Meaningmunching...
Meaningmunching...
Chapter 1.22
Erin Solstice reaches Level 10 as an [Innkeeper] and gains new skills, but her morning is derailed by an infestation of Acid Flies. Fortunately, Pisces arrives and uses ice magic to eliminate the swarm, helping to secure the inn.
Erin Solstice woke up to a pleasant surprise: she finally reached Level 10 in her [Innkeeper] class. Alongside the milestone, she acquired two new Skills: [Alcohol Brewing] and [Dangersense].
However, her good mood was quickly ruined when she discovered a swarm of male Acid Flies infesting The Wandering Inn. Reminded of nature documentaries on the Discovery Channel and the acidic xenomorphs from the Alien movie franchise, Erin recognized the immediate danger the insects posed. The flies proved highly destructive, damaging the floorboards and tables with their potent acid. Doing her best to manage the threat, Erin carefully trapped several of the bugs inside glass jars.
Relief arrived when Pisces visited the inn. The [Mage] quickly assessed the situation and utilized his knowledge of Magic Tiers to cast the [Frozen Wind] spell. The blast of freezing air successfully killed the remaining swarm of Acid Flies without causing further damage to the building.
With the danger passed, Erin set about cleaning up the acidic residue. She utilized her [Basic Crafting] skill to patch up the damaged floorboards and furniture, restoring The Wandering Inn to a presentable state. Grateful for the assistance, Erin hosted Pisces for dinner. After sharing a meal, the [Mage] eventually departed for the night, leaving Erin to rest in her newly secured and pest-free inn.
Erin Solstice leveled up to an [Innkeeper] Level 10, earning the [Alcohol Brewing] and [Dangersense] Skills.
Erin discovered a destructive swarm of Acid Flies inside the inn and managed to trap a few of them in jars to limit the damage.
Small inn where Erin is present; currently occupied by her. Noted by the Watch as having been abandoned years ago but Erin is using it; the Drake and Klbkch enter here to investigate.
aka the inn, Abandoned hilltop inn +27
A young woman from Earth who stumbles into a fantasy world and takes refuge in an abandoned inn.
aka Erin, the traveller +64
A Human mage from Wistram Academy, specialized in Elementalist and Illusionary schools, who admits to necromancy.
aka the mage, Mister Mage +35
Pisces arrived at the inn and used the [Frozen Wind] spell to safely freeze and kill the remaining Acid Flies.
After cleaning the acid damage and repairing the inn, Erin served Pisces dinner before he left for the night.
A beginner's spell that creates a blast of freezing wind.
aka [Frozen Wind]
A skill that alerts the user to nearby danger or powerful opponents.
aka [Dangersense], [Skill – Dangersense obtained!]
A skill that allows the user to create basic items.
aka [Skill — Basic Crafting], [Basic Crafting]
A Skill obtained by Erin upon reaching Level 10 as an Innkeeper.
aka [Skill – Alcohol Brewing obtained!], [Alcohol Brewing]
A general class for any individual who practices magic.
aka [Mage], [Mages] +3
A class focused on running inns, hospitality, and tending to guests and establishments.
aka [Innkeeper], Innkeeper (class) +6
The systemic classification of spell power and complexity.
aka tiers, Tier 7 +3
“You know, if you actually helped people and were a bit nicer, I think you’d actually be fun to hang around with. Why are you so rude to everyone?”
“I don’t get how they can survive anyways, if they explode so much. I mean, how would they even live long enough to reproduce?”
“I never had high hopes for you in the first place. I just think it’s too bad, that’s all. You know magic, and you don’t do anything with it.”
“I am sorry to betray your high expectations of me, but I fear even a mage of my caliber cannot study every school of the higher arts.”
“Most kind. But the night is old, and I believe I shall retire.”
“You are very considerate, but no. No. I will be off. Thank you for your hospitality.”
“Thus far, I haven’t found any people worthy of my assistance. Why should I help those who judge me in ignorance and fear?”
“Acid. Does it melt glass? It doesn’t look like it’s melting, but will I wake up with a hole in my floor?”
“Aren’t they gross? But look—the jars are almost half full, and it’s not even been more than two hours.”
“I imagine…I imagine if all four containers were to rupture, the swarm of these insects could very well engulf us and melt our flesh within moments.”
“Do you need to study that much? I mean, don’t you know spells?”
“I also had a far more lucrative occupation liberating unneeded items from those who were in no position to use them, but apparently, that is considered a grave violation of privacy as well.”
“If you dispose of it, please do so with utmost care. While the acid of these insects cannot eat through metal or many conventional materials, it is extremely quick to dissolve any organic material.”
“If you insist on using such traps, might I suggest you anchor them in the stream?”
“Until recently, I had a quite profitable side business liberating unneeded supplies from the locals in exchange for entertainment. But now, I abstain from such activities to stay within your good graces.”
“I hate all bugs. Except for Klbkch. No, actually, I hate him too. At least flies don’t lie to my face.”
“For all my magical proficiency, I cannot cast more than a few magics beyond the fourth tier in any field, and I am relegated to first and second-tier magics in most fields outside of my specialization.”
“It’s your funeral if you want to attempt to cook them. May I advise removing the acid before you serve them to your guests?”
“I applaud your ingenuity. But may I ask why you decided to capture a swarm of deadly insects that prey on dead matter?”
“Because you’re a better person than they are.”
“It was nothing. Let me get the door for you—there. Careful on your way out.”
“…I wonder if you can make fly cookies?”
“I’ll separate the flies and the acid. I don’t know what I’ll do with the acid.”
“One jar for bugs, one jar for deadly acid. Perfect.”
“By having few predators insane enough to risk consuming them. That, and the fact that they are nearly limitless in number.”
“Let’s see how you like this, you little jerks.”
“Of course I can read. I can also play chess, and I read poetry. Sometimes.”
“I was unaware you were so familiar with the biology of insects, that’s all.”
“You have a talent for finding the most dangerous things, don’t you?”
“Obviously. It is a taxing affair, especially given that menial affairs such as lodging and sustenance must be taken care of while one attempts to study.”
“I must admit, this is better fare than your unfortunate soup of yesterday.”
“Almost makes you wish you had a job, huh?”
“I dunno. What do mages do for a living? Blow up stuff with fireballs? Dispense sage advice? Sell their beards? I found a bunch of magic runes in the kitchen. They kept food fresh for—I dunno, years.”
“It—that was a beginner’s spell. Not suitable for most combat and downplayed by my instructors. However, it was the best tool for the moment. All magic is worth using, after all.”
“May I ask—what is it you plan to do now, Erin?”
“You saved me. It was incredible, that spell.”
“Amateurs are still amateurs. By the way, I’ll put the money you bet me on your tab.”
“Oh, I know tons of weird animal facts. When I was a kid, I watched Discovery Chann—I mean, I read lots of books.”
“That was the most amazing thing I’ve ever seen. Thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you.”
“Really? As it happens, I was considered one of the better players in the northern cities. Would you care for a game? Perhaps with a wager or two on the side?”
“Four legs. I knew I wasn’t dreaming that up.”
“And now I have a jar full of these deadly little critters. What do I do now?”
“I should feel bad about that. I really should.”
“I can do this. Think of the money. Think of the food. Think of the inn. Don’t think of the fish.”
“Who knew I’d be grateful to be covered in sawdust and sweat rather than blood?”
“I cannot fathom it. I was—am one of the best players on the continent! I have outplayed [Tacticians] and other mages of similar caliber and skill. How could you defeat me?”
“Some would say magic is its own reward. I would.”
“And what would I do that is so useful?”
“Why don’t you do something actually useful instead?”
“You were lucky I happened to be here. Very lucky.”
“And then I’m going to feed you until you explode like one of the flies.”
“Are you sure? I could get you a bag of food to go.”
“Gotta be all the acid in their backsides. Okay. This could take a while.”
“I am—I am a [Mage] of Wistram Academy. As a talented practitioner of the wind elementalist field of magic along with other spells in a generalist’s repertoire, of course such displays are second—second—”
“Right. But in chemistry class, we used glass.”
“Well, they’re bugs. I bet Klbkch would love to eat them.”
“Yeah, and because Relc threatened to stab you if you kept doing it. That’s not really a good career path, you know.”
“Nope. And even if you try to take the pawn, it’s still checkmate.”
“Firstly, the natural buoyancy of the water would prevent the breakage of glass if the jars were dropped, or at least mitigate the danger of the Acid Flies. Secondly, the effects of wind and other native life would also be mitigated. And thirdly, I would not be at risk of tripping over such traps.”
“They can’t get out of the jars. They’re not that smart. They wriggle in, but the lid keeps them from exiting. I did the same thing with fruit flies back where I lived. Well, I lined the edges with sticky tape, but this seems to work because these guys are even dumber than fruit flies.”
“So. Apparently Acid Flies like blood. Right. And does that mean I have to worry about them landing on me when I sleep?”
“Hold on, I think there’s one left.”
“I study the mystical realms of the transmundane. To unlock the secrets of the ether and command over supernatural forces, I—”
“Yes. Yes, I imagine it will fill my dreams tonight.”
“Oh, sort of like how bees and ants both have queens, right? All the workers feeding the big leader?”
“No. You bet, and I won. No arguing. Eat your eggs.”
“Ah. A [Preservation] spell, no doubt. Yes, that is certainly a service some [Mages] skilled in runecraft can provide for plebians.”
“I’m going to take these jars back to the inn. You’re coming with me in case I drop one. And then…”
“These are only the males of the species, in any case. The females are—substantially—larger. In fact, the sole purpose of the male is to gather as much food as possible. He will dissolve and absorb as much nutrition into his lower abdomen before returning to a female in hopes of winning her favor. They all do it.”
“Ah. That. Clearly, I made a miscalculation. Would you care to waive my debts if I—”
“Oh yeah. I play chess. A tiny bit. You could say it’s a hobby of mine.”
“Right. So you study to cast better spells. And I guess that makes you level up as well?”
“Right. Um. Want another piece of bread? Or would you like some more juice?”
“Oh man. Oh wow. That’s the nastiest thing I’ve ever seen.”
“Indeed. Seven or eight to be exact. There is a speculative ninth tier of magic, but no [Mage] has ever cast or discovered a spell of such magic that I have read of in any history book. Well, Tier 7 spells are a thing of myth in the modern era. In any case, to cast such spells, [Mages] such as I require concentration, time, and effort to unravel the workings of each new incantation.”
“…And? Can you do that?”
“I was. I really was.”
“You have been most kind.”
“Good thing you came along.”
“You rob the dead?”
“Acid Fly trap, complete!”
“What do you do all day, anyways?”
“Well, of course that would happen.”
“Oh no. No. This is not right.”
“Time for cleanup.”
“You can play chess?”
“I reburied them afterwards.”
“Oof. That’s heavy.”
“Right. I can do that.”
“What will you do with them?”
“An apt description.”
“Oh. Um. Magic has tiers?”
“Not okay. Not okay.”
“Take this! And that!”
“Perhaps if I—”
“You can read?”
“The stream? Why?”
“Okay, [Basic Crafting], activate!”
“I guess.”
“Perfect.”
“Hm.”
“How fascinating.”
“You study.”
“Darn.”
“I cannot.”
“That’s better.”
“Several reasons.”
“[Frozen Wind].”
“Bath time.”
“Pretty much.”
“Oh wow. That’s gross.”
“What a lovely image.”
“Okay. Done. Now what?”
“Duck, Erin!”
“And then?”
“[Gust]!”
“I—”
“Ah.”
“What?”
“Right.”
“Well.”