The air around the End Forest had always carried a stale quality—moldy, if I had to describe it. I thought it was the result of the ashen trees and the corrupt vegetation, and while that was partially correct, the prime reason could be attributed to the monsters that lived within. Tonight had p...
2025-02-08 14:30:01 +0000 UTC
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I heard the discordant buzz of noises, the crashes, and the screams. I felt the ground heave and buckle, as if a lightweight blanket buffeted by the intense winds. And I saw Ed, his face grimy and sweaty—enough that I could make out the pockmarks of dust and dirt.
By situating my body in ...
2025-02-06 14:30:02 +0000 UTC
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I never forgot that moment of helplessness when death had been rushing to meet me. Its cold and harsh grasps caressing my cheeks and ruffling my hair. I had never found anything more calming or accepting than death—even cold and emotionless, it beckoned me with a warmth I could only vaguely rec...
2025-02-05 14:30:02 +0000 UTC
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I looked up at the moon, the sparse canopy barely hindering my view of the glowing celestial body. I blinked.
The night air was colder than yesterday—a sign that winter drew closer still. Sounds of the insects chirping in the underbrush echoed across the solitary stillness of the forest. ...
2025-02-04 14:30:01 +0000 UTC
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Athea poured the scalding hot tea into a clay cup, the steam wafting off to hit her in the nose. She took a deep breath to savor the earthen flavor, the floral bitterness leaving her refreshed. It was a luxury to taste a brew of this quality, especially when existing in the middle of a battlefiel...
2025-02-02 14:56:52 +0000 UTC
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The air felt heavy, the mana chaotic. The ground quaked as the monsters led a thunderous charge against the line of soldiers. The men looked weary, and though they retaliated with a frenetic assault, their movements were sloppy. Crude.
Against the heavy tide of monsters, these men, though o...
2025-02-01 14:30:02 +0000 UTC
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Elves were regarded as a menace by the higher society of the Kingdom. Naturally, the effects of prejudice extended to the lower class as well. Although their objective remained undisclosed to the masses, it did nothing to abate the growing hostility between the two species.
Despite that, no...
2025-01-31 14:30:02 +0000 UTC
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I woke up, feeling weaker than I had in a long time. My head pounded with an intense headache, and every muscle in my body cried in pain.
I groaned and pushed myself into sitting posture. My surroundings were dim, but even under the haze, I could make out the texture of the fabric. I gulped...
2025-01-30 14:30:02 +0000 UTC
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The territory division between the lands of the Kingdom wasn't marked by physical borders; they sort of bled into each other. Erdwatch ended near the Prune Town, and from there the Barony held rein.
Since the Guild existed right in the middle, even running at a brisk pace, it took us over a...
2025-01-29 14:30:02 +0000 UTC
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Flames of annihilation surged high into the sky, promising death and destruction. Chaos reigned everywhere, the very mana in the air thrumming every time a blast rang out. And blood. Lots of blood.
Even so far away, Amara could smell blood. She could taste the terror and the resentment of ...
2025-01-28 14:30:01 +0000 UTC
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Hunting as a profession is heavily sought after, especially in a world where strength brings wealth and prestige. Many would be more than willing to trade an arm and a leg for a shot at rare Origin. But how many would awaken as hunters?
I used to lie awake at night after an intense day...
2025-01-27 14:30:07 +0000 UTC
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Hello~
Drifting Embers here,
I had a few things to say to my dear supporters—well, three things actually.
One) I am currently working on a discord server, though it's likely to take some time before it becomes serviceabl...
2025-01-27 14:29:01 +0000 UTC
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2025-01-26 16:03:01 +0000 UTC
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2025-01-26 16:01:03 +0000 UTC
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2025-01-26 16:00:11 +0000 UTC
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Registration for the guild as a hunter involved a three-step process. The first and easiest one was where the hunter would be asked to input their details—name, race, level, origin, and whatnot—on a ready-made document. Amara was quick to start filling the form.
Tania and I took to the ...
2025-01-26 15:24:01 +0000 UTC
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"Why are you always so skittish around Amara?" Finding a brief moment of solitude, I turned to Tania and asked.
I had noticed the dwarf's apprehension toward the vampire, and it made me glower in irritation. I wanted my summons to share just as much fondness between them as they directed at...
2025-01-26 15:23:00 +0000 UTC
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With a pep to my step and clicking of the coins, I marched down the street in search of my two companions. Though the rush of the crowd would've served to hamper my search, the incongruity of my summons from the general masses meant the duo were given a wide berth wherever necessary. And thus I f...
2025-01-26 15:22:01 +0000 UTC
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Though we alighted the carriage near the Guild itself, I took the complete opposite of the direction that led to the entrance. The marketplace near the center, usually rife with activity, was dead silent as we walked forward.
Under the light spell of rain, we walked the cobblestone-laden st...
2025-01-26 15:21:07 +0000 UTC
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Amara's words were clear, though the reasoning behind her actions eluded me. I knew she was angry, but I couldn't exactly draw a clear logic, though something told me it was more than just racism that had irked her.
During the course of our meal, I had been beside myself, stealing glances a...
2025-01-26 15:20:00 +0000 UTC
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Despite having weathered a number of disasters over the years, Erdwatch had proven time and again its unyielding nature and the resilience of its inhabitants.
It was said that humanity as a whole was highly adaptive, but the residents of the city had proven this proverb through their hard w...
2025-01-26 15:19:01 +0000 UTC
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Polygamy as a concept was not foreign to the lands of the Continent. Nobility aside, even the less-known influential figures like knights and merchants of the Kingdom took part as a show of status. Personally, I wasn’t entirely opposed to the concept.
Spending a night lying atop the rooft...
2025-01-26 15:18:01 +0000 UTC
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"You didn't answer my question," I said, brushing a lock of hair from her forehead. "Why will they all be girls?"
Amara had her eyes closed, a look of contentment on her face. Hearing my question, she cracked open an eyelid and asked, "Why indeed?"
Looking at her expression, I could t...
2025-01-26 15:17:01 +0000 UTC
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When the time came for us to tuck ourselves in, I, being the gentleman, offered to sleep on the floor. There was only one bed and three of us. It seemed the only sensible choice.
Amara pointedly ignored my words, though, and took to lounging atop the windowsill. Although Immortal negated he...
2025-01-26 15:16:01 +0000 UTC
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Summoner was a rare Origin in the continent. I didn't have what one may consider extensive knowledge regarding the Hunters and their varied Origins. Though the concept of top 200 hunter rankings was broadly known across the Kingdom, the information made public barely covered anything beyond their...
2025-01-26 15:15:01 +0000 UTC
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"You kissed me?" Amara asked, accusingly.
"In my defense, I was just cashing in on that promise a little earlier." I held up my hands in defense. "That said, if you have something to say, I'm all ears."
Amara looked at me, with eyes narrowed and a turbulent storm coursing behind. Bein...
2025-01-26 14:30:01 +0000 UTC
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Erdwatch as the city was a result of centuries of effort toward optimization and efficiency. Everything built was catered to satisfy the needs of hunters. From potion shops to armory outlets, everything a hunter would need to outset their journey was made available.
The forest was dimly lit...
2025-01-25 23:37:56 +0000 UTC
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Dark smoke curled above the canopy, the eastward wind carrying ash and soot along, leaving a hazy trail of grayness that matched the rainy clouds in the sky. I picked the faint smell of smog amidst the overpowering stench of offal.
The dead carcass of the corrupted Direwolf lay a few feet a...
2025-01-24 14:53:49 +0000 UTC
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Talents were innate to the hunter and Origin both. They came in all shapes and sizes and usually reflected an aspect to be altered or an attribute to be improved.
Some talents focused on enhancing one's strength, either providing a flat bonus or some obscure application like bypassing your ...
2025-01-23 14:30:02 +0000 UTC
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The earthen wetness squelched beneath our boots, while the stale and humid air was prevalent throughout the atmosphere. Jacob and his team of acolytes marched ahead of us, while Amara and I positioned ourselves at the rear.
Each of the acolytes was carrying a backpack, filled to the brim wi...
2025-01-22 14:30:01 +0000 UTC
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