Aware of the prior direwolf scouting mishap, Thorian made a calculated decision to delay his and Brix's departure. He chose to wait until all units had returned safely from their dungeon escapades before venturing forth. Once all were accounted for, Thorian and Brix embarked on their trek.
Navigating their way through the perilous wilderness, Thorian seized the opportunity to learn more about his companion. He broached the subject with a question. "So, Brix, could you elaborate on your ...
2023-08-04 00:47:59 +0000 UTC
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As the hours slipped by, Thorian summoned one spell after another. It wasn't in response to any imminent threat or assault; rather, he sought to understand the nuanced behavior of mana within his body as he performed his magic. As twilight gave way to a night sky adorned with countless stars, his aerial fireballs took on a mesmerizing quality. They were akin to spectacular fireworks, piercing the night with their radiant light.
After a steady two-hour engagement with his magic, Thorian ...
2023-08-02 17:25:55 +0000 UTC
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After the final distribution of rewards, Thorian and his band of kobolds and direwolves began their departure from the lightning-infused dungeon. Emerging through the mystical portal, they found themselves back within the cold, damp cavern that marked the dungeon's entrance.
"That was quite the dungeon," Ifrit remarked, stretching her arms in satisfaction. "I've gained so many levels, I've lost track. We need to do this as many times as we can.”
“Couldn’t have said it better...
2023-08-01 18:50:24 +0000 UTC
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Upon hearing Harald's assured words, Thorian deferred the floor to him. "Well then, why don't you announce those with the highest contributions? They will receive priority for the items, based on their ranking," he suggested.
With a nod and a grunt, Harald maneuvered himself next to the golden chest. All eyes gravitated towards him, each gaze filled with intense anticipation for his announcement.
"The standings for this unique contest are as follows," the Alpha Direwolf began. "I ...
2023-07-29 02:40:58 +0000 UTC
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Even though the Thunderbird had already been incinerated, the flames remained unquenched, engulfing half of the battle-arena in their terrible grip. As Thorian pondered ways to extinguish the fire, to his surprise, the flames suddenly vanished with a woosh.
"Marvelous display of magic," Tza'har clapped, his voice echoing through the scorched air as he approached Thorian. "Not only do you command the primary elements, but you also possess control over the secondary ones."
"I wouldn...
2023-07-25 00:09:26 +0000 UTC
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Once teleported, Thorian found himself immersed in the subtle glow of a dimly-lit chamber. Its only sources of illumination were twin lamps suspended from the ceiling, each housing a controlled and persistent electrical discharge. They cast a sapphire glow, enveloping the room's woodwork with an ethereal radiance.
The space bore more resemblance to a grand library than a traditional dwelling. A labyrinth of towering shelves filled every conceivable space, a testament to the room's intel...
2023-07-18 01:57:23 +0000 UTC
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The statues, hewn from cold stone, came alive with a grating, mechanical rumble. Each bore an alien, unchanging expression that was devoid of emotion. An armory of archaic weaponry was held in their grasp: some cradling spears, others brandishing swords, and yet more gripping massive maces.
On the periphery of the unfolding scene, Thorian watched with intense curiosity as his comrades readied themselves for the oncoming onslaught. However, doubt did not cloud his thoughts; he held faith...
2023-07-15 00:40:12 +0000 UTC
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Thorian watched as Aqua solved the puzzle with effortless ease, a smile gracing his face. He glanced around at the rest of the team before speaking, "We might as well follow suit. No sense in lingering here."
"Darn it!" Ventus erupted in frustration. "He only managed to solve it thanks to my previous attempts. If it wasn’t for me, he wouldn’t have understood the pattern!”
Observing the yellow kobold's outburst, Saxum let out an exasperated sigh. “Yes, yes. Don’t worry, w...
2023-07-10 00:14:21 +0000 UTC
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Upon hearing Ventus's exclamation, Ifrit's curiosity was piqued. "This is real! It's like a sea of clouds below us!" She marvelled.
A hush fell upon the group as they wandered towards the edge to take in the view. The surreal vista left them in awe.
"I never thought I'd say this, but I think I'm afraid of heights," confessed Saxum, clutching his mouth before retreating from the precipice. After steadying himself, he turned to Thorian and asked, "What is below us?"
"Death," T...
2023-07-07 02:54:37 +0000 UTC
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Choose the difficulty layer you wish to enter.
Layer I: Recommended for a party of ten at Peak First Advancement.
Layer II: Recommended for a party of ten at Second Advancement.
Layer III: Recommended for a party of ten at Peak Second Advancement.
A medium-scale dungeon, huh? I forgot about that detail.
"We're allowed to enter with ten men?" Forlune questioned, an eyebrow raised in surprise as he stared at the unseen screen. "Should we return to the vill...
2023-07-03 17:24:07 +0000 UTC
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Coming out of the Verdant Labyrinth, Thorian decided to check out his status screen. Display Panel
Ding
Race: Flame Kobold
Level: 20/30 (exp: 123/4400)
Class: Elemental Magus
Level: 9/40 (exp: 451/1520)
Lifespan: 40 years
Cultivation realm: Qi Gathering Fourth Stage (3.5%)
Stats:
Strength: 78
Agility: 84
Constitution: 53
Mana: 73
Qi: 60
Free Points: 60
R...
2023-07-02 00:24:53 +0000 UTC
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Locksley
Outer City
Jacob squinted up at the dual suns in the sky, a hint of annoyance tinging his expression. The advent of the second sun brought with it an oppressive heat. The sweltering temperatures were made all the more unbearable by the stench of decaying corpses - both human and monster alike - that littered the city.
Astride his armored grey steed, Jacob held his lance at the ready to repel any who dared approach. He and his squadr...
2023-06-26 23:05:44 +0000 UTC
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As Thorian unlatched the heavy chest, a warm golden luminescence leaked outwards. Good, another golden glow.
Once the brilliance abated, the team leaned in to inspect the hoard nestled within. Thorian's fingers brushed against the first item, and an ethereal screen materialized before him.
Lightning Arrow Skill Scroll
Class Requirement: Magus
Advancement Requirement: First Advancement
Level Requirement: 1
Use: Bestows the active skill "Lightning Ar...
2023-06-26 22:45:09 +0000 UTC
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Having fulfilled his guild obligations, Thorian brought the civilians together, offering them the choice between two non-combatant roles: Blacksmith or Alchemist. Realizing they could still accumulate experience points and level up through crafting rather than monster combat, the civilians unanimously opted for these production classes.
The newly minted blacksmiths were constrained by their lack of access to sophisticated blueprints or high-quality materials. As such, their initial fora...
2023-06-23 21:22:08 +0000 UTC
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[Congratulations, you have advanced to the unique class: "Elemental Magus"]
Thorian's eyes widened with astonishment as he read the notification. A unique class? So, that was why only Aiden had been the recipient previously.
Understanding dawned on Thorian and his smile morphed into a wide grin. It seems that I’m stealing fateful opportunities left and right today…
As the notification evaporated, the shimmering stars and surrounding darkness that had tr...
2023-06-22 12:37:29 +0000 UTC
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[Congratulations. You are the first in your kingdom to break through the Ashen Ember Gate.]
Seeing the notification in front of him, Thorian was surprised. There was a reward for this kind of thing?
Just as he finished his thoughts, another screen popped in front of him.
[Congratulations. As a reward, you shall recieve the “Dark Phoenix Flame Arts” Martial Technique.]
[First Form Unlocked: Dark Flame Palm]
Dark Flame Palm
Description: The Dark ...
2023-06-21 18:52:33 +0000 UTC
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After the meeting's conclusion, Thorian conducted a ceremonious funeral for all those who had lost their lives—either in combat or while fleeing the human invaders. After ensuring the deceased were honored with due respect, he permitted those who had reached the zenith of their respective classes to progress further.
In the interim, he returned to the Village Hall with Harald, intending to grant him citizenship. Unfortunately, this proved impossible, as did bestowing a class upon the ...
2023-06-19 22:10:49 +0000 UTC
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As he had initially planned, Thorian returned to the forest to aid the kobold and kobloids in extinguishing the fire. This endeavor allowed Thorian to hone his Wind Gust spell, while the water magi employed their abilities to supplement the elemental interplay. Thorian remained mindful of his final spell, "Earth Bullet", deploying it whenever a monster attempted to ambush them.
Time flowed swiftly as the flames gradually dwindled. Throughout the endeavor, Thorian reflected on his exchan...
2023-06-17 15:32:30 +0000 UTC
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From the heart of the inferno, a titanic form took shape. Thorian, astride his steed Harald, launched himself clear of the surprise attack. His red fur bore the scars of multiple burns, yet no trace of damage dared to breach his skin.
"Trying to surprise me with a fire attack, what a joke."
In command of the Direwolf King, Thorian's gaze was as icy as it was unyielding, fixed on the crazed fire magus. Even under his transformation, Harald seemed virtually unscathed. His Bestial fo...
2023-06-16 23:48:48 +0000 UTC
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The inferno roared, wild and untamed, pressing Thorian's men into fits of coughing as acrid smoke filled their lungs. Flames danced mercilessly around them, felling trees that crashed to the ground and severed their escape routes. Thorian's eyes darted about, scouring the flaming chaos for his team of assassins.
"Alacritas, come here!"
On command, the silver-furred assassin darted towards Thorian, his fur shimmering against the blaze. "Yes, King? How may I help?"
"Take the a...
2023-06-15 22:59:28 +0000 UTC
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"Fall back!" Thorian commanded, his eyes sharply trained on the encroaching wave of humans.
Upon receiving his command, Saxum's unit wheeled about and made a break for their leader, with Thorian and Ventus providing protective cover using their potent combination skill. Only once the last kobold had safely retreated behind him did the duo pivot on their heels and sprint towards safety.
Astride their direwolves, Thorian and Ventus swiftly closed the distance with Saxum and his warr...
2023-06-15 02:51:09 +0000 UTC
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As I was writing the next chapter, I noticed a little problem with this final stretch of the first volume. It's moving so quickly with so few issues and conflicts that it barely counts as the book's climax.
So, after doing some re-planning, I believe it would be better to go back and add more detail to past events. The first thing I'm going to do is add an interlude that provides context, sets up future events, and adds tension. After that, I am going to change the last chapter for some...
2023-06-14 21:16:02 +0000 UTC
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As Thorian led his party towards the besieged village, a storm of anticipation swelled within him, forcing him to wrestle with an instinctive urge to immediately plunge into the fray.
Nox, just try to survive for as long as you can. I am coming.
However, such impulsiveness was a path to ruin. It would be reckless to toss caution to the wind and leap headlong into the lions' den to rescue his ally. Such an act would merely result in a higher death toll among his own.
2023-06-12 19:54:16 +0000 UTC
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“What are you doing here?”
Upon Thorian's query, the moon kobold stuttered, eyes wide with alarm. "King?"
At the utterance of this title, a wave of kobolds and kobloids surged from the forest. However, the sight of Thorian's band and the pack of direwolves halted them abruptly.
Thorian recognized many familiar faces among the kobolds: Bellafor, Crimen, and Caedar. The presence of these figures from his tribe only added to his growing bewilderment.
"What in the worl...
2023-06-11 16:46:17 +0000 UTC
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2023-06-11 16:17:24 +0000 UTC
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Wolvendale Village
Western Gate
Some time ago
Nox found himself perched atop the newly reinforced wall. Its broadened expanse now allowed not only for comfortable seating, but also for easy conversation. His unit, comprised of twenty-seven varied kobolds and kobloids, was scattered around him. Some of his comrades sat adjacent to him on the wall, others manned the watchtower, and a handful succumbed to sleep on the secure gr...
2023-06-11 13:24:55 +0000 UTC
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At Thorian's command, Vigil advanced, with Ventus shadowing him closely. Although the priest demonstrated a slight hesitancy, the wind magus moved nonchalantly, displaying no fear of the pack of giant wolves who would readily liberate his flesh from the confinement of his bones.
As Vigil neared one of the injured wolves, it returned his approach with a fearsome stare and an eerie growl.
"Let him work his magic," commanded the wolf king, surprising the other wolves. "I want to see ...
2023-06-10 22:28:30 +0000 UTC
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“King, I’m sure everyone has wanted to ask you this, but how do you know so many things?”
The moment Ventus uttered those words, even Vigil ceased his actions, turning to listen with an intensity that was rarely seen. All eyes were on Thorian searching for an answer.
Well, it’s not like I didn’t expect this question.
Drawing a deep breath, Thorian locked eyes with Ventus and responded, “If that's what you desire, then so be it.”
At his words, the...
2023-06-10 19:55:50 +0000 UTC
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As the sun's rays pierced through the window, heralding the dawn of a new day, Thorian roused from his modest bed. His eyes roved over the minimalist decor of the room. A small desk, a humble nightstand, and a tiny chair comprised the sparse adornments. It was a considerable upgrade from the dank cave floor he was used to sleeping on, yet it paled in comparison to the opulence he had enjoyed in his past life.
Girded for a new day, Thorian slipped into his verdant robe and stepped outsid...
2023-06-10 14:22:51 +0000 UTC
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The cacophonous din of battle reigned on the fields of Locksley, a gruesome symphony woven by clashing blades, shrieking monsters, and the anguished cries of the fallen. Tristan, drenched in the blood of the goblins he'd just dispatched, took a moment to survey the battlefield. His sword was slick with their lifeblood, a morbid testament to his prowess in combat.
In the aftermath of their cryptic encounter with the lady in green at the city plaza, Tristan and his handpicked warriors had...
2023-06-09 00:54:04 +0000 UTC
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