Adventurer's Guild Adventurer's Guild - OOC Room

[Feathers95]

Also, the way a cuckoo bird works irl is that they lay an egg in another bird's nest, where the egg has the same pattern on the shell as the original eggs. When the egg hatches, the chick instinctively pushes out the other eggs, ensuring it gets all of the food and attention from the 'parent' birds.

Erm, Giant Kukuu Birds aren't cuckoo birds though.

'A colony of Giant Kukuu Birds make their nests close to the peak. Kukuu Birds are known to kidnap eggs from other species and raise them as their own, so you'll find all sorts of random creatures wandering the mountain. Please retrieve an egg from a Giant Kukuu Nest and escape with it. You better keep it intact, or else you fail!'

 

[ohko]

I've updated the quest to level 3 as per your suggestion, with increased experience awards and slightly lessened monetary rewards(mainly because Felicia's already paid Reciful).

I added a reward I forgot to add when I made the quest last night about Sable, since she obviously can't come with Felicia when she infiltrates Spire Reef.

Since she's quite powerful on her lonesome, I don't want to loan her to someone too strong, hence that reward is only 'potentially' If all else fails I'll just shove her onto Nene and run away

Well, that would trouble Nene as 2 years is a really long time... Well, she can at least try to help Sable though, she wouldn't turn Felicia away for sure~

Sable isn't a Giant Kukuu Bird But that brings up another question, if they steal eggs and raise them as their young, how are actual Giant Kukuu Birds birthed?

Okarin would think big birds are cute!

 

[Nahrenne]

Erm, Giant Kukuu Birds aren't cuckoo birds though.

'A colony of Giant Kukuu Birds make their nests close to the peak. Kukuu Birds are known to kidnap eggs from other species and raise them as their own, so you'll find all sorts of random creatures wandering the mountain. Please retrieve an egg from a Giant Kukuu Nest and escape with it. You better keep it intact, or else you fail!'

My inner nature-lover is conflicted.
@w@

How does it transport the eggs without breaking them...?
How do they continue their own species, then...?
'-'
It doesn't make sense...

X

 

[Epsil]

OH! Snap!
@GDLiZy Looks like Vysic got to the euka 's quest first.
LOL I wrote full blown detective noir story too, femme fatal, a secret cult, the whole shebang

Gravelly voice: "Is a shame, kid.. life is hard, hard like double edge word... and it cuts both ways"

Whelp back to the drawing board
That prison lore look really far away right now...

Didn't know you were already doing this, Sorry.

 

[AliceShiki]

Okarin would think big birds are cute!

I'm not sure Nene would say they're cute, but she has nothing against them~

Well, except for the stealing eggs part, Nene doesn't like egg thieves!

 

[ohko]

My inner nature-lover is conflicted.
@w@

How does it transport the eggs without breaking them...?
How do they continue their own species, then...?
'-'
It doesn't make sense...

X

It’s clearly a twisted form of natural animal husbandry!

The Kukuu birds kidnap other species and pretend to raise them as their own. However, when they are old enough, they slaughter them for meat to feed their own young during the harsh winters!

 

[AliceShiki]

QUEST REPORT (NOT YET APPRAISED)
Quest Report (11)
Name: Zombo
Level: 2 (580/600)
Quest: Craft Furniture
Evaluation:

• Crafted 30 basic chairs, each painted a different colour, for the orphanage

**********

Spoiler: Report

Looking down at the logs of his fallen brethren, Zombo was hit with a strange sense of sorrow. It seemed that the tree-half of him was reacting negatively to the whole idea of using the dead skin of his brothers to build and repair stuff, which made sense if you thought about it, but Zombo didn't really care. He already took on this quest, and it's not like he often listened or heeded any emotional advice, so why start now?

Without hesitation, he grabbed one of the logs and began sawing away, ignoring the internal screaming of the plants infesting his body. Diligently, he followed the blueprints generously given to him from one of his seniors at the engineering department, slowly forming each limb of a basic chair. Once the four limbs were carefully molded and sanded down, being especially careful at this point to avoid giving any orphans splinters, he stuck everything together using a mixture of spider silk, sticky tree sap and giant bee honey as glue.

After he was done with one chair, even testing it out himself by sitting and rocking on it recklessly, he began making another. And another. And another, until before he knew it, he was eating himself due to his ravenous hunger. Finally realizing he hadn't eaten anything in more than a day, he calmly reported to the guild kitchens and asked for some raw meat as usual, before stuffing it down and continuing his work on the chairs.

Over the course of many days, Zombo had created 30 chairs, enough for a classroom of students. Although he silently wondered if he overdid it a bit, he shrugged his shoulders and calmly set to work painting the chairs. Yes, painting. He painted each chair a different variety of greens, blues, reds, yellows and purples, emotionlessly trying to make each chair unique. Maybe it'd help teach the orphans that each of them are special in their own way or something. Who knows.

After finally finishing up the chairs over the course of a month, he slowly hauled each of them to the orphanage using a mixture of vines and an overloaded cart borrowed from the engineering department, before calmly returning to the guild to make his report.

Finally reached this one! \(^^)/

... You all are releasing so many reports... *shivers*

*goes read* Anyways, nobody appraised this one it seems? Guess you left for me then? Alrighty, I'm on it~

 

[ohko]

I'm not sure Nene would say they're cute, but she has nothing against them~

Well, except for the stealing eggs part, Nene doesn't like egg thieves!

To be fair, technically the Kukuu birds were the original egg thieves!

 

[Nahrenne]

It’s clearly a twisted form of natural animal husbandry!

The Kukuu birds kidnap other species and pretend to raise them as their own. However, when they are old enough, they slaughter them for meat to feed their own young during the harsh winters!

So...where do they put their own eggs, then...?
'-'
In the same nest...?
If so...then who isn't to say you could get an actual kukuu egg when you do that exam?
'-'

X

 

[AliceShiki]

To be fair, technically the Kukuu birds were the original egg thieves!

I was talking about them! XD

I thought you meant Okarin would think the kukoo are cute, not that Sable is cute... Though I guess Nene wouldn't be able to call Sable as cute either... >.>

 

[Epsil]

It’s clearly a twisted form of natural animal husbandry!

The Kukuu birds kidnap other species and pretend to raise them as their own. However, when they are old enough, they slaughter them for meat to feed their own young during the harsh winters!

JEEZ

 

[Epsil]

I dunno if Nene's preaching would attract more gods tbh. Like... She only preaches the word of her own goddess in the first place. The only thing she does about gods in general is that she respects other people's religion, so she prays that the gods will watch over other adventurers instead of wishing her goddess would do it. Since then the person in question can feel like its their own god that is protecting them.

And that said, I don't think she is that much more religious than any other priest in the local temple? At least I don't think she would be.

Just my take on it at least, feel free to do things as you please though~

Yeah, I just needed a reason to explain why Vysic couldn't communicate with Azura. My characters are just assuming it's you, but they do feel a presence.

 

[Nahrenne]

Yeah, I just needed a reason to explain why Vysic couldn't communicate with Azura. My characters are just assuming it's you, but they do feel a presence.

The presence presents some presents that allows you to feel the presence of other presents from various presences.
(^-^)

X

 

[Epsil]

The presence presents some presents that allows you to feel the presence of other presents from various presences.
(^-^)

X

 

[Nahrenne]

*huggles*

\(^o^)/

X

 

[AliceShiki]

Yeah, I just needed a reason to explain why Vysic couldn't communicate with Azura. My characters are just assuming it's you, but they do feel a presence.

Fair enough~

*pat pat*

 

[Quaesitor]

It’s clearly a twisted form of natural animal husbandry!

The Kukuu birds kidnap other species and pretend to raise them as their own. However, when they are old enough, they slaughter them for meat to feed their own young during the harsh winters!

That is assuming they still can. Who knows? There might be a Kukuu eating snake in one of the eggs.

 

[Epsil]

@Generic.Archdemon You could still do a noir like quest.

In my quest a guard ended up dying, but maybe they can't find the body. So it's up to a certain fish man to investigate.

 

[Nahrenne]

@AliceShiki *waves*
|.o)/
Euka's report still hasn't been evaluated.

X

 

[Feathers95]

@AliceShiki *waves*
|.o)/
Euka's report still hasn't been evaluated.

X

That's the most recent quest that hasn't been evalutated lol

I believe all of these haven't been either(I quoted them all because I was going to evaluate them but then I forgot/got lazy xP):

QUEST REPORT (NOT YET APPRAISED)

Spoiler: Quest Details // Level 4 // City Guard Training

> > >

City Guard Training
Sponsor: Adventurer's Guild Location: Scribel City Required Level: 4
Objectives: Report to the City Barracks. Spend one week getting trained. Work together with your team. Pass the final exam. (Optional: Party Quest) You want to be on the City Guard, huh? A hotshot like yourself might have done a lot of solo work before... But here you'll have learn how to work as a team. You'll be assigned to a team of four rookies (two pairs). Your entire team needs to work together to pass the final exam. Either you all pass or you all fail!
Rewards: Points: 250 EXP / person Money: 20 G / person Other: City Guard License

> > >

"Hello."

Even though, Zorion was no longer voiceless, he had not shaken old his habit of silence, being silent was well suited when he was alone in the forest, but if this really does not help with social situations

On the table, Zorion places a report, [Training of City Guard Trainee Zorion Ortis. evaluated by Guard Captain Harrison Bridger

Spoiler: Character: Zorion // Level 4 // Report

This is an evaluation of trainee Zorion Ortis written by Guard Captain Harrison Bridger, designation 0649-1641-0065 of the Scribel City Guards.

Zorion is a Triton amongst 3 other rookies. A dwarf named Aymir Rockbreath, a tabaxi, Glow of the Sun , and finally a tiefling, Maeve Obrin.

The four of them are... lack of better word, weirdos. And Zorion is the weirdest amongst them. The Tritons I've known are chatty folk, always talking about their great accomplishment. How their people won a great war, its all golden age in their cities now, so on and so forth. And now they want to save the rest of us too.

But not Zorion, not a word.

Oh, and by the by, he can speak, I am sure of it. But it's like sometimes he forgets that he can, weird.

Which is fine, I am looking for a guard not a chatter box. Discipline is all I am after. I oft' work the late night, so I left the morning training to themselves. I had them do endurance training followed by sparring session amongst themselves. It was a test of sorts, to see how they'd fare without supervision.

The Triton, he seems like a most docile person, according the other guards in the training yard, Zorion followed my training regimen to the letter. He ran the laps, did the weight training, and challenged each of his cohorts to battle. His compatriot was less than eager to do the work, but none of them were too reticent in trouncing the triton in battle.

And boy, did they do that, Aymir and Sun, I could understand why Zorion would lose to them, one is sturdier and one is faster, But to Maeve, a woman. This trition is weak.

After the first day though, the four of them trained together in the morning. It was like after the three beat up the triton they bonded somehow.

Having learn what happened the first time he sparred, I got them all to learn the basics of all weapons, stances and strikes, defence and offence. The next day's afternoon, I asked them to learn what they wanted and get better at it. Maeve, Aymir and Sun stuck with things they were used to.. but this guy! This Triton... he was average at everything, not good, not bad, just bland!

On day three, when we had to move on to things about laws regulations and how to investigate crimes. His ability in a fight was still so decimal for a level 4 adventurer. I swear the combat sense of Maeve is a 100 times better and she a women, that's saying something.

I really had to get him to get better, so I took time off my night duties to give him some pointers, get him to specialise in a weapon or something, Or just give up and learn magic, for the gods sakes.

When I found him, he was talking to Maeve, or talked at by Maeve. They look all chummy, which is good camaraderie is a commendable development. But then, Maev ate a pear, and the look on his face, you'd have thought Maeve killed his best friend.

What is wrong with the boy?

Maeve asked what was wrong, I also wanted to know. Never got the answers from him.

Any which way, I got him to train with me, late into the night, he appreciated it, said it help him forget about the pear...

What does that even mean?!?

Ultimately, I accepted he was a very slow learner, good thing Triton will live to 200 aye? He'd have time to catch up. He always seemed so distracted, like he got better things to do. At the end of all the training II made him slightly better with a short spear and a shield. Very Triton like I thought.

Scenario 8-237-10, that was the one I drew from the lot, one of the easier scenarios, I choose it cause they have to lookout for Maeve after all. She is quite the stubborn lass, I'd have thought basic training would have made her quit by now. But hey, there are those women too.

The scenario was to defeat a clay golem in the yard, a level 7 battle entity.

The triton, was the vanguard, the fist of the golem knocked him straight off his feet. Sun's arrows imbued with magic dismember the golems arm, saved Zorion from a second strike. Aymir hammered cracked the golem's core a little bit, and out of nowhere Maeve and her rapier pierced the core, I admit it was pretty swish.

They did win and did work as a team, the triton will need to get better but even so he'd alright as a guard.

I guess that's all I have to say about that.

Just as with Aymir, Sun and even Maeve, I am also giving Zorion a gilt of parting, nothing special... given the state of my wages. But I gift to him a short spear and a shield.

And tell him to practice! Get better!

OOC don't know how well i did with the "a little sexist towards women " but I gave it a go.

QUEST REPORT (NOT YET APPRAISED)

Spoiler: Quest Details // Level 4 // The Glowy Rocks under the River

The Glowy Rocks under the River. (Updated)
Sponsor: Alex the Curious Merchant
Location: River Near Scribel City
Required Level: 2
Objectives:

• Discovered any Mana Glowstone's mineral vein under the riverbed. (A part of the surface-level vein has been discovered)
• Minor Objective: Research Mana Glowstone usage.
• Read this report.
• Mined and collected 1 big standard bag worth of Mana Glowstone.

Library Source

Description:
An adventure named Ryzen discovered several glowy stones containing mana inside it. Please find the mineral vein under the riverbed or trace the source of the Mana Glowstone. If you find any useful usage of these minerals, feel free to report it. I will prepare the finest weapon for a non-rank adventurer.

Rewards:

• EXP: 40
• Money: 10G
• Item: One metal weapon of your choosing (Completed the Minor Objective to obtain this reward.)
• Item: A mini portable mana battery. (Filled it with a Mana Glowstone to efficiently absorb the mana containing inside it.)

@gallantkun

Zorion Returned to the guild with a sack of Mana Glowstone

Spoiler: Character: Zorion // Level 4 // Report

Dear Guild Staff

I have gathered these glowing stones from the riverbed of Slimecreek. As I suspected there was a vein of the minerals that reach deeper into the earth and I beleive it reached the underground water way from the mountains of the north. In a previous quest to for moonlight water, I suspected the very force that makes the mineral glows is same thing that gives moonlight water its healing properties.

Incidentally, I observed the quest posted by Adventurer Okarin , who claims that there are friendly slimes. Slimes located near slimecreek. This phenomenon, this pacification of slime may be related to the glow of these glow stones.

I advice the guild to investigate this coincidence and perhaps the research and discovery of the glow may help us pacify the slime horde and avoid futher blood shed. I remain

A humble guildsman
Zorion Orti

Un-appraised Minor gore and minor NSFW I guess.

Spoiler: The journey to Spire Reef

After getting all my equipment I spent one more day in Scribel I was secretly helping remove some of the Crimson coins men from the area that my new gang would be taking over. Well more so I was collecting the skulls of these vicious criminals to show off in Spire Reef to my potential employers I had 2 skulls now on my person that were not made from warp trickery seeing as how the daemon had definitely made those other skulls out of warp stuff. Anyway the first skull was from a crimson coin member who was trying to kill a young woman in the sewers a nasty piece of work he was just trying to flat out skin her alive. Anyway a bolt to the head and than a removal of his head for the start of my collection a pleasurable experience to be sure.

The second one I found was a young woman whom seems to have recently joined the crimson coins I wanted her clothing as she appeared to be about my size and so I waited stalking her until she did something I could kill her for in the sewers luckily enough. She kidnapped a kid from some guys house and took him off to the sewers. The girl began stealing the boys clothes and than made to chop of his fingers. So I put a bolt through her skull good fucking riddance. Than I stole her clothing short top to cover up most of my bodysuit if you aren't looking well it still leaves my arms uncovered though so people will know it's there and so the attached crossbow isn't in the way. Long pants though I'm sure someone will find the bodies of the two in the sewers still and of course the white boots of my suit are still visible.

I secretly left the city during the changing of the shifts and started on my way to Spire Reef. The skulls hanging on my waist. The journey should take about 2 weeks with my fast movement towards Spire Reef and than heavy searching around the surroundings as well as my foraging expeditions in the wilderness.

The first pit stop I make along my journey is at the forest to get some wood so that I can use it as a writing tool fuck using paper that shit is way way way to expensive for my tastes! Anyway in the forest I found a few nice bark pieces and put them in my pouch about 12 pieces of bark where collected all of roughly A4 size big enough to write on comfortably with the dagger. The daemon seems to have returned to it's old habit of saying DOOM every hour annoyingly enough. I'd hoped it wouldn't especially since it seems those of the holy persuasion can hear it. Anyway time to resume my journey

For the most part the days walking to Spire Reef are peaceful the nights on the other hand are an annoyance sleeping in a small hole in the ground is not an exciting prospect but it's better than not and the animals and birds are not something that I am used to listening to but the most annoying thing by far is definitely getting woken up by the damned Daemon. Every day I see some wild creature to hunt and kill though which is a good form of stress relief.
Assertion: Relief of stress due to perfect actions and lack of mental exercises.
Conclusion: The Daemons acting up again..
"Bah stop trying to mess with my head you damned daemon."

Part Prime, Status Report. "MENTAL PURGE ACTIVATED." The daemon seems to have meddled with some of my main's personality parts in it's last activity nothing significantly of note was effected though.

On the 13th day I was basically done with my survey so I decided to taunt a group of bandits into chasing me through the fields and to see if I could kill the lot of them. I did this by stealing the loot that a small group of bandits had stolen from a travelling merchant whom had foolishly decided to come to Spire Reef without any guard and yet with some expensive goods. Fool anyway I stole the golden hat that the merchant had been wearing from the bandits loot pile making sure that one of the bandits noticed. They did of course and began rousing the alarm I dashed off into the wilderness to let them chase me. This hat could go to my soon to be employer I'm sure that he'd like it well he might not it is pretty gaudy after all.

I spent the entirety of the 13th day and night getting the bandits lost in their own backyard before making my entry into Spire Reef the den of scum and villainy on the 14th day.

Spoiler: Spire Reef - getting attention

I'd stashed the hat away before making my way into the city I'd retrieve that when I wanted to make a deal with the Misers.
Assertion: In a port of scum and villainy require the attention of gangsters whom run a large cartel that sprawls over multiple locations.
Conclusion: Reputation is required before entry is allowed.
Assertion: Reputation can come from knowledge or strength.
Conclusion: Knowledge is required on the current situation fast.
I need to get my self acquainted with the local power structure fast here and get my name as an information broker out there of course that will make it harder in the long run to get into the gang as they likely won't need me but I also doubt they need someone whom is super strong.

That night I begin my spy campaign in the local tavern listening to the dingy tales of old men and young and raucous new comers alike. On the edge of my hearing I can sense some kind of conversation going on. The conversation pertains to my targets funnily enough. "Ey boss you heard the Misers just got a new group of reinforcements to deal with the little problem they have. But the dumb-asses aggravated a pirate lord who was here to look for slaves! The entire lot were wiped out. AHAHA a gang thinking they can rival a pirate lord what the hell where the lot of them thinking." The talker continues on in a quieter voice. "But now the pirate lord is pissed at the pirate crews for not keeping the gangs in check and letting them become menaces. Plus he said we need to crack down on the revolting slaves now sadly but we still haven't found where this new group is bloody hiding."
Assertion: Misers just lost a large amount of muscle on accident.
Conclusion: Misers will likely be looking for new members to make this loss up.
Assertion: Finding slaves who are revolting and selling that information will increase my reputation
Conclusion: Find the slaves and sell it to the misers so they can try and get back into the good books of the Pirate Lord.

The first report begins here:
As I leave the pub to go searching a whore drops a note into my bag. I wonder whom that could have been I'll deal with it later. Don't want to act suspicious so early.

The letter I got from the whore seems to be from the guild a spy that they have set up here to keep the very close threats in check more than likely a good cause but I wonder how long she will survive. Anyway it says to meet at the tavern I was just at the tomorrow night at the third stool for the next contact. I'd go and see what they wanted and deal with it then and there but well things likely wouldn't go to smoothly I can bet. The third stool I sat and had a drink which cost me a 1 g but I recouped that loss along the road from someones dropped coin. Anyway the contact just shoved a note into my hand and so I left after I finished my drink to continue with the information collection.

Spoiler: Meeting the agent of the guild

The letter I got on my second night lead me to here a large warehouse I wasn't going to go inside of it that would be weird so I waited outside of it the same whore as on the first night came past me and pulled me into her embrace. I acted as if she was an old friend whom I hadn't seen for a while. The girl explained that this was her "residence". She led me inside. She showed me the secret seal and I wrote up a small report for the eyes of the guild. On the bark that I happened to have with me if I wanted to write any important information down and threw it into the fireplace in the warehouse. First report ends here.

After I left the room a man with a broken nose bumped into me and ordered me to follow him if I wanted to live I of course did. The man stopped me and revealed himself to be an agent of the original contact I'd made in Scribel City in this branch and he'd get my reports to them just drop by the tavern called the old flower and ask for Bentley. I said what I'd done to him leaving out the guild stuff and what not he'd deal with the criminal reports and I gave him a tip on who to blame the murders on he smiled. I went on my own way happy with the arrangements made.

Spoiler: Notes

View attachment 1973 The murdered woman in the sewers just without any of the weapons other than a dagger. She still has the gloves and boots somewhere around her corpse.
View attachment 1974Murdered man in the sewers
Notes: Only the bits enclosed by the First report begins and the first report ends are reported in the secret quest report.

AIEO the silent murderer with a hidden gold hat~ Hidden plans begin.

Spoiler: Budget Tactician

'All I've been seeing lately are snakes, snakes, snakes and more snakes. Big snakes, small snakes, mutated snakes, snakehumans, human snakes, and whatnot. Gotta admit, I'm already starting to get tired of snakes. Like, I admit that snake meat can be a delicacy if prepared well, and their poisons are essential components in medicine, but I've been eating nothing but snake meat for the past few days. But again, it's cheap due to the...abundant source...and beats starving to death.

Anyway, after that mess in the mines, I was dying for some action. So I tagged along with the battalion of dwarves that were rushing out of the city with some large covered cart, and at the same time learnt the route to the slopes. Who knows when this information would come in handy in future?

But before that, a more integral question...

Why did most of them know who I was? Even if they didn't know my name, many of them greeted me as 'that one lass who's been running around'. I didn't even recognise the commanding dwarf when he clapped me on the back and thanked me.

I don't even remember doing anything new besides killing snakes!

But anyway, we reached the Blackpine Slopes and quite literally ran into the enemies. And naturally, the 'giant' in 'giant snakes' lives up to it's namesake. Thing's about as big as a Tunnel Worm and even uglier, if that was possible, with massive fangs and a really toxic attitude. It also sprays clouds of poison as a method of attacking. And there's more than just one of them on the way.

I was expecting some trouble since the snakes were faster than the tunneling worms, but before I could start thinking of countermeasures, the dwarves pelted them with scores of bombs...wait, tar and fire? But that's my method of dealing with heavy crawlers!

Why did the commanding dwarf turn to grin at me? I'm not understanding the inside joke here! And is it just me or does no one feel particularly stressed by the attack? They feel like they're going for a walk along the beach instead! And that poor snake's practically suffocating in the tar! Forget saturating the ground with poison, this place is really going to turn black from all the tar if you keep this up, you know? And that dwarf over there! I know it feels satisfying to watch something big burst into flames, but that poor snake's not been moving since a while ago! You can smell the meat cooking from this distance!

In the end, even though the attack totalled to about twelve or so Bloodbane Vipers...I only got to hit three of them. And those three vipers were already practically dead from burn wounds.

No, no, wait a minute here. I thought this was supposed to be a sudden attack! Where was the feeling of danger? What's with this relaxed atmosphere? Those snakes are dangerous, but why was this so easy?

Why does it feel like the dwarves would've been fine even if I didn't tag along?

No, no, no, it can't be. I'll go help out at the gates tomorrow. Today must have been a fluke. Yep, we got pretty lucky. Things will be more different at the gates, where the snakes are always attacking in hordes.

...Right?'

- Vicious, G. G.

QUEST REPORT: Unappraised

Spoiler: Report

It finally is time for my exam. While others might be worried about this quest, I am not. After all, I do not require food, so the survival part is a breeze for me. And with my transmutation magic, a knife might as well equal any metal tool that isn't too large. So I, begrudgingly, hand in my equipment and start marching to Gem's Ravine.

As I do not take a single break on my way due to minimizing energy consumption by reducing my thought processes, I arrive after 22 hours and 11 minutes instead of the usual 36 hours. However, before entering the ravine, I take a moment of pause and dig myself a deep but small hole. Over the course of my time in the adventurer's guild, I have amassed enough magical energy to expand my core, and as the increase in power it would grant me should ensure my success in the exam, this is a good moment to perform the expansion.

I let my core and equipment drop down into the hole and fill it up with earth while my body, now without a steady supply of magical energy, slowly fades away into nothingness.

Halting thought process
Initiating Core-Expansion-01
Estimated time: 12 hours

...

Unknown Error
Unknown Data Discovered
Pausing Core-Expansion-01
Analyzing Unknown Data
Analyzing...
Analyzing...
Analyzing...
Analysis complete
Data has been named "Cosmic Algorithm"
Cosmic Algorithm has been deemed incomplete
Cosmic Algorithm has been verified as correct
Expanding Philosophy with Cosmic Algorithm
Expansion complete
Resuming Core-Expansion-01

...

Core-Expansion-01 complete
Resuming thought process
33 hours, 29 minutes, and 56 seconds have passed

Well, that was unexpected, but I am enlightened. If the world works like a computer and a single algorithm makes up the entirety of the natural laws, then everything simply is a stream of data continuously being processed by the Cosmic Algorithm. In that line of thought, if I can produce data, I can manipulate reality itself by feeding data to the cosmic algorithm - which equals the supernatural and magic. Now I finally understand - but if only I understood it all. For now, I know nothing but that the Cosmic Algorithm might exist, and that it is how I use magic.

Immediately proving this theory to myself, I use my magical energy to project an infinite string of data, applying transmutation magic to shift the earth around me away from my core while manifesting my body again.

With the expansion of my core complete, I now gather more magical energy and can perform far more calculations than before. To summarize, I have become a greater being. And as a greater being, it would be shameful not to understand human emotions. So I set aside a certain part of my calculative ability and establish a "Human Subroutine", that deals with deliberating humanity and simulates a human personality apart from the "Exal" program. Simulation has begun. Excellent.

Now it is time for me to focus on the E rank exam. I am behind schedule by 21 hours, 31 minutes and 34 seconds. Time to get going. With my newfound understanding of reality, I use my transmutation magic to permanently create a spear out of the knife and a solid stick, which will serve as my weapon for now. Then I proceed into the ravine, my eye continuously scanning the area for enemies.

Suddenly, I spot movement in the shadows. After quickly calculating the speed, weight, and size of the creature I decide to brace for the charge. Planting the end of the spear in the ground, I aim the spear at the wolf that is charging at me. At this point, it's too close to stop and impales itself on my spear, though the impact causes the spear's shaft to break. Not a big problem - I can always repair it.

The wolf howls in pain for a while before finally dying. Excellent. I recover my knife and restore it to its original form. Progressing on foot might be too time-consuming and fraught with dangers. So I turn to the trees. They seem to be solid enough, so I stash the knife in a pocket and climb up a tree before proceeding to jump from tree to tree, avoiding any predators that might be on the ground. But I can already see that I won't be able to keep this up the entire way, as the ravine isn't a particularly forested area.

By traveling over the trees as much as possible, I manage to pass halfway through the ravine within 31 hours and 45 minutes while avoiding any combat. It is at this point, however, that I decide that being so visible to anything in the air is a bad choice from now on, with how more frequent the Kukuu birds are flying around the area.

According to records, the monsters get more regular the deeper one is in the ravine, so it is not unlikely for me to face multiple enemies at once - which might be problematic. After traveling a bit further I spot a stick which would do well for my spear and drop down before immediately transmuting the knife and stick together into a makeshift spear.

Now, once again armed, I prowl onwards at a steady pace while remaining hidden most of the time. The monsters I encounter are far less reckless than the wolf I met at the beginning, usually retreating after getting wounded by me. And the ones that don't flee have no chance against my improved calculative abilities, easily predicting their paths and the exact amount of force they have. The few times that I come across a pack of monsters, I simply use my spear as a tool to easily jump onto a tree before moving onwards through the trees for a bit until they are not chasing me anymore, then instantly dropping back down onto the floor before continuing.

That way, I manage to reach the Bighorn Mountain after an additional 34 hours and 07 minutes. That makes a total traveling time of 65 hours and 52 minutes for the ravine, which means that I have saved 30 hours and 8 minutes compared to the time normal persons take. With this, I am ahead of schedule by exactly 8 hours and 37 minutes.

Now begins the real test. Climbing the mountain is the least of my worries, I am more worried about the monsters as well as the bad footing which, together, could become a real problem to deal with. I suppose the hiking path would be my best shot, though that might leave me open to attacks from the Kukuu birds. However, the steepness of the mountain gives me an idea.

In the next 30 minutes of my time, I look for minerals and hard gems. After gathering quite an amount of them, I stash them in a pocket before finally deciding on a route up the mountain. My choice is essentially a part of the mountain that is like a cliff, with cracks of varying sizes in it. Excellent for hiding in. Once I have restored the knife to its normal form with my transmutation magic, I discard the stick and start climbing up the cliff within a long crack which, conveniently, starts almost at the bottom of the cliff.

The crack proves to be an excellent choice as I remain hidden and protected from the birds flying around the mountain and most common predators in the area. 4 hours and 23 minutes after starting my climb, I hear the faint sound of something moving towards me from deeper within the crack. Without hesitating, I use my transmutation magic to shift the rock around my legs to create a stable hold for my feet while readying my knife in my right hand and forming a simple spike out of rock in my left hand. The sound seems to come closer, though it echoes around from the rock making it impossible for me to calculate the creature's position based on sound alone. So I strain my eyes, solely relying on the sun's light shining into the crack from behind me.

Exactly 17 seconds later, an unknown insectoid creature skitters into the light, its fangs bared at me - who simply thrusts forward the rock spike, badly injuring the creature which keeps crawling towards me. I draw back my left arm and thrust the knife into the insect from below, piercing through a soft spot in its chitin. It grows weak, and I turn my knife upside down, watching the creature slide off my knife and fall down the crack. That's it dealt with. However, I can hear further skittering coming from the crack. Time to leave.

...

Halting simulation of human personality
Calculating optimal route
Proceeding
Sounds are growing more distant
Proceeding
Threat successfully escaped

...

That could have been a pickle, good thing I escaped in a timely fashion. Now, there isn't much distance left before I have to switch cracks. I should take a small rest once I arrive at the end of this one.

Not too long after that, I arrive at the end of the crack. A quick application of transmutation magic creates a comfortable place to rest. 6 hours later I resume my activity and peek out of the crack. Indeed, this still is the crack I entered in - though to be honest, I shouldn't be surprised about that. This confirms my position with the one I estimated while planning the general route. Now, let's resume the climb.

I continue by quickly climbing from one crack to another, remaining out of sight for most of the time as I slowly but surely move towards the top of the cliff. No real problems happen from then on, and the few times a bird takes notice of me, I simply shift the rock around me transmutation magic to keep me safe.

Then I finally arrive at the top of the cliff. With this being quite high up on the mountain, I quickly spot an empty Kukuu nest with a few eggs within. No time to waste. I dash towards the nest and grab an egg at random before dashing towards a slope that leads down the mountain. Once at the slope I make a small pause, taking my time to fuse the gems and minerals with the soles of my boots before picking the egg up again and jumping down the slope, using my reinforced soles to slide down the mountain with a path I calculated before climbing up the mountain.

As I pick up speed I continue to slightly adjust my course, keeping my speed at a manageable but still fast level as I rapidly slide down the mountain, keeping the egg safe within my arms. The slope gradually turns less steep and as I arrive at the foot of the mountain I lose more and more speed before I break into a sprint and dash into the forest, using the trees as cover from the Kukuu birds startled up from my unusual descent.

The way back through the ravine would prove to be rather challenging while carrying an egg, but I simply march back through the river, easily bypassing any dangers of the usual predators and any creature that investigates me in the river is greeted by a thrust with a harpoon, driving them away.

After exactly 2 weeks I finally return to the guild, with the egg intact, and hand in my report.

Spoiler: Cultural Shock

Seriously, yesterday gave me quite the surprise. I didn't even get proper sleep at night thanks to it. As soon as my body told me it was seven, I got out of bed and headed for the gates. The very gates which are under siege from snakes every day.

As the last barrier standing between the city and the hydra's minions, intense battles take place there everyday. I also helped out a couple of shifts here, so I know how gruelling the battles can become. Everyday is a fight for survival, and it's not uncommon to see fatalities in the hundreds after a particularly bad one. Truly a place of great despair.

Right? Right? So...

What's happening here?! It's in the middle of an attack and these guys aren't even phased! They're just calmly taking cover behind the...what are these things that have been mounted on the walls?! They look like fireman hoses and spray out some kind of black liquid...wait, this smell is tar?! They're doing the same thing those guys at the slopes did yesterday! And this machine...a hammer contraption that smacks firebombs flying into the distance? Isn't that basically mimicking me hitting the firebombs with my bat?

The grandpa dwarf over there! Your sinister smile is unbecoming of an old man! And you over there! Why are you looking away from me?!

I was already quite shocked by all the changes, but then something out there exploded. I took a look over the walls and spotted no obvious firebombs going off---until a bunch of snakes crossed what looked like a small hump in the ground, and the whole mound blew up. I could have sworn I heard a beeping sound shortly before dirt and bloody bits of snake hit the floor.

…...

They have MINES?! Since when?! No, don't look at me with huge smiles on your faces! What do you mean, you got that idea from the tar bombs I made? Even for a race with so much points in metallurgy, this is too much! It's not even been a week since the tunnel worm surprise!

Huh, what's that? It was easy to churn these contraptions out once you guys got the hang of it from building the first ones? The sappers figured out the mines after some of them thought that it would be nice to have a bomb that could go off by itself when enemies are near?

Get real! Normal mines are bad enough, but with those it's basically proximity mines! If you put enough of those down you won't even need such high walls! And what's with the home run contraption! Can I sue for copyright infringement?!

In the end, I ended up manning a tar contraption for the remainder of the shift, while the dwarf next to me babbled excitedly for six whole hours about some other ideas they had, and were in the midst of experimenting on. Isn't that supposed to be a secret that you don't just blabber to strangers...you know what, forget it.

I think...I'll just finish this shift, then head back to the inn to get some sleep. Today...has been unusually stressful.'

- Vicious, G. G.

Forgery Awaits. Pt. 2
Quest - Evaluation Needed
​

Spoiler: Quest

> > >

Blacksmith's Apprentice
Sponsor: Smithing Guild Location: Scribel City Required Level: 2
Objectives: Visit the Smithing Guild forges. Bring a load of firewood as payment. Assist the blacksmith with his/her craft. Perform a satisfactory job. The Smithing Guild is looking for dedicated students interested in smithing. Blacksmithing is an intensive process that requires many assistants. Bring a load of firewood, and you will make charcoal and operate the bellows. Over time, we will teach you to swing a hammer and be a blacksmith's striker. If you can't stand the heat — get out! — and stop wasting our time.
Rewards: Points: 75 EXP Money: n/a Other: n/a After completing quest 3 times: Permission to use Smithing Guild forges

> > >

Spoiler: Story

Since Iris isn't back yet there was still firewood in our room, I decided to work again at the forgery. Arriving at the same location as before, I saw the same short stature man with face full of beard, Zagan. As he was stocking up on his inventory of weapon armaments, he takes notice of me.

"Oh? Back already? Must have a lot of free time to be here early."

I nod to confirm his affirmation and placed the firewood along with the similar piles of it.

"Well I'm a bit tired but if you're sticking around with that kind of body, I suppose I'll let you man the hammer."

He handed me a small hammer, I had to instinctively increase my strength just to life it. It was really heavy. Nodding in satisfaction with my strength, he starts heating up the furnace whilst I bellowed some air into it. After a while, the heat started racking and we both dropped sweat like a rain. The steel bucket was filled with iron ingots and soon melted.

As usual Zagan poured the melted iron into a sand casting, only the casting was few this time. We also prepared for the hilts, handles, and pummels.

"Alright, I'll them steady while you hammer down. I'm no idiot to entrust a novice to strike down metal all nilly willy so I'll be guiding you all the way.

With the first sand cast broken, a rough metal sword with no hilt or handle came out of it. As usual, he heated it back up in the furnace till it was glowing orange then placed it on an anvil.

"Alright lad, give it your best shot!"

I swung the hammer down and spark flew from the metal. I repeated to do so whilst Zagan was holding the sword steady and guided me on where to switch on strikes. We repeated this process with same swords as well the rest that are soon to come.

Molding the iron into hilts and pummels were relatively easy since I've had the experience for the first job here, perhaps the handles are to be left for wood craftsman for a better quality.

Now that the blade has taken shape, we both assembled all of them and made a few complete iron swords. As I was about to leave, he pulled my shirt.

"Where do you think you're going? We're not done yet."

I was confused as to what was there more to do. He grabbed the finished sword and went to another room, I followed him into the room. Although it looked life a blacksmith's usual room, the difference was there was an elongated furnace with a long tube filled with liquid nearby it.

"Since you're here, it's time to learn how to temper metal."

He light up the elongated furnace puts one of the sword inside it. Waiting for the moment, once it turns slightly bright orange, he pulls it then completely thrusts it into the liquid filled tube, completely submerging until the hilt. Fire emerged from the tube, after a brief moment he pulls it out and the sword is coated in a black substance. He repeats this process a few times until he was satisfied the finishes it off with grinding the sword to give it a good reflection.

He explains to me reason for doing such thing, like the hardening of the core while allowing the edges of the blade to be flexible. To mind where I am hardening the sword so as to not want to make a brittle sword.

After that explanation, he told me to do the rest by myself. A bit sudden but I have no choice but to oblige. It was simple but rough, the liquid was apparently oil as it was easy to engulf in flames. Zagan was not completely satisfied as some swords were hard on the edges that they can easily chip when used too harshly, but still enough that it can serve its purpose.

I thank him for the chance and head back to the guild to file my report. I really hope Iris is back now.

Spoiler: Quest Report

Greetings to Guild

The production of such iron weapon armaments have goon smoothly at the smithy. Such methods are unknown to me and have vastly given me knowledge on the creation of such. I hope the additional arms will provide aid to its future wielders and find them satisfactory.

At service to you, Lancer Reival

Spoiler

"Friend? Hm. What is a Friend?" [flings her wine glass aside] "A sweet little pile of warmth! But enough talk!" I giggle as I tried to emulate a certain someone.
"I guess Constance, Rosa and Albert could be considered my friends. Hm, Luna and Solet too. Maybe. I hope." I say to my dolls as I pick up my the glass.
"Rosa does give me free wine so she definitely is counts."
"Constance also gave me a nicer room, so she does too."
"Albert does specially cook some bone chips just for me so he should definitely count."
"As for Luna and Solet, well I have been talking with them for a while now so they count? Dunno."

Forgery Awaits. Pt. 3
Quest - Evaluation Needed
​

Spoiler: Quest

> > >

Blacksmith's Apprentice
Sponsor: Smithing Guild Location: Scribel City Required Level: 2
Objectives: Visit the Smithing Guild forges. Bring a load of firewood as payment. Assist the blacksmith with his/her craft. Perform a satisfactory job. The Smithing Guild is looking for dedicated students interested in smithing. Blacksmithing is an intensive process that requires many assistants. Bring a load of firewood, and you will make charcoal and operate the bellows. Over time, we will teach you to swing a hammer and be a blacksmith's striker. If you can't stand the heat — get out! — and stop wasting our time.
Rewards: Points: 75 EXP Money: n/a Other: n/a After completing quest 3 times: Permission to use Smithing Guild forges

> > >

Spoiler: Story

I arrived at my room in the Tavern and to my surprise, Iris is still not home yet although it seems she stopped by to leave more firewood and left again. I wonder where she is, night is gonna come soon and hope she doesn't stay late. I took a late lunch, grabbed the firewood and went back to the smithy.

Arriving, the usual Zagan immediately noticing me.

"Lad.... this is the third time in the same day already. Get some rest."

"Nay, this a task I must complete as swift as it allows me to do so."

Dissatisfied with my answer, he only shrugs and mentions me to come inside. I follow him and notice that the stations were mostly empty. As night was at a moments notice, it seems everyone left for home.

"There's no work to be done anymore, instead you will forge your own here. I know how the guild quest works, so consider making your first forge as the job and a gift from what you learned. You're free to use the iron stuff and firewood but the rest are off limits unless you bought them."

I couldn't say much due to my shock, I could only express my thanks to him.

"Now, let's get started. You're gonna have to forge it on your own as I'll only help with the processing."

I nod in consent with his offer and immediately start the furnace, immediately the heat gushes out to my face as I squint my eyes instinctively. I filled two steel buckets then melted them. Meanwhile I prepared two sand castings with one longer than the other. Zagan was curious about it but I paid it no mind. Once the iron melted, I poured them into the castings. While I was waiting for the blades to cool, I prepared the rest of the sword components.

Finally the blades cooled and that's where I started with the first long one. Heated up with a bright orange, I hammered it down onto the anvil whilst Zagan held it in place. I repeated the heat and strike process with both blades until I was satisfied. One could hear the sound of metal clanking reverberate in the empty smithy.

Satisfied with the blades and the molded components, I moved the blades to the room with elongated furnace. Starting off with the long one, I heated it up briefly and quench the whole blade into the tubed oil. Fire erupted out of the tube but I Ignored it. Pulling it out had the blade covered in a black color. Focusing the fire in the elongated furnace, I only heated up the center stem of the blade, careful as to not heat up the edges. Waiting for the long blade to cool off, I did the same with the normal one.

Once both finally cooled off, it was time to grind and sharpen. Grinding off the black substance from the blade then sharpening it. I repeated the process until both gave a glimmering appearance that reflected my face. Satisfied with it I assembled them both and had finally finished the two weapons. An iron longsword and a normal iron sword.

"That's good work. Too good for a novice if must say."

"Such compliment is only deserving from someone of a caliber such as you."

"Gahahahaha! Us dwarves are only natural with this. Gahahahaha!"

Ah... so his race is called a dwarf huh.

"Well, with you finishing your forge then consider this a job well done."

I thank him for him teachings and left for the guild to file my report. I head to my room in the tavern hoping to see Iris. I hope she's back and alright.

It was already night time when everything was finished.

Spoiler: Quest Report

Greetings to you Guild

The situation at the smithy was quite barren. Although the smith had no work to offer and instead offered an alternative of forging my own armament for the work I had done there as my reward and final task.

At service to you, Lancer Reival