He Who Fights with Monsters, #1
He Who Fights with Monsters
by Shirtaloon
Contents
35. Greenstone
Overview
Jason arrives in Greenstone with Jory, learning the city’s Old City/Island divide and the strain of delayed monster surges. Meanwhile, Rufus, Farrah, and Gary wait for Jason to register. Outside Jory’s clinic, Healer acolytes brand it heretical; Jason confronts them and is beaten unconscious, escalating conflict with the church.
Summary
In Greenstone, Rufus and Farrah wait with Gary in a seaside suite, checking daily if Jason has registered with the Adventure Society. After a week with no sign, Rufus counsels patience, assuming Jason is acclimating to the city.
On the road, Jason rides with Jory, an iron-rank alchemist who prioritizes affordable medicines over prestige. Jory explains Greenstone’s structure: Old City as the working hub and the wealthy Island across the harbour. They discuss Jason’s unusual origin, his abrupt arrival by magical accident, and the aura-sense of essence users.
Approaching Greenstone, Jory outlines the cleared fields before the walls and the costly readiness against delayed monster surges. At the gate, guard Hugh greets Jory, noting his mother’s reliance on Jory’s clinic. Jason takes in Old City’s bustling streets and scents.
They reach the Broad Street Clinic to find two Healer acolytes publicly painting “HERETIC” across the door. Jory, weary of harassment, hesitates to escalate. Jason interjects, insults the acolytes, and throws paint, prompting a swift beating when he declines to use powers and avoids escalation to abilities.
As the acolytes depart, Jason taunts them again, asking for directions to a Healer church. One returns and knocks him unconscious with a single blow, leaving Jory’s clinic defaced and the conflict with the Healer church sharply intensified while Jason’s allies remain unaware.
Who Appears
- Jason AsanoArrives in Greenstone with Jory; confronts Healer acolytes defacing a clinic and is beaten unconscious.
- JoryIron-rank alchemist; runs the Broad Street Clinic; champions affordable medicine; escorted Jason into Greenstone.
- Healer acolytesTwo young iron-rank church members; label Jory’s clinic heretical and assault Jason after provocation.
- RufusJason’s mentor-ally; waits in Greenstone, urging patience as Jason fails to register.
- FarrahJason’s ally; concerned about his absence, suggests discreet inquiries.
- GaryCompanion to Rufus and Farrah; reports no sign of Jason registering with the Society.
- HughCity gate guard; knows Jory and plans to bring his mother to the clinic.