Ash. The Legends of the Nameless World. Progression Gamelit Story by Kirill Klevanski (essential reading .txt) 📗

of the square and shouting obscenities. It wasn’t a crime, but it was also not something anyone sane should be doing. But the group tolerated his vile outbursts as no one was more effective than Lari Krivolap when it came to beating someone to a pulp.

“I wish we had Zack the Dumb,” Lari said. “He participated in a campaign against a dragon in the city...”

“Or Millet the Smug... That guy knows more than a hundred words... He’s not like these kids... They learn ten words in two weeks and immediately think that they’re worthy of the archmage’s hat!”

“Or Ash,” Alice added quietly, making everyone fall silent and clutch their weapons. There was a rumor that claimed that the “demon” would come for you if you say his name aloud. No one believed it, of course, but... better safe than sorry.

Alice shrugged. “What? You said we need words. According to rumors, he knows thousands of Words. They say that there’s no one who can tame elements as well as he can.”

“Is there ale in that mug of yours? You drunk, Alice?” Mary asked, examining the girl’s mug. “I think you’ve had enough for one night.”

“And he’s also rumored to have developed a sixth form of elemental control... They also say that he is very handsome...”

The guys rolled their eyes and sighed heavily. Mary facepalmed.

“That’s all nice and dandy... But you forgot one little detail... He’s a fucking maniac!” she shouted.

“And no one has seen him for almost six months,” Lari added. “We can only hope that he’s lying dead in some ditch somewhere...”

Mary cleared her throat. “When I went to Meron, I took a look at the bulletin board and, well... How do I put this...?”

“What?”

“He burned a village not far from here about two weeks ago.”

Lari jammed another bun into the archer’s mouth as he saw him getting ready to comment.

“Also, a week ago Vane robbed a caravan that was on its way here...”

The archer took the bun out of his mouth and frowned. “An ex-pirate with a bounty of one hundred and fifty-three gold on his head is nothing compared to a maniac with a bounty of forty-five thousand coins!”

“Bah!” Lari waved his hand. “Boss is right, first Ash and now Vane... Something’s going on...”

“That’s why we need to complete the king’s assignment as soon as possible,” Alice said, making them fall silent again. “What?” she asked in confusion.

“A bit louder so that the rest of the tavern can hear you, you silly girl,” Mary hissed.

Alice stared at her for a moment, then put her hands to her lips. “Sorry,” she whispered.

The guys shook their heads and sighed tiredly. Alice was new to the business so they were willing to look through her fingers. Also, she was quite powerful despite her naïve appearance.

“I’ll probably have to hire a mercenary,” Mary grunted.

Mercenaries were the worst scum one could think of. These lovers of riches and danger usually ran away the moment things took a turn for the worst. They preferred not to cover their employers’ backs as their own skin was more expensive. There were, of course, reliable ones, but the group’s budget was never meant for such luxuries.

“You won’t have to.”

At first, Mary thought that it was one of her own that spoke, but then she realized that the voice had come from behind her. A little shocked that someone had managed to get behind her, she turned around and saw a guy of about twenty-three. He was a little above average height, but very handsome. His simple clothes and cheap staff looked homemade, as did the black scarf that hid his hair.

But to have some mage, even an experienced one, sneak up behind her? She must’ve had too much ale...

“And you are?”

The guy smiled and moved his lips, but no one could make a word of what he was saying. But he spoke not in their language, but in that of magic. Everyone looked at Alice, but she just shook her head. She didn’t know the word the man was using.

Someone suddenly shouted in surprise. The group turned their heads and saw one of the patrons of the tavern flop on his ass. Confused, the man looked around in search of his stool, but it was already hidden under the robe of the newcomer.

Without a pardon, the young man took the mug that Mary had snatched from Alice and poured himself some ale. The group stared at him in bewilderment as he helped himself to one of the buns.

“Who are you?” Mary repeated.

The young man swallowed noisily and coughed. Raising his finger as if to tell them to give him a minute, he drank his ale in one go, tapped his chest, and belched loudly.

“I apologize,” he said and cleared his throat. “I heard you’re heading to the Fire Mountains.”

“We are... We need a mage,” Mary said, staring at him.

“Well, this is your lucky day then, miss Birch!” The young man’s face lit up with childish glee. “I just so happen to be a mage! A real one! I’d show you a trick, but those are for charlatans.”

“How many Words do you know?”

Chewing another bun, the guy pondered. “Around fifty, give or take a few...”

Mary nodded. Fifty Words was a good amount. However, nothing about the guy showed that he was a good mage. They usually dressed better as enchanted clothes helped them increase their skill. This guy’s clothes only said that he wanted them to take pity upon him and take him into their ranks.

“Element?”

“Fire... Two types: Incarnation and Cover.”

“That’s good,” Mary nodded. “Very good. It’s far from what we’re looking for, but you’re the best candidate so far... However, we have a test which will help us see just how good you are.”

Ash saw Lari