Chapter 189 (Rank 8, 1) (Patreon)

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Liliana couldn’t help the laugh she let out as a gout of water rushed at her. Six swords formed a star before her, glowing brightly as they blocked the hit from ever touching her. Gods, she had been itching for a fight against something with enough bite behind its attacks to be a threat to her.

She tried to [Identify] the creature again, but it kept slipping out of sight, only the glow around it giving her any idea of its location deep under the water below. Liliana cursed as she flapped her wings and flew higher. She was getting nowhere right now, she could only avoid its attacks without being able to counter. The evolution of her [Threads Of Control] to where it could easily handle managing eight swords meant she had far more ways to defend herself than she had when she was younger, but she was a fighter, not a tank.

“Any ideas for how to get it out of its hidey hole?” Liliana called out to Corbin.

“You could go into the water,” Corbin offered, sighing when one of Liliana’s swords poked threateningly into his chest.

“Then I’d be dead. I don’t have any skills that I can use in the water, and that’s this beasts territory. It’ll drag me down and drown me.” Liliana grumbled.

She had known going after a water based creature wouldn’t be easy, by any stretch of the imagination. But she had thought it would at least surface. As it was, any of her ranged attacks did little more than damage the aquatic plants as the beast was too fast and hard to lock onto under the water. None of her own bonds would help in this scenario either. They weren’t water fighters, even if Lelantos and Nemesis were able to easily swim they couldn’t breathe underwater and would be easy targets. Or they’d kill the creature. Which was not what Liliana wanted.

She needed to get it out of the water, where she could at least hit or [Identify] it to determine if any of this effort was worth it. Liliana tried to remember what she’d been told by the villagers, any information that might possibly give her an idea to get it out.

“Yer lookin fer the beastie hidin out in them there waters?” a grizzled man covered in more fur than Lelantos approached Corbin and Liliana, who had taken a rest in a tavern in some backwater village. Liliana was fairly certain it was called Stone Point. Or maybe Woolhope? The names blurred together after a certain amount of time.

“Hello sir, we’re indeed searching for the creature.” Corbin was the one to greet the man while Liliana kept half an eye on him, the other looking around the tavern. She hadn’t noticed any here of a high enough level to be problematic, but it didn’t mean someone wouldn’t try something. It wouldn’t be the first time.

Robert Ferrier

Age: 93

Level: 163

Rank: 5

Class: Veteran Trapper

Health: 18,760

Energy: 19,570

Highest Affinity: Nature 64%

Highest Stat: Dexterity 2,060

Liliana didn’t let the window she’d seen change her expression. He had fairly high stats that she could see, so he’d probably been trained by someone at least. It wasn’t uncommon for apprentices to be taken, in most villages it was the only way for commoners to get a chance at better classes. The System offered classes based on the experiences someone had gone through, crafting them for each person almost individually. It was why nobles so often had better and more varied class options, they could afford paying someone to train or teach them whatever they wanted.

“If yer wantin to ask someun about that ye two blue bloods should talk to the wee un that saw it. Lil Rose said she saw it. She’s not a one fer tall tales and the ilk. Good kid, though her mama’s been worryin somethin fierce since she saw the monster of the waters.” Robert told Corbin rather easily, the bard’s high Charisma making itself obvious.

“Thank you for the tip sir! That is very kind of you, can I offer to buy you a meal to repay you?” Corbin offered as Liliana stood, dropping coins on the table to pay for their own meal as she moved next to and slightly behind Corbin.

“Well ifin yer wantin to treat an old man like me, I ain’t gonna tell you no. You can find lil’ Rose out front her house most days, it should be three doors down from ‘ere.” Robert took the gold Corbin offered with a speed that did his high Dexterity justice, making the gold coin vanish in a blink.

“Thank you again good sir, and may the gods smile upon you.” Corbin bade the man farewell and they left the tavern quickly. Liliana was glad to see that no one followed them. She always felt a bit bad beating up villagers, even if they were trying to rob her. Even if they had the levels to match them, they rarely had the training to be any threat.

“So what do you think?” Corbin asked her, his tone slipping from the sweet cajoling lilt it had when he was talking to strangers he wanted something from.

“It’ll probably be another dead end, but anything is better than nothing.” Liliana said honestly as they walked down the dirt road that cut straight through the small village.

It had the bare basics, a tavern that doubled as an inn with only two rooms, a blacksmith that had likely never made a sword in his life, and a slightly larger than normal house for the headman. The rest was all houses bundled close together like cattle closing ranks to protect their young from predators. There were a few farms in the area as well that were connected to the village, but not many. Traders would stop by the village on their rounds, selling bits and bobs and other goods, taking whatever the villagers had made that was worth selling at another village.

“This it?” Liliana asked when they reached the house three down, noticing a little girl, no older than eight, with curly brown hair pulled back in a tight braid spinning wool.

“Hope so.” Corbin murmured before he pulled out his sweet smile, the one specifically for kids as he approached.

“Hello little one, we’re looking for a Miss Rose, would you be she by any chance?” Corbin greeted with a wave, keeping carefully back so the girl wouldn’t feel threatened. As it was the little girl regarded him with an assessing, suspicious gaze Liliana was sad to know was common in village children. They were far too familiar with the dangers of strangers with how often bandits liked to target outlying villages.

“If I is, who’s askin?” the little girl asked, all spit and fire. Liliana immediately liked her.

“Well, I’m Corbin Newfeather, from the Academy. Me and my compatriot here, the lovely Liliana, are looking to meet this beast.” Corbin waved at Liliana with an overly dramatic gesture that had Rose fighting back a smile, she lost the battle when Liliana played into Corbin’s antics and dropped into a low curtsy despite her pants.

“Well if I is Rose, and I ain’t sayin I is, maybe I know somethin.” Rose sniffed trying to regain her cold faced composure. It was frankly adorable. Her abysmal grammar than would send most nobles into cardiac arrest only made her all the cuter to Liliana.

“Miss Rose, do you like beasts?” Corbin leaned forward to stage whisper at Rose, the girl unconsciously leaning towards him in response. Rose looked around, as if wanting to be sure no one else could overhear her secret before she nodded, young face serious. Corbin grinned as he tapped his summoning stone. The girl flinched back at the sudden appearance of a pegasus before her eyes widened with wonder.

“So pretty,” Rose squealed, standing up, her spinning forgotten on the ground as she rushed towards the beast with the lack of fear only a child could ever have.

“Horse gets them every time.” Corbin whispered to Liliana with a smirk when she walked up to him, both watching with amusement as the child started clumsily patting Lysander, who stood there patiently, well used to being used by Corbin for the purpose of calming or distracting children.

“So as you can see, me and my friend here very much like beasts too. We’d like to make friends with the beast you met too, could you tell us about them?” Corbin entreated the little girl when he determined she was thoroughly enchanted by Lysander and willing to spill any secret she had.

“Well don tell my mama, but I went off the path she told me to stick to. I sat down by a river ‘cause my feet were hurtin and whens I got up I slipped and cut my hand. I was a big girl and didn’t cry but it hurt. A pretty light came out of the water and it touched my hand and it was all better!” Rose babbled happily from between Lysander’s legs and Corbin smiled smugly at Liliana who rolled her eyes at him.

Well it wasn’t much but it was something. At least the beast didn’t seem to be malicious.

“I have an idea.” Liliana told Corbin who narrowed his eyes at her.

“Emyr warned me about this. That’s not a good thing.” Corbin straightened from where he was on Lysander’s back.

“It’ll be fine. I won’t die. Probably. If it looks bad pull me out.” Liliana called out as she dived back down, ignoring Corbin’s shouts of protest behind her.

The beast had helped an injured child, and she wasn’t the only story of it helping those who were hurt. There were no reports of it killing anyone either, injuring them yes, but never fatally or even maiming. As if it was simply warning threats away.

It wasn’t malicious.

Liliana didn’t give herself too much time to think, or to worry that the plan was reckless as she called one of her swords to her even as she dropped through the air, picking up speed the further she fell towards the water. She could see the water bubbling up and beginning to rise to meet her in another attack. With a thought Liliana sent all her weapons back into her storage leaving only the one floating sword behind.

This was going to hurt.

Liliana’s sword drove through her gut, gritting her teeth through the dull pain that throbbed from the hit, [Pain Resistance] keeping the agony at bay. If she didn’t have that skill she would never have even considered this plan. Liliana ripped the sword back out of her and dismissed the sword even as she continued to fall. Blood flowed behind her in the air, staining her wings crimson and she could hear Corbin’s shouts taking a panicked edge. The water ahead her almost seemed to hesitate before a pillar rose up to meet her when she was scant yards from hitting the surface of the pond. It caught her, rather than blasting her back and Liliana knew her gamble had paid off. She held her breath as the momentum of her fall sent her down into the pillar of water, the water tinting red quickly from her wound.

Liliana was drawn deeper into the water and she forced her eyes to stay open eve as the blood dirtied water stung at her eyes. She could see a golden light approaching her slowly, as if waiting for an attack. As Liliana hung there, lungs beginning to burn from lack of oxygen, it gained confidence. The creature approached her and Liliana was stunned enough she forgot to use [Identify].

She had expected a creature resembling a water dragon, or perhaps something serpentine. She had expected a beast matching or exceeding Nemesis in size.

She had not expected to be greeted with a creature barely longer than her forearm, and just a big thicker. It had a pure white body, with pink accents. If Liliana had to compare it to something, she’d say it vaguely resembled an Axolotl from earth, with long feathery appendages coming off it’s head, and a thin body with small legs. It’s head was pointed, more closely resembling that of a venomous snake.

Or a dragon. Liliana thought idly as she looked at the creature. She finally remembered to [Identify] the creature as it got close enough to touch, swimming around her body and focusing on her wound as the light around it flared brighter. Liliana could feel the itching of a healing wound as whatever healing spell it used activated.

Serenity

Healer Of The Deep

Pseudo Dragon

Age: 25

Level: 302

Unlike the creatures she so closely resembles, Serenity is neither fierce of fang or temper. Preferring instead to heal those who visit her waters needing her aid, and scaring those who would do her harm she strives for a peaceful existence. She does not often allow any to see her form, as with most Pseudo Dragons her biggest defense is her ability to mimic the appearance of the terrifying beasts of legend.

Rank: 3

Health: 7,340

Mana: 46,490

Stamina: 2,550

Liliana felt relief hit her as she saw the beast, Serenity, was exactly what she was searching for. She reached out with [telepathy] even as she felt her lungs begging for air and her wound slowly closing. She didn’t want to have to repeat this process to get a second chance to talk to this beast.

“Hello Serenity. I’m Liliana.” Liliana sent to the creature, not making a full connection, more akin to talking loudly with her mind. The Pseudo Dragon paused in the water, looking up at her with wary curiosity.

“Hello, human.” The soft feminine voice responded and Liliana felt a smile poking out of her mouth. Talking was good, much better than attacking.

“Why have you come to my home and tried to harm me, only to harm yourself instead?”  Serenity asked, swimming around Liliana until she could look her in the face.

“I wanted to meet you, I didn’t mean to scare you. Most creatures try to eat me. But I met a little girl who said you helped her, and I thought you might be less intimidated by me if I was injured.” Liliana offered wincing at the painful ache in her lungs that [Pain resistance] did nothing for.

“I can’t breathe under water, could I go to the surface but continue speaking to you?” Liliana asked politely. Serenity regarded her for a long moment, enough time passing that Liliana could see the edges of her vision going dark.

“Yes.” Came the reply and Liliana kicked her legs to get to the surface, breaking through the water and taking in deep gulps of air. She felt a lily pad slide off the top of her head but she was too distracted by beautiful, delicious air that she didn’t care.

“Why did you want to meet me human?” the pseudo dragon had followed her, but still remained under the water. Liliana could feel her swimming around, her cool body occasionally brushing against Liliana’s skin.

“I’m a tamer, of sorts. I look for strong creatures to enter a partnership with. I heard of you and wanted to ask you if you would join me.” Liliana told her honestly, waving a hand at Corbin, who was shouting at her from above and looked seconds from diving into the water himself. It was awkward speaking at Serenity without seeing her so Liliana dived back below the water, Serenity stopping in front of her face once more.

“Why should I? I am comfortable in my home, I have food here and little bothers me.” Serenity’s voice had taken a dismissive tone and Liliana felt a small tingle of panic. She really didn’t want to stab herself again just to talk to Serenity.

“I can guarantee a home for you, food even in winters, safety, and a family.” Liliana told the Pseudo Dragon who tilted her head to the side, considering the offer.

“Me and my other bonds can also aid you in gaining levels.” Liliana cajoled.

“No. As I have said I have a home, I have ample food, I can keep myself safe.” Serenity turned as if to swim away and Liliana reached out a hand, almost desperate. Healing creatures were rare she had no idea when she’d find another, if she would. She could not let Serenity get away.

“We need you.” Liliana pushed at the Pseudo Dragon, not sure it would work but something making her say it. A creature who would reveal herself to heal others even of small scrapes and pains? Serenity had a need to help others. The little not-dragon paused in the water again but did not turn.

“Me and my bonds, we don’t have a healer. We get hurt and it takes time to recover. One day I’m scared they’ll get so hurt and I won’t be able to help them. That they’ll die. We need a healer, we need you. I need you to make sure they stay alive, please Serenity. Join us, join me and help us. We need you.” Liliana pressed the small advantage she had and Serenity turned in the water, approaching Liliana slowly.

“You… need me? Not to fight but to heal?” Serenity asked and Liliana would’ve sighed in relief if she wasn’t underwater.

“Yes. To heal, to fix what breaks. Please. Help me keep my bonds alive. There’s something coming that means to destroy us all, and I need a healer to ensure we can face it.” Liliana was nearly begging now, revealing all she could in the hopes of convincing Serenity to join her. She knew she was using every last shred of Charisma she had to get the Pseudo Dragon to agree. 

“I do not wish to harm, or to kill. But if you wish for my aid to heal… if you need me to heal. Yes, I shall join you.” Serenity finally agreed and Liliana could’ve wept.

“I’ll never ask you to fight. If you do not wish to you will not have to. We’ll do the fighting for you, we’ll keep you safe and you’ll keep us whole and healthy.” Liliana told her and she swam back to the surface, taking in more deep breaths of air. “I can’t do the bonding in the water, I’ll drown. Can you breathe above the water?” Liliana asked.

“Yes.” Serenity replied, swimming after Liliana and finally poking her head over the water. Liliana ignored Corbin’s questions and coos when he saw the Pseudo Dragon. Liliana swam to the edge of the pond, heaving herself out of the water. Serenity followed her out of the water, scampering onto the ground by Liliana’s leg.

“Ready?” Liliana asked, and Serenity took several heartbeats to reply.

“I am ready, human.” Serenity finally agreed and Liliana reached out, Serenity pressing her muzzle to the skin as Liliana activated [Bonding Contract] a bright ring surrounded them and Liliana prepared herself for soul burning pain.

AN: This took longer than normal tow rite because of the math I had to do. I got my friend to do rough edits for me so I could take a break. 

Also Liliana, once again disregarding her health, safety and her friend's general mental health in pursuit of a new pet. I considered having her entirely fail and just constantly returning with new injuries until Serenity agreed because she didn't think Liliana could take care of herself. Instead I decided to remember Lili has a stupid high Charisma stat which tamers level literally so beasts will agree to working with them. 

Also Emyr threatened Corbin before they left, warning him that the chances of Liliana putting herself in harms way to get a beast was high, and if she died Emyr would take that out on Corbin. Boy was fearing for his own life when Lili stabbed herself.