Chapter 58: “The World Leseres”

Young Man A: “Here we go again.”

Young Man B: “Yup, another victim.”

A crowd formed around Nathan and Gaunt, conversation indicating Gaunt challenges people frequently.

Nathan: “A duel?”

Gaunt: “You think you can just say what you want and get away with it, you will show me respect.”

Nathan: “I don’t have time for your tantrums, I’m outta here.”

*shinnng*

Nathan: “Huh?”

Nathan tried to walk away but found himself unable to. There was a wall preventing him from moving any further.

Nathan: “What the hell is this?”

Suddenly the Battle Orb at side, flew high above his head. Another one flew from Gaunt and floated up next to Nathan’s. Two green bars appeared from each, beside that were some symbols Nathan couldn't understand.

Nathan: “What the hell, did you do this?”

Gaunt: “What are you telling me you don’t know, Hahahahahahahahaha, now who’s the idiot. I issued you a challenge, neither of us can leave until the challenge is over.”

Nathan: “I refuse.”

Gaunt: “W-What!?”

Nathan: “I refuse, why should I listen to your demands?”

Zane: “He out ranks you, you don’t have a choice.”

Nathan: “What?”

Zane approached Nathan, answering his question.

Nathan: “Zane?”

Zane: “You remembered me I’m honored.”

Zane turned to Gaunt with a scowl.

Zane: “Gaunt have you no pride, challenging a beginner to a duel.”

Gaunt: “No one asked you, move along pretty boy.”

Zane and Gaunt glared each other down, obviously they weren’t very fond of one another.

Nathan: “You say he outranks me, you mean the guilds ranking?”

Zane: “Correct, you just became an adventurer recently right, let me explain. To avoid in fighting amongst adventurers, if someone makes a challenge and they outranks you, the lower rank can’t refuse.”

Nathan: “No way, so I have to fight this dumbass? And what’s up with this system, isn’t it backwards?”

Zane: “On the contrary, higher ranked individuals, usually avoid challenging lower ranks, at least majority of us do.”

Gaunt: “That’s it, no more talk, draw your weapon.”

Zane: “Cease your barking, there weren’t any wages made.”

Gaunt: “I didn’t need one, I just wanted to humiliate her…………but now that I think about it.”

Gaunt looked Nathan up in down, he goals from earlier coming back to him, along with a bunch of other thoughts. Blowing steam out his nose, he imagined all the things he could make Nathan do.

Gaunt: “When I win, you have to join my party (I treat that body of yours real nice hehehehehe.)”

Nathan shivered at his expression.

Nathan: “Gross, Ass-chinned, pervert, I can practically read his thoughts.”

Gaunt: “If you want, you can select someone else to fight for you, however if they win they have a debt over you.”

Nathan: “That’s fine, I don’t plan on losing.”

Nathan step up and ready himself, he couldn’t use magic, he hadn’t thought of a way to keep his Legacy from being discovered. He needed to in this fast, people will become suspicious if they take too long.

Nathan: “(Oh, yeah, I haven’t tried this yet, let’s give it a go.)”

Gaunt: “Confident are we, hurry and draw your weapon, let’s get this started.”

Nathan: “Nah, I don’t need it.”

The crowd around them begin to whisper, Nathan over heard someone call him arrogant. To them it seemed arrogant, but Nathan was positive he wouldn’t have to move from this spot.

Zane: “You shouldn’t look down on him, contrary to his appearance and actions, he is a formidable opponent.”

Nathan: “I’m not, I just don’t think I need too, just watch.”

Gaunt placed his weapon in front of him, a rather large broad sword, the blade had a brown coloring, giving it a rusted look.

Nathan: *(Examine)*

Edgeless Class: Common

A blade that is almost entirely dull. What it lacks in sharpness, it made up in durability. Use primarily for defense and blunt strikes.

Effects: Stun

Durability: 149/ 210

Skill: Bash

Nathan: “(It doesn’t have stats and Ramol was right about this Durability.)”

Gaunt: “I teach to look down on me.”

Nathan close the screen, just in time to see Gaunt charging at him. Gaunt raise his blade in the air, ready to strike. Nathan just stood there, unmoving, unfazed. Nathan simply closed his eyes, then opened them once again

*Whoooom*

*clingclangcling*

Zane: “(What?)”

Gaunt who had taking the imitative, suddenly stopped mid charge and dropped his weapon. As he looked into Nathans eyes, a feeling came over him, fear, no terror. He legs were glued to that spot, feeling like the second he moved, his life would be forfeit. Slowly his leg gave out and he dropped to his knees, turning his head down afraid to look up.

Zane: “…………That’s it, Gaunt has willingly let go of his weapon, he has conceded.”

The crowd stared in utter disbelief, what had just transpired? No one could believe it, but Gaunt had lost.

Nathan: “(Holee Shit, gotta run) Well, if that’s all then I’m leaving.”

Zane: “Wait a moment.”

Nathan didn’t say anything else, feeling for the wall that was holding him in, he found it had vanish. He then walked away, as if he was parting seas, the crowd open a path for him. Gaunt was one of the strongest in the city and Nathan beat him without so much as a single strike.

Zane called out to Nathan, but he was already gone. Looking back to Gaunt, still on the ground, but behind him a few of group members were also in the same condition. Two of them had soiled themselves, one was mumbling incoherently, another just simply fainted.

Zane: “Just what did he do to them?”

_

_

Iris: Master I’ve never seen that before.”

Nathan: “Because that was the first time I use it.”

Nathan had reached the Library and was climbing the steps, while he and Iris conversed.

Nathan: “Intimidate, it one of my new abilities, when I activate it, it induces Terror, paralyzing anyone caught in my gaze. They lose their will to fight and there will to escape, they become content with death. Though, I really wasn’t expecting it to be that strong. I was planning to use it, then while he was stun, quickly disarm him. Because of that, I had to run away a quickly as possible.”

Iris: “Either way, that was really impressive”

Nathan: “Well, it has some limitation, like if the target doesn’t know fear, if they have an ability like my Calm Mind. Plus depending on their level compared to mine, the length and strength of the effects differentiates.”

Nathan and Iris made it to the Library, as Nathan explained his ability to Iris.

Not long after climbing the steps, the same woman from before moved to block him. She was still as nervous as before, maybe more so. Nathan didn’t waste any time, pulling out his card.

Librarian: “Huh, you’re an adventurer?”

Nathan: “Yup, as such, I can enter as I please, you can’t stop me.”

The women turned back forth, looking for someone to help her, but it didn’t happen. As a rule, all adventurers were given free access, to prepare for any quest they had.

Nathan: “Then if you will excuse me.”

Librarian: “Ah, w-wait, you can’t.”

Nathan ignored the women and continued on his way, she had no legal way to stop him from entering anymore. Walking through the open doors Nathan came into a large hall. It was huge, like a museum for books, the layout was similar to Amelia’s. If he didn’t know any better, he swore he was back in the study.”

Iris: “Master, it looks like Lady Amelia’s library does it not.”

Nathan: “I was just thinking that, maybe she got the layout for her from this one.”

Connecting from the main hall were five corridors, each leading to there own section of books. Above each enterance were words, most likely, what each hall leads to.

Nathan: “Does anyone of them say anyhting about maps?”

Iris: “I’m afraid not.”

Nathan: “The it looks like we’ll have to ask for directions.”

That was easier said than done, ever since he entered, the staff seemed to be doing their utmost to make him understand he is not welcome.

Iris: “How there they?”

Nathan: “Don’t worry about it, the more they insist on avoiding us, the longer I’ll be here.”

Someone must have heard Nathan, because a few minutes later, the woman who was sent out to bar him passage returned.

Nathan: “So you drew the short straw, they sent you over to help, huh?”

Librarian: “N-No, we value all our visitors, I am doing this of my own free will.”

Nathan: “Say that again, but this time look me in the face.”

The girl refused to make eye contact with Nathan, slowly but surely pissing Iris off in the process.

Nathan: “Whatever, could you just tell me where could find maps of the world?”

Librarian: “Maps, you’re not here for Magic tomes?”

Nathan: “I didn’t ask for those did I, maps please.”

Librarian: “R-Right, uhm, if you head down this corridor, you will find everything you need to know.”

Nathan: “This one huh, thanks.”

Nathan turned and went down the corridor, it was a long narrow hallway, with large columns sticking out from the walls, nothing spectacular about it. It was rightfully quiet, Nathan nodded to himself, no matter the world, libraries are notoriously silent.

A few people pass by Nathan, the usual shocked faces as they passed by. However, Nathan was getting the feeling that their glances were off, as if they weren’t looking at him at all. Nathan looked back to find the Librarian creeping behind him. When their eyes met, she quickly jumped behind a column.

Nathan: “(Is she for real) Can I help you, with something?”

Librarian: “N-No, I just happen to be heading the same way.”

Nathan: “Is that so?”

Nathan continued on, ignoring the fact that she was following him. Entering the hall, Nathan found himself on a balcony, looking down, rows and rows shelves, pack with books. Nathan nudge Iris and off she went, while Nathan turned in went down the steps, leaving the librarian.

As Nathan walked through the aisle, the librarian watched his every move from the balcony.

Nathan: (What is up with her?) Nathan quickly ducked out of eye sight and waited around a corner. As sure as he believed, the girl came peaking around the corner, looking for him.

Librarian: “W-Where did he-”

Nathan: “Right here.”

Librarian: “EEEEEEEEEEEKKKKK!?”

Nathan jumped down from the bookshelf, scaring the Librarian half to death.

Nathan: “So you were following me huh?”

The librarian couldn’t deny the accusation and quickly prostrated herself.

Librarian: “I’msorry,I’msorry, I’msorryI’msorryI’msorryI’msorryI’msorry~

Nathan: “Woah, breath.”

The girl took a huge breath, between Nathan scaring her and prostrating herself, she was turning blue.

Nathan: “So, why are you following me?”

Librarian: “I-I was told to by my boss, I just doing my job.”

Nathan: “Why?”

Librarian: “Because my boss said so.”

Nathan: “No, I meant why do I need to be watched?”

Librarian: “I don’t know why, I just do as I’m told.”

Nathan: “What, so if they told you to jump off a cliff, you do it.”

Librarian: “As long as my pay is at the bottom, then yes.”

Nathan was feeling a little irritated, did they think he was going to steal or was it because he was a rouge. Nathan felt a tap on his head and looked up. Iris pointed in a direction, indicating she had found something. Nathan got the message and turned back to the girl. She was shivering on the ground, she was like a hamster meeting a cat. Nathan felt the urge to tease her.

Librarian: “Please don’t hurt me, I-I was just doing my job.”

Nathan: “Hmm, I don’t know, I’m really mad right now, I just feel like beating someone up.”

Librarian: “Eeeeekkkk!?”

Nathan: “Phfffffffttttttt”

Nathan held back his laughter, it was fun to tease this girl. She was a petite thing, with long blonde hair, that was done up in twin tails. Every movement Nathan made prompted a squeal from her, making all the more fun.

Nathan: “Hey, what’s your name?”

Ashley: “A-Ashley Warmwether.”

Nathan: “Well Ashley, let’s go.”

Ashley: “What?”

Nathan: “You were told to watch me, right, just follow behind, you don’t have to hide.”

Ashley: “N-no, I can see fine from up above.”

Nathan: “Huh!?”

Nathan made a face as if he if she had said something disrespectful. Ashley quickly fell in line behind Nathan, while he quickly turned away to hide his amusement.

Nathan: “Ahhhh, this will be fun.”

_

_

Nathan: “Man this, blows just feeling beating someone up.”

Ashley walked behind Nathan, as he made his way over to Iris. Occasionally, he would blurt out things that would scared her something fierce, but he just laughed quietly at her reactions.

Nathan quickly shuffled over to Iris. Coming into the aisle, the books had been replaced with tubes, each filed in their own individual cubicle. The area was rather small compared to the rest of the library, most likely due to their being much maps then books. Iris floated up a shelf and pointed out a specific tube. Nathan turned to Ashley, a mischievous grin appearing on his face.

Nathan: “Hey I need a map, get that ladder for me.”

Ashley looked to the ladder, it was only two feet from his position.”

Ashley: “B-But its right beside you.”

Nathan: “Huh?”

Ashley began to sweat, as Nathan stared at her like she had just said the dumbest thing in the world. She quickly grabbed the ladder and moved it closer to Nathan.

Nathan: “No, not there, move it five feet to the left.”

Ashley did as she was told, but Nathan continued to direct her. seven feet that way, twelve feet this way, she lost track of the number of times she rearranged the ladder. When all was said and done, the ladder had been placed, exactly two feet away from Nathan.

Nathan: “Perfect.”

Ashley: “(BUT THIS IS ITS ORINGINAL SPOT.)”

Nathan held his mouth, he knew exactly what she was thinking and ot was all he could do to stop himself from laughing.

Iris: “*Whisper* Master was you stop torturing the poor girl?”

Nathan: “Sorry, couldn’t help it.”

Grabbing the ladder from Ashley, Nathan climbed up to a shelf and pulling out a scroll. Sliding down the ladder, he went to a nearby table and unrolled the map.

Nathan: “What this?”

To his and Iris’s surprise, the map was barren. Except a few mountains, most of it was desert.

Nathan: “(Whisper)What going on here, no cities, no landmarks, no nothing.”

Iris: “(Whisper)Perhaps you grabbed the wrong map?”

Nathan: “(Whisper)Maybe.”

Nathan quickly shuffled back up the ladder, further in the slot, was another tube. Nathan quickly grabbed that one and back over to the table.

Nathan: “It’s the same as the first. Hey, Ashley?”

Ashley: “Y-Yes!?”

Nathan: “Do you have any up to date maps?”

Ashley: “All of our maps are up to date.”

Nathan: “Then what;s wrong with these?”

Ashley shyly walked up to the table and looked at the map.”

Ashley: “This is the eastern continent.”

Nathan: “There nothing on it.”

Ashley: “I’m sorry, but this is the most up to date map we have of this continent.”

Nathan: “Why?”

Ashley: “The eastern continent is almost entirely desert. Because of its harsh cilmates ,not to mention a certain beast makes that continent home, many avoid travel there. Only those trying to escape the law, make the effort.”

Nathan: “Hmm, so when we eventually get there, we’ll be on our own.”

Ashley: “You plan to go there?”

Nathan: “Yup.”

Nathan ran back down the aisle, leaving Ashley behind, she was confused as to why anyone would want to go there? A barren land, with little to know resources to speak of was not a place someone would want to casually visit or explore. The only reason she could think of was to escape the law.

Ashley: “(He’s a criminal and he’s trying to make a run for it. Why else would he want to go there? I have to go and tell someone.”

Ashley turned and begin to walk away, running right into Nathan.

Ashley: “GYYAAAAAAAAA!?”

Nathan: “Shush, you’re in a library.”

Ashley: “I, uh, want, er, ta, ge-”

Nathan and Iris did not understand a word she was saying.

Nathan: “Your done watching me?”

Ashley: “Oh, ah, yes, that’s it, I’m done watching, so if you excuse me.”

Nathan: “Wait, do you sell your maps here?”

Ashley: “Yes, the duplicates are available for purchase, but I don’t know the prices.

Nathan: “That’s good enough, thanks for the-”

Ashley ran off before Nathan could finish his sentence, he must have tease her too much, but it couldn’t be helped, it was just too funny.

Nathan: “Alright, we can talk freely again.”

Iris: “Let’s get to work then.”

Nathan: “This is a map of the world.”

On the map showed the general shape of the world, six continents and several smaller land masses, islands. Nathan clearly could make out the Dreyend, Atoa, Umbryyr, and Trosan, corresponding to Matthew earlier conversation.

Iris: “Master, just like Matthew told us, neither this or the continent to the east have names.”

Nathan: “Yeah and there no direct routes to that Continent, how did Beatrice get there and back?”

Iris: “Maybe they have their own means of transportation?”

Nathan: “Maybe, but they don’t seem like the type to own their own boat and why would they travel on land if they did have one?”

Iris: “Perhaps they needed to resupply?”

Nathan: “I doubted, I don’t they wouldn’t pack enough in the first place.”

Iris: “True.”

Nathan pointed to the eastern parts of the map.

Nathan: “I think there’s maybe a camp of sorts somewhere around here, along the eastern shores, but we probably shouldn’t go there.”

Nathan look up and down the map, there had to be a way to get to that island legally. Iris searched as well, her eyes falling on an island off the coast of Umbryyr.

Iris: “Teef Chatr island, isn’t this pretty close to the eastern continent?”

Nathan: “This island, it’s pretty far north, you think we should risk it?”

Iris: “It’s the only land mass close to our designation, what choice do we have? And it would be safer then traveling the same route that Beatrice party frequents.”

Nathan: “Then to the north we’ll go, let’s see here, what this by the water?”

Iris: “It says, Satsayl Port.”

Nathan: “Port meaning, we can most likely get a boat. Let’s head there, from there we can travel to Umbryr or maybe to that island itself.”

Iris: “Alright, are we purchasing this map?”

Nathan: “Nah, not me anyway, I pretty sure they gonna charge us a hefty price. We’ll get someone else to do it later.”

Iris: “Understood, then we should me with the others and discuss our findings.”

Nathan placed the maps back in the tubes and back in their places on the shelf. He proceeded to leave, running into Ashley on the way out. He didn’t stop, but he did make it seem like he was running straight for her, as if to attack her.

Ashley: “KYYYYAAAHHHHH, DON’T KILL ME!”

Ashley coward in fear, only to have Nathan whizz by her, shushing and snickering at her reaction. Back out in the streets, Nathan bounded down the stairs. Looking at his hand, he sprinted off to find his friends.