[NR] Beast To 100 - Chapter 792 (Patreon)

The group passes through a couple of towns before making it to the city. Though despite not even a full day passing when they get to the first, there are already signs of something happening. Then, two days later at the second town, while they might not know the source it is clear the town has been ordered to prepare for a potential attack.

Rosha, being curious, asks at the second town, “How do you know something is up? We didn’t see any runners on the way here.”

The innkeeper shrugs her shoulders, “Come now, as a ranger you should know least a little bout messages. While we’re not exactly in the boonies, we don’t justify a relay so things get around a-wing. Bird delivered the first general warning days ago and another got is a more specific plan just morning the day before.”

Rosha frowns, “I don’t think my master was into that kind of stuff. More of a lone wolf out where a bird wouldn’t get anywhere worth getting.”

The innkeeper nods, “Fair enough. Can’t exactly send out a normal bird if between here and there are predators who’ll think them tiny snacks. Specially if the level difference gets a might too heavy.

“Though I hear the true edges get beast masters watching them. Not always birds, mind you. Sometimes the local threats won’t allow it, or simply the ranger not one for the feathers. Kinda forced to allow them their whims. Not many out there up for raising a beast to match levels with ya.”

Rosha glances over at Jason.

The innkeeper continues, “Honest? Not sure why they bother that way. You’d’a thought better to just have multiple rangers.”

Rosha, “Oh, that I can answer!

“A man and a beast have fewer overlapping weaknesses. Everyone has their own, but a human is a human. However, a beast isn’t a human to the extent that what is poisonous to one won’t be to the other. The same applies to certain techniques. There is a reason there exists the spells ‘Hold Person’ and ‘Hold Monster’. Oh, and it’s cheaper.”

The innkeeper laughs, “Gotta add that stinger onto the end there!”

Rosha shrugs, “It is a little callus, the rangers connect with their beast companions, especially since those set to watch borders are the type to have a single beast instead of many.”

Courtney, “Why would that be callous?”

The innkeeper sighs, “Because it is easier to raise a beast to 100.”

Rosha nods, “Those who watch such borders are expected to die, but to be worth watching? Well, the danger requires someone of a high enough level. So, to preserve talent, the standing order across the known world is for the person to report things, leaving their beast to keep watch. And if things go sideways? Well, any rescue will be focused on the person.”

The innkeeper puts aside the mug they’ve been cleaning, “More than a few rangers retire from the border guard after losing their first companion. The various kingdoms don’t care because they’re still available. Besides, such people were trained at great expense by their kingdom so any ‘retirement’ is more about the kingdom choosing not to give them more tasks than any actual escape.”

Courtney nods, “Ah, yes, that does seem to be a trend for such forces.”

The group continued talking with the innkeeper from there, though they mostly circled around the aspect of raising a beast.

You would think this would be useful for Jason, but it isn’t. All the information is about raising what is basically a pet. And while maybe at first Lily would have counted as that, but now she’s a fellow party member more than anything else. Admittedly, they do have a few System based connections still. Those mostly based around experience sharing.

Though upon remembering that, Jason questions his level even more. After all, this meant he was likely still sharing a ton of his experience with Lily. Was the weight added by those impurities really so heavy?

That shouldn’t be the case. So after the group leaves that inn, Jason brings it up with the others.

Rosha throws her hands up, “Of course! Your leveling had to be even stranger.”

Courtney, “Now, I do have a couple ideas for why this isn’t so crazy. First is does the System take from you before or after you filter the impurities? You might not even be losing anything.”

Jason shakes his head, “After if I remember correctly, though even if I don’t, that still wouldn’t account for this. The percentage taken is taken from the total and can’t be tricked by giving what isn’t used. Either you divide the harvest before threshing or after, but once the chaff is removed, that chaff isn’t included.

“This isn’t like that story about the clever farmer who makes a deal with ‘the devil’. You can’t promise the tops and grow carrots, turnips, and such. Then promise the bottoms the next year and grow wheat and beans. When the System takes half, it takes a proper half.”

Rosha laughs and holds up Lily who is still quite small, especially for a monster rabbit. “Look at how cute she is!” Lily nods. “How could she accept any dirty impurities?

“Though more seriously? I’m surprised you didn’t consider something. What with the whole cultivation thing.”

Jason raises an eyebrow, “Oh? What am I missing?”

Rosha shifts Lily to the crook of her left arm and gestures around with the other. “NeoRealm is Real! And on top of that? Cultivation isn’t just real irl, still shocking that, but also here. You cultivate in NeoRealm. Maybe not seriously like you do irl, but that is the basis for your power, strength.

“And what’s a common trope? Maybe it isn’t a thing with your kind of cultivation, but the Golden Core. A stage where you condense your power into a literal core that is sometimes even a physical thing which can be used separately from the body.

“Well, that’s basically what level 100 gets you, with the Mana, Qi, or Energy core. Except you? You already have a core!”