-Day 66

I went out hunting with Dou and Sigul today and came across a group of injured elves from the elf chiefs clan. The humans were in the middle of dragging them away when we struck. Sigul began by making herself known, flying up high and launching bolts of light down on them. They were only able to do as much as draw their crossbows before Dou and I dashed in and slit their throats. I didn't gain any jobs but I did get the {Quick Slash} skill which seems like it would be useful.

I proceeded to heal the elves wounds while Sigul calmed them down with her appearance. After saying we were from the same group as Rou, and that we would escort them back to the entrance of their village, they agreed to follow us and just like last time, the archers had us in their sights. One of them shot and I simply moved my head slightly back. I quickly added the Elf chief as one of my {Allies} and he sent down his daughter and cleared up the misunderstanding again.

On the walk back, I was communicating with the Elf Chief in an attempt to find out why the humans were attacking. Eventually the Chief relented and explained that one of the humans princesses was allegedly sick and they sent an envoy to request the assistance of the elves. This of course referred to a magical elixir in the elves possession that was basically a cure all.

When I asked why they didn't give the humans any of it, he responded by saying that they have a very minuscule amount and had to save it for extreme emergencies with their own people. I understood his reasons as well as the concept of human greed well. Even if they received the elixir, the chances of the entire thing being used for the princess was low and if they somehow figured out how to mass produce it, they'd be on the warpath just as they are now, except with practically immortal soldiers.

We returned home to the sight of Asue covered in blood. Apparently she fought a boar and blew its head to smithereens with one punch. Neat.

When I went to visit Emery to see how she was doing, I found her with Rou as he was lifting her off the ground happily. I told myself I wasn't going to get jealous again but something took over me as, in an instant, I found my sword at Rou's neck. We stared each other down for a moment before he put Emery down and told me that I shouldn't leap to conclusions like that. Apparently Emery had fixed his halberd and affixed some spirit stones to it, giving it some new qualities. I apologised and told him that I honestly have no idea what came over me. Emery asked me if I was alright and when I said I was, she didn't seem convinced. She then told me that my eyes had glowed with an ominous orange not like their normal shade and they seemed to be screaming out with the intent to murder. After that, she told me that my eyes then began glowing purple and I returned to normal. I looked down and stared at the purple stone around my neck.

The fact that I lost control was frightening enough but the fact that his stone seemed capable of removing the effects of whatever happened was a relief. Emery seemed a little uncomfortable around me which I understood so I left her to her own devices.

- Day 67

I wanted to visit Emery again to try and sort out this awkwardness but I wound up just working on my golems. I made 12 Rock golems, 15 Stone Golems, 2 Golem armours and 1 Bone Goliath.

As I was putting the finishing touches on the Bone Goliath, I was surprised by a visit from Emery who explained to me that the other girls had come to her saying that I was unresponsive to them and just kept working on my golems. I didn't even notice they'd come by...whoops.

After a lengthy conversation, we were able to get past our issues and Emery then explained that she had a surprise to show me. I followed her back to the forge and she presented me with the weapon we had designed a while ago. I was taken aback and admittedly flabbergasted when she put the black and purple scythe in my hands. She said that since she liked the cool, calm me more than the raging idiot, she made it with metal the same colour as the amethyst around my neck. She's also used a Dark spirit stone alloy in the blade which made it exude a sort of endless dark that reminded me of my {Inter-Dimensional Storage}.

She said that I should go and try it out for a bit, adding that she'd be waiting when I got back. I hesitated for a moment but still gave her a kiss goodbye before heading out to a new area. I decided to try out my Golem Armour at the same time and after finding a {Poison Mantis} and a {Rhinoceros Beetle} I found that they couldn't even scratch my armour. Meanwhile, a single swing of my new scythe split the two bugs and a good section of the nearby trees in twain.

After eating their souls, I gained {Molting} {Elytron Generation} {End Edge} {Silent Kill} {Horn Blow} {Dissonance} {Parasitism} {Improved Jumping Ability} {Strong Vitality} {Exoskeleton} {Wrought Iron Shell Armour} {Surging Combat Instinct} {Cold Vulnerability}.

I immediately tried out {Exoskeleton} and it seemed to absorb my Golem Armour into itself, generating a sleek, stone grey armour with magma flowing through it.

{Exoskeleton Ability first slot registered}

After looking at it for a bit, it appears that I can register another 4 forms so, since I don't know if I can overwrite slots like a save file, I should pick and choose carefully.

When I arrived back at the cave, I learned that Kichi and Asue seem to have admitted their feelings for each other. I went to visit Emery again and told about how incredible the new scythe was, she became proud and told me about her new job she gained recently. {Job: Elemental Smith} was apparently earned because she had mastered the use of spirit stones in smithing. The conversation then shifted to what we should name it, we both came to the conclusion that {Ardent Edge} was a worthy name, since some of its design was based around the {Amethyst Ardent Stone} around my neck and considering what it was capable of with a single swing, the "Edge" part seemed obvious.

- Day 68

Since Kichi seemed to be in extremely good shape today, we all took turns sparring with him. First was Rou (Kichi Lost) then Dou (Kichi Won), then me (I won). Even after all of that, he didn't seem tired in the slightest so I let him face one of my {Bone Goliaths} after giving it the order not to kill him and Rou did the same for Kichi.

Afterwards, Rou, Mi, Asue and Kichi headed out for some hunting while I joined Emery in the forge again. We spent some time creating arrows and crossbow bolts using my {Obsidian Generation} for the arrow heads. Considering their sharpness and the fact that they could easily shatter after entering the body, this seemed like a good use of the skill. Of course, the likelihood of it Piercing through good armour is relatively low but as long as they aim for the gaps, the archers should have no problem dealing some damage with these.

Over the course of the day, I began to remember why I had fallen for Emery in the first place. Her love of smithing coincided with my love of making new things and we clicked. By the end of the day, the two of us were laughing, having a good time and by the time night arrived, we enjoyed ourselves by the forge in a different way.

- Day 69

The morning today was spent with the girls that had left me alone for the time I was struggling with Emery but now that everything's been sorted, they've decided to "make up for lost time" so to speak. By noon, my body was creaking from overuse so I spent the rest of the time playing with the pets.

I heard Rou and Alchemist lady talking at one point and they began talking about her new {Item Creator} job which reminded me, I have the {Item Creation} skill. With that said, I eavesdropped a little longer to find out what she had created and after learning that she created a stake with the bones of a black skeleton that prevents the healing of wounds while stabbed into the skin, it got me excited.

I attempted to make something similar by using a black skeletons' bones and the {Curse} skill when using {Item Creation}. I think I made something absurd again...

I summoned a zombie to test out my new creation and the moment it touched the zombies rotting flesh, it began to shrivel up. After stabbing it, the zombie almost immediately dried up and became nothing more than a dried, shrivelled mess. I don't really think I want to keep this on me but I'm sure it'll have some uses later on.

I created another stake but instead of {Curse}, I used {Purify} which turned the stake back to white and gave it a slight glow. When I did the same test as before, the zombie just dropped dead. It was really quite anticlimactic. Just, dropped...right at my feet before turning to dust. That's a little less scary than the cursed stake but it seems to be just as powerful, at least, when used against the undead.

I made my way slowly to Alchemist lady's work station because I wanted to compare work. She became noticeably irritated when she saw what mine were capable of but instead of getting mad and throwing me out, it seemed to make her more determined to make better items. I guess the student has become the rival.

- Day 70

I spent the morning up until lunch bolstering my Golem forces with another 18 stone golems. I seem to be levelling up my {Golem Creation} skill quite well. When I began, I could only make around 2 stone golems but look how far I've come.

While I was eating with Dou and the girls, a visitor from the Elf clan came by to speak with Rou. At least, I thought she did. When she asked if I would be joining them with an expectant look on her face, I shrugged and went along with it. I guess my groups efforts saving a few more elves got their attention.

I followed the group into the makeshift meeting area where I prepared some herbal tea for everyone. The short haired, female elf thanked me politely and we began discussions. According to the female elf, our previous engagement, that is, sharing any information we happened to come across, is no longer enough. She politely asked for us to listen to their request.

The human army has finally begun its assault on the Kuuderun Great Forest, however the scale of their forces greatly differs to their expectation. I suppose they probably increased it after their scouting parties periodically stopped coming back. Whoops.

With that said, the female elf has asked for our, the Parabellum mercenary group, who's name came as a surprise to me, help. When Rou feigned ignorance and asked what was wrong with their elite forces, the female elf explained that since they've been gone for so long, they have been presumed dead. Remuneration will be dealt with based on achievement and contribution and the plan, or rather, the goal, is to repel their forces, kill their commanding officer or both. Preferably both, according to the female elf who showed a rather scary expression that would make a normal soldier hesitate to come near.

Aside from a strategic retreat, running from the enemy would be seen by the elves as a valid reason to cancel the agreement. In the end, the final agreement was that we would help, the reward conditions would remain the same, but we would be able to operate freely. The next thing I knew, Rou turned to me and told me to get [Death] ready for action by tomorrow.

It's safe to say I was so excited that I almost didn't get any sleep.