Emending...
Emending...
Chapter 1.55 R
Ryoka reaches the edge of the deadly Bloodfields but is immediately ambushed by Persua, Claudeil, and Toriska. When the predatory flora violently awakens, Persua sacrifices her companions to escape, resulting in Toriska's death. Amidst the chaos, Ryoka's magical geas breaks, and she risks her life to rescue the betrayed Claudeil before fleeing toward Liscor.
Ryoka Griffin reaches the perimeter of the dangerous Bloodfields, a lethal zone filled with predatory flora like Watchertrees and Sporemines. Nearby, a mixed-species merchant caravan—which includes the renowned human noble Ysara, Drake merchants like Tellgre, and a group of Silverfang Gnolls—struggles to navigate the hazards of the region's edge.
Before Ryoka can safely retreat from the boundary, she is ambushed on a ridge by Persua, Claudeil, and Toriska. Claudeil reluctantly shoots Ryoka in the shoulder with a crossbow, Toriska engages her in close combat using her [Slashy Storm] Skill, and Persua casts the [Ice Spike] spell from a wand. During the brutal confrontation, the Bloodfields suddenly awaken, transforming the environment into a deadly trap for everyone present.
Down below, the merchant caravan is violently attacked by Watchertree roots; Ysara breaks her heirloom sword defending herself, and Tellgre suffers a severe leg wound. Up on the ridge, Persua ruthlessly sacrifices her companions to ensure her own survival. She shoves Toriska directly into an attacking Watchertree, which impales and kills her, and shoots Claudeil in the kneecap to serve as bait for the predatory plants.
Amidst the chaos and near-death trauma, the powerful [Geas] spell binding Ryoka finally shatters, granting her a profound sense of freedom. When the System attempts to reward her with a level up and the [Indomitable Will] Skill, Ryoka rejects the offer. Instead of fleeing immediately, Ryoka charges back into the awakening death zone to save the betrayed Claudeil. She successfully pulls Claudeil to safety, where the surviving merchants treat her wounds, before continuing her long run toward Liscor.
Ryoka reaches the edge of the Bloodfields and is suddenly ambushed by Persua, Claudeil, and Toriska.
The predatory flora of the Bloodfields violently awakens, attacking both Ryoka's group on the ridge and a nearby merchant caravan, wounding Ysara and Tellgre.
A mercantile Skill that compels a target to stop and listen to the user's offer or statement.
aka [Hear Me Out]
A Level 34 human [Merchant] with a noble background and formidable swordsmanship skills.
aka Silver Merchant, Merchant Ysara
An anti-social, barefoot runner from Earth who works as a messenger in Izril.
aka City Runner, Miss Runner +15
To secure her own escape, Persua pushes Toriska into a Watchertree to her death and shoots Claudeil in the knee to use as bait.
Amidst the chaotic struggle to survive, the magical Geas binding Ryoka breaks, and she subsequently refuses the System's offer of an Indomitable Will Skill.
Instead of fleeing to safety, Ryoka runs back into the deadly Bloodfields to rescue Claudeil, bringing her to the merchants for treatment before departing for Liscor.
A rival runner whom Ryoka suspects holds a grudge.
aka Miss Persua, a fellow City Runner
A high-speed sword Skill.
aka [Quicksilver Cut]
A portly Drake merchant leading a caravan through the South.
A Level 22 Drake [Trader] known for forcing customers to buy multiple items.
aka Twodeals
A tribe of Gnolls from the Great Plains known for trading and silversmithing, of which Krshia is a member.
aka Silverfang, Silverfangs
A city adjacent to the Floodplains, culturally aligned with Drakes and not friendly to Humans.
aka City of Liscor, the city +8
A System class for those who buy and sell goods.
aka [Merchant], [Merchants]
A Skill that reduces the weight or strain on wagon wheels, preventing them from breaking on rough terrain.
aka [Lightweight Wheels]
A sapient reptilian species dominant in regions south of Liscor, generally unfriendly to Humans.
aka lizards, giant lizards +3
A species of tall, bipedal hyena-like humanoids covered in fur.
aka hyena-people, dog-people +8
A high-level Gnoll [Warrior] leading a group of Silverfangs toward Liscor.
aka Chief Warrior Rometh
A deadly plant in the Bloodfields that releases lethal gas.
A massive, resilient beast native to the Bloodfields.
A dagger Skill that unleashes a rapid flurry of slashes.
aka [Slashy Storm]
A spell that fires sharp, frozen projectiles.
aka [Ice Spike]
A mental resistance Skill offered by the System.
A rare hybrid species possessing multiple magical eyes.
aka Gazer, the half-Gazer +1
“Silver and steel.”
“We might be too early. Are we too early?”
“Looks quiet. We’ll take the long way around.”
“You’ve done this before, right, Ysara? It looks good to you, then? I’ve never done the Bloodfields run before.”
“Calm down, Twodeals. The cold should have put the Bloodfields silent. If not—we’ll soon find out.”
“Damn this grass. We had better not break an axle. At least I’ve got [Lightweight Wheels].”
“I heard there used to be a trade route passing along here. Whatever happened to that?”
“A road? If there was any, it’s long before our time. Probably before the Bloodfields expanded. Must have been swallowed up. Or abandoned.”
“Right. Has it grown recently?”
+278 more quotes →“Not much. Not much fighting of late. Tyrion Veltras comes down every year, but it’s not like the old wars. Then again, you’d know as much about that as I.”