Taletelling...
Taletelling...
Chapter 1.40 R
Ryoka survives a Goblin ambush and ventures deep into the perilous High Passes on a highly dangerous open request. Despite suffering from severe injuries and mana poisoning, she reaches a hidden cavern and delivers her message to a Dragon before collapsing. Meanwhile, Magnolia Reinhart discovers her hired assassin lost track of Ryoka.
Ryoka Griffin sprinted for her life across the plains, desperate to outrun an ambushing mob of Goblins. Her escape was secured only when a Carn Wolf abruptly attacked the horde and bit off the Goblin Leader's head. Taking advantage of the chaos, Ryoka pressed onward into the perilous High Passes to complete her open request.
Elsewhere, Magnolia Reinhart received disappointing news from Theofore, a veteran [Assassin] from The Guild whom she had hired to secretly protect Ryoka. Theofore admitted he had lost track of the runner in the treacherous terrain. Frustrated by the failure, Magnolia considered sending a specialized team of adventurers into the mountains to track her down.
Within the High Passes, Ryoka pushed her body to its absolute limits. Relying on her runner's endurance and Muay Thai conditioning, she navigated the deadly landscape, avoiding massive Gargoyles and the inhospitable elements. The journey exacted a massive toll on her body, leaving her battered, exhausted, and suffering from severe mana poisoning.
Ryoka eventually discovered the Dragon's Cave, a massive and opulent cavern hidden within the mountains. Inside, she encountered a massive Dragon who took the form of an elderly man. Pushing through her failing consciousness, Ryoka successfully delivered her message to the ancient creature before immediately collapsing from her catastrophic injuries.
Ryoka's life is spared when a Carn Wolf attacks her pursuers and decapitates the Goblin Leader, allowing her to flee into the High Passes.
Theofore, an [Assassin] hired by Magnolia Reinhart to secretly protect Ryoka, reports that he has lost track of her, prompting Magnolia to consider sending adventurers.
An anti-social, barefoot runner from Earth who works as a messenger in Izril.
aka City Runner, Miss Runner +11
A massive, fire-breathing reptilian creature encountered by Erin in a cave, breathing violet flame.
aka Dragons, The Dragon +4
A massive, opulent cavern hidden in the High Passes that serves as a Dragon's lair.
aka the cave
Ryoka pushes through extreme physical limits and mana poisoning as she navigates past deadly Gargoyles in the High Passes to complete her open request.
Ryoka arrives at the Dragon's Cave and delivers her message to The Dragon, who appears as an elderly man, before immediately collapsing from her injuries.
A massive mountain range that bisects the continent of Izril.
aka The High Passes, the High Passes
A wealthy and cheerful Human noblewoman known for her eccentric taste in the color pink.
aka Lady Magnolia Reinhart, Lady Magnolia +7
A lethal System class specialized in stealth and killing.
aka [Assassin], [Assassins]
A veteran [Assassin] hired by Lady Magnolia to secretly protect Ryoka Griffin.
aka Assassin Theofore, the [Assassin]
A system class for female household servants.
aka [Maids], [Maid] +1
A professional guild of assassins hired for protection and lethal operations.
aka the Guild
Lady Magnolia Reinhart's stern, spectacle-wearing Head Maid.
aka the [Maid] with the spectacles, head maid +2
A type of dangerous monster living in the plains.
aka Carn Wolves, Big Bad Wolf
A lethal striking martial art from Earth heavily practiced by Ryoka.
Small green humanoids with red eyes and sharp teeth that chased and slashed at Erin.
aka Goblins, little green things +13
The archer leading the mob of Goblins that ambushed Ryoka in the plains.
aka the Goblin archer
An incredibly lucrative but inherently dangerous type of delivery request with hidden parameters.
A highly dangerous toxic reaction to magical substances.
A broad profession of individuals who transport goods, letters, and magical items over distances.
aka Runners, [Skill: Runner's—] +2
Massive, stone-skinned monsters native to the High Passes that hunt anything entering their territory.
aka Gargoyles
A large, leathery, winged creature that Erin encountered.
aka giant dino-bird, Razorbeaks
Mutated, carnivorous goats native to the High Passes that hunt in screaming hordes.
aka goats
“Shit.”
“Bring it.”
“A goat?”
“The High Passes.”
“Please explain to me, Assassin Theofore, how it is that Ryoka Griffin was able to not only evade you and the others of your group, but that she is now, as I understand it, alone in the High Passes being chased by a group of Carn Wolves?”
“My associates and I were fully prepared to guard Ryoka Griffin against attacks within the city and even outside of it. But we were unprepared for her to accept a request to the High Passes, let alone move so quickly.”
“I did warn you she was quick. And the wolf pack?”
“We were unable to do more than slay a few of the wolves gathering before they noticed our scent. And our group was not equipped for combat against monsters, milady. We assumed this would be a protection mission against other Humans and armed accordingly. We were forced to retreat, and for our failure, you will be fully reimbursed. But the Guild cannot take further responsibility for this, Lady Magnolia.”
“If I were to pull strings and send several teams of adventurers to the High Passes, would they get there in time?”
“Perhaps to collect what remains of her corpse, Lady Magnolia. But even that is likely to have been devoured by now.”
“I was assured of the highest quality in hiring your guild. I believe I made it quite clear how important Ryoka’s life was?”
“Had we known the Runner would venture into an area like the High Passes, we would have charged ten times the cost and sent our best agents. And even then, we would not have guaranteed her safety. Practically speaking, we would have attempted to subdue Ryoka Griffin long before she entered that area. Countless monsters abound there, Lady Reinhart. The wolves would be just another type of prey, there.”
“Really? And here I was about to order you to go into the High Passes with your associates and get her out. Although your presence here means, even with my carriage, you’ll be too late. Still, I may well order it after all.”
“Is there any hope these other monsters would devour the wolves and leave Ryoka alive?”
“Doubtful, Lady. They would try to kill anything that disturbed them. And it is likely that even if Ryoka outran the wolves, she would not be able to evade the most prevalent type of monster in the High Passes.”
“And which would those be?”
“Gargoyles.”
“What?”
“Who dares—who are you?”
“Delivery.”
“Humans.”
“Rot.”