\u201cOh, excellent, excellent!\u201d the woman said, clasping her hands together in front of her chest. \u201cJust who I was looking for.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cCan I help you?\u201d Balthazar asked as he joined her on the other shore.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cSuch a magnificent specimen, you are!\u201d The strange woman began walking around the crab, looking him over, hands still held against her chest. \u201cAnd the stories were true. You really do talk!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYes, I do, and I\u2019d appreciate it if you stopped checking my behind now, please.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cMay I ask how that happened? Was it some kind of spell? Enchantment? Perhaps a curse gone wrong?\u201d The witch gasped. \u201cDon\u2019t tell me you\u2019re actually a prince and if I give you a kiss, you will turn back into a human?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhat?! No, why would that ever\u2026 Look, I don\u2019t know what kind of weird stories your head is filled with, but I\u2019m here to do business, so if you\u2019re not here for that\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cOh, come now,\u201d she interjected, \u201cis that a way to treat a lady?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI wouldn\u2019t know, but seems to me like the way to treat witches who aren\u2019t here to sell or buy anything.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI am an alchemist,\u201d the woman said, her smile quickly vanishing from her face for a moment. \u201cAnd you are wrong in your assumption. I am here to do business.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cGreat. Then what are you here to sell or buy?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI\u2019m looking for rare alchemy ingredients,\u201d she responded, a smile already back on her face.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cSure thing,\u201d Balthazar said, moving to a shelf filled with multiple clay pots and glass jars. \u201cI got plenty of flowers, mushrooms, plant leaves, and much more. What\u2019s it going to be?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe ingredients I seek are rather\u2026 difficult to find.\u201d She pulled a folded piece of parchment from her sleeve, opened it, and started reading it. \u201cDo you by any chance have\u2026 troll\u2019s blood?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cUh\u2026 no, I don\u2019t,\u201d the crab said, hesitantly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cA werewolf liver?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWha\u2014no!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cSpider broodmother glands?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhy would I\u2026 what the hell kind of poison are you planning to make?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cOh, no, no. No poison at all. Just some ingredients for some homemade recipes, nothing nefarious, I promise you.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cEither way, I don\u2019t have any of those things, and I\u2019m not sure I\u2019d want to, anyway.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cSuch a shame, really. But say, on a different subject,\u201d the witch said, moving around the crab again, trailing a black fingernail on the surface of his shell, \u201cthis is a beautiful pond. I\u2019m sure it looks incredible at night, if you were interested in giving me a tour of it later.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cLook, lady\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cPlease, let\u2019s not stand on ceremony,\u201d she said, an intense smile on her face. \u201cMy name is Velvet, but feel free to call me Velvie.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI will not, but thanks,\u201d Balthazar said, increasingly uncomfortable, while sidestepping away from the witch. \u201cIf there\u2019s nothing else you’re looking to buy, I really got lots to do.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThere is one more ingredient I am looking for,\u201d Velvet said, taking another step closer to the nervous merchant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIf it\u2019s not a common petal or some random fungus, I probably can\u2019t help you.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIt\u2019s something I know for a fact you have. And being such a fine gentleman, you wouldn\u2019t leave a lady hanging, I\u2019m sure? I\u2019d be willing to pay almost anything<\/em> to have it.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cErr\u2026 and what would that be?\u201d Balthazar apprehensively asked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cNothing much, just one, maybe two giant crab legs,\u201d the witch casually said, batting her eyes at Balthazar.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cYou\u2026 you want what now?!\u201d the bewildered crustacean exclaimed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cA crab leg, that\u2019s all.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cYou want one of my legs? Lady, are you out of your mind?!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cOh, come now, dear, it\u2019s just a leg. You got seven more. You could easily be a sweetheart and spare one for a girl in need.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cNo! They\u2019re my legs. I\u2019m very attached to them!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThat\u2019s not a problem. We can take care of that without you even feeling a thing.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cYou\u2019re nuts, get away from me and out of my pond, witch!\u201d Balthazar said loudly, nearly shouting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI really, really<\/em> need the contents of it,\u201d the desperate alchemist pleaded, putting a hand on one of his pincers and looking straight into his eyes. \u201cI\u2019m sure we can reach some sort of agreement.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cAre we interrupting?\u201d a man\u2019s voice said from the road entrance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The crab and the woman turned to see a pair of figures standing by the pond\u2019s entrance. One had a bow on his back, a large basket in his arms, and a slightly embarrassed expression on his face, while the other carried a basket in each hand and looked at them with one eyebrow raised and an air of suspicion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cNot at all!\u201d Balthazar quickly said, moving away from the black clad woman. \u201cMadeleine, Rye, please, come in. This madame witch was just leaving!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n The expressions on the archer and the baker changed, becoming visibly apprehensive. Rye put his basket down slowly and rested his hand on his waist to give him quick access to drawing his bow. Madeleine spoke first. \u201cWitch, you said? Your client\u2019s not causing any trouble, is she, Balthazar?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cAs I explained before, I\u2019m an alchemist,\u201d Velvet said, no longer smiling, while sizing up the two arrivals. \u201cAnd I take it you two are his clients as well, yes? Well, I\u2019m not done yet, so if you don\u2019t mind waiting your turn\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n A frown formed on Madeleine\u2019s face and she opened her mouth to speak, but Balthazar interjected before she could get a word out. \u201cHa ha, no, no, they\u2019re not clients, they\u2019re here for\u2026 a delivery. Yes, that\u2019s it, a delivery. So now, if you don\u2019t mind, I really have things to take care of.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cMy, that is so impolite of you,\u201d the woman said, not moving a step. \u201cNot to mention unprofessional. I thought you were a merchant? We\u2019re not done haggling yet, are we?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cYes, we are! I already told you I\u2019m not selling what you\u2019re after.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cBalthazar, what is going on here?\u201d Madeleine asked. \u201cWhat does this woman want?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cShe\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cOh, now, now,\u201d Velvet said, interrupting Balthazar as she turned to the baker. \u201cThe adults are talking. You shouldn\u2019t stick your nose in, little miss.\u201d She gave a sly smile. \u201cBut if you want to know so badly, Balthie and I were discussing the price of\u2026 parts of his body.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cBalthie??\u201d the crab repeated, befuddled.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThe price of\u2026 what the hell?\u201d the baker exclaimed, her face turning red. \u201cWhat kind of dealings are you making now, Balthazar?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cMe? None! This crazy woman came in here and started trying to buy one of my legs!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cOh, darling,\u201d the witch said in a dramatic tone as she bent a knee and grasped the crab\u2019s left pincer. \u201cI would take all of you, but if I cannot, even just a leg would satisfy my heart\u2019s desire.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Balthazar stared, perplexed, at the woman, and then at Rye and Madeleine. He was lost for words and actions. His face would be turning red at that moment if he had the skin for it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cMate, are you sure you\u2019re alright?\u201d Rye said, a concerned smile on his face. \u201cDid she cast some kind of spell on you, or something?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cOh!\u201d Velvet exclaimed. \u201cI am the one who has been put under a spell. From the moment I laid eyes on you, Balthie, I knew I had found the one.\u201d She placed the back of her hand against her forehead in an exaggerated pose.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cGuys,\u201d Balthazar pleaded. \u201cCome on, you don\u2019t seriously think I have anything to do with this\u2026 this witch, right?!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI don\u2019t know,\u201d Madeleine said, her face an even brighter red now. \u201cMaybe she offered you some nice sweets? That would probably sway you, wouldn\u2019t it? Maybe we should take these back to town, if you\u2019re already set here?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cAh, you must be a baker, are you not?\u201d Velvet asked, eyeing Madeleine\u2019s white blouse and skirt.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cSo what if I am?\u201d the girl responded, defiant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThat\u2019s adorable,\u201d the witch said with a wide smile, before turning back to Balthazar and placing her piercing blue eyes close to his. \u201cI could prepare you concoctions sweeter than anything you\u2019ve ever tasted, my dear. If you\u2019d just be a little more\u2026 friendly with me.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWha\u2026 No!\u201d Balthazar said, loudly, as he stepped away from her, trying to snap himself out of his befuddlement. \u201cYou should leave. I want to trade nothing with you, and I definitely do not want to be your friend!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n A large piece of rock with eyes appeared above a shelf and smiled at the group. \u201cFriend?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Velvet looked up at the golem towering above her from behind the shelf, and then at the pair by the entrance, one with a hand on his bow, and the other with her hands on her hips, her face looking ready to fume. A goblin wearing a wizard hat joined them from across the bridge too, attracted by the noise and commotion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWell,\u201d the witch said, her smile no longer as smug, \u201cI can see there\u2019s no swaying you at the moment, and that your\u2026 friends aren\u2019t going to let us conduct business. So maybe I will get going.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThat would\u2014\u201d Balthazar started saying, before a very loud baker interrupted him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cYes, that would be best. Good day to you. The road is over there. Be on your way.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n The witch in black began calmly walking to the exit, taking a moment to turn her head back to the crab.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWe\u2019ll catch up on our business some other time, darling.\u201d She winked at him before walking away, her dark vestments waving behind her.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThat was\u2026 weird.\u201d Rye said, taking his hand away from his bow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cYou\u2019re telling me?!\u201d Balthazar said, feeling as though he had been holding his breath that whole time and only now could finally exhale. \u201cI don\u2019t know where that one came from, but she gave me the weirdest feelings in\u2026 Rye?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n The archer was looking over the crab\u2019s shell with a scared expression. As Balthazar turned, he encountered the baker who was leaning down towards him, wrists against her sides, her freckled cheeks a bright crimson, green eyes shooting daggers at him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWould you like to tell us what was that all about?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n The crab gulped, unsure why he was so intimidated by a small baker, but still sure he didn\u2019t want to find out either.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI\u2014I\u2014I\u2019m not sure,\u201d Balthazar stuttered. \u201cShe first came here wanting some weird alchemy ingredients, and then she says she needs one of my legs for something she wanted to make. It was all very weird. I\u2019m just glad you two showed up.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cYeah, ha ha, right, good thing we did. Who knows what your new suitor would have done to you otherwise,\u201d Rye nervously said, attempting to lighten the mood. Unsuccessfully.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cYes, Balthazar,\u201d Madeleine said, tapping her foot on the ground rapidly, \u201cwhat would have happened if we didn\u2019t show up? Would you have let the witch do her weird stuff to you? You seemed very flustered in her presence!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cOf course not! And\u2026 I\u2019m not exactly used to some of your strange human behaviors! I just don\u2019t know how to act around them! There, you happy now?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Madeleine pulled back and exhaled, losing some of her ire. \u201cI was just concerned about you. I know about witches. They are evil and tricky, and you\u2026 well, you\u2019re a grumpy crab, but you\u2019re our<\/em> grumpy crab. I don’t want anything bad to happen to you.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Balthazar stared at her for a moment, confused. \u201cSo, wait\u2026 you were worried about me? And because of that\u2026 you also get mad at me? What the hell kind of sense does that make?!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI don\u2019t know!\u201d Madeleine exclaimed, throwing her arms up. \u201cThat\u2019s just what people do sometimes!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cYou humans are an irrational bunch,\u201d Balthazar said, shaking his shell.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cYeah, well, maybe so,\u201d the archer started saying, with a sheepish smile, \u201cbut at least we can make great pastries, right?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n The crab and the girl continued looking away from each other, both with their arms crossed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cOh, come on, you guys!\u201d Rye said. \u201cThat was a witch. Their class\u2019s whole thing is being tricky, manipulative, and sowing discord. You two are friends. Are you really going to let her have the last laugh by staying upset at each other?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Madeleine sighed. \u201cRye is right. I rarely get this upset at things, but\u2026 I really lose it when it comes to the ones I care about being in trouble. I\u2019m sorry I got mad at you, Balthazar.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Balthazar looked at her from the corner of his eyes, without uncrossing his arms. \u201cFine, I accept your apology.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Rye gave him a look of disapproval and nudged the crab\u2019s shell lightly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cAnd fine, I\u2026 I apologize too, for anything.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n The archer groaned and rolled his eyes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cIt\u2019s alright,\u201d Madeleine said. \u201cI\u2019m sure that took a lot of effort from you, so I\u2019ll take it. Just please, promise me if you ever see that witch again, you\u2019ll run the other way, with all your eight legs!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cDon\u2019t need to tell me,\u201d Balthazar responded, finally relaxing, \u201cI don\u2019t want to go through that kind of discomfort ever again.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cHey now,\u201d Rye started, with a smirk, \u201cmaybe a witch would be the perfect match for your grumpiness, eh?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n They both looked at the smiling adventurer with the same sour expression.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Druma, who had been sitting on the ground under the golem’s shadow with his legs crossed and quietly observing since joining them, finally broke the silence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cDruma hungry. Can eat now?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n It was the middle of the afternoon, and Balthazar was sitting on his cushion by himself, chomping away at one of the chocolate cookies Madeleine had brought him. Chocolate was something new to him, and delicious, yet another marvel of human foods he could never have imagined before, but despite the sweetness of it, his mood was still sour.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Whoever that strange witch woman had been, she managed to catch him off guard. All his wit, cunning, and intelligence served him of little when she started acting so oddly around him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The archer and the baker kept teasing him during their visit about how he was \u201cflustered\u201d because of her, whatever that meant, but all Balthazar knew was that there was something about her, something around her that made him feel\u2026 disarmed. And a crab without arms is as good as a dead crab.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Balthazar had been racking his brain for an explanation ever since that encounter. Surely it must have been some kind of magic, a spell, perhaps? She was a witch, after all. But also an alchemist, so maybe a potion? But he was sure he didn\u2019t drink anything around her. Maybe a potion sprayed in the air, like a perfume? He did notice she smelled quite nice, so maybe\u2026 no, surely it was some kind of evil magic. It had to be. Damnable magic users and their stupid magic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Stuffing another whole cookie in his mouth, Balthazar tried focusing on something else and not think about Velvet and her waving black hair any more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A young girl with a small crude bow on her back was browsing his shelf of arrows nearby, and he decided to place his focus on her instead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cHey, you. Gonna buy anything or just wear all my items out with your eyes?\u201d the crab said in a bitter tone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The adventurer looked at him with a slightly offended expression. \u201cFor a merchant, you\u2019re kind of rude, you know?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cAnd for a supposed client, you\u2019re kind of not buying anything, you know?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n The girl huffed and turned around to leave. \u201cKeep your junk, crab.\u201d She stopped for a moment and looked back. \u201cAnd maybe lay off the cookies. The way you\u2019re going at them soon you won\u2019t fit in that shell anymore.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Balthazar felt annoyance rising inside him. How dare she imply he\u2019s getting chubby? Does she not know crabs don\u2019t get fat?<\/p>\n\n\n\n But he also felt a hint of guilt. He always disregarded everyone\u2019s accusations of being a grump, what do humans know about crabs anyway, but even he had a hard time not seeing it now. And for someone who fancied himself a merchant, that was not the best behavior to have. What good was his speech if he was using it to antagonize possible clients?<\/p>\n\n\n\n He needed to get his shell back in the game.<\/p>\n\n\n\n As the young girl was reaching the exit to the road, two other adventurers were arriving.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cGood day,\u201d one of them greeted, with a nod to the girl.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cMaybe for you. That one over there seems to be having a bad one,\u201d she responded, pointing her thumb back to the crab, \u201cand wants to make everyone else have the same, apparently. Don\u2019t let him snip you.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n The two men\u2014both level 25 fighters\u2014raised their eyebrows as they made way for the girl to leave, following her with their gaze as she passed. Once she was no longer within earshot, they turned their attention to Balthazar, who had gotten up and crossed the small path over the water to join them. \u201cDid something happen with that one?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cAh, just an unsatisfied customer. Guess not even I can keep a perfect record. But don\u2019t mind that, I\u2019m sure you didn\u2019t come here to chat. So, what\u2019s it going to be, buying or selling?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cAye, you\u2019re right, we\u2019re in a bit of a rush,\u201d the first adventurer said, while the other moved to the shelves and began browsing through them. \u201cAs for your question, a bit of both. We heard a giant has been spotted somewhere to the west, in the plains, and we are going to head there, but don\u2019t got time to go into town. So we figured we\u2019d stop here, get some supplies for the task, and offload any unnecessary extra weight.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cA giant? Just hope that doesn\u2019t come this way, that\u2019s not a client I\u2019d want. What kind of supplies will you be needing?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cLet\u2019s see,\u201d the adventurer began, while rubbing his chin and looking around. \u201cRope. The biggest coil of the thickest rope you got.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Balthazar skittered his way to a nearby crate and retrieved a large bundle of rope from within.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cA hook, too. Steel, extra large.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Putting the rope down, the merchant fetched a metal hook, larger than his right pincer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cOh, and a saw. Gotta be a strong one, though.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Placing the hook next to the rope, Balthazar turned and called out. \u201cDruma! Get the big saw, the one for big wood logs.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n After a few moments, the goblin came running in his usual jumping pace, a huge, sturdy saw in his arms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cIs that going to be all?\u201d the merchant asked the adventurer, as his assistant hurried back to his tasks across the bridge.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cHmm,\u201d the client said as he looked around some more. \u201cOh, and four bottles of the cheapest wine you got, too.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cSounds like it will be a gruesome party.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThe wine isn\u2019t for us. Well, maybe a little after. But apparently giants like booze too, so that will be the bait.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cVery well,\u201d Balthazar said, as he returned with four bottles of wine held in his pincers. \u201cIs payment going to be coin or trade?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cAh, right. I mentioned we needed to drop any unnecessary weight. And I don\u2019t really see the point in heading out on a giant hunt with this heavy thing on me.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n The adventurer opened his pack and reached inside with some effort, pulling out a solid piece of metal, its yellow shine reflecting the sunlight nearly blinding Balthazar as it hit his eyes. It was an ingot, similar to the iron and silver ones he had used to upgrade his claws, except this one was made of pure gold.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Balthazar attempted to keep his jaw from dropping, as his greed nearly addled his brain. He had seen thousands of gold coins at that point, and while their novelty still hadn\u2019t worn off, a large slab of solid gold like that was a whole new thing for him, and he knew he had to have it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThis would sell for a lot in town,\u201d the man said, \u201cbut we don\u2019t got time to go there, and it weighs a ton, so I\u2019m hoping you\u2019ll accept this in exchange for all the supplies. We\u2019re kind of short on coin right now, too.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cMhmm, yes, it\u2019s an interesting offer,\u201d Balthazar said, feigning consideration.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cAh, damn it, I get it. Maybe we should just run up to town. Why would you want this thing down here? Not like adventurers would wanna buy a gold ingot before going out.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cNo, no!\u201d the crab hurriedly said. \u201cI understand your situation, and because members of the Adventurer\u2019s Guild are such good clients of mine, I\u2019m willing to accept this item as payment, just to help you guys out.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cReally?\u201d the adventurer asked, with a smile. \u201cGreat! That will save us a lot of time. Appreciate it, crab! You really aren\u2019t as bad of a grump as everyone says.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Taking his new items and signaling for his partner to follow, the two adventurers left with quick steps, heading out into the plains.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cA grump. Hmph!\u201d Balthazar muttered. \u201cThese humans don\u2019t know how to appreciate a crab. I\u2019m a ray of sunshine. When they aren\u2019t making my life miserable.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n As the usual listing of traded items passed through his vision, an extra line presented itself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n [You have reached Level 8!]<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cOh,\u201d the crab exclaimed, surprised. \u201cThat hadn\u2019t happened in a while. Thought this thing had gotten tired of giving me experience. Not that I would know, since it doesn\u2019t show me that part!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Still annoyed at the system in front of his eyes, he begrudgingly upped his Intelligence as usual, from 17 to 18, but a sudden hunch stopped him before proceeding to the skills menu.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Turning his attention to the gold ingot on the ground in front of him, Balthazar tried picking it up with his silver pincer. He struggled, the item being much heavier than he expected. With the aid of his stronger iron claw, he finally held the precious bar in front of his face, marveling at its beauty.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI wonder if this one could be used for upgrades like iron and silver were\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n [Upgrade Shell with [Gold Ingot]?]<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n [Yes | No]<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Balthazar\u2019s eyes widened as he read the prompt in front of him. \u201cMy\u2026 shell?!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n He had already upgraded both of his claws to great results, but his shell felt like a much more important thing to change. He took great pride in his shell, always keeping it well polished and free of any disgusting limpets. Changing it sounded almost scary to Balthazar.<\/p>\n\n\n\n But then he took another look at the gold he was holding, with its scintillating glint, and his iron and silver pincers, and his doubts evaporated. His two previous experiments with imbuing gave him two fantastic claw upgrades, so this could be nothing but a great choice, surely.<\/p>\n\n\n\n [Imbuing rank C required for upgrade]<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201c<\/strong>I knew it! Trying to trip me up, weren\u2019t you, little system? Too bad for you I\u2019ve got too many legs for that.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Wasting no time, the smug crab navigated to the Imbuing skill and upgraded it from D to C before returning to the upgrade prompt. <\/strong>Selecting \u201cYes\u201d on the message, Balthazar rolled his eyes at the system that yet again taunted and annoyed him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n [Hammer required]<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Stolen story; please report.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201c<\/strong>Why oh why do I need a hammer,\u201d Balthazar muttered to himself, as he crossed the bridge, \u201cI don\u2019t even know how to use it. Just a pointless requirement. I swear this thing is designed to irritate me.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Balancing the heavy ingot on his iron pincer, the crab took a hammer from Druma\u2019s toolbox with his silver one. \u201cJust going to borrow this for a moment. Don\u2019t worry.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n The goblin looked at his boss with curiosity, but didn\u2019t question it. Even a goblin with 4 Intelligence knew better than to question the peculiar crab at that point.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Returning to his purple cushion, Balthazar held the gold ingot and the hammer, prompt up and ready to be confirmed.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201c<\/strong>Alright, here it goes. I can\u2019t wait to see what I get.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n As he selected \u201cYes\u201d on the question, the gold ingot disappeared from his hand as the others had before.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Clink!<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n The same sound from before ringed inside Balthazar\u2019s shell, despite the hammer being motionless in his pincer, except this time the sound came accompanied by a sharp pain between his eyes, as if something heavy and blunt had just struck him.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n His vision blurring, the crab fell prostrate on his cushion, dazed by the invisible impact. Before he could string a coherent thought, a new sensation took over his body. Like a squeeze, he felt his entire body\u2014the soft one inside his shell\u2014being pressed from all directions by an unseen force.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201c<\/strong>AHHHHHHHH!\u201d Balthazar yelled, the edges of his shell feeling as if cracking under an internal pressure.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201c<\/strong>Boss, boss!\u201d Druma shouted, rushing to the crab\u2019s aid. \u201cWhy boss screaming?\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201c<\/strong>Druma,\u201d he tried saying, his voice faltering. \u201cDruma\u2026 get\u2026 Ahhh!\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Balthazar felt his body pressing outwards, as if trying to escape his own shell, and slowly being squeezed out of it. His vision fading from the pain, he mentally cursed the stupid, unhelpful system, the hammer, and even that one last cookie he ate, before passing out.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n ***<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n [Molting…]<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201c<\/strong>Wha\u2026 what?\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n [Molting finished.]<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201c<\/strong>Huh?\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n [Shell<\/strong>upgraded to [Golden<\/strong>Shell] (+<\/strong>5<\/strong>Charisma)]<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Balthazar lifted his face from the damp sand, the world around him still spinning. A goblin wearing an oversized wizard hat stood above him, looking down with concern.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201c<\/strong>Is crab boss alright?\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Bouldy was on his hands and knees next to Druma, observing Balthazar too.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Trying to stand back up, he found himself slightly heavier than he remembered. Damnable delicious chocolate cookies.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201c<\/strong>I\u2026 I think so. What happened?\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201c<\/strong>Boss go to sleep from pain! Boss start squeezing out of shell! Gross!\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Balthazar looked behind, realizing he had apparently dragged himself a few paces from the cushion he had been sitting on before passing out.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n With shock, he saw his own shell lying on the cushion, empty and cracked on the front, where his face used to be.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201c<\/strong>Then boss come out yellow!\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201c<\/strong>Yellow?\u201d the disturbed<\/strong>crab asked. \u201cWhat do you mean, yellow?!\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Trying to redistribute his strength around his newfound extra weight, Balthazar made way to the edge of the water and looked down at his reflection on the crystalline water surface.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n He had a brand new shell around him, shiny and polished, a golden finish over what looked like his old gray chitin.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201c<\/strong>Wait. What did it say? Charisma?\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Balthazar rushed his eyes to the status menu, to see what had changed.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n [Status]<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n [Name: Balthazar] [Race: Crab] [Class: Adept Merchant] [Level: 8]<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n [Attributes]<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n [Strength: 3] [Agility: 2] [Intelligence: 18]<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n [Skills]<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n [Charisma: <\/strong>S<\/strong>(+<\/strong>5<\/strong>)] [Medium Armor: B] [Speech: B] [Fishing: C] [Slashing Weapons: C] [Reading: C] [Imbuing: C]<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201c<\/strong>What the hell is Charisma?!\u201d the befuddled crab exclaimed, before navigating to the list of skills.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n [Charisma: <\/strong>S<\/strong>(+<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n 5<\/strong>)]<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n [The trait of being likable and charming to people you interact with.]<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201c<\/strong>What?! This is useless! I\u2019m already naturally likable and charming!\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Bouldy and Druma were staring at the golden crab, a mix of confusion and concern in their expressions.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Balthazar paced around, still trying to get used to his extra weight. He looked at his iron and silver pincers, as well as his legs, all unchanged. This change had been a much harsher experience than the upgrades from before, and the result was not what he had expected at all.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201c<\/strong>You had to get the last laugh, didn\u2019t you, system?\u201d he muttered, sounding slightly deranged. \u201cCouldn\u2019t just tell me what the upgrade does before I take it, had to make me take the gamble. Well, joke\u2019s on you! I\u2019m going to do like Madeleine does and not let this get me down, ha! I love gold! Why wouldn\u2019t I want to wear it all over my beautiful shell!\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201c<\/strong>B\u2014boss? Is boss alright?\u201d Druma asked, looking mildly scared of the crab\u2019s behavior.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201c<\/strong>Never better!\u201d Balthazar said, giving a jump in place. \u201cJust need to move around a little, break this new shell in, get used to the weight of it, and I\u2019ll be perfect! Shiny and perfect!\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Balthazar walked over to a jar next to his old empty shell and took a chocolate cookie from it.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201c<\/strong>Who needs this old thing now, when I can be golden!\u201d he said, with great confidence, as he chomped on the cookie.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n He didn\u2019t need this so called \u201cCharisma\u201d for anything. He already had plenty of natural charm, he was sure of it, but so what if the upgrade was wasted on something he was absolutely sure he\u2019d never need? His brand new golden shell was more than enough of a reward. Fashion, baby!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Leaving a confused goblin and golem on the islet, Balthazar walked across the bridge and to the road, facing the nearly setting sun and letting its warm rays<\/strong>bathe him with open arms, his new carapace reflecting the light like a beacon.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201c<\/strong>Psst!\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n The crab broke out of his trance and looked around, confused.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201c<\/strong>Psssst! Over here!\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Balthazar tilted his shell and looked at a nearby bush.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201c<\/strong>Hello?\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n A head wearing a black hood and mask popped out of the bush. \u201cIt\u2019s me, Rob.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201c<\/strong>Oh, it\u2019s you,\u201d the shiny crab said to the thief. \u201cHow\u2019s the hand?\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201c<\/strong>It\u2019s\u2026 better. Thanks\u2026\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201c<\/strong>Wait. You\u2019re not hiding there to steal from me again, are you? Hands off my shell!\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201c<\/strong>No. No! I told you, I never want to feel that pincer again,\u201d Rob said, wincing, before looking the crab up and down with raised eyebrows. \u201cBut hey, that\u2019s a really nice shell you got now.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201c<\/strong>Thanks\u2026 I guess. But then, if you\u2019re here, does that mean you have some news to tell me?\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201c<\/strong>Yes, but it’s not good.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Night had long settled over the pond, its access road empty and in a silence only broken by the chirping of a cricket or the soft breeze passing through the rustling leaves of a nearby bush. The sky was overcast and hid the moon\u2019s glow from the land, leaving the small sparkles of fireflies that danced over the plains as the sole lights in the darkness, tiny dots of yellow so dim they illuminated little more than the blades of grass around them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Without so much as a footstep sound preceding it, light erupted from the dark over the stone road, a flame lighting a small iron lantern held by a figure dressed entirely in black leathers, with only a small window between the hood and mask revealing his eyes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n From behind him, two other figures appeared, equally dressed in stealthy gear that muffled their movements and allowed them to blend in with their nighttime surroundings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n One was a stocky man with very broad shoulders who wore nothing over his completely bald head, while the other was a slim woman of small stature, only made smaller by standing next to the man accompanying her.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The one holding the lantern spoke first, in a hushed tone that reached no further than the ears it was meant for. \u201cAlright, this is the place. Remember, we can take whatever we want, but we gotta make sure we don\u2019t leave without planting the medallion somewhere.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cAnd if the crab or the goblin wake up?\u201d the other man asked, in a low and deep voice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cKnock them out if necessary, but no killing. Client says that would get half the Adventurers Guild to look into what happened, and we don\u2019t need that kind of attention either.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWho\u2019s the client and why do they care so much about this stupid crab, anyway?\u201d asked the woman.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cDon\u2019t know,\u201d the leader of the trio said, \u201cand considering how much gold he put in our hands, I don\u2019t care to know either. Now let\u2019s get in and get this done.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n The man snuffed out the light from the lantern and the three of them quietly moved into the area surrounding the pond.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Pointing two fingers to his own eyes and then to the center islet, the leader ordered the larger man to go there and keep watch. The other nodded and started crossing the bridge, a large club held tight in his hands, while doing his best not to make the wooden floorboards creak.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The woman moved in between a group of crates, looking for one not sealed, while her boss began looking for a good spot on the shelves to place the gold medallion held in his left hand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n As the lookout reached the center of the pond, he saw a very dim light coming from inside the tent. With careful steps, he approached and peered inside, where he saw the back of a gray carapace, quietly resting on a large purple cushion, barely illuminated by a small oil lantern sitting in the corner.<\/p>\n\n\n\n As he began backing away from the seemingly sleeping crab, something caught his attention. Something that wasn\u2019t right about that shell, and as he squinted and tried looking closer amid the surrounding darkness, he made out the details on the edge of the chitin, like cracks and fissures. His eyes widened as he saw it hollow. The shell was empty.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Meanwhile, the small thief was trying to quietly pry open a crate when a small shuffling sound made her turn around.<\/p>\n\n\n\n But nothing was there.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Still suspicious, she turned back to the crate, when the same noise came again, except much closer this time, and accompanied by a sudden orange light appearing behind her back.<\/p>\n\n\n\n She quickly turned to the flame of a lit torch dancing in front of her, forcing the woman to take a moment to readjust her eyes to the sudden brightness. As she looked past the flame, she saw a goblin, its head barely higher than her waist level, but made to look slightly taller by a worn out wizard hat on its head. The creature smiled at her with sharp yellow teeth. \u201cHelloooo!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n The woman yelled, disgust on her face as she rapidly drew a dagger and swiped at the goblin, but the creature was gone, leaving only the bright flame of the torch burning on the dirt floor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Alerted by the scream, the thief in command stood up from the shelves, looking for the cause of the commotion, when his attention was captured by the man on the other side of the bridge, waving his club up in the air. \u201cIt\u2019s a trap!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Quickly stuffing the medallion in one of his pockets, the thief noticed something moving around the tree behind his partner on the opposite shore. A strange glow, something reflecting the tiny amount of moonlight that passed between the clouds. Something shiny and golden.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cBehind you!\u201d the leader shouted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The other thief turned to see the large golden crab appearing from behind the thick tree trunk that separated them, two large pincers held open, one much larger than the other, but both with a metal shine to them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWe\u2019re closed now. You should come back tomorrow!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n With a quick jab, Balthazar wrapped his iron pincer around the large man\u2019s shin and squeezed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The thief howled in pain and faltered, but did not fall down.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cHuh. Feels like steel plates under that. Lucky,\u201d Balthazar said, before shouting past the thief holding his leg in pain. \u201cBouldy, light the fire now!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n With a quick turn, the thief\u2019s leader looked past the shelves, trying to identify what was causing such loud shifting noises. With fumbling fingers, the man lit his lantern back up, just in time to see a thick arm made of stone reach past him and hold its hand above a fire pit composed of several wooden logs covered with thick oil and surrounded by a circle of stones. The hand struck two of its rocky fingers together, producing several orange sparks that fell over the wood and set it ablaze with a fiery roar.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Unauthorized reproduction: this story has been taken without approval. Report sightings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n As the flames from the pit lit the surrounding trading post, the baffled prowler followed the length of the stone arm all the way up to its head, standing nearly twice as tall as his own. A wide face of stone looked down at him with two smooth orbs reflecting the orange brightness from the fire. The rock smiled, and the man stepped backwards, tripping on his own feet and falling on his back.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Opposite of him, the small frame of the woman thief was frantically looking around, searching for the goblin. \u201cI freaking hate goblins! Where are you?!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cDruma magics you!\u201d the small creature yelled, as he jumped on top of a crate, staff in hand, pointed at his target.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The nimble thief tried rolling for cover behind a rock, but the glowing green bolts that came shooting out of the staff hit her mid-jump, sending her flying straight into the pond with a loud splash.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cYes! Druma magic! Druma get thief!\u201d the goblin yelled, jumping up and down on the crate in celebration.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Stumbling back to his feet, the leader of the thugs tried to run for the exit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cDon\u2019t let him get away!\u201d Balthazar shouted to the golem from the other side. \u201cGrab him!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n As the panicking thief turned to face the road, a stone hand grabbed him by the foot and lifted him up with great ease, holding his upside down face in front of the golem\u2019s friendly smile. \u201cFriend?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cNo, you dolt, he\u2019s not a frien\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Balthazar barely had time to skitter back and narrowly avoid the strike from the man who was no longer holding his leg in pain, and was now limping his way towards the crab with rage in his eyes, and a very thick club in his hands.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThat pincer\u2026 really\u2026 hurt,\u201d the panting man said. \u201cCan\u2019t wait to rip it out of you and see how much it will sell for.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n With a much quicker motion than his stature would suggest, the man lifted his club and smacked it down on the ground in front of Balthazar, who barely managed to dodge it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cA little help over here?!\u201d Balthazar yelled. \u201cI don\u2019t wanna become crab soup tonight!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Bouldy lifted his gaze from the man he was still holding upside down and looked towards the crab with his back against the tent\u2019s wall, and the burly thief approaching with his club held high, ready to bring it down once within reach.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cFriend!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Dropping the leader of the thieves on the ground like a sack of rocks, the golem broke into a sprint, making the ground shake with each step as he rushed to the center islet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Stumbling from the quickly approaching quake, the club-wielding man looked back just in time to see a huge backhand of stone coming right for his chest, swatting him away like a pestering mosquito, and launching him against the tree\u2019s bark with a loud crash that caused the old trunk to shake and several leaves to break off from their branches. The thief landed on his face, motionless.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWow, Bouldy\u2026 you actually\u2014\u201c<\/p>\n\n\n\n A sloshing sound cut Balthazar\u2019s words short as he turned to see a soaked woman emerging from the shore, dagger in hand, blade held forward in his direction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n She was moving too quickly and Balthazar had nowhere to back away to.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cYou crabby son of a\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n The crab recoiled, putting his pincers up in front of his eyes and hoping she wouldn\u2019t strike anything vital.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cHmmrph!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Balthazar peeked over his iron claw.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The woman was clawing at her own face, struggling to untangle herself from a piece of tattered, worn out undergarments that had just fallen from the branches above them and right on the thief\u2019s head.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI can\u2019t believe those bloomers were still up there!\u201d Balthazar exclaimed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cYou leave boss alone, thief!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Coming out of the corner of his eye, Balthazar watched as Druma kicked the blinded thief on her shin, before smacking her knee with his wooden staff, causing her to fall to the ground, unmentionables still wrapped around her head.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cDruma got you now,\u201d the goblin said, while taking a coil of rope off his shoulder and quickly beginning to wrap it around the thief\u2019s arms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Remembering there was still one thief left, Balthazar scanned the shoreline opposite the islet until he spotted the leader of the gang, trying to stand up and make his way to the road.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cBouldy, don\u2019t let him get away. Grab him!\u201d Balthazar ordered, pincer firmly pointed at the man.<\/p>\n\n\n\n With a nod, the walking boulder quickly crossed the water to the other side and pinned the fleeing criminal to the ground with one rocky hand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cYes! Good job!\u201d Balthazar cheered, both pincers held high in victory. \u201cWe got them. Druma, help me tie the big one before\u2014\u201c<\/p>\n\n\n\n As the crab rotated to face the previously unconscious man under the tree, he saw a shadow loom over him, a bulky figure rising with one arm up, club in hand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cScrew this job.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Before Balthazar could react, the blunt weapon fell upon him, hitting his shell right above the eyes, and the world went spinning away.<\/p>\n\n\n\n [Health: 5\/100]<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n [He~?th: #\/<\/strong>\u00bf0<\/strong>$]<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n [System Failure]<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n [\u2026]<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Balthazar couldn\u2019t see anything other than the text in his eyes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n [System Restoring\u2026]<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n All he could hear was the familiar sound of his pond\u2019s waterfall, always present in his daily life. Except more distant, and somewhat\u2026 distorted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n [System Error]<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cOw\u2026 shut up, stupid system thing, my head hurts.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n [System anomaly detected]<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cNo, you\u2019re an anomaly!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n [Unidentified parameters]<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n [Checking System\u2026]<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWhy do you gotta be so chatty now<\/em> of all times? When I actually want information, you never explain anything!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n [System version out of date]<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Balthazar could swear he was feeling the smell of fresh pie.<\/p>\n\n\n\n [Attempting update\u2026]<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cYes, please. Some pie would be great right about now…\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n [Update failed]<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cHuh?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n [System connection failed]<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Balthazar strained to see through the darkness around the text, but nothing was there, only an approaching sound, like tiny feet… no, nails, tapping their way closer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n [\u2026]<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cOw!\u201d Balthazar felt something\u2026 pecking at his shell.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cOh no, anything but the stupid birds!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Still unable to see anything or move, Balthazar listened closely, until a sound of rustling feathers took off, followed by the fading sound of wings flapping away.<\/p>\n\n\n\n [System Rebooting…]<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cBLARGH!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Balthazar\u2019s eyes shot up as he awakened, coughing and weaving, with red liquid spilling from his mouth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Thankfully, it was not blood, as crab\u2019s blood is not red.<\/p>\n\n\n\n How did Balthazar know that when he had never so much as suffered a scratch in his entire peaceful pond life? He wasn\u2019t sure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Just as he wasn\u2019t sure why he was finding that to be the time to ponder about the color of his blood, seeing as he was also lying upside down on his shell.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Rocking from side to side, Balthazar propped himself back onto his eight legs. He still had them all, which he found to be a good start.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Trying to focus his blurry vision against the bright light of what seemed to be the sunrise, a familiar set of words appeared in front of his eyes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n [You have reached level 9!]<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cOh, you\u2019re still here,\u201d the crab complained. \u201cI was half hoping you\u2019d be gone for good once I woke up.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cBoss\u2026 boss want Druma gone?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Balthazar turned around, his senses still trying to figure out his surroundings. He was in front of the tent, with Druma standing nearby, his hands clasped around an empty glass vial in front of his shirtless chest. He had an expression of great sadness in his eyes. \u201cIs because Druma use magic?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWhat\u2026 no! No, no, I wasn\u2019t talking about you, Druma! You did nothing wrong. On the contrary, you did great\u2026 uh, last night, I think? How long was I out?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n The goblin\u2019s long ears perked up and a joyful grin opened across his face. \u201cThank! Druma no run this time! Druma get thief!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n He jumped in place with glee, empty bottle still in his hands.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cAnd boss sleep for many hour. Druma start to think boss no wake up no more. So Druma get heal potion and give it to boss.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThat explains the red liquid, I guess. Wait, you said I was out for hours? And you only decided to give me a healing potion now?!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n The goblin\u2019s shoulders slumped, and he looked down at his feet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cBoss say heal potion cost much gold. Druma scared boss get mad for using potion. Druma will work more to pay potion.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cOh, for the love of\u2026 forget about that, it\u2019s fine,\u201d Balthazar rubbed his shell above his eyes and picked up a silver plate from nearby, to check his reflection on it. \u201cNo cracks and still perfectly golden. Hmm, maybe gold isn\u2019t that bad of an armor material as they all say. Or could it be that\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Balthazar looked up at the sky with a pensive expression. No birds in the air that morning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWait! What happened to the thief, the big one that hit me with the club? Don\u2019t tell me he got away?!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cNo, no! Druma and big rock get thief!\u201d the goblin perked up again and pointed to the other side of the bridge, where three thieves lay chest down, tight ropes tied around their wrists and ankles, while a tall golem watched over them. The boulder smiled and waved his massive hand at Balthazar.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWhen big thief hit boss,\u201d the goblin began, \u201cBouldy come running. Druma hit thief face with magic balls from magic stick. Thief fall. Bouldy smack thief. Thief go to sleep again. Druma tie thief.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Balthazar took a moment to process everything that had happened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n He had survived the blow from the club, that was good, but he had come dangerously close, judging by the health value he remembered seeing. 5\/100. But what happened after? The \u201csystem\u201d thing seemed to\u2026 break? He couldn\u2019t remember the details. It was all like a fading dream. There was an error, and then\u2026 how was it fixed?<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cDamnable birds!\u201d Balthazar said, shaking a claw up at the sky, where a distant flock of the feathered creatures flew. \u201cWhy do you always show up to ruin my day!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Trying to take his mind off the unpleasant beings, Balthazar went inside his tent and checked under his hiding spot. The Scroll of Character Creation remained dormant as ever, not a sign of activity ever since that first day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n He really wished whatever that system was came with a better instructions manual, but by that point the crab had come to accept he would probably never learn much more about it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It was not as if he could ask someone about it either. They\u2019d probably start asking too many inconvenient questions, or worse, they would try to take everything away from him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Besides, who could he ask about it? Almost everyone he knew were adventurers, and those idiots barely knew how to tie their own shoes. What could they possibly know about systems, levels, or skills?<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cBoss?\u201d Druma called, interrupting the crab\u2019s thoughts about how shoelaces were supposed to work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cHmm\u2026 uh, what? What is it?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWhat boss want to do with thieves?\u201d the barefoot goblin asked. \u201cBoss want Druma to poke thieves with stick?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cOh, that\u2019s right, those guys,\u201d Balthazar said, snapping out of his pondering. \u201cNo. No poking. At least not yet. I got better plans for them. But speaking of thieves\u2026 I\u2019ll be right back.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Balthazar reached inside the tent and took a small coin purse into his pincer before skittering his way across the bridge, passing the golem and his three prisoners, each of the thieves glancing at the crab with scorn.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Unauthorized duplication: this tale has been taken without consent. Report sightings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Reaching the road, he approached a nearby bush.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cHey, you. Still there?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cYes, but keep it down!\u201d Rob\u2019s voice said from the bush. \u201cI don\u2019t want any of them to hear us.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cOh, come on. Why are you so afraid?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cMaybe you don\u2019t get it, but after this I still have to go back to town, back to the alleys, and the thief’s life. That gets complicated if word gets out that I sold out a group of fellow thieves.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cHah! Honor among thieves, is it? I thought you would all be out for yourselves. But even you got some kind of code of ethics, eh?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cCode? Ethics?\u201d Rob repeated, perplexed. \u201cNo, man, they just break your legs if they find out you\u2019re a snitch, that\u2019s all!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cHang on,\u201d Balthazar said. \u201cDid you stay in that bush the whole night?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cYeah?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cNever left? Not even when you saw that guy knock me out? You didn\u2019t do a thing?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cMaaaaan, what part of me being a coward have you not grasped yet? You want me to gather information in town, that\u2019s one thing, but expecting me to fight that walking wardrobe? Hell no!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cAlright, whatever. Good job on bringing me word Antoine\u2019s goons were coming. Here\u2019s your payment.\u201d Balthazar tossed the coin purse into the bush. \u201cNow go back to town and stick to our plan.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n The crab stood in front of the bush, waiting. \u201cWell? What are you waiting for?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI\u2019m not stepping out of this while you\u2019re there. That\u2019d be too conspicuous. What if they see me? Go away. I\u2019ll leave when I\u2019m sure nobody\u2019s watching.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Balthazar shook his shell in exasperation and walked back to his trading post, where the captured thieves remained waiting. Not of their own will, of course.<\/p>\n\n\n\n ***<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cAn outrage, I tell you!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cYes, yes, I heard you the first dozen times.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI couldn\u2019t believe it. The gall! The audacity! Right outside our town\u2019s gates!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n A guardsman from the town of Ardville walked down the road from the south gate, accompanied by a lavish merchant who couldn\u2019t seem to shut up, much to the guard\u2019s dismay.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThis just better not be a waste of my time,\u201d the guard said to the merchant. \u201cI skipped on breakfast to come here, and if it turns out it was for nothing, I don\u2019t care if you\u2019re friends with the captain or the mayor, I\u2019ll toss you into the Black Forest and leave you there.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI wouldn\u2019t dare waste the time of our esteemed guards if my information wasn\u2019t fully reliable,\u201d Antoine said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Reaching the entrance to the pond, the two men found Balthazar already waiting for them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cGood morning, gentlemen,\u201d the crab said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cUh\u2026 are you\u2026 Balthazar?\u201d the guard asked, hesitantly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cSure am. And you must be part of the guardsmen of Ardville, judging by your immaculate yellow armor.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI\u2026 yes, I am,\u201d the man said, running a hand down the length of his yellow-dyed leather chest piece, straightening it out before continuing. \u201cI\u2019m sorry, I heard about a talking crab, but now that I came down here, I\u2019m actually still surprised. You really do talk, and quite well, I must admit.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Growing visibly impatient, Antoine stepped forward.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cCan we save on the pleasantries?\u201d the merchant man said. \u201cMay I remind you we are here on official business, of the most important lawful kind?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThat\u2019s right,\u201d the guard said, clearing his throat. \u201cMister Antoine here has informed me that yesterday a piece of precious jewelry was stolen from his store, and that according to his sources, your trading post down here handles the transaction of that and many other stolen goods with well-known criminals.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cIn other words,\u201d Antoine said, his smile twisting his pencil mustache into an even more ridiculous shape, \u201cyou, crab, are dealing with stolen goods, and now the law has come to shut you down.\u201d He turned to the guard again. \u201cI assure you, if you search this\u2026 dump he calls a trading post, you will find the described gold medallion with an emerald. Perhaps hidden somewhere, but he received it from the thieves, I have no doubt.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI can save you the time,\u201d Balthazar said. \u201cCome with me.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n The crab headed down the path to his pond, the two intrigued men In tow. As they entered the larger area preceding the pond\u2019s shore, a large platform floor made of crude wooden boards extended in front of them, a large portion of it occupied by a variety of crates, shelves, and tables, each displaying all sorts of random items one would find at a general trader.<\/p>\n\n\n\n But what really got the attention of the guard and the merchant was the towering golem at the center of it all, watching over two men and a woman sitting on the floor, all tied up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cIs\u2026 is that a real golem?\u201d a perplexed Antoine asked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cAh, yes, that\u2019s my personal guard,\u201d Balthazar answer, in a casual tone. \u201cSay hello, Bouldy.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n The living boulder smiled and waved his hand at the two men.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cAnd what\u2019s the meaning of this?\u201d the confused guard asked, pointing at the three tied up figures in front of them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThese are the three thieves we caught last night, trying to rob my trading post. And I believe this,\u201d Balthazar said while revealing a gold medallion with an emerald from his silver pincer, \u201cis the stolen item you were both looking for. The thief in the middle had it on him. Perhaps they were on a thieving spree, hitting all the general merchants of the area. First Mister Antoine here, then me. Luckily, we got them.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cPreposterous!\u201d the irate merchant exclaimed. \u201cThe crab is clearly trying to play us for fools! He knew we were coming. Somehow, I don\u2019t know how! And he set it all up!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI don\u2019t see why I would do that,\u201d Balthazar calmly said. \u201cIf I was actually fencing stolen goods, and I knew the guardsmen were coming, I would simply get rid of the medallion, and any other stolen goods, and tell the thieves to not be here. Why would I be serving up my own customers and my precious contraband to a guard?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cHe\u2026 he kind of has a point,\u201d the guardsman said, looking slightly baffled.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Stepping up to the trio of thieves, the guard looked at their faces closer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI know these three. We\u2019ve caught them multiple times before, always stealing something. You got anything to say in your defense?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n The leader remained silent, while the muscle of the group showed his disdain for the guard by spitting on the floor, and the woman called the guard a colorful name.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWell,\u201d the guard started, \u201cdidn\u2019t expect to come here and walk away with my job done for me so easily and so quickly, but I\u2019m not complaining.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWhat?!\u201d Antoine blurted out. \u201cYou can\u2019t be serious! You are clearly being tricked by this\u2026 this crab! He\u2019s a menace! He even shelters a wild goblin here!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cYou mean my loyal assistant, Druma?\u201d Balthazar said, signaling with a pincer to the other side of the bridge.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The goblin came trotting across the wooden footpath.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cHe built most of what you see around here,\u201d the crab announced as his assistant stood to his side. \u201cHe\u2019s very hardworking and in no way a threat to anyone. Except maybe thieves. Isn\u2019t that right, Druma?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cYes, yes, boss,\u201d Druma said, bowing his head while holding the wizard hat in place.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI\u2019ll be damned\u2026 first a talking crab, then a real golem, and now a tamed goblin,\u201d the guard said. \u201cThis day just started, and I already got quite the story to tell back at the barracks.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cHow can you believe a word he says?!\u201d Antoine asked, his mustache shaking with anger. \u201cHe\u2019s a crab!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n The guard looked at the golden crab. \u201cSure he is, but he just handed me three thieves on a silver platter and solved our stolen property case. Besides, why shouldn\u2019t I believe his story? It makes sense, and he just strikes me as the trustworthy type.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThis isn\u2019t over, crab,\u201d Antoine threatened, turning to Balthazar. \u201cI will have this stain on our map removed, you\u2019ll see.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cSure. Anyway, I believe this is yours,\u201d Balthazar said with a smile, dropping the medallion in his rival\u2019s hand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n With a loud scoff that revealed more frustration than a sense of superiority, the town merchant started marching out towards the road.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWell, I guess I\u2019ll be going too,\u201d the guardsman said. \u201cThese three are all nice and tied together already, so I\u2019ll be taking them up to town and straight into their cells.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cGlad to be of service,\u201d the crab said, making a salute with his pincer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cHah. The other guardsman in town won\u2019t believe it when I tell them this wild story. You\u2019re going to be quite the tale.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Balthazar accompanied the guard back to the road, the three bound thieves slowly scooting their way behind the man holding their rope.<\/p>\n\n\n\n As they headed up the road, a message appeared in front of the crab\u2019s vision.<\/p>\n\n\n\n [Ardville Guards Reputation +1]<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201c<\/strong>Well, well. I\u2019m sure that will prove useful at some point.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201c4498\u2026 4499\u2026 4500.\u201d Balthazar finished counting the coins in his iron chest behind his sleeping pillow, feeling both satisfaction and concern. He loved counting his money and seeing its number grow larger and larger every day, but by his estimations, that chest would be full once it reached 5000 gold coins, and that was a […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-4118","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-tak-berkategori"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/novel.mdtaal-aminii.my.id\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4118","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/novel.mdtaal-aminii.my.id\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/novel.mdtaal-aminii.my.id\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/novel.mdtaal-aminii.my.id\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/novel.mdtaal-aminii.my.id\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=4118"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/novel.mdtaal-aminii.my.id\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4118\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":4119,"href":"https:\/\/novel.mdtaal-aminii.my.id\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4118\/revisions\/4119"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/novel.mdtaal-aminii.my.id\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=4118"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/novel.mdtaal-aminii.my.id\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=4118"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/novel.mdtaal-aminii.my.id\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=4118"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}![\"\"\/](\"chrome-distiller:\/\/c3f83ee1-df63-47c0-ad53-0102e982d4d2_dad4ec80014fe78878f979bd5a9272119ef32075586402b4f801debb81832f9e\/dom_distiller_material_spinner.svg\")
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