Inkling...
Inkling...
Chapter 1.51
Ksmvr's ambush for Erin is thwarted when Relc and Gazi arrive at the inn, forcing the Antinium to abort his plan. Inside, Erin uses her [Immortal Moment] skill to sing emotionally resonant songs from Earth for her diverse guests, earning her a level up.
At the Wandering Inn, Ksmvr lies in wait to spring a trap on Erin Solstice. He has recently finished a brutal interrogation of Pawn, resulting in the Worker losing three of his arms and part of a foot. Despite the severe torture, Pawn manages to survive and successfully solidifies his newfound individuality.
Ksmvr's ambush plans are ruined when Relc Grasstongue and the Named Adventurer Gazi Pathseeker arrive at the inn. Using his [Dangersense], Relc detects Ksmvr and aggressively reveals his own high class levels and rare skills, including [Triple Thrust]. After calculating the immense threat posed by both the veteran Guardsman and the Half-Gazer, Ksmvr wisely decides to abort his trap and stand down.
Meanwhile, several members of the Horns of Hammerad attempt to reach Liscor for various reasons. Calruz walks toward the city seeking a death duel, while Yvlon and Cervial run to the gates searching for Erin. However, all of them are forced to turn back because the city gates remain firmly closed.
Inside the Wandering Inn, a diverse crowd of humans, Drakes, Gnolls, and half-Elves settles in. To soothe her guests, Erin activates her [Immortal Moment] skill and sings a selection of songs from her home world. Her renditions of "Over the Rainbow," "A Thousand Years," "Hallelujah," and "Here I Am Lord" deeply move the listeners, carrying heavy emotional undertones. Following this magical and poignant performance, Erin successfully levels up to [Innkeeper] Level 15.
Relc and Gazi arrive at the inn, and Relc uses his skills to intimidate Ksmvr into abandoning his trap for Erin.
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
An Antinium Prognugator tasked by the Queen with handling surface affairs and hunting down Aberrations.
aka Prognugator, the Prognugator +4
A young woman from Earth who stumbles into a fantasy world and takes refuge in an abandoned inn.
aka Erin, the traveller +64
Yvlon, Cervial, and Calruz attempt to reach Liscor to find Erin or seek battle, but are turned back by the closed city gates.
Erin activates her Immortal Moment skill and sings several emotionally powerful Earth songs to her gathered guests.
Following her musical performance in the inn, Erin levels up to Innkeeper Level 15.
A guardsman referenced by a rookie as likely getting punishment duty for breaking windows.
aka Guardsman Relc, Senior Guardsman Relc +13
The Minotaur captain of the Horns of Hammerad, who wields a massive battleaxe.
aka the Minotaur, Beriad of the House of Minos +16
The Human vice-captain of the Horns of Hammerad.
aka the vice-captain, vice-captain of the Horns of Hammerad +10
An incredibly famous and powerful half-Gazer adventurer exploring northern Izril.
aka Gazi, the female adventurer +10
A tall female Gnoll shopkeeper in the market who runs the stall 'Krshia's Silverfang Goods'. She is direct and attempts to get Erin to shop at her stall.
aka Krshia, The Gnoll shopkeeper +13
A class associated with members of the city watch, held by Relc.
aka [Guardsman], [Guards] +4
A half-Elf mage belonging to the Horns of Hammerad who offers Ryoka a taboo alternative for her leg.
aka Ceria, Springwalker +7
A polite, blue-scaled Drake who is the highest-leveled [Tactician] in Liscor. He is roped into playing a high-stakes chess game against Erin by his uncle, Lism.
aka The Olesm, the Drake +6
The aristocratic captain of the Silver Spears who seeks out Ryoka Griffin.
aka Yvlon, Captain of the Silver Spears +4
A Human whose past racist remarks are remembered by Erin.
aka Archer Captain, the archer-captain +3
A massive, bull-like sapient species.
aka Minotaurs, the Minotaur
A species of tall, bipedal hyena-like humanoids covered in fur.
aka hyena-people, dog-people +8
A rare hybrid species possessing multiple magical eyes.
aka Gazer, the half-Gazer +1
A class focused on running inns, hospitality, and tending to guests and establishments.
aka [Innkeeper], Innkeeper (class) +6
A general combat-oriented class.
aka [Warrior], [Warriors] +1
A skill that alerts the user to nearby danger or powerful opponents.
aka [Dangersense], [Skill – Dangersense obtained!]
A large, competent Silver-rank adventuring party led by Calruz.
aka The Horns, Silver-rank team +6
A specific group or type of Antinium to which Klbkch belongs.
aka The Antinium, the Hive +3
Antinium that break from their programming, go mad, and violently attack everything around them.
aka Aberrations, rogue Aberrations
The lowest caste of the Antinium, bred purely for manual labor and simple tasks.
aka Workers
A class used as an example by Klbkch to illustrate the variability of skill acquisition within the leveling system.
aka [Soldier], Soldiers +2
A title or class of authority within the Antinium hierarchy held by Klbkch under the Queen's command.
A light and happy song with a sad undercurrent that Erin Solstice sings to her guests.
aka Over the Rainbow, Somewhere over the rainbow way up high…
A deeply emotional song of eternity and memory sung by Erin Solstice.
aka A Thousand Years
A class skilled with spears.
aka [Spearmaster]
A member of the City Guard who was apparently traumatized by Relc's reckless dagger-flipping on the day he signed up.
aka Gnoll guardsman, gate guard
The skeletal remains of a person that Erin discovered in an upstairs bedroom of the inn.
aka the skeleton, a pile of bones +18
A song from Erin's original world.
A church song from Erin's original world.
A song by Lady Gaga.
A chess opening.
A chess opening.
A chess opening.
A chess opening.
A species of large, sentient insectoid people; one arrives at Erin’s door with a companion.
aka giant insect, Ants +28
A species of which Erin Solstice is a member.
aka Humans, smooth skin +4
A sapient species possessing Elven traits.
aka Half-Elf, half-Elves
A sapient reptilian species dominant in regions south of Liscor, generally unfriendly to Humans.
aka lizards, giant lizards +3
“Towards the city, obviously. But she must be moving fast. I can’t even see her from here.”
“If I went out there, I don’t think I could stop myself.”
“He hurt Pawn. But does that mean I should go out there and beat him to death? How? He’s a warrior, and I’m—I’m an innkeeper. And I don’t murder people. I kill monsters, and I’ve killed in self-defense. But I don’t murder people. Ever.”
“I don’t like it. It’s so wonderful at times—so beautiful and full of magic. But then this happens. Every time. Well. Almost every time. I hate it.”
“I don’t know. I don’t know what to do to stop it. But I do know what to do.”
“I can go, but that Antinium needs watching. And I’ve got no movement Skills. Can you—?”
“If you want to go, go. But only drag that innkeeper back. Fighting here would be a mistake. But it would be better if less people were out in the darkness. We don’t know what kind of monsters live here.”
“Senior Guardsman Relc. Do you have business with me at this time? If so, I request it wait until tomorrow.”
“Your presence is unneeded. If Erin Solstice cooperates, she will be unharmed.”
+142 more quotes →“Klbkch estimated that, if necessary, he would be able to hold you off for five minutes and inflict serious wounds before death. If given the order to terminate, he predicted a sneak attack had an even chance of killing you.”