Plague Tank: A LitRPG Adventure (Getting Hard Book 2), page 33
“I have a Cooking Ocadule.” Megan peered at the empty Bronze Cauldron. “Can I borrow this—”
“Guys, don’t disturb him while he does this thing,” Kezo said. “Go ahead, Herald, talk to the NPC.”
I nodded, turning to Healer Gula. The old Mardukryon patiently waited while my party mates bantered. “I have delivered your letter to your sister, and she has taken your advice to heart.” Then I explained that Bawu decided to rebuild the Arcane Brewer Lodge with me as her first formal apprentice.
Gula clasped her hands in front of her chest, smiling broadly. “At last, my sister realizes that revenge bears no good fruit. My deepest gratitude to you, youngling. Has she imparted the Ocadules of the Arcane Brewers upon you?”
“Yes, one of them.” Best not to mention it was a poison Ocadule. What would I be doing now if I picked the Adifi Ocadule instead of Akhos? “I will demonstrate what I’ve learned from Brewer Bawu.”
“Cooking time!” Megan said.
Nitana elbowed her best friend. “Shhh!”
I reached level three [Research Akhos Poison] while we held our party meeting surrounded by dozens of angry Feral Frost Macaques. What better way to hide from snooping Luds than to be inside an instanced quest?
Lvl. 3 Research Akhos Poisons: Learn to create the five basic Akhos poisons. Inflict incapacitating effects, and make your enemies suffer. Poison duration increases by 5 seconds. For each skill level, the crafting success chance increases by 4%, the chance to poison increases by 3.5%.
Brewable Poisons:
• Morabodry – (22+12)% Success Chance. Ingredients: (20) Limerian Toad Skin, (2) Majalis, (1) Amberite, (1) Poison Bottle.
Requires: Enlivened Mortar and Pestle, Bronze Cauldron
• Frigid Yew Salve – (15+12)% Success Chance. Ingredients: (10) Hoarfrost Yew Seed, (5) Hoarfrost Yew Leaf, (5) Strip of Hoarfrost Yew Bark, (2) Amberite, (1) Golden Mildew, (1) Small Tin
Requires: Enlivened Mortar and Pestle, Bronze Cauldron
I told Kezo, Megan, and Nitana that I had a different questline to finish, intentionally not apologizing for derailing our plans. I wanted to gauge how much they valued me. As the future holder of the party ress, they agreed to what I wanted to do.
Or perhaps because we were friends?
Been a long time since I did something for friendship instead of trying to appear friendly.
I tipped my mortar, poured the powdered ingredients into the cauldron, and mixed in [Golden Mildew]. The mixture became a thick bluish-white paste, which I then transferred into a [Small Tin]. Fortunately, I didn’t fail in making it. Ta-dah!
[ Received: (1) Frigid Yew Salve ]
Frigid Yew Salve | Item Level: 15
Epic | Consumable | No Requirement
Derived from the cursed toxin that permeates the seeds, leaves, and bark of the Hoarfrost Yew tree, this potent healing ointment restores 5% of Maximum Health per second for six seconds while inflicting Silence on the user, preventing usage of all skills for the duration. However, Arcane Brewers found a way to extend the defensive properties of the Hoarfrost Yew tree to the user, granting a 25% chance to Freeze enemies that deal direct damage while the Salve is in effect.
I clapped my hands once. The effects were amazing!
Situational, yes—self-Silencing for six seconds was very dangerous. But it was worth it for thirty percent of my health if I wisely timed using it. Could [Cleansing Flames] remove the Silence? I also had to test if reflecting Silence to my enemies with [Cloak of the Plaguespreader] would work. The chance to Freeze enemies was frosting on the cake.
Nice pun, Herald. Thanks, Herald.
“A Frigid Yew Salve,” Healer Gula whispered, her voice trembling as if she was about to cry. “When I was but a youngling, I had an unfortunate encounter with a Frost Imp. My sister whipped up a Frigid Yew Salve to cure my injuries. The memories…”
[ Quest Completed: Sisterly Trickery ]
“My overflowing gratitude, dear youngling, for bringing my only remaining family closer to me.” Healer Gula bowed, her trinkets tinkling. “The path may be long, but eventually, we can be together again, letting go of the pains of the past.”
“My pleasure to be of help.” I forced a grin. An ant of guilt nibbled at my heart of gold even though I was interacting with a mere virtual character. I should change the element of my heart to something harder.
“This is so touching,” Megan whispered. She sniffed a couple of times.
“Back up a bit, Megan,” Nitana said. “You might ruin something.”
“No way. I just want to listen to the dialogue.”
Gula took the [Frigid Yew Salve], fondly looking at it. “My sister was my inspiration for becoming a Healer. When the Arcane Brewers Lodge stood strong, they’d provide many specialized potions to the Healers. Working hand-in-hand… I hope my sister and I come to that.”
“That might be possible through me,” I said in a firmer voice, recalling my idea to be a student of these two sisters. “Brewing potions and other medicines—I feel like it’s my calling. I’d be honored to also learn from you, Healer Gula.”
“I see your knack for the craft. You have gifted hands.”
“Learning from you and your sister, I’ll progress fast. I can apply brewing techniques from one discipline to the other.” Come on, give me a high Quality Ocadule before the Hunter-Warriors fulfilled their job description with Bawu as the target.
Plenty would change after this storyline concluded—Gula might even be arrested. I’d like to cash in on my progress now, please.
“I believe that as well, youngling. But the time for teaching isn’t now, for I’m occupied with the new potion I’m trying to make… failing to make.”
Dammit. “Is that the one that needed the Vinereaver prickles?” She’d mentioned it was some mega-potion supposed to cure all manner of illnesses. It could be akin to the potion Bawu used to cleanse away all my poison statuses after our little challenge. “Do you need help? Some other ingredients lacking?”
“It is complicated for a youngling like you to comprehend,” Healer Gula said. “Though, with the pleasant news of my sister redirecting her focus to more constructive things, my inspiration is renewed to work harder.”
“Can’t you take a break?”
“Visit me on the morrow when work matters do not burden my mind, and we will focus on choosing the best path for you.”
“On the morrow?” But that’s…
“That means tomorrow,” Megan whispered.
“I think Herald knows that,” Nitana drawled.
Kezo said, “Guys, let’s just watch.”
“Plenty of tests to do before deciding what’s best for you,” Healer Gula said, giving me the small jar of ointment. “I believe the same happened when my sister gave you an Ocadule.”
“Uh, yes.” I sighed. “On the morrow then.”
“That’s tomorrow,” Megan chimed in.
“He knows!” Nitana said.
CHAPTER
FORTY
As we headed to the tunnels, I recounted the quest that my party was going to help me for a start—collecting [Toxic Goop], and maybe the [Concentrated Fulguris Extract] too, if we’d be lucky to find a Blighted quest boss.
I predicted that Bawu would have more gathering quests for me. I’d gauge when I’d tackle the source of the Blight once and for all.
Then would come the hard part of convincing Bawu to move as far as possible from Kurghal Village. The villagers would be safe from her clutches—I doubted she’d stop her experiments with the six village guards—and, more importantly, Bawu herself would be safe to help me in the future. I didn’t tell my party mates the latter; I had an inkling that might sound too selfish.
“Bawu could be the key to finding and killing the Mountain Guardian.” I gave that as the reason for deviating from our original plan for me to reach the other side of the cliff walls.
“I’ve heard of that NPC hidden in the tunnel from others,” Kezo said, “but never about this Blight quest. You may be on to something here, Herald. Maybe even move the main story. I can’t recall the last progress made on finding a way off this mountain.”
“What about Rabisu Peak?” Nitana offered. “It’s a newly discovered area. I think Chimi’s gang found it?”
Kezo shook his head. “Rabisu’s Peak is a high-level area—small chance it’s the way off the mountain.”
“The devs won’t put the exit somewhere inaccessible for most Mardukryon players,” I said.
It’d be a crappy game design if only the strong players could leave the mountain. The Mardukryons were supposed to be a difficult race, but it didn’t mean we’d be stuck here until a certain level. It was just a misfortune that the exit hadn’t been figured out yet.
That’s what I’m here for.
“By the way, Megan,” I said. “Thanks for the Hoarfrost Yew materials. There aren’t many available in the auction house, especially the seeds.” With her help, I didn’t have any problem gathering the ingredients. The [Amberite], which [Morabodry] also required, was always available from the Miners, while the [Small Tin] and [Golden Mildew] were available at Arakmad’s shop.
Megan said, “Don’t mention it. I think the Healers need the Hoarfrost Yew Seeds for health potions, that’s why it’s always sold out.”
“Not many people farm those weird ice trees,” Nitana said. “Trees with faces, ugh.”
“I’ve got a ton of Hoarfrost whatevers from hunting for a Relic wand dropped by the mini-boss of that area,” Megan explained. “An ice wand with a pretty design, like a bouquet of icicles, and plenty of bonuses to Water Element magic and ice spells. Turns out those aren’t very good on this mountain.”
“What gave you a clue?” Nitana said, pointedly crunching the snow in our path.
The two bickered as I led our party off the main path to the tunnels, up a narrow and rocky climb to a small opening hidden by vines.
This was the entrance I used when I first looked for Bawu. Right now, the usual entrance was watched by village guards.
“We’re going to start seeing monsters with the Blight,” I said.
“This’ll be interesting,” Kezo said. “I’ve hopped in plenty of quests helping other players, and this will be the first time I’ll experience this one.”
Nitana raised her staff, conjuring a fireball at its tip for light. “From monkeys to zombies.”
“Ooh, spooky, spooky, spooky…” Megan said, waving her glowing wands as she made her voice sound like an echo.
“This is a quest that adjusts the monsters’ level in relation to the party,” I explained, checking our party list. “Megan, Nitana, you leveled up? I thought you were on vacation.”
They were both at level forty-seven. Nitana must’ve worked hard to catch up to Megan. Previously, she was two levels below her friend.
“This is supposed to be our last hurrah as Mardukryons,” Megan said. “So, we snuck in some playtime when resting at our hotel. It was Nitana who insisted we bring our AU-VR Helms with us.”
“Just so we’ll have something to do on the flight,” Nitana mumbled as she turned away.
“Nuh-uh, you were playing every chance you got. You even wore the AU-VR Helm while we were stuck in traffic. I had to keep watch—”
“Herald!” Nitana loudly interrupted. “What were you saying about levels?”
“Averaging our levels,” I said. “Expect monsters in the mid-forties to appear.” That’d be higher than any mobs I had encountered so far. Knowing the Blighted had incredibly powerful attacks for their levels, it’d be unwise to tank them. I also couldn’t kite in these cramped pathways. I’d keep back and try to herd them with my Totems, focusing on debuffs and heals.
“Sorry for pulling the average up,” Kezo said. “Think of this challenge as practice. I know we can do this through teamwork.”
“There’s going to be a lot of them.” The [Large Fragile Bundle] was still in my inventory. I didn’t give it to Bawu. Attracting more monsters, likely Blighted ones, would speed up collecting [Toxic Goop].
“Glowing green up ahead,” Nitana said.
The [Lvl 46 Blighted Hoplite Saurian]—a humanoid lizard wearing crude and rusty pieces of armor—rounded the bend. A round shield with jagged spikes protruding all over its surface, covered the Saurian’s upper body. Its right hand carried a long spear that ended in a menacing curved blade. As with other Blighted, this monster was decaying, its scales peeling in places, revealing its purple muscles, sometimes even its bones. Green goo poured from its empty eye sockets, tracing the inner curvature of its helmet before dripping onto its shield.
“I haven’t seen that one before,” Kezo said.
“A Blighted monster?” I asked.
“No. A Saurian.”
“You haven’t seen this monster species before?”
“Haven’t heard of it either,” he said. “Is this a mutant made by that Bawu character?”
“The Blighted are real monsters captured by Bawu that are then zombified. She also makes chimeras, but that’s a different thing. There should be normal Saurians somewhere on this mountain that Bawu could reach.”
“Curious,” Kezo said. “You’d think lizard people would be quite famous if someone has found their area.”
“Look!” Megan exclaimed. “More are coming!”
Three more [Lvl 46 Blighted Saurian Hoplite] marched into view and joined the first. They formed a line of shields, spears pointed down the tunnel at us. They marched with clumsy steps, trailing slime behind them. Four [Lvl 43 Blighted Saurian Archer] joined the fun, taking positions behind their spear-wielding brethren, and aimed their arrows in between the gaps of the formation.
Kezo scratched his tusks, staring at the ground in thought. “Bawu might lead us to… undiscovered areas.”
The Saurian Archers let loose a volley. Their projectiles hit Kezo’s chest, but he was so engrossed with the implication of the Saurian’s appearance that he didn’t care. As the rest of us buffed up for battle, Kezo said, “We have to talk to Bawu. We need to know where she got them.”
The value of Bawu just shot up. “You’ll get to meet her when I turn in my quests,” I said.
“Let’s do this quickly then,” Kezo said, unsheathing his twin swords that burst with black flames.
“Wait!” I said. “Can we all charge at the same time? I have this new skill I want to try…”
Kezo was a careening big rig swathed in black flames that swallowed what meager light coated the tunnels. Pedal-to-the-metal, he barreled through the Blighted, leaving showers of Essence and Gli in his wake. With around twenty levels over our enemies and decked out with the strongest gear Artas could buy, he didn’t slow down despite throngs of monsters in his path.
He’d gone far ahead, where we could no longer see him.
Megan, Nitana, and I had nothing to do except follow the scorched marks on the tunnel’s craggy walls. I galloped much faster with the passive of [Horde Stampede] at max, but I didn’t move on to find Kezo because Megan and Nitana were lagging.
“Wow, Kezo’s so far away!” Megan said. “Herald, do that thing again.”
“What thing?” I slowed my pace to fall in line with her and Nitana. “My Horde Stampede skill?”
“Nah, just let Kezo kill everything,” Nitana said. “We’ll just meet up with him when he’s done. Some rest and relaxation to continue our vacation.”
“I feel bad not contributing anything,” Megan said.
Nitana dismissively waved her weapon. “He won’t mind.”
“And, uh…” Megan peered at me with a sheepish smile. “It’s kinda fun running with those effects.”
A kindred spirit! “Right?” I said. “Probably my most worth-it purchase.”
I cast [Horde Stampede]. A chorus of hooves pounding the ground layered ours as waves of dust cascaded through our legs. The blurred walls we passed became even mushier as we sped through the passageway.
As [Horde Stampede] expired and the sound effects quieted down, we heard a voice calling for us.
“Is that Kezo?” Megan asked.
He came running toward us from the tunnel’s far end, shouting something we couldn’t make out. A monster was chasing him. We buffed up, preparing for a challenging battle.
“Look at this!” Kezo had sheathed his swords and wasn’t covered with black flames. He pointed at the creature following him. “You won’t believe what I found!”
Nitana lowered her staff, the blazing mini-sun at its tip fizzling out. “Eh? Why doesn’t he kill that thing?”
Kezo stopped in front of us, his grin beaming, his eyes wide with excitement. “I met this in one of the caverns over there. Almost killed it along with the rest. Thankfully, I noticed what it was.”
Behind him were a floating helmet, chest plate, and rusted steel gloves covered with clumps of glowing snow, a few icicles here and there. The one possessing the armor, a blue-green specter phasing in and out of view, seemed to be the spirit of a Frost Imp—a [Lvl 51 Blighted Glacial Haunt].
“It’s dripping goo,” Megan observed. “I didn’t know the Blight can infect ghosts.”
“Is that what you wanted to show us?” Nitana folded her arms. “Pretty cool, I guess?”
“Another monster you haven’t seen before?” I surmised.
“Yes, but I’ve heard of it many times,” Kezo said. “There’s this Pathfinder NPC named Gorenall. You’d encounter him at level fifty, and he doles out quests to hunt monsters around that level. Every few days, he cycles through a list of monsters. Sometimes he says he badly wants to see flying armor, some story he heard from his father.”
“You think this infected ghost is the answer?” Megan pointed at the Glacial Haunt scratching Kezo’s butt with its sharp claws whenever it solidified.
“Definitely flying armor,” Nitana said.
“We’ve found all the other monsters Gorenall’s looking for except this one,” Kezo said.
“Maybe someone did,” I said, “and they just don’t want to admit it.”
“I don’t think the Expeditionary Legion knows, or SpartanDonkey would be eagerly selling that info,” Kezo continued. “The community’s consensus is that the flying armor monster is in an area blocked off during the Great Quake, probably on the way to finding the other Mardukryon tribes.”
