Chapter 32 – Second World Problems

  Jack and Elaine sped through the jungle the following morning as Bryant chased after them. They had to slow down considerably so Bryant could keep up. The Familiars couldn’t keep up with them either, but they had an easier time than Bryant did.

  Currently, Jasper was sitting on top of Jack’s head again, while Ciao clung to Elaine’s shoulder, to her discomfort. Ciao tended to grip with her claws. Zyne was once again taking up residence within Jack.

  “Do you really have to move like that?” Jack asked as they came to a rest so Bryant’s Stamina could refill. He had traveled the whole time on all four limbs looking like a bear trying to walk a tight rope.

  “What am I supposed to do?” Bryant complained. “I only get the bonus to stealth if all four of my limbs are touching the ground.”

  “I’m not so sure about that skill,” Elaine said. “Rare or not, it just seems too incompatible to be all that useful.”

  Ciao tsked. “There is nothing wrong with the skill,” Ciao said. “The problem is with you humans. Such imperfect creatures.”

  “Right,” Jack said. “Maybe we should start over? Is there such a thing as a skill downgrade? I’ve gotten skill upgrades before but never a downgrade.”

  “There isn’t,” Jasper said. “That is part of the issue with taking higher rarity skills. That and them being more difficult to progress. He’ll need to try and get it changed or to have it removed. Maybe learning a compatible skill to combine it with. Certain items can also help, like a skill combination gem.”

  “This sucks,” Bryant complained. “I’m not learning anything more from that cat.”

  “I’m not a cat!” Ciao hissed. “Fine by me. I may have offered my knowledge and understanding in the magical arts as part of our bond, but that was only to you, Jack. I am not interested in being a babysitter. You have also not held up your end of the bargain. I told you I am not an outdoor Cait Sith. This is not part of my job description.”

  “Enough,” Jack practical yelled over the bickering. “Ciao, this wasn’t part of the plan. I’m working on it, and I will try not to take you out more than I have to, but I’m also not always going to be sitting in a town or building so this may happen from time to time. Bryant, it will just have to do for now. We need to hurry up and get back. We’ll deal with the skill issue another time.”

  “Before that,” Zephyr called to them. “I think I found something worth a detour.”

  “What’s that?” Elaine asked.

  “There are these lovely rainbow fishes that keep jumping out of the water,” Zephyr said. “I think they are trying to fly, but a flock of birds are harassing them.”

  “Pass,” Jack said.

  “Actually, it might be worth the stop,” Elaine said. “How strong are these birds?”

  “Not very strong,” Zephyr said.

  Elaine looked at Jack. “We got some time, and we’ll get there before nightfall anyways. A little more hunting wouldn’t hurt.”

  “I’m down,” Bryant said, stretching his back. “At this point I’d take anything to be able to stand upright for a while.”

  “So long as we don’t come across another Apex,” Jack said.

  “Apexes aren’t that common,” Jasper said. “Not in this realm. It’s like a rank granted to beasts. It’s one of the requirements they have to fulfill to ascend, but it isn’t easy to get. Those Wenduags didn’t have the rank.”

  “That makes sense,” Jack said. “Explains why I never seen one before. Alright, but only a little bit more hunting.”

  “Awesome,” Bryant said gripping the spear in his hands. “You guys don’t happen to have something a little better than this, do you?”

  Jack pulled out one of the goblins swords and tossed it to Bryant. “It’s not much better.”

  “That works,” Bryant said, taking the sword.

  “We should approach from stealth,” Elaine suggested. “Don’t want to scare them off.”

  Bryant groaned.

  *~*

  “How many do you count?” Jack whispered.

  “Close to fifty,” Jasper whispered back staring up at the birds as they swarmed the fish. It was a strange sight to see. At first Jack didn’t understand what was going on. He understood the birds trying to catch the fish, but why would the fish be trying to leave the water knowing the birds were right there. At least that is what he thought until he saw one of the fish catch a bird, dragging it back down into the water with it.

  Stolen content warning: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.

  “They are trying to catch each other?” Jack muttered.

  “Welcome to the new world order,” Jasper said. “Everything can be a predator here.”

  “Which ones are we going after?” Bryant asked. “The fish or the birds?”

  “Birds first,” Elaine said. “They are the biggest threat to us right now. If we can deal with those than maybe we can also get some of the fish too.”

  Jack glanced at the birds, using his Analyze skill to try and get a read on what they were about to jump into.

  *Skeer: (Level 6)*

  Affinities: Air

  “They aren’t too strong,” Jack muttered to the others. “Watch out for their beaks and try not to get swarmed. Zyne, do you think you can catch a few as well?”

  “Of course,” Zyne said. “I can catch. I am good at catching!”

  Zyne said the last part a bit louder than intended, alerting the birds to their presence.

  “Their goes our element of surprise,” Elaine sighed. They leaped out of the cover they were hiding in as the Skeers flew down on them in a flurry of feathers, talons, and beaks.

  Jack activated his Blaze ward just in time as several Skeers descended upon him. His Barrier helped to deflect most of the birds while he used his fire and fang to take down several that got too close. Still, many of the Skeers managed to land pecks on less vital areas. Their beaks were sharp enough to pierce through his armor and spell. Zyne, for his part, yanked Skeers from the sky, wrapping them in its vine as it constricted and crushed them.

  Elaine had an easier time, nimbly dodging the Skeers attacks by utilizing one of her different dances as she made quick work of the Skeers with her daggers. Her hands moved in a blur until it appeared as though she had six hands. Dead Skeers fell to the ground around her as she moved.

  Bryant was having the worse time of them. Cuts quickly accumulated all over his body as he fought back against the birds. He was only managing to take down a single bird every few swings of his sword. Occasionally, Bryant would shoot a small white orb of energy at the birds. When he did manage to hit one with it, it would kill it instantly. Seeing Elaine was in no trouble, Jack moved closer to Bryant, so he could easily cast his Mend skill on his friend when he needed it.

  The fight didn’t last long. They had barely started before they had managed to kill half the flock, at which point the Skeers gave up and fled. At least they tried to, but the moment they gave the three of them enough space to move around again, Jack cast his Net spell creating a large web-like construct that appeared above the Skeers and fell on top of them, pulling them back down to the ground.

  Some still managed to escape, but most were caught under Jack’s spell unable to fly away. Elaine didn’t waste time. She quickly went around, finishing off the remaining birds as Jack saw to their wounds.

  “That wasn’t too bad,” Elaine said. “Didn’t get much out of it myself though, but I think we have enough food to last us a while longer.”

  “I managed to get another level in Hunter,” Jack said checking his messages. “But nothing else.”

  *Level Up! Hunter (Level 7)*

  +1 Dex./Perc.

  “They weren’t that strong,” Elaine said.

  “Speak for yourself,” Bryant said. “Those beaks were sharp. Oh sweet, I’m level four now, and a new skill.”

  “Good time to stop then,” Jack said. “At least until you have a better idea of what you want to pursue, class-wise.”

  “Haven’t really thought about that,” Bryant said. “I take it I get my class at level five then?”

  “Yeah,” Jack confirmed. “But you get a few options to choose from, and most can be upgraded later if you don’t like the ones you have to pick from.

  “There isn’t any rush on that,” Elaine said walking over to the river. “Do you think we can get some of these fish as well before we go?”

  Jack looked down at the bodies of the Skeers on the ground and the net he had cast. “Maybe,” Jack said, dismissing the net. “Let me try something. Can you get to the other side of the river?”

  It didn’t take Elaine much effort. A single jump later and she landed on the opposite bank. She waited patiently as Jack carried one of the dead Skeers over to the river. He positioned himself opposite her. He stared down at the fish as they stared up at him. No not him, the Skeer in his hand.

  *Prismatic tigerfish: (Level 3)*

  Affinities: Water

  Jack held the Skeer in front of him, moving it to the left and right and watched as the fish moved to follow the bird. With a quick motion, Jack tossed the Skeer in the air over the river. At once, dozens of tigerfish leaped into the air trying to be the one to grab the bird.

  Jack was expecting this to happen, and the moment the fish left the water, he recast his Net spell creating a large fishing net between him and Elaine. The tigerfish fell back down onto Jack’s trap and were quickly wrapped in the netting. With a thought, He closed the net, cutting off the fishs’ escape path. They struggled and strained against the bindings, and it took all three of them working together to pull them from the water. The fish tried to escape by biting through the construct, but unfortunately, the net was a conjuration and not a normal net. So long as Jack concentrated, he could strengthen and even change the size of the net at will.

  Once on land, the tigerfish didn’t last long and were quickly added to Jack’s Storage along with the Skeers.

  *Skill Increase: Fishing (Novice)*

  Why catch one fish when you can catch everything.

  -Increased yield of catch when using tools like nets and traps to catch fish. Increased chance of discovering lost objects when fishing.

  “That was a good idea,” Elaine said.

  “Easier than trying to get them with the spear,” Bryant nodded. “I gave up on that.”

  “It wasn’t that hard,” Jack muttered. “Though I admit, I forgot about that skill until this moment. Guess the skill increase is nice, but I am starting to think I have too many skills.”

  “First world problems,” Bryant said. “I barely have any.”

  “Technically, second world problems,” Jack corrected.

  “Where are the Familiars?” Elaine asked.

  “Waiting on you,” Jasper said from where they had been hiding originally. He looked like he hadn’t moved the whole fight.

  “Where’s Ciao?” Jack asked.

  In answer, a muffled grunt came from a tree nearby. Jack looked up and was greeted by Ciao looking down at them with a mouth full of feathers as she cleaned her paw.

  “What?” Ciao said. “I caught my own. You can even say I helped.”