[Melas] Chapter 88 - Addressing the Problem (Patreon)

I found Gennady hammering on a piece of metal in the basement of the warehouse. There was a fire lit towards the back corner of the room, lighting up the dark green goggles he wore over his eyes. I looked at him with a cocked head.

“What are you doing?” I asked in a curious tone.

“Me?” He turned to face me, lifting the goggles up to his forehead as it left a mark over his eyes. “What does it look like? I’m smithing.”

“I can tell that much,” I snorted and shook my head. “I meant why are you smithing? You’re not a blacksmith! I mean, I know Dwarves are stereotyped as smiths. But you’re not one.”

He quirked an eyebrow. “They are? Where did you ever hear that from?”

“No, nevermind.” I sighed, focusing on the topic at hand. I had come here for a reason— Elda had told me he was working on something down in the basement. And since I needed his help with something, I came searching for him. “Gennady, I… need to know where the Hunters Guild is.”

“The Hunters Guild? Couldn’t ya have gone to any random Dwarf and asked for directions from them?”

“Yes, but they’d ask me questions because I’m a child. You wouldn’t, so it’s much easier if I asked you.”

Gennady shook his head and stood up. He grabbed for something that was resting by the fireplace as he muttered under his breath. “Damned girl, making trouble out of nothing…”

He grabbed an object and held it up, tapping one of his gloved fingers on it. He nodded, seemingly satisfied with whatever it was before turning back to me.

“You’ve actually come at the right time. I had just finished making this for you.”

I blinked and stared at the object. “Is that a mask?”

“What do you think it is? Of course it’s a mask!” He scoffed, wiping at the gleaming object as he held it up. “I made it for you, since your previous one broke when Lilith attacked you in the docks of Luke. It’s made out silver and steel, enchanted and tinkered with to be lighter and stronger than your ordinary metal.”

“You made that… for me?”

“No, I made it for myself— of course I made it for ya!” The Dwarf shook his head as he walked up to me. He smacked me on the back as he placed the mask on my hand. “I knew you were probably wanting to go back to your job as a Hunter eventually. So I decided to get this made for you before you bought another useless mask for yourself. Here, take it.”

I held the sheening silver mask on my hand as Gennady smiled. I looked up at him— at the kindly look on his face— as I hesitated. “You didn’t have to do this…”

“But I did, so take it and don’t argue about it!”

He dragged me along with him as we left the basement, climbing up the stairs to the first floor of the warehouse.

“But why?” I asked, still surprised at the act.

“Because,” he started with an annoyed look, “I knew it’d leave you speechless like a bumbling idiot. So come on, let’s get going!”

“Wait.” I paused, turning to him as he pushed open the door. “Where are we going?”

“To the Hunters Guild,” Gennady said simply. “You said you wanted to get going to the Hunters Guild, right? I’ll show you there.”

“You’re going with me?” I blinked, once again caught off guard by him.

“Yes. I can’t have you getting yourself killed in some dumb Monster extermination job after all the effort I took to bring you to Jahar’taw, now can I?” He grinned, pointing a thumb at himself. “I’m going with you whether you like it or not.”

When Gennady told me he was coming, I had been hesitant at first. But I realized it would be for the better— he was a more experienced Hunter than me. I could actually pick up some pointers on how to fight a Monster with him there. Maybe then I didn’t have to rely on my magic to fight C Ranked Monsters and above.

He’s definitely getting to me, isn’t he? I thought with a sigh. I’m actually thinking in terms of Ranks now.

However, we passed by Elda on our way out. The former elite pirate was playing a game of cards with other members of Ginah’s Crew as they lounged by the front door. She heard about what we were doing before offering to join us.

“I’m getting bored of doing nothing but stealing money off these fools,” she said, standing up. “I wanna knife something, and I don’t care if it’s a Human, Dwarf, or Monster. Let me join you.”

“But you’re not a Hunter.” I frowned.

“Yeah, and you’re a kid.” Elda shrugged. She certainly looked capable of handling herself— she had tanned skin which indicated she spent most of her time out in the sun, as well as a few scars visibly on her exposed shoulders. Her hands were always wrapped in bandages, and whether that was for aesthetic reasons or because of the dagger she was currently twirling between her fingers… I was pretty sure it was the latter.

She pocketed the dagger and rested the back of her head on her hands, her dirty blonde hair reaching no further than her thumbs that lay on her neck.

“Plus, Ginah probably wouldn’t want you to get yourself killed. So I should look out for you.”

“I’m not going to get myself killed,” I retorted and rolled my eyes, hearing it for the second time today. “Fine. I guess it wouldn’t hurt to have you join us.”

“Aight. Lemme just grab more of my throwing knives then we’ll be solid.”

As Elda went up the stairs leading to the second floor of the warehouse that had been turned to our living quarters, Sevin came down rubbing at his eyes. He blinked as he saw me dressed in my leather armor and my mask on.

“Going somewhere, Melas?”

“Mhm. Trying to make some money for stuff. Going to see if there are any Hunter jobs for me to do.”

He blinked and quickly turned around. “Wait, let me get my tools.”

“What for?” I cocked a brow.

“I’m going with,” he said simply. “It’s a perfect time for me to test out this new weapon I’ve been making.”

“That’s a good idea, lad.” Gennady grinned, leaning on his very own Annihilation cannon that he had apparently repaired and got working now. “Nothing beats firsthand experience when it comes to using your inventions. Especially when it blows up in your face!”

“Are you sure?” I asked the young man, ignoring the Dwarf. “It’ll be dangerous.”

“Don’t worry.” He started up the stairs before turning back and smiling. “I’ll make sure to stay out of the way for the most part. I’m part of Ginah’s Crew too, you know? I may have never been a fighter, but I’ve always been able to take care of myself.”

I drew my lips into a thin line, not sure whether this was a good idea. But before I could say anything else, he paused right at the foot of the stairway leading up.

“Plus, I don’t want you to almost kill yourself and not be there to help you, Melas. After what I heard happened first with Bahr, then with Lilith, I think you need someone there to tell you when not to pick a fight.”

I scowled.

“What’s with everyone and assuming I’ll get myself killed?” I threw my hands up in the air. “I’ll have you know, I am quite capable of taking care of myself. My survival instincts are stellar.”

Gennady guffawed next to me. “Hah, good one lassie.”

So our party of four walked out of the warehouse soon after, with me glowering as I led the way; I had not expected to go with so many people— in, fact I had been expecting to have left our warehouse alone. But now I was towing with me three people who thought I had no sense of self preservation.

And… maybe they were right. More often than not, I had been forced to rely on magic to keep myself alive, which considering the stigma against it, was definitely not the best sign of a good survival instinct. So I begrudgingly but gratefully accepted their offer to come with me to the Hunters Guild.

Strangely enough, the location of the Hunters Guild was not in the inner city of Jahar’taw. It lay in between the mountain and the harbor, close to where the train station had been. In fact, it was relatively crowded with buildings here— houses and structures that rose high up cluttered around this area, making it far more densely populated than the outlying farmlands nearby.

There was no need for a Hunters Guild in the inner city nor was there a need for one in the harbor; both places were incredibly well guarded. There were Enforcer Golems patrolling the streets to curb both crime and possible Monster attacks. It made no sense for Hunters to even gather there.

Meanwhile, the farmlands were barren of life— well, in a way. Dwarves tolled the fields alongside their machines. Automated plows, powered only by mana crystals, drove down the pastures in the distance. Some golems made of clay, designed for simple manual labor, worked alongside their Dwarven creators; most did simple tasks like carrying their load, but others were more complex and could harvest the fields themselves.

We passed through these sights before we reached the Hunters Guild. Dwarven Hunters crowded the building, spilling out of the front door like a tipped over mug of ale. And the stench of alcohol permeated throughout the building; both women and men drinking this early in the day.

I donned my mask and pulled up my hood long before we even left the warehouse. However I adjusted the metallic object on my face— there was a layer separating the cold steel from my cheeks, cushioning it to easily lay there. It felt light. It was even lighter than my previous mask made of a String Scorpion’s shell; and that had been light too!

A few faces turned to our group as we entered the guild hall. Then they immediately averted their gaze, covering their eyes from my glinting mask’s silver sheen. I probably need to paint over that, huh? I thought idly to myself as I somehow managed to divert more attention our way by blinding any poor folk who looked in my general direction.

I had expected a Dwarf city’s Hunters Guild to be far more rambunctious than a Human city’s Hunters Guild, but other than the overwhelming scent of alcohol, that wasn’t the case—

“Oi, is that Gennady?” a voice called out, and I sighed.

Spoke too soon, didn’t I?

“That’s right, that’s Gennady Usenov!” the voice cried out. Heads turned, shielded their eyes from me, before focusing in on my Dwarven companion as he grinned.

“What’s going on, lads? Missed seeing me in the guild with you lot?”

He strolled forwards, undeterred by all the gazes locked onto him. He spread his arms out wide as some Hunters stood up.

“C’mon, I know you missed me.”

They Hunters in the guild paused, staring at the ostentatious display; there was a moment where the attention of the guild was entirely fixated onto Gennady. Then it broke with a riotous laughter.

“Hah! The fool finally returns!”

“We didn’t miss ye at all, ya crazy damned inventor!”

“Stick to yer machines and keep yer stupid ideas away from our guild!”

They hurled a volley of curses and insults in his direction, although no one actually threw anything at him like I had expected. The individual voices of the laughing Dwarves were lost in the crowd, and I walked up next to Gennady.

“Seems like you’re well liked here,” I commented under my mask, but not bothering to mask my sarcasm.

“Of course!” He stood taller with his broad chest puffed out. “I’m Gennady Usenov, famed inventor, Scientist, and Hunter after all.”

“Yer hardly a Hunter ye damned twat!”

I looked at the stone faced Gennady— their insults seemed like they barely even reached him. If I didn’t know him better, I would have assumed he actually thought they were praising him. I quirked a brow.

“What did you do to make them hate you so much?” I asked as we walked towards the job board.

“Nothing. I just tried implementing my idea of Hunter Ranks here. They obviously loved the idea.” He waved at a nearby woman who shook her head and turned away.

“Look, he’s even got a Half Dwarf with him now. And Humans too. Disgusting.”

“Hey, shut it! My wife’s a Human!”

“And I have a Half Dwarf son, ye damned fool!”

I glanced back at Sevin who I noticed was shrinking under the scrutiny. He looked at me for help, but I just shrugged. “At least they aren’t racist, right?”

The young man nodded slowly as he clung next to Elda. The former pirate seemed to take the insults more in stride, even sending back her own at the crowd of Dwarf Hunters. Her comments were met with a mix of jeers and cheers from those who just joined in the ruckus for the fun of it.

I looked through the job board for a moment, then tilted my head.

“Something wrong, Melas?” Gennady asked, raising a brow.

“No— let’s talk to the receptionist.”

We went to the receptionist desk, manned by a burly Dwarf who stood a head taller than me. He crossed his arms and gave Gennady a look before turning to me.

“What do ye want?”

“I’d like to inquire about the job board. Correct me if I’m wrong, but that’s every job that is available in the guild currently, right?”

“It is,” he grunted with a nod. “Other than some special jobs we have stowed away for exclusive clients. Mostly escort jobs. What bout it, lassie?”

“I see,” I said, turning to the job board with a frown. “I’d have thought there would be more jobs for Abomination exterminations. I hear their spread is barely being checked in the Rem Republic. Is the Taw Kingdom that much more effective at handling those Monsters?”

“Well the guild does put up a hefty bounty for any Abomination lair we find, and along with the rewards the government itself is offering, most Hunters are quick to sweep up those jobs and complete it— or die trying.”

I nodded, placing a hand on my chin.

“What’s wrong, Melas?” Gennady cocked a brow.

“Just seems awfully strange,” I said aloud for those nearby to hear. “I thought this guild was full of real Hunters. And yet, all of you are sitting here and drinking beer while there are dozens of regular Monster extermination jobs just up for the taking. Most of them nearby.”

There was a pause— a lull in the circle around us. I smirked as I caught a glimpse of a few Hunters exchanging awkward glances with each other.

“I’d have thought Hunters would take up any job to kill Monsters, not wait around to be the first one to grab a big money job. But when there are villages and towns out there being plagued by Kobolds or Mountain Gaunts, everyone is just waiting for the next Abomination mission to pop up. Interesting.”

With that final comment, the silence broke. A group of Dwarf Hunters stood up and jeered at me as I walked back to the job board and grabbed a piece of paper I had noted. Another group shouted at them to sit down, saying that I had a point. The job I picked out paid the highest and was rated the most dangerous out of all the others; it was an emergency mission that required us to travel a short distance away from Jahar’taw.

I returned to the receptionist and spoke politely amongst the loud arguments behind us as I handed him the slip of paper.

“We’ll do this, please.”

“Of course. Just sign this here and…”

Eventually, we left the Hunters Guild as the arguments died down. A few Dwarves were mad at first, but soon enough everyone got bored about the event for the day; I knew calling them out would cause a stir or even a shake, but I didn’t expect anything more than that. Those who wanted to actually help others would do it by themselves; those who did not would continue doing what was most economical for them.

As for me? I simply did what I did best: I did both. What was beneficial for me and what was beneficial for others.

Gennady leaned over my shoulder, looking at the job I had taken and whistled.

“Whew, ye sure about this lass? We could’ve taken an easier job to start off.”

I shrugged. “I’m sure with the four of us here, it is more than enough to take down this Monster. It has been attacking the village of Qala’taw for the last few months, and no one has done anything to stop it. Dozens of people— villagers, traders, or just visitors— have gone missing. And the Guardian Golems deployed in the city were completely destroyed.”

“That… sounds dangerous.” Sevin spoke hesitantly. “Guardian Golems were destroyed? Maybe Master Gennady is right, we should do another job.”

“Bah, that’s just the fancy term for Clay Golems. Ones made for fighting. Although this definitely sounds dangerous. They’re thinking it’s a Horned Ursa or something similar.”

The young man paled and stepped back. “A... Horned Ursa?!”

Elda blinked and perked up. “A Horned Ursa?!”

I glanced over at her. “You’ve fought one before?”

“Nope,” she said, fiddling the dagger on her belt. “But I’ve always wanted to see one. I hear they’re big. I’d like to stick a knife into its eyes.” She grinned savagely.

“They’re big alright,” I said, remembering a night from over a year ago. “I’d like to see if I can hold my own against one now too.”

Gennady shook his head. “That’s an A Ranked Threat, y’know? I’m only a B Ranked Hunter.”

“And I can cast magic.” I waved a hand off nonchalantly. “Plus you’ve got your cannon working again—”

“I’ve got it back to the condition it was before you broke its mana crystal. It still ain’t working. Although if you do what you did and overloaded its mana again, you can probably get it to work. Don’t want to waste another Greater mana crystal.”

“Sorry about that, again. I’ll pay you back when I can.”

“It’s fine.” He laughed as we left the Hunters Guild, starting for our mission location just a few dozen miles to the southeast of here. “I just find it funny how you were so convinced you aren’t reckless with your life earlier, but now you’re going straight to fighting a Horned Ursa.”

I paused, staring at the Dwarf as he smirked. I opened my mouth to protest, then held back. I sighed.

“Point taken.”

The first step to recovery was acceptance. The second? I had absolutely no idea.

—--

The cloaked figure watched the party of four as they made their way out of Jahar’taw. They boarded a train, taking them past the green pastures and away from the mountain city that lay dormant in the horizon.

The cloaked figure did not do anything. The cloaked figure simply watched with keen interest, noting the mission Melas had taken. A Horned Ursa, the cloaked figure thought, stepping down from the roof. The cloaked figure landed lithely— quietly— making no noise. The cloaked figure remained unseen.

Dwarfs walked past the figure, chattering about in their incomprehensible accent that made the cloaked figure’s ears bleed. The cloaked figure would have rather been anywhere else in the world. But the figure had a job to do.

And they cloaked figure was going to do it.

Author's Note:

And we're back with another Melas chapter!

The 1 and a half week break I took was absolutely necessary, and I feel so much better now writing Melas with that. Seriously. I apologize for taking so long, but I literally have not felt this good about a Melas chapter in months. 

Now all I have to do is maintain these uploads through Christmas and New Years, while trying to pump out 5 Salvos chapters a week. But don't worry, I have a 3 chapter Salvos backlog buffer to help me with that. 

Also, I'm no longer writing 4,000 words for a Melas chapter. All that did was force me to make a scene longer than it needed to be. I'll write Melas chapters however long I want it to be now. Whether it's 1,000 words or 11,000 words, I will decide. 

Next chapter on Friday or Saturday.

Thank you all for sticking with me throughout the tumultuous last two months. I genuinely appreciate it.