System of the Beast Slayer [litrpg Adventure]
Copyright© 1999 by CaffeinatedTales
Chapter 202
The sun dipped below the horizon, and dusk gathered in full. Across the Temple Quarter, scattered lights flickered to life among the buildings.
The three Witchers filed through the wooden door of the Flax Lane house. Berengar lit the oil lamp on the table, and its dim glow revealed the state of the room.
His dwelling was much like that of most Witchers, devoid of any trace of luxury. A few battered pieces of furniture stood about, the most striking being a greasy bedroll on the floor, surrounded by empty bottles scattered everywhere. Dust lay thick across the floor, long uncleaned. The place was as filthy as a kennel.
“Friend, one day I’ll have to introduce you to Kael. Your taste in home décor is nearly identical. You’d have plenty to talk about. Maybe drink till dawn together?”
Roy joked.
“Making a living in Vizima isn’t easy for men like us. Sometimes you need to unwind. Drink is indispensable.” Berengar unstrapped Tohen from his back and hung it on the wall. With a long breath, he collapsed into a leather sofa riddled with holes. “You two understand, don’t you? The pressure that never lets up. Without alcohol to steady me, I’d have gone mad long ago.”
A rare look of agreement passed over Letho’s rigid face. They had endured endless suffering to become Witchers, lived lives balanced on the edge of a blade, and were despised and shunned wherever they went. The strain on the mind was obvious.
Perhaps that was one of the reasons Berengar had abandoned the Witcher’s path.
“Friend, you mentioned earlier you thought we were hunting you?”
“A guess. Nothing certain...” Berengar narrowed his eyes and gave a bitter laugh. “Not long ago, I took a job from a madman in Vizima. Then I backed out ... but I’d already spent every coin of the advance.”
“He won’t let me off that easily.”
“You thought we were sent to collect the debt?”
“Mm. Though now it seems it’s not that bad.”
“All right then. A madman in Vizima?” Roy searched his memory, unable to recall any such ‘notorious figure.’ “Who exactly is your creditor?”
“Don’t mention that lunatic!” Berengar slumped back, fished a bottle of beer from behind the sofa, popped it open, and gulped it down before tossing it to Letho. The latter didn’t mind and took a swig. “Let me guess, you came to me for forging work?”
The two Viper School Witchers exchanged a glance. Roy stepped forward and presented the two schematics.
Berengar skimmed them, his casual expression gradually tightening into seriousness.
Roy’s heart lifted slightly.
Berengar
Age: 79
Gender: Male
Identity: School of the Wolf Witcher
HP: 240
Mana: 120
Attributes:
Strength: 20 Agility: 21 Constitution: 20 Perception: 13 Willpower: 8 Charisma: 5 Spirit: 12
Skills:
Witcher Signs LV6: Advanced mastery of combat signs, enhancing power, control, and versatility in battle.
Meditation LV8: Deep meditative proficiency, allowing efficient recovery and superior control over body and toxins.
Wolf School longsword Swordsmanship LV8: Highly refined swordsmanship emphasizing precision, adaptability, and lethal efficiency against both humans and monsters.
Witcher Senses LV10: Peak sensory enhancement, granting exceptional tracking ability and acute awareness of surroundings.
Alchemy LV10: Master-level command of potions, decoctions, and oils, maximizing combat enhancement through toxic substances.
Smithing LV10: Master craftsmanship in forging and improving weapons and equipment.
Judging purely by attributes and skills, he was the weakest Witcher Roy had seen so far.
“Level 10 smithing ... still not on par with Mahakam’s ancient masters.”
If even Berengar failed, Roy would have to try his luck in Velen, at Crow’s Perch, and seek out that female master smith.
As for dwarves, they had already offended Mahakam’s elder. Going back to ask for help was out of the question.
After examining the Wolf School renegade, Roy’s gaze shifted to the sword hanging on the wall, a bright silver blade with a figure-eight crossguard and a reddish-brown grip.
Tohen (This blade was meticulously forged by Berengar of the School of the Wolf.)
Type: Silver Sword
Material: Meteoric Iron, Silver Ingot, Leather, Monster Blood, Monster Claws, Monster Feathers
Properties: Weight 3.06 lbs, Grip Length 9.3 inches, Blade Length 36 inches
Enchantments:
Bleeding: Wounds inflicted by Tohen continue to bleed heavily.
Edge: Through specialized forging, Tohen is twice as sharp as a standard steel sword, capable of cutting through light armor while maintaining excellent durability.
“Impressive ... no wonder Letho’s blade looks like scrap now.”
...
“Viper School twin swords ... this level of precision and complexity rivals my Tohen. Leave this to an ordinary smith and you’re wasting the design.” Berengar leaned closer, almost pressing his face to the schematics, his expression tinged with fascination.
“So? Can you do it?”
Berengar smiled. The earlier weariness vanished, replaced by a sharp confidence in his eyes. “If I can forge Tohen, then Viper School gear is well within reach. But before I start, I have two conditions.”
“Go on...” Roy pressed his lips together, hoping the man wouldn’t ask for something outrageous.
To read the complete story you need to be logged in:
Log In or
Register for a Free account
(Why register?)
* Allows you 3 stories to read in 24 hours.