New Tricks and Rewards

Morgana touched down at the edge of the forest, boots crunching over dry leaves. The city gates glimmered in the distance under the fading light of dusk. She gave her wings one last stretch, flexing the membrane just to feel them move.

“Alright, pretty boys, show’s over.” She muttered under her breath. 

Her horns, wings, and claws dissolved under the veil of her Phantom Guise, leaving her looking like just another tall traveler in a cloak as she fixed it to cover her back once more.

As she started down the dusty road toward the city, she muttered under her breath. “God, I reek. If one more goblin had gotten close enough to breathe on me, I’d have had to burn my own damn face off.” 

She flicked a bit of dried blood off her glove. “And of course, I’m going to have to walk into the guild looking like this. Oh, that’s going to be great. Everyone staring. ‘Ooh, look at the scary new girl covered in monster bits.’” She rolled her eyes. “Bet at least one idiot will ask if I’m single.”

She kicked a rock, sending it clattering down the road. “Could’ve been worse. Could’ve bumped into that shiny paladin boy again. Probably would’ve burst into holy flames on the spot. My luck’s bad, but not that bad… yet. Or at least I hope.”

Halfway to the city, she summoned the Soul Tome. The black leather cover materialized in her hand with that same faint chill, the runes shifting like lazy smoke. Flipping it open, she found a fresh section, each entry glowing faintly.

Sixteen new names pulsed faintly. She whistled low. “Sixteen? Damn,” she murmured, a smirk tugging at her mouth. “Guess I’ve been busier than I thought.”

The first set flickered into view, their origins obvious; normal goblins.

[Skill Gained: Dirty Strike] – A quick, underhanded blow aimed at weak spots.
[Skill Gained: Lowlight Evasion] – (Passive) Slightly increases agility in dim light.
[Skill Gained: Pack Tactics] – (Passive) Bonus damage when fighting with allies.
[Skill Gained: Quick Feet] – (Passive) Improves short-burst sprinting speed.
[Skill Gained: Crude Resilience] – (Passive) Minor resistance to blunt force.

She snorted. “Ah, goblin street smarts—hit where it hurts, run faster, and try not to die. Adorable.”

Then came the archers’ spoils.

[Skill Gained: Improvised Shot] – Loose an arrow faster at the cost of aim.
[Skill Gained: Pinning Arrow] – Ranged attack with a chance to slow a target.
[Skill Gained: Eagle Glare] – (Passive) Slightly improved distance vision.
[Skill Gained: Fast Nock] – Reduced time between arrow shots.
[Skill Gained: Close-Quarters Draw] – Fire point-blank without losing power.

“Good to know,” she mused. “Still not touching a bow. I’d probably shoot my own damn foot.”

The shaman skills were next, darker in script and heavier in feel.

[Skill Gained: Hex of Weakness] – Temporarily reduces an enemy’s strength.
[Skill Gained: Shadow Spark] – Releases a small burst of dark magic.
[Skill Gained: Spirit Snare] – Slows a target by tangling their essence.
[Skill Gained: Battle Chant] – Minor stat boost to allies through chanting.
[Skill Gained: Soul Flicker] – Disrupts an enemy’s focus momentarily.

“Ooh, spooky,” Morgana muttered. “Could be fun at parties. Or exorcisms. Whichever comes first.”

The last entry pulsed brighter than the rest, and she knew without being told it came from the big bastard she’d killed.

[Skill Gained: Command Presence] – (Passive) Allies are more likely to follow your orders and fight harder in your presence.

She raised an eyebrow. “Great. Now I can be bossy and have people actually listen. Dangerous combination. Too bad I work solo ninety-nine percent of the time. The queen of nothing has arrived.”

She tapped the page. “Well, overall… not bad. Mostly filler crap, but there are a few keepers.”

Something else caught her eye; her scythe’s name now had abilities listed beneath it.

[Edge of Eternity] – (Passive) Blade will never dull; can cut through stone and similar materials with ease.
[Moonveil Cleave] – (Passive) Each swing carries the crushing weight of the moon, able to smash shields and dent enchanted armor.
[Shadow Reaping] – (Passive) Absorbs a portion of the slain foe’s energy, feeding the scythe’s own magic.
[Lunar Ascendance] – (Passive) Grows stronger at night, especially under a full moon, increasing both speed and power.
[Bound to Soul Tome] – (Passive) Can only be wielded by the owner of the Soul Tome.

Her mouth curled into a slow grin. “Well, aren’t you just a smug little murder stick.”

Satisfied, she let the book dissolve back into mist, curling into the tattoo on her arm. By the time the city walls loomed ahead, the sun was kissing the horizon. 

She pushed through the gates, ignoring the faint trail of dried blood down her neck, and made straight for the guild.

The moment she stepped inside, conversation faltered. A few adventurers turned to stare; her cloak was streaked in dirt, her armor splattered with goblin gore, and a large burlap sack hung heavy at her side. 

When she reached the counter, she dumped it on the wood. The wet thud was unmistakable.

The receptionist blinked. “Uh… what—?”

She loosened the drawstring. Dozens of severed goblin ears spilled out, followed by the dull thump of a head, larger, uglier, and crowned with crude metal. The goblin general.

“You’re welcome,” Morgana said brightly.

The man stared. “Th-this… this request was for fifteen goblins.” His eyes darted between the pile and her blood-spattered face. “You’re a D-rank. This—” he waved vaguely at the carnage “—is not something a D-rank comes back from alive.”

“Guess I’m just special.”

He started counting, lips moving. “Thirty-five regulars… ten archers… five shamans… and the general…” His voice wavered. “That’s... Ms. Wildrider, are you hurt? Do you need medical care?”

She arched a brow. “If I was hurt, do you think I’d be standing here looking this damn fabulous?”

A couple of adventurers nearby chuckled under their breath. Others just kept staring.

“Two silver per goblin ear, five silver per shaman, ten for the general…” He scribbled rapidly. “That’s ninety-five silver in bonus pay alone. Total payout... Two gold, thirty-five silver.”

Morgana scooped the coins into her pouch with a hum. “Lovely. Now I’m off to drink until I forget what goblin breath smells like.”

She gave the man a wink, turned on her heel, and strolled out, leaving the guild buzzing in her wake.