The_Red_Lands posts
Chapter 220-Written words
Written Words
Chu sent the little goblin to inform the Elders, who gathered, chatting by the fountain. Night arrived on the outside, so torches lit the floors out of respect for the visitors. Zubyia returned as the three then waited while conversing near the door.
Since they departed from the fateful meeting, Chu ate a silent meal with Lucy. Ming and Dyna had ventured into the forest with Pug as if on vacation with the wolves. After some quiet thinkin...
2019-08-02 21:43:55 +0000 UTC View PostChapter 219- An Ancient Race
An Ancient Race
On the ancient but apparently sturdy bunk bed of the tower, rested someone from another race. Meeting the goblins had immunized his reactions, but Chu still reeled in shock. He always harbored the thought of encountering species with large tails, fins, or distinguishing features.
The one sitting up on the bed certainly possessed unforgettable features. Looking at the fur blanket, which tucked away the lower half and the armless vest covering the uppe...
2019-08-02 01:50:32 +0000 UTC View PostChapter 218- Welcome news
Welcome news
Sakura rubbed her eyes and then patted away the chill from her cheeks. Sitting up on the narrow bunk bed, she raised an eyebrow at her sleeping companion. Tresses of curled sunshine draped across the sheet while the owner hogged the fur covers like a selfish mummy. Twisting her lips, she poked a finger at the packaged blond-haired girl.
"Hey, Sahara. How long do you intend to bunk with us? Don't you have a large courtyard of your own?" 2019-08-01 00:41:22 +0000 UTC View Post
Chapter 217- A surprising encounter
A surprising encounter
The goblin camp at the ruins functioned more like an outpost. Since the departure and disbanding of the gathered tribes, the ruins hosted a fragment of the previous massive horde. The neat rows of houses and wooden walls occupying the slope disappeared and gave way to temporary tents made of stitched hides.
Little bands of goblins shot curious glances at them while heading into the forest to either hunt or scout.
"The Cha...
2019-07-31 04:47:44 +0000 UTC View PostChapter 216- Returning to the ruins
Returning to the ruins
Chu sat at the table in the workshop while tapping his fingers. He couldn't help but break a smile at the lean, green-skinned character trembling in front of him. The bulbous eyes of the goblin shifted nervously, as it continued twiddling and wringing its lengthy fingers.
Ever so often, it fidgeted on thin, bandy legs while twitching that characteristically long nose.
"Why so nervous, Zubyia? Have a seat. Look at how your...
2019-07-30 02:12:59 +0000 UTC View PostChapter 215- Unexpected visitors
Unexpected visitors
With more than half of winter over, Chu stubbornly continued his intensive training program. His companions followed his example as they strived to unlock the powers of a Sersen. Even demon beasts knew the value of fighting in a pack.
Chu considered himself an idiot if he did not make use of their example. One-on-one and group skirmishes became the norm.
One night, he cast on his cloak and ventured into the cold night to cle...
2019-07-29 07:00:02 +0000 UTC View PostChapter 214- Sharing new discoveries
Sharing new discoveries
"Achoo!"
Chu wiped his runny nose after sneezing. A few paces away, Dyna clapped her hands over her rosy face as she also succumbed to the same unforeseen interruption.
"What's wrong with both of you? Don't touch me if you have a cold! You've been sneezing too much over the past few days."
Ming remarked to Chu while compacting the fluffy snow in his hands. Taking advantage of her momentary distraction, he fired the ...
2019-07-26 01:16:01 +0000 UTC View PostChapter 213- Unwilling Compromise
Unwilling Compromise
The foundation of the northeastern quarter of Frost City lay on a small rise. Apart from the knoll at the center of the city, it occupied the next highest elevation. The crisp wind blowing down the panoramic mountains, untainted water hauled from the invigorating wells, and sanitary streets due to innovative but ancient underground sewer tunnels established it as a prime location.
The noble houses, clans, and merchants, who lacked...
2019-07-22 17:48:38 +0000 UTC View PostThank you so much!
Thank You
It has taken some time but I have accomplished the goal set on Patreon. Maybe the community will continue to grow, or it may decrease as the end of the month approaches... lol.
One thing for certain, I don't know whether to laugh or cry!
I am usually one or two chapters ahead of Patreon, with two or three extra chapters out in front as draft. I am thankful for arriving at my goal since it's nearly like my sole monthly income but my fingers are crying. 2019-07-22 17:40:53 +0000 UTC View Post
Chapter 212- Late Revenge
Late Revenge
Lin held the opinion that with the recent Bitzer invasion, the farm would have certainly perished. A few goblins could never compare to the stories circulating from the northern pass. Unlike the raiding goblins, the Bitzer horde had decimated a large village.
As such, this foothold in Frost City belonged to them.
"So why, after learning about this, did those idiots remain loyal? Didn't they know how to think for themselves?"
'After being ...
2019-07-19 12:30:55 +0000 UTC View PostChapter 211-Gratitude
Gratitude
"Do you like it here?"
Chu repeated again while leaning back on his chair. Years of use had smoothed the surface of the solid, thick, wooden chair. This furniture piece counted as one of the first commissioned by Chu when they renovated the barn.
"What do you mean, Chu?
"Well, out here, we have and can do most anything we want to. The farm is a great home for us, but it's a highly dangerous place. How many times have we risked our lives here?...
2019-07-16 01:35:31 +0000 UTC View PostChapter 210- Stay or Move?
Stay or Move?
Ming recalled the day's training. Today Miki dictated he walk along the length of the field while the girls tossed snowballs. He spent over an hour being bombarded from all directions. Chu mentioned the Bitzer possessed an uncanny ability to dodge projectiles even without looking. The training hoped to trigger this particular skill.
All he earned was a head full of bumps and a clammy neck. As for evading arrows from Jim, he collected countless bruise...
2019-07-12 02:05:00 +0000 UTC View PostChapter 209- Occular skills
Occular Skills
Miki rolled on her elastic back while sprawling out on the bed. A soft enticing moan escaped her dainty lips. Her black eyelashes fluttered open, focusing on the heavy, old beams of the barn ceiling. Tossing the quilt blanket aside, she stretched her jaded arms and curled her supple legs.
Long hair, the color of a preened and glossing raven, cascaded over the bed underneath her slender frame. Winter always seemed to cast a lazy spell on her gr...
2019-07-09 04:43:42 +0000 UTC View PostChapter 208- Better than sprinting
Better than sprinting
Dyna had always been fleet-footed borne from years of experience hunting in the wild. Since she usually participated in blitz-type battles, she boasted a deft hand to avoid injuries from friend and foe alike. From early on, she learned to avoid the sharp beaks of pheasants when the wolf cubs chased and scrambled them on the open grassland.
As they grew older and daring, she then graduated to flitting and stabbing among the trashing claws and ...
2019-07-05 00:29:27 +0000 UTC View PostChapter 207- Discussion
Discussion
In the afternoon, Chu focused the training on archery. At the side of the warehouse, the whizzing of cross bolts thumping onto wooden bullseyes rang out.
"So what is the use of us shooting these bolts at the target, Chu? My legs are tired and my arm is stiff."
Ming complained.
At his side, Chu struggled to latch the steel wire with trembling hands.
"The purpose is to increase the speed of arming the crossbow. It is also to increase you...
2019-07-02 00:39:17 +0000 UTC View PostChapter 206- Sersen at last
Sersen at last
Chu spent nearly five minutes contemplating whether to sit or stand to receive the talisman. In the end, he had Ming drag across the bench in the event he fainted. Sitting on the edge with a ramrod straight back, he watched Miki prepare the mixture.
"Measure them well Miki, do it the same as when you mixed it for Redflower. Leave some blood if we need to use normal talismans."
"Take the talisman from the table. I placed only the ones with nine...
2019-06-28 02:34:28 +0000 UTC View PostChapter 205- The risky road to power
The Risky Road to Power
The doors and large window shutters to the warehouse remained closed to ward off the winter chill. The torches hanging on the walls nor the single oil lamp on the isolated table in the center offered little aid. Chu sat alone on the bench by the table with his hands folded.
The focus of his thoughts lay in an issue which plagued him since the day the word Sersen joined his vocabulary.
He possessed enough lifestones to create, if truly...
2019-06-24 23:33:59 +0000 UTC View PostChapter 204- The runaway horse
The runaway horse
Stars twinkled in the sky over the snow-swept grasslands. A farm fractured the continual landscape with its crooked fences and weatherbeaten buildings defying the submerging snow. Inside one of these enclosed hindrances, creaking from the intermittent gust of chill wind, silence reigned.
A fair-haired girl steadied the lamp in her jaded hands while hovering over a seated teen. Ever so often, the boy frowned while passing his fingers through his b...
2019-06-21 01:08:03 +0000 UTC View PostChapter 204A- A surprise
A Surprise
Chu woke up and remained staring at the wooden boards above his head. Last night he faced a serious setback which nearly cost him the opportunity to become a Sersen. Luckily, he used the skills learned from the Tower to create a hastily drawn talisman.
Rising from the bed, he rolled the sleeves from his silken robe to display a sharp tattoo. The head of a Bitzer appeared in the middle, with its single staring eye. He ended up using a Tower Talisman but ...
2019-06-20 15:19:13 +0000 UTC View PostChapter 203- Becoming a mad scientist
Becoming a mad scientist
Captain Joss led the mercenaries and fighters early in the morning to reclaim the village. By noon, a messenger returned on horseback bearing favorable news. The somber expressions on the faces of the worried women and older folks lifted. In the evening, the farm emptied into a ghost town compared to the sardine-packed, previous month.
Chu entrusted Dyna in the barn to activate the talismans while he mingled around the farm before the exod...
2019-06-17 23:57:49 +0000 UTC View PostChapter 202- Different ways of printing talismans
Different ways of printing talismans
Chu breathed out a long sigh while sitting and tapping his fingers on the wooden table in the barn. Looking across the solid table, to the bloodstained snouts and matted fur, he shook his head. Recalling his first encounter with these cubs, he emitted a hollow laugh. Chu never forgot their brazen thievery of the wolf demon's heart that night.
"You all had a fun time last night, didn't you? Why is it every time I make a great di...
2019-06-14 01:39:08 +0000 UTC View PostChapter 201- An unthinkable plan
An unthinkable plan
The breaking light of dawn signaled the end of the grueling battle as a mercenary thrust his spear deep into the ribcage of a Bitzer. A minute after his actions, three gongs rippled out from the command center, confirming the elimination of the last Bitzer.
A short time later, a procession of women and older folks carted out steaming vats of water and large pots of simmering gruel. The weary fighters sprawled and collapsed near the welcome bonf...
2019-06-11 01:24:30 +0000 UTC View PostChapter 200- Defending the farm
Defending the Farm
As the recollection of the terrifying first contact between him and an indomitable legend stifled his breathing, a relieving hand patted his shoulder. He turned to face the yellow eyes of the owner, which narrowed while focusing on the demon in the distance.
"It's not the same. This is a different creature."
"Chu, this is no time to be reminiscing because it's coming!"
Ming tugged his cloak from the side while watching the incoming h...
2019-06-07 00:11:39 +0000 UTC View PostChapter 199- Evolution
Evolution
'Evolution: The gradual development of something from a simple to a more complex form'
Chu watched from the side as Bon hammered the small plate on the anvil. The beads of perspiration on the round blacksmith spread contagiously to the spectators from the visible heat of the forge. The clang and spark from the clashing metals ended with a final blow of the heavy hammer.
"This is the eleventh one since last night. D...
2019-06-03 21:08:11 +0000 UTC View PostChapter 198- Home
Home
"The Cork farm is deserted. I found blood stains in the hall and bedrooms."
Ming rode up to the wagon and yelled to the driver. The four horses continued to labor and pull the wagon through the knee-high snow. The wind whipped around them while the falling snow lowered the visibility to under a hundred feet. A shadowy figure bounded towards them, jumping and swimming in the white ocean.
A cloaked girl muzzled under a tightly wrapped scarf clambered next...
2019-05-31 01:00:45 +0000 UTC View PostChapter 197- Bad news
Bad News
The horses trotted along the shrouded road while towing the wagon behind it. The trunks of trees rose out of the white snow around them like stationary sentient beings. If not for the occasional scout on horseback flitting among the woods from time to time, Chu would never ignore the uneasy feeling.
Sitting on top of the vibrating wagon dampened by the layer of snow crunching beneath the wheels, he squinted past the withered fingers of tree branches which...
2019-05-28 13:29:17 +0000 UTC View PostChapter 196- Caltrops
Caltrops
The weary soldier roared while thrusting his bleeding spear deep into the chest of a lunging beast. The iron spearhead chipped between the ribs and then punctured the heart of the howling Bitzer. The two opponents vented their anger through hateful eyes while ignoring the spurting blood.
On the side, another leather-clad man struck his sword towards a Bitzer trying to take advantage of the struggle to burst through the narrow gap. The sword missed the hea...
2019-05-23 20:30:33 +0000 UTC View PostChapter 195- Battle on the bridge
Battle on the bridge
A lone wagon headed towards the bridge.
"Chu, you do know I never doubted any of your plans but this one is a bit much, don't you think?"
"Stop whining, as soon as we make it over the hill, drive to the bridge. The cornerstone of this plan depends on positioning the wagon on the bridge."
Chu replied from above. He held the iron rails as the wheels began churning faster over the slush. Something he compared to a four-horsepower engi...
2019-05-21 01:39:27 +0000 UTC View Post