Tale of the Outcast Warrior: Demons, Dragons...and more goblins.

The party rode to the farmer's land. The man was putting in a fence around the cave entrance as tyler and the party rode up.

"Hail, Sirrah. Be ye with the guild?"

Tyler swung down to shake the man's hand.

"Aye, Sirrah. I be Tyler the Outcast and me party."

The farmer smiled widely.

"I merely want a tomb cleaned, and I get the outcasts themselves coming to do the deed? Me girl is going to have a tale to tell now!"

"Sounds like fun, Sirrah. What of the cave?"

The man gestured to the ten foot opening.

"The ground gave out after a heavy dew one morning, and upon some investigatin I found a stone coffin inside a sealed chamber. I am not ashamed to admit I ran fer me life. Now, let's talk yer fee."

"Let's see what's down there first. We'll kill it, and go from there. Sound fair?"

The farmer shook his hand.

"Agreed. No sense in counting chickens before they hatch."

Tyler looked at his party.

"Alright, let's see. Vixen, Sera, Lyrica, Erica, annnnd, kaori. Rest set up shop in case of something else being down there. Lily comes too."

The party nodded as Tyr jumped into the cave first. HE landed in the ten foot shaft and looked up.

"It's a ten foot drop, so heads up."

The killers dropped without issue, and Tyler led the way with his detection up as Lily prospected the walls. Erica then made a point.

"Umm, so you know, I can't see in the dark."

Vixen smiled as she placed a skill in her hand.

"I'm sorry. I was going to give you this yesterday, but Kazuma made me forget."

Erica smiled as she placed the Night Sight skill into her HUD.

"Better. Thanks."

"Sure."

Tyler kept his skills forward,

"We got TWO hollow feelings down here. Heads up."

The party nodded as Tyler went to the first.

"Vixen?"

The mage held up her hand.

"Clean. No curses."

They stepped into the chamber and Tyler grasped ther lid as Sera took the foot, Lyrica by Vixen, Lily by Tyler and Erica looked for her spot.

"Mommy, get to my right and be ready with a heavy slash."

Erica smield proudly at her daughter's confident, quiet orders. She took the spot as Tyler gripped the stone.

"Ready?"

"Set."

"Throw it."

"Good."

"I got it."

Tyler tore it to the side as a skeleton sat up. Vixen and Lyrica blinked.

"Grand Lich. Head and Heart."

Tyler had his twin holy scimitars out and slammed them into the thing, and pinned it against the lid.

"Got it!"

Sera had her bow up and fired three shafts into the things head as Erica stabbed with her holy lance as Lyrica and Vixen cast anti undead spells as Lily smashed her Additite sword on the chattering thing's head. Sera had another set of shafts and fired. These splitting the thing's head cleanly, killing it. Tyler smiled.

"Good kill Sera!"

She smiled widely as her mother hugged her girl.

"Well done Sweetie!"

Sera glowed as Tyler looked at the thing's weapon.

"We got a black weapon Vixen."

The mage looked at it and sighed.

"We have a mace of Supplantation. Get hit and it shatters your mind entirely. I'll handle it as you'll lose a hand."

Tyler nodded as Erica had a question.

"What will we do with it? You're not planning to sell it to the black market, right?"

Tyler shook his head as they searched the chamber.

"No, we usually go to a white purity temple and let them destroy it. Or destroy it ourselves if one is not available."

The black haired lady smiled in relief.

"I just wanted to hear it said."

Sera patted her mother.

"We get it, Mommy. Tyler gets burned so much by them it's kinda funny."

"She giggles every time too."

The coffin held 1232 gold, 555 silver, 859 copper. The walls of the tomb yielded blood Platinum, Pure Magicite, and another vein of Pure black Magicite which Vixen had to handle. The next hollow spot was felt just outside the chamber to the right. Tyler used his pickaxe to knock a hole in the wall and smiled widely as he looked inside.

"We've got a demon chamber ladies."

Erica went white as Tyler booted the wall down for better access.

"We need to get the others!"

Tyler shrugged.

"Eh. I got this."

He just walked in whistling as the flames lit up and the laughter was heard.

"At LAST live prey!"

A 15 foot demon with jet black skin and deep blue wings dropped to the floor as Tyler looked it over with a bored expression. It's head was a pig's head this time, and Tyler smiled.

"I smell bacon, I smell pork, look out piggy, I got a fork!"

The demon had a comical vein bulge on it's forehead as Tyler pulled the trident he was planning to give to Lymir out.

"See? I got a fork! Now I'm hungry, dammit. Hey, big guy, ya feel like bacon?"

Another vein was seen as it fought to keep it's rage under control in the face of this most infuriating human. Tyler shrugged.

"Hmm, I wonder how demon bacon tastes? Must suck honestly. Well, at least I ain't PIG HEADED!"

The demon bellowed as it's rage boiled over and exploded under this most enraging human. The thing looked down to attack, only Tyler had lunged with the Trident soon as it lifted it's head. Tyler stabbed it in the heart and laughed.

"Stuck a fork in ya and you done."

The thing just roared in enraged fury as it died. Tyler took the horn as the chamber shattered. The ladies were applauding another successful demon kill as Erica and Lyrica looked at each other in disbelief.

"He just killed a Swine Balor."

"And it was terrifyingly easy for him!"

Lily was prospecting as Tyler aided her. The room was empty of any valuable material as Vixen obliterated the circle. They left the cave and hopped out to give the report. Tyler looked at the sky.

"Found another demon chamber Tempesta."

The farmer was stunned as Tempesta landed mere moments later. The dragon noted the farmer and chuckled.

"Another underground battle?"

"Sadly yes. Here's the horn."

Tyler lifted it up and the dragon blinked.

"A Swine Balor? That's a rare beast. Was it slow?"

Tyler smiled as he pulled out the trident.

"It suffered death by fork. With really bad pig puns the whole way back to hell."

The dragon nodded in approval.

"I like that. Was it his?"

Vixen stepped forward.

"No, Lord Blue. This one was older then even the Elven Kingdom. The methods were of a primitive design, and were crudely implemented. I believe an old cult of demon worshippers in the distant past."

The dragon nodded as Tyler put the horn away and pulled the Kukri design out. Tempesta looked at it with interest.

"I have not seen such a weapon in many centuries. I trust the elf will put it to steel?"

"Honestly? COMPLETELY forgot I made this one already. I'll get it to Willow next chance I get."

The dragon laughed.

"Of course you did. Very well. I see my sister found you."

"Dude, she's intense."

The blue nodded in wholehearted agreement.

"You have NO idea. I see she gifted you her wing."

"I freakin love this thing. Still weird to wear a cloak, but that's just a me thing."

Tempesta chuckled.

"So, that other bastard? HE got a nasty surprise this morning."

"Welcome to hell! Your new asshole fitting is right this way!"

The dragon busted up laughing as a small girl with red hair and fair skin came out of the farm house and screamed in shock at seeing a high dragon sitting in her front yard. The farmer looked as his wife and Daughter were shaking in fear at the massive beast.

"It's okay, dears, Tyler the Outcast is having a wee meeting."

They relaxed and came over most nervously as Tempesta eyed them curiously. The girl was gazing at the massive creature with huge grey eyes as Tyler chuckled.

"Hi, Miss."

She looked over and saw Tyler waving at her.

"The Outcast?"

"In the jackassery. Your father here found something in the hole he wanted our help with. Plus, he said his cute daughter needed a story to tell. Tempesta here is just for a deal we got going."

The wife smiled widely as she saw Tyler's ploy as the girl gasped and hugged her father Tempesta gave Tyler the usual scales for a demon kill. Tyler hugged the small girl as well, and looked at Sera. The girl laughed and gave her a taste of hug death as Erica smiled fondly.

"She has a helluva story to tell now."

The queen got down to hug the now nearly mind shattered girl herself as the farmer and wife looked on in awe at seeing their queen hug their girl. Tyler looked to the farmer, and placed a pouch with half the haul from the tomb in his hand.

"Here, we be taking the ore we found, but half the coin sounds fair."

The farmer looked and gasped as he saw the gold. Then he looked at Tyler with tears of gratitude.

"Thank you Lord!"

Tyler chuckled as he patted the man.

"No biggee."

Tyler looked up to the dragon now.

"I got nothing else."

The dragon chuckled.

"I must get back to the hunt."

He flew off as Tyler looked to the farmer.

"I'd fill that cave in, as there's no escape for rain water down there."

The man nodded.

"Agreed. Thank you again."

Tyler and his party mounted up and rode off to their next kill. Tyler looked at the bills.

"Okay, let's see. The Green Lisk is up next."

Wulf smiled.

"Green lisks have the best meat."

"I like where this is going."

The party rode along and found the small canyon the creature claimed as it's own. Tyler looked around and smiled as he saw other dead adventurers.

"Erica, stay with Sera and Lillia. Arrows only for you. Same for you Whisper."

The ladies nodded as Tyler pulled his own mythril spear out while the party readied up. Tyler smiled as the party moved out in a semicircle behind him to move forward. They spotted the thing soon enough, and it leapt to it's feet with a hissing roar. Tyler smiled as the first volley of arrows slammed into the thing's wing stumps and neck as he, Lucy and Thistle charged with their heavy weapons, Serafina hidden in their shadows looking for an opening, Lily beside Tyler with her shield up, as Wulf, Ashy, Sera, Lillia, Malico, Erica and Whisper lobbed arrows over the melee fighters' heads, Lyrica and Vixen were casting stunner and blind spells, and Kaori was adding her own spells as Tyler had said for her to practice. Sasha had been lift to guard the horses as lisk fighting was no job for a husky. The lisk was utterly overwhelmed by the powerful party, as Sera smiled as she saw an opening after Tyler stabbed the thing with his billed spear. The princess took aim and fired. Her arrow slamming into the groove Tyler had pointed out to her and piercing the thing's heart at 75 feet. The lisk gurgled as it died, hitting the ground with a nasty thud.

"Helluva shot Sera!"

The girl looked at Wulf now.

"Teehee, that's TWO, elfy!"

Wulf smiled.

"My day will come little Sera."

Erica was just smiling proudly as her daughter killed a lisk with an arrow. Tyler allowed Sera another moment to gloat before reining her in.

"Alright, knives out. Lily, vixen, Erica, Whisper, and Lyrica with me to get paid."

The highly efficient party hopped to it with a will. Tyler led his looters to search for the trove, and after a mere five minutes they found it. The Outcast dropped into the cave with the ladies behind him as they sought the pile. The thing was 6 feet high of coin, gems, various weapon and armor. Whisper smiled as she went to start looting but,

"Hold up Whisper, caves not safe enough yet."

The Were tiger looked at him curiously.

"Something wrong?"

Tyler nodded to a slab.

"Got another hollow feeling. We never loot or let our guards down until the cave feels safe. Or really anywhere for that matter."

"For when the shield is lowered is when the dagger gets you."

Whisper smiled.

"A wise saying and an even more wisdom behind it."

Tyler chuckled as he tore open the hollow feeling in the stone. Inside was another tomb, and Vixen held up a hand.

"Clean."

Tyler looked at the ladies.

"Vixen, Lyrica, Whisper, Erica."

The ladies nodded. And took up spots as Lily did her own thing. Tyler took the lid in his hand.

"Ready ladies?"

They nodded and he tore it aside. The chattering corpse was seen and Vixen smiled.

"High Lich. Heart!"

Tyler smiled as he pinned it against the coffin.

"Got it!"

Whisper threw her red dagger as Erica stabbed with her holy lance. Lyrica dn vixen watched as this creature was more for the two newest Outcasts then them. Whisper's dagger hit the thing in the rib as Erica pierced the rib cage with her long bladed weapon. The thing died as Whisper gave a disgusted snort.

"I missed."

Tyler chuckled as he gave her dagger back.

"Did you miss? Or?"

Whisper took her blade back as she pondered the question.

"Or? I threw a dagger and it hit a rib,"

"Was the dagger the right took for the job?"

Her yellow eyes narrowed now as she reviewed the battle.

"I have daggers, axes, which are not the best for just precise ranged work….my BOW! I should've swapped to my bow since my melee weapons aren't the most ideal for precise range work like that."

Tyler nodded smiling.

"Yup. We all use the best tool for the situation. I myself prefer the short sword, yet I use holy scimitars for pinning the thing."

The experienced adventurer laughed.

"And I had a hole in my planning and lost out on the kill. I see now. So THAT'S how your lessons work. Okay, Tyler, fair enough."

Tyler just patted her affectionately.

"You'll get there. More a practice thing in MY camp really. My suggestion is to get a lance or a spear or some other long blade for piercing hearts."

She leered at him now.

"I still WILL claim what's mine."

Tyler just kissed her hard.

"We'll get plenty of time, my THIRD favorite kittycat."

She smiled.

"Who's in first?"

"Myuki o couse!"

Vixen busted up laughing.

"Malico's little sister. She's still a mere kitten though."

Erica smiled widely.

"He does like the big brother thing."

Tyler shrugged.

"eh. I like cats."

The ladies lost it as Lily poked her head in.

"Ya done?"

"Yup. It's ready for you Lily."

The elf girl smiled as she hugged him.

"Still too big. But, I'll break it when it be my turn."

"Yup, I'm screwed. Hey, look, coin!"

They looted the tomb as Lily Prospected the cave. The lich's weapon was a Magicite mace Tyler found oddly nifty. The weapon was 5 feet long and the head was in the shape of a flying dragon wings bent over the back. Tyler looked at it as the ladies put the coin away.

"Do we HAVE anyone that can use a mace?"

Lily looked at the thing.

"Not really. Could see if Sera or Thistle likes it."

Tyler shrugged and set the weapon on his belt as the coffin was emptied. Result? 436 gold, 666 silver, 785 copper. The trove was next and Whisper pulled a hand and a half bastard sword with a collapse function, red Magicite blade in a wavy pattern, and ruby pommel from the pile.

"I think I'll claim this. That sound good?"

Tyler shrugged.

"Sure. You need a long blade. Can you use it?"

She collapsed it into a mere 6 inch knife and put it into a belt slot.

"I can, not as well as others, but I can."

Tyler picked up a pair of wrist rings.

"The hell are these?"

Vixen looked at them as he turned the blue metal items.

"Oh, those? Arm bands made just to boost the blue path. Most mages of power have at least one. That said, they be rare as you need the corresponding gems to make em."

Tyler put on his arm and it glowed a deep blue.

"Neat trick."

He tossed the other to Erica and she laughed.

"I see you want me to prioritize me blue."

"We need another defense mage."

She put the band on smiling.

"Wise choice indeed. My best defense spell be 65 foot tall, 150 foot long WaterWall."

"You have the follow up?"

She shook her head.

"Alas, I do not. I've been looking for it to be honest."

Lyrica tilted her blood haired head.

"I might have it in me shop. If not, the blue magic shop by the palace should."

Erica smiled.

"I'll have a look. Hey, just a thought, but since you own a shop but roam with us, how will it work?"

Tyler and Lyrica looked at each other.

"Discount for the party?"

The succubus smiled.

"That works. Say, 25% off?"

"And laying with you is priceless."

She shivered again as the ladies applauded.

"I love you!"

He kissed her before they looted the trove. This trove had 5464 gold, 6689 silver, 8795 copper. Tyler looked at the three newcomers.

"Set up for a bit. We got a few things to tell you."

Lyrica smiled as Erica and Whisper looked at each other before sitting on rocks. Tyler placed his hands on the ground.

"We'll start with the cute. Protective warning, hallowed ground, Tranquil water, holy purge."

Once the defense spells were in place, Sallie and Sylvia made they glowing entrance sitting on his shoulders. Erica and Whisper gasped in surprise. Tyler smiled as he made the introductions.

"This cutie with the green hair and blue eyes is Sallie. She was left to die at the hands of ten goblins by Charlotte the coward. Now she's with us. She and her spirit sister here have the maximized skill spirit shell. So, when in camp after the spells are up, they join us for whatever. Sera usually just kidnaps them for her own pile though."

Erica smiled as Whisper chuckled.

"She's so cute."

"Aye. I get it now."

Tyler then gestured to the other cutie.

"This here is Sylvia. Remember my scars and how my family gave them to me? Sylvia wasn't as lucky as me. We found her in a well after their games. Now she rides with us as well."

Sallie and Sylvia hopped off his shoulders to hug the newcomers.

"Nice to meetcha! I'm Sallie!"

"I'm Sylvia!"

Sallie giggled.

"We're spirit sisters!"

Tyler laughed.

"Damn girls, that's a seriously metal intro."

Kaori came down now from the butchering.

"We felt the spells go up, guess it's secret time?"

The two spirits giggled.

"Hi Mommy!"

They got a hug as Erica and Whisper looked at Tyler as Sallie skipped over.

"Daddy, can I pet the husky?"

"Long as she comes here, Sparkles."

"Kay!"

Sera came in next with Sasha as Erica smiled.

"I see they've chosen you two."

Sylvia was heard to giggle.

"Or Lily if Kaori loses!"

"I'm just gonna run fer me life now."

Sallie as getting her fill of Sasha's sift fur as Sylvia joined her with Sera. Erica and Whisper awww'd at the cute of the girls and the husky. Tyler smiled now.

"Now, the girls are NOT to be mentioned PERIOD. When in shell form, if they die again we lose them. Period. This IS NOT AN OPTION."

The ladies nodded vehemently. Tyler looked at Lyrica.

"Can doppelgangers reach them?"

The succubus shook her head smiling.

"Not with your extreme willpower. Like of it like a dome in the spirit world over those two. Higher the number, more impenetrable it becomes. Not even a god can get through those numbers if you do not want them to."

Tyler showed the curious ladies his HUD.

"This is what she's talking about."

They smiled as they saw the numbers.

"Explains why fighting 7 lich kings in one day was possible for him."

Tyler smiled knowingly now.

"We, as in me, Kaori and Malico found Vernillionia's body."

The queen jumped as Whisper gasped. Erica spoke now.

"What did you find?"

Tyler smiled.

"We found his body, ring, crown and last will. We have them sealed inside my drawer in the mansion."

Whisper just laughed.

"No kingship for you."

Erica's blue eyes narrowed, then went wide.

"Kazuma!"

Tyler sighed.

"Yup. Back when we found it, the plan was in the event of an unfavorable decree, we play the chosen king card, king Ishtar off then throne and put Kazuma on it. We had no idea he was such a bastard though."

Erica was nodding sagely.

"I understand. And am most impressed you even thought that far ahead. Kazuma was just an unfortunate mess."

"Yup. But now we got Axe."

The queen blinked.

"You made the instant you saw him."

"Like I keep telling everyone, all I want is to go on adventures with the ones I love. Well, and to keep Kaori here alive."

She kissed him as Whisper smiled.

"I can keep this secret."

Erica nodded as well.

"As can I. Feels wrong to keep it from Ishtar though.

"Oh he knows. Gliepnir was Fenrir."

Erica just busted up laughing.

"Of course it was. Anything else?"

Tyler smiled darkly now.

"This is my party's greatest weapon, ladies. Do NOT utter a word about it to anyone outside the party. Not even Ishtar knows this one."

They nodded now.

"I have a special ability which, when activated, boosts my stats by 350 for 20 minutes, spells cost nothing, do not need a chant and are four times as powerful. I can use this form twice a day, with another form once on top that boosts for 500, lasts for 30 minutes, and spells to the rest with a 5 times multiplier. The base forms once they run out leave me utterly helpless for fifteen minutes, whereas the big one is a full 25."

The two gaped.

"The name?"

The smiled with a dark light in his brown eyes.

"Demon's Wrath."

They shivered at the name and image he just presented. Then Erica smiled.

"I see what you were warning Kazuma about. He has one too, right?"

"He does. His does the same, but the boosts all go to defense stats and the spell boosts go to defense magic. He's a living shield basically."

Whisper was nodding.

"And yours is a all rounder based on offense."

Tyler smiled.

"Kicker is he used his BASE version. The skill upgrades through use, and that was his first time using it. I use mine maybe once a day or more if the shit hits the fan."

Lyrica smiled.

"I've seen it. All we'll see is a mere blur as whatever was standing there turns into mush."

Tyler chuckled.

"That's basically it for the real secrets as you already know I'm Minus Mortal Husband and have a scroll with direct contact with her, plus the crystals. Only thing really is my other trick Roar of the forest, but I think that's more just a dragon thing. You know about the raiser we're hunting, and I guess that really does it for camp secrets."

The two new comers nodded.

"I understand."

"Not a word."

Tyler looked to the still playing spirits.

"Sorry, girls. We got to get back to it."

Sera hugged them as Sasha licked their faces. Sallie and Sylvia gave a round of hugs before retaking their spots on his shoulders to return to spirit form. Lily spoke up now.

"Ore's marked."

"Once over with a comb, ladies and husky."

The grey girl barked happily as sera hugged her. The cave was strip mined as Wulf yelled from the entrance.

"Lisk's clean!"

"Those other dead guys?"

"Same! We got a few weapons to go through, 50 gold, 43 silver and about 55 coppers. The armor was ruined by the thing's breath."

"Got it, we'll be out in a minute."

Once the cave was his level clean Tyler led the ladies to the small pile of weapons the fallen adventurers had brought with them. Tyler looked at the pile, and shrugged.

"Nothing's really jumping at me, anything for you guys?"

Lily was looking over the mound and stepped back with a shrug.

"The steel's decent but I have better materials to both work and practice with."

The party went over the mound and the census was a universal shrug.

"Nothing really useful or particularly valuable."

Tyler looked at Erica.

"Wanna use these as an in at the markets?"

The queen nodded.

"Best option really. These are good weapons really, just useless to us. I'll show you the place when we get back."

"Alright, we got a new venue to sell shit."

They laughed and rode to the next one. Tyler had the bills up and smiled.

"The gathering is next up. Lily, Sera, and Lillia stay back. We'll hold you test at the hill camp."

Erica, Whisper and Lyrica looked at him.

"What's their test?"

"To kill a hill giant without our aid or bows. Straightup sword play ONLY. One on one."

The mother to the girls was a little angry now.

"And we will be?"

"We'll be sittin on a rock or something watching the action. AFTER we kill the other hills first."

Erica was about o argue, when Sera reached over and patted her mother.

"Not like I haven't done it already. This be just good practice."

She looked at her incredulously.

"He's done this to you ALREADY?"

Lillia was heard then.

"You either step the fuck up or get fucked up. I've BEEN fucked up once. Never again."

"Atta girl!"

Lillia got pats from the nearby ladies as Erica just looked at Tyler.

"You really think this is a fair test?"

His reply stopped her arguments in their tracks.

"Have faith in your daughters Erica. We all do."

She gasped and just smiled now.

"I need to remember who they've been running with these last few months."

"Nice to see ya actually give a damn. Ashy?"

The dirty blonde hit the song.

"Sorry, my give a damn's busted."

The ladies loved the song's message. Especially Lucy.

"I like this lady."

Tyler chuckled.

"I got a few like that."

The Gathering of Hill giants was felt more then seen as they got close. The horses were hidden as Tyler led his party to the large circle of rocks that the creatures had taken. Tyler had Gliepnir and Fafnir out as the party moved into the shadow of the stone. The ground was shaking from the beasts steps, and they climbed up to get a better view. Tyler smiled as he saw the inside of the cluster of stone. There were 120 giants all 35 feet tall milling around with a curious specimen sitting on a throne of white marble. The thing was 30 feet tall, had stone grey skin, and was bulkier then the other giants. Wulf saw it and smiled.

"We have a Hill King."

Tyler and Ashy looked at each other.

"King of the Hill?"

"Damn it Bobby."

The two laughed quietly. Then tyler got serious.

"Okay, archers stay up here, Erica, get a water wall over that entrance. I'll put up some ice. Vixen, Lyrica, illusions, Serafina, you're up here. Those pretty fangs aren't suited for this kind of thing. Those daggers aren't either. Lucy, throw those spears as well, things drop giants like flies. Thistle, we'll drop in to get their attention once the door shuts. Question, issues, Wulf?"

The ranger just sighed.

"And so it continues."

The party smiled as they took their spots up. Tyler and Erica charged their spells.

"Ice wall."

"Water wall."

Erica's water rose up to cut off the only exit out of the ring of rocks, and Tyler's ice wall just reinforced it. The creatures gaped at the sudden appearance of the water and ice as the Hill King grunted at them. The things moved to try and respond as the first hail of arrows dropped 12 creatures as tyler and thistle dropped to the ground.

"Azur Wave!"

"Blood slash!"

Tyler dove at the legs of the giants as thistle stayed back to back to him as his shard spell slammed into the creatures, felling a fair few as Thistle's spell sent a small wave of dripping energy from her Magicite axe that cut through the legs of many giants toppling them. Up on the rock, Sera and Wulf were competing again.

"Look, Elfy! I got two! Silver shaft."

"Well done, Sera. Only I got four. Shadow shaft."

Sera growled in frustration now.

"Gods damned elf."

Erica was laughing as she listened to her daughter give an elven ranger a run for his coin.

"She's quite competitive."

Lucy was pulling throwing spears out and hurling them with a vicious strength to fell beasts with a single hit. The hulking barbarian smiled.

"Aye, that she be. Sera loves her spot as best shot dearly, as she worked hard to get it."

Malico was on the other side of the queen as she fired her green bow.

"Plus, TYLER said she was the best shot on the team. Sera looks up to him like a brother and a hero. So, she wants to impress him as well."

Erica smiled proudly as Sera's latest shot dropped three giants in a line.

"He taught her well."

The battle raged for a mere ten minutes before Tyler reached the Hill King. The thing pulled a sword but by the time the blade was halfway drawn Tyler had cut it's legs out from under the thing. It hit the dirt with Tyler right up on it stabbing it in the heart. The spells were let go as Tyler looked to the rock.

"We good?"

The party dropped to the ground to do a body check. Sera walked over frustrated.

"That damned elf BEAT ME! By ONE!"

Tyler patted her hair.

"Git him next time."

She had a fire in her blue eyes now.

"Ooh, I'm GONNA!"

Tyler just hugged her.

"Damn, Sera, you intense. But you cute so I love you."

She squeaked and hugged him back glowing. Lillia was flexing her fingers.

"Been a while since I've had to draw bow so much so long. I'm good though."

Lily just sighed.

"I didn't really have a place in this fight. Too many for the ground, and I'm not that good with a bow. I got a few though, but still."

Tyler rubbed her hair.

"We all got a place, Lily. Look at Wulf."

"Not the best example, Tyler."

"Oh, yeah, I forgot. Serafina's the better example."

"much. Why is he here?"

"Eh, Ashy likes him."

"Why?"

"I ask that all the time."

"You do know I can hear you right?"

They looked at the ranger surprised.

"Oh, hey Wulf. When you get here?"

"What he said. I like this side of you Uncle Wolf."

The ranger just groaned in pain.

"It never stops."

Ashy just kissed her lover elf.

"Better?"

"Much."

The party fell to looting as Erica and Whisper were impressed by the feat they had just accomplished.

"We just killed 120 giants with 15 people."

"Without a scratch."

Lyrica shrugged.

"You get used to it. I think."

The party walked away with 65 gold, 242 silver, 332 copper. They rode to the next hit, and Tyler's rage started to boil again.

"The goblin camp."

The party shuddered from the rage in his voice. They found the camp easily enough, and tyler walked towards the camp with his double bladed staff sword as Kaori led Erica, Lyrica and Whisper to a vantage point.

"HE'll use the wrath on them as he just hates them that much."

The ladies could see the filled camp rostering, when Tyler came into view. Then he vanished as the first 15 creatures just became mere mist. The three newcomers gasped as the camp was utterly obliterated in the span of five minutes as Tyler let his hate out in full. The pile was made and he looked at the sky,

"Got a pile for you, Furiosa."

The green queen landed a few minutes later and she sighed as she saw his white knuckled grip on his sword as he KICKED the pile in another near blind rage.

"Heart, the spirits."

Tyler forced it down now, and he heard the sighs of relief as the bolts of pain left the two girls' forms. He got the scales as the dragon set the pile on fire. The camp had yielded 50 silver and that was all. Tyler walked out as his weakness had passed to rejoin the party. They rode on as Erica patted him comfortingly.

"I get it."

Tyler sighed.

"I'm good now. Thanks Erica."

Tyler pulled up the bills again.

"Okay, the goblins, wall, tomb guardian, striders, Gathering, and green lisk are dead. The villages are set as well. Next ask is the Tyrant. Good. I need some fun right now."

The party laughed as Tyler took the lead now as Wulf dropped back next to Whisper. The scout was curious.

"I thought we were the guides here?"

The ranger laughed.

"Tyler knows more about Tyrants and how to hunt them then anyone. They are to him what Horses are to Kaori."

The Weretiger smiled.

"I see. He's got a favorite prey."

Tyler led the party to a part of plains, and looked around.

"We got 45 seconds until we hear the bellow."

Sure enough, the trumpeting bellow of a hunting Tyrant was heard and Tyler smiled as he pulled out his spear.

"We got another 2 minutes till the footsteps."

again, they felt the steps as Tyler readied his mythril spear.

"And...enter the rex!"

The thing came tearing out of the forest to the left and the party moved their mounts as the beast snapped it's jaws shut where Tyler had been. The smiling man stabbed the beast just over the arm and hit heart. It dropped with a thud.

"Knives out."

The industrious party got right to it, butchering the entire animal as Whisper had a question.

"How much of the meat we keeping?"

Tyler was helping Sera with the head as he replied.

"We usually hold onto all the edible meat we can, Whisper. Since we roam so freakin much, better oversupplied then under."

The blue haired lady nodded as she aided Erica and Lillia with a leg.

"I understand. What ARE we selling?"

"Bones, skin, claws, teeth sometimes if we decide against a trophy, mostly everything but the meat."

She smiled hungrily now.

"I am so happy I joined this camp. Most I get to look forward to after a hard job or days work is some ale and mutton at the hall."

Ashy perked up from her spot at the tail.

"We brought recipes from our world as well, Whisper. So, your stomach's going to like you again."

The camp laughed as the animal was collected. They moved on as Erica was a little surprised.

"It's not even midmorning and we've already killed so many beasts."

"We're just getting started Erica. The last Lisk is up next."

The lisk had taken up residence in a small hollow in a mountainside surrounded by sparse trees. Tyler smiled.

"I'll fight this one alone."

Erica blinked as the party laughed.

"Is THAT how he tests himself?"

Kaori smiled at the queen.

"It is, Erica. If he lets us test ourselves on a challenge, then he's already beaten it twice."

The party watched as Tyler picked up a rock from the ground and hurled it in the cave. There was a ding and a hissing roar of indignation as a 75 foot tall white lisk appeared from with in the cave. Tyler had his spear out and charged as the thing went at him. Tyler was happily smiling as the thing swung a tail at him, only to use the 4 foot thick appendage to launch himself into a stabbing spot. Tyler threw his spear and it dove right through the groove between scales killing it outright. The thing dropped as the women applauded the kill. The party got to work butchering as Tyler, Lily, sera, Erica, and Vixen headed to loot the cave. This trove was 7 feet with two hollow feelings. Tyler smiled as he tore the first open.

"Okay, Lily and Sera."

The two girls nodded Tyler and Vixen leaned on a wall as Erica gulped.

"Seems risky."

Tyler chuckled.

"Sera and Lily have a Minotaur Balor to their teamwork. Watch."

Sera took a spot with her bow and four shafts as Lily used her own formidable strength to shove the lid back. The creature sat up as Sera fired her arrows into the thing's heart as Lily used a sword skill.

"Rock smasher."

She then slammed her Additite sword into the thing's head, splitting it cleanly. It dropped back as the girls high fived. Vixen and Tyler clapped.

"Well done girls. That was another high lich. Only it had to have both pierced."

Tyler nudged a stunned Erica.

"See? Sera can handle herself. Lily too."

He walked in and hugged the two girls.

"Nicely done. This one's yours."

They glowed as the looting began. The weapon was a large bearded Embercite axe neither girl wanted, nor did the axe wielders so it was added to the sell pouch. The girls walked away 400 gold, 390 silver, 400 copper richer with a few gems they put in the mansion fund. Tyler tore open the next chamber, and Vixen frowned.

"This one's a cursed tomb. No one set foot in it till I purge it."

They nodded and led the pale beauty do her thing. Lyrica the succubus came in then dusting her hands off, only to shudder.

"I know that feeling."

She walked over to where Tyler and the party were watching Vixen use her skills to purge the curse.

"Found a Dark Tomb eh?"

Tyler kissed her.

"I guess so. Vixen should be done soon so she'll be able to tell us more."

The busty black mage laughed a moment later.

"Oh, how insulting! The anchor point was the air itself? Childishly easy."

She walked back as Lyrica stole a warm kiss from the beauty.

"What kinda of curse?"

"A mere mana drain."

"Weak."

Vixen kissed her this time.

"tasty."

"You are very much."

Tyler chuckled.

"Nice to see the hot Vixen getting some sinfully good action off a outright diabolically good looking angelic devil."

Both ladies shivered hard as the others just clapped. He got kisses from Vixen and Lyrica before looking back to the tomb.

"I'll take this one."

They laughed as he pulled his twin scimitars. Tyler kicked the lid off and jumped back as a skeleton in a tattered robe was seen.

"Oh shit here we go."

The Lich King rattled as Tyler used his spells. The other ladies watched in shocked surprise outside the newly formed barrier as Tyler sighed.

"Sacred fire. Tranquil waters, holy fire, holy smite."

The thing rattled a cry of pain as Tyler slashed and hacked at it with his holy weaponry. Tyler had a bored expression as he cut the thing's head clean off before booting the thing into a wall. He was on it for the follow up stab as it lifted itself off the wall, only to get the scimitar blades forced into the ribcage from behind. It exploded into dust and lunged at Tyler who had his torture chamber open. HE slammed the thing inside, locked it, and hit Obliterate. It dissipated and he was looking at Sera and Lily as they came running as the barrier dropped.

"Are you okay?"

"What she said?"

Tyler chuckled.

"I'm good. That was a lesser Lich King. From now on, I take the cursed tombs. Period."

They nodded as Erica came in pale.

"You're saying the Lich Kings have breeds like any other monster?"

Tyler nodded.

"Yup. All the way up to grand Lich King. The five I fought yesterday were grand Lich kings. But, there is one more above it, the High Grand Lich King, which I have only fought the once."

The queen nodded.

"I see. A most disturbing discovery. Your bestiary, have you been making compendiums?"

"I have."

She took his hand in a pleading manner.

"Then, please, make more of them for these creatures and give a copy to the purity temples. We are in desperate need of the knowledge. I will pay whatever I have to."

Tyler chuckled.

"Sure, Erica. Didn't know these things were so badly known."

she sighed with relief as Vixen explained with a smile.

"Well, Tyler, you are the worlds leading expert on the Lich King. Before you, only ONE other had killed such a creature and lived to tell the tale. You've killed NINE. Let that sink in."

HE did, and looked at the pile of dust.

"I see. So that means the tomes are a vital bit of adventurer knowledge. I'll get a deal going with the guild and the temple. I'll give them the info in exchange for these things locations and holy weaponry. Easy enough."

Erica hugged him.

"Thank the gods you're not a monster."

Tyler rubbed her back.

"Oh I am. Scale trial or no Scale trial."

They laughed as Vixen looked into the coffin.

"What's it got?"

The black mage shuddered.

"A Staff of Dragon's Leash."

"oh shit. Everybody out."

They ran from the cave as the others got the last bit of meat from skeleton. Their smiles and good humor died as they saw Tyler and party in such a hurry to get out of the tomb. Tyler looked at the sky.

"We got a biggee here, Tempesta."

The dragon landed mere moments later and Vixen placed the staff on the ground. The sky lord took one look and gasped.

"The black one's staff!"

Tyler groaned.

"Don't fuckin tell me we found its tomb."

Tempesta looked around the hollow.

"It can't be. We MELTED this hollow ourselves!"

The dragon fixed Tyler with his eye.

"Tell me everything."

Tyler gestured to the cave.

"We got a job to kill the lisk there. As the usual we split to search the cave. There were two tombs down there. One a mere high lich that Sera and Lily killed without issue. Second was a cursed tomb with a Lich King in the coffin."

The dragon dug his claws into the ground.

"Power?"

"Lesser Lich king. Weaker then those two idiots from the summoner's lab. Only thing of real concern was that staff."

The dragon looked at the cave.

"Have you looked it over properly yet?"

"No. I killed the thing, Vixen found the staff, and we bailed."

The dragon blinked.

"I need your eyes again."

"Sure."

Tyler pulled his scimitars as the others formed up to do a proper search. Tyler took Vixen and Lyrica into the tomb as the others looted the trove and searched the walls. Tyler let he dragon look at the high lich tomb first.

"Clean, Tyler. I was there when this one died."

"Next one."

Tyler walked in and ran his eyes around the line of glyphs. The dragon growled.

"This is a Shrine tomb."

"Shrine Tomb?"

The dragon explained.

"Indeed. A shrine tomb is built as a means of worship for a hero or other idol whose body was never recovered for whatever reason. The staff was HIS staff alright. How it would up in here I need to figure out."

"Maybe it was recovered by the brother and placed here as a tribute?"

"A fair theory, but the staff was made to enslave dragons outright. If anyone held the staff, and KNEW what they were holding…"

"Then they would not be able to resist doing it. I see now."

Wulf poked his head in next.

"We got a few banned spells."

Tyler let the dragon see them.

"Hmm, more typical torture spells. Nothing too extreme. Not bad for a mere lisk."

"We found the Additite shield in a trove of a lisk."

Tempesta chuckled.

"They may be mere food, but they do know a trove."

Tyler walked around the wall of the tomb prospecting for hollows.

"Oh, hello. Tempesta, got a hole."

The dragon rumbled.

"Open it."

The rest of the party got back as he booted the wall open, revealing another lab. Vixen and Lyrica walked in as Tyler pulled on gloves over his blue fingerless gloves. Vixen took one look at the circle and sighed with relief.

"Lord blue, this is not his or its."

Tyler looked around with his eyes so the dragon could get a good look, and he rumbled.

"I am in agreement child. I think this is a mere imitator."

Tyler opened a drawer and found a set of notebooks. He started flipping and nodded.

"Yeah. The staff was found by this idiot buried in the hollow. Says here he literally tripped over it. Wait, tripped over it?"

Tyler took his map out and looked at the area. Soon as he did, he laughed.

"I KNEW it! Tempesta, look."

The dragon did, and laughed.

"We got another entrance! That weaselly bastard!"

"We'll finish up in here and head out to knock, okay?"

"Certainly. The skeleton, are you finished with it?"

Wulf and Kaori looked at each other.

"I couldn't find another use."

"The bones left are mostly waste, either too brittle for supports or too weak for really anything."

Tyler gave the verdict.

"We're set with it."

"I use bones like these for tooth picks."

The party burst out laughing at both the response and the image Tempesta had just presented. They got to work cleaning the place, and walked out with another mass of gems, 6754 gold, 4353 silver, 7643 copper. The party headed to the dip Tyler had found and he with kaori blew it open. Tempesta hid his presence as Tyler took his spot. The rest of the party were hiding around the rim as Tyler took in a breath.

"HEY! WORMSCALE!"

There was a low rumbling growl, and Tyler smiled.

"HOW'S IT FEEL KNOWING A DRAGONFLY HAS BETTER SCALES AN YOU!"

Another, angrier rumble.

"NO WONDER YOUR YOUNG DIED! WITH PARENTS LIKE YOU I KILL MYSELF TOO!"

Tempesta winced at that kick to the balls, as his friends winced at the cruel remark. Kaori and Lily just shook their heads sagely.

"If he wants to piss you off, he knows how."

"And he's damn good at figuring out the best way to it."

Tyler watched as the black dragon came hurtling out of the tunnel with a blind rage.

"Gotchya bitch."

The dragon was hit by Tempesta and dragged clear of the tunnel as Tyler laughed. He glanced into the tunnel and went white.

"DEMON'S WRATH SECOND RAGE!"

A second dragon came racing out as Tyler dodged the initial lunge. Tempesta had his claws full with the other dragon as his friends froze in horror. Tyler had Gliepnir out now and was casting spells.

"Divine retribution! Azur wave!"

The dragon breathed a purple breath attack, but it was absorbed by the retribution spell as Tyler surged forward and slashed with his sword, which according to legend was said to be able to sever a high dragon's head in a single stroke. The dragon blocked with her wings, only for Tyler to slice right through and breath his own flames in the female dragon's face. The beast's head was engulfed and she was temporarily blinded, as she tried to fend off the next attack. Tyler, however, was well versed in dragons due to the sheer amount of time he had spent with them, and she was no exception. This black dragon was 150 feet long, and had a 75 foot span per wing. Tyler smiled as he saw his opening and target. He used another spell.

"Ice wall!"

The dragon was sandwiched between Tyler's ice as he used it to launch forward and stab the beast in the chest up to Gleipnir's hilt. He felt the pulsating beat of the heart rip itself apart on his blade, and jumped back, tearing the blade free with a savage wrench, opening a six foot gash open in her frame. The dragon fell as Tyler readied for the last attempt as the dying dragon sent a massive last breath at him, only for it to once again be absorbed by his retribution spell. The spell was charged fully, and Tyler saw a clear opening as Tempesta threw the other dragon off.

"Divine Retribution!"

The white beam slammed into the other enemy dragon, throwing it off balance for Tempesta to get his claws and fangs into it to pin it to the ground. Tyler walked over and planted the dripping blade in front of the now terrified black dragon's eye.

"Like I said. GOTCHYA BITCH!"

Tyler looked into it's eyes and snorted.

"Idiots. They were a pair of hermits with a shared trove. No idea that staff was there."

Tempesta killed the dragon and bellowed his victory to the heavens before looking at the other dragon's corpse. Tyler smiled.

"We'll be right back after this flop."

HE fell over panting as his friends came running, awe and fear on their faces as the fact Tyler had just killed a dragon alone sank in. Tyler took in a huge breath once the weakness passed and got back up to see Tempesta looking at him most intensely. He gulped.

"Ummm, I'm sorry?"

The dragon bared his fangs in a smile.

"We have a new dragonslayer. Well done."

Tyler breathed a sigh of relief before looking at the dead thing.

"Was it SUPPOSED to be that easy?"

Tempesta chuckled.

"She was a mere Greater dragon. Nothing too impressive as far as dragons go."

"I thought Furiosa was a greater dragon?"

Tempesta laughed.

"She is a Greater Dragon. But, she is of the five Principle Colors, whereas that was a Mere Purple."

Tyler nodded now.

"I get it. Furiosa's a force to be reckoned with."

Tempesta nodded as well.

"She is indeed. One reason I love her so freakin much, is she's so fierce."

"Awwww, Tempy!"

Tempesta fell over with a heavy thud as Furiosa came winging in to land beside him, with Ignatia and Leviathan accompanying her. The sky lord saw Tyler's ploy, AND his lesson as well, and got back to his feet as the ocean lady Leviathan looked at Tyler and the kill.

"It seems this world is finally fun again."

Ignatia nodded his red head.

"Indeed, Highscale. Even IF we have no desire to fight him."

Tyler pulled up his HUD and smiled as he saw the title.

"Dragonslayer. Fuck yeah. Okay, wow. It's a permanent title that appears whenever someone sees my Insignia or HUD in their interface. Boosts all stats by 150, grants the breath of the slain dragon, and the ability dragon rage? Ohhhhh, HELL. I got TWO Wrath abilities now!"

Tyler smiled widely as Tempesta looked at the slain dragon.

"As is the way of dragons when a new slayer is crowned, if the slayer be of good standing, they may ask ONE boon from each dragon in attendance for the title bestowment. In this, ALL of us are holden to this."

Tyler looked at his party and back to the dragons.

"We're hunting Lich kings and undead. So, we'd appreciate holy weapons and gear if you have any."

Ignatia lowered his head.

"Due to my dealings with the church of the human kingdom, I have many. What do you need?"

Tyler looked at his crew.

"Lets see, a bow per, an axe for Thistle and Lucy, a short sword for Lily and Sera, and with the stuff from Rolic that's it for our holy gear. I can't give Ashy, Vixen, Serafina, or Lyrica holy anything or it'll burn them. Same with Whisper. A collapse function is welcome, but that's just storage speaking."

Ignatia flew off as Tyler looked back at his party, before looking at Tempesta.

"It possible to get the ability to pass things through the communications crystals added to the coins you gave me? Oh, and a means to make more when I run out?"

HE laughed.

"That's an easy. Let me see one."

Tyler took out a coin and Tempesta made it glow.

"If you have a coin left, put a gem into it and it'll make more. The pass ability was added to all coins on your network."

"Thanks, Tempesta."

Tyler looked at Leviathan next, and here he had to think. The lady dragon laughed.

"Hard one, isn't it?"

Tyler chuckled.

"Surprisingly so. Me and my party got most if not ALL of what we need, and we got coin aplenty, so hard to really build....oh. I know."

He looked at Kaori and smiled at her.

"Only right Kaori gets a cloak too."

That got a rumble of amusement from the Ocean dragoness.

"It is indeed. And it'll boost her path as well."

Kaori kissed him as she got her own blue wing cloak, and it made her blonde hair pop like polished gold. Tyler smiled at his love before looking at Furiosa, and the green dragon laughed.

"What's LEFT for you to ask?"

"Malico gets a green cloak?"

That got a laugh from them all as Furiosa made hers blue-green to make the point that Malico was TYLER'S kittycat. The busty catgirl kissed him as he hugged as Ignatia landed with the equipment. Tyler smiled.

"Gear up."

Every weapon had a collapse function, and Tyler smiled as he had a new idea.

"Hey, Lyrica, they to enchanted belts, right?"

The succubus laughed.

"They do. I sell them and Burlock makes em custom."

"Next set of upgrades!"

The dragons laughed as Tyler looked at the dead female.

"We can eat that thing, right?"

Tempesta busted up laughing, and so did the other dragons as his party stared at him like he was insane. Then the sky lord looked at him.

"Sadly not, as the meat is toxic to any but a dragon."

"well, that sucks. We'll get the scales, teeth, claws and that pouch she's got under wings, wings too. You can have whatever we DON'T take. Sound fair?"

The dragon laughed.

"Sure. The head?"

"Oh THAT'S getting mounted on a wall."

The dragons laughed. Tempesta pried one hundred scales from the hide of the other dragon.

"Thanks, Tempesta, we'll split the trove again."

"Of course."

The other dragons got back to their hunt as Tyler and the party got to butchering their first true dragon. As they worked, Tempesta had to ask.

"Did you HAVE to throw the young thing in their face? That was a low blow."

Tyler chuckled apologetically.

"Sorry, Tempesta. That WAS a dick move."

The dragon chuckled as the dragon was stripped of scales, claws, the wings were to made into cloaks, basically the only thing they DIDN'T take was the meat. Tyler wielded Gliepnir and severed the dragon's scaled head a single stroke before placing it in the pouch for the mansion.

"This thing have a name?"

Tempesta tilted his head now.

"She did. It was....Sleet? Yeah, Sleet the purple traitor. She rebelled against the Highscale several scales back, so was cast down from the sky."

"We'll get a plaque."

HE laughed. Once the last piece was taken, Tempesta blinked to borrow Tyler's eyes as the party dove into the tunnel. This one wasn't as well maintained as the previous, was the walls had cracks, roots and other signs of age. Tyler led the way and they found the trove without issue. This one was 20 feet tall, and 15 feet wide. Tyler just shook his head.

"We're…..gonna need a bigger pouch."

They laughed as MORE furniture was found. This time a mere bed, another desk, table, and wardrobe. Tyler and the two mages searched the wardrobe and desk, and sighed with relief at finding them empty. The things were collected as Lily walked around the walls with Lucy and Erica in case of hidden room. Tyler looked at the pile.

"Weapons first?"

Tempesta rumbled.

"Sure."

The party got to it as they pulled every weapon from the pile and laid the items out for later inspection. Lily came back and aided with her two escorts.

"Verdict?"

She smiled.

"we got some good ore and stone in the walls. I marked them."

"That's me elf!"

She smiled happily as the last piece was laid out. Tyler looked over the line of gear.

"Well, the undead aspect is set. Now, just upgrades, people, upgrades."

Ashy looked at him.

"I have that one."

"I love you too."

Wulf kissed Ashy then, and Tyler made out with Kaori, before stealing another makeout from Lyrica, before going right back to kaori. The bemused trio of ladies just looked at each other as Wulf accepted his defeat.

"Are THEY competing against each other with US?"

"It seems they are, Kaori."

"I think Wulfy here felt threatened by Tyler's words, dear Ashy."

"I think so too, Lyrica."

"How will we ladies handle this newfound competition?"

"Indeed, how will we?"

"How will we indeed."

Tyler just smiled.

"Whatever you do, YOU win."

The ladies of the party laughed as Wulf smiled at Tyler's clear ploy. Tempesta was watching amused as Lily was heard going huh. The room looked at her as she lifted a golden scythe from under a shield Sera had used to move multiple items at once. Tempesta was heard gasping.

"That's a Golden Scythe. It's made to be wielded by a Gold/Black pather! It can kill a high dragon with a single hit!"

Tyler took the weapon and had to wear gloves due to the black. He brought it out to Tempesta and the dragon took possession of it. Tyler went back as Lily found another weapon. This being a crystalline sword Tyler just loved the look of.

"Find something you like?"

The elf girl smiled.

"I did. It feels even lighter then my Additite sword."

"You have a name for it?"

She frowned as she looked at it now.

"Hmmm, Demon's Claw."

Tyler just hugged her tightly as the thing glowed hard. Tyler chuckled.

"Knew it."

The weapon was now 4 feet long with a narrow leaf pattern Lily loved. Tempesta was heard then.

"It chose her. So hers it be."

She sheathed it over her back like he had his blades. The weapons were gone through until they were gone, and Tyler looked at the still 18 foot tall pile.

"Ore?"

"Sure."

This dropped the pile by 4 feet as the precious metals were laid out. Once the ore was laid out and gone through, the gems were next. The sapphires were set aside and the 5 foot tall pile of opals were set apart for divvying. The mound was now 15 feet tall of JUST coins as they gems were divvyed up between party, mansion and dragon. Then Tyler looked at the mound.

"You wouldn't have that other pouch on you, would you Tempesta?"

"I do actually."

"Might be a good idea."

"Agreed."

Tyler retrieved the pouch. HE stood before the mound as Tempesta did his dragon treasure thing.

"By my count, there be 1,232,986 gold, 3,234,986 silver, 4,986,436 copper coins in that pile."

"HOLY SHIT."

The en mass replay just made Tempesta laugh. Erica looked at Whisper incredulously.

"That single mound has roughly a tenth of Vernillion's yearly profit!"

Tyler smiled.

"Right done the middle?"

"Agreed."

"Yay. Math."

They all laughed at his saddened voice as Tempesta helped out. The party walked away 616,493 gold, 1,617,493 silver, 2,493,218 copper coins richer. Tyler gave the pouch with Tempesta's share to the dragon, and he chuckled.

"I'll get back to the hunt. Enjoy the new title."

He flew off as Tyler looked to his friends.

"Well. I killed a dragon. Now what?"

They burst out laughing at the simple logic of that statement. Sera answered the question.

"Hug me!"

they laughed again as he hugged his little sister.

"Okay, the lisks, wall, Tyrant, goblins, Gathering, tomb guardian, and striders are dead. The villages set. We got the stronghold up next."

Erica, Lyrica and Whisper were white in the face.

"You just killed a dragon AND a Lich king back to back, and we're STILL going?"

Tyler smiled at them.

"Get moving ladies. Welcome to hell! I want these last bills wrapped up in two hours or less."

The party laughed as they mounted up for the next raid. The three newcomers just followed suit as the truth of Tyler's strength became exhaustingly clear.

"He's so damned strong because he works himself half to death daily!"

Kaori and Malico had their wing cloaks on display as they rode with the ladies.

"Tyler likes to stay busy."

"Yeah. Only time we really relax is in Raylik or near it. Even then we mostly do lighter jobs and raids."

Whisper looked at the blonde beauty.

"What's considered a light raid?"

"Mostly creatures he hasn't killed yet. Or the ones he had the most fun fighting."

The Weretiger nodded.

"A wise idea, even if a mite exhausting."

The stronghold of Orcs was in an old fort set against a mountainside. Tyler looked at it and smiled widely.

"Now THIS is going to be good."

Wulf looked at the fort and smiled as well.

"I love these kinds of fights."

Tyler used his far sight to scout the place. The stone was a sickly green color with evident rot in the wood he could see, cracking stone, and a mere wall across the front gate. Tyler looked to Sasha.

"She can come this time, since it's just orcs."

The husky growled eagerly. The horses were hidden as the party loaded up for an invasion. Tyler had his demon greatsword out.

"I'll kick the door in."

They nodded as he walked up the path whistling with the 7 foot black sword over a shoulder. He could hear the creatures bickering amongst themselves just behind the makeshift barricade across the ten foot entrance. Tyler looked at the wood, and smiled.

"Ice Dragon."

HE breathed the ice spell onto the wood, freezing it solid to the point it shattered into dust with the sound of breaking glass. The creatures inside gaped as Tyler walked in.

"knock, knock FUCKS! THE OUTCASTS COME CALLING! Ocean dragon roar!"

Tyler breathed Leviathan's flames as the creatures finally understood they being attacked. Tyler swung his greatsword as fifteen of the things charged him, cutting them all down with a single stroke.

"Azur Wave!"

The multi target spell filling the next wave full as the rest of the party blew roared onto the scene with a fury. Lucy and Thistle leading the charge with their long weapons scything several per swing as Kaori and Malico moved in with their speed weapons leaving a mist of bodies as the dancing ladies worked, Ashy and Wulf were back to back her Rune sword and his elven blade taking all comers where in another spot Sera and Lily were working in tandem with Sera's bow to Lily's sword and shield. The two girls leaving dead and dying behind them as they moved. Vixen and Lyrica were casually walking through the blood and screams as their spells wreaked havoc, Vixen's illusions blinding, and her poison seeping with Lyrica's flames setting creatures aflame. Serafina was hunting from the shadows, as the utter chaos of the battle provided the stealthy wraith plenty of opportunities for nasty assassinations and poisonings. Whisper had joined up with Lillia and the pair were working well, as Whisper's daggers and axes complemented Lillia's sword and shield perfectly. Erica was on her own raising hell the only way the Queen of Vernillion knew how, as her water and fire spells drowned the idiot creatures in flames as her longsword sliced their companions dead. Sasha was also making blood pour, as the Warrior Husky moved faster then a normal husky to take creatures with her own set of skills and abilities only a Warrior husky possessed. Her fangs crushed necks as her claws tore through armor and hide. The creatures recovered from the surprise attack, and regrouped to surround the ladies, as tyler tore into the main keep alone to leave the ladies the rabble. The party were herded into the center and surrounded due to sheer weight of numbers, and Erica smiled.

"That wily bastard. Water wall."

Her wall spell rose up, halting the advancing creatures in their tracks. Then a set of heavy footsteps were heard as four 35 foot tall Plains giants appeared with long clubs. The party saw them and burst out laughing.

"That sonuvabitch."

The hulking things rose their clubs to smash the wall,

"Water Burst."

Tyler's water spell dropped over the ladies, and popped like a balloon sending the razor sharp shards of water into the creatures surrounding them. Tyler was seen as he booted a rather tall orc from the top of the main tower.

"This. Is. LECTIS!"

Ashy and Kaori burst out laughing as the Orc King slammed into the ground.

"Oh he's been WAITING for a chance to say that!"

Ashy watched as he jumped over the tower a good 150 off the ground.

"I loved that movie."

The orcs were effectively headless as Tyler split a plains giant in half with his greatsword. The party laughed as Tyler cast his own water wall.

"Water wall!"

The courtyard was surrounded by the wall of roiling blue surf as Erica cast another spell she had.

"Fiery Hell!"

The party was surrounded by fifteen foot flames as Tyler timed the follow up with the queen.

"Water fall!"

"Fiery hellscape!"

Tyler's water landed on top of Erica's fire and the resulting collision of elements boiled the last orcs alive as Lucy and Thistle cut the giants to shreds. Tyler was smiling as the last orc fell screaming.

"We good?"

Sera perked up.

"I got a nasty cut on my arm from a badly blocked spear thrust, the potion healed it, but I could use a holy relief."

Tyler cast it on her arm as Lily explained.

"And orc's spear bounced off me shield as Sera moved for her counterattack. More bad luck really."

Tyler patted Sera as her arm was healed and the small scar removed.

"We all take a hit sometimes. No matter HOW good you are."

She hugged him as Lillia perked up.

"My fingers hurt, and my shield arm's numb, but I'm good."

Lucy was rubbing her stomach.

"I be needin a spell too, took a nasty hit from a Warhammer before me axe made two."

Tyler cast his spell as the ladies and Wulf did a status check.

"We're good. Not bad for our first large scale battle on flatland."

Tyler smiled as he patted Lucy fondly.

"Was the plan. Till this fight we've had the height advantage."

Erica nodded now.

"I get it now. You had a hole in your battle experience."

Tyler nodded.

"Yup. I find a missing piece I make sure to fill it. Alright, loot the place."

The fort was looted to the last copper, and the party walked away with 30 gold, 243 silver, 541 coppers, a few gems, and some potions. As they were leaving, Tyler looked at the crumbling structure.

"Should we put flame to it? An open fort like this usually fills back up with bandits or worse."

Whisper smiled.

"I see the reasoning, Tyler, but did you notice how easy it was to both invade and clean out?"

Tyler looked at the more experienced guild member.

"I did. But, it was OUR party."

"We are strong, but this fort is a well known hub for the easier creatures. I think you can guess why it's still standing."

Tyler smiled as he understood.

"As a beacon for easy kills and experience for the newer adventurers, or as mere practice for those that can handle themselves. Plus the knights can use this place to practice invasion tactics."

Erica laughed.

"Exactly. Thankfully they be few and far between, but exactly that reason lad."

Lyrica smiled as she looked at it.

"Kazuma would have just torched the place, and the guild and kingdom would lose out on a long term benefit for a short term gain."

Tyler nodded as they returned to the horses.

"As once the well known hideout is gone, the creatures find a new one. And it might not be as easy to clear out."

The party nodded as Tyler next looked to Sasha.

"How'd our puppy do?"

Sera giggled as she petted the husky's fur.

"She did great! A few cuts but Ashy was able to heal her!"

Tyler looked at her and she smiled.

"Merely grazes from falling weapons. Sasha's a lot tougher an she looks."

"Like her owner."

That got him a hug as they mounted up for the next raid. Tyler looked at the bills and smiled.

"We got the toads next."

The ladies burst out laughing as Kaori eyed him.

"More spoiling?"

"I promised Minus six jars, remember?"

The ladies smiled approvingly as they moved to the toad zone.

"Ashy, don't pull an Aqua!"

She just glared as Kaori laughed.

"That the new toad pun?"

"For now. I'm trying to not use the really bad ones."

Erica tilted her head curiously.

"How bad can it be?"

"Bad."

The party's reply made her smile.

"Now I want to hear one!"

Tyler smiled now.

"Let's hurry up! We got a lot of work Toady!"

The party groaned in agony as Erica shuddered.

"see?"

The Queen had an apology in her eyes.

"I'm sorry, that was mean."

Tyler smiled again.

"What's the toadal damage?"

Kaori rode up and smacked him. Hard. The party shuddered in pain as Kaori just smacked him again.

"I lost life from that. No."

Tyler smiled apologetically.

"I got it out of my system anyway."

Sera shuddered again.

"Mommy's puns suck. His HURT."

"Love you too Sera."

Tyler smiled again.

"Oh, I got a classic."

Kaori looked at him.

"Choose your next words well, or you're alone tonight."

"Well, Kaori, no matter how I push the envelope, it'll still be stationary I guess."

She smiled at that one.

"Okay, not bad."

"If you could cordially pass the cordial we'll have a mighty drink!"

Erica and the natives busted up laughing as Kaori was confused.

"I don't get it?"

Tyler patted her lovingly.

"Cordial is a sweet juice like drink."

"Ahhh. I guess that's a Lectis pun."

sera licked her lips.

"Strawberry's good!"

Tyler shrugged.

"I got a few good ones."

kaori kissed him.

"Forgiven."

The toads were found in a small patch of swampy ground. Tyler and the others made it rain arrows on the 30+ creatures before the slime was collected. Kaori caught up to Tyler as he was looking at the bills.

"So, the jars?"

He looked at her.

"I'll give you more skin cream."

She smiled briefly.

"I know one of those makes the boobs bigger."

He looked at her.

"Okay?"

She looked into his eyes.

"Are you getting me one?"

HE blinked.

"I was going to. Was thinking you'd like to see if you LIKE how you'd look with them."

She didn't blink.

"That's the ONLY reason? Just to see if I LIKE it?"

He looked her in the eye with a firm stare now.

"It was, kaori. I promise you that."

she nodded.

"I just wanted to hear it. I'm still growing, and Vixen told me when I asked her about it that if I put it on while they're still growing it'll ruin the growth entirely."

He blinked.

"Well, shit."

She hugged him.

"Thanks for thinking of me though."

HE held her as he stroked her long hair.

"I love you."

She smiled and whispered into his ear.

"That slit cream, however, Vixen told me it makes it feel AMAZING."

"6 jars it is."

She kissed him before they mounted up for the warg camp.

"Let's do another bill check. The villages are set, Tyrant, Lisks, Orcs, goblins, giants, and toads are dead. The wall tipped over and the striders dead. We got the wargs and the hill camp left. We'll hit the hill camp, and get the girls a fresh test before we put the riders down."

The party nodded as they went to the small hill the thing sha made their camp.

"Vixen, use your spells to set three aside."

She nodded as Erica looked at Sera's determined face concerned.

"Are you SURE?"

She smiled at her mother.

"We got this, mommy."

Erica felt an immense pride for her youngest daughter. The camp was found, and it held 25 creatures. Tyler and the party just dove right in as Vixen set three specimens 25 feet tall aside with her spells as the rest were cut to pieces. Tyler and the rest of the party took up spots without cleaning the body strewn ground.

"Sera. Sword only."

She nodded as Erica stood beside him with worry in her blue eyes.

"This feels wrong."

HE hugged her warmly as the first giant was set loose. This one swung a club made of metal as Sera used her small stature and agility to dodge and get behind the creature. She had her Dragon scale/ Balor horn sword ready as she slashed the back of the thing's ankle. The thing roared and tripped over the bodey of it's fallen comrade, and Sera was leaping up the now kneeling beast to plunge her blade into it's neck. The beast died as Sera pulled her blade free and kicked off the beast's body, even pulling a flip as she landed with the giant falling behind her. The party applauded her kill as Erica just breathed a sigh of relief.

"Lillia, you're up."

She nodded and pulled her sword as Sera climbed up to sit on the stone next to Erica.

"See, I had it."

Erica just patted her as Lillia's beast was set on her. Lillia had a different strategy then Sera's. The older sister used her adamant shield to hide the leg of another dead giant, and as the other swung it's wooden club at her, she moved the thing's leg as the club shattered over the leg of it's dead friend. The hill gawked at it's ruined club as Lillia slashed the large knob in the foot and brought the beast to it's knees. She was right there to kill it with a stab to the neck as everyone applauded. Lillia climbed up next to her proud mother as Lily walked out now. The elven girl with her Additite shield and sword as her beast rushed her. This one was either dumber or more aggressive as it ran at the small girl, only to trip on the body of a dead giant and fall flat on it's face. Lily stabbed the thing in the neck and that was that. Tyler sighed.

"Good kill, Lily. And even better luck."

Sera and Lillia were a little miffed at Lily's easy victory, but let it go. Lily was disappointed.

"Damned idiots."

The camp was looted with the team walking away with 55 gold on the nose. Tyler smiled as the last hit was the warg camp.

"We'll hit this and the golem and head back. Wulf and I will get the coin, rest of you go relax."

Erica smiled.

"I'll have more knights in the areas."

"Good call, Erica. Once the coins set, I'll go with you and Whisper to collect the cat's new hide before we hit the markets."

That got a laugh from Whisper.

"Sure. The rest of them?"

Tyler sighed.

"No one goes ANYWHERE without at least four. Period. I count as two."

They nodded as Erica sighed.

"Why didn't Ishtar just make them camp outside the gate?"

"No clue."

The warg camp was found easily enough, and was slaughtered to the last. The camp was looted with a meager 65 coppers. So was the golem. Tyler killed the Diadore, the party's last bill he had forgotten about, alone as a test for himself. It put up less of a fight then the grand wall. Tyler looked at the bills.

"The Tyrant, Lisks, orcs, goblins, wargs, wall, striders, tomb guy, and the giants are dead and the villages set. Alright, let's get a break."

Kaori looked at their mounts.

"The horses need a good break too."

"You heard the Lady of Horses."

The party laughed as they rode back to Term. They rode in through the same gate as they left headed right for the palace. The party got cheers and hails as they went, and Tyler would breathe his fire or do a non-dangerous spell for them just for the fun factor. Erica laughed at this.

"He loves showing off, doesn't he?"

Kaori smiled.

"HE does. Plus, see how many kids are watching?"

The queen looked and smiled as she saw them.

"I get it now. A tale to tell."

The horses were stabled as Tyler looked at Erica.

"we'll go give Rolic the crystal recordings."

Kaori smiled.

"I made a recording of your kill."

"Kaori. I love you."

She smiled as they walked into the hall just in time to hear an argument.

"Who do you think you are, kid? I'm the prince! Now do as I say!"

"Shove it ya wanna be bully. Thorn is NOT going to be your maid. She be the Outcast's, now piss off before I pull me blade."

"I am the prince! You. Do. What. I. Say."

Tyler just looked at Erica who nodded.

"Please do."

Tyler walked over to where Axe the lead boy of the street gang was staring down an irate Kazuma with a bored expression as he twirled his silver dagger absentmindedly. Axe saw Tyler approaching and flipped his dagger at him.

"King's in a meeting right now with King Rolic. Not sure what, but I'll let him know yer back."

Tyler caught the blade and spun it back.

"Thanks Axe. You're pretty good with that thing. Got any other tricks with a knife?"

The boy shrugged.

"a few here and there. Be amazed just how far a good knife can take you."

"Testify brother. My knife from me old world saved me and Kaori's life in the tower. Hey, look at this."

Tyler pulled his bowie knife design out and showed it to Axe. Boy nodded approvingly.

"Aye, that be a good knife. Likes to have it meself."

"I'll have a word with a friend. Silver, right?"

He nodded, still bored.

"Yup. Nice to see ya got sumthin of a memory."

"Gotta look out for Thorn's bodyguard, right?"

The boy smiled at that.

"I guess. You piss her off you deal with me."

"Well said."

Axe shrugged and walked off still spinning his knife as he looked at an amused kaori.

"I like that kid."

Lily shrugged.

"Meh."

Tyler looked at a glaring Kazuma.

"Really?"

He walked off with just that, not wasting either his breath or his time on the prince. Tyler looked at Vixen as they headed for Ishtar's office.

"Is sliver weaponry made from actual silver or something else?"

Lily spoke up.

"It is. It's not really that strong, but in the hands of a silver path, it gets stronger."

"Thanks Lily. The magic side of smithing is a little odd, ain't it?"

She chuckled as she warmed to her trade.

"It be. Once I get that far I'll have to have another smith teach it to me hands on as I can't learn the means alone."

"When you get that far, Lily give a holler and we'll get it set up."

She hugged him as they reached the thick oak door. Tyler tapped a firm knuckle.

"Hey, Ishtar, get your hand outta your pants."

The group laughed as Kaori smacked him. There was a voice from within.

"Jackass. It's safe."

They walked in to see the dwarven king Rolic recovering from Tyler's joke as Ishtar just had a look of defeat. Once the door was shut Tyler pulled the three crystals out.

"I got your crystals here, Rolic."

The dwarf smiled eagerly as Tyler passed them through. The red bearded ruler passed his weaponry through which was distributed to the party. Tyler then smiled.

"I got bragging rights now."

The two kings gulped.

"What'd you do?"

"Nothing TOO crazy. I just KILLED A DRAGON. ALONE."

He passed his HUD over.

"Ha."

The rulers took one look and just applauded.

"We have a DRAGONSLAYER."

"Tyler, we'll make a public appearance as such a thing is that kind of news for the kingdom."

"Kaori recorded it."

The two men blinked.

"Name your price."

"Same."

Tyler sighed.

"We need to make a deal here."

The kings became serious.

"Go ahead."

"I've killed 9 lich kings as of this raid. Erica here has told me the knowledge around these creatures is just not there. Now, as I am the worlds leading expert on killing them, I will make compendiums from my bestiary for them. My deal is I'll give them to you as I get more, you get them to the temples, guilds, and other types of monster hunters. In exchange, me and my party get the weapons, armor and locations of any such creatures filtered to us as I am the only one at the moment that can kill them repeatedly."

Rolic crossed his arms now.

"Can you give an example of the newfound knowledge?"

"They have breeds like every other creature. From lesser, the lowest, to High Grand Lich King. The absolute strongest. I've killed that one the once."

Rolic nodded.

"I see. That is disturbing news. When we encounter such creatures, how do we handle them?"

"Run. Just mark the spot and get the hell out. Their mental attacks are nothing short of their greatest weapon. Not even Tempesta is confident in his ability to fend it off. Reason why I can is cause of these."

He showed his HUD with his numbers and the two rulers sighed.

"I see now."

"I do too."

Tyler blinked.

"A warning about the crystals."

They looked at him.

"Speak."

"I'm using an ability to fight the things, called Demon's Wrath. You are NOT to utter a word I have such an ability period. The crystals are to be treated like golden Dragon Surge scrolls. Are we clear?"

Rolic cut his palm and Tyler mirrored the act as they placed their hands inside the crystal.

"Agreed."

"Thanks Rolic. It's a party safety thing."

The wise ruler smiled.

"I understand fully."

Ishtar nodded as well.

"Agreed. The stone is to be locked in my own vault when not viewed."

"I can turn that into a hilarious dirty joke, but Sera already knows it."

The girl giggled.

"Yup. Daddy gets lonely!"

"See?"

Kaori and every lady present smacked him hard as Rolic lost it laughing as Ishtar fought valiantly not to do the same. Now seeing stars with a face decorated by handprints, Tyler laughed.

"Worth it."

Kaori sighed as she smacked him again.

"Sera's going to be as bad as he is."

Erica looked at her daughter, who was smiling sweetly.

"Like HELL."

"Wow, mommy, you need to take a joke already."

Tyler just hugged her.

"Atta girl!"

"Love you too big brother!"

The room just groaned as Tyler patted Sera again to look at the kings.

"So, the coins got an upgrade from Tempesta for my slaying."

Ishtar nodded.

"It be?"

"That same ability as these crystals here. I pass a scroll or whatever through it you get it."

Rolic smiled.

"A most wise decision. I am impressed you even thought of that."

"I got boons from Ignatia, Furiosa, and Leviathan."

The kings blinked.

"What's you get?"

Kaori and Malico tapped their broaches to let their wing cloaks be seen, as Tyler tapped his as well.

"They got cloaks from wing from Furiosa and Leviathan as I got us more holy weapons from Ignatia."

The kings laughed.

"One for the party, two for his girls."

"A real man an no mistake."

Tyler smiled quickly.

"Yeah, so what's this meeting for?"

Rolic spoke now.

"More trade issues and an update on the doppels."

"The flames out?"

The king laughed.

"They are. The stone is solid once more."

"I heard from Tempesta the idiot got a nasty surprise this morning."

The kings breathed a sigh of relief. Ishtar tapped a map.

"The city is clean now as well, and I have parties of Doppel hunters going to each town in the country for purifying."

Tyler smiled and looked at Ishtar.

"So you know? Our resident blonde jackass has taken to bullying the help. I'm hooking Axe up with a set of knives for this issue."

Ishtar just sighed.

"A shrewd move. Axe is a most fierce lad."

"I like that kid. Reminds me of another fierce one I love the hell out of."

Lily smiled.

"Love you too."

Tyler patted her as he looked at the map again.

"Outta curiosity, but what's the trade issue?"

The kings chuckled, then Ishtar tapped a main road in or out of their respective countries.

"Just the usual bickering over the border tax and goods prices."

"Ah. So shit I have no idea on. Well, all else fails, I know a guy!"

The kings laughed.

"I do too!"

Tyler smiled.

"So, we got another mass conversion to do Ishtar. An even BIGGER one to be honest."

The king nodded.

"Agreed. They shall be waiting."

Tyler looked at Wulf.

"We're set. Let's get paid as the ladies get soaked."

That got a chorus of happy sighs as the party walked out. Tyler smiled as he spotted Thorn talking with Axe near a window. The man and elf headed for the guild first with the bills. The hall was still rowdy with scaffolding around the walls Tyler hand damaged due to Kazuma's idiocy. There was a new girl sitting in the booth as the two approached. She smiled.

"Greetings. I be Selly. How can I help you?"

Tyler laid out the bills.

"We got a few bills to collect."

She nodded.

"I see these are confirmed, with two being refused payment. Most kind. Your total today is 1,100 gold 65 silver."

Tyler smiled.

"Thanks, Selly. We'll be back later. Has the newest article been published?"

She nodded.

"It had, Ruby did it as you were out in the field, so just check you feed."

"Neat. Thanks again."

Tyler and Wulf left and headed for the exchange. Tyler pulling a small pouch up.

"The slimes."

The ranger smiled widely.

"I need five minutes and 3 gold."

Tyler gave him 9.

"We do it RIGHT."

The ranger was off like a thunderbolt as Tyler headed for the exchange, well aware Wulf would meet him there by the time he got there.

"Hail! Outcast!"

"Hail!"

Tyler smiled as he got hailed by most everyone on the street. Still feels weird. Especially in THIS town. He walked up to the exchange as Wulf came running up with two pouches. Tyler chuckled.

"How'd we do?"

"We got 24 jars of each. The lady knew."

"The good ones usually do."

Tyler walked in with Wulf right behind him and went for Mya's desk, and as he passed Minus' statue he looked at Wulf,

"Sooo, Wulf. Question."

The elven ranger chuckled and pointed to the small scale at the foot of the armored effigy.

"Put them there."

Tyler smiled as he placed the 6 jars of each cream on the scale. They glowed before vanishing and a low moan only he could hear was then present.

"Love you too."

HE chuckled.

"Love you too, Minus."

He got a high five from Wulf as the men found Mya at her desk. The lady smiled at them as they approached.

"Welcome. What have you got today?"

"More ore, tyrant, striders, and others."

He gave her the permit and she nodded.

"Of course. Right this way, please."

She showed them to her scale and they unloaded as usual. She nodded.

"You work hard. I can give you 1,231 gold, 55 silver, 34 copper."

"Sounds good. Thanks Mya."

She smiled warmly as they next headed for the mason yard. There they found the foremen looking at some papers. HE laughed heartedly.

"Welcome back, lad an elf. The scales be where ya left em!"

"Thanks. Bark, right?"

"Aye Lad. Let's see what ya brought me today!"

Tyler and Wulf emptied the pouch, and Bark nodded.

"Not bad. Not as good as yesterdays, but still respectable. I can give you 1,212 gold, 32 silver 2 copper."

"Deal. We're headed back out later anyway."

That got a laugh.

"Nice to see a party that works hard for once!"

The bank was next. As the pair went, they spotted a few other Warriors getting pushed back at spearpoint from the bank steps. Tyler and Wulf just ignored them as the shield wall opened to let them through.

"Hey! He's a Warrior too! Why he get in and we can't?"

The knight captain snorted.

"He's not a monster!"