An Off Book Guide to Building an Empire

Chapter 5

"Hastor, watch out!" Karrina called out to him!

Hastor dove to his right, dodging the poisonous spikes heading his way by a hairs breadth.

augh... I am very happy that I am getting a chance to be an adventurer, and found people who accepted me as I am, but all this tripping on tree roots, diving on the ground, and almost dying is just too disconcerting, he thought sighing, while he was face palming on the ground.

It was their last day in Forre Mirilis, the trio had decided to test their teamwork. With Hastor being the new member of their team they had to change their formation. Before, when it was only Arjuna and Karrina who hunt monsters in the forest, it was Arjuna who always took on the role of the main damage dealer. Now, being the newest member of their team, Hastor took up the mantle and will be their main damage dealer, with his explosive fire and darkness elements, he can dish out massive amount of damage that can kill hordes of monsters, Arjuna, on the other hand will be in the front distracting and punishing monsters with her swift sword styles while protecting Hastor, and Karrina will be their support, rooting and trapping monsters they encounter.

The trio, had been avoiding powerful monsters and focusing on weak monsters to practice their teamwork as they head back to the Adventurers Sanctum.

Hastor, enjoys reading books, more so if the book is all about adventuring, he used all the information he gathered from the books he'd read from the library, but nothing beats real life experience. Hastor is a quick learner, but due to his small stature, it was difficult for him to perform everything that Karrina had taught him.

His life was in-danger countless of times even when they were only battling weak monsters.  He was almost eaten alive by a carboniferous plant-like monster, bitten on his behind by a large wolf monster, and had been chased by a horde of blood sucking butterflies with crystalline-wings, to be fair he thought they were cute and wanted to play with them until they started chasing him with their needle like proboscis outstretched. Most of the weak monsters in Forre Mirilis tend to go around in groups or packs. Arjuna tried her best to protect him, using her sword cutting down every monsters that had attempted to attack him, and Karrina gave him support mostly by healing him with her potions and using her art to shield him. With this Hastor can focus on casting his art. Improving his casting speed.

Right now, the trio are facing a Death Pandinus, a giant dark blood-red scorpion the size of a carriage. It has four giant pincers that it uses to catch prey, the shell that protected it's whole body is as hard as steel, it shoots poisonous spikes from it's tail, making them a danger to novice and experienced adventurers alike. This is for them to test if their teamwork had improved.

Karrina started to cast her art. Bending and shaping the mana around her.

Nature Art: Deep Root Entanglement

Roots burst forth from the ground, ensnaring the monster's legs and body trapping the Death Pandinus in place.

"My Lady now!" Karrina called to her.

Arjuna, standing atop a tree holding her great cleaver with both hands leaped to where the monster was held down by Karrina's art. Descending from the heavens like a meteor she began to use her sword style.

Fae'dan Sword Style - 5th Form: Dazzling Moon Fall

She struck the Death Pandinus on it's head using all of her strength. Spiderweb cracks started to appear on the shell protecting the monster's head.

The Death Pandinus, made a loud screech, and started to shoot poisonous spikes at Arjuna. She slashed, parried, and dodged the spikes with her great cleaver. The monster, focused on attacking Arjuna, did not notice Hastor standing behind casting his art, the air around him began to emit a pungent smell, like burnt rubber.