LIGHTNOVELWORLD Chapter 18: Chapter 17: An Outworldly View
(This chapter was uploaded on Saturday 31/August/2024 8:05 PM, timezone GMT+3)
('1), ('2), ('3), etc. means that there is some explaining for the thing in the chapter's footnotes.
"..." small moment of silence.
"Talking"
[Different Language Dialogue (Different from the language of the PoV)] (What language it is: Accent if necessary)
"He-" Someone was interrupted.
'Inner Dialogue'
{Skills' names, chanting, spell keys and spells' names}
(PoV)
(Flashback, including the text)
Don't shy from commenting on typos and/or inconsistencies. That and/or suggesting a modification to certain things that didn't make sense to you.
I hope you enjoy reading this chapter.
(Line Break)
(Parts of Henryk's Diary)
Saturday, 19/9/1058:
I experienced a really weird dream.
Like every normal person, there are dreams I forget. And I forgot this one. How convenient.
Why this dream was weird is because as soon as I woke up, I still thought of it as a dream and kissed Shira on the lips, startling both of us.
What followed was an awkward, silent march until our next campsite.
While writing this, I was still feeling awkward from the morning. But the way we went about our journey, we had to snuggle together under Fey's wings, her feathers enhanced to regulate the temperature inside her plumage.
Sunday, 20/9/1058:
All so I don't forget this later, Shira hugged my back as we slept last night. She didn't feel bad about the kiss the prior morning.
After this hiccup, I tried to get under her skin by kissing her forehead before she wakes up.
I was successful in my endeavour today. She looked dissatisfied but put it behind her for the moment.
Besides that, I recalled the amount of time that dearest father-in-law told us it'd take to reach Orario, a month of heading south-west, weaving between Beol Mountains, Alfs Royal Forest and Seolo Forest. And once we passed by the mountains, Orario should be a mere week or so away.
While observing the map, I noticed how the mountains I saw closer than others were called "Great Mountain Range", while the looming ones at the back were the actual Dragon Valley.
Damn. Those wyverns that lady Artemis and her familia had slain a year and a half ago must've been really desperate, right?
Monday, 21/9/1058:
Today, I found it preferable to note down my findings up until now.
First, there were many effects to my spell, between buffs and debuffs, that I arranged into further categories.
> First Stage Adjustments:
Instead of increasing by x amount, any of your attributes could increase by y = x * z, z being the adjustment value.
For example, a muscle would be able to lift 100 more grams after some days of workout. Now, in the same amount of time, expending the same amount of effort, the same muscle would be able to lift up to 25 more grams.
The limit for adjustments is x1.25.
> First Stage Enhancements:
Those take something someone already has, then elevate its function. An example would be physical attributes in general.
They are limited to x1.25 of what the thing should be without them. They stop being applicable once the limit has been reached.
Some of them are {Mind Reserve}, {Mind Efficiency}, {Strength}, {Agility}, {Speed}, then there are all the mental ones, too.
The neat thing about {Mind Efficiency} is that it works with my spell, dividing the cost by the multiplier, as the cost of my other enhancements has been cut by a 5th. They now cost x0.8 their original cost.
> Second Stage Adjustments/Enhancements:
I theorise these ones' existence yet.
> Special Adjustments/Enhancements:
Those require getting subjected to something first.
An example would be {Excellia Vessel Boost}, which requires the presence of falna.
Another example would be {Charm Resistance}, which requires getting exposed to charms of any kind first. I could only apply this one to me and Fey.
The same limit as the normal enhancement applies here.
I'm glad that I trained myself with some minor poisons, granting me {Poison Resistance} to enhance.
> Granted Attributes:
This one's purely theoretical. I still don't have the ability to cast them.
> Alterations:
Those allow me to change the size or shape of something. I tried altering the color and length of my hair, and was successful.
> Reversals:
This category's simple. It gathers everything that's a reverse of the ones mentioned above. It's the debuffs clumped together into one category.
I attempted taking away Fey's ability to manipulate mind, and it took me twice the amount of mind it took to apply the attribute.
Also, reversed enhancements are limited to half the attribute's base value.
The cost of a reversal is twice that of its counterpart.
> Reset:
This one is in singular because its only job's to reset the target enhancement/buff/debuff, or whatever you'd call it, to its original value. This doesn't work on some alterations. Further inspections need to be made before being too sure.
The Cost: The cost of casting my spell varies depending on what I want to do. Almost all that was mentioned above was possible with the initial amount of mind, almost. Though, I was mostly knocked unconscious after casting some of them in quick succession.
Another thing to note is that alterations operate with a mind of their own, literally. Their cost is solely dependent on how much was changed. As for the reset, it costs just enough to tell me that it activated. If my mind reserves were to be represented with numbers, at 200, then it would be 1.
For now, it should be noted that anything related to efficiency or resistance divides the cost/effect of its target by its multiplier. As for the others, they multiply the target directly, proven by my strength increasing by exactly x1.25 times its original value, where I was able to hold a quarter more of my limit without the enhancement.
Sadly, I couldn't tell the exact level of the enhancement I want to check. I can only know if it was there, and if it was maximised.
Further discoveries may be made once I have enough mind, or if a rank-up would change anything at all.
(Tuesday, 22/10/1058)
(Short Shira PoV)
I woke up before Henry today, again. I thought of what he did 2 days ago.
'He should have just gone for another one, rather than going for my forehead. I mean, I am grateful for the feeling it gave me, that he treasures me. But I wanted him to act all by himself. You got this! Me!' I slapped my cheeks to hype myself up and immediately regretted it. Henry opened his eyes to that.
With the way he looked at me, I knew he was astonished. He probably already knew what I was going to do, and why I stopped, as I had my head turned to him.
"Cute"
'... What? This is his reaction?' I was flabbergasted when he said that and kissed my forehead instead.
"You know what I want, right?" I looked at him, feeling belittled. How dare he say 'cute'? I am not a little girl.
"Don't make th-" I didn't let him avoid it. He either answered my question or it becomes a war of attrition. I'm winning that war if it came to it.
Henryk stared at me with his mouth sealed for a moment before moving my hand to the side and giving me what I wanted.
I was so motivated by breakfast that I pushed Henry away and to the side and cooked him his favorite dish so far. It was subpar because the vegetables were dried, but it was okay for now.
...
I will make him surrender through his stomach one day! Mark my words!
"That was a really good breakfast, my cotton ball" Henry flashed me a dazzling smile, which I did not appreciate.
"Come here. I got a word for you" He ran away, knowing full well what he would have got if he did not. "GET BACK HERE!!! LET US SEE WHO IS THIS COTTON BALL OF YOURS!!"
(Parts of Henryk's Diary)
Wednesday, 23/9/1058:
Shira's archery improved enough to join the mini-hunt we went on when we needed fresh meat for Fey and the wolves.
She didn't get every target she wanted, but that was fine. The wolves were there to help after the goblins were alerted to our presence.
Before she shot an arrow with the wolves in her crosshair, I stopped her and told her to improve her aim more before attempting something like that.
She expressed how disappointed she felt after missing repeatedly. But with a little encouragement, and by that, I mean revealing my embarrassing past from when I just started, she looked better.
And so is life. You give something to get something.
Thursday, 24/9/1058:
Looking at the map my dearest father-in-law gave us, we knew how much we crossed out from the distance. We weren't very far, really.
Friday, 25/9/1058:
On the map, we were shown 2 possible points we could stop at, Ruruna village, and the city of Lua south-east of Ruruna village.
(AN: Forgive me for my lackluster naming sense, please)
We chose the village because it felt like, between the two, Ruruna'd feel cozy, just like home.
I'm thankful we did, as the villagers were welcoming of travelers. They were so welcoming that I had to hop off the cart and talk them into lowering whatever form of farming tool or weapon they were raising to welcome us.
What really happened was that who we met were hapless farmers, and the wolves scared the living daylights out of them.
After they calmed down, assured by me saying that the wolves listen to me as their tamer or something, and that it was possible due to my falna, they exchanged glances before the air wasn't as tense anymore.
One of them commented that, although they get a lot of travelers from Lua and Preblica that head to Orario, I was the only one in decades to have had a falna before passing here, the last being Finn Deimne, The Braver. After dragging the conversation without the villager noticing, I obtained valuable information on the Loki and Freya familias.
We exchanged some Valis for goods and went on our way before sunset; we have a distance to cross.
Thursday, 1/10/1058:
I finished maxing out the physical enhancements on the wolves.
That made us reach this second village a day sooner.
By estimates, we might reach Orario a few days ahead of schedule.
We collectively agreed to rest here, in this village called Maarne.
(Friday, 2/10/1058)
(Henryk's PoV)
"Henry, when are we leaving?" Shira asked me as we took some of the well's water to wipe off our sweat. She called me with that nickname starting the day before yesterday. As payback, I called her Cotton Ball once. Only once did it take for her to pummel me mercilessly. She refused to stop until I broke into a sprint and had her follow me till she got spent. I decided to avoid that nickname for a while.
As I was preparing my answer, Shira had shot another arrow at the tree that was taken as her target.
"We may depar- Hm?" I stopped and turned my head to the sound of grass getting stepped on. I was relaxed, knowing that, from the amount of noise and pace of steps, the person wasn't approaching with ill-well, most likely. There was still that annoying realistic chance of them being b-
I take that back.
The boy, yes, a boy, who approached us has messy snow-white hair that looked neatly arranged. I know that sounded illogical, but that's the feeling I got from his hair. His rubellite-red eyes were hopeful, sad, determined, a healthy mix of all of them and more. His face looked too cute and tender for adventuring, yet his eyes spoke of how he craved it. No, it wasn't because I already knew it. His eyes literally had a glint to them that only those seeking adventures have if that makes any sense.
The boy in question's one hurt-looking rabbit that's called Bell Cranel.
'Why the fuck's he here of all places? And why did we stumble upon him when he resolved himself to depart to Orario?'
"What is it, boy?" I raised an eyebrow as I stared at him.
His eyes shook a little as he almost recoiled backwards. It looks like he was intimidated by me. Between my naturally rough voice, virtue of my dad, my height and my face, I'd be surprised if he wasn't.
"Shira, look here. I found us a human-sized rabbit" I turned to Shira, teasing the boy in the process.
"HEY!!!" He reacted with such intensity that he covered his mouth in shame after he realised it.
"Wow! He truly looks like a cute rabbit!" Shira got those eyes. I hate those fond eyes. Yes, I got jelly.
"Anyway, don't feel intimidated. Henry might seem like a mean giant" "HEY!!!" I didn't cover my mouth in shame, as my rage was justifiable. "But, as his wife, I can guarantee his gentler side" She pacified him by confusing him. It hit him like a wall of bricks when she called me gentle, and mentioned being my wife as her testament.
The boy's confused gaze slowly turned from her to me, and I couldn't take it. I almost burst out laughing.
'Now I know! Now I know, Norman!'
"Please, disregard the unnecessary drama. My name's Henryk Williams, and this here's my wife, Shira" Shira greeted him with a wave of her hand and a smile. Now I got another piece of evidence telling me how lucky I am, as the boy was mesmerised by Shira's appearance.
'Am I dull or what?' I asked myself that as I didn't feel much when looking at some really beautiful women. 'Have I broken myself?'
"What's yours?" I asked him, even though I already knew his name. I didn't want my first impression to be that of a creep or a dangerous person, one who knows too much.
'He'd be in trouble if he wanted to accompany us. Fey's gonna have a field day pecking him'
"Bell Cranel, sir!" He was flustered when I talked calmly, as opposed to my imposing appearance. Now that I grew my beard, I became a bit more intimidating, I guess.
"Just call me Henryk, please. Now, what did you need from us?" I asked him while my eyes traced a demon with wings approaching him.
He looked troubled, twiddling with his fingers. He also looked away for some time before he looked back at me.
"Are you going to go to Orario, Mr Williams?" He finally revealed his intentions. He really wanted to accompany us. "I am willing to pay you to go there"
'Goddammit! He's still too formal! I hate formal settings!'
"How much?" I wouldn't pass on an opportunity.
"Henry?" Shira looked at me, her eyes showing that she thought I was taking advantage of him.
"There's a price for everything, Shira. The boy needs to pay something to receive another in return, and he already knew that basic rule of give and take" I debated with her. "Not to mention, he wouldn't be able to gather much food to bring and we'd end up giving him some. Consider the amount of time we'd be delayed, spent hunting for food on the way" She looked a bit conflicted, but otherwise, kept silent afterwards, contemplating my words.
"I can give you 1,500 Valis" He stretched his hand with the money ready. I looked at him, stupefied at his naivety.
"Can I call you Bell?" I asked, erring on the side of caution. I didn't want him to feel that I was acting too close without his permission.
"Um" He nodded timidly.
'Seriously, who came up with the bright idea of maxing his timidometer?' I thought, frustrated a little with how he was acting. I sighed and closed his hand around the money he prepared for this deal.
"Remember, Bell, keep your cards hidden until they're needed; keep your secrets to yourself. And, right now, the money isn't needed out of your hands. Keep it" He looked me in the eye for a bit, then nodded and pocketed his money.
"Shira, do you mind him coming with us?" I asked her. The decision wasn't mine alone to make. The wolves didn't mind it, as they wouldn't be dealing with him themselves. Fey, however, still wasn't informed.
She was deep in thought before arriving at an answer. "I think it's fine. We will arrive in Orario in about a week and a half if accounting for our current speed"
"And there you have it. But I must warn you" As I talked, I rushed forward, grabbed him by the shoulders, dashed out of the way, and watched with him as Fey swooped at where he was and tried clutching him in her talons.
"Eh?!! Where did mister Rabbit go?!" Fey was shocked that her new target disappeared. She then realised that I was holding him. At her current size, any regular-sized human would've been snatched in her talons. A few days of alterations and her size grew big enough to have them ride her back while she flew.
'Not me, though. I'm still too big for the current her to fly with me'
"Meany!" She booed at me before soaring away, with me looking at her blankly.
"I'd rather lower the price to 1,000 Valis because of her. What'd you say, Bell?" I asked him as I released my hold on the stunned and scared rabbit. He was reeling for a bit before looking down, making it hard to judge if he was still scared or not.
I saw him shaking. I entertained the idea that he was just that scared, but was proven wrong when he turned around with some newfound admiration that I knew not the source of.
"Are you an adventurer, Mr Williams?" He started fanboying.
'Ah, there was that. He's a fanboy for adventurers and heroes, more so for the latter' "Not yet, but going to be soon"
"I will go gather my things!" He ran away somewhere, promising to return shortly.
"That was very cute, don't you agree?" Shira giggled at him.
"Shira, you're triggering my possessive tendencies" I commented, silencing her momentarily, before she outright laughed at me.
"To think that you of all people would get jealous of a boy this young!" To my dismay, she continued laughing.
"Tsk" I left her alone until she got enough.
An hour or so later, Bell returned with a large bag that must've had some change of clothes and some other things he may need on the way. He was also hugging a thick book closely to his chest.
"By the way, our cart's pulled by really big and scary wolves" Instead of getting intimidated, he got more excited. His eyes even started comically shining.
'Is this normal? Is it normal in this world to have shining eyes? Or is this a MC-exclusive thing?'
After actually laying eyes on Futura and the pups, Bell had borderline gone reverent. I'm getting concerned.
(Parts of Henryk's Diary)
Saturday, 3/10/1058:
After waking up, and during breakfast, Bell asked me if the wolves were tame enough for strangers to approach them. I could now understand what he was so reverent about yesterday. It might just be a resemblance I had to one of the stories he was fed growing up.
I was treated to a first-row seat of the show: "Bell getting licked left and right". I had half a mind to keep watching, just in case one got curious and decided to take a bite.
Later, after helping him clean his saliva-covered face, I asked him why he looked at me with a sudden increase of admiration. He told me that I, in fact, resembled how one of the heroes was described, riding the backs of animals, not monsters.
I rode a cart pulled by animals, not riding their backs directly. But the connection was there.
Monday, 5/10/1058:
It's upsetting, really. Today, Shira kissed me as soon as woke up. She left me alone in the cart as she waved her hand, walking away with a smile on her face.
Bell, being the typical protagonist that he was, got lucky and woke up after the entire thing was over.
Saturday, 10/10/1058:
By now, we are relying completely on the things we could forage from around us. The dried veggies ran out, and the meat jerky went into smoke.
We managed by me telling them to stay at the cart, guarded by Futura and Platina, while I was accompanied by Ouros and Prata.
What I did was to alter a few blades of grass so they smell stronger and more appetising, then enhance it to the max. By doing that, I needed only wait for around an hour before the trick took effect. Some rabbits were lured in despite there being predators. They were so distracted. So much so that they only noticed after we reached them.
An unexpected catch was luring in a small herd of sheep. But we refrained from killing any as I saw a panicked elf running after them.
I apologised for the trouble her. She looked at me for a moment then accepted my apology and went back into the forest alongside her sheep.
Tuesday, /10/1058:
We rounded the path between Seolo Forest and the Beol Mountains today. We could see the unrealistically tall tower, Babel. Its sheer height was a mesmerising piece of engineering. Magical engineering, mind you, but it's still impressive. The thing was so tall it penetrated the clouds. Which, for the uninitiated, form entire kilometers off of the ground.
Both Shira and Bell gawked at the height of the structure.
Fey thought that it was a really, really high tree with no branches. Gods bless her, that chick.
The wolves didn't have an opinion of the tower, thinking it a mere spike of rock that happened to form that high and into the clouds.
This was also our sign, that we'll arrive at Orario soon, maybe the 14th if we took our time.
Let's be realistic here for a second. Bell wouldn't handle the extra dose of excitement. His heart might just stop from how much he anticipates the city. I mean, the little guy was shaking so much I feared that the cart might fall apart.
(End of Chapter)
Greetings, dear readers
I'm glad to tell you that Orario's part of the story has finally come. Next chapter, Henryk would enter the city.
But enough of that. What are your thoughts on this chapter?
More specifically, what do you think of Shira's PoV?
What do you think of how Bell was introduced?
Now, him being introduced like this doesn't directly mean that Henryk is gonna join Hestia's. Just wait 'n see.
Ah, a funny bit. I forgot to name the last chapter and this one and had to name them during the 5 minutes between their uploads. Rate their names, please.
Have a great time, ladies and gentlemen.