Scribing...
Scribing...
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
A class skilled with spears.
aka [Spearmaster]
An incredibly famous and powerful half-Gazer adventurer exploring northern Izril.
aka Gazi, the female adventurer +10
A class associated with members of the city watch, held by Relc.
aka [Guardsman], [Guards] +2
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 sapient reptilian species dominant in regions south of Liscor, generally unfriendly to Humans.
aka lizards, giant lizards +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) +5
A general combat-oriented class.
aka [Warrior], [Warriors]
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 +5
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 Gnoll shopkeeper in Liscor who is friendly with Erin.
aka the Gnoll, Gnoll [Shopkeeper] +2
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
“I am individual. I am Antinium.”
“What happened?”
“I was asked questions. I was tested. I passed.”
“Is he coming after you? Ksmvr?”
“He—the Prognugator let me go. He let me go. I am individual. Not Aberration. He let me go.”
“Erin—”
“Who is this?”
“Pawn. This is Pawn. He’s a Worker.”
“No.”
“The individual known as Pawn is no longer a Worker.”
“Then what is he?”
“Individual. Antinium. Not Aberration.”
“This has something to do with the Antinium in the city, right? Did they have a—a fight? I’ve heard of Prognugators. If this Ksmvr is after your friend—”
“No. No!”
“I am not Aberration. I am not. I am—”
“Ksmvr.”
“I’m sorry.”
“Erin!”
“Where did she go?”
“Towards the city, obviously. But she must be moving fast. I can’t even see her from here.”
“Well, let’s get after her! If she’s trying to pick a fight—”
“Humans.”
“I can go, but that Antinium needs watching. And I’ve got no movement Skills. Can you—?”
“Of course. You stop Calruz.”
“Right. And if she gets there first, don’t fight the one called Ksmvr. Attacking him is the same as attacking the Hive.”
“Let’s go. I can’t see her. The girl must have some kind of running Skill.”
“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.”
“Where do you think you’re going?”
“After the innkeeper. Where else?”
“Yvlon and Cervial are already after her. You wouldn’t be able to catch her anyways.”
“Who says I’m going to catch her? The child needs a second for a proper death duel.”
“You will not go. If we cause a disturbance—”
“Honor is at stake. You will not stop me.”
“The other two might be able to stop him. If they get to the innkeeper in time.”
“I just hope she doesn’t actually try to fight that Antinium—or whoever he is. She’s no warrior.”
“No.”
“If you want to go—”
“No. Calruz won’t listen to me anymore than you. And if he does pick a fight, better it’s only him. Besides—”
“Besides what?”
“If I went out there, I don’t think I could stop myself.”
“That’s not what I’m worried about.”
“What?”
“It feels like a trap.”
“Hold it.”
“Senior Guardsman Relc. Do you have business with me at this time? If so, I request it wait until tomorrow.”
“What? Oh, no, no. I don’t have business with you.”
“May I inquire as to your purpose here?”
“Sure, inquire away.”
“Why have you followed my group?”
“I’m not following—”
“Please refrain from lying. There is no other reason for you to be out here at this time of night. Moreover, you are not currently on duty. Why are you here?”
“I’m just taking a walk. And, uh, a nap. In the rain. Which I do quite often.”
“Will you return to the city then?”
“Maybe. In time. I’m just enjoying myself.”
“I see. And will you continue to remain here so long as we are here?”
“Oh, no. I’ll leave pretty soon. Just as soon as a certain stupid Human girl gets back to her inn all safe and sound.”
“Stop that. I’m not here for a fight. And neither are you, since I’d win.”
“Your presence is unneeded. If Erin Solstice cooperates, she will be unharmed.”
“Yeah, but I don’t think she will. Do you? And frankly, even if you plan to feed her with a golden spoon, I don’t think I should let you take her.”
“Erin Solstice is not a citizen of Liscor. Your duty does not extend to—”
“Would you shut up?”
“You sound just like Klb back—well, back when I first met him. I don’t like that. So shut up and listen since I have to spell it out. Here’s what’s going to happen tonight. Erin Solstice is going to run into the city, probably with that stupid frying pan, and not find you and a bunch of your big Antinium friends. She’s going to go back to her inn all safe and nice.”
“You are protecting her.”
“I guess.”
“Why?”
“I like her. Well—I used to. Now, I think she’s a bloody idiot Human like the others. But at least she makes good pasta. And—well, let’s call it a favor. Klbkch died protecting her. I just figured it would be a shame if all his effort went to waste.”
“Klbkch was a member of the Hive. By obstructing my work, you obstruct the Hive.”
“Yeah. But I don’t like you.”
“I am Prognugator of the Free Antinium of Liscor. My authority—”
“Shut up.”
“I have four Soldiers with me.”
“I’ve heard that a newly grown soldier is the equivalent of a Level 15 [Warrior] for most species. Interesting. But if you think those guys frighten me, I’ll rip a few of their heads off for you. The Antinium never attacked Liscor in the second war, so you have no idea how strong I am.”
“Relc Grasstongue, former sergeant of the 1st Wing of the Liscorian army. Currently Level 33 in the [Spearmaster] class and Level 12 in the [Guardsman] class. Negligible levels in the [Archer] class as well as the [Carpenter] class. Possesses mainly combat skills as well as the rare skill [Triple Thrust].”
“…Damn bugs. Did Klbkch tell you that?”
“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.”
“I really don’t like you, you know.”
“Your regard for me matters little. My position is temporary.”
“Good for you, I guess. Why are you talking so much, anyways?”
“I am attempting to build the same level of camaraderie shared between you and former Prognugator Klbkch.”
“Well. I—no. I’m going to stand over here until Erin comes by.”
“Sixteen more Soldiers are currently moving towards this location. You will not be able to stop them alone.”
“That’s sort of funny. I guess not all of you Antinium are alike, huh?”
“What leads you to that conclusion?”
“You don’t have [Dangersense]. You’d better pray you get it, or another skill like it, soon.”
“Now she could eat you and your cute little soldiers for breakfast. Me, she’d probably choke on the way down.”
“There. It is well that we did not have to intervene, yes?”
“It might be best to slay the bug before he returns to the city, yes? It would not be too difficult to do, especially if he intends to hurt this Erin Solstice.”
“Fool.”
“He was not trying to kill her. Use your brain, you fool, you.”
“But he had Soldiers.”
“Yes, to capture her. But he was waiting for Erin Solstice to arrive, yes? That is suspicious. Who waits for a challenge? Only Humans in their pride and Drakes do that, yes? We fight without needing large open spaces and people to watch. But the Antinium—they are even more different than we.”
“If he—Ksmvr—wanted Erin Solstice dead, then dead she would be already. He would stab her before she saw him, yes? But he wanted her here and had many Soldiers with him. Another thing. It is a violation of the treaty to let them out of the Hive unless the city is in danger. Maybe this one is no Klbkch. What am I saying? He is no Klbkch, but it is extraordinary all the same.”
“Someone else wants Erin Solstice. And excluding the foolish Drake, three different sides came for her tonight.”
“It seems you are right. This Erin Solstice, she is important.”
“I said it, did I not? But it is poor fortune that it is known. We must hurry.”
“The other warriors will arrive soon. Within the week.”
“Should we leave, then? Or will Gazi do something?”
“I do not think so. She is crafty, and she is waiting. I do not think she would have intervened unless all others failed, including we.”
“But she is still here, yes.”
“She likes to watch.”
“Well, she can’t do anything to us even if she knows we’re here.”
“Maybe not. But it is an ill thing to be spotted. We will wait to make sure she does nothing. Just in case.”
“Where is she?”
“We couldn’t find her.”
“What?”
“We got to the gates, but the guard there said no one had come by.”
“Maybe she got lost?”
“I doubt it.”
“Then a monster—”
“We would have noticed that.”
“Then where is she?”
“I don’t know. Did you spot Calruz by any chance?”
“Yeah. He tried to get into the city, but the guard told him the gates were closed. He’s stomping his way back now.”
“Oh. Hi.”
“What are you—where were you?”
“I was on the roof.”
“…Doing what?”
“I was crying. What did you think I was doing?”
“We—we thought you were going after Ksmvr.”
“Why would I do that?”
“Well, after what he did to your friend—I’d say everyone in the inn would have joined you. Calruz especially.”
“Really. Really?”
“That’s nice of you. I guess. You could all hold him down while I bashed his brains out with a frying pan, right?”
“We wouldn’t do that. Calruz—thought you were going to duel him.”
“And kill him?”
“But what he did—”
“Evil.”
“Pawn was innocent. He didn’t deserve that. When I saw what that bastard did—”
“Yeah. So we thought—”
“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’m sorry. I just assumed—”
“Can I tell you something? Something sort of offensive?”
“Sure.”
“You guys have a really shitty world. A really bad one.”
“We do…?”
“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.”
“For a moment, I wanted to kill Ksmvr too. But I would die if I tried that, right? He’s fast. Strong. A warrior. Maybe I could kill him. But then what?”
“He’d be dead.”
“And so would Pawn. Probably. That Queen would send her Soldiers to rip off his head and mine.”
“I understand. You made the right choice.”
“Did I? It seems like all I can do at times like this is just accept what happened and move on.”
“You should come inside. I’m sure Pawn will want to see you.”
“…know.”
“What?”
“I don’t know. I don’t know what to do to stop it. But I do know what to do.”
“Go on. Keep playing.”
“I don’t know why you hurt inside or what was said to make you cry…”
“Somewhere over the rainbow way up high…”
“I have died everyday, waiting for you. Darling, don’t be afraid, I have loved you for a thousand years…”
“I, the Lord of Sea and Sky. I have heard my people cry. All who dwell in dark and sin, my hand will save.”
“Here I am, Lord. Is it I, Lord? I have heard You calling in the night.”
“I will hold Your people in my heart.”