Fuyerhan narrowed her eyes dangerously as Cyclone's words fell. The temperature in the tavern suddenly dropped. Out of the corner of her eyes Cyclone saw something growing on the wall of the tavern.
She shivered remembering the horror movies she once watched, turning her head stiffly. She only felt relieved upon realizing that it was ice growing on the walls, reflecting the little light reaching the room, looking dreamily beautiful with its shiny black colour.
Noticing that Cyclone was about to antagonize the NPC, Silver Blade took over the conversation:
"There is no need to fight. We are only here to free the people suffering under Taragal's tyranny."
Fuyerhan hesitated for a moment, seemingly considering something before her gaze softened:
"Noble as always, hm? You didn't change. Well, I came here for the same purpose."
Silver Blade threw the nephilim a surprised look while Cyclone grumbled at the side:
"Stupid charisma stat! Why is it so difficult to raise?"
Silver Blade hastily continued the conversation before the NPC could react to Cyclone:
"You came to help the people?"
"Not quite. To be honest with you, I never followed Reylar willingly but was tricked by the devil Refresnim. Since Reylar's fall I have thus been travelling around to take out Refresnim's followers, taking revenge with my limited abilities.
One of them, called Four-Limb Gretnat, operates in this city, conducting experiments. I have been observing the city for a while and am now quite sure that he stays in that old library over there.
If you want to help people, he should be one of your primary targets. But Gretnat is known for being good at running. Yet if we work together, I have a method to take his life. What do you say?"
[Do you wish to accept the quest 'The crazy Gretnat'?]
[Yes]
[No]
The party listened calmly until finally receiving the quest notification. Silver Blade didn't think much as she accepted, missing the faint smile on Liam's lips.
"Good. You have a benevolent heart, adventurers. Only with people like you can we retaliate against those treacherous devils!"
Fuyerhan spoke with a sincere voice as she stood up, blocking the window, hiding her face in shadows. Only the golden lights on her skin shone through, giving the cloaked figure a mystical appearance.
Fuyerhan reached out with her hand revealing her black-gloved palm. The mana in the room stirred slightly as five black icicles formed, floating above her hand.
"Here, take these, adventurers. We need to weaken Gretnat first. On my signal you position these icicles in a circle around him. My magic will do the rest."
"Alright."
Watchful Eye squinted, staring at the NPC from the side, feeling a hint of suspicion. But since they were in a game, and the quest was already accepted he decided to go along with it.
Fuyerhan didn't waste much time directly leading the party outside. They only had to walk past one house before reaching the old library.
The building was big in comparison to its surroundings. An oppressive aura could be felt by coming closer, accompanied by a bloody smell. Dark magic lingered on the walls, tainting them for eternity.
Around the building were a few soldiers of the Dark Herald as well as a few black-armoured warriors of uncertain allegiance.
From time-to-time screams and groans could be heard from inside, freezing the players' blood.
Cyclone slowed down with every step while Fortune gladly ran around taking various shots, looking forward to releasing a video with a more dark and grim tone.
Fuyerhan waited at the side until the party initiated the fight. Silver Blade spent a few seconds to convince Cyclone before approaching the first group of soldiers.
To no one's surprise fighting the common enemies proved easy, especially with Fuyerhan's help. The nephilim's strength improved a lot since the party last saw her. At level 33 none of the enemies were her match.
The group of six quickly opened a path to the entrance, pushing open the door. Immediately a disgusting smell hit their faces, almost causing Cyclone and Fortune to vomit.
Fuyerhan behaved as if she didn't notice anything, entering the library. But this time it wasn't only Cyclone who hesitated. The entire group had to brave their hearts before daring to place a foot beyond the threshold.
From inside the building barely resembled a library. Only a few broken shelves lying in a corner hinted at its former use.
Now the building could be called a lab. The spacious main hall was surprisingly well organized. Glasses containing all kinds of tissue or magical materials were placed on, and in, all kinds of containers lining the walls. At the back a few unlucky inhabitants of the city were held in cages, appearing lifeless and in despair.
The centre of the room was occupied by a low table. Magical crystals hung from a rope tied to the roof, spending a warm light.
A small figure stood next to the table, dressed in a clean white coat, which contrasted his earthly coloured skin. His small stature, sharp, yellow eyes, and pointed facial features clearly proved his identity as a goblin.
Yet, what stood out was his second pair of arms, pitch-black and coming from his back. They didn't look grown but rather attached carrying the obvious scent of devilish magic.
When the party entered, the goblin was just done with his work. He placed a white blanket on the woman lying on the table before him. The party could only see her feet sticking out, resembling a dragon's, scaly and with terrifying claws.
"Number 65. Didn't make it. Ha, how long until I can finally create the perfect body...", the goblin sighed to himself before finally noticing the party, raising his head with a frown. "Volunteers? How considerate."
The goblin opened his mouth, flicking his unnaturally long tongue like a snake, startling the party. Only Fuyerhan stayed indifferent, speaking loudly:
"Gretnat, your redemption has come. Your unholy experiments will end today!"
"Hahahaha."
Loud, eerie laughter rang through the room causing the shadows to dance strangely.
"Unholy? Rich, coming from your mouth! Aren't we serving the same master? Why pretend?"
"Hmpf. I have long been freed from Refresnim. Now I am here to take revenge!"
"Hahahaha."
The goblin's laugh didn't reach his eyes, which studied Fuyerhan's body closely.
"Taragal prevented me from experimenting on nephilim. But your bodies are too perfect. Already accustomed to dark magic. A wasted potential. But it seems my chance has finally come!"
"Ridiculous!"
Fuyerhan scoffed with anger, ending the exchange of words as her weapon began to do the talking. She took out her wand, which suddenly shone in a black light, transforming into a sword created from black ice.
With an abrupt push of her legs she dashed towards Gretnat, leaving the party standing there with question marks in their eyes.
"Do we help her?", asked Cyclone.
"Sure. Speeds up the process.", answered Liam.
Silver Blade furrowed her brows looking at the NPCs exchanging blows. She couldn't help but wonder:
"What should I do?"
"Stay with Cyclone and Fortune. Don't worry, there will be attacks you can block."
"Sure."
After the brief discussion the party joined the fight. Cyclone and Fortune attacked without worries as the goblin was focused on the priestess.
[-242!]
[-262!]
Liam and Watchful Eye quickly closed the distance as well, scanning the enemy as they swung their weapons.
[Four-limb Gretnat
Rank: Sub-boss
Level: 31
HP: 14.648/16.200]
Everyone was surprised by how much HP the boss had already lost. It was obvious that the damage didn't come from the players but rather from Fuyerhan.
The former Head Priestess might not even need the players' help. Perhaps she only brought them along to prevent the goblin from fleeing.
Gretnat didn't seem to notice the danger. He laughed mockingly as his black arms fought in his stead, keeping the nephilim at bay.
Suddenly he raised his own head high before bringing it down abruptly. He spat waves of green flames from his mouth.
Yet, although they looked like fire, the flames were actually poison magic, causing acidic hisses whenever they hit anything.
Fuyerhan hid behind a shield of black ice, diverting the flames to the side. Silver Blade realized that her time had finally come. The tank blocked in front of Cyclone and Fortune allowing the two mages to focus on their casts.
Soon they took revenge, conjuring piercing arcane bolts and a crackling rope of lightning, taking away a huge chunk of Gretnat's HP bar.
The goblin was obviously overwhelmed. He could barely deal with Fuyerhan and with the addition of the players his HP dwindled at a terrifying speed.
"AH!"
Suddenly Gretnat let out a deafening scream. His black arms began to gather mana. His body squirmed and bulged, about to transform.
Watching this, Fuyerhan's eyes lit up brightly. She quickly signalled to Liam and his friends:
"Now! Place the icicles!"
Five lights appeared in the room, marking the spots. The friends scattered, each approaching one target, taking out the black ice, and placing it down.