Kobold Wizard's Journal

Chapter 288 Fighters and Thoughts

The corner of the attic was exceptionally quiet late at night.

Luger lay on the bed with his arm as a pillow, silently sorting out the chaotic thoughts in his mind.

Ruger didn't ask about the so-called reward, nor did Old Lunser press for the magic stones he'd been promised for gathering information. It seemed his focus was now entirely on getting a good price for Mr. Nuondo tomorrow. As the saying goes, those who find something get a share; providing valuable intelligence to the Otherworldly Oversight Council naturally deserves some reward. Hopefully, Mr. Nuondo himself will also have a good outcome.

A fully-fledged wizard who had already been promoted could actually fall back down and become a wizard apprentice.

Ruger pondered this, finding it quite amusing.

This is probably related to old Lenser's identity. His body and bloodline may be quite special. It's also possible that the fall he experienced due to bloodline issues was very serious, so serious that other wizards would have died. It was Aunt Jenny who saved the old dog's life, but he fell in rank and became a wizard apprentice.

After Luger returned this time, he felt it even more clearly; Old Lunser had a hint of demonic aura and also contained a hint of the Nightmare World.

He rolled over.

The unexpected situation disrupted his plans.

He hadn't yet had the chance to consult old Lunser about the issues concerning the medicine and whether the Sleeping Mushroom could be cultivated.

With a wave of his hand, he opened a spatial portal and arrived at the Abyss Bedroom Space.

Throughout his journey through the Nightmare World, he only returned to his bedroom once, when he and Raden were resting at the camp. The rest of the time, he had Zizi relay messages back and forth and occasionally bring in some food and supplies.

He didn't want anyone to easily know about this personal space, or the crack in it that led to the abyss.

"Brother Luger!"

Aiskin immediately ran over excitedly.

Big Fool followed closely behind.

Ruger looked at them, a genuine smile spreading across his face. At the same time, he compared them and noticed that the two dragonborn kobolds seemed to have grown a little taller. This comparison was made in contrast to him, meaning that even if all three kobolds had grown taller, those two were still taller than him.

Ruger felt something was missing, and turned to look at Squeak in the distance, who seemed to be sleeping again.

Three burly kobolds sat down beside the stone bed.

"Brother Luger, have you left that really strange place that Zizi mentioned?"

Aiskin asked curiously.

In reality, their so-called relaying of messages was not like that of Luger, the owner of the magical pet, who could communicate with Squeak through their hearts. They could only judge by the sound of Squeak. Fortunately, Squeak could understand most of the common language before it hatched from its egg. Aiskin often communicated with Squeak by speaking and gesturing. The inexplicable nightmare world became a very strange place.

Ruger smiled with relief.

“We’re in a really nice place now. I plan to let you go out and soak up the sun every day, and maybe there’ll even be a place to showcase your culinary skills,” he said.

As soon as Luger finished speaking...

Big Fool was the first to shake his head, and Aiskin followed suit, shaking her head like a head-shaking bug in Old Lunser's third-floor breeding room.

“Brother Luger, look!” Aiskin said, and together with Da Shaheng, they lit up their fighter marks.

Ruger knew the two kobolds hadn't been slacking off, but he was still quite surprised; this was much faster than he'd anticipated. Besides using combat and corresponding training methods to activate their Fighter's Mark and hone their willpower, the two kobolds also imitated Ruger's meditation, using their minds to awaken the Fighter's Mark and persist in displaying it to further hone their willpower. Outside of combat, only those who could manifest the Fighter's Mark through sheer willpower and keep it lit for at least three breaths could use the next Fighter's Potion.

The longer the fighter's mark stays lit, the better the effect of the potion. Everything about a fighter is related to their corresponding will. The fighter marks that Aiskin and Da Shaheng have displayed have long exceeded that time, and they are still emitting a steady faint light.

Ruger could tell that these two hadn't rested for a moment since he went to the Nightmare World.

Warriors of strength must endure much suffering, while warriors of life must suffer even more injuries to stimulate the warrior mark that resonates with them.

Only those who clearly define their goals and possess unwavering will can be considered fighters.

When Luger saw the longing look in Da Shaheng's eyes, he remembered that he had mentioned to them before that he had mastered one of the ways to advance from a basic fighter, namely the Fury Fighter Potion.

Luger smiled and took out the potion, handing it to Big Fool Heng amidst Aiskin's eager gaze.

And even now, these two guys are still displaying their fighter marks.

Aiskin's methods of concealing her emotions were rather rudimentary; her disappointment was palpable.

As for the Rage Fighter Potion, Ruger already had two bottles of good quality in stock before he went to the Nightmare World.

He smiled at Aiskin, and the tall, muscular kobold girl lowered her head the instant their eyes met. Then, her face lit up with a smile, and she raised her head again. No longer disappointed, she seemed to realize that her appearance would cause trouble for Ruger. Within her tall frame was a clumsy yet delicate soul.

Ruger chuckled, "That's not suitable for you. I still have a bottle of the potion here..."

Ruger, fearing she wouldn't believe him, took out another bottle of Rage Fighter Potion and waved it in front of her.

“I have a potion that I’m preparing. If it succeeds, it will be yours, along with Big Fool and Squeak,” Luger smiled gently, “and you will all accompany me to a very far place. It’s a very long road. Weakness is temporary. Just like me, who seems so powerful in your eyes, I am actually weak now, and I don’t even deserve to be called weak…”

Ruger spoke with not disappointment, but excitement.

This sentiment also affected the two dragonborn kobolds.

Our current weakness only means that the road ahead is incredibly wide, allowing us to travel this interesting path even further, perhaps to the point of no end, where countless unexpected beautiful sights await.

Ruger knew that Aiskin would believe whatever he said, and believe it wholeheartedly, but he preferred to influence her with his emotions. Sometimes she was a little clumsy, but she could carefully sense the real and full emotions of others, so he rarely used a few words to brush her off.

He remembered old Lenser saying that some wizards, no matter how powerful they became, even if they no longer used their eyes to see, their ears to hear, or even their brains to think, would still retain a habit like enjoying good food.

If powerful wizards all have an anchor point that prevents them from getting lost under the wash of their great power and the passage of time, then they are the ease, the freedom, and the original intention in Luger's heart. They can also be said to be his anchor point. No matter how great the power, with them there, he will not get lost.

After Ruger finished speaking with a smile, Aiskin's eyes immediately lit up, and she became expectant again. Even though Ruger only said that he was trying, Aiskin believed that Ruger would definitely succeed.

Even Da Shaheng glanced at the Fury Warrior Potion in his hand, looking hesitant.

Luger rolled his eyes at the simpleton.

(End of this chapter)