Chapter 2
Chapter 2
Chop Chop Chop Chop
As the sound of my stone axe, splitting the woods apart, cutting them by halves and by halves
Thunk
Pheww~
I sigh as I pierce the stone axe to the chopped tree that I am using to chop woods. I then stood up and sweep the sweat in my forehead, while using the clothe that I place in my shoulder to wipe my wet face and neck.
"Hey!"
As someone then called me, I then looked back and saw my partner here, Lucrane, the [Tower Manager] of the tower called [Havre de sécurité].
"After you are done there, help me out here! Then we can have our lunch!"
"Got it!"
As I replied.
Its been 5 days since the time I got summoned. Back to my world called earth, I was transported in this new world that Lucrane called as [The World of Turrets], a world with never ending tower. For 5 days of tedious and exhausting job here inside the tower, I was able to gain 2,328 exp which leads me to jumping from Lv 3 to Lv 10 with a remaining balance of 494 exp, and to reach Lv 11 I just need an additional 2, 206 exp.
×>} |WHERE VINCE GOT HIS EXP| {<×
[BOTH LUCRANE AND VINCE]
[this is only for 6 days prior to Vince joining : including today]
(24 (hours) - 7 (hours of sleep) - 1 (hour of meal: breakfast, lunch, and dinner)
7 exp - - - > 1 tree for 6 hours (Novice: Vince) - - - > 3 days (7 x 3) x 3)= 63 exp
7 exp - - - > 1 tree for 4 hours (Vince) - - - > 1 day (7 x 2) x 1) = 14 exp
7 exp - - - > 1 tree for 1 hour (Lucrane) - - - - > 3 days (7 x 16) x 3) = 336 exp
5 exp - - - > 10 fishes for 10 hours (Novice: Vince) - - - > 3 days (5 x 1) x 3) = 15 exp
5 exp - - - > 10 fishes for 4 hours (Vince) - - - > 1 day (5 x 4) =p 20 exp
5 exp - - - > 10 fishes for 2 hours (Lucrane) - - - > 3 days (5 x 8) x 3) = 120 exp
5 exp - - - > 1 lane of crop (7) for 4 hours - - - > 5 days (5 x 7) x 6) x 5) = 1,050 exp
(Just a reminder that you don't need to tend the crops every 4 hours, you just need to properly take care of them and wait for 4 hours everyday to let it regenerate 5 xp)
7 exp - - - > 1 piled fire wood (30) for 4 hours (Vince) - - - > 6 days (1 day each only) (7 x 30) x 5) = 1,050 exp
7 exp - - - > 1 piled fire wood (60) for 4 hours (Lucrane) - - - > 6 days (7 x 60) x 6) = 2,520 exp
Total = 5, 188 exp for 6 days
(5, 188 ÷ 2 = 2, 594 exp each)
Balance: 100 exp (from the last level up)
×>} |XXXXXXXXXXX| {<×
After I have run away and successfully able to survive against that {Centopod}, I was able to reach some great height, and was glad that I am living a good life here, I mean, for now actually
"All well ends well anyway"
I was quite thankful, to be precise truly grateful that I don't need to do all those chores myself just to gain such amounts, and not just any amount of course, as me and Lucrane could just divide those chores among ourselves and we still gain the same amount of exp, so it was quite frankly speaking, so hard but easy
Chunk
Hup
I then grabbed the axe back and started chopping again.
[Name: Vince Stubborn] [Sub Manager]
[Status: Tired]
[Level: 10]
[Exp: 394/ 2, 700]
[Skills]
<>[None]
[Class]
<>[None]
[Race: Human: Foreing Lost Soul]<
[Tiredness could lead to fatigue. It's advisable to rest a bit]
:+{LEVELS}+:
Lv 0 - Lv 1 = 300
Lv 1 - Lv 10 = 200 gap level (Lv 1: 300 - Lv 2: 500 = 200)
Lv 11 - Lv 20 = 400 gap level ( Lv 10: 2, 300 - Lv 11: 2, 700 = 400)
Lv 21 - Lv 30 = 600 gap level (Lv 20: 4, 300 - Lv 21: 4, 900 = 600)
:+{×××××××××}+:
After I have finished my work at chopping some small trees - as I was still quite not that good to be label as a lumberjack, so I only cut small trees for now. Back at those 4 days of chopping trees, it took me a complete 6 hours just to cut 1 small tree, but nevertheless I didn't give up and continuously did my labor and for the next day after, I was able to chop 1 tree for 4 hours, 2 hours early than the last 4 days.
As for fishing, I wasn't really that good, but thanks to Lucrane, I was able to learn a thing or two about how to catch which really tricky, and truly needed a long patience and effort to catch one, so I truly apologize to those fishermen and to those who took the hobby of fishing, saying its nothing but sitting and just waiting, I'm truly sorry. So for 3 days straight, I only caught 10 fishes for exactly 10 hours, 1 fish for 1 damn hour, but atleats the next day I was able to minimize it by 4 hours. And as for our crop, we added 2 more lanes, 2 lanes of additional carrot crops as Lucrane told me that among the crops she was growing, only carrots fetch a high prince when being sold to that {Goblin} merchant, which will happen this afternoon at the front of our camp base, so we really need to double our time in this laborious work.
This rare species of {Goblin} only appear every 10 days in 2 months every 5 years, which gives us only 6 times of trading and shopping into this guy, which is why Lucrane is so strict and thoroughly to her work
After I have completed my tasked of chopping some woods and piled them up, I then went towards where Lucrane was and help her out in harvesting out now grown crops. One of the amazing things I learned about he tower features is that, rather than waiting for 2 months and a half (80 days) just for a lane of carrots to grow, here in this tower, if you planted this crops, it will take only 3 days for it to grow, and every lane of this crop was planted with 20 seedlings. Lucrane and I was planning on expanding out farmland after we have brought more materials for planting.
Our farmland is located just south west of our camp, a few meters of walking. It has a small running river beside its left.
As I got there holding the axe with my right hand, which was healed by Lucrane using one of those fantasy type potions, couple with a little bit of stitching of my wooden prosthetic arm, now I have my cut right arm back. And as I got there, I then saw Lucrane just a bit further in the right side, harvesting some of the potatoes and carrots that we planted 2 days ago. And when she noticed me, I then waved her back. I then placed the axe next to a tree before I headed towards he direction.
"You take care of the cabbage and other carrots!"
I then give her the okay sign and went towards the left side of the crops and started. In harvesting the cabbage - thanks to both of my grandparents who have a mini garden at the back of our house - is to carefully affirm if the cabbage is firm and ready to be harvest, then cut the lowest part of the plant, the stem or stalk. After cutting and detaching the gabbage from the rest - the cabbage head if you refer it to - you will then start removing some of its outer leaves, those that are quite damage and will make the gabbage not good to look at, after that you just need to repeat those step until you get everything done. Thanks to this knowledge I have, we were able to get some freshly and pretty good harvested cabbage than what the ignorant haughty Lucrane have.
As for the potatoes it was pretty much easier than the cabbage, you just need to plow the fields where you planted the potatoes and start digging. Take out the potatoes out and done, you don't need to clean it after you dug it out as it will make the potato crop last longer, but thanks to the tower, we don't need to worry about spoils and rots for our crops
"It will last for 2 weeks before it spoil, as for the meat it will last for 1 month"
Is what she told me. After a tedious 2 hours of harvesting, we then finished out task for today's morning job
"Good work"
Wack
She said as she then greeted me with a slap on my left shoulder
'Why do women do this anyway?'
Thinking of such, a sudden ringing voice then voice out inside my head which a panel - that I only the owner could see- then pops up in front of me
[You have gain 35 exp]
[You have received a skill]
I then went towards my [Status Screen] which will appear if you tap your left chest, and checked my status
Name: Vince Stubborn] [Sub Manager]
[Status: Tired]
[Level: 10]
[Exp: 429/ 2, 700]
[Skills]
<>[Sword Slash]
<×> A sword skill where you can cut your enemy with one sweep. Slashing their neck and body apart in one swing. [Mastery: 0/100]
[Class]
<>[None]
[Race: Human: Foreing Lost Soul]<
[Tiredness could lead to fatigue. It's advisable to rest a bit]
".... I just receive a skill"
I said. I then turn my head to my left and saw her smiling at me
"That's good then. Just like I promised, I will teach how to use a sword and get to used in a battle, so get some rest and wash yourself after a long break. We will begin your training after we took out lunch"
She then turn around and walked
"Be sure to not rushingly take a deep in the river, or you will be dead. I still need you here, you hear?"
"Got it!"
I replied. I then sat down the chopped tree, and took the clothe I placed in my shoulder and wipe my sweat in my face and back. I then stared above, looking at the invisible wall that is separating the ground floor from the first floor
"..... I really am inside a fantastic world ha"
I muttered. Lucrane told me that each floor is vast enough to accommodate different species of monsters, terrains, plants, and even minerals from ores to different kinds of rare substances. And each floor is widely different than the rest, literally widely different, if the ground floor has - this is just an example - has the size of a football field or court - that's 56,700 square meters - then the first floor will have double or triple the size of the ground floor, and what so amazing and fantasy like feeling this tower is, is when you look and observe it outside, it doesn't have any overlap floor or any uneven part of its structure. Basically, it's proportionanl and symmetrical at each side. But how come it look the same outside but quite different inside? Lucrane wasn't able to explain that as neither does she, doesn't knew anything about it.
The only thing you will know that you have reached the maximum height of this floor, from the ground till its ceiling is when you either have a flying artifact, a skill that will make you float or fly, or riding a flying beast or mount. And seeing that we don't have any of those 3, we only rely on the control room to tell us everything about each of the tower's floor. And the ground floor where we at, has the height of 2 tallest building back from earth - Burj Khalifa in Dubai, with a height of 820 meters - and an Taipei Tower - from China with a height of 508 meters - atop of those two, that's how tall this place, how how wide it is? It's just 4 and a half football field of course - 225,150 square meters long - and now imagine the first floor, pretty sick isn't it?
After I have mesmerized and lost in my thought, I then went towards the river and need to wash myself before I take my lunch
[{<><><><>|AUTHOR'S REMINDER FOR EVERYONE TO NOT GET LOST IN THIS NOVEL|<><><><>}]
1 piled fire wood (7 pieces inside) - - - > 7 exp
1 chop tree (how large it is won't differ) - - - > 7 exp
1 tended lane of crop - - - > 5 exp (every 4 hours)
10 peices of fishes (size doesn't matter) - - - > 5 exp
(Health reminder: Don't take a bath neither a deep when you are still sweating or tired. Rest a bit before doing so)
[{<><><><>|×××××××××××××××××××|<><><><>}]
After taking a long deep in the river, and washed myself up, I then changed my clothes and went back to our camp base. As I entered our camp, I then saw Lucrane taking out the huge pot out of the fire. She then went over behind her and took a bowl and scoop our meal she just cooked. It's the same as always, a soup with boiled potato, gabbage, and carrots, nothing more. As I went inside and sat down to our wooden chair, I then took the bowl she just serve at me and about to take my meal until something else in the soup pops up
Curious, I then scoop it with our wooden spoon that I made myself - which took me many tries to do so - and was surprised to find a rare ingredient in our daily favorite meal, a meat. A bit puzzled as I deeply thought where did she got this meat from, I then gazed at her which she responded with a questioning look and asked
".... Back in our world, it's not uncommon to eat insect but I hope this one isn't"
".... Pffft"
She then chuckled and muttered
"This is from a chicken idiot. Even here, not everyone likes to eat exotic type of meal you know"
'Oh, so it's a chicken....'
"Chicken!? You cooked our chicken? Our one and only chicken!?"
I questioned in an anxious, and loud tone
Gulp
"Of course not, do you take me as an idiot? She lays an egg 3 days ago, which got hatched after. One of those chicks died for unknown reason so I cooked it"
"... You cooked..... the dead, baby chicken...?"
I asked in the most flabbergasted, and puzzled expression I could make as I gazed at her
Slurp
Munch
Chew Chew Chew
Gulp
"A meat is a meat"
Completely shut, I just stared at her with my mouth agape and truly asking myself, if this woman was a caveman back in her days or what. I then went back and looked at the meat I just scoop and then went back and looked at her, then back to the meat before I offered it to her and smiled as I voice out
"I'm still human, so thank you very much"
Which made her confused
".... What?"
Not paying attention to her piercing gaze, I then started eating my meal after I silently prayed and thanked this another blissful day, and begone eating
Munch
'.... It lack salts'
And started enjoying another meal for another day.
After the tower that we are managing reached Lv 2, which happened after I accepted her invitation, well a bit forceful invitation, 3 new features were added to the tower. First one is a new [Monster Summoning Circle], which are Wolves, second is a new [Farm Monster Summoning Circle], which are Chickens, and lastly, the third one is a [Speed Up Booster]. We also received 3 new items after the tower got level up. The first item was a [Wind Mill], followed by a [Barn] then lastly some iron based weapon, armor, and equipment.
A [Monster Summoning Circle] can let you summon at last 30 (minimum) to 100 (maximum) monsters, while a [Farm Monster Summoning Circle] would let you summon 5 (minimum) to 10 (maximum) farm monsters. Lucrane planned to summon those Wolves just a few kilometers from the [Goblin Camp] while the Chickens will be summoned here in the ground floor. As for the [Wind Mill] and [Barn], we can't yet build them as we lacked resources which is something we need to gather first and foremost. [Speed Up Booster] is basically let you speed up the process of your animal eggs to be hatched one of the example is the Chicken Lucrane just summoned. Rather than waiting for 21 days or 3 whole weeks for those Chicken egg to hatched, with the use of [Speed Up Booster] we can make it at least 1 or 2 days early.
I was quite skeptical about using such cheat but after seeing that the etched egg were fine and normal, so I give her my full support, and right now, 9 Chickens died because of some glutton who cooked them - though I would be lying if I said that wasn't the best meal we have - and only 1 hen was left with 8 chicks.
As for the iron based items, it was mostly an iron sword, iron spear, iron shovel, iron scythe, iron pick axe and iron armor from the gauntlet to the boots. After receiving those items, Lucrane then hurriedly went towards the control and was quite excited and happy as she keep jumping back and fort and yelled
"We have iron! Vince! We have iron!"
Which made me, well at least, happy for her. We then went up the first floor and Oh My God, it was so beautiful and magnificent. You can't truly describe how majestic and stunning that place were except for 'Wow' and 'Woah'. Completely mesmerized to that place evergreen land, I was truly frozen to where I stood and just felt the heavenly fresh breeze that back on earth was quite rare to feel.
At the first floor was so wide and vast that you can only see a wide plain meadow with trees growing around, circling or even at the center of the great evergreen field. We then started walking a bit more to the top right. While holding an iron sword, I was anxiously keeping myself vigilant and on guard for any unforeseen circumstances that might pop up, but seeing that Lucrane was leisurely just stroll the deep woods, I was a bit relieved but still on my guard.
After we have walked a bit further, we then stumble to a open meadow deep in the forest, the sun light still kissed the greenish field as the trees make way for its light to pass through. There is a boulder at the center, with a pond at the left, quite further where the boulder was located.
Lucrane then went to the center. She then crunch down the plain and touched the ground below and started his chanting. A grayish-black with hint of blueish-light then came, enveloping the area with its blinding Light. Lucrane then look at me and gestured to move back which I did. After I have run a quite further to where I was I then saw Lucrane instantly followed behind me and heard a howling noise of the Wolves inside the forest. Thanks to those tedious task, and my complete recovery, I was now quite faster than before.
[You have summoned {Gray Wolf Alpha}]
[You have received 200 silver coins]
[The new alpha has just woken, calling out its pack it shall reign the forest with its sharp claw and powerful jaw. It's advisable to bring torches when roaming inside the deep forest]
Back at the control room, Lucrane then tap the icon in the hologram that has a wolf sign on it and pops up the Wolf [Status Screen]
[Gray Wolf Alpha]
[Name: none]
[Lv 35]
[Vitality: 12, 000]
[Exp: 0/ 16, 300]
[Skills]
<>[Bite]
<> A powerful bite that could ravage a steel armor like paper. [Mastery: 0/ 300]
<>[Swift Cut]
<> A fast claw slash, ripping it's prey and enemy's flesh and guts. [Mastery: 0/ 400]
<>[Speed Dash]
<> Speed that could hide its presence. A quick footwork that could hinder its enemies vision and sight. [Mastery: 0/ 500]
<>[Howl of the Night]
<> The strength of the pack is from the wolf, then the strength of the wolf is from the pack. [Mastery: 0/ 500]
<><>It can summon up to 4 {Gray Wolves} at Lv 20. [Duration: 20 seconds]
<>[Blood Lust]
<> Let thy enemy feel the wrath of your fangs and claws, as they will bleed from your tear and jaw. [Mastery: 0/ 700]
<><>Let the user boost its comrades for 10 seconds. If the enemy bleeds when this skill is used, 2% additional power up will be added to your speed and power. The more the enemy bleed, the great this skill will get.
[Race: Wolf]
Which truly stunned me on how powerful the alpha of those Wolves be, and that just him being at Lv 35. After the alpha emerge, 20 other Wolves then came
[Gray Wolf]
[Name: none]
[Lv 25]
[Vitality: 8, 000]
[Exp: 0/ 9,300]
[Skills]
<>[Bite]
<> A powerful bite that could ravage a steel armor like paper. [Mastery: 0/ 200]
<>[Swift Cut]
<> A fast claw slash, ripping it's prey and enemy's flesh and guts. [Mastery: 0/ 100]
<>[Speed Dash]
<> Speed that could hide its presence. A quick footwork that could hinder its enemies vision and sight. [Mastery: 0/ 300]
[Race: Wolf]
[{<><><><>|VITALITY OF EACH MONSTER IN EVER LEVEL|<><><><>}]
Lv 1 - 1, 200 - - - > Lv 10 - 3, 000 (200 health gap each level)
Lv 11 - 3, 300 - - - > Lv 20 - 6, 000 (300 health gap each level)
Lv 21 - 6, 400 - - - > Lv 30 - 10, 000 (400 health gap each level)
Lv 31 - 10, 500 - - - > Lv 40 - 15, 000 (500 health gap each level)
[{<><><><>|×××××××××××××××××××|<><><><>}]
After that, we then let those Wolves let their leader decide whatever they needed to do.
And back to where we are, after we have taken our meal, it was time for Lucrane to teach me how to use a sword and get used to combat. She was now standing in front of me as I sat down and listen to her.
".... I don't see any sword nor any sticks to use for this training, why?"
I asked
"For now, we won't use any weapon for our first lesson"
"Why?"
She then went over me and pressed my chest
"What is the use of weapon if in the face of the enemy you will be frozen and scared?"
And stared at me as spoke in stoic blunt tone
"In our first lesson, I will teach you how to overcome such fear"
"How?"
She then swayed her right arm from the side and grab the invisible panel towards her, and click something as she look at me and smiled
"It's pretty simple"
Swoosh
"Wha the-"
And just like that, I was once again teleported back to the place where first ever warning signal pops at me, the restricted area of the forest, the [Forbidden Unknown Dim Forest]
[You are teleported to the [Forbidden Unknown Dim Forest]
[Warning!]
[Warning!]
[Warning!]
[You are in the restricted area of the forest]
[You are advised to go back as your level isn't high enough to venture this place]
[Lv 50 restriction must need to be lifted to fully explore this place]
"Lucrane!!!"
I yelled which I shouldn't have done as I then regretted my foolish action. After I have yelled like an idiot inside the den of monster, the rustling sound then hastenly came over to where I was and just like a sudden bolt of lighting struck me, I was frozen and petrified to where I was, stunned to the fear my body just felt, I was left completely paralyzed in fear and could only await for whatever was coming at me until
Kraaaa
"!!!"
Swooosh
And before that monster could munch me whole, I was then teleported back to the tower where I then slump down and clenched my chest as my heart wouldn't stop stumping and thumping
Huff Puff Huff
Hizzing and greatly exhausted with just that monsters mere presence, I then heavily breathed and blankly stared at the ground.
"How was it?"
And just like I was punched in my jaw, all my fear then suddenly turned into a boiling pit of anger as I hurriedly turn my head to my right and frowned and angerly spoke as I yelled
"What the fuck are you on about!?!"
"You were scared aren't you?"
As I can't stand up as my legs were completely gone down, I could only glare at her as I gritted my teeth
"The hell are you-"
"See, you were left frozen and completely lost your will to fight in that situation"
"Of course you would, that monster was-"
"Terrifying? Then why would do I need to teach you to swing a sword then?"
Furious to her question, I only glared at her and listened
"I can't teach you how to use a sword if in the battle, you will just act like a useless statue. Battle is all about overpowering your enemy, and if a simple fear lingers inside you, then you are good as dead. So-"
She then went towards me and kneel
"Do you want me to teach you or not? Your choice"
And this time, her voice didn't contain any playful words nor any roundabout tone as she looked at, and gaze with a fierce, and blunt piercing gaze. Gritting my teeth in full knowing about this weakness, this trauma that truly dug deeper inside me, I could only tightly clenched my fist at my chest and down casted my gaze below and in meek, weak voice response
".... I... I accept"
"... This is your choice not mine, so don't blame me afterwards"
She then stood up and give me a hand as she did so
"But I'll gladly be your support, until you can fully stood up"
I then raised my head up and gazed at her, took a deep breath and accepted her and which she then help me stand up
"Thank you-"
"Sorry, tehehehh"
Swoooshhh
And just like that ladies and gentlemen, I was completely got betrayed, face to face, to a person who truly, truly extended her hand on me!
Foooo~
Taking a deep breath I then once again gathered all my strength and
"FUCK YOU LUCRANE!"
And yelled like dumb bastard. And that was the beginning of my hellish training....
Barfff!
Cough Cough Cough
"Fuck!!"
Cough Cough
Haah hah hahh hah hhhah
Thud
Hah Haah haah
"Fucking dammit!"
I cursed as I clenched my left arm towards my chest and tightly grab it as I pant like crazy that even taking a simple breath is already hard and painful to do. After I stumble down and laid my back to the ground and stared atop of the ground floor ceiling and Huff and Puff like my life just took its leave and said it's final greet and farewell. Sweat roll like I was suddenly just got poured by a bucket of water, as I was completely drenched. My vision was getting blurry and my body just screamed of stress and fatigue, I wasn't tired but my body just give up and wanted to lay down and rest
"For 3 hours straight, you did good actually"
I then turn my head towards my left, and with my cloudy vision, I then saw the sly woman you just played me like a damn fiddle
"Haah... Ha..... Fuck you.....haah.... Hah"
She then smiled as she heard my cursing words
"You are greatly welcome"
And pinched my nose as she said that. She then stood up and throw a clean towel at me and muttered
"There is only 30 minutes left before that {Goblin Merchant Trader} comes. If you wanted to meet him in person, I suggest you dress up and tidy up, that monster is quite conscious about cleanliness, so wash yourself after you got up"
She said as she leave.
".... Fucking woman"
I cursed as I closed my eyes and laid myself in comfort
For 3 hours straight, I was repetitively getting send towards that hellish forest then pulled back, back at the tower, and back again to that nightmare places and repeat. For almost 3 hours, we only did that simple task of me being thrown to the jaws of death then get taken back before I become a monster full course meal. We only stop to let me vomit my inside out, to at least let me breath, and still hold on to my sanity. There are even moments where I feel like running away from this tower, I even thought of using the iron sword we received after the tower got level up, and the only one who made sure I won't completely fallen deep in the abyss was Lucrane.
Every time I wish to kill myself and simply give up, Lucrane won't say a word and just hug me tightly in her gentle and warm embrace, tapping my back then caressing my head. I even cried on her shoulder when she did those, fully knowing that no amount of word could fully describe what shit was just shove on me, Lucrane just continously just keep being my support for a complete 3 hours of hell and agonizing task. I wasn't frustrated about her barbaric, damnable, and hellish training - though I was truly wish to punched her guts out of her ass just once - but rather on how on those full 3 hours, I never once able to move neither flinched, nor blinked as I was completely frozen solid, and petrified in fear and just keep accepting my death.
"Just fuck it"
Slam
I ghen slam my left arm that I clenched into a fist to the ground and cursed my spineless self, but can I be blame? If you never felt like you faced your death up closed, then you won't feel the hell I just took.
After I have agonize my own worthless self, I then stood up and headed straight back to our camp, which is just a bit further where I was. Walking back to our camp full og dejection and defeat.
After I have cleaned myself and changed my clothes - which is thanks to Lucrane seeing skill, and me helping her out in my spare time we were able to make some apre clothes to wear, 7 each for us - I then helped Lucrane up to arrange all the things we have preparedly stored to be sold on that Goblin little market.
We moved boxes full of different crops that we have planted and harvested, a full 5 boxes of carrots, 3 boxes of potatoes, and 3 boxes of gabbage. We then also placed all the piled fire wood that we both made beside the boxes of crops we harvested, a complete 215 piled fire woods. There is also 2 baskets of fish that we took from the river just a bit further from our camp. Lucrane then took a neatly, and stunningly carved wooden box where the materials of that {Centopod}, that monster that almost took my life and planted this fear inside me. She completely dismantled and neatly cut all the precious and worth the money parts of that monster. After we have piled and prepared everything, we then just waited for that mysterious [Merchant Trader] to come and greet us.
Second pass then minutes came, until a [Magic Circle] that was suddenly drawn in front us, appeared. 7 edges star with 3 spheres circled around at it, with 3 spheres with a triangle outside was drawn, and at the center of that 7 edges star was symbol of all merchants in fantasy series, a scale. A greenish with a hint of yellowish-white light then shone, and what standing at the center of it was a full tailored cream beige suit Goblin with a matching colored hat.
'... His green like those in the fantasy'
To be more specific, his skin color is moss green with red eyes and sharp claws and teeth, couple with his pointy ears and long nose, but unlike those Goblin we tend to see in movies and animes, this one is standing with great posture and elegance, but still short
Completely surprised to such stunning and very elegant appearance - even its entrance - I was seeing for the first time the Goblon that we are about to trade with, the {Goblin Merchant Trader}
[A {Goblin Merchant Trader} has appeared in the [Havre de sécurité]
"Good day madame and sir, I am Henry, your [Merchant Trader], humbly announced his arrival"
The goblin the took his hat off and made a respectful bow. Lucrane then followed through which made me did the same in an awkward manner
"It is very pleasant to meet you again, Henry. I welcome you again to my humble tower"
"The pleasure is mine to take, madame"
The goblin then strengthen its posture and then
Snap
'!!'
And after he snapped his finger, out of thin air, like magic - well duhh, this is fantasy - 2 a but taller structures then emerge behind Henry the merchant Goblin.
The 2 structure has the same features or comparable as those from the stall in Japan that is being featured in every Manga and animes in every firework festival. Basically it has 2 lanterns hanging at each side with a black banner attached to the edge of the front of the stall. The stall was built with a find wood of acacia. The 2 stalls were differentiated by the there design, the other one - at my right - was like a food stall where you order ramen and the likes, maybe some tokoyaki and other food they served, while other one at my left was open like one of those you see in the market, with barrels and boxes displayed and some items, weapons, and other stuff being hanged, and featured inside the stall.
[Item Stall]
Was what the name the stall hold - from my left
[Trade Stall]
Was what the other stall at my right was written
As what was drawn at the stall banner was a language I dont know off, the tower did one of its trick and help me recognize what those name imply by translating them in a word I could understand.
After the 2 stalls emerge, Henry then went inside the [Trade Stall] which Lucrane then signal me to carry all the goods and items we have towards that stall. I then nodded and started carrying those boxes up.
Thud
After I have placed all the boxes in the stall ground, Henry then stared at it and examined all the goods we have
"Those are beautiful, and well tended crops"
As he uttered those words, I was truly overjoyed as how my hardwork paid off.
He then tapped those boxes below him by making a gesture of zomming it in like those Android phone cameras.
"140 cabbages, 140 potatoes, and 620 carrots, a total of 900 crops"
<><×[HOW?]×><>
7 lanes of crop - - - > 1 lane of gabbage, 1 lane of potato, and 5 lane of carrots
[HARVESTING]
(WITHOUT USING THE BOOSTER)
(WITHIN 5 DAYS, THEY CAN ONLY HARVEST THE CROPS TWICE(2)
20 (gabbage seedling) x 2 (days) = 40 pieces
20 (potato seedling) x 2 (days) = 40 pieces
20 (carrot seedling) x 2 (days) x 3 (old lanes) = 120 pieces
(USING THE BOOSTER)
(WITHIN 5 DAYS, THEY CAN HARVEST THE CROPS FOR FIVES TIMES (5)
20 (gabbage seedling) x 5 (days) = 100 pieces
20 (potato seedling) x 5 (days) = 100 pieces
20 (carrot seedling) x 5 (days) x 3 (old lane) = 300 pieces
20 (carrot seedling) x 5 (days) x 2 (new lane) = 200 pieces
<><×[¦¦¦¦¦¦¦¦¦¦¦¦¦¦¦]×><>
"For 10 carrots out of 620 will be 62, and 62 bundled carrots multiply by 20 silver coins will be, 1,240 silver coins"
[You have received 1,240 silver coins by selling carrots]
[You have gain 310 exp]
"For gabbage, you will have 14 bundles as 1 bundle have 10 pieces of gabbage. And 14 bundles of gabbage multiplied by 15 silver coins is 210 silver coins"
[You have received 210 silver coins by selling gabbages]
[You have gain 56 exp]
"And as for the potatoes, from the 140 pieces, you have 14 bundle the same amount as your gabbage, and multiply that by 8 silver coins, you will have 112 silver coins"
[You have received 112 silver coins by selling potatoes]
[You have gain 28 exp]
He then stared at us and added
"In total you will be gaining 1,562 silver coins or 1 gold coin, 19 big silver coins, and 22 silver coins"
[You have received a total of 1,563 silver coins]
[You have gain a total of 394 exp]
[You have received additional 100 exp for selling your products. Keep up the good work!]
"And now that is finished, let us move on shall we?"
As he said that, he then tapped the piled fire woods and started counting
"For 215 piled woods that you splendidly cut and chop, you will be receiving a total of 2,150 silver coins as 1 piled fire wood will give you 10 silver coins, or 2 gold coins, 11 big silver coins, and 15 silver coins"
[You have received 2,150 silver coins by selling some piled fire woods]
[You have gained 1,290 exp]
[You have received additional 200 exp for selling your products. Keep up the good work!]
"As for the fishes-"
He then tap the 2 basket of fish that we have caught
"As you have caught a total of 310 fishes, for 26 bundles with 12 pieces of fish for 25 silver, you will be receiving 650 silver coins, or 18 big silver coins, and 20 silver coins"
[You have received 650 silver coins by selling your caught fishes]
[You have gain 260 exp]
[You have received additional 50 exp for selling your products. Keep up the good work!]
[You have level up]
[You have reached Lv 11]
"In all total, you have accumulated a vast amount of 4 gold coins, 24 big silver coins, and 23 silver coins, or an amount equal to 4, 363 silver coins. It seems my dear customers has made a great fortune today, you have please this mere merchant for using my trade to gain such wealth, an honor I can't express much"
He then bowed at us and he muttered those words out. After he have counted all our good worth, everything inside the boxes were then disappeared, vanish, and lives nothing but only the empty boxes. He then gestured to his right and spoke in a well endorsement tone
"If you may find anything that my humble little stall piqued your interest of, it will be my honor to welcome you. My stall has varied qualities and quantities of items that you may like to stroll, see to it dear madame and sir, if there is anything that my store store for you"
Lucrane then went over to her left and went towards the [Item Stall]. Sighing off, I then followed her. As we get inside the [Item Stall], what greeted us was a wide space that is contrast to the small stall if you view it outside. Variety of items from weapons to armors were displayed in a neat and fashionable way. Henry then came over as he opened the stall door that was place at the right of our direction, connected to the [Trade Stall], and started walking towards us and explained like those store clerk in every mall that pops up like a p*kem*m
'For introverts, they are truly pain in the ass to deal with'
"From outside the kingdom until the deep of the canyon, I have all items that are rare and common, both cursed and blessed, and seemingly unique and dull. If anything that my dear customers have sighted and liked, please inform me at once so I can show its hidden tricks and unbelievable sight"
He then bowed and just stood there smiling at us, which is really creepy and amazingly polite and funny.
'But mostly creepy though'
Can you imagine a green dude standing just at the distance looking at you while smiling? Man if that doesn't give you creeps then hallelujah
We then strolled around the stall, finding anything that might interest us. The [Item Stall] has a width comparable to a basketball court, and all the items are either openly displayed, hanged or inside a glassware. Strolling down the stall, I was just following Lucrane as she was an expert in this field than me.
After a few turns we take, we then halted near a stunning knight sword. The price tag of the sword was written in a piece of thick paper
The Knight sword has golden luster of coat polished with a smoke gray paint. The grip of the sword has a dark brown paint. It has a circle design at the grip top, coated in between of dark and light gold, with a 2 squares placed at each other, forming an 8 edges star.
'5,000 silver coins?'
Or 5 gold coins, 17 big silver coins, and 30 silver coins, quite a hefty amount just for a single sword. But as it caught my interest, I then tapped in front of me like there was an invisible mirror up front which pops up the [Tower's Status Screen]. Seeing that we only earned 4 gold coins today, I need to know how much we have left. I then narrowed my finding towards the [Inventory] to see how much money we have, but before I could tap the coin icon to zoom in, swiftly, Lucrane then grabbed my left arm which greatly shocked me. I then saw her glaring me like a sharpen daggers which made me stunned. She then forcefully descended my left arm down and shook her head. I don't know why she did that, but as seeing that doing so will make her angry so I didn't further went to, and just waited for her.
She stared at the sword for quite some time before she left and we started strolling back again. A few more turns Lucrane then halted towards an artifact section - which the tower translated for me said. She then went over at the right side of the long rectangular see through protective glass and stopped. She then gazed at it for a bit of time
"What is this artifact?"
"Splendid choose and keen observation-"
'What the!?'
I exclaimed as all of a sudden, that green dude just pops up in front of us like a mole. I then hurriedly look to where he was at first, trying to see if this was his double or what, but seeing that there was no one there, I truly felt another fantasy-ish of this this world. I then gaze back at him and just amazed
"-as that madame is a special artifact obtained in one of the treasures in the [Tower Dungeon]-"
'[Tower Dungeon]? So there is different kind of towers ha'
"-located far east of the continent"
"Level?"
"A splendid question to be asked madame"
I then a bit frown as I listened to them talk, but rather than interrupting them I rather asked Lucrane after we got back
"The [Tower Dungeon] has reached the [Middle Rank] level already, as for such, the quality of the items and treasures found in that tower is already top notch"
"So what is this artifact then?"
I then closed the distance between me and them to have a peek to what kind of artifact does Lucrane wanted to have. And what I saw was a bracelet like design of artifact. It's round and quite thicker than most bracelets I have know, it's like a cuff. It has an opening at the bottom. The bracelet was painted in a pure gold paint with chained squares - at their both opposite tip - with flower chained design both at its top and bottom attached to it. It has a silver touch added to its elegance. At the center of the bracelet was an ocean blue jewel that has a shaped of a tear.
As Lucrane asked that, Henry then replied
"Before I shall call this treasure's name, I shall present the artifact's most upbringing quality, may I?"
Lucrane then nodded, agreeing to his offer
"This artifact has 5 set of skills, qualified for a [Middle Rank] [Dungeon Tower] prestige. [Area Detection], [Keen Eyesight], [Power Boost], [Guard], and [Keen Appraisal]"
As I don't know much about those skills, I just then looked at Lucrane who seems to be interested in this bracelet
"Further explanation for each of this skills description will be a line I shouldn't cross, so I asked for understanding as a merchant, we have a code to be followed. And for its name, it's was once called [Shōnin no Omamori]"
<><><>X{[XXXXXXXXXXX]}X<><><>
Japanese translation for merchant amulet
<><><>X{[XXXXXXXXXXX]}X<><><>
He then bowed at us with a sincere words
"... Then, what are its drawbacks"
When Lucrane asked those words, the {Goblin} merchant suddenly emitted a different aura, as he raised his head and smiled in front of Lucrane
"For almost 10 years of service, it seems the little girl I once knew has grown to a splendid lady, Lady Lucrane. I might say, you indeed fully grasp the essence of business and trade"
And just like those magician with heir tricks back in the earth, a small card then magically appeared in Henry's left hand
"Take this as a token of our friendship"
Lucrane then without asking anything took the card from the {Goblin}'s hand.
"Let us back to our business, shall we? And yes is my response to your inquiry. This artifact upon usage, the wearer will have its experience gain halves"
' Halves?'
I thought as the flaw of this artifact is quite much. If 4 hours of tending each crops lane will give you a hefty amount of 35 exp only, then half of it will be 17 exp, which totally isn't worth the hard work you have done. But as seeing it has such good skill sets, I think its inconvenience is worth the effort, but the last decision still remains to Lucrane, the [Tower Manager].
"... Duration?"
She asked
"1 day of usage of this artifact will cost you half a day of gaining only half of the usual full experience"
"....."
She then went on silence for a moment before she made up her mind and decided
"How much is it then"
"10, 000 silver coins"
'!?! That's too much?!'
I silently complain as my eyes widely opened in shock. The amount that 1 item cost isn't just a flimsy number, its 11 gold coins, 10 big silver coins, and 25 silver coins for the love of God, that's 4 times the amount of the money we have gain today, the money we receive after a 10 days worth of hard work.
I then turn my head to the side and look at Lucrane, but unlike the baffled me, she was standing there, thinking and calculating. She then looked at me and stared. I was a bit taken aback as I didn't realize she needed a second opinion, but as I was quite, well a bit, taken by the hook of this artifact good quality, so I was interested in taking it, but fully knowing how much it worth truly made a mess out of my head.
Sigh
I then took a deep breath and looked at her and nodded, which she then replied with a nod and turn his sight back to the merchant and decided
"We take it"
"Much oblige"
Henry then took the bracelet with a gentle touch and placed it on a beautiful carved metal box with a symbol of a merchant engrave on it.
[×~X×××××××××××××××X~×]
The bracelet they are buying is a bangle bracelet.
Bangles are traditionally rigid bracelets which are usually made of metal, wood, glass or plastic. These ornament are worn mostly by women in the Indian subcontinent, Southeastern Asia, Arabian Peninsula, and Africa. It is common to see a bride wearing glass bangles at weddings in India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Nepal, Sri Lanka and in other Asian countries. Bangles may also be worn by young girls, and bangles made of gold or silver are preferred for toddlers. Some men and women wear a single bangle on the arm or wrist called kada or kara.
Chooda is a kind of bangle that is worn by Hindu/Sikh Punjabi women on their wedding day. It is a set of white and red bangles with stonework.
[×~X×××××××××××××××X~×]
After we have additionally brought 3 potions, 2 scrolls, 1 book, and a lamp thingy, we then went out from the [Item Stall]
"It was my pleasure to serve my dearest customers demand, until we meet again"
As he bowed on us, the same light then came and envelope him before he suddenly disappeared, leaving the 2 of us alone back in this tower. Silence first came upon us, and to break it, I then asked
"Why did you stop me from looking at the [Tower Status Screen] at that time? Is it a taboo?"
She then shook her head
"No, it wasn't but as you are new here it's understandable. Vince let me give you a piece of advise"
She stared at me and spoke
"If you don't want to end up penniless, then don't show your money to the merchant"
"Why?"
"Merchants are all the same, they will treat every customers of theirs equally, not until you have shown them your wealth. The more money you own, the more they become aggressive in their approach, and the less amount you hold, the less they talk, its just a simple way of making money for them"
"Second question, what is a [Dungeon Tower]?"
Lucrabe then went inside our camp and told me by tapping to take those empty boxes.
"[Dugeon Tower] is basically what it's name suggest, a tower that is full of Dugeons. I will tell you tomorrow about all the different types of towers we have in this world"
"Third then"
"Go, asked"
"What is this continent looks like?"
"I think the control room has a map of this continent so we can look to it, maybe after dinner or tomorrow. Any other questions to be asked?"
"..... Last, why take that artifact anyway? Do you have anything to use that?"
She then turn her head towards me and smile
"Just be prepare, we will be going on a long picnic"
".....?"
Puzzled, I then didn't asked further more and grab each of those boxes until
"Oh by the way, we will continue your training later at night, so get ready"
Thud
"Fuck"
I curse, completely forgot about that hellish thing called training
[×~X×××××××××××××××X~×]
Henry, the {Goblin Merchant Trader} stall is similarly to Japan's yatai or food stall. They are removable, moving stalls complete with kitchen, kitchen appliances, seats, and dining table.
We mostly see this thing in anime especially in firework festivals every end of the anime, or when they about to confess, yes the clinched and repetitive "I can't hear you because the fireworks is too loud"
[×~X×××××××××××××××X~×]
><×{TIME SKIP - 4 DAYS}×><
(I won't be using this feature all the time as it sometimes destroy a series)
Huff Huff Huff
Breathing heavily as I laid down the cold ground, as the sun goes down and night came, the cold wind the breeze its cold, and tinder touch and gently caress us
Pant Pant Pant
I was having the hardest time in my life just to breath, just to control my breathing but can anyone blame me?
Haah hah haah
I then clenched my chest, not with frustration nor fear, but
"Hahaha..... Ahahahhaha... Ahahahahahha!"
But rather a pleasant joy and overwhelming happiness, as for the past four days of hellish and nerve wracking experience of both agonizing nightmare, and unforgettable ordeal of pain as for the first time in the last 5 days of training
"I..... Hah.... I moved..... Huff... I moved! I fucking moved!"
I yelled as I can't control myself for the unbearable and unbelievable chained of bliss and wonder as I was able to move myself from the petrifying gaze of those deadly glare
"Congratulations"
Lucrane said as she kneeled beside me. She then sweep some of my disheveled hair on my forehead and made a round and grateful smile
"You have grown enough, be happy about"
"Of course dammit!"
I said with overjoyed tone and keep panting like crazy.
For the rest of the 4 days every afternoon only, we continued my hellish training with a repetitive approach: send me to the pit - - - > then fight my fear - - - > then teleport me out before I accept my death - - - > and repeat. But though wording what I just experienced could possibly be describe, nevertheless those hellish moment ha paid off, as for tonight, this day, I was able to moved my body to how I wanted them to and was able to run for a few meters before I got teleported back.
Haah hah hahahh
Breathing like it was my first, I then closed my eyes and simply enjoy the cold ground and beautiful starry sky - as for some unknown reason, the tower was able to copy, exactly duplicate the world stunning night sky. I could feel Lucrane copying me as she laid down the ground and stared at the beautiful sky
".... Once again, congratulations"
I then smiled and boastfully responded
"You are not the only one who is awesome in this place, remember that"
She slightly chuckled and replied
"I will"
And thus the of us just past our hours, leisurely laying down as we gaze together as the world fall to its peaceful slumber.....
×>} |EXP GAIN FOR THE TWO IN THE PAST FOUR(4) DAYS| {<×
(24 (hours) - 7 (hours of sleep) - 1 (hour of meal: breakfast, lunch, and dinner) - 7 (hours of practice in the afternoon (3 to 11)
7 exp - - - > 1 tree for 3 hours (Vince) - - - > 2 days (7 x 3) x 2) = 42 exp
7 exp - - - > 1 tree for 1 hour (Lucrane) - - - - > 2 days (7 x 9) x 2) = 126 exp
5 exp - - - > 10 fishes for 3 hours (Vince) - - - > 2 days (5 x 3) x 2) = 30 exp
5 exp - - - > 10 fishes for 1 hour (Lucrane) - - - > 2 days (5 x 9) x 2) = 90 exp
5 exp - - - > 1 lane of crop (7) for 4 hours - - - > 4 days (5 x 7) x 2) x 4) = 280 exp
7 exp - - - > 1 piled fire wood (40) for 1 hour (Vince) - - - > 4 days (1 day each only) (7 x 40) x 4) = 1,120 exp
7 exp - - - > 1 piled fire wood (70) for 1 hour (Lucrane) - - - > 4 days (1 day each only) (7 x 70) x 4) = 1,960 exp
Total = 3,648 exp for 4 days
(3, 648 ÷ 2 = 1, 824 exp each)
Balance: 417 exp (from the last level up)
×>} |XXXXXXXXXXX| {<×
[Status Screen]
[Name: Vince Stubborn] [Sub Manager]
[Status: Tired, Exhausted, Happy, Delighted, Doubt]
[Level: 11]
[Exp: 2, 241/ 3, 100]
[You are both mentally and physically exhausted, it's advisable to take a rest and sleep]
×>} |XXXXXXXXXXX| {<×
After what happened last night
Clank Clank Clank
"Moved your body more! Be flexible! You are too stiff to defend yourself!"
"Arghh!"
Lucrane is officially teaching me how to use a sword for both protection, and murder. And right now, I was greatly trying my best to defend against her ferocious assault. From my legs to my abdomen until from my shoulder to my arms, were all bruised and wounded, either from the sharp edge of the wooden sword to its blunt hit.
She then swiftly raised her wooden sword to the right and strike me at my right as she swung it above, diagonally. Seeing her attack, I then moved my body to the right and did a step back to avoid her attack while parrying it with my sword. But as I did so, she then suddenly moved her left foot forward as she slid it and rotate herself to the right
'Not good'
Finally realizing that I was fully to her feint I tried to avoid her follow up slash but as she was swift to her flawless movement, her sword then - with great momentum and her strength - was able to hit my back like a wrecking ball
WAK!
"Gahhhh!"
I groan in pain. With such assault, I was then blown away from a distance, kicking my ass like a tin can as I slump down and face to face kissed the ground.
Thud!
".....dammint"
I cursed in a muffled voice as my face was stomp to the ground
"How can you call yourself a man if you can't even hit a woman?"
'Easy for you to say, you damn barbarian!'
I silently complained as I don't wish to recianither painful beating. I'm a man, not an M.
After the mock battle - if that was battle not one-sided bullying - I was then tending my wounds and bruises with a herb found in the dungeon both ground and first floor, an Arnica plant.
×>} |X~×××××××××~X| {<×
Arnica is a perennial that grows to a height of 1 to 2 feet with yellow-orange flowers similar to daisies. Stems are round and hairy, ending in 1 to 3 flower stalks, with flowers 2 to 3 inches across. Leaves are bright green. The upper leaves are toothed and slightly hairy, while lower leaves have rounded tips.
×>} |X~×××××××××~X| {<×
It helps me relieve some of the pain of those brushes I received from that gorilla.
Bonk
I then turn my head to my back with a frown as a sudden object just wank my head.
"You cook this time, and I eat"
'Not just barbaric but also demanding, quite a woman are you?'
"Yes ma'am"
I then agreed to her proposal, not because I hate receiving another superwoman kick and jab, but this woman just doesn't know how to cook. Thankfully, when Henry, the {Goblin Merchant Trader} came at our tower 4 days ago, we then spared some money to buy some [Cook Book] as eating pure roasted fishes and soup that mainly used boiled carrots, gabbages, and potatoes. And also after 4 days, our hen just laid another 8 eggs which hatched to a newly born chicks, while the other ones were already quite grown up thanks to the [Speed Boaster] but lucrane told me that it's only good for the time being and not in the long run, as it might affect how these monster think about growth and life. We also added 4 new Chickens, 2 males and 2 females. The 2 females already laid 8 eggs each which gave us 16 eggs. Lucrane didn't used the [Speed Booster] unto them and left 4 eggs to be tended by their parents, not by the tower feature skill but naturally. She wanted to know what will be difference between the one who grow with their mother's warmth, and by the [Speed Booster].
So with the 16 eggs we have, I can at least cooked some well-known egg dishes that I knew off, and can cook in easy peasy way.
I then wore the apron she sewed with me giving her theoverall design. I then took a wok and some of the oil that we got from the sunflower we pounded and started cooking, and this time I'll be cooking an [Egg Omelet with Fried Egg]. The fried egg will be the omelet source of sauce which shall be placed stop of it.
×>} |X~×××××××××~X| {<×
To make an oil from the sunflower is by cleaning first the seeds of the plant, then pound it into a paste like form. Add some water after and pound again. Repeat this process until you could clearly see some oily substances it creates
(I use pestle her as a replacement for blender as it won't even be invented to this world)
×>} |X~×××××××××~X| {<×