The Achievement Junkie

"And how can the Leisure Guild make such a claim. Tell me."

"Trust me, we retrieved more than just wealth from the storehouse dungeon, Gwendon. Also, even if you kill me, you'd be the cause of Estonya burning to the ground," stated Jack. "Want me to prove it?"

When Gwendon nodded, Jack walked toward the locked door. "Then it would be best to show you outside. Unless you'd like your house reduced to ash or for the Ancient Life Tree to catch fire."

Immediately standing up, Gwendon approached the door and unlocked it with his magic. "Should you attempt anything to harm my people or our homes, I won't hesitate to kill you, Jack."

"Gwendon, I would never. I truly admire the natural beauty of Estonya," replied Jack. "It would be a waste to destroy such a place. Also, I still need to visit Lyrun, and it would be hard to explain why such destruction happened while he was absent."

Jack and the party walked through the door, letting Gwendon lock the door behind them. They walked a little until they were in the center of the clearing between the elven homes and the Ancient Life Tree.

"Here should work." Jack nodded and looked to Gwendon. "Make sure no elves come to close, otherwise, don't say I didn't warn you."

Nodding, Gwendon waved his arm and created a giant barrier of green energy to keep anyone from getting too close.

"Good, then I'll show you something really cool," chuckled Jack. "Eliza, Daliea, Phoro, back away please."

When the coast was clear, Jack looked to Bowzer. 'Let's show them our full strength. Grow as big as you want, let loose!"

Faster than they could blink, Jack's party and Gwendon felt a flood of heat overtake them. They were in shock at the sudden transformations happening before them.

The fox had grown to legendary proportions, identical to the old tales of woe surrounding the Hell-flame Foxes. But Jack's transformation was just as intimidating! He was now five meters tall, which didn't compare to the Hell-flame Fox but was paired with the flaming wings and terrifying draconic eyes.

"See what I mean?" Jack laughed as he flew circles around the Hell-flame Fox, so fast that Gwendon couldn't believe a man had such speed.

"I see… That's enough, please."

As Gwendon admitted Jack was correct, both the hero and the fox reverted to their usual forms with pride in their eyes. Jack then walked up to Gwendon and threw his arm around the elven chief. "So, will agree to negotiate with the Leisure Guild for trading exclusivity or not?"

"Jack… I can negotiate trade but it won't be decided overnight and exclusivity is out of the--"

"It's either exclusivity or no trade," stated Jack. "You don't have to agree now, I just want to know if you're willing to negotiate or not. If not, then I'll go elsewhere with my offer."

Sighing loudly, Jack released the chief and approached his party members. "Let's go see Lyrun."

"Jack, it's not so easy to--"

"Calm down, Gwendon. If I wanted to harm Estonya, don't you think I would've done it by now?" reasoned the hero. "I'm just going to take the path through the center of Ancient Life Tree. Won't that be fine?"

"That path was destroyed long ago. Only the chiefs can--"

"Then we'll take the path through your house," Jack continued. "Is that okay with you or not?"

"I can't let you do that either, Jack. At least allow me to visit Lyrun first and verify that you'll be allowed in," stated Gwendon, trying to reach a compromise.

Jack squinted as he looked back to his map, still a bit puzzled about what was going on.

"Fine, then I guess we'll take out leave. Since you're not interested in exclusivity and don't wish for us to meet Lyrun, so be it. At least let us visit the Prehistoric Forest before we leave. And I can find my way, so there's no need for an escort, okay?"

Gwendon made a strange face before he nodded. "Fine, then you can visit the Prehistoric Forest before you exit Korten. Should you wish to negotiate again, please use the proper methods of communication next time so we can prepare for your arrival and negotiate properly."

"Sure thing, Gwendon." Jack waved to the elven chief as he and the party walked away with their backs to him. "Thanks for the chat!"

The elven chief sighed heavily as he watched the small party walking away in laughter and giggles. Their nonchalant demeanor about the whole interaction said a lot to Gwendon about how confident Jack was and made him all the more curious about the man.

Though they were on their way out of Estonya, the party still got plenty of stares, even more than before. Then again, Jack and Bowzer did put on quite a show which was quickly shared through word of mouth throughout the city.

'Jack, what transformation was that?' Eliza asked telepathically, keeping the party's conversation between themselves.

'It's my new upgraded ability. I can now activate up to two bloodline abilities at once,' Jack answered proudly. 'What you saw was Bowzer's bloodline mixed with Phoro's bloodline. It's probably my best transformation in terms of attack power.'

'Wait… do you have other transformations?'

'There's one more beast that became my companion named Dragov, letting me have three bloodlines to choose from or three hybrid transformations between them,' explained Jack. 'That other beast is crazy strong, but his defenses are off the charts. The best all-around transformation would be mixing Bowzer's and Dragov's bloodlines and the most defensive would be mixing Phoro's and Dragov's bloodlines.'

'So, not only did you grow in level but in ability also? Jack, you're overpowered now," Eliza teased her husband with a smile.

Jack chuckled, 'I wasn't before that?'

Bowzer walked with his head held high. A lot of the watching eyes were on him as the elves feared such a legendary beast. It was very different for Phoro, who was quickly ignored beside Jack and Bowzer, but he didn't care either.

'Daliea,' Jack called out to the shorter woman, catching her a bit by surprise. 'What's wrong? You can tell us.'

'Jack… I'm sorry for ruining your negotiations.'

'Nonsense!' Jack didn't let Daliea say another word of blame. 'That's their fault for having issues with your race, not yours. Either way, we'll still be meeting with Lyrun and Eedaj, so don't sweat it.'

'How's that?' asked the girl who formerly thought herself a goblin.

With a smile, Jack replied for the entire party to hear, 'Because Lyrun has been at the Prehistoric Forest since before we arrived in Korten. I'm not sure why, but he's been waiting just outside it without moving at all.'

'Great, then I'll still get to pledge to him!' shouted Eliza, glad to not be the only party member without a blessing.

As the party eventually reached the city gate, it was opened for them without a word and closed behind them as well. Then, the party changed course and began their trek north.

Not far behind them, a few elves kept watch from the treetops. The lead guard was the same that Jack had angered earlier, but he was feeling much better after hearing that Jack's meeting with Gwendon didn't go well and he was ordered to keep an eye on them as they visited the Illusory Woods.

However, that job got a lot harder as Jack stored Bowzer and mounted Phoro along with the women.

In a single flap of Phoro's great wings, the party rocketed toward their destination far faster than the elves could keep up. A couple of moments later, the party was out of sight and Tarmurn's spies were left behind, red in the face with anger.