Setting Out
The next morning, Roy was standing at the mouth of the cave, looking out into the forest and scanning the surroundings.
"Seems like whatever happened yesterday has calmed down now. I think it'll be okay to head out, but first I need to talk to all of you." Roy looked back at the kobolds that he had become good friends with through the past week or so.
"Now that I completed my Mana Heart, it's time for me to move on. I'll continue heading up the river and continue getting stronger. My question to you all is, what do you plan to do?" Roy had a deep look in his eyes as he gazed at each of the kobolds around him.
Solus obviously walked up and stood next to him, not wanting to leave his side. She gave Roy a determined nod, before getting a pat on the head.
Soon after Solus, Terren followed behind and stood in front of Roy, looking like she wanted to say something to him.
"Whatever it is, say it. It's better to get it out than to hold it in..." Roy gave a piece of advice as he patiently waited for her to build her courage.
"I... I know how dangerous the path you are planning to walk is, and that there is a high chance we could die somewhere down the road. But the thing is, I want to get stronger, I don't ever want to be in another situation like the one I was in before. So please! Please, take me with you!" Terren yelled out the last couple words as she squeezed her fists and shut her eyes.
"Buhihi! With a resolve like that, how could I say no?" Roy pat her shoulder and gave her a thumbs up. Terren, understanding the gesture, smiled and walked behind him to join him. She then left the prior party, before joining Roy's.
After a few more minutes, it seemed like none of the other kobolds wanted to join them. It saddened Roy to have to separate from his new friends, but he knew that bringing those without a resolve to grow would only be detrimental.
"I'm going to miss you guys!" Roy said, teary eyed as he hugged each of them individually.
"I'll leave all of the things I've made here for you, so make sure you stay safe and watch out for goblins. If they ever come back, you at least know how to defend yourselves now!" Roy gave them all one last smile, before turning his back, and wiping the tears from his face.
Terren then walked over to Asandra and gave her a big hug. "Please stay safe, Terren." Asandra grabbed her back and the back of her head, embracing Terren with tears in her eyes.
"I know your parents would be so proud of you!" Asandra released her, wiping the tears from Terren's eyes and her own. "I too, am incredibly proud of you. Get stronger, and come back to see us!"
"I will!" Terren said with a firm resolution as she tightened her clenched fist.
"We love you too Terren!" "You can do it!" "Get so powerful you could crush a goblin with your pinky!" The kobolds all took turns giving words of encouragement as Terren turned to grab her stuff, once again teary eyed.
...
Collecting their gear, the group of four finally left the safety of the cave and into the bright morning light.
Roy covered his eyes from the bright flash of the sun, as he decided to head straight to the river.
"Let's head down to the river first. I need to make us water containers, and some other supplies since we left them for the others." Roy glanced behind him to his party as he said his plans.
"Okay!" Solus said as she trotted forward, while Terren nodded her head and followed behind.
Taking this chance as they walked down to the river, Roy glanced at Solus and Terren's stats.
Status
Name(s): Solus
Species: Infant Kobold Lv. 14/20
EXP: (33/140)
Job(s): [Student Lv 14/100]
EXP: (75/140)
{Available Jobs}
[Apprentice Assassin]
Stats:
HP: 75.0
Str: 75
Agi: 75
Int: 20
MP: 10.5
Tier:
Tier 0 (Mana Core forming)
Achievement(s):
[Mana Heart Killer (Tier 0)]
Skill(s):
Passive-
[Apprentice Assassination Lv. 3] [Gauntlet Arts Lv. 3]
Active-
[Scratch Lv. 5] [Mana Manipulation Lv. 1]
Language Level: Monoglot
{Known Languages}
[English 66%] [Koboldese 36%]
'Seems Solus put off her [Gauntlet Arts] practice in order to practice her language skills. I'll have to pester her on that later...' Roy looked at her stats and also noticed something new.
"Solus, you started forming your Mana Core?!" Roy yelled out in shock. Solus shot her eyes back, seemingly angry, as she stared at Roy.
"It was supp-ose-d to be a sup-rise!" Solus complained to Roy for spoiling the surprise, as he looked at her apologetically. "S-sorry about that... I was just checking up on you..."
"Hmph!" Solus turned around and increased her walking pace as she was still a little angry.
"Ruahaha! Seems like it won't be a boring journey with you two around!" Terren, watching the whole exchange, couldn't understand most of the words, but she was still enjoying the scene itself.
*Grumble*
"Roy complained under his breath as he also increased his pace to match his sister, making sure to take a peak at Terren's status plate as he did.
Status
Name(s): Terren
Species: Kobold Lv. 8/20
EXP: (27/80)
Job(s): none
{Available Jobs}
[Student] [Apprentice Hunter]
Stats:
HP: 40.0
Str: 40
Agi: 40
Int: 5
MP: 2.5
Achievement(s):
[Strong Will]
Skill(s):
Passive-
[Apprentice Hunting Lv. 4] [Mental Fortitude Lv. 4] [Gauntlet Arts Lv. 2]
Active-
[Scratch Lv. 4]
Language Level: Monoglot
{Known Languages}
[Koboldese 96%] [English 12%]
Seeing her status, Roy suddenly stopped.
"Roy? Why did you stop all of a sudden?" Terren looked at him confused.
'System, how is [Strong Will] achieved?'
{Info}
[Strong Will] Achievement
Be faced with adversity that should break someone and come out stronger.
Effect:
Doubles effectiveness of Mental Fortitude.
"...Helloooo Rooooyyyy!" Terren was trying to get his attention still, but Roy was reading the info on the achievement.
"Terren, you should take [Student] as your first job, it can level up through studying, and it increases intelligence." Roy continued walking after saying his piece. Not once did he turn to look at her face, wanting to avoid showing his teary eyes.