For getting 10 attribute points in Constitution, you have unlocked a bonus. You now regenerate health at 1 HP every 20 seconds when out of combat.
Even better. Now I don’t have to keep healing myself in between the grinding.
The spoils of his battle also included more meat from the animals and an additional 23 hides. Master Trailia greeted him with an uncharacteristic smile as he entered. When he approached the desk, she dropped a small pouch of coins for him.
“Twenty percent, as we agreed. The total sale came out to eighty-five silver, so your cut was seventeen silver.”
“That’s glorious news. I guess the influx of items didn’t damage prices too much?” Atlas asked with concern.
“Oddly enough, it actually increased many of the prices. Armor around here has been selling faster than we can make it. The influx of new people and Reborn has caused shortages in weaponry and armor. Building materials have plenty of supply.”
“Do you have any more hides you’d want to do a similar deal on?”
She shook her head, “I only wish I did. With the hunt over, the influx of hides has gone down. I only have a handful to work with now. Nothing that would be worth your time. I also suggest you save whatever you have for the next city. I see you hit level ten so I know it won’t be long before you move on.”
“Good idea. Thanks for the advice and your business.”
They shook hands and Atlas sold off his excess meat to her. It only raked in three more silver, but it was money in his pocket. She handed him a rolled letter with a seal before he left.
“Give this to Master Grant in Ixala. He can continue your skill training.”
“Thank you,” Atlas told her as he walked out the door. From there, he walked through town and into Master Proth’s house. The druid didn’t look like he moved an inch since he saw him two days ago. The same sweating cup of tea sat on the table and a book rested in his hands. The cover of the book didn’t look the same as before, so if nothing else he moved to a new one.
“Master Proth. I’m at level ten and have come to get my quest for Resurgence.”
“Knew it wouldn’t take you long,” he beamed, “come over here for a moment and have a seat.”
Atlas joined him at the table and took up a position in the chair across from him.
“The quest for Resurgence requires you to enter the realm that sits between life and death. A place called the Remembrance. Souls linger her for a short time until they are called to the next realm. This is the same place that necromancers use for their foul magic to twist and capture souls. Enough about that nasty business, though. Your task will be to heal a soul in this realm and re-affix it to the body. This requires the use of a Focus Crystal,” the druid told him as he reached into a pouch and produced a glimmering green gem.
Atlas took the crystal and held it in his hands. He wasn’t sure if it was a trick of his mind or not, but he smelled the faint breeze blowing through trees, the comforting feeling of resting on a bed of thick grass, and the calm warmth he got when he used his Nourish spell. With a careful hand, he placed the crystal back on the table.
“Go ahead and keep that one. It requires one of those every time you use the spell. Those need to be stockpiled ahead of time before you go into danger. Any of the druid trainers you find can sell you empty ones. You can’t use them until they have been filled with souls of nature. The average one takes eight animal kills to fill with enough soul energy. Always remember, to bring back life, requires life in exchange.”
Atlas only nodded at the explanation.
“Now, join me in the back,” he said as he snapped his book closed and laid it on the table. Atlas grabbed the gem from the table and followed. They walked to the space behind the house where he initially demonstrated his skills. The druid stopped in the center and turned to face him.
“Do not fear. This task is pretty simple. I warn you, it’s a painful process. After this quest, it won’t be an issue anymore though.”
Proth whistled and a small squirrel ran from the wall near the garden and directly toward the mage.
“I’ll kill this little creature and it will be your duty to bring him back. Fair warning. You won’t like this. Whatever happens don’t freak out and trust that I won’t let you die.”
I really don’t like how he said that.
Proth shared the quest, and he accepted it.
Quest - Resurgence
Requirements
• Druid
• Level 10
Quest Rarity: Common
Quest Reward: 175 experience, Resurgence Spell.
Description: You must walk the Remembrance and help restore the life of a dead creature. You will learn the Resurgence spell upon completion.
The druid stood directly in front of him and pulled out a dagger. The poor creature in his hands wriggled as it realized what would happen, but it couldn’t escape the iron grip of the druid.
“Be one with nature,” the druid whispered before plunging the blade into the animal. It squeaked before going limp in his hands.
Atlas stared at the squirrel in shock. Unsure what to do, he tried to hold the crystal to the creature, but nothing happened. At a loss, he looked to the druid master.
“What do I do?”
“Well, here’s the crappy part. Your first trip into the Remembrance requires you to be on the cusp of death,” the druid said solemnly before his dagger flipped around and lodged directly into Atlas’ heart under his armpit.
He staggered at the pain as he felt blood gush down his side. His vision grew fuzzy until the druid’s hands glowed green and power suffused him. The master didn’t remove the weapon
