65: More

I leapt forward to try to stop her, but she was already gone. Even Crisplet shot some sparks. It didn’t take long for the others to notice something had happened and put things together.

 

“You’ve got to be kidding me. Liane, get back here in case something happens to you, you idiot,” Hari said angrily.

 

A voice came from one of the bedroll spots. “Ooooh, this is weird. It tingles,” Liane said.

We all turned to see her sitting down on a bedroll—then she was gone again.

 

“It’s spicy!” she said, reappearing in another bedroll spot.

 

And then she reappeared next to me again. “My fingers are going numb, but my mana isn’t overloaded yet,” she said, before vanishing once more.

 

Was she actively trying to burn her mana to stop the overloading? Did that work?

 

She proceeded to appear and disappear around the room several more times, while Hari grew angrier and angrier. Milo was holding back a laugh, and Jen just shook her head.

 

Then she stopped, standing next to me.

 

“It’s safe! …ish,” she declared happily, before Hari smacked her in the back of the head.

 

“What in the hells were you thinking!” he started, while she just gave a sheepish look.

 

“We just had Trevor nearly burn out his mana channels, and you think it’s a bright idea to risk exactly the same thing not even minutes later! What in the world was going through your head! And that’s not even mentioning what will happen if the cat finds out you’ve stolen its food!” Hari shouted.

 

“Well… I really wanted to try drake?” She said, rubbing the back of her head.

 

“Also… someone had to try it!” she tried to defend herself.

 

“No. No they did not. We know people can’t eat drakes. This is common knowledge!” Hari practically growled.

 

“It was just a tiny nibble! Also, besides the numb fingers and having to burn off 200 mana, it really wasn’t that bad! Also… the buffs!” she practically squealed the last part.

 

Before anyone else could move or say anything, Hari growled, “I swear to every god, if anyone else tries that drake now, I will hit you. Hard.”

 

Both Milo and Jen acted innocent, as though they weren’t just inching forward.

 

“Oh come on, Hari, don’t be so uptight! We’re all fine! Don’t you want to know what buffs I got?” Liane said, poking him further. The glare she received was intense.

 

“Uh, I do… I want to note it down,” I said, causing Hari to let out a giant sigh.

 

“Please, everyone, promise me—no more tonight, I beg of you. I’m going on watch.” Hari huffed before heading out the front entrance.

 

“I thought watch was staying inside tonight?” I asked quietly as I watched him go.

 

“We are. He just needs a moment to let off some steam,” Jen said, looking at the door. Then, with a big sigh, she added, “I’ll go with him, make sure he doesn’t get into any trouble out there.” She followed him outside.

 

Taking the opportunity during the distraction, I stored the steak.

 

Would you like to store [Rare] Stuffed Ancient Drake Steak x1 for 5 mana? Yes/No

 

It vanished. But the movement caught Liane’s eye, and the tiny strip in her hand vanished as well. I just let out a sigh—I wasn’t getting that one back.

 

“Well…” I said, looking at her.

 

“Well what! I don’t have anything!” she said defensively, a smile on her face.

 

“Not that—the buffs. Are you going to tell us?” I asked, laughing.

 

“Oooh, that! Yes!” she said excitedly. “Fire immunity…” Then she stopped.

 

“Are you going to make us claw it out of you one buff at a time?” Milo said, notebook in hand. “Spill! Or I’ll tell Hari about the strip of it you’re hiding in your storage.”

 

“Fine! You ruin all the fun. Okay—Fire Immunity, +5 Strength, +4 Endurance, +2 Wisdom, +2 Charisma, Poison Immunity, Major Improved Stealth, Regeneration, and Calm Mind. That last ability looks like it gives a strong resistance to fear-based mental attacks,” she said, practically bouncing with excitement.

 

Milo’s eyes went wide. “Can I have a bite?” he asked.

 

“No!” I cut in quickly. “You said you had to burn 200 mana. Will it hurt the cat?” I added, a little concerned.

 

“A creature that strong? No, not at all,” Milo said. “But it is curious. Usually it wouldn’t matter how much dragon-kin you had—you shouldn’t be able to burn off mana fast enough, especially not a rogue class. So although you didn’t make it fully edible, I’d hazard a guess you did impact it somewhat.”

If you come across this story on Amazon, it’s taken without permission from the author. Report it.

 

He started scribbling even more notes, clearly chasing that train of thought.

 

“You know what this means though, right, Trev?” Liane said, a giant grin spreading across her face.

 

I knew this was going to cause trouble, whatever it was.

 

“What?” I asked, half-sighing.

 

“I’m going to ask if I can go hunting! With the ambush ability from the stew and the buffs from the drake, I’ve never been stronger!” She squealed with joy—and then vanished.

 

I couldn’t help but feel sorry for Hari. This was my fault.

 

Looking around, I saw Milo absorbed fully in his notes, Jen and Hari still outside, and Liane now gone too—presumably to join them.

 

Since my body was still aching, I figured this was as good a time as any to get some rest. So I stretched out on my bedroll and tried to sleep.

 

---

 

I felt like I hadn’t been asleep long when a heavy thud, followed by Hari’s voice, jolted me awake.

 

“What the hell is that, Liane?!” he shouted outside the structure.

 

I didn’t hear a response from her, but curiosity got the better of me. I went to one of the windows—meant for watch duty that night—and peered out. A massive, furry creature was sprawled on the ground. Its dark red fur was thick and ragged, and its paws ended in long, obsidian claws.

 

“Where did you even find the bear?!” Jen demanded.