NOVEL WEB Chapter 8: Donkey
Knock, knock, knock.
"Young Master, it's time for you to get up. Everything has been prepared for you."
"Aaah~…" Luka stirred from his bed, stretching lazily as sunlight poured into the room, bathing it in a soft glow.
"Alright, give me a second," he called back, pulling the covers off and slowly rising to his feet.
He stretched again, a small groan escaping his lips, before walking over to his closet.
Without much thought, Luka reached for a more fitting set of attire for the day—a black hooded cloak, a white tunic, and gray pants.
As he took off the clothes he'd worn yesterday, he began slipping into the new outfit he had chosen.
Once fully dressed, he kicked off his shoes, slid into leather boots, and wrapped his hands in fingerless gloves.
"Ugh… I need coffee," Luka muttered. He wasn't exactly a morning person. With a heavy sigh, he shuffled toward the door, his hand dragging across as he pulled it open.
"Good morning, Young Master," Serene greeted, offering a graceful bow before lowering her head. "Everything is prepared. Please, follow me outside." She began to lead the way.
"Good morning," Luka replied, as he fell into step behind her.
He could already feel the weight of the long day ahead pressing on him.
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"Um, is this really what you prepared for me?"
"Unfortunately, I could only get a donkey…"
"Wait, what about the horses?"
"They're either in use or, well... dead."
"I see…" Luka rubbed the bridge of his nose as he looked at the creature that was supposed to carry him.
The donkey stared back, its ears flopping like it had no idea what was going on.
"This... this is going to be an experience…" Luka accepted his fate.
"Yep! Fast, agile, and... surprisingly sturdy." Serene joked, as she looked away, biting her lip to hold back a small giggle.
Luka rolled his eyes. "Sturdy? It looks like it's one good sneeze away from collapsing."
"It'll be fine," Serene turned back as she pumped her fists. "It's got heart."
"Heart? It has two brain cells and no idea what's happening," Luka sighed, walking forward.
He began saddling up, his movements slow. He swung himself into the saddle and settled into position.
The donkey didn't even acknowledge him, nor did it care, its attention fully consumed by whatever it was eating off the ground.
"Also, before you leave..." Serene turned around and grabbed a small backpack from a rock, its bow and quiver tied neatly to it.
She then turned back around and walked over, standing on her tiptoes to drape the pack over his shoulders:
"There's food, water, a small map, health potions, and a few other things."
Feeling the weight of the pack settle against him, Luka glanced at it briefly, his eyes scanning it:
"Thank you. Alright, I'll be off. I don't know when I'll be back, but I promise I won't get myself killed... hopefully."
"Please do be careful, Young Master. Out side these walls are harsh, but I believe in your strength. Just... return safely, as you promised."
Luka smirked. "Well, if I come back missing a limb, you'll just have to give me a hand… figuratively, of course."
Serene giggled softly, her eyes sparkling with amusement. "You're impossible, Young Master. But... I suppose a little humor never hurts." She gave him a gentle bow
"I'm off." Luka said, his voice firm as he nudged the donkey with his legs.
However…
The stubborn creature didn't budge.
"What the—?" Luka muttered, frowning as the donkey continued to munch lazily on the ground, oblivious to his command:
"Are you kidding me…?"
Luka's face was expressionless…
Seeing this entire scene unfold, Serene couldn't help but burst into laughter, her giggle turning into a full-out laugh.
She quickly slapped a hand over her mouth, but that only made it worse.
Luka raised an eyebrow, as he shot a side-eye at her. "What, are you laughing at me now?" His voice held a teasing edge.
Small tears started forming on Serene's face as she wiped them away, still trying to catch her breath:
"Me? Laugh at you? I'm not laughing at you… I'm laughing at the dumb donkey. I mean, look at it!"
Luka let out a frustrated sigh, his irritation starting to mount. 'Why isn't the Beast Whisperer skill doing anything? Is this animal really that brain dead?'
In an unexpected move, the donkey let out a loud, exaggerated yawn, stretching its neck and rolling its eyes upward, almost as if mocking his impatience.
"So, you want to play that game, huh? Fine, you stubborn bastard, move it!" With a forceful kick, Luka struck the donkey's side, causing its eyes to snap wide open.
The animal let out a startled bray, then bolted forward.
Luka's eyes widened. "What the hell?!" he shouted.
"Young Master!? Don't fall off!" Serene's laughter faltered as she watched the two head toward the estate exit, the gates already wide open.
Helpless, she could only watch as they disappeared from her sight, vanishing into the distance.
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After what felt like an eternity, though it was only a couple of minutes, Luka finally regained control of the donkey, coaxing it into a steady pace.
'Luckily, these bastards can't run faster than 15 miles per hour…' he thought, a breath of relief escaping him.
He was fortunate it couldn't go any faster, or he'd be holding on for dear life.
Luka looked around the fortified settlement, taking in the sight of numerous middle-aged men, their bodies battered and worn, all clad in armor.
Each carried a weapon suited to their class—swords, bows, or whatever else they specialized in.
They lounged around, smoking, talking, and playing cards, while small wooden barracks dotted the area.
Luka carefully avoided eye contact to blend into the surroundings. He didn't want to draw attention; staying unnoticed was his priority.
'If they spot me, I'll just tell them I'm here to teach 'em how to play cards right,' Luka thought with a smirk, shaking his head:
'But honestly, judging by their form, I might have to teach them how to shuffle. And maybe get them some better cigarettes… Poor bastards…'