Chapter 9: Border Town...?
*Two days after the Lycan incident*
Aisrin sat under a tree, studying his PSI.
(Name: Aisrin Age: 16
Job: Hero Lv 3 Title: None
Lv: 19 EXP to next Lv up: 259
HP: 202/202 MP: 248/248
STR: 55 VIT: 53
AGT: 58 INT: 54
SEN: 62
Pre-Existing Skills:
Magic Swordsman Lv 11
Mage Lv 13
Swordsman Lv 16
Aquired Skills:
Fire Bolt Lv 1: Charged Fire magic compounded into a ball and shot like a bolt. AOE- 20 m
Limit Break Lv 1: Double all stats for three minutes. Awakens all primal instincts for increased reaction time. Use- once every week.
Takeover Lv 1: Information unavailable.)
'Aquired Skills?'
"You, its bothering me, all these empty villages. Nothing but blood but no corpses." James commented. They were currently in a deserted village, the ground was soaked in dried blood and the stench of death lingered in the air still.
"From the look of the dried blood, I'd say this village has been either evacuated after a massacre, or it was entirely wiped out. I'd say its the latter, I haven't seen anybody on the road, but they could be headed for the border of the kingdom as well. But, this seems to have happened at least six days ago. Some of the blood is yet coagulated inside the houses where the sun doesn't reach." Blackhawk had set out to investigate and came with his report.
"Gwen thinks Aisrin already avenged the people. Gwen feels like it was the Lycans work here." Gwen mentioned.
"Bastard." Aisrin scowled. He had a newfound hate for Lycans.
"One Lycan... huh? No, not possible. We could be looking at at least ten or more. This maybe a small village, yes, but not one corpse remains. I have theories, and all of them are bad." Blackhawk sat and began to think aloud.
'He drinks way too much, slacks off, never helps anyone, yet, in this situation, hes proving to be quite the analyst.'
"Well, dont leave us hanging. What are these terrible theories?" James asked.
"First, it could be a rogue pack, or pack of rogue Lycans. Which means they follow no orders but their own. The positive in that would be internal conflict, and they may have dispersed on their own.
Second, it could be a young Omega leading a small inexperienced pack. That's a positive on it's own, yet still really bad. It would still take many high leveled Adventurers to take the Omega out alone.
Third, and possibly the worst scenario, we are looking at Territory Claiming. Which would mean that a whole pack has come from the mountains to lay claim to their own territory free from having to pay tribute to the Alpha.
If we are facing the third option, we are in deep shit. A true pack of Lycans led by a true Omega... numbers in the hundreds." Blackhawk explained in detail.
"How do you know all of this?" Aisrin inquired.
"Because the current Alpha only seeks a peaceful life style. She also thinks that humanoids taste really bad. I've traded for booze with her. They make some exquisite brandy. I'd like to go see her, but, if it's the third option, she may come see us." Blackhawk commented mainly to himself.
"You traded with Lycans? But, even amongst the Demi-Humans, they're especially fond of war and mortal flesh! Besides, the one we fought, didn't even speak!" James stated in bewilderment.
"That most likely was just a pup. He could have totally spoke, but he decided not to. Basically, he saw us as nothing more than meals. Would you talk to a steak? Besides, he was in 'Takeover'. Theres no point in communication at that point. They just follow their desires." Blackhawk explained further. The moment he did, Aisrin jumped up and exclaimed loudly, startling everyone.
"Blodenhiem, what's your deal?" Gwen demanded.
"Aha, nothing, it's just, one of my Aquired skills is... Takeover..." Aisrin nervously pointed at the screen he was still looking at.
"Hold on, you already have 'Aquired Skills'? So soon? It takes at least six months of studying to obtain the profound knowledge needed just to create skills." James dismissed shakily.
"Yeah... but I have three..." Aisrin continued, even summoning the screen physically.
"Oh, its true... are you some kinda cheat?" Blackhawk muttered.
"So says the only other person who most likely has an Aquired skill or two." Aisrin shot back.
"I plead the fifth." Blackhawk turned away and pretended in faux ignorance.
"Hah, anyways, what do we do now?" James continued.
"We continue on our course. Of course, now we need to be prepared for more Lycan encounters. Are main goal, should be to het stronger on the way." Aisrin stepped in.
"Ah, here we go. The training addict." James sighed.
"He's not wrong. If we train while we move, not only will we have a higher chance of survival, but we might even beat these Lycans. After all, we are Adventurers." Blackhawk grinned.
The party had their respective complaints, but survival and vengeance for Verenia were too sweet to ignore. So they did train as they moved forward. Aisrin gained two new skills and leveled them up.
Lightning Clad Lv 4: Don the lightning spirits cloak for high speed and impenetrable defense. AGT +8.
Fire bolt Lv 1-> Lv 5: AOE 20 m-> 45 m.
Wind Blade Lv 3: With mana gathered in the user's weapon strike with a Sprites breath to slice the enemy. Distance effective up to 30 feet. Width 5 feet.
The others focused on leveling up their existing skills and stats. Effectively becoming a bit stronger within the week. Still, they weren't prepared for the sight that awaited before them when they finally reached town.
*Border Town eight days Later*
"Those are... Lycans! Border Town is entirely over run with them!" Blackhawk told the group. He was using a high level Eye Enhancement Magic. The party was at least a kilometer away, avoiding possible detection.
"So what scenario are we looking at?" James asked him.
"Hah, now how am I going to get some good booze? Theres probably none left in town!" Blackhawk complained about the wrong things.
"Really? Still, this bodes I'll for my father's kingdom. Adventurers here aren't equipped to fight over a hundred Lycans. Even the Army couldn't win without heavy losses. So you said that if it was scenario three, the Alpha would make an appearance correct?" James inquired.
"Well, that's the problem... this is scenario four for sure. The scenario I never even thought of." Blackhawk shook his head.
"What do you mean?" James responded.
"The insignia being flown above the gates... is the Alphas insignia. Which means the Alpha either changed, or she decided humanoids suddenly were delectable and moved closer. This is beyond just a normal pack, there could be multiple there and more on the way." Blackhawk devised.
"Hah, isn't it too soon to play hero?" Aisrin sighed.
"Its your job, and honestly, even I was hoping to avoid doing anything unfitting of myself for awhile. Are you a harbinger of bad luck?" Blackhawk accused.
"We have no choice. It's possible there's people who need our help." James interjected.
"Can't we go around?" Blackhawk continued to complain.
"Gwen thinks we should go." Gwen offered her opinion.
"Aisrin, even you know its suicide." Blackhawk turned to Aisrin.
"Actually...haha... I have a plan." Aisrin scratched the back of his head and stated.
"Oh God..." Blackhawk gulped.
"Lycans are a war loving race right? Well maybe this could be settled fairly quick?" Aisrin began.
"Please explain." James urged him to continue.
"Why dont we just challenge the Alpha in a duel?" Aisrin continued.
"Wishful. No, that's not how they operate. You're just going to have to except this as something you can't do." Blackhawk shook his head. Blowing the plan to pieces.
"Well, sadly, I hate them, and I'm not going to abandon the people there. You may not understand, but, when I look at them, all I see is Veleria. Besides that, theres also the possibility that they'll move on from here. My siblings live in a town about a month or so away from here, and I want to stop any plans of their advancements here." Aisrin countered.
"Didn't you just say it was too soon to play the Hero?" Blackhawk commented.
"Yeah, but dont you realize... they're drinking all your booze, or even worse... wasting it." Aisrin said in a low voice. Blackhawks eyes suddenly narrowed.
"What did you say? What are they doing to my booze? Unforgivable! I'll show them what happens when you mess with another man's booze!" Blackhawk suddenly got fired up.
'He's amazingly simple to manipulate.'
"That's right! And they're mocking you while they're doing it!" James caught on and continued to pour the gas on the fire.
"Oho, they must have a death wish." Blackhawk laid flat on his stomachs and pulled a cube from his pocket.
"That was easy..." James muttered.
"Transmute: Form- Barrett." Blackhawk said. The cube began to change and morph until a weapon that hardcore resembled a rifle was in his hand.
'Did.. did he really just say the skill out loud?'
"I'll take out the sentries. I'll have them know the pain of wasting my booze imprinted directly into their DNA!" Blackhawk breathed deeply and began firing off shots. Within ten minutes Alm the sentries were taken care of. Blackhawk exhaled and stood up.
"Where you holding your breath the whole time? And what is that amazing weapon?" James immediately asked.
"Yes, and it's my personal magic. That's all you need to know. For now, the path in is completely cleared. We probably only have a small window, so let's use it. I want to take care of these bastards as quickly as possible." Blackhawk spat. The rifle became a cube again and was stored back in its pocket.
"Then, let's go give these bastards a good beating for Veleria. And for my own personal satisfaction." Aisrin grinned a little too maliciously for one with his job.
"Yeah. For the booze!" Blackhawk exclaimed in high spirits. The other two just sighed. They had no idea where the two gained their confidence from, but they were certain that this wasn't going to be as easy as they were hoping.
CREATORS' THOUGHTS 
FallunKing
FallunKing I just wanted to put a good first encounter in. I hope it's not too soon? Lycans are pack minded by the way, so if they lose leadership, they become useless. So they aren't particularly strong. Think along the lines of Kobolds. They're main point of strength lies withing their agility. Not strength. They're just fast. - Blackhawks entry on Lycans
Weekly Power Status
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Ranking 
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