Jack continued his journey up the mountain. All the while exterminating any monsters on the way. His pet, Therras, was by his side to share the exp. He didn't actively search for monsters to grind, though. He was here for a different reason.
He met the third type of monster which was also a draconic monster. It was called Spiked Wyrm. These wyrms were mostly special elite. Their elongated backs were covered by spikes that could be discharged. When they did, the spikes were shot all at once, hitting everything in the vicinity. Peniel informed that if one was hit, there was a chance to be afflicted by Bleed and Weakness status effects.
Jack activated Gold Scale Armor the first time the wyrm did the move. The second time, Jack had learned that the spikes had a telltale sign of vibrating before they were shot. So, he made himself scarce before the spikes were shot.
These wyrms could also burrow like the poisonous wyrmlings Jack fought in the Jagara region. Therras used its Overbearing Stomp to force the burrowing wyrm out, but it was not effective as it did with the poisonous wyrmlings. So, they ended up having to wait until the wyrm came out by itself. It's a good thing they only burrowed for a short time, and it's also a good thing Jack had mana sense and Godeye's radar so he could detect the wyrm's position at all times. Otherwise, the only cue of when the wyrm was coming out would be the short trembling of the ground before it came out, and it always came out with the attempt to bite its target.
Dealing with the monsters was not a problem for Jack since their highest grades were only special elites and their highest level was 50. After traversing the mountain for a few hours, he came by a small pathway with a small stream by its side.
Since the pathway was going up the mountain, Jack walked following that pathway.
Not long after, he heard some weird sounds. As he approached, it sounded like the voice of someone whimpering. His radar also showed a white dot in that direction.
'A lone NPC on this mountain?' Jack wondered.
He approached the white dot carefully. The voice sounded like whoever was making the sound needed help, but it was better to approach with caution.
When the native came into view, Jack saw that it was a draconian elder with a small body. It was weird since most draconian he had seen had statures larger than the average human. This one had a size closer to the dwarf race. Jack knew the draconian was an elder because of his white hair and beard. The draconian was lying on the ground next to the stream while still whimpering.
The draconian seemed to notice Jack's presence. He immediately called out. "You! You over there! Eh? You are a human outworlder? Anyway, come here and give this poor old draconian a hand, will you?"
Jack used Inspect on the old draconian.
*
Darmos (basic draconian), level 10
HP: 900
*
'What the… How does he survive here?' Jack exclaimed in his mind.
"Lad! What are you doing just standing there for? Hurry up and come here!" Darmos bellowed.
Jack approached, with puzzlement still filling his thoughts. "What's the problem?" Jack asked.
"I sprain my foot ankle," Darmos informed. "I can't walk. Give this old draconian a hand, will you?"
"Um… I have a healing potion, it probably can help?" Jack said.
"Hmph! Do you think I am an outworlder like you?"
"Then, how do you want me to help?"
"Give me a lift home, of course! I can rest and heal there."
"Home? Where is your home?" Jack asked. At the same time, he received a notification for a quest, called Carry Darmos back to his home. It was an S-grade quest. It provided exp and coins upon completion and there was also an additional reward: Earning Darmos' favor. Jack was surprised why a simple task of bringing someone home was considered S-difficulty.
"Up there," Darmos answered Jack's question while pointing to the summit of the mountain.
"You are living on this mountain?" Jack asked with fascination.
"Why? You have a problem with an old draconian living by himself on a mountain?"
'No, I'm just wondering how you survive all the monsters here,' Jack thought. He didn't sense anything weird from this old draconian. He wondered if this old draconian was in disguise.
He sent his thought to Peniel, 'Do you have a way to reveal someone in disguise?'
'Yes, the Dispel spell. Didn't you know this already?'
'I don't have that spell yet. Any other way?'
'Not with anything you have on you," Peniel replied. 'You think this draconian is in disguise? So, are you going to leave him?'
'I think should be ok. His request comes with a quest. Should be legitimate,' Jack answered.
Darmos was getting impatient since Jack was silent for a while. "Lad, what are you thinking so long for? Are you those impolite new-age kids who have no respect for old folks?"
"The heck, how does a native such as you to even have the concept of new age kids? Anyway, how do you want me to carry you?"
"On your back of course. Do you expect me to be carried in your arms like some damsels in distress? Now, squat down and let me climb your back!" Darmos demanded.
"You are rather bossy for someone who needs help, aren't you?" Jack said.
"And you are very chatty for someone who is supposed to just help without asking any question. Aren't outworlders supposed to be obsessed with completing quests? Now, are you going to squat down or not?"
"Fine, fine. Here," Jack squatted down and turned his back to him. If this native wanted to do something to him, this would be the best time. Jack was ready just in case he sensed something. He had also sent a silent message to Peniel to be ready with her spell just in case.
Darmos started climbing Jack's back. "Can't you lower your back down a bit more?" He complained.
"Can't you be a bit more courteous about it?" Jack returned, but he still lowered himself further.
Darmos finally got into position on Jack's back. His arms slung over Jack's shoulder.
"Are you ready?" Jack asked.
"Giddy-up, horsey," Darmos replied.
"F*ck! Don't make me throw you off, old man!" Jack warned. In his mind, he wondered what the heck kind of NPC is this? He didn't think that Wilted's team would've put such a snappy personality code into a nobody NPC. Even if the natives here evolved into their own personalities after receiving the real world's energy, their personalities would still mostly base on their original codes.
Additionally, this native was all alone in this monster-infested mountain. He was sure there was more to it than was seen.
He stood up with Darmos piggybacking behind him. "Goodness, you are heavy for your size!" Jack exclaimed.
"I'm also surprised you can carry me, outworlder. Your strength must be exceptional," Darmos said.
"You are surprised? And you still ask me to carry you? Are you playing with me?" Jack asked.
"Do you want the quest reward or not?" Darmos replied.
"Fine, fine," Jack said and started walking. He was heading up there anyway so he just considered he picked up a straggler along the way.
Also, he was curious about this native. This old draconian could even have something to do with what he came here for. If this old coot lived up there at the summit, he was sure to know the being Jack came here to look for.
Darmos talked again from behind Jack, "Never seen a human outworlder before. Almost never seen any human here for that matter. Do you come all this way from Themisphere?"
"Not exactly all this way, we started our journey from Mount Audacias," Jack answered truthfully.
"Those fanatic's abode? What are you doing there?" Darmos asked.
"I joined the outworlder world tournament that the council organized," Jack replied.
"Oh... No wonder you are strong," Darmos said.
"Of course! I am even the champion."
"You are?"
"I am."
"Now, that's impressive."
"You seem to know a lot for a weak old draconian living in the middle of nowhere," Peniel said.
"High fairy. I was wondering when you will chime in," Darmos said. "I am, of course, not just any weak old draconian. I am one special weak old draconian."
"I can't find that to be any more impressive than the former," Jack commented.
"Hmph! Now, tell me. Why do you come this way? The tournament just ended a week ago, right?" Darmos asked. "Even with a very fast steed, it still means you come straight here once the tournament ended. That means you have a clear purpose for coming here."
"We do," Jack replied.
"You don't want to tell me?"
"You seem to know a lot. Can't you hazard a guess?" Jack asked
"Sure. You want to meet with Broidrireg, the divine dragon that nested at the summit above, don't you?"
