Various skills followed quickly. Liam positioned himself between the enemies, a wave of holy light emitting from his body. His swords flashed, targeting two boars. Unfortunately, his luck was rather bad. Only a single holy mark exploded, triggered by [Double Slash].
Still, it was enough to send the first boar to the afterlife, making Radiant Shield's life easier. The tank dug his feet into the ground, blocking two attacks.
[Stance -14]x2
"Haha, watch this, Radiant Shield, offense is the best defense!"
Final Fend spoke in a joking voice as he swung his chainsword. It drew a graceful arc, slashing at two enemies and causing them to stagger.
The boars huffed angrily but were kept at a distance by Final Fend.
Radiant Shield answered with a roll of his eyes.
"It saddens me that your armor is so brittle you can't even confront a few boars."
While the two frontliners were bickering, others didn't stop their attacks. Especially the newly joined brothers were eager to show their prowess.
Silent Acacia cringed silently as the mages announced the names of their skills.
"Flame Sword!"
"Ice Sword!"
Overbearing Zen waved his two-handed mage staff, targeting the next boar. A sword made of fire appeared above the animal's head, striking down like an executioner's blade.
His passive triggered, causing flames to burn on the monster's fur, which continuously chipped away at its HP.
[-248!]
[-35!]
Instantly following the flaming sword, a blade made from sharp ice slashed down, the mage's passive synergizing, causing a small explosion of boiling hot steam.
[-229!]
[-43!]x2
"Good job, keep it up!"
Liam encouraged the newcomers generously while his own swords never rested. The whole party continued dishing out damage.
The two boars facing Radiant Shield didn't last much longer under the relentless attacks. Afterwards the entire party went to assist Final Fend. The young man behaved leisurely although the boars had managed to take some of his HP.
"You don't look too well, youngster.", joked Braag with his much younger friend.
"Hey, I'm fighting one against two while you guys take your time in a nine against three. Tell me who doesn't look good."
"Haha, you got a point. Let me help you!"
The two men's banter was drowned out as deafening explosions erupted amongst the boars. Four bombs had left Braag's launcher, emptying the monsters' HP bars.
"Ok, not a bad start guys.", commented Liam as his eyes swiped over the dead boars.
"Well, it would be sad if we struggled against some common mobs."
Quickstep nodded, agreeing with her boyfriend.
"Right. Let's not dwell here much longer. Braag, you can do the looting."
"Sure."
The dwarf didn't make a big show out of it, only touching the boars to make use of his wealth stacks. He received a few materials for blacksmiths albeit low quality ones.
Moving on, the party encountered a few more boars in the forest but they also found some useful herbs.
Liam had almost considered gathering them when Radiant Shield reminded him that they had a guild now. Thus, they created a task for their members to gather herbs here.
The majority of the early players had passed level 15 by now and Dream Avenue had mostly recruited outstanding talents. They should have no problems dealing with the level 23 boars.
Thus, the core members could be relieved of some burdens and take on other tasks like recruiting NPCs and fighting bosses.
Most of Liam's friends were silently rejoicing as they left those herbs behind. They followed Liam until the party entered a large clearing.
[Discovered Teunaoh's grove of life. Reward: 120EXP]
[EXP: 3.510/9.300]
Liam glanced at the message and noticed the difficulty of leveling up. But he wasn't intimidated. Their party could always go through a power leveling session if necessary.
"Wow, so beautiful."
A quiet exclamation diverted Liam's thoughts. It came from Melodious Edelweiss, who scanned the clearing with wide eyes and a happy smile.
The others were amazed by the view as well. The clearing was filled with colorful flowers and all kinds of animals. Boars laid peacefully below a tall tree, not minding the chipmunks scurrying over their bodies.
Rabbits nibbled on some grass, observed by large birds resting with their sharp claws deeply etched into a branch.
Two huts made from plants integrated perfectly into the environment.
Liam gave the others a moment to savor the scenery. It wasn't that this place wasn't to his liking, but he had already visited it quite a few times. Teunaoh was a famous healer and served as a merchant for the players.
Seeing that everyone was done with being amazed, Liam approached the hut to the right, knocking politely. A subdued commotion could be heard from within the hut before someone opened the door.
It was a tall wood elf, clad in green clothes which appeared to be a mix between leather armor and robes. A brown tattoo adorned his face, the various symbols emitting a mysterious aura.
A simple green cap sat on his long brown hair.
[Bleary Mirage: Hey, Braag. Your time to shine.]
[Braag the Virtuous: What? What should I do?]
[Bleary Mirage: That guy is only interested in money. Try to get us a low price.]
[Final Fend: Haha, great. Didn't you always brag about getting your class through bribery?]
Braag rolled his eyes ignoring the jab.
[Braag the Virtuous: What is our goal?]
[Bleary Mirage: Get him to let us in.]
[Braag the Virtuous: Ok.]
Braag straightened his back, moving towards the front and facing the wood elf.
"Hello, sir. We are here to confirm something and would like to enter your hut, please. Would you be willing to let us through?"
The wood elf kept his indifferent face as he mustered the dwarf.
"It's not impossible. If the price is right."
"Sir, we are here in the name of the kingdom. Lives are at stake. Isn't it a bit vulgar to put a price tag on the lives of innocent citizens?
However, to not hurt your principles I would be willing to hand over one bronze coin as a token of gratitude."
All the party members were taken aback, looking at Braag as if getting to know him for the first time. Liam had already made it clear that the wood elf was only interested in money and Braag offered a single bronze coin? Wasn't he afraid that Teunaoh would slam the door in his face?
In fact, the elf contemplated doing exactly that. Braag noticed the subtle hints in his expression, and quickly continued to talk:
"Don't be quick to refuse. This coin is not just money, but it symbolizes the gratitude of the Southern Light Kingdom. I am certain the citizens, maybe even the king, will be more willing to visit you in the future."
"I am the most accomplished healer in the surrounding kingdoms. Whenever an uncurable illness brakes out, people come to me. Do I need your gratitude? I would rather replace it with solid silver. At least 500 coins."
"My friend, you surely didn't become a healer simply to earn money. You want to help others. Every healer has a heart of gold which can't be measured in coin. Why don't you tell me why you are so eager for coin. Maybe we can find a solution together."
Teunoah scrunched his nose, looking down at Braag, his lips sealed. Obviously, this topic was not something he wanted to disclose.
[Bleary Mirage: He needs money because his tribe isn't well off. They don't have good relations with other wood elves and live in a less favorable region.]
A grin flashed on Braag's face, quickly disappearing.
"Elf. You should think about my offer once more. If you cooperate with us, we will praise you before the kingdom's guardian and the king! I am certain with their gratitude you can negotiate for support for your tribe! Perhabs open trade. What do you think?"
"You!"
Suddenly the wood elf inhaled sharply, his face painted by surprise. Braag laughed inwardly, knowing that he had hit a weak spot.
Teunaoh pondered for a few seconds before fixing his eyes on Braag, trying to see through the dwarf.
"Can you promise to hold your word?"
"Of course! The word of a businessman is his most precious good. I won't let it be tarnished!"
"You speak well, dwarf. I will trust you."
Teunaoh's face returned to its indifference as the wood elf held out his palm.
Braag smiled triumphantly, filled by a feeling more pleasant than defeating the end boss. He glanced at Teunaoh's palm, then at Liam.
The latter was amazed by Braag's talent when he felt a pair of eyes on him. Looking back, he noticed Braag hinting something with his head.
Liam was astounded. He moved his head as well, silently communicating with the dwarf.
But Braag remained stubborn, moving his eyes between the palm and Liam.
Eventually the latter had to let out a sigh, taking out a single bronze coin and handing it to the wood elf, earning him a pleased nod from Braag.