115: Foraging

Pulling up the status, I was surprised to see that Crisplet was not that far away from me in experience.

Bonded Companion:

Crisplet (Ashborne Elemental)

Level: 24

Experience: 16774/22200

Strength: 15

Dexterity: 33

Endurance: 36

Intelligence: 65

Wisdom: 32

Charisma: 10

Willpower: 13

Perception: 12

Luck: 6

Unspent: 0

Hit Points: 360/360

Mana: 650/650

Stamina 280/360

Abilities:

• Flame Control (Passive)
• Fire Immunity (Passive)
• Ashbound Flame
• Mana Enhancement
• Ashborne Architect
• Disruption Flare
• Ashborne Soul (Passive)

I had been concerned about Crisplet falling far behind, especially after Lily had essentially powered through the last two levels of mine, but despite that, Crisplet was keeping up fairly well.

When Crisplet entered the wagon, I didn’t have the heart to have the chat with him yet. He was clearly excited about the fight, as evidenced by the play-by-play in statues I was getting—ash figures showing a bout that never actually happened—where Crisplet came out on top by bashing all the wolves and saving George and Darren.

“Are you sure that’s how it happened?” I asked with a chuckle.

Crisplet just gave me a burst of embers back before heading to the roof of the wagon. I shook my head and went back to cutting the sugar-reed.

***

When we stopped for the night, Hari had once again taken us off the path and closer to the treeline. I knew I had a lot of tasks to do tonight: prepare the boar bellies, cook dinner, and attempt to crush some of the reeds in the barrel.

I had tried in the wagon, but I couldn’t lift the club high enough to push down with enough force. That said, I wasn’t sure my body was ready for it anyway.

What I wanted, though, was to see if I could slip in a quick trip to use Arcane Foraging in the forest.

Heading to the capital, I didn’t know how many more forests we would pass like this, so this might be my last chance in a long while to find useful items like dilwater berries and mana truffles.

Making my way to Liane, who was currently brushing down her horse, I made my case.

“Hey, Liane, I don’t suppose you’d be able to come with me and do a quick forage in the forest?”

She turned around, raising an eyebrow. “Are you sure you’ll be okay running your skill for that? You know Hari will kill me if I say yes and you collapse out there, right?”

I rolled my shoulders and pulled out an onion. “It should be fine. There’s some pain when I use the skills, but nowhere near as bad as before, and it’ll only be a quick trip. I have lots to do tonight—this might be my last chance to forage in a forest before the capital.”

Liane just frowned, folding her arms. “It won’t be the last one. There’s a forest we sort of pass closer to the capital that contains a dungeon at its heart, but look, at least let me get Jen on side. If something goes wrong…”

A moment later, before I could respond, Liane vanished. I was fully expecting Jen to say no, and couldn’t help but laugh when I saw Jen being pulled by her arm towards us.

“What is it, Liane? Where are you taking me?” I heard her ask.

Stopping in front of me, Jen focused her eyes on me. “What have you done?”

I put my hands up in surrender. “Nothing, honestly. I was just hoping to get in a quick forage before we leave the forest behind.”

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Jen folded her arms, looking between Liane and me. “And you’re up for it? Are your skills still hurting?” She held up a hand. “And don’t think about lying to me—you don’t hide pain well.”

I shrugged. “It hurts a little when I use my skills, but I only wanted a quick trip in and out. I’ve a lot I want to do tonight, like the boar belly we discussed, and dinner. I should be fine?”

She didn’t look sold.

“I promise if it builds up and gets too much I will stop,” I added quickly.

Jen then turned to Liane. “And you’re okay with this?”

Liane let out a chuckle. “I mean, yeah, but I didn’t want Hari to kill me, so I grabbed you. You can come too—and Crisplet is no joke anymore.”

Jen let out a sigh. “Fine. I’ll come along. If I see you wincing in pain, we’re stopping. Is that clear?”

“Thanks!” I beamed.

I really didn’t want to push myself too much.