Chapter 9

The Forma Tribe

“Help me barricade this door!” I shouted.

There are five of us currently trapped inside a house, trying to survive the night on a D-deads infested village. And by that I mean, walking corpses, skeletons with their flesh still intact and devouring every one they spotted or sensed. I called them D-deads, short for double dead. Well, because the NPC villagers had no life in the first place and now they were dead and turned into a walking flesh-eating corpses. Quite ironic, huh.

She was holding back her tears. The daughter of the tribe leader I was tasked to protect and bring back to the tribe.

“What should we do, Cripple? We’re surrounded.” She said to me in a shaking voice.

I grabbed a table and dragged it near the door. The others who were with us who shared the unfortunate events of being surrounded by flesh eating D-deads helped me barricaded the door. I know that it will only buy us some time and if we really wanted to survived, we need to move.

I left the task of barricading the door and windows to the other survivors. I ran to the stairs and drew my sword on the off chance that there are D-deads upstairs. As I slowly went up to the staircase, I noticed there were three rooms, two on my right. I approached the door on my left. I knocked twice and opened the door quickly without bothering to look inside, instead I waited for someone or something to come out. Time passed, and I was now sure no one was in the room or else they would be eating my sword already.

I checked the window and peeked outside. I saw a roof below when I looked down. This is it, a way out.

*Crack*

I heard a wood that was being torn apart. I hurried downstairs.

“What’s going on?” I asked.

As if an answer, a bloody arm managed to break through the window. The D-deads were now ripping the window like a paper. Some of them managed to even enter the house.

“Isshan. Come here.” I shouted.

Isshan ran towards me.

“Go upstairs, left room. Climb down through the window.” I said to Isshan while holding her shoulders to calm her down.

She nodded.

There were now continuous flow of D-deads entering the house through the broken window. The groans and moans were now getting louder every second.

“Hey, go upstairs now.” I shouted to the rest of the survivors.

When they heard me, they turned and ran towards the stair. I didn’t go upstairs yet to follow Isshan, instead I waited. Two of the villager managed to climb the stairs in a hurry, and the D-deads were closing in on us. When the fat merchant’s turn came to climb, I extended my foot to trip him.

*Thud.*

The merchant lost his balance and hit his head in one of the wooden footsteps. He was out cold.

“Sorry, Pal.” I said as I ran back upstairs.

He was fat, sure. But to be fair, anyone of them, who managed to get to the stairs last, was the one I planned to sacrifice. He was just slow, that’s all, and we badly needed time for us to escape.

When I reached the room, Isshan had already gone, and one of the villagers was preparing to follow her.

“Hurry.” I shouted.

“Where’s merchant Kren?” asked one of the survivor.

I gasped. “He’s gone.”

He frowned. “Oh, that’s too bad.”

“No time to mourn, go, go.” I said while pushing him to the window.

I stepped into the window and started to climb down.

“Where to now, young traveler?” asked the one of the survivors.

“Follow me.” I said.

I grabbed Isshan’s hand and pulled her beside me.

***

1 week ago.

Laughter echoed the dungeon. Ari’s squad still couldn’t believe that they had defeated the Minotaur.

“Haha, told ya, we could beat this thing.” Van said.

“Yeah, Van. Wait till the other cadets hear about this.” Ken said while walking towards the Minotaur Corpse.

“Oh, they wouldn’t believe it.” John said as he picked up his shield.

Ari returned his twin swords at his back. “Doesn’t matter, as long as we know.”

The rest nodded.

Joan picked her shield and walked towards me. “I’m not sure we could have defeated this thing, if not for this guy.” She said while pointing her shield at me.

“Oh right, Cripple. Why did you want us to cling on the Minotaur’s back?” Ari asked. “I’m not sure what really happened but somehow the Minotaur failed to kill our ranged members.” He continued.

“It was a space cow.” I said. It was the best statement I can think of that summarizes our slain opponent.

Everyone faced me, dazzled at my words.

“A space cow?” Ari asked.

“Well, it can travel through space, during the course of blinding light.” I replied.

They were silent for a second trying to let what I had just said to sink in.

“That makes sense.” Joan said in a serious face. She was holding her chin while her other arm was laid across, below her chest. “That would explain the absence of tremor during the blinding light.”

Zath nodded.

“Wait, hold on. What makes sense?” Van agitatedly asked.

“Are you saying, that cow can teleport?” Ronne asked.

I nodded.

“No way, are you serious?” Ari asked.

I nodded again. “As what Ms. Joan said, the fact that we didn’t feel any tremors during the blinding light means the Minotaur didn’t walk or run to its target.” I said while looking at their puzzled faces. “At first, I thought it was a long range spell that killed Ken.”

“But it wasn’t, was it?” Ken said.

“When did you learn that it was not a long range spell?” Joan asked. “All throughout the battle, I also thought it was some sort of spell.”

“After the Minotaur was defeated.” I said.

Joan dropped her jaw. “What? Don’t tell me you took a gamble on our lives without our consent?”

Ari laughed. “Well, it turned out to be alright. Calm down, Joan.”

“The minotaur jumped when someone was on its back trying to get rid of whoever it was, why?” I asked to Joan.

“I don’t know, maybe the Minotaur find it irritating.” Joan replied.

“I think, it disrupts whatever spells it has when someone was on its back.” I said.

“So you didn’t know it was a teleporting cow?” Rinne asked in a soothing voice.

“Yes, although I had a feeling, I was not entirely sure, that’s why the gamble. Sorry.” I said in my most calming voice.

“So if someone was clinging onto it, it can’t teleport?” asked John.

“Yes. But it’s better to think of it this way, the Minotaur can’t travel through and in between space with an extra baggage.” I said.

“Nah dude, it’s better to say teleport. It’s a lot easier to understand.” Van said.

“That would explain why the Minotaur kept on jumping when Zath and Ari was on its back, it was trying to get rid of them from its back.” Ken said.

I nodded. Looks like they understand now.

“Whoa, this is some Minotaur then.” Ari said. "Anyway, thank you Cripple."

Instead of a thanks, an item from the drop would be nice. I thought.

As if he was able to read my thoughts. Ari said. “Cripple, to show our gratitude, you can be the first one to choose any single item you want and its yours.”

“Uhm, Really?” I was ecstatic when I heard Ari. I can choose any item here and it would be mine, fantastic.

“Yes.” Ari said and he turned to his teammates. “That wouldn’t be a problem, right guys?”

They nodded.

There were Minotaur’s hind legs, tail, horn, nose ring, mane, some armors and other accessories scattered around. Every single item would fetch a decent amount in the market.

I looked around, searching for an item that would greatly help me in my future endeavors. An armor would be nice. I searched for an armor, but the armors I found has class restriction and since I don’t know what class I will become, if I succeed the Lt. Kino's quest, I discarded the notion of looking for another armor. Instead, I searched for an accessories since they were hard to find and they cost a lot because of the scarcity of Jeweler in UAN territory.

Ring of Mino, the Mighty Minotaur

One of the prized possessions of Mino, the Mighty Minotaur. It was meant to be a gift to a human, Lyra.

Rarity: Rare

Intelligence + 8

Strength + 10

Agility + 10

Dexterity +10

Vitality + 10

Defense +5

Wind damage increased by 5%

Wind Resistance increased by 5%

Woah, Amazing.

“I choose thing ring then, if you guy' don't mind.” I said.

“Good choice. Yes, you can have it.”

They started to collect the other items and we headed outside the dungeon.

Ari inhaled. “Fresh air.” And turned to me. “By the way, where will you go now?”

“I’ll hunt some monsters here for a while.” I said. After witnessing such battle, my blood was riled up and eager to fight.

“Okay, good luck then. By the way, can we add you to our friends list?”

I don’t know what to say, but before I could give a reply, a message appeared.

Arima requested you to be his friend.

YESNO

They might be useful in the near future and I have this strange feeling that I would meet them again, sooner than everyone of us think.

“Yes.” I said.

Afterwards, everyone one of them started to add me on their friends list.

“Thanks again, Cripple.” Ronne said.

“Thank you for saving my brother.” Rinne smiled at me as she passed me by.

Ken nodded at me.

“See ya, mate.” John said.

Zath just stared at me and gave me a slight nod.

“Goodbye, Mr. Cripple.” Mari said.

"Thanks for reviving me, Ms. Reica." I said to Reica as she walked in front of me.

Reica held my hand and stared at me. She has this look of wanting to hug me. Perhaps, she find my appearance as a voodoo doll so adorable. Mari hugged Reica on her arms as she pulled her away from me and gave me a forced smile and a slight bow as they went on their way.

Joan stared at me with her piercing gaze. A gaze you usually give to a competitor. In return, I gave her my most charming smile, but somehow having an appearance of a voodoo doll, it must have been creepy.

“I'll see you around.” Ari said and shook my hands.

We went on our separate ways. I started to look for gnomes to fight before Yunjee knows I am out in the dungeon.

Yunjee: Head straight to the east.

Oh great, how does she even know I am out? I looked around hoping she was nearby. I walked towards the eastern side of the Mountain. I found her with Lt. Kino and they both wore a plain shirts and pants.

When Yunjee saw me, she was surprised. She was trying so hard not to laugh at me and in doing so her face flushed. It was my first time seeing her that happy. I felt relieved. Okay Yunjee, now we’re even.

“Y-you looked, different.” Lt. Kino laughed. “So how was your first dungeon exploration?” He asked.

“Well, it went fine, sir.”

“Haha, really? I guess you are ready then.”

“Ready for what, sir?” I asked, but I knew what he meant.

“Drop the sir when were in game." he sighed. "The quest, of course.”

I looked at Yunjee trying to see her reactions. She has this look of someone who is in doubt. Most probably she was doubting whether I am ready or not.

“I think I am ready.” I said firmly. “Where in the Birek Mountain range can I get the quest?” I asked.

Yunjee snapped her head to look at me. She was giving me an intriguing look.

“Haha, oh boy, you are really sharp.” Laughed lt. Kino. “Did you figured that out based on the fact that we sent you here in this Mountain range to train instead of other places?” Lt. Kino asked.

I nodded.

“Very good. There was a reason Yunjee trained you here and that is to acclimate yourself in this mountains.” He said. “I guess you have also figured out that the quest has one singular similarity."

“Yes. It stands to reason that the origin of the quest can only be obtained in one place. After that, it all changes.”

“Yes. Yes, very good. But it cannot be obtained in one location.”

I was puzzled at his words.

“Are you saying the origin of the quest was moving?” I clarified.

“Haha, that’s right. I need you to find them here in this Mountain Range.”

“Them? Who are they?”

“The Forma tribe. They are a nomadic tribe of warriors and hunters. Our intel told us they were currently living here in this mountains.”

“This mountain ranges is vast.” I said.

“Oh, I am sure you can figure something out.” He laughed. “When you find the forma tribe, earned the trust of their tribe leader and their seeker. They will lead you to the quest.”

Oh great, How am I supposed to find them? I thought.

“Is that all the information you can give me?” I asked.

“Yes. However, we have videos on how the other Spectre members perform the quest and failed, but I strongly suggests that you should not watch them.”

“I understand, because the quest was constantly changing, information from the previous undertakings could bring me more harm than help.”

Lt. Kino nodded. “Here take this, compliments from the Spectre Division.”

Long Copper Sword

Durability: 20/20

Rarity: Uncommon

Level Requirement: Lvl 15

Damage: 12-16

Strength +4

Agility +4

Weight: 25

Novice Plate Armor

Durability: 25/25

Rarity: Uncommon

Level Requirement: Lvl 10

Defense +7

Vitality +4

Weight: 50

Basic Magic Bag

Capacity: 100 items.

“Thank you.”

“Oh before I forgot, I visited your parents and told them you were gonna be away for a while." He pointed to a small bag and a box. "and this, your mother asked me to give it to you."

It was a bentou and a small bag.

“Thanks.”

Lt. Kino nodded. “Well then, good luck Mr. Kira, the thirteenth Spectre. May the God of your choice favors you in this quest.”

They turned and walked away but Yunjee looked back at me, I felt like she was trying to say good luck, but my appearance as a voodoo doll ruined her sincerity, and instead she hold her mouth to hide her amusement but her smiling eyes failed her.

When they were gone. I checked my status. “Character status.”

You are a Voodoo Doll.

Skills Activation: DISABLED

Time left to return to normal: 8 hrs 56 min.

I had no slightest idea on how to track someone in the mountains. Yunjee didn’t taught me any of that. Instead, I decided to reach the peak of the mountain to have a good vantage point.

I encountered some monsters but I avoided them. With the expenditure of time and food, I managed to reach the peak. It was not the tallest mountain in the area, but still, it gave me a good spot to observe what was happening below.

The mountain was not tall enough to reach the clouds. That’s why, I was still able to witness the greenery scene below me where countless trees covered the mountain. I was on the lookout for smokes. As the saying goes, where there's smoke, there is a fire. I saw two smokes below, grey as a stormy clouds, escaping into the sky. I was almost tempted to rush to the source of the smoke, but I realized that if I was the tribe leader, I would set up my camp with a nearby source of water, but by further observation, there was none of it nearby.

I started a fire to where I stand to serve as a marker that I have been here and also the smoke will tell me how far I have traveled from this point. I continued to travel south and still in the lookout for a smoke or any clues of nearby settlement.

When nighttime came, I climbed in one of the trees to hide. Good news, though, the effect of Voodoo doll was gone. I ate my dinner sitting in one of the branches of the tree and waited for the sun to grace me his presence.

It has now been two days since I started to find the Forma tribe. I continued traversing to the south side of the Mountain range and saw a river and several smokes near it. Oh, they were having a feast. I started to climb down slowly in the mountain towards the river.

I stopped when I heard some rustling of the leaves. Uh-oh. I quickly ran towards the source of the smoke, hoping that if some monster had indeed discovered me, the tribesman will help me deal with them.

When I reached my destination, there were no tribesman or houses or any traces that someone had lived here. Only a crackling of fires greeted me. When I turned around and was about to walk away, several people with unique clothing blocked my path with their spears and bows held up and all pointing at me.

Uh-oh, I gradually raised both of my hands to show them my unconditional surrender, I have no idea if they understood what I just did, so I decided to kneel down too. One of them slowly walked towards me and grabbed my hand and twisted it around my back and drove my face to the ground.

“Hey, that hurts.” I shouted while my right cheek was touching the ground.

They brought my other arm to my back and tied a rope on it. They helped me stood up and pushed me to start walking. We walked for a while and managed to reach their tribe. Oh, these clever bastards, they started the fire miles away from their tribe as a decoy for monsters or for unwanted guests and I fell for it.

My captors pushed me to continue walking. When we reached a certain tent, my captor kick the back of my knee and I was forced me to stooped.

“Hey, don't just kick someone's leg.” I shouted. Feeling irritated and angry.

He growled at me.

A figure emerged from the tent. He was tall, muscular and had a brown complexion like the rest of them. He has a distinct tattoo on his chiseled face and squared jaw. He has the looks and masculinity of being a tribe leader. He was intimidating and scary.

“O’ great and honorable leader of the Forma tribe, this humble traveler is at your service.” I said in my most clear and vibrant voice.

“Who are you?” he asked in a very low voice.

“They call me Cripple, O’ honorable leader.”

“Untie him.” He ordered to his men.

When my arms were untied. The tribe leader gestured me to follow him. He entered his tent and I followed him inside. He sat down on his legs crossed with each other and motioned me to sit down as well.

“You have heard and know of us, young traveler, perhaps from a young woman?”

Young woman? Is he talking about Yunjee “Yes, O’ great leader.”

“Where is she now? My daughter? She went missing a week ago and we have not found her since.”

Oh, bollocks. He was talking about his daughter not Yunjee. I'll just ride this chance then and lie my way through.

“I met her in the woods and I haven’t seen her since, O’ great leader, but if you would permit this humble traveler, I would like to find her once again and bring her back to you.” I bowed while holding my fist to my chest.

He was hesitating, but the lack of the result of his men in searching for his daughter gave me an opportunity.

He stood. “Very well, Young Cripple. I, Ishul, the Beast slayer, son of Ishod and Chieftain of Forma tribe, assigned you the task of finding my daughter and bringing her back to the tribe.”

Ting.

Quest: Ishul's prodigal daughter.

Find Ishul’s daughter and bring her back safely to the tribe.

Quest Difficulty: D

Rewards: Unknown

Will you accept the quest?

YESNO

I stood. “I, Cripple, will find your daughter and bring her back to the tribe." I said in my most gallant voice.

"Alive." he growled.

"That, too. Of course."

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The next chapter was finished already but It was still rough, I need to go over it again and again.