I Am A Table [LitRPG Isekai Progression Fantasy]

The Dragon Queen growled, possibly out of boredom.

"Hold tight," she said to Anders as she soared at the Gummy Bear King. Her jaws opened wide, and a scorching, torrent of molten caramel erupted as it launched at the giant bear.

[Skill Identification Failed]

How did you fail that?! That was obviously just a breath. A Dragon Breath! Even I can name it!

[Spells Detected: 1/3]

The Gummy Bear, who Blorbo thought was a statue based on how little it moved, suddenly raised a hand. That hand quickly reshaped into a massive, transparent barrier of hardened gelatin, and the molten caramel splattered against the gelatin shield with a sizzlin crackle.

[Skill Identified: Gelatinous Ward - Epic-level Skill - Level ???]

Yes. Gimme that. One step closer to quest completion.

[Spells Detected: 1/3]

What? Why didn't you count that? This is blatant rigging.

He replayed the memory: Anders's bare hand conjuring the shimmering barrier and the incoming crimson ribbon were spells alright, because he'd conjured the barrier from something else. The Gummy Bear King only reshaped his hand.

A Skill is not a Spell.

[+ 0 PER for Logical Thinking]

Why?

[System Message: This distinction has been available for analysis since the introduction of 'Skills' vs. 'Spells' in your current operational build. Recognition of this fundamental categorization, while logical, is past the point of initial cognitive reward. Please endeavor to process core mechanics with greater alacrity.]

Okay. But you didn't reward me for observations made before today either.

While Blorbo was still busy reading the message, the Candy Dragon Queen soared and swooped, repeatedly blasting the Gummy Bear King with her molten caramel breath, trying to find a weak point in its shimmering gelatinous ward. The King, in turn, stomped and swiped with its colossal gummy fists, sending shockwaves of sticky energy rippling through the air, forcing the Queen to dodge and weave with surprising agility for a creature of her size.

Anders and Master Sensei continued their arcane duel. Anders, now engaged in the larger conflict, still fired precise Arcane Missiles and manipulated wind barriers with fluid movements. Whenever the Dragon Queen leaned, Anders leaned at the same angle. Master Sensei, having regained some composure, unleashed barrages of licorice shuriken and other dark, unidentifiable spells, each one infused with desperate power.

"How are they able to fight while balancing atop two moving giants?!" Lena asked.

"The better question is, why are we just standing here watching like side characters in a book?" Ducaz added. "I say we hit the shop up the hill. They sell great gingerbread."

Why would there be a pastry shop here? Wouldn't that be cannibalism?

"We can't just stand here," Rob stated, gripping his sword. "Even if they're evenly matched, this war isn't going to win itself. There must be another way into that fortress."

As much as I'd like to finish the invasion quest, I don't think there's much we can do…

"How about we not be a part of the battle," Ducaz said. "Don't you want gingerbread?"

"My father-in-law is up there and we don't want him getting into more trouble," Rob replied.

Yes, Rob. Must be nice giving the honest, majestic, beautiful dragons a hand protecting their homeland… EXCEPT THIS IS AN INVASION, ROBBIE. WE'RE INVADING THE GUMMY BEARS. DRAGONS ARE EVIL.

"It's not our job. Even their dragonkin soldiers aren't advancing, then why should we?" Ducaz said. "It's the old man's fault for being up there."

[QUEST RECEIVED: The Deepest Secret (1)]

Objective: Captures Master Sensei

Reward: The first clue about the Secret Artifact Stealing from Respectable Magi project

Failure: - 5 all stats

Prerequisite: None

Accept: YES/NO

What? Why do I need to know about that dumb project? This is extortion. This system clearly is seeing me thrive and just wants to ruin my progress.

Master Sensei swung his wand in a circle and conjured a wave of shadowy, cutting licorice. "Behold. My ultimate spell that doesn't take that much time to charge!" He conjured a huge wave of shadowy, cutting licorice the size of a big wave.

[Skill Identified: Shadow Wave of Licorice Oblivion - Rare-level Spell - Level ???]

Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.

Cool spell, but why did he learn licorice-based spells…

[Spells Detected: 2/3]

Anders didn't meet it head-on. Instead, his wand traced rapid, intricate patterns, and the air around the licorice twisted, causing it to shred itself as it attempted to pass through his conjured turbulence.

"I-impossible…" Master Sensei widened his eyes in shock.

The Candy Dragon Queen coiled her massive body, then unleashed a concentrated blast of sugar crystal. This one was compressed to diamond-like hardness, directly at a specific point on the Gummy Bear King's gelatinous ward.

CRACK!

A hairline fracture appeared on the seemingly impregnable shield. The shield didn't shatter, but the constant pressure and now the pinpoint attack were taking their toll. Anders, seeing the crack, immediately diverted a portion of his wind magic to widen the fissure. His magic created a shimmering green wedge against the purple gelatin.

Master Sensei, atop the Gummy Bear King's head, visibly staggered. "Heh, not bad. You're forcing my hands. I will conjure the most powerful spell in existence!" The air around him buzzed with volatile energy that coalesced into a monstrous licorice energy fireball. It swelled rapidly, growing bigger and darker by the second, its surface rippling like molten shadow, threatening to engulf everything in its path. "Consider yourself fortunate! As you are one of the few lucky ones to get a chance to behold this powerful technique. This is a top secret spell that's been passed down for generations, able to pierce through mountains and smash the head of giant gummy bears in—"

Anders shot out a tiny spell.

[Skill Identified: Lesser Disorienting Arcane Missile - Beginner-level Spell - Level ???]

The spell hit the Gummy Bear King's head, and it staggered backward from the unexpected attack. Master Sensei, caught off balance, accidentally directed his energy licorice ball onto… the King's head instead.

So stupid! Are all Master Mages that stupid or did this guy become stupid only because he's an enemy?

[Spells Detected: 3/3]

Quest Completed: Spell Detection (1)

Reward: + 240 Proficiency for Skill Appraisal of the Thousand Realms; +3 PER

[Congratulations: Skill Appraisal of the Thousand Realms has reached Level 2]

2 PER returned.

A veteran Dragonkin warrior let out a piercing battle cry that cut through the chaos. "The King falters! Forward, kin! For the Queen! Seize the fortress!"

But there was no fortress left to seize.

The Gummy Bear King fell backward, and Sensei fell with him. As he was too big, the moment he fell on the fortress, the entire structure collapsed.