A days ups and downs

Making ready to wake up the knocked out bandit as the carriage finally had arrived, Jay knew what he had to ask first.

The most pressing matter for him and Sybill was how many more bandits lay in wait for them.

Glad he had left the hulking man alive and only used lightning to have him pass out, the two of them learned that only a few more bandits occupied the Farm at that moment.

Even the talks about reinforcements arriving to capture the north didn't really shake the two of them as their most pressing matter right then was how to get the Saldemas to Sentinel safe.

That was easier said than done as the Carriage had taken the full brunt of the first attack and was back to the miserable state Jay saw it in at first.

With this their progression speed got slowed down severely and they had to not only watch for attacks, but also mind the road to not completely break down their transport.

Asking Sybill to climb on the carriage first, Jay grabbed the bandit's shoulder and thanked him.

The female archer suddenly turned around, but not to Jay thanking the bandit but the smell of burnt flesh that had spread forth. Looking for the source of that smell, her eyes fell on Jay who still held the bandit by his shoulder.

Better said her eyes fell on the bandit who had changed color to a slightly black tone as Jay had accidentally activated lightning on his palm at full throttle and grilled the poor bandit from the inside, turning him in experience points and a human shaped piece of charcoal.

Shaking her head she turned away and told Patric and Sally Saldema to get the carriage rolling.

Ignoring the slow carriage, Jay checked the remaining bandits or their leftovers and plundered whatever of worth they had. He had gotten accustomed to this procedure and the maximum capacity of his inventory had yet to be found out.

A few minutes later he rushed after the carriage and jumped on it the moment he got in reach.

While he sat down on the free left bench on the loading area, Sybill mustered him from the right one.

"Thanks for waiting..." J.

"...What took you so long?" S.

"Just some clean up." J.

"You're welcome to me helping by the way..." S.

"Now that you're saying it... thanks', but if you leave your post and endanger our escort client again, I'll cancel our contract.

I stated it before, but will repeat it one last time: everyone takes his own post and won't interfere with the other's fight." J.

"I guess I messed up with this one. But I thought you were in trouble..." S.

"Do you by now still think I was in trouble?" J.

"...No." S.

"A little more trust in your party member would do you good.

I don't know what happened to you, but without the least bit of confidence in you companion, you'll never get to high level..." J.

"Again, sorry. Now stop your blabbering like you know about high level Adventurers and concentrate on the job yourself..." S.

"You think so?" J.

"Even though you really are strong, way beyond what your level should facilitate, that doesn't mean anything to someone double or even triple your level...

We'll see if you deserve the hero skill!" S.

"So you noticed?" J.

"Hmpf... how could I not? My advise is to not show it off though..." S.

"Yeah, I'll remember that one." J.

With their small talk coming to an end, The carriage finally arrived at the crossroad towards Sentinel and Eldrin. Turning to the right and in the direction towards Sentinel, Farmer Saldema didn't even stop the carriage once.

Some way after they had their encounter with the bandits, the road finally got better and sped up their travel by a good margin.

But the slight slope up a hill the road was following reduced the speed again. Jay already thought about riding on his horse to lessen the weight and speed up again, but they got to the peak a few minutes later when he had still not decided what to do.

Only then did the carriage halt and the view over a good portion of the region got on full display.

The slight hills all over the place where not as high as the one they were on and all they could see was a wide sea of fields and meadows in between. At many places along the road to both sides ran small and old fences, at least on the meadows where seemingly cattle used to live.

The sparse trees and undergrowth here and there was all that hindered the sight, if at all.

This way the fields of Farmer Saldema were visible even from there.

And it was there where all four pairs of eyes were pinned onto.

Strange constructs were moving on the fields and as much as Jay strained his eyes, the distance was too great to get any details. But he could at least inspect the closest one pretty well.

It looked like a moving scarecrow, but massively oversized. The long claws on one hand and a rake like construction on the other, fitted well to the name of the monstrosity.

They were called Harvester and the system calculated them to be of level 15 and above.

As he was still out of reach for analyze to work, even though the carriage started moving again, Jay was pondering if he should move out to get closer to one of the machines. Suddenly his thoughts were interrupted by Patric who had turned around.

"Think the day's comin' to end. No way ta get near Sentinel today. Should we stop on the roadside and camp for the night?" P.S.

"You're right with stopping for the night. But we should leave the road..." J.

"And where do you suggest we should go? Back to the crossroad?" S.

"Ain't there a place close by where we can stay? I think I saw a farm to the east on the map?" J.

"Yes, but it was burned down after my husband defended our farm..." S.S.

"Then it's perfect to hide there as the bandits should have given up on that one!" J.

"In that case, it's pretty close by. Not an hour even on 'dis shabby cart." P.S.

"It's decided then, you lead the way and we'll watch out.

I'll take my horse to lessen the burden on the carriage." J.

"Then I'll walk as well..." S.

"No, you stay close to them. One with high mobility should be enough but we can't leave them unprotected again. Okay?" J.

"Okay..." S.

After they talked it through, the small entourage traveled down the hill and through the fields.

The whole scenery with the fields dipped in orange light of the setting sun and the wide and quiet fields felt so peaceful, it became hard to focus on watching for threats to Jay. He wasn't used to this kind of work and soon learned how taxing it was.

To Jay's luck it didn't take long for them to leave the main road and travel along a smaller path.

It was wide enough for the carriage and in no bad shape, so their speed didn't drop much again. After twenty minutes a wide black spot came into view and soon was to distinguish as the remnants of a pretty big farm.

Arriving on the yard where the burned smell still lingered in the air, Jay saw that only the main building got burned down to the ground. While even the fields surrounding the farm got burned down, a small stable in the back was left nearly untouched.

Thinking about it, it was only logical as the bandit group was abducting people to enslave them and collecting valuables from the farms. Leaving the inhabitants a retreat, it made fetching them and their valuables more easy. The problem was that Jay hadn't thought about the bandits having the ability to plan such a thing...

Either way, it was their luck the bandits left something intact.

Just as they dismounted on the Yard, the last rays of sun illuminated the surrounding, so they made their way into the stable.

While Farmer Saldema guided his bull like monster into one of the boxes in the stable, Jay and Sybill pushed and pulled the carriage into the small building as well.

After closing the wide door of the still slightly charred stable, they lit some torches that were on the carriage. Lighting them outside might have gotten them more attention than they needed, so they listened to what Sybill hinted and went inside first.

While Sally Saldema used what food was left to set up a sparse meal, Patric and Sybill searched the whole stable for something suitable to fix the heavily damaged carriage. At the same time, Jay went outside to search through the burned ruins. He had by far the best eyesight and with the last speck of light he had a chance to find something.

At least that was what he told the others to not reveal his ability to see in the dark.

Activating [Night Vision] and rummaging through the pile of leftovers, he found some bearings and nails that once held together something in the house, as well as a small metal chest and a golden pendant. Nothing else was left of the farm and its inhabitants.

Back in the stable, Jay and Farmer Saldema used the tools they found in the stable together with some planks and the bearings to repair the carriage as good as possible.

Thanks to his knowledge from his previous life, though he had no idea how he got it, Jay was able to support the weak points of the carriage and strengthen it over all.

With this it was at least way more durable than it was after the first repair.

Even for the lost cover they found a replacement. Sybill had kept looking around for something of use and found a large piece of fabric they used as a new canopy.

After eating some watery carrot soup and dried bread, the farmer and his wife laid down on the carriage with some hay as cushion. Some minutes later Sybill walked over to Jay from the place in one corner of the stable where she had set up her sleeping place.

"So, what's your plan for guard duty?" S.

"I thought about taking the first shift and you take the second half. As it's completely dark outside, I am more suited to it and you'll have the rising sun in your back at early morning. You okay with that?" J.

"Yeah, thank you..." S.

"What for?" J.

"You're about the first male Adventurer that regards me as equal. Back at fighting as well as now with the night watch..." S.

"Well... we are Adventurers and take the same job, so why would I not?

Anyway, rest well. I'll come back in three hours at most to switch with you. Good night." J.

"Yeah, stay safe!" S.

After their short exchange, Jay left the building and made one big round over the farm's yard and along the adjoining fields. It looked like there really was no threat in this area.

Not even some wild beasts.

Climbing onto the stable and sitting down, Jay activated his [Night Vision] and checked the surroundings again.

Deciding there was no threat, he opened his systems menu and checked his status again. This time he could at least check on the skills he ignored until now and understand the abilities he got.

***

Skills (shown):

[Mana Control LVL 5]

-manage the mana output of spells, allowing to charge then up

[Spell Weaving LVL1]

-reshape spells spending additional mana

(Spell Fusion LVL 1)

-combine up to 2 Spells

[Fire magic LVL 4]

-fire spells cost 25% less mana

(Fireball LVL 4)

-cast a Fireball dealing high damage

has a chance to inflame the target

(Firewall LVL 2)

-cast a Wall of Fire burning what ever touches it

(Scorch LVL 1)

fast cast spell dealing direct damage in a wave

(Meteor LVL 1)

-fused Magic of earth and fire, creating a burning rock that explodes on impact

[Arcane Magic LVL 4]

-arcane spells deal 25% more damage

(Arcane Missiles LVL 2)

-homing projectile of pure magic energy

(Mana Shield LVL 2)

-accelerates the distribution and acquisition

of Mana

(Arcane Blast LVL 1)

-deal high damage to close enemies and push them back

Skills (Hidden):

Basic:

(Common)

-enables to talk, read and write Common

(Thalassian)

-enables to talk, read and write high Elvish

(Gnomish)

-enables to talk, read and write Gnomen dialect

[Night vision]

-enables colorless vision in total darkness

[Camping LVL 1]

-Rest outside well

[Hunting LVL 2]

-enhances damage against animals by 40%

(Tracking LVL 2)

-allows to easily track targets lower than your Level

Lumbering [LVL 2]

-proficiency with Axes risen: Damage +20%

[Cooking LVL 4]

-cooking speed and taste +20% for learned recipes +40%

[Service LVL 3]

-enables and lightens the burden of service related work

[Trickery LVL 4]

-notice and figure out trickery up to your skill level +1

(Pickpocket LVL 1)

-pickpocket targets up to your base level

(Lock-picking LVL 3)

-open locks up to good grade

[Night skills LVL 6]

-enhances pleasure given by 90%

(All night long LVL3)

-you can go on 3 Times without pause after 1st Climax

(Sexual Stamina LVL 3)

-enhances the sexual stamina by 100%

(Lubed)

-secret slimy fluids on genitals to erase friction

(Horny LVL 1)

-ready for nightly activities anytime once a day

(Contraception)

-reduced fertility – ON

(forced erection)

-forced blood supply to genitals, may cause pain and harm

[Haggling LVL 3]

-enhances success-rate when negotiating a deal

(Overcharge LVL 2)

-sell anything for 10% more

(Discount LVL 1)

-get a discount of 5% on each purchase

[Persuasion LVL 2]

-higher chance to convince others of your ideas

[Alcohol tolerance LVL2]

-Alcohol has 20% less effect

[Cultivation]

-gain EXP by intercourse

[Hide LVL2+1]

-Hide your presence and make you nearly impossible to distinguish

[Stalking LVL 1]

-mark a target to perceive and find it as long as within sight

[Poison LVL 2]

-high chance to apply and resist poison, grants basic knowledge of poisons

Physical:

[Pain tolerance LVL 3]

-ignore pain to a certain degree

[Martial Arts LVL 4]

-enhanced knowledge about hand to hand fighting

(Kicking LVL 4)

-teaches a variety of kicks and enhance them by 40%

(Punching LVL 3)

-teaches a variety of punches and enhance them by 30%

(Grappling LVL 2)

-teaches a variety of grapples and enhance them by 20%

[Staves LVL 3]

-enhances the damage done with staves by 60% and magic attacks while wielding one by 9%

[Sword LVL 2]

-rises proficiency and enhances the damage done with one handed swords by 40%

(Slash LVL 2)

-energy enhanced cutting attack dealing massive damage

[Two-handed Axe LvL 2]

-rises proficiency and enhances the damage done with two handed axes by 40%

(Cleave LVL 1)

-energy enhanced attack cutting multiple close targets

[Dagger LvL 4]

-rises proficiency and enhances the damage done with daggers and short-swords by 80%

(Stab LVL 3)

-energy enhanced piercing attack dealing massive internal damage

(Piercing LVL 2)

-ignore 20% armor and 10% defense of target when using piercing attacks

[Hidden Weapons LVL 3]

-rises proficiency and enhances the damage done with any hidden weapon by 60%

[Bow LVL 3]

-rises proficiency and enhances the damage done with bows by 60%

(Aimed Shot LVL 2)

-charging attack dealing massive ranged damage

(Double-strafe LVL 1)

-two arrows shot as one, making one impossible to block

[Shooting LVL 2]

-rises proficiency and enhances the damage done with any barrel-weapon by 40%

[Thrown LVL 2]

-rises proficiency and enhances the damage done with throwing-weapons by 40%

(Throwing LVL 3)

-energy enhanced throwing boosts range and damage 3-fold

[Sniping LVL 2]

-boost accuracy and reach of ranged weapons by 20%

[One-handed Mace LVL 2]

-rises proficiency and enhances the damage done with one handed blunt weapons by 40%

(Crushing Blow LVL 1)

-energy enhanced attack enhancing the weight of a blow by 20%

[Shield LVL 1]

-rises proficiency and absorbed damage with shields by 20%

(Shield Bash LVL 1)

-energy enhanced bash dealing damage and knocking target back

[Wand LVL 5]

-enhances the magic attacks while wielding a wand by 25%

[Parcours LVL 1]

-enables to cross obstacles more efficiently

Magic:

[Reflect Magic]

-reflects all magic at the cost of 10% of that magic

[Chant shortening LVL 6]

-shortens a chant by 60%

[Silent cast LVL 3]

-enables to cast without chanting loud up to

LVL 4

[Mana Manipulation LVL 2]

-allows distribution and control of mana inside and outside of the body

[Wield Magic LVL 2]

-enables to infuse elemental magic on weapons or one self

(Wield Element: Fire LVL1)

-gives the fire attributes to a Weapon

(Wield Element: Air LVL1)

-gives the air/ lightning attributes to a Weapon

(Magic Strengthening LVL1)

-instant cast that boosts strength and agility by 10%.

[Air magic LVL 2]

-air spells get cast 18% faster

(Lightning Strike LVL 1)

-charge lightning on a target dealing consecutive damage

has a chance to electrocute the target

(Chain Lightning LVL 1)

-cast lightning on a target and jump on dealing lessening damage

has a chance to electrocute the targets

(Lightning Fist)

-Martial Arts enhanced punch that has cast lightning

enormous piercing power after blunt contact

[Earth magic LVL 3]

-Earth spells weight enhanced by 60%

(Stone Shards LVL 3)

-hurl stone pebbles towards a target with high speed

the number and size changes with control over this earth magic

(Earth Wall LVL 1)

-call forth a wall of earth blocking attacks, shape depends on level

[Light Magic LVL 6]

-Healing spells enhanced by 60%

(Heal LVL 4)

-accelerates the healing of a target by 200%

(Instant Heal LVL 3)

-heal a target visibly for high Mana consumption

(Light Barrier LVL 3)

-barrier of light blocking 15% of elemental attacks and 30% shadow attacks

(Great Heal LVL 3)

-instantly heals the most severe wounds

(Revitalize LVL 1)

-recovers health and stamina while cast channels

(Renew LVL 1)

-replenish health over a short amount of time

[Summoning Magic LvL3]

-enables summoning spells for spirits up to level 3

(Summon weapon: Earthen Hammer LVL 1)

-summon a poor hammer made of stone

(Summon Spirit: Water Spirit LVL 2)

-contract pending for water spirit of level 2 to summon

[Conjuration lvl.2]

-enables conjuration spells for one demon at a time

(Summon Imp)

-use a soul stone to summon and try to bind a imp

(Summon Void)

-use 3 soul stones to summon and try to bind a void

[Shadow magic LVL 4]

-enhance damage and reduce mana requirement for shadow spells by 16%

(Shadow Bolt LVL 3)

-hurl a shadowbolt towards a target devouring energy

(Soul drain LVL 1)

-drain the souls energy of a mortal creature, gain a soul stone if the target dies during cast

[Mind Magic LVL 1]

-enables to use and resist mind magic of level 1

(Oblivion)

-erase the casters deeds from the targets memories, physical contact required.

The time-span depends on duration and mana

[Space Magic LVL 1]

-enables to register 2 portal- and

transfer-locations

(Portal: Gold Creek)

-create a portal to: Gold Creek plaza, closes after caster passes through.

[Barrier Magic LVL 3]

-barriers duration enhanced by 60%

(Negating Barrier LVL 2)

-barrier that reduces 20% of all damage and 40 % of weak attacks

(Physical Reflection Barrier LVL 1)

-barrier that reflects 5% of all damage and weak attacks completely

(Counter Magic Barrier LVL 2)

-barrier that reflects 10% of all magic attacks and blocks any spell below level 2

Special:

[Battle Intuition]

-chance to land a critical hit +20%

[Battle hardened]

-additional ([Base LvL]*100) HP

[Analyze LVL 2]

-The number of information shown depends on the skills level

[Multijob LVL 2]

-set two second jobs

[Hero]

-Experience gained doubled (incl. Party members)

All Stats +10%

[?ia???las Blessing]

-rep?a??d ?kin??i? may ?a?? ??? co??any ??ore y?u

[Champion]

-Experience necessary halved for the Champion.

All Stats +20%

[Enhanced Magic Resistance]

-doubles all magic resistances

[Hide Abilities]

-enables to hide set Skills and Abilities from any inspection

[Danger Sense]

-highly enhanced awareness to lethal threats

***

That list was getting so long that Jay started to wish for a possibility to shorten it without missing some skills. At least it was shorter if the abilities coming with the skills weren't shown.

Having watched his surroundings in between checking the skills all the way down from [Alcohol tolerance], his shift was already ending without issue.

Not that he had wished for disturbances out of boredom...