Chapter 248: Zach

    Dragon Hunt

    Zach and Naha sat in the room at their inn, going over their gear. They had changed their equipment a lot over the years. Zach had an entirely new armor, not a set, but unique pieces that were a lot more powerful than what he used to have. He had even had some of the pieces upgraded and painted green so that it at least looked the same. He looked over his chest piece, a half-plate that was made out of bone of a powerful monster.

    Behemoth Breastplate

    +170 to Strength

    +170 to Endurance

    The Behemoth Breastplate allows you to mitigate 15% of all incoming physical damage.

    Equip, repair.

    It was the best piece of armor that he had, the damage mitigation was something that helped him a lot. He had perks that did the same, but any little thing helped. His endurance and vitality were his lowest stats, he usually relied on not getting hit. But it was always good to have some extra protection.

    The few other pieces of equipment that he had were his bracers and boots.

    Force Strike Bracers

    +50 Intelligence

    The Force Striker Bracers allows you to release a wave of force that is equal in power to the 50% of the last attack that hit you.

    Slow Fall Boots

    +50 to dexterity

    The Slow Fall Boots allow you to slow your falling speed by 50% once every three hours.

    Overall, those two items werent that strong, but with all of his other powers they were quite good. He had a custom cloak made which allowed him to use his wind powers to move through the air. It wasnt really flying, but it was added mobility.

    Gerisas Cloak of Dexterity

    +25 to dexterity

    Reinforced cloak with attachments for arms.

    It wasnt the best thing around. But it was crafted to his specifications. He could attach the hooks on his arms to it and one to his waist, which then allowed him to glide pretty well. And it hadnt cost him much, since he didnt need anything really special added to it.

    He still had his ring of privacy and had upgraded a scanning ring. His Soul Weapon was his main offensive focus, and the rest he filled up with his perks. He didnt like relying on items too much, but he did understand that they could be powerful additions to anyones build.

    Naha had gotten a lot of gear too, more than he did. Her cloak was new, and it was her best item. He saw it draped over in the corner of the room.

    Greater Cloak of Deep Shadow

    +200 to dexterity

    +150 to intelligence

    This cloak brings shadow wherever its wearer goes. In shadows helps the wearer blend in more deeply and keeps the wearer hidden from all powers that are lower or equal to tier three, in the light it can obscure the wearer''s features.

    Equip, repair.

    It fit well with her build, and it helped her execute her powers. She couldnt use it when she shifted into a monster form, of course, but all of her equipment had the equip added to itwhich had cost them quite a lot but it was necessary for someone who changed shape like she did. They were looking into getting some items that could change shape with her. She had told him that there were items sets that could even change into armor for monster forms, though they were rare.

    So far only her awakened weapon could change with her.

    They packed their food and water supplies, which were probably the most important part, since they didnt know how long they would be without contact with civilization or if they would even have the chance to hunt and look for food and water. They also had a few new items, some that they had purchased based on Adventurer Basthecs suggestion. Throwing potions that produced horrid odors that could stun monsters with a sensitive sense of smell, more healing potions, a few bombs too. Their plan was to ambush and trap the monster, then have Zach deal most of the damage to it so that he could get his last quest requirement done.

    That meant that they also had custom made traps, a few small arrays, and one formation plate. It had cost them a big chunk of their collective funds, but Zach hoped that it was going to be worth it.

    Finally, they finished with all of their checks.New novel chapters are published at novelhall.com

    You ready for tomorrow? Naha asked.

    Yes, Zach answered. Ive been waiting for this for too long.

    Just remember that we dont take unnecessary risks. We can always find another dragon.

    Zach nodded his head and smiled. Of course.

    I know, Basthec said slowly. A wyvern wouldve had a difficult time driving out these monsters. Average wyverns are tough and powerful, but taking out an entire wolf pack? Or driving out the krachkans? Unless it was extremely geared toward detecting stealthed opponents it wouldve had issues against them.

    Are we sure that there are no monsters around? Varia asked as she tapped the bracelet around her wrist. All of them wore the exact same bracelet. It was one thing that Basthec insisted on as they prepared for the hunt. It was supposed to mask their presence from monsters. A necessity if they were going to ambush and trap the dragon.

    I am certain, Basthec said. Even if they couldnt detect us, the wolves wouldve been patrolling, or we wouldve seen some sign of monsters. But I saw nothing, no tracks or waste, nothing at all. It was as if there hadnt been monsters around this territory for months.

    Zach admittedly didnt know much about this side of monster hunting, but even he could see that something wasnt right. They were putting a lot of faith on being prepared for the hunt, of ambushing the monster. They didnt know how powerful it was, but everything could die to a trap, or at least be weakened by it.

    What does this mean for the mission? Kethasi asked.

    The two new additions to the mission were a lot more reserved than Basthec. Zach didnt know much about them; they hadnt really exchanged anything more than the basic pleasantries. Zach just knew that they were adventurers that werent affiliated with any group. They were of course part of the Adventurers Guild, but they hadnt joined any of the smaller factions that had risen up in the last few years. It was why they were basically working as freelancers. Their original team had fallen apart as one half joined one side and the rest another. At least that was what Basthec had told them, Zach didnt want to intrude.

    It means that we need to be more careful, Basthec said. Well look for the signs of the dragon and then we will see from there.

    This could mean that the monster is stronger than we thought, Varia said.

    You were told that a tier fourteen qualified team had gone missing here. The monster was always going to be strong, and this mission dangerous. Every mission where you hunted an unknown monster is dangerous, Basthec told them.

    Zach agreed with him completely. They had to be very careful. The rest of the team nodded their heads, whether they understood or not Zach didnt know, he hoped that they did. After a quick dinner, they set up a watch rotation and went to sleep.

    What is it? Naha asked as Basthec came to a stop and knelt in a large clearing in the middle of the forest.

    Zach walked over and looked over the mans shoulder. He saw what the drake was looking at, just as he responded.

    Blood, old though, Basthec said. There are old tracks, a krachkan tracks, but they stop here. Something swooped down and carried the monster off.

    So, there is a dragon, Varia said.

    These tracks it was a male, mature krachkan. They are big and heavy. I dont see any struggle and the blood its too little. Something took it into the air whole in a single swoop. It has to be big.

    Dragons usually are, Zach said.

    Basthec grimaced and shook his head. If it was a dragon that grabbed this monster, it was both large and extremely powerful. So little blood means that it didnt kill the monster immediately, it ripped it into the air without the krachkan being able to do anything.

    So, a strong dragon, Varia said. Nothing that we didnt already know.

    Perhaps, Basthec said then stood up and looked around. Something that big need to have a big lair.

    Any ideas where? Zach asked. He was surprised to see Basthec act so composed. His usual boastful personality changed to someone driven and focused when on the hunt itself.

    Not the forest, it is too tightly packed, Basthec said as he turned his head to the East. The mountain.

    There was a single mountain nearby that Zach could see. He knew that there was a mountain range near the border of the territory, but this mountain was almost in the center of it.

    Basthec pointed at it and spoke. I think that we have our direction.

    It took them a full day to reach the mountain, and they spent most of the next day looking for clues which they did find. With each one that they encountered, Basthec grew more and more concerned.

    Things dont add up, he whispered as they climbed the mountain. The clues they found were mostly just drops of blood, that probably fell when the dragon transported its prey back to its lair. It all pointed to the mountain, and they had spotted a plateau near the peak, which looked like it had a large cave entrance.

    What do you mean? Zach whispered back to the drake.

    There are too few signs of the dragon. They are smart beasts, but there is too little evidence of its existence, it is almost as if No, thats no, he shook his head.

    Zach was about to ask him what he was thinking when they finally reached the plateau.

    The cave entrance was immediately evident. It was massive, large enough for a commercial airplane to fit, if perhaps tightly. Basthec motioned for everyone to be quiet and careful, then he pulled out an item out of his storage that looked like a wand. He pointed it inside and then turned around. Its empty, the dragon isnt in there, Basthec said. Come, we should investigate, there might be clues about the type inside. And we should see what kind of a trap we can make inside. But be quiet, we dont know when the dragon might return.

    Slowly they made their way inside. The opening and the corridor were large and winding down and curving to the side. Quickly they were too far deep for the light to penetrate but Zach could still see everything with his eyes. Naha too didnt have an issue; the others didnt show any signs of not being able to see.

    Basthec lead the way, and then they reached a sharp turn. As soon as he turned around the corner he stopped and froze in his tracks.

    Oh no, this isnt a lair, Basthec whispered.

    What is it? Zach whispered back as he came behind him and looked. Immediately he saw what Basthec meant, the cavern was massive, and at the end of it everything glittered.

    This is a hoard of an Elder Dragon, Basthec said as they looked at the items and glowing stones that filled the floor from wall to wall.

    Then they heard a terrifying roar that echoed through the cave from behind them.

    Basthec closed his eyes and spoke. We are so fucked.