Ebony's Fable

Ebony didn’t take long to leave Fourth Tide.

His plan was to move along the coast but only where he could still see the ocean but not near enough that a random sea creature would pop up and swallow him in one bite. Towards the west where Hoarfrost Glade was, he should reach the end of the coastline for Fissure Sea, Fifth Tide. Go south till he reaches Plainston or southwest till Bubble Hills and directly into Hoarfrost Glades.

There would be a few cities and many towns in between. He would consider stopping by for a good night's rest or restocking of supplies. If not then he didn’t want to waste too much time travelling. He couldn’t help it, he had already seen the continental map because the small Quest Hall in Fourth Tide posted a huge version of the damn thing right when he entered.

He was carried almost halfway to Tidal, the Capital of the Empire which was close to the centre of Elva. It might have taken Sister Jing a day or 2 like her grandaunt but it would take a heck longer for him. Yet, even Master Runners or monster-drawn carriages over level 150 may not travel as fast as him. They were probably much faster at full speed, no doubt. But how long can they travel at full speed?

Perhaps with the right skills, Runners could travel almost half a day or more at their top speed and monsters even more. That would leave them too tired to fend off any monsters so not many would push themselves like that for a long-distance trip.

No matter what, they needed rest. Ebony needed rest too, just less.

He decided that moving along the coast was considerably safer. The area was mostly cleared by the border cities' army.

Half a day of quiet travelling proved him right. There was only the noisy chirping of birds and mating calls of insects. Insects were one of the creepiest things that really bothered him. The worst part about wildlife.

His spatial bag didn’t feel like it had much weight, making him touch his back once or twice to make sure his bag was still under his robe. He had Compressed Icebody Enhancement to the max for the strength required to move around normally with both the robe and the almost a ton Icicle. Multitasking to forcefully expand his Mana Chassis to reinforce it further. He still had excess mana regenerated.

Other than Chaotic Repulsive Membrane, he didn’t train his other gravity magic. Some relaxing bgm was compressed for the tiny buff to his mana regeneration.

He was greatly slowed down by all the weight he was carrying, together with the decrease in Agility from Icebody Enhancement. Compression of Icebody Enhancement actually further decreased his Agility beyond the static 20%, an unfortunate revelation.

Once again, Ebony was being what normal people would consider weird or crazy. He was constantly sheathing and unsheathing Icicle and giving it a few swings as he ran. It was incredible how bad he was with his new greatsword.

Slightly different dimensions were one thing. The massive change in mass and weight was another. Unaccustomed.

The biggest issue was how the immense weight causes his momentum to fly off the charts. Sure, it was great for a much stronger attack but he needed to be able to use that and not have the greatsword pull him along.

It was more than a hundred times heavier than his old sword that used normal materials but his enhanced strength was way more than a hundred times his strength before he became superhuman in terms of physical strength. He just needed practice.

And practice he did. Because most of his mana regeneration was suppressed and used up, monsters didn’t avoid him as actively. It made him seem like a tasty target.

[Ground Lizard Lvl 92]

It was a sole lizard about the size of a large monitor lizard, even looking alike other than a few spiky edges across his back and the earthy brown colour. It was hiding in a bush behind a tree roughly a dozen or so metres away, he sensed it flicking its tongue while staring at him when he was busy picking a fruit called ‘Pyrula’ that looked like a pear. He went through multiple encyclopaedia-like books and already knew how to recognise and Identify what wild fruits he could and could not eat.

He wasn’t sure if these fruit trees were planted by the government or some other individual but a few missing fruits wouldn’t hurt. It wasn’t as if there was anyone guarding some fruit trees or any signs that it wasn't a wild tree.

The Ground Lizard thought that it was its chance to attack as the ground around Ebony’s feet rose and locked both his feet down. The leaping prey had thought it was the predator and opened its jaw with a surprising amount of teeth and fangs for a scrumptious bite at the real predator.

Ebony half drew Icicle and swung it like a crescent slash overhead at the lizard who tried to attack him from the side for his neck. Perfectly aligned for him to slice it down as the half slit of his sheath was facing the hostile monster. The Ground Lizard was indeed caught off guard but was too late to even dodge as he had been a lot faster than it expected. It was sliced from under its belly all the way through till his skull and brain was cleanly cut in 2.

‘Ting’ ‘You have killed [Ground Lizard Lvl 92]. No experience is gained due to maxed level.’

A couple of tree branches dropped onto him from overhead but he easily avoided it. The earthen locks didn’t really affect him as they came loose easily. Even those branches and twigs higher up than his blade couldn't reach were cut down.

The lizard was weak, slow and soft bodied. Any level 50+ monster from Hoarfrost Glade could hunt them for breakfast. Its earth magic appeared to be its weakest point. The true strength of many monsters from Hoarfrost Glades seems to lay in their ability with magic.

He dallied no further after picking up all the pyrulas that fell and burying the lizard that he didn’t feel any appetite towards. The pyrula was a little bland but he could still taste the light sweetness of pear. Its texture wasn’t all that good though, Crunchy on the outside but mushy on the inside. Biting too hard into it causes it to splash and spill, thankfully he had Chaotic Repulsive Membrane. Weak forces like spillage of fruit mush just couldn’t penetrate through the film of repulsion unless his control over his membrane slipped.

It was uneventful for three days in the wild where he moved through the night as well. There were few monsters around and only 1 other lizard thought he was a nice target. Together with a large falcon, it had been surprisingly tough to take down due to its flight speed.

It didn’t even want to let him go as it kept chasing and taking pecks that could pierce a hole in a thick trunk. He had enough after a 2 hour chase and froze it down with a directed frost mist together with trapping it into an orb. It had charged for a peck and didn’t expect a blast of cold air and mist, then the shield it couldn’t even make large dents in suddenly split open and trapped it.

The scenery changed because the density of trees reduced greatly and Ebony could hear a lot of noise. Metal clashing and shouting. He didn’t rush since no one was getting attacked or anything, the shouts were too in sync.

“Halt! This is a restricted area, training camp of the Fifth Tide. I see you’re a lone journeyman, separated from your party, company or expedition? Whatever the case, you shall not go further past this point.”

The [Spearmaster Lvl 166] called for him to stop before lowering his guard after Identifying him and quickly checking his surroundings with his partner [Master Warrior Lvl ???]. They were wearing practically the same sets of armour the guards or army of Fourth Tide wore. Not the full plate that the knights wore but still relatively decent-looking armour.

“Under the laws of the Empire during peacetimes, a lost straggler can request urgent medical treatment for any life threatening injuries or sickness and we will provide assistance when we have the excess manpower or medical supplies. You are entitled to request for 2 days worth of food and water should you require so. You are also allowed to join a squad or any larger group to be escorted to the closest settlement, Fifth Tide in this case, at our earliest convenience should you wish to do so.” The Master Warrior spouted memorised lines. No doubt he was the senior here.

Ebony had already been plenty surprised by how the Empire structured and conducted themselves. But their generosity, in a sense, was beyond what he imagined a magical but somewhat modern and somewhat mediaeval world would have. It surely did show how far they have come. There were still street thugs and bandits but crime could never be fully erased or so he believed.

“I travelled alone. Can I have directions towards the nearest city? That isn’t Fifth Tide.” Ebony answered before asking a question of his own.

“Alone?” The younger sounding spear wielding man asked.

The surrounding area wasn’t all that dangerous but travelling alone was always risky. No one to watch your back when resting at night was stressful when you didn’t know what might come out at you. Furthermore, the young man in front of him was only a Journeyman.

“As you can see.” Ebony gestured to his left and right.

It had been rhetorical but his tone was jarring to the spearman’s ears. He had felt the sarcasm behind Ebony’s words and gesturing, he was mocked by a damn Journeyman. Even though Ebony didn’t have an ounce of sarcasm when he answered.

Still, the spearman only tightened his grip on his spear in annoyance. Attacking civilians was a no-go, much less one that was an evolution under him. He still wanted his job, stationed at Fifth Tide where it was the safest border city but still important enough that the pay was darn good. The only problem was his parents nagging about how it was too dangerous because some ugly Trolls could attack any time. He doubted it, there hadn’t been an attack since the last war and the Fifth Tide had always been safe due to its position.

“There is no city further west except for Fifth Tide. If you make a detour past our camp then move down southwest you will get out of the forest and into a dense jungle then the massive plains, Trailane Plains before a long stretch of short hills. Bubble Hills, for a journeyman’s feet and stats I would say the plains is 3 to 4 months away. Move down south around the Plains and you might see more people.

We’re already near the edge of Elva, there are few cities. Unless you’re going to the new dungeon I heard about, you might have more luck with smaller towns or perhaps even villages of minorities. I would advise against visiting any village in this backwater area if you even manage to chance upon one. A village without proper defences but can stay around usually means it is filled with unnatural things. Unnatural people. It is more dangerous the further west you go, nothing further than these forests are cleared by us.” The steady warrior had been more than helpful so far.

“I see. Thank you. Have a nice day.” Ebony made a small detour to show them that he wasn’t going to go further towards their camp. The guards didn’t even manage to reply before he dashed off. 3 to 4 months to reach the plains was using the warrior's estimation of his speed but, that was still pretty far. It would take quite some time even if he didn’t stop to rest at all.

“May the Life Queen Bless you.” The Master Warrior said. Only the spearman and himself heard it.

The way down south would take even longer too but Ebony was planning to get through Bubble Hills directly into Hoarfrost Glade anyway so there was no need to go down towards Plainston. He might find a town or something to rest and wash up if he passed by one.

He started moving a little southwest like the warrior had told him, readjusting the direction he went as he saw fit. Mental Map was great and all since it was a live, 3D version but it didn’t scale to the copy of the continental map he saw.

The dense jungle would probably be the most dangerous area from what the warrior told him. The plains wasn’t all that dangerous the last he had been there, even though it won’t be the same area as when he was in Plainston. Same with Bubble Hills. Although, Bubble Hills was probably way more dangerous from what he heard. Only the region near Plainston was relatively safer, the only reason why Plainston was even built there.

❅❅❅

Back at the training camp.

“He’s so arrogant, charging into Solid Mist Jungle alone is just suicidal. That guy needs no blessing from the Life Queen” The Spearmaster couldn’t hold back the tiny irritation he still had.

His senior colleague already offered him all that they were obliged to offer a lost straggler but he didn’t accept it. Nice enough to tell him that only these parts were safe enough for him to move around. Yet he still went further.

“...Stand at attention and keep your eyes open.” The Master Warrior stood back at his post as still as a statue.

“I know, I know. You’re always so serious.” The Spearmaster quickly got back into position.

“I’m not serious, just doing my duty. But you’re right about one thing.” The Master Warrior retorted seriously.

“Hmm?” The Spearmaster wondered what the older man had to say. He was a hardened veteran and the spearman looked up to him quite a bit.

The Spearmaster heard that the Master Warrior participated in the previous war against the Trolls and survived. He had always said he merely hid in one corner and fought back whatever came without killing a single enemy whenever anyone asked him about that time. Even that was pretty amazing as not many lived to tell the tale. Especially at the warriors’ level at that time.

“He needed no blessing.” The Master Warrior remarked.

“Ah? You’re agreeing with me?” The Spearmaster didn’t expect the Master Warrior, who had been the one who spouted the blessing to take back his words now?

The Life Queen saved his life and he had always been praying to her religiously. Like many of the older soldiers have. Same with many people all around the Empire. In a short span of time, the Life Queen had risen to become a faith of the people.

“Yes. He would have little issue passing travelling alone. Most monsters in these parts wouldn’t even make him blink twice.” The Master Warrior said something the Spearmaster suddenly had trouble comprehending.

“What do you mean?”

“...You need more training with mana sensing. And also keeping up with the news.”

“What has that got to do with what we’re talking about?”

“It means he was standing right before you and you can’t feel the mana coming from him. It means a Meditative Ice Swordsman was right before you and you can’t link it up to Rimestone who was all the rage from more than a year back.”

“...He’s Rimestone!? Why didn’t you tell me earlier!? I wanted his autograph, I watched all his matches!”

The Master Warrior’s expression darkened.

“Yet you didn’t recognise the ice blue hair, his equipment or even his face. Can you even name another Meditative Ice Swordsman? Looks like mana sensing isn’t the only thing you’re lacking. Your eyes and brains need a good knock too. Go send yourself for half a year of perception and double your administrative load.” The Master Warrior articulated clearly.

“But Sir!” The Spearmaster started to panic.

“Triple.” His objection was met with force.

“Yes Sir!” His objection was utterly crushed. The Spearmaster quickly ran to get his punishment.

“1 year and 4 times the administrative load for leaving your post on duty!” The Master Warrior didn’t move or even turn back but his voice could be clearly heard.

The Spearmaster sprung back without a moment’s hesitation and kept his mouth shut this time.

‘ARHH! Perception training aims for the butt, I can’t even sit well and I’m never gonna leave the table, that monster! More importantly, how could I not recognise Rimestone just because it has been a while since I saw his fights on the memory light.’

The Spearmaster slowly and stealthily rubbed his butt in reminiscence of the period of time his ass tore apart because of the perverted thought that they would be able to sense attacks coming from behind them sooner or later if they continued getting their butts whooped. It was going to be a painful year ahead of him.

❅❅❅

The jungle was further than Ebony expected or maybe he wasn’t on the right track. Another 4 days of peaceful travel through the sparse forest where he only slept a few hours up a tree branch last night before he noticed the light mist around him.

It was normal mist as far as he could tell, a sign he was getting closer to a wet jungle. The ground was softer as he moved deeper. The trees were cluttered together more and more. Vines entangling each other. Roots littered the ground.

Ebony, even with his Treading Steps was slowed down by a tiny bit. The twists and turns he had to take increased as time passed. The trees were towering him and were thicker than his greatsword was long.

Fully entering the jungle when his sights don’t see further than a couple metres ahead. The mist was so thick and heavy that he could wring out water from his hair if he stayed here for a bit longer.

He didn’t falter and continued moving at top speed, minus the repulsive steps. Crashing right into a tree at his speed would not be funny even with his Constitution and toughness. His senses far more than just his sight. Spreading far enough for him to react to a sudden tripping hazard or roadblock in time and Treading Steps to change his direction.

Unlike the forest, the jungle had been a lot more quiet.

He ran on and on. Expecting monsters to come out any time since the soldier told him this jungle wasn’t under their jurisdiction. Nothing attacked him. He was pretty sure he passed by some creatures but they didn’t chase or attack either.

‘The Master Warrior didn’t mention anything about danger other than saying that they didn’t clear the monsters here.’

The guy had been nice enough to tell him what he could gain from them and some directions with advice. It would be weird if there were some specific dangers here and he didn’t tell Ebony. Of course, perhaps the Master Warrior just didn’t feel like telling him.

A week in the jungle let him confirm that there really wasn’t much danger here. A likely poisonous snake or two tried to bite him but at level 62 they couldn’t even pierce his enhanced skin when he let them bite him. There were a couple of monsters that he passed by that were around level 120 to 150 as well. Maybe the level 62 snake was just born for a day or two when it attacked him.

Ebony decided to relax his nerves for the second time he travelled alone and set up his tent to sleep on the first day he entered the jungle. His plan for deterrence was just to remove all the mana ores in his myriad bracelet. It had been a very peaceful night as he slept. The same peace and quiet repeated itself every night.

He never took the initiative to hunt anything. Only when he was attacked or sensed hostility did he fight back. It was a little surprising to him that the monsters here didn’t always attack the moment they saw him. Unlike the dungeon monsters or Hoarfrost Glade’s.

Truthfully, he was a little lost. His Mental Map and general sense of direction told him he was still roughly on the correct path but there were many places blocked off by trees wider, thicker and taller than city walls.

He thought it would be another peaceful day where both he and the residents of the jungle ignored each other. He leapt from tree branch to tree branch whenever he could, both to practice Treading Steps and also not to make too many detours.

Having gotten used to the ridiculous weight on his shoulders while he ran, his speed and movement had been optimised to the best of his abilities. Less tripping, less picking too thin and weak branches to land on. It had been considerably difficult to move as weightlessly as he used to.

Ebony gently landed on a low branch and stopped his movements completely. Caution.

He didn’t dare move. There was something behind and above him. Watching him. Whatever it was, it was humanoid but seemed to have large hands and feets. Its fingers or toes might be connected by web but his Vibrational Gravity Sense wasn’t that powerful or sensitive yet. It was small, about half his own height.

It hadn’t been there when he just landed. It got close enough without causing any sound or vibration in the air or mana. Sensing that it had just stood above him and didn’t attack for almost a minute, Ebony turned to check what was watching him so intently.

[Transient Roaming Kappa Lvl 100]

Ebony’s mind was as clear as a bright mirror. However, he couldn’t help but feel lucky to find one of the monsters he wanted to see himself. It looked exactly like the depicted Fleet-Footed Kappa that he had read about, perhaps with a bit of size difference. Said to have no terrain they couldn't traverse. The great difference in what Identify told him only meant one thing.

Aberrant.