?” The silver haired merchant stares a bit too obviously at the bloodied shoulder of his.

“Yes, your bandits.”

“I see… I didn’t plan on paying for guard pay… did you succeed in-“

“Unfortunately.”

“Splendid! My friend my friend, please, let me help you out, I’ll let you get 2 things, free of charge… unlessitistooexpensive.”

With a sigh, Sebas looks over what the man owns, and is tempted by new underwear of all things, before switching his mind to a decent dagger and a satchel. When he focuses on it he sees [Old Iron Dagger [Unidentified]] and [Satchel]

“Well, well! my friend it seems you are a seasoned adventurer, or at least you look like it. You still appear to be lacking in the Levels department!”

“Thanks… do you have any potions?”

“I assume the healing kind? Well… I am indebted to you ever so slightly… how does 20 copper for a lowest rank-“

“10.”

“Surely you jest young adventurer I couldn’t poss-“

“9”

“Hey! Don’t be rediculous!”

“8”

“Why should I honor your request?”

A shrug from Sebas brings the merchant down from a distant anger.

“12” he says.

“15” says the merchant

“13?”

“How many?”

“3.”

“I could do 13 copper coins for a lowest rank potion dear customer.” Ito says, wringing his hands together.

Focusing on his coin pouch, Sebas sees [Coin Purse - 82 C] pop up right above his hand, and watches as it lowers rapidly.

[Coin purse - 82C -> 43C.]

“You know, m’good man, I could get you some wor-“

“Stuff it.” Sebas says, and pours a low rank potion on his wounded hand and cracks the glass vial of green liquid while applying the medicine.

He flicks the potion vial back at Ito Jella, and makes way for the dungeon once again.