Chapter 113: Cursed Item!

[You gained 100% energy of Thornback Beetle – Poison Variant (Level 29)]

Eren checked his main system panel and even after getting full exp from a Level 29 creature, his level-up bar hadn’t budged at all.

Seriously? The grind is getting real now.

He went out for a night stroll and maybe a bit of hunting.

Eren wanted to clear out any Orc camps or stray monsters lingering near the village. He had left Emily and his other two elven consubines sleeping in the bedroom, taking only Oldir, Toris, Rabbu-i and Kelion. Thadric couldn’t sneak out as easily these days since his responsibilities in the village were skyrocketing.

Eren leaned against a tree and watched the trio try to take down a single beetle. He didn’t offer to help. All three of them were still under Level 30, mostly in their early twenties like Level 20 or 21. More importantly, they were village elves who had grown up fearing these beetles.

At one point, Toris slipped slightly on the wet ground and caught herself with a quick step while Kelion panicked and swung too early, the weapon cutting nothing but air.

Rabbu-i didn’t even attack for a second, she just stood there with her hands on her hips, staring at the beetle like it had personally offended her existence.

“Why is it still alive?” she muttered, stepping back as the beetle snapped its mandibles again and spat another line of poison toward them.

Honestly this was a stupid question. They didn’t deal enough damage or harm the monster to kill it.

Eren scratched his chin and watched them circle the thing, the distance they kept growing and shrinking in messy, nervous patterns.

They weren’t bad but they weren’t calm either.

And that hesitation was the real problem. Thadric dashed in again, lowering her stance this time and angling her movement to avoid the spit.

“Go for the joints!” she shouted, teeth clenched as she darted to the side.

Oh..that’s actually smart but they are coming up this ideas a little bit too slow..

Eren raised an eyebrow slightly, a small grin forming as he leaned more comfortably against the tree.

Alright… maybe not completely useless.

But after another half-minute of poking, retreating and almost getting clipped, he exhaled through his nose.

Yeah, they are rushing too much.

That was almost enough for tonight.

“Watch the mandibles!” Rabbu-i hissed, darting to the left.

“We are trying! It keeps spitting! Do it yourself if it is so easy!!” Oldir and Thadric shouted back, waving his shield around.

Their reactions and the way they talked made it clear this wasn’t their first time seeing a Thornback.

Unlike the Thornback Bears, which didn’t have poison variants, these beetles lived in the swamps to the east of the village. They preferred flooded areas full of streams and rivers. Everyone knew there were caves under the water where the insects tunneled in and out, but these beetles and the other poisonous creatures were just the tip of the iceberg.

Eren moved through the moonlight, picking up new skill levels while clearing every threat within kilometers of the village. The rookies were getting calmer and more experienced, so he often sprinted ahead to test his growth. He noticed his basic Running skill was evolving into something much smoother.

Sometimes he spotted beautiful glowing flowers or smooth stones and tossed them into his short pockets.

Emily might like these… or maybe I can trade them.

He came across a lone beetle and crushed it with a single, empowered strike. As the creature dissolved, a flash of light erupted from the remains.

Wait, a drop?

The last time Eren had seen an item drop outside of a dungeon, he was Level 2 and it had come from a slime. Emily had told him back then how incredibly lucky he was, but he’d thought she was just exaggerating.

Since then, he had probably killed a thousand creatures and monsters without seeing a single item. He’d seen Toris get that weird string weapon and Oldir find a bronze coin that looked like money, but he hadn’t gotten a second drop until now.

Does Evon give everyone a massive boost for their first few items and then just turn off the tap?

He picked up the item and examined it. It was a strange device with a handle and a thick, round piece of glass at the end. It looked like a magnifying glass or one of those fancy spectacles.

He remembered seeing things like this in old aristocracy movies back on Earth. He was sure people used them centuries ago, but seeing it here was a shock.

He used his system advantage to identify it.

[Folding Lorgnette (Cursed): Makes the user’s both or selected eye blind. Using the item again on the same eye fixes the blindness]

[WARNING: Curse of the object makes the unblinding option to not work if he isn’t Level 50 or higher]

What kind of troll item is this?

He didn’t even risk bringing the thing near his face for a joke. He wrapped it in a piece of cloth and tucked it safely into his pocket.

That’s enough for tonight.

He walked back toward the trio. They were still struggling with the same flying, tanky, poisonous beetle. They were mostly just poking it with spears and running away whenever it got close.

Eren stepped in, rolling his shoulder. “Move aside boys and girl…”

“Haha. Yeah we are little boys..” Toris snapped with a newfound familiarity and close relation they had. Eren smiled and didn’t made of them.

Three weeks ago, this thing would’ve killed him too. Maybe saying silly things was okay but he knew how to not be smug or overly proud just because he had a special condition. This group didn’t have his special boost or anything to protect them but still were here and helping the village defense.

They deserved respect.

Eren punched through the beetle’s shell like it was wet cardboard. Then wiped his hand on the grass and said with a grin. “I think this was enough hunting right. Let’s go back.

We are done for the night.”

..

Before heading back to his house, Eren stopped to chat with the elves working the night watch. Ever since the first village meeting, almost everyone with any physical strength took turns guarding the village at night. It was supposed to let Eren and Emily rest.

He was hoping this would give the elves a sense of duty and a warrior’s instinct, but these people were just way too relaxed.

“How’s the perimeter, Oldir?” Eren asked, leaning against the wooden barricade.

The older elf blew a cloud of smoke into the night air. “Quiet as a grave, boy…. The forest smells safe tonight.” He said that “boy” relatively heavy. He was also pissed for his earlier mockery.

Eren watched the mixed group of male and female elves. Some were leaning against the wall, others were sitting in a circle laughing softly.

Sometimes I swear they’ve all been hypnotized or they’re just high on something.

He often imagined them as 70s hippies wandering around the forest. But the reality was simpler. Elves were just a race that was more in tune with nature, colors, and sounds. They didn’t feel the same frantic stress that humans did.

Now that he was a half-elf, he understood their lack of clothing and their casual attitudes better. The air felt different on his skin now.

Oldir pulled out a small pouch and started rolling another herbal cigarette. He handed one to Eren.

“Thanks.” Eren took it.

He lit the cigarette and took a long drag. It didn’t taste like the tobacco back in Istanbul. It was minty with a hint of burning pine, and it left a warm, buzzing sensation in his chest.

They sat there under the two moons, the leader of the village and his casual guards. They talked about nothing important – mostly jokes about the food Selena was planning for tomorrow and which of the younger elves was currently pining after whom.

It wasn’t a long talk, but it was enough to make Eren feel a strange sense of belonging.

I might be the only one actually worried about the dragon, but at least the company is good.

He finished the cigarette, stubbed it out on the stone, and waved goodbye to the group.

“Don’t fall asleep on the job!” he joked over his shoulder.

“Only if the trees start snoring first!” Rabbu-i shouted back with a wink.

Eren chuckled and headed home. The night was cold, but for the first time in a long time, his mind felt as clear as the sky above Aradne.

Which probably meant something was about to go very wrong.

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