RhaegarRRL
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Chapter 372 Contact
🕑 Added 2019-12-05 12:23:09 +0000 UTCAuthor's note December 5th: Hello all. New chapters are up, do let me know what you think :). More hopefully on Saturday.
Trying something new - Uploading the chapters as PDFs in addition to the text version here. I know it can be a pain to read on the site directly so this might be a help. It's additional work for me so do let me know if you want it or if it's not really a benefit.
In the meantime, have a good day that is hopefully not too annoying.
Chapter 372 Contact
Ilea led Walter through the tunnels, the markings on the walls leading her.
Maro had sneaked in behind them, avoiding the guards that were still very much busy with dismantling traps and searching through already looted rooms and halls.
They would find some things left behind by her.
We could have gotten the others too. Ilea said, glancing towards Walter.
I trust you Ilea, it scares me but I do. And still, I wont let Lucia and the others just meet a bunch of elves. They were our enemy for hundreds of years, as long as I can remember. Always a looming threat and never did they step up to try and talk. He dismissed the idea.
To be fair, you dont know if they never did. Who in their right mind would try and side with elves? Maro asked and twirled his finger near his temple.
Smugglers, apparently. Ilea replied, looking at him as she shrugged and smiled.
Or you, a fighting obsessed mad woman who released a thousand year old necromancer from his prison and crypt. Maro said.
You two are stressing me out. Walter said. It was enough of a thrill to be involved in the mission earlier. This is magnitudes beyond. We are about to meet elves. He said the last sentence in a quieter tone, as if surprised by it himself.
We are. Ilea said. And I need to get some resistance training in too. They have insane magic power.
Walter stopped suddenly. If Riverwatch find out about this, were done.
Im still somewhere around. Probably. Maro said. Let them try. He smirked.
Ilea turned around. Ill write a letter, signed with my mana signature. Addressed to Alistair. And I will inform Claire of course. I dont want her to organize the trading yet because shes too far away and not the best person for the job. Not yet, not now.
Walter thought it over and nodded after a while. Its a big risk.
Like summoning a demon into your halls? Ilea asked. Or taking one in? Or not attacking the weird healer that joined you suddenly?
He just puffed air out of his nose and walked past her. Youve made your point. Lets meet the fucking elves.
Ilea grinned. Thats what I want to hear.
Maro gestured for her to go. After you.
Scared? She asked.
A little, might pee myself. He replied in a dry tone.
Ilea rolled her eyes but was quite amused by his antics. She was glad the necromancer had come as well, feeling a little less ridiculous about the idea thanks to his jokes.
They crossed the rest of the distance, running most of the way. The speck of light became visible again after a while, Ilea motioning for the others to slow down.
Were nearly there. I dont want to surprise them. She said and took the lead.
Isalthar and his group was waiting already, floating near the entrance with their various flying magic.
Feyrair of course was sporting dark red wings. He smirked when she came into the open. Took you long enough. Come, lets fight!
Please. A moment. Isalthar said.
Ilea couldnt tell if it was a command. The wording didnt suggest so but Feyrair stood down immediately, his excitement gone. He didnt even grumble to himself.
Walter and Maro stepped out, the latter actually a little further back.
She lifted an eyebrow at that but didnt comment. This is Walter, a dark sorcerer and leader of a small necromancer brotherhood that operates near Riverwatch. Ilea explained and motioned to the man. And this is Maro.
Isalthar nodded to each of them, taking his time to look them over. I am pleased, to make thy acquaintance.
Likewise. Walter said, glancing over the elves.
Maro just nodded.
Peculiar. I remember such symbols. Yet I had thought that Rhyvor was gone. Even before my own time. Isalthar commented, facing Maro.
Some remnants are still around. The man commented.
Feyrair smirked. Another one to fight. Death magic seems like a worthwhile addition to my resistances. He showed his teeth and hissed.
Hes like you. Maro whispered to Ilea, completely aware that everyone could hear him.
Nice of you to notice. Ilea said. Im less brazen.
Really? Maro asked. Just because he uses red ,
Its not just that. Maybe he will show you later. Ilea said with a smirk.
Feyrair smiled back, his eyes gleaming with excitement. His red leathery wings flapped once, not changing his unmoving hover in the slightest.
Isalthar landed near Walter. It is thee then? The one to provide future trade.
Walter nodded. Yes. Riverwatch isnt keen on us necromancers but we can get goods in and out of the city. A new contract she secured us should make it much easier too. He explained.
Theyre even less keen on elves so I hope youre not planning on making a scene. He added.
I understand, the horrors my kind has brought upon you. I hold no guilt and yet I hope it may not stand in the way of cooperation. Isalthar said.
Its not like we wouldnt do the same if we could. Walter said and chuckled, ending the noise nervously.
Do not underestimate your kind, sorcerer. Isalthar said, surprising the group. The two standing next to you are living proof of your capabilities.
Outliers. Walter replied and shrugged. Should we discuss the details? The way your red warrior is looking at me is freaking me out. He said and glanced at Feyrair.
Your fear is not misplaced. Feyrair said with a wicked smirk.
Dont talk shit dragonboy, It will only make me hit harder. Ilea said and spread her wings.
Isalthar faced Walter and gestured for them to step aside. We shall. I appreciate your consideration. He glanced towards Maro too.
The necromancer shook his head. Im mostly here for the fighting.
Isalthar sighed, neither audible nor visible.
Ilea could tell only through her sphere and the slight change in air pressure in front of his mouth. She chuckled at that and noticed a slight twist of his head. Perceptive, that one.
I am torn. Ben said. Hmm. He apparently decided on Walter and joined the two.
The last elf floated nearby but didnt seem to be particularly interested in any of them.
A high pitched sound suddenly came from near Isalthar, chunks of rock cut out of the ground before they levitated before him. Again, the air moved and pieces of stone fell down, leaving a table and four chairs that slowly drifted to the floor.
Walter gulped audibly but took a seat nonetheless. Why do I agree to these things? He grumbled to himself.
We intend no harm. Isalthar reassured the man.
Thats what they all say. Now, lets discuss what you need, where we could get it and when you would like to visit. Walter sighed, getting his pack he had gotten back in their crypt, removing pieces of paper and a pen.
Isalthar focused on the man with an unreadable expression.
I want one of those pens. Mine is nearly empty. Ben said immediately, taking a seat. Also food. Do you have a way to store it freshly?
You have more than ten pens. Isalthar said, confusion apparent in his words.
Yes but what if theyre all empty suddenly? Ben asked and shook his head. Walter, right? Im Ben. Its a pleasure to meet you. I hope you understand the importance of this. We have to eat wild beasts if you cannot deliver food to us. His expression screamed urgency.
Dont you love eating people and animals? Walter asked as he wrote down something. He glanced at Ben. How many pens?
Five no ten. Ben said before he looked at Isalthar. Ok five. We do like eating humans, animals, elves. There is something beautiful about the fresh blood, the still pulsing muscles, the warmth. Variety is the spice of life. I heard a human say this a couple decades ago. A marvelous saying if you ask me. I most certainly agree. I am old, Walter. Older than many a human and trust me, Ive eaten many things. New flavors and experimental dishes are most welcome. If you lack a storage item, I might lend you one so you can provide fresh ones.
Walter nodded. Food is easy enough. Do you plan to trade in gold or wares? Knowledge might be valuable too. Rare spells and classes as well as geography. Perhaps even ways to defend ourselves against the domains.
All are reasonable. Simply ask what you wish in return. Isalthar said.
Ilea stopped listening by then. Walter was in his element already and took it seriously. Well see who sits on that trade throne. She thought, feeling a little bad that she had pushed this onto him. On the other hand, he might be able to win them as friends as time went on. Having Maro and Isalthar defend the Vultures would likely make them one of the most powerful human organizations. Mostly human that was.
You are so easily distracted from what is important. Feyrair said, glaring at her with a big grin.
He seems to like you. Maro commented. Just take him out on a date first.
Ilea rolled her eyes, My Heat resistance needs a couple more levels. Feel like setting me aflame?
Feyrair grinned. Only in a fair bout. I will not steep so low as to use my magic for your advantage alone.
Fair enough. Ilea said, ashen wings forming behind her, limbs fanning out as she went into a crouch.
Magic erupted from Feyrair, his form shifting before he stood there, once again in his dragon like form.
Maro hovered up, stunned as he looked on with a shocked expression. Wonderful. He finally got out, the word whispered.
The dragon like being gave him a look before it once again focused on Ilea.
Come on then. She thought and advanced, running at the beast and tanking the white flames that washed over her a moment later. She blinked back and simply let the elf do his thing.
Healing and ashen armor took care of the damage, the fires not quite enough to get past her resistances coupled with her regeneration. Her third tier Sentinel Core transformed a big chunk of the attack into mana she could straight up invest back into healing.
The only thing going down through this was Feyrairs mana. With how massive and powerful the swaths of flames were, it was likely that the spells cost wasnt negligible.
Ileas bone armor occasionally took a tiny bit of damage but even with the slow recovery speed, she decided to keep it on. The armor repaired itself in the downtime, only sustaining minor singeing in the first place.
You are not attacking , Feyrair complained, stepping sideways as his dragon head kept its focus on her, red reptile like eyes squinting at her as he puffed out white flames from his nostrils.
Seems like Im winning so far. Is that what you do usually? Just wait and burn your enemies from a distance? I had expected more to be honest. Ilea taunted, looking at her hand that she held up in front of her face, as if to check her nails below the bone and ash armor.
A low growl came from Feyrair before he chuckled, the sound more akin to a rumbling. Very well. He said and vanished, appearing right in front of her, the air displaced and a massive clawed hand slamming into her.
Eight ashen limbs in addition to the left wing helped block the attack, Ilea more prepared for the sheer force of the strike and the following white hot cutting and melting properties of his massive claws.
She crouched and was moved sideways, the talons ripping through her ash, stopping only on her armor, right before they touched bone.
Ileas response came quickly, as the other eight limbs slashed into various parts of Feyrairs huge body. Wings, eyes and his jaw were primarily aimed at but his quick movements avoided any major damage.
He could however not avoid Storm of Cinders, flowing into him as well as her reversed healing, sending destructive mana into his connected talons.
The white fire that burned on them and pushed against the constantly reforming and healing ash provided a constant flow of mana for the healer to use.
She noted that the exchange was in her favor, grinning as she held up her arm to the incoming second arm slamming down on her.
The blow made the ground crack in various places under her ash covered armored bone boots.
Ilea held the position, feeling the heat of the fires burning, right before she felt the next attack coming. Another cone of flames, enveloping her entirely as it melted away the very stone she stood on, even partially damaging the thick leathery skin on the dragons arms.
Smoke rose as he disengaged and disappeared, growling once more as the scorch marks on his long dark red arms cleared up.
She too was smoking, the combined effort enough to get to her bone armor where his talons had pushed down. The armor stopped him however and the cracks and blackened parts were already repairing itself before ash covered them once more.
He roared, white fire surging around his whole body, his red eyes slowly turning white as he glared at her.
The heat around his form increased ten fold, Ilea instinctively taking a step back. Her own fire spell was charging up within her chest but little time has passed so far in their brief exchange of blows.
She waited, his form tensing up as swaths of fire scorched the ground below his palms. Molten rock was left where he had stood, his form appearing next to her.
Ilea had followed the movement, not teleportation but a burst of speed similar to what Dale could do. Enough to surprise her, had it not been for her Azarinth Fighting perception.
The blow landed, sending Ilea skidding to the side. She was prepared to take it, her once more damaged ashen wing reforming as she came to a stop and looked his way.
His claw had cut deep, past her armors and into her skin. The familiar feeling of Mana Drain still lingered as the wounds closed, halfway to the bone on bother her arm and torso.
Ilea grinned, watching him move once more. Her ash had reformed already but her bone armor was heavily damaged still.
The heat of his presence made the air singe, each touch to the ground melted a chunk of stone.
Again, Ilea decided not to dodge, instead forming more ash to help soften the blows. Ashen limbs slashed out at him, delivering further blows.
Her own arms moved to block the claws coming from both sides, cutting into her and past her defenses. She felt mana return to her, still topped off thanks to her opponents constant contributions.
The talons once more stopped before they reached her own bones, tearing flesh and burning it, leaving nasty wounds behind that would likely incapacitate anybody without a high level of Pain Tolerance.
Ilea felt it and ground her teeth, her skill bonuses and high level of Pain Tolerance still leaving her nearly stunned by the intense feeling.
She pushed through, her Heart of Cinder releasing at the same time as she forced her arms to the side. The added sphere of fire and heat helped her get free of his grasp.
Immediately, the damage to her body healed and the pain subsided, her mind focused and ready. Ash once more covered her, the bracers of her bone armor now damaged too.
Feyrair staggered back from the blow, the heat slowly subsiding as the white flames stopped flaring up. His eyes turned red again, blood running down his maw.
Several wounds showed on and near his wings as well as small cuts on his thick armored body. He heaved and nearly collapsed where he stood, a look of defiance in his eyes. Defiance and joy.
You survived it. He said and turned back into an elf.
Feyrair went to one knee, several wounds on his body showing. He still heaved, every breath a difficult undertaking.
Need a heal? Ilea asked with a smile as she appeared next to him.
I... do. He said, each word strained and with a long pause in between.
An ashen limb extended, the heavy damage to his body healing thanks to her skill. Youre in better shape than I thought. Ilea commented, seeing his anatomy thanks to her recovery magic.
The last form I used. He said, his voice already sounding relieved. It has ramifications beyond healing.
So you cant fight anymore? Ilea asked, disappointment in her voice.
Not at that power. Nor for a day at least, perhaps longer. He looked up to her with a little shame in his eyes. But I can use powerful fire spells if you want to level your resistance.
Sure, that sounds great. Ilea replied and glanced at Maro. You can continued to use Death Magic on me too.
Me as well if you could heal the decay? Feyrair asked as he glanced first towards Maro and then Ilea.
Maro floated down next to them. Impressive burst of power. You were nearly three times as fast.
Feyrair nodded. If she didnt have Mana and Health Drain resistances, which I assume you do? He sighed when he saw her nod. It would have lasted much longer. The way it stands, this one really covers all my strengths with countering abilities.
The necromancer chuckled. I cant even damage her anymore so you have that on me. Youre below level three hundred. May I ask how something like that is possible? I had assume me and Ilea were outliers already.
You may. Feyrair said and got up from his half kneeling position. Would you like me to use fire magic on you as well?
Thanks, but no. Even with Pain tolerance, Id rather not see my skin melting. Maro said.
The elf looked at him then, his eyes squinting before he hissed. Very well. As to my power, I suppose it is merely a matter of class rarity and skill levels. I have switched classes over the centuries, giving me some unique modifiers.
Comments
Jonathan
I think you just train for it. Remember Ilea got Fire Mage by learning the Flame spell. If she went to Triam and learned the Elos equivalent of Shocking Grasp, I expect she'd get a notification that she qualified to learn the lightning mage class. She'd probably then have to choose to discard a current class similar to when her classes offer her new skills.
Bobby B.
First off, I loved the PDF, made it way easier to get my screen reader to work, didn't jump to the beginning even once! And lastly, how are you going to drop that bomb on us and be all "see you guys next time!"
Silver Beard
Of the pdf files. I’d be intersted in bulk files... 50 chapter increments or better. Right now...we all have to have Internet to enjoy or ‘re-enjoy’ your story. Either publish more ‘books’ or give us the same via pdf. Please
I would have preferred not to have read them fight again. They just fought a couple chappys ago 😞
G. Harthane
I will, thanks for the suggestion.
Jonathan Walker
Fucking awesome as fuck.
Arcanes
Maybe make a poll somehow on who wants the PDFs version? I for one don’t need them. Reading on Patreon is less than ideal, but not that bad. Oh and interesting developments with the elfs. Maybe Ilea will finally learn something new and useful for herself.
Rip Woodham
I'm really looking forward to see how her bone armor develops. It should gain some amazing effects faster than normal from all Ilea subjects herself to. Well, I hope.
For those wanting an epub you can use the extension epubpress on Chrome to make epub of a page or a group of pages (up to 20 or 30 I think). Also if you use Caibre you can use the addon Fanficfare and point it at AH on Royal Road and it will grab the whole thing as an epub. I use that to backup the majority of it and use epubpress when I want a more recent epub off of Patreon.
Zachary Smith
I always read on the Patreon site which was not ideal. Then I downloaded the Patreon app which is pretty sweet. I don’t have a need for pdf files but maybe someone else does idk. Anyhoo thanks for the chapies (:
Han Pol
Well pdf is a bit of a waste, but if you ever want to publish on Amazon, having it already in pdf form is helpful?!
How does the class reset even work, i mean do you habe to pray to a god, visit a temple or just press delet in the class menu?
Joshua Little
Thanks for the chapter.
ShadeByTheSea
Personally I just open the chapter in a new tab than use the easyreader chrome plugin on it. Makes it easier for me because the font and color scheme become what I want. Though I've read 100s of WN and translated WN so I ignore most grammer/formatting/site issues.
Dave Black
Yes he might have been more powerful now without rerolling. Put his current classes seem to be pretty strong. Consider this. He was able to get through Ileas Armour with his Claws and his Fire seems to Level her Resistances like crazy and he isn't even 300 yet. I think his current Classes are probably pretty Strong . He is even able to survive a hit from those Arcane Storm. So what happens when he gets his 300 Class evolutions? I think he might be stronger right now than Ilea was before she reached 300. And dont forget leveling is supposed to become exponantially slower past 300. So who knows what a realistic Level Ceiling for an Elf is. Anyway we will probably learn more about rerolling next Chapter, so we will see.
Rip Woodham
Eh. He keeps rerolling. What would his level be if he didn't do that? He'd be more powerful than he is now, that's for sure. Perfection is illusive. You can pursue it forever always getting closer and still never find it. While it's true that it gets much harder to level not just due to the requirements but the scarcity of mobs..... he was complaining last release about having to crawl around the crevices in the north like an ant, too good for that. Meanwhile Ilea is always struggling and the rewards of that show in her evolutions. I don't think even Ilea could keep doing that and going at it as hard as she has, and not burn out etc. I don't actually think his classes are better than hers even for all his effort. Let's not look down on them. lol, even with all his rerolling and pursuit of his goal over many centuries Ilea still kicks his ass easily. It seems to me like if he was her level they'd be about even. Her 300 evolutions were so much greater than her previous ones and not for the level. Furthermore she loves her Azarinth and Ash classes, I can't see her dropping them. She has been continually growing more fond of ash and the nature of her Azarinth class. The Order is not the class and she still knows nothing about the Order other than histories written by some snotty scribe or Elder. They've gotten her to where she is now and if Ilea was the type to shed that like a coat and start over with something different I have to doubt she'd be the same character we love. I'm interested in the reveal next chapter, there will probably be something that makes rerolling worthwhile for someone like Feyrair. Something that stays, or even requirements of multiple classes. I can see that for something like his. but for one thing, I'm sure with his age and experience he likely has a lot of high level general skills. We/Ilea know practically nothing of what you can get for general skills. For instance maybe you can get one that is for your general affinity and familiarity with fire? Who knows. It's not like you pick them up casually. Just remember the torture Ilea had to go through for her Harmony of the Drowned lol. I wonder if meeting the requirements for class evolutions gets reset, but even if not, I doubt they can get much better than Ilea's. There are many paths to power, and his suits him. I wonder though. I remember her group of Cerithil Hunters said something about unfamiliarity with their classes due to (forced?) rerolling being why they suck.
torrey deloach
I really appreciate the pdfs! I'm getting ready to go to work and now I have something else to help get me through the night. (No cell or WiFi where I'm at working) I gotta alot of long empty hours so this is nice
Michael C
Also. Love the CLIFFHANGER...yea I said it. Lol. Damn you make things so interesting. A mechanic where switching classes stacks bonuses in weird ways. Wow. Your world is so.fleshed out I wonder if you are having visions of a real world (aka Joel Roseburg and the Sleeping Dragon)
Michael C
IMO. The PDF is a waste and makes stealing/sharing your work easier. While its true the website is hard to read. Everyone should download the patreon app. Reading is better than pdfs. PDF has too many cons. You are working so hard for us. I would not want you to add even a small bit of sand to your process. Over time it might wear you down. Especially if you find subs dropping because pdfs are traded the day you post
Chopper
As far as offering PDF's I thought authors did it because posting here screwed with the formatting of their stories. I read the stories on my PC and have no issues reading them with Patreon.
Chopper
it is not a cliffhanger, this is the nature of web novels.
Ziggy
The fiction is literally titled "Azarinth Healer." Would be pretty surprising if she dropped her class line for that reason alone. Then there are the amazing healing, skills, and class bonuses she has with it. Then her other class. Ilea, voluntarily giving up her wings? Lol no. Plus the other amazing skills and class bonuses? Negative. Unless she can "swap out" classes so she doesn't lose them permanently, zero chance she's dropping either of those. She loves them too much. Understandably so. Only chance we'll see that happening if it's permanent is with a third class slot. Not even sure how that would work given we know it's a weaker version than the first two slots.
tibbish
There must be some sort of risk and/or huge disadvantage for doing a class reset otherwise everyone would be doing it.....
PloofDoodle
Sure hope they do, and some more info on the elusive 3rd class
PloofDoodle
Now with that last line comes so.many new questions; like what would happen if a new kid came and levelled to 200 for multiple classes each time to build towards a class. And can the medic sentinels use this knowledge to design a class that requires the user to have progressed through a line of classes and so on.
Kittora
I found the application for patreon way better then the site. There's a weird sentence there that tripped me up in this part as they are going 3. Is that supposed to say bother?
Robert Mullins
There has been a lot of discussion of new classes and changing classes recently between her new organization and these elves. I wonder if this is foreshadowing a class reset? I think it could be really cool if done right. She's already shown she's not particularly attached to the azarinth order so it would make more sense for her to have a class associated with her new organization of possible. Plus I'm curious what multiple maxed out resistance skills would bring to the table for base classes.
Findell
These elves should have an answer to the tier 3 general skills right?
Arkeus
Basically she'd need to put a ton of effort into something specific if she wants to reset a class, and I think Ilea like hers enough that unless she sees no other way to get stronger she is unlikely to do that. OTOH, being a dragon....
Ato
that's a nasty cliffhanger, and you know it
G. Harthane
I tested it just now and it sucks. Will test some more and maybe I'll try. Might just be my reader.
Roethan
So he reset his class and started a new one? If so that would allow him to start at level 1 with some ridiculous general skills and "achievements". Even Ilea's insane abilities would be overshadowed at that point. I wonder what kind of class Ilea could pick up if she chose to do that? I doubt she'd lose Azarinth Healer though. It was just too hard to acquire. Her fire mage route was pretty basic but it had some nice evolutions once she got to the ash versions. Plus I'm sure she'd hate losing her wings. Unless she gets a third class ...
Maximilian Hübner
While the pdf is a nice gesture, I mainly read on my phone... making pdfs less desirable than the website. Epubs would be nice though
Any chance for epub?
The pdf are nice otherwise exept when you open the chapter on mobile it moves you to the end of it to see the files and you need to scroll up to read
Rip Woodham
Nice and early! Thanks for the well wishes and hey, you too! :-)
