Chapter 105: How much more likely is marginally more likely?
There was finally peace and calm again.
Blorbo didn't remember how long it had been since the last time his feet were actually on a solid surface, free from Lena's frantic sprints or the dizzying lurches of giant candy beasts. He realized he was now resting on something smooth and cool, with a faint, minty aroma.
After the chaos of the Gummy Bear Kingdom's fall, Lena and her family, along with the now-triumphant Candy Dragon Queen, had quickly moved. The next thing Blorbo knew, the pervasive, sickly-sweet twilight of the battlefield had given way to an inviting, soft glow.
They now stood within the very heart of the Sweetmeat Spire, the Candy Dragon Queen's majestic castle, located deep within her own domain. They were in what appeared to be a grand receiving hall, though it was unlike any hall Blorbo had ever perceived. The floor beneath him was polished peppermint bark, cool and smooth, swirling with vibrant red and white stripes. Pillars of translucent rock candy, embedded with shimmering edible glitter, soared towards a ceiling that sparkled like a million crushed jewels, probably ground-up lollipops.
The walls were not stone, but intricately molded dark chocolate, adorned with bas-reliefs depicting scenes of candy dragons frolicking among gumdrop trees and caramel rivers. Every alcove held a display of meticulously crafted sugar sculptures: delicate spun-sugar fairies, fierce gingerbread knights, and serene marzipan landscapes.
The great hall buzzed with cheerful chatter. Long, curving tables made of gleaming white chocolate were laden with platters overflowing with every imaginable confection: towering spun-sugar cakes, glimmering fruit jellies, miniature marzipan pastries, and bubbling fountains of various flavored fondants.
Around the tables sat Lena and her family, along with a multitude of Dragonkin. Blorbo quickly noticed that many of these Dragonkin were larger, more imposing figures with deeper, richer scale tones, clearly high-level warriors or nobility. These were undoubtedly the gummy bear dragons that Ducaz rode on earlier, who had turned to their smaller, humanoid dragonkin forms to fit within the opulent hall.
I didn't know they can do that, Blorbo thought.
They preened, accepted congratulations from their queen, and eagerly sampled the sugary delights.
Blorbo found himself situated right behind Ducaz, who was currently eyeing a plate of marshmallow-filled éclairs with a look of profound distaste. "When are we going back?" Ducaz grumbled stealthily, but somehow Blorbo had enough PER to catch what he said. "I'm already sick of candy and cookies. Too much gelatin doesn't bode well with my stomach."
Next to him, Griesa just shoved a piece of glistening, cherry-flavored hard candy into her mouth, chewing loudly. "Mmph! Maybe next year!" Then she shoved another piece of candy into her mouth and presented a third one to Marin. "Do you want one, Ser?"
Blorbo internally sighed. There was, as far as he could tell, absolutely nothing else to eat but sweets in the entire Candy Realm. Luckily, he was a table. And tables didn't consume food. Except for that one cabbage.
Now that the calm had returned, he had time to examine his upgraded skill.
Let me see how exactly is Skill Appraisal of the Thousand Realms Level 2 different from Level 1.
[Skill Appraisal of the Thousand Realms—Level 2]
[Description: You are marginally more likely to detect Basic and Beginner level spells and their levels (if their levels are not too high). You are less than marginally more likely to detect Rare and Epic level spells and their levels (if their levels are not too high).]
This description is extra USELESS! How much more likely is marginally more likely? Give me concrete numbers!
Just then, the Candy Dragon Queen strode into the center of the hall, having also taken on her Dragonkin form. She was majestic: her scaled form glistened with fresh polish, and her licorice crown sat perfectly atop her head. She raised a delicate glass, seemingly carved from solid rock candy. Inside the glass was… gelatin.
"My loyal Dragonkin! My esteemed human allies!" the Queen's voice resonated, rich and clear. "Today marks a glorious triumph! The Gummy Bear Marchlands are secured! The tyranny of squishy oppression has been dissolved, much like their King! To our victory, to the sweetness of conquest, and to the unwavering might of the Sweetmeat Spire!" She took a long, elegant sip of her gelatinous 'wine'.
Enough of this pompous talk. So boring. Even I want to go back now.
Hold on! I haven't received my reward for the Invasion Quest yet! Eight thousand EXP! EIGHT THOUSAND! Where is it?!
The Queen's gaze swept over the assembled multitude, pausing briefly on Lena and her family. "However," she continued, her voice dropping slightly, "our glorious crusade is not yet complete! There remains the final stronghold, the Marshmallow Citadel, deep within the conquered territories. Its defenses are... fluffy, but formidable. We shall rest, feast, and then, with renewed vigor, we shall surely…"
If you stumble upon this tale on Amazon, it's taken without the author's consent. Report it.
Suddenly, a system notification exploded in Blorbo's perception.
[QUEST RECEIVED: Beware of Chicken!]
Objective: Survive the chicken.
Reward: + 15 HP, + 1 STR
Failure: Immediate Fowl Play
Prerequisite: None
Accept: YES/NO
CHICKEN?! Blorbo shrieked internally, his non-existent blood pressure spiking. Why would there be a CHICKEN in a CANDY REALM?! This is ridiculous! What kind of logic is this?!
A furious squawk ripped through the festive air of the grand hall. A blur of ruffled white and brown feathers, sharp talons, and a surprisingly vicious beak descended from an unseen opening in the ceiling.
Blorbo didn't just ask why there would be a chicken. There was an ACTUAL chicken, by the flesh and feathers, suddenly flying directly into the celebratory hall! It let out a piercing, aggressive clucking sound as it dive-bombed a running Dragonkin soldier, who shrieked in pain. The chicken landed on the soldier's head with a furious flurry of wings, its tiny, beady eyes fixed on the dragonkin's ear.
"Chicken!" Lena stood.
The Queen stood the moment she stood. "Chicken! Our worst enemy!"
What? You're a DRAGON! Do something!
Name | Blorbo |
Race | Animated Furniture (Table) |
Server | Candy Realm |
Class | None |
Level | 4 |
EXP | 772/15000 |
HP | 78/78 |
MP | 5/5 |
CP | 26 |
STR | 28 |
END | 40 |
AGI | 49 |
PER | 39 |
Spells | Sawdust Puff (Level 1) |
Skills |
Appraisal (Level 1) Adjustable Angle (Level 2) Opportunity Sense (Level 1) Surface Agitation (Level 1) Synchronized Sitting (Level 2) Forked Tongue (Level 2) Surface Wobble (Level 2) Massive Leap Under Duress (Conditional) Retribution Counter (Level 1) Flow Step (Level 1) Consume (Level 1) Poison Taste Tester (Level 1) Skill Appraisal of the Thousand Realm (Level 2) Precise Pounce (Level 1) Verbal Nudge (Level 1) (Spam Tree) Carriage Boost (Level 1) [Locked (Support Tree)]
|
Aura |
Useless Gloved Fool (Permanent) "Sacred" Presence (Level 1) |
Inventory |
A Pair of Wooden-Colored Socks |
Ongoing Quests |
The Perfect Scam (1) The Path to Influence (2) Trial of Ascension The Rogue's Ledger Invade the Gummy Bear Kingdom Beware of Chicken |