ã€ŠSlatepocalypse: Unlocked Arcanumã€‹


 Prologue

    Deep in the vehicle graveyard that was I-95 in New Jersey, a man in a tattered tuxedo gasps for air as he runs between long dead vehicles. He rests his back against a sedan with four flat tires. Shortly thereafter he hears the squeals of his pursuers. He wipes his right hand over his bald head, slick with perspiration. Then places the now sweat covered hand onto the door of the car. The squeals are getting closer now. The heat is sweltering this far south, and it must be going into late July.

    Calendars have become meaningless since every day is now a fight for survival. No more three or five pm shows for him on the small stage at the Borgata. He now runs for his life every day for a chance at something to eat. Even clean water is hard to come by in a world that carried bottles of it everywhere just a few short months ago. One of his pursuers scrambled atop a car forty feet away. It was short haired and resembled a rat, only it was the size of a great Dane. Its legs were heavily muscled. The teeth on display were no longer for herbivores. They were jagged and misshapen. Something must have gone wrong during the mana mutation that created this beast. His rest was over. Getting to his feet quickly, he broke into a sprint. A new high pitched keening came from behind him. The sounds of half a dozen of those rat things started skittering across the top of the vehicles and along the asphalt.

    He ran between two tractor trailers. One used to belong to the biggest online marketplace in the world before the internet stopped working. The other was a generic shipping crate container being hauled across country. At least that¡¯s what he imagined. While absently thinking about the containers¡¯ origins a box truck slid in front of him blocking off his exit. He almost slammed into it at full speed as the first of the fiends scrabbled around the front of the trucks passing right by their cabs. The wheels on these trucks were also flat and lower to the ground than average. He remembered driving passed these kind of trucks on his daily commutes to the casino. The beast slowed its pace realizing its prey had stopped running. It growled into the air as a few more arrived around it at the end of this makeshift canyon.

    ¡°CJ! Give me your damn hand,¡± hollered another man atop the box truck.

    He was reaching down with one hand and CJ jumped up to grab it. The problem was CJ¡¯s patent leather shoes had no grip on the side of the box truck which read, Snap on Tools. The first of the beasts realized he was about to lose his meal and ran forward no longer wanting to approach slowly. As it lunged for CJ¡¯s leg a shotgun blast echoed through the boxcar canyon from above. The creatures¡¯ head blew apart in gory display of bone and flesh. The back of CJ¡¯s jacket was covered in gore.

    ¡°Pull harder, damn it!¡± cried CJ to the person above him.

    ¡°Close the trap! We¡¯ll make do with six today,¡± called another man on top of the amazon vehicle.

    He held the smoking barrel of a sawed off shot gun. Standing a little over six feet and wide of shoulder. The man had raven dark hair and the beginnings of an epic beard and pale skin. Several other people with firearms leaned over the tops of the shipping containers and opened fire on the large rodents, splattering the truck canyon with gore.

    ¡°Next time run faster no phone. Maybe you should learn the floating rope trick,¡± said the man finally pulling CJ atop the box truck.

    ¡°Thanks,¡± panted CJ as he collapsed on his ass.

    ¡°Jerry, get the no phone safely back to the camp. He¡¯s too weak to carry the meat but tell Wendy he¡¯s earned his rations. We¡¯ll clean up here,¡± said the man with the shotgun.

    ¡°Sure, thing skip,¡± replied Jerry hurrying CJ up to his feet.

    A few hops down the cab of the truck later, CJ and Jerry were back on blacktop. They headed through a cleared section of I-95 to the spot they cross over into the Pine Barrens. It was the least populated area in New Jersey comprised of thick pine woods. The Kirkwood aquafer was the only place around you could get fresh water and it was controlled by Skipper and his goons. To Skippers credit, if you did your work, he didn¡¯t have a problem with you. Those that saw the message during the now famous mana storm were given comfortable premium spots in his growing organization. Those considered no phones got the shit jobs, lodgings, and equipment.

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    CJ was lost in thought on the walk back to the camp as he passed by all the trees and unfarmable land about how this all started. He remembered getting up that day four months ago and getting ready for his three pm show.

    <hr>

    ¡°Strange lights have been seen in the sky above Antarctica. Scientists are baffled¡­¡± blabbed the tv in CJ¡¯s living room.

    CJ Thompson was a stage magician who had regular shows in a local casino. His apartment wasn¡¯t large, but he had all the necessities. A flat screen tv in the living room along with a coffee table and couch. The floor was carpeted, and his kitchen had a fridge, stove, microwave, and sink. The cabinets held about two place settings worth of dishes. The food in the white paneled refrigerator was sparse. A few cans of soda, a frozen pizza in the freezer, and some bread. CJ often comped a dinner meal from the casino. His bedroom held a full sized bed and two changes of sheets. There was a dresser with a mirror attached to it. The bathroom had mats and a shower curtain for the tub/ shower. The man lived with the basics just like any other bachelor.

    CJ turned off the television and grabbed his tuxedo jacket. He planned to try out a new trick today where a smoke pellet would reveal a winning number that corresponded to one of the seats in the audience. That person would win one hundred dollars in chips they could use at the roulette table. It was part of management¡¯s cross activity promotion. CJ said yes to the suggestion eagerly. Anything that put more assess in seats only helped him keep his job. If this job fell through, he was back to playing kids birthday parties on the weekend.

    ¡°Who am I kidding? I¡¯ll probably have to do that to pay rent,¡± CJ said aloud before picking his smartphone up off the charger. He needed to go, or he was going to be late.

    As CJ locked the door behind him, he felt hands grab him and spin him around. He was roughly slammed against the wall of the hallway dropping his phone. He looked up at the assailant and recognition dawned in his mind.

    ¡°Nice to see you Thompson. Do you have Skippers money?¡± asked Jerry.

    Jerry was a small time thug. Broad of shoulder and dull of wits. He stood about five foot nine with shaggy brown hair and pale skin. Jerry had green eyes, but CJ always thought they were duller than most green eyed people he had met. He wore a red goose down jacket and jeans. On either side of him stood two other goons CJ didn¡¯t recognize.

    ¡°Hey, it¡¯s good to see you too, Jerry. Mind letting me go. I¡¯m on my way to work to get that money for Skipper. No worries here. If I¡¯m late I won¡¯t have the money. You know how it is,¡± pleaded CJ.

    ¡°You think pulling a rabbit out of hat twice a day is gonna get you the ten G¡¯s you owe Skip?¡± sneered Jerry.

    ¡°Woah, now hold on there. I only him five grand. I should be able to get the rest of that this week. No problem,¡± complained CJ.

    ¡°Five grand for Skipper, three grand for making me come out to this podunk berg to find you and two more for my boys,¡± replied Jerry as he pressed his forearm harder into CJ¡¯s chest.

    ¡°I didn¡¯t know you were a CPA,¡± quipped CJ through gritted teeth.

    ¡°If that¡¯s the caliber of jokes in your show, I doubt you¡¯ll have the money by this weekend. But I think you¡¯ll need a little incentive,¡± said Jerry before nodding to the phone on the ground and then back at one of his goons.

    No sooner said than done, one of the goons stomped down on his phone. CJ heard a horrendous cracking sound and a spark of electricity. He frowned at that. Jerry released him but not before jabbing his index finger in CJ¡¯s face. Then everyone with a smartphone went ridged. They all moved as one lifting their phones to their faces. CJ could see down the hall as other people milled about, they all suddenly stopped where they were and lifted their phones to their faces. Blue light shone from every phone and the people holding them were entranced. CJ took this opportunity to run to the nearby stairwell and make his exit out of the building.

    What he saw when he got outside was alarming. People everywhere were just standing in the middle of crosswalks looking at their phones. Cars were at full stops in front of green lights. Each window lit up with that same eerie blue light from their phones. As CJ got out from under the walkway that stretched across the street to the parking garage, he noticed a great wall of blue sweeping across the horizon. It scared the ever loving shit out of him. He ran toward the parking garage to find cover from whatever that was. CJ made it to his car and clicked on the key fob to unlock the door. Nothing happened. He slid the key from inside the fob out and struggled with the lock. When he got in the car and pushed the button, nothing happened. Just then, he noticed that the light didn¡¯t come on when he opened the door.

    ¡°Holy shit! Is my battery dead? Now of all times?¡± CJ shouted.

    That¡¯s when the world turned blue around him, and all he could see was a grey slate with cracks in it hovering in front of his eyes. The only problem was, he couldn¡¯t read the writing.

    U kint xopnvsw pkft zmega or lk qse. Ubs dpccwll cn Fate. Lewpuy cv xfe kr qzntysfs.

 Chapter One: Itâ€™s the mother fucking apocalypse.

    CJ¡¯s eyes fluttered open. There was a bit of drool running down his chin, so he wiped it with the back of his right hand. His neck had cinch in it, so he decided to stretch a little. Once his hands smacked the roof of his car, he realized he¡¯d been sleeping on his steering wheel. It was now dark outside. He didn¡¯t remember falling asleep in his car. All that had happened must have been a bad dream. Patting his tuxedo pockets to find his phone, he quickly realized he didn¡¯t have it on him. That¡¯s when the sound of screams came from the street.

    ¡°Help! For fucks sake can anyone hear me?!¡± shouted someone running at full speed.

    CJ craned his head around to see through the back window that faced the street outside. It was a middle aged man wearing jeans and a t-shirt sprinting around the support structure that led into the parking garage. He had brown hair and fair skin. Over the small concrete wall that separated the interior of the structure from the street outside, CJ could see lumps of brown fur lumbering down the sidewalk after the man.

    There was an internal debate going on inside CJ¡¯s head. Should he get out and try to help this guy or hunch down in his driver¡¯s seat hoping they pass him by? Unfortunately for CJ, that¡¯s when the man noticed him looking through the window.

    ¡°You! Let me in. Quick open the door!¡± hollered the man reaching his car.

    CJ didn¡¯t want to get involved but whatever was chasing him had almost reached the garage entrance. He met a snap decision and unlocked the passenger side door. The guy whipped it open, jumped into the car and slammed it shut behind him.

    ¡°Get down. Maybe it won¡¯t see us.¡±

    ¡°What won¡¯t see us? Are you being chased by dogs or something?¡±

    ¡°Or something. Shh, get down.¡±

    ¡°Did you just shush me in my own car?¡±

    After CJ asked that question, he heard something sniffing. Short snorts of oxygen through several nostrils much closer than either man could have hoped. The guy in the passenger side seat just put his index finger up to his lips. Now that CJ got a better look at him the sides of his head were shaved, his brown hair dangled just above his eyebrows. It just screamed barista to CJ. The sniffing got closer to the car before a lump of brown fur plopped onto the trunk of CJ¡¯s sedan. Curiosity almost got the better of him as he slowly tilted his head to look over the right shoulder of his seat. His passenger just slowly shook his head left and right. Now there were more sounds just outside of CJ¡¯s car. Low growling noises followed by sharp barks. The sweat pouring of the man that was being chased started to sink into the fabric of the car seat. Before CJ could make a disgusted face, the sound of gunshots could be heard out in the street. Five rapid pulls of the trigger were followed by the screams of multiple people.

    The thing that jumped on CJ¡¯s trunk jumped back off and the sound of scampering feet headed away from his car. A collective sigh could be heard in the car at that moment. It was then that CJ realized the transparent grey slate with the weird writing wasn¡¯t in his vision anymore. As soon as he thought that it popped back up again.

    ¡°What are you staring at?¡± asked the man seated across from him in hushed tones.

    ¡°It¡¯s a¡­ nothing. What did you say your name was?¡± countered CJ.

    ¡°Right, I¡¯m Tommy. For a second there it looked like you weren¡¯t going to let me in. Got worried,¡± he remarked.

    ¡°No problem. I was a little confused. I had just woken up to you screaming for help. Didn¡¯t know what was going on,¡± explained CJ.

    ¡°Wait, you were asleep in your car? For how long? Didn¡¯t you see the text windows?¡± asked Tommy.

    Stolen novel; please report.

    ¡°Text windows? Do you mean the floating slab of rock? I thought I was¡­ I don¡¯t know what I thought. It¡¯s been a crazy day. You can see it too?¡± queried CJ.

    ¡°Bet you¡¯re wishing you took the deal now. It¡¯s fuckin crazy out there. I¡¯ve never seen anything like it. Oh, you didn¡¯t tell me your name but I¡¯m guessing from these flyers your CJ. Stage magician, that¡¯s a choice, I guess. Well at least you don¡¯t have to have to rush over to try and make your show at the Borgata,¡± replied Tommy.

    ¡°Oh crap, what time is it?¡± asked CJ franticly as he tried to start his car.

    ¡°What are you doing? Cars won¡¯t start unless they were made before nineteen seventy five. It was in the message, dude. Besides, your slate should tell you what time it is,¡± answered Tommy.

    ¡°Actually, I can¡¯t read it. It¡¯s all garbled. It makes no sense. Besides, it¡¯s only like one sentence. Can¡¯t imagine it¡¯s that important,¡± CJ said not fully understanding how wrong he really was.

    Tommy began to speak about the slate messages, but his voice was all discordant. It sounded more like wah wah wah than real words. Then Tommy¡¯s voice switched back to a language CJ could understand.

    ¡°¡­ that¡¯s when I chose my class. Why are you looking at me like I have two heads?¡± asked Tommy.

    ¡°I didn¡¯t understand anything you just said until class. It was like listening to an adult from the Peanuts cartoons. You know, the great pumpkin or a Charlie Brown Christmas. You¡¯re fucking with me, right?¡± asked CJ with a clear hint of nervousness in his voice.

    ¡°Wah wah wah Slate. Wah wah wah class. Is any of this sinking in?¡± questioned Tommy.

    ¡°Nothing but slate and class. Come on man, you¡¯re scaring me,¡± answered CJ.

    ¡°So, you have no idea what¡¯s going on outside? I¡¯ve got bad news for you, dude. It¡¯s the mother fucking apocalypse. That¡¯s why you don¡¯t have to worry about making that show tonight. That¡¯s why your car won¡¯t start. That¡¯s why those saber-toothed chihuahuas were chasing me down the street. Do yourself a favor and find someone with a warrior class. It¡¯s crazy how much of this is like an old rpg game. Wah wah wah¡­¡± continued Tommy.

    CJ just tuned out as soon as he couldn¡¯t understand what Tommy was saying again. The end of the world was happening in his lifetime, and it had classes. Like role playing game classes. He could hardly believe it. Did Tommy just say saber-toothed chihuahuas? This was all too much for him. His eyes glazed over as Tommy continued to speak. He didn¡¯t really understand why his car wouldn¡¯t start. His passenger mentioned it wouldn¡¯t turn over unless it was made in the seventies. CJ wondered why that would be.

    ¡°Hey, shut up for a second. Does the car not starting have something to do with electronics not working?¡± asked CJ.

    ¡°One, rude. Two I already told you that. The slate messages said all electronics relying on a circuit board would no longer function. It said we hadn¡¯t earned wah wah wah¡­,¡± responded Tommy.

    ¡°Hang on. I got everything up until earned that time, but it was the first time I heard you say it. So, if I guess it by context, I can understand it? This is bizarre,¡± said CJ.

    ¡°You mean to tell me I was talking all that time, and you couldn¡¯t understand a word I was saying? Dude, are you from another country or something? I¡¯ve been speaking English this whole time. Man, I really don¡¯t think you¡¯ll last long. There are honest to God monsters roaming the streets since ten in the morning. No one knows where they came from. I¡¯ve seen more dead bodies in the past few hours than I care to admit. My class is practically useless when it comes to these things,¡± explained a more animated Tommy.

    ¡°What class did you pick? I¡¯m simply curious since I can¡¯t read the prompts,¡¯ asked CJ.

    ¡°Carpenter. I was a carpenter¡¯s apprentice before the end of the world. Suffice it to say it doesn¡¯t help fight monsters. I thought it would be a good opportunity for me to jump the line. Apprenticeship is really dog eat dog, but I was almost eaten by dogs. I fuckin hate this, man. I don¡¯t know what I¡¯m going to do,¡± said Tommy clearly on the verge of a nervous breakdown.

    ¡°Maybe we just hold tight until the cops show up. My place isn¡¯t far from here, you¡¯re welcome to come with me but I don¡¯t have much in terms of food in the fridge. I don¡¯t intend to wait this out in my car,¡± offered CJ.

    ¡°You still don¡¯t get it. The cops aren¡¯t coming man. This isn¡¯t a local disturbance. This is global. There aren¡¯t enough of them to help every man woman and child on this planet. Wah wah wah wah,¡± said Tommy.

    ¡°I didn¡¯t catch that last bit, but we should probably get going. Maybe I¡¯ll get a better grasp of our situation once I get home,¡± CJ told him as he slowly cracked his door open.

    Once they were both out of the car they crept round to the trunk. CJ opened the trunk quietly and quickly grabbing a few essentials he thought might come in handy. Firstly, he grabbed a jug of water he kept in there for emergencies. Then he handed Tommy his tire iron but didn¡¯t let go. When their eyes met, he gave Tommy a sharp nod of his head before releasing the heavy metal implement. A measure of trust was just established between the two. After pocketing a few more small items and shoving a spare deck of cards in his inside pocket, they off.

 Chapter Two: Montyâ€™s always beenâ€¦ special.

    The two men slowly crept out onto the sidewalk. It was dark out now and the skies were clear. Periodically, a stiff breeze would whip down the street. Gone were the pedestrians standing sentinel in the street looking at their phones. In their place were turned over cars, broken shop windows, scorch marks from something that blew up, and blood stains. CJ couldn¡¯t believe what he was seeing. Hours ago, this was just a normal street. People commuting back and forth to work like any other day. Looking up was the worst decision he could have made. There was a billboard on the roof of a building diagonally across the street. It was an advertisement for vape pen flavors with a smiling blond woman holding one to her lips. Only where her head used to be, was now a large six foot wide bite mark.

    ¡°Wha the hell happened to her?¡± asked CJ.

    ¡°Shh. Where is your place? There aren¡¯t any streetlights on, and I don¡¯t know where I¡¯m going,¡± said Tommy as he hunched down next to a car with its windows blown out.

    ¡°Across the street under the parking structures walkway. It¡¯s eight zero three state street. Damn it. Just realized I¡¯ve left Monty inside all day. I need to go feed him,¡± commented CJ.

    ¡°You have a dog? I got bad news for you dude. The wah wah has done strange things to wildlife. I really wish I¡¯d taken the deal,¡± replied Tommy as he looked both ways before crossing the street.

    ¡°That¡¯s the second time you mentioned that. What deal?¡± asked CJ as he skulked after him.

    CJ wouldn¡¯t be getting that answer because no sooner than they made it to the midpoint of the asphalt, than sharp yipping sounds could be heard. Tommy immediately broke into a sprint. He slid between an SUV with four flat tires and box truck laying on its side. Three balls of fluff about a foot and a half tall, started scampering down the street toward CJ.

    They looked like a pack of feral dogs if they had been genetically bred to be smaller than their wolf cousins over generations. CJ¡¯s brain finally kicked in as Tommy gestured him toward one of the old steel green mailboxes. Climbing up, he felt a tug on his right pant leg. One of the puff balls had reached him. Its face was covered in scars and there was blood around its maw. The teeth were what really concerned CJ. The canines were at least six inches long. He didn¡¯t know how the damn thing could move its head around with how much they must weigh. One of them had punctured right through is pant leg. The small creature was hauling back with all its might to pull CJ down. All he could do was kick at it. Then he remembered he was wearing his flint kit. CJ flourished his right hand out toward the little fucker before scraping his finger against the flint and fluid contraption mounted on his wrist. A small puff of flame washed over the furball. It instantly caught the puffy hair on fire. The fierce creature yelped and ran around in circles as the fire grew steadily hotter. Within the next minute it was lying on its side twitching.

    CJ felt awful for burning the little menace. He didn¡¯t have much time to fret over what he¡¯d just done because Tommy was screaming his fool head off. CJ hoped from on top of the mailbox to a nearby car trying to make his way over to where Tommy was. There was another puff ball bleeding out on the sidewalk next to the tire iron he¡¯d given Tommy. A few feet away from that Tommy had the third beastie hanging from his forearm. The tips of both elongated teeth poking out of the underside of his arm.

    Unauthorized reproduction: this story has been taken without approval. Report sightings.

    ¡°I¡¯m here hang on,¡± said CJ as he picked the tire iron off the ground.

    ¡°Get it off me!¡± cried Tommy before he rammed the furball into the concrete wall of a nearby building.

    The jaw of the creature went slack, and Tommy flung it off his arm high into the air. CJ took his best batters stance waiting for the monster to come back down as gravity exerted its hold on it. A stiff breeze began to blow as refuse littered around the sidewalk whipped up and past the two men. CJ paid it no mind as he tensed his shoulders ready to swing. As the creature hit its flight¡¯s zenith it was snatched up by a huge snakehead the size of a seventy inch flat screen. Its mouth split open in four different sections as it gobbled the fluffy dog right out of the air. Then the rest of its red and green scaly body curved back up. Both CJ and Tommy screamed like little girls as white feathery wings could be seen on its back.

    CJ pushed Tommy into a nearby doorway. Tommy fell to the ground in the foyer holding his arm while CJ slammed the door shut behind them. He then put his back to the door before sliding down it onto his ass. They both stay there painting and out of breath for five straight minutes.

    ¡°What the fuck was that?¡± asked CJ.

    ¡°I¡­ don¡¯t know. I¡¯ve been trying to tell you it¡¯s the end of the world,¡± replied Tommy, his jeans now soiled with blood stains.

    ¡°Fine. I believe you. Holy shit, do I believe you. We need to stop that bleeding. Luckily, this is actually my building. My place is just upstairs. I¡¯ve got a first aid kit and I¡¯m well adept at treating small wounds. Let¡¯s go,¡± said CJ whilst grabbing Tommy under his left shoulder to haul him up.

    They proceeded through the building and up the stairs. Tommy began to look woozy, so CJ decided to pick up the pace. At the top of the landing lay two dead bodies. Both looked like they had been shot. Their blood was oozing down the stairs in tiny crimson waterfalls. The d¨¦cor in the hallway was nothing special. White painted drywall with white crown molding. Each of the apartment doorways had brown faux-wood frames with a wooden door. Each door had peep hole and a metal number on it. All the doors were either open or hanging off the hinges.

    ¡°How much could have possibly happened while I was unconscious?¡± CJ asked as they stepped around the two bodies.

    ¡°It has been one hell of a day,¡± replied Tommy cradling his left arm to his chest.

    They reached the end of the hallway to find CJ¡¯s apartment door mostly intact. It had several scuff marks on it and the doorframe was slightly dented into his apartment. He took out his keys to open the door before he heard a scoff from Tommy. Tommy put his hand on the wooden door, and it repaired itself before the lock popped. Then the door swung open.

    ¡°Carpenter,¡± was all Tommy said before stepping into the apartment.

    CJ¡¯s apartment was relatively unchanged. The only difference was the cage that typically held Monty was knocked over on its side with the door smashed off. To CJ¡¯s surprise, Monty was up on the kitchen counter head buried in a box of cereal. His bushy cotton tail swayed left and right as the sounds of munching came from the box.

    ¡°Monty is your pet rabbit?¡± asked Tommy.

    ¡°We¡¯ll get back to Monty in a minute. Monty, get out of that cereal box. Did you just magic my door open?¡± questioned CJ.

    ¡°Yes. My class gives me certain abilities when it comes to wood. General repair is cheap. Now about your rabbit¡­¡± Tommy trailed off as the black furred rabbit pulled its head out of the cereal box.

    CJ remembered the day he picked up Monty. He was at the pet shop looking for a new rabbit to perform an old classic trick in his act. The pet shop guy had Monty separated from the other bunnies. When CJ asked why, the pet shop guy picked up Monty and placed him in with the other rabbits. Monty immediately snorted before barraging the rest of the rabbits with drop kicks. The little critter just hopped into the air and fully extended both feet until colliding with his target. This went on continuously for a few minutes before the shop guy picked Monty back up and separated them again. CJ bought him on the spot.

    ¡°Monty¡¯s always been¡­ special,¡± CJ said right before his jaw dropped to the floor.

    ¡°You got any real food around here you pig fucker?¡± asked Monty.

 Chapter Three: Pack your sneakers. Thereâ€™s going to be a lot of running.

    CJ fell on his ass after hearing Monty speak. He then heard another thud to his right. Turning his head he noticed that Tommy had collapsed on the ground. A small puddle of blood was pooling around his body. That¡¯s when CJ remembered the wound Tommy had received in the fight. Putting the situation with Monty on the back burner he scrambled up to his feet and bolted for the bathroom. In the cabinet under the sink CJ found his first aid kit.

    Having to practice for years to master various tricks of the trade, CJ managed to rack up quite the collection of wounds and scars. He found it more economical to have a kit on hand. CJ lifted the clear plastic lid and fumbled around looking for the necessary implements to staunch the bleeding. Grabbing gauze, disinfectant wipes, and thread, he ran back into the living room. It was another fifteen minutes of moving Tommy into a position that he could appropriately address the problem. Tommy¡¯s breathing had become shallow, but CJ had him upright seated on the floor in front of the couch. Not putting him on the couch served two purposes; it kept blood from getting on the cushions and prevented Tommy just rolling off back to the floor. His breathing began to normalize so CJ made him as comfortable as possible. That¡¯s when he heard more crunching from the kitchen.

    Making his way across the living room and around the small end table that marked the break between living room and kitchen in his small apartment, Monty could be seen seated on CJ¡¯s small two person kitchen table. He was eating a dry packet of ramen.

    ¡°You know, those are better if you cook them first. Less stale that way,¡± commented CJ still in disbelief at everything that¡¯s gone on today.

    ¡°If you were any kind of a cook, you wouldn¡¯t have instant noodles in your cupboard,¡± countered Monty.

    ¡°How the hell is it you can talk? Dumb question considering the day I¡¯ve had. I¡¯m just struggling to understand everything,¡± commented CJ as he leaned against the kitchen counter and folded his arms.

    ¡°You should check your slate messages. Plenty of answers in there,¡± said Monty going back to chewing.

    The little black haired rabbit kept going to town on what was left of the noodles. CJ took that to mean the conversation was over. He was not surprised at how ornery the bunny was. While practicing the rabbit in the hat trick, Monty would always try to escape before it was time to come out. So much so, CJ had to scrap that trick all together from his birthday party bag of tricks. He¡¯d made his choice at that time and there was no going back to the store with this one.

    Then he focused on what Monty just said. Slate messages. He didn¡¯t know what they were, and Tommy was in no condition for questions. Of course, as soon as he thought it, that window popped up in his vision again with that same line of text he couldn¡¯t read. His frustrations mounted when he couldn¡¯t do anything with window. CJ calmed his mind, an old trick he learned during his underwater breath training. Back then the major lesson was extremes weren¡¯t that bad if you managed yourself. A crash then sounded from outside. CJ ran across the room to look out of his balcony window. There was an old fire truck, like old, belching black smoke out of its tail pipe smashing cars off the road. The whole thing was red, and it had a huge water tank on the back with a turret hose positioned on top. It looked like someone had welded a cow catcher to the front end.

    That huge flying snake kept swooping down and crashing into it. The guy on the hose did his best to keep it away but as it curved back up into the moonless sky, he lost track of it. Upon closer inspection, CJ realized he knew that guy. It was Jerry the goon Skipper had sent to collect his money. The guy driving must be one of the other guys he was with. CJ thought that plan was industrious for a couple of thugs. They kept moving slowly down the road when someone leaned out of the passengers¡¯ side window with bull horn.

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    ¡°You must leave the town. There is safety outside of population centers. For some unknown reason, the monsters congregate in heavily populated urban sprawls. Wait for the sun to come up and make your way toward the Pine Barrens. If you didn¡¯t see Fate¡¯s message on a screen, please find someone who did. People with a working Slate can help you. No one is coming to help,¡± said the voice.

    ¡°He¡¯s right you know. All the creepy crawlers are going to end up in towns and cities. It¡¯s where the scent of humanity is strongest. Gotta cull the victims for the next generation. We should stock up on a ton of supplies if we¡¯re leaving,¡± came the voice of Monty down by CJ¡¯s feet.

    ¡°How do you know that?¡± asked CJ incredulously.

    ¡°My slate works just fine. I¡¯m guessing from your reaction to that guy, you didn¡¯t have a screen. That¡¯s gonna make this next bit a little harder,¡± answered Monty.

    ¡°Monty, what are you getting at?¡± questioned CJ.

    ¡°Pack your sneakers. There¡¯s going to be a lot of running,¡± sneered the rabbit before turning from the window and hopping onto the couch.

    Monty proceeded to lay back on the couch like a human. His big rabbit feet sticking straight up. Both ears flopped down on either side of his head while his right paw scratched his belly. CJ thought the sight was weird considering there was man on the floor not a foot away from the bunny.

    ¡°The guy said we should wait till morning before we leave. I¡¯m going to put Tommy, that¡¯s Tommy by the way, on the couch now that his arm isn¡¯t bleeding anymore. Then I¡¯m going to bed. Hopefully, I¡¯ll wake up and this will all be some fucked up dream I was having,¡± commented CJ as he lifted Tommy up from under his shoulders.

    Monty began to protest before shrugging. He hopped off the couch as CJ placed the injured man in a comfortable position. CJ could swear Monty had gotten bigger since he got back to the apartment. Maybe that had something to do with why he was eating him out of house and home. He decided to let it go for now. Exhaustion from the fight and the shock of the dead bodies, never mind the giant flying snake, had set in. Entering his bedroom, he figured out where Monty had gotten off to. Dead center of the mattress curled up around himself. CJ was going to have to sleep in an L shape.

    It felt like only a few minutes after he closed his eyes did CJ feel hand over his mouth. His eyes popped open wide to see Tommy standing over him. There were the first rays of sunlight peeking through the windows telling CJ was asleep for longer than a few minutes. Tommy made silence gesture with his index finger and his lips. Then he pointed out of the window. Monty was standing on his back feet with both ears pointed straight up. He was also on the windowsill. Tommy removed his hand from CJ¡¯s mouth and crept over to the window.

    ¡°No time to pack now. We gotta get the fuck out of here,¡± said Monty his fur standing on end.

    Tommy peered out of the window then quickly stepped back. He tried to become one with the wall at his back. CJ sat up ramrod straight. Then he slowly slid off the bed. Slipping his feet into shoes, he turned toward the two others in the room while shouldering up his tux jacket and whispered.

    ¡°What¡¯s out there?¡± he said.

    Monty hopped off the windowsill and scuttled into the living room. He was quickly followed by Tommy who inched along the wall toward the doorway. CJ didn¡¯t understand why until he heard the breaking of glass outside and then a rumble in his building. That sound was followed by screams and the gnashing of teeth. Tommy waived him forward from the center of the living room. CJ stopped fucking around and jogged out of the bedroom.

    ¡°What the hell was that?¡± asked CJ, sweat starting to bead on his bald head.

    ¡°The snake. It figured out that windows have tasty treats inside. The rabbits right, never thought I¡¯d ever say that, but we need to get out of here. That was only five apartments down. You are a really heavy sleeper, dude,¡± whispered Tommy.

    ¡°The rabbit has a name and it¡¯s Monty. I¡¯ll thank you to remember it,¡± snapped Monty.

 Chapter Four: Dibs on the blue one.

    Monty, CJ, and Tommy slipped into the hallway. They quietly shut the door behind them. The first thing CJ noticed was the bodies that were laying at the top of the stairs yesterday were gone. No drag marks anywhere. CJ peered down the hall in the opposite direction. Most doors were closed but the ones that were open showed a grim tapestry. The walls near the open doors had claw marks and bloody handprints. That was all he was able to spot before Monty kicked him in the shin to get his attention. The now two foot tall rabbit really whacked him. CJ needed to lift his leg up and rub it for a second.

    ¡°Quit being such a little bitch. We need to jet,¡± said Monty before turning toward the stairs.

    Tommy wasn¡¯t waiting. At the top of the stairs, he glanced down to the first floor. There were scorch marks on the ground and splashed against some of the entryway. Tommy took in a sharp breath once he realized the entryway was no sans door. Turning back to CJ and the rabbit, he waived them forward. He spoke in hushed tones once his companions arrived.

    ¡°Check it. The doors gone. Everything out there has unfettered access to the building now. What are we going to do?¡± asked an agitated Tommy.

    It was then CJ noticed Tommy had his tire iron slid through one of his belt loops. CJ didn¡¯t think to switch from his patent leather shoes to sneakers. In hindsight, a pair of boots would have been even better. He was out of his element. CJ had spent most of his life doing card tricks. Barely keeping a refrigerator stocked with frozen pizzas, soda, and the occasional pint of ice cream. He was no outdoors man. The thought of roughing it sent shivers down his spine. Then again, he realized he needs to stick with Tommy since he¡¯s got access to this damn slate thing.

    ¡°The firetruck. That guy said to meet outside the town, right? Something about the pine barrens. Let¡¯s head that way,¡± CJ responded.

    ¡°Fuck. That¡¯s four blocks south from here to get to the highway. Fine, let¡¯s go,¡± replied Tommy as he made his way down the stairs.

    Monty hopped down the stairs after him. CJ wondered while he watched the two move forward, if he could stop at a Payless or Footlocker to grab a pair of sneakers. His running shoes were behind him in his apartment but the thought of going back that way filled him with dread. He proceeded down the stairs to catch up with his group.

    Tommy popped his head out of the doorway and looked left and right. To their left were the rays of the rising sun. Also, a street filled with ruined cars. It seemed the firetrucks cow catcher was not kind to their resale value. To his left were more vehicles pushed off the center of the road but far less. There were more shops and stores the closer you got to the highway entrance. Tommy assumed less on street parking and more parking lots. Some streetlamps were flickering in the dawn light. Most likely on timers if the all the electronics at the power plants were failing.

    A family of four burst out from a cross street between CJ¡¯s building and their path south. They had duffle bags slung over their shoulders while holding hands with two little ones. The kids couldn¡¯t have been more than five or six. Both with tussled brown hair. The mom had blonde hair down to her shoulders and the dad had short cropped black hair. He had an even build but his speed was held back due to holding one of the children¡¯s hands.

    ¡°What are they running from?¡± asked Tommy.

    ¡°Who? Lemme see ya big mook,¡± said Monty as he bounded from wall to wall climbing high enough to slide over Tommy¡¯s right shoulder.

    ¡°Who or what? Guys if we¡¯re leaving you have to move out of the doorway,¡± CJ said as he tried to push Tommy forward.

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    A rumble could be heard from upstairs as more glass was broken. They all looked up and to their left as half of the winged snake was sticking out of the building while it searched for more prey. That was enough to get them all moving at a sprint down the street. They crossed the first street on their way and noticed many others one block over making their ways south. In CJ¡¯s mind, he thought there¡¯d be more people.

    Once they arrived at the second intersection, they heard people screaming. Looking left as they crossed the street they witnessed an amalgamation of two dumpsters, connected by sinew and sticky fluid, gobbling up people in their path as they swung each other from the left to the right. CJ thought this must be what that family was running from before. The connective tissue between the dumpsters was grotesque. It was off color yellow and brown with a hint of blood red. The dumpsters themselves were green chipped paint with wide mouths.

    ¡°Right, we need to go faster. Isn¡¯t there a bike shop around here somewhere?¡± asked CJ.

    ¡°Morelins? Yes, it¡¯s at the end of the street. I doubt they¡¯re open,¡± answered Tommy.

    ¡°He doesn¡¯t plan to buy today if that¡¯s what your concern is. Probably just a test ride,¡± Monty quipped.

    ¡°Right, you are my furry friend. Let¡¯s get some wheels,¡± jested CJ.

    They made their way to the Morelins bicycle repair shop to see they weren¡¯t the first people with this idea. The street facing glass was already broken and several of the normally on display bikes were already gone. CJ hopped the counter to check the wall behind the registers. The shop had four rows of parts and accessories. Everything from different bike seats to gear wheels with varying chain lengths were represented.

    ¡°The racks are picked clean. I¡¯m not going to wait around for that dumpster monster to get us. I say we hoof it,¡± Tommy blurted out.

    ¡°Patience. How¡¯s your arm doing?¡± asked CJ while he was looking through a rolled up towel with small tools in it.

    ¡°It still hurts if you really want to know,¡± Tommy shot back.

    ¡°Yea well, I¡¯m hoping you clotted enough overnight. If we keep running like this your wound is going to reopen. Didn¡¯t bring the kit with us so let¡¯s try to avoid that,¡± said CJ barely sparing Tommy a glance as he found what he was looking for.

    CJ took the pair of tweezers and an extra thin flat head screwdriver over to the door to the back room. It was obviously locked, but CJ was confident that he could get it open.

    ¡°Time me,¡± said CJ as he went to work on the door.

    ¡°Time you? My iPhone doesn¡¯t work anymore. How am I supposed to time you?¡± asked Tommy.

    ¡°Doesn¡¯t matter now,¡± CJ replied as the lock popped and the door swung open.

    The back room was poorly lit, but it had a work bench, a filing cabinet, a desk, and some very promising looking bikes. A cursory evaluation of the first few found one didn¡¯t have a chain, no tires on another, and finally no handlebars on the third. The last two must have been orders waiting to be picked up. One was blue with under curving handlebars. An obvious racers bike. The second was pink with a white and pink woven basket hanging off the handlebars. The plastic ends of the handlebars had white and blue streamers hanging out of them.

    ¡°Dibs on the blue one,¡± said Tommy before swinging his leg over the seat.

    ¡°We are running for our lives from monsters. I¡¯m not gonna fight you over dibs. Even though I¡¯m the one who picked the lock and thought of the bikes,¡± CJ said, that last part under his breath.

    Shortly there after they were back on the streets. Zooming their way toward the freeway exit. Tommy was clumsily steering his racing bike while Monty was sitting comfortably in the basket of CJ¡¯s ride. His floppy ears twitching left and right every time he heard a noise. CJ was getting irritated by how much they obstructed his vision. The rabbit was barely the length of his forearm when he bought Monty and now, he was a rather robust specimen.

    ¡°More people coming from our right. Get ready for company,¡± Monty said, turning his head back to speak to CJ.

    ¡°Tommy. Contacts on the right,¡± hollered CJ, getting a curt nod in response.

    Six people boiled out of a nearby alley, bags in tow, as they made their way to the highway. The last one had four foot-tall green men with bulbous heads clinging to his back. As soon as the sun¡¯s rays hit them, they hissed and dropped off him slinking back into the shadows of the alley way. That was a wakeup call for CJ who pedaled even faster.

    ¡°Oh shit, oh shit what the hell was that!¡± shrieked Tommy.

    ¡°Goblins. Better keep going. This town is about to get a lot less friendly,¡± answered Monty.

 Chapter Five: So, are you some kind of tuxedo wearing thief?

    Once the group reached the on ramp that led to the south bound entrance to the turnpike, they were joined by a handful of others racing to get to the highway. The cars were packed in tight and navigation up the ramp was congested due to all the people. At the top of the ramp was a sixteen wheeler tipped over on its side. There was a huge dent in the blue cargo container it was hauling. People were trying to navigate around the wreck when someone started screaming.

    Tommy, CJ, and Monty were midway up the ramp as the sounds of distress came from the intersection connecting to the ramp. Two men were brawling over a bag in the street. Nearby was a blonde woman clutching onto two smaller children. It was that same family of four they saw earlier. Tommy clutched at his injured arm and turned away from the scene. CJ did not. He spun his bike around against Monty¡¯s protestations.

    ¡°What are you doing? We need to get out of here,¡± said Tommy with clipped words.

    ¡°Do you see cops anywhere? If we want to survive, we can¡¯t do it on our own. Time to build some good will,¡± replied CJ as he pedaled back down ignoring the complaints of the people squeezing past.

    As CJ got closer, he could hear what the men were saying to each other with greater clarity.

    ¡°If you were smart, you¡¯d just give me the damn bag and stop scaring your family,¡± said the assailant.

    ¡°No, we won¡¯t survive without it,¡± replied the father just before throwing a right cross that missed.

    That mistake cost him dearly. The crook trying to rob them buried his left fist into the man¡¯s stomach. That knocked the wind out of him and forced him to double over in pain. Not willing to let an opening go to waste, he brought his right elbow down into the back of the father¡¯s head dropping him to the ground. The wife screamed at him again as he raised his right foot to stomp down on the father¡¯s head. The scream snatched his attention long enough for CJ to barrel right into him full speed on the bike. The one thing that surprised the thug the most was a black furred rabbit jumped out of a bicycle basket to plant two feet on his face. Using the bicycles momentum, that missile drop kick sent the bully through the passenger side window of a nearby SUV. His body slumped half in and out of the vehicle taking shallow breaths.

    ¡°Hey, you ok buddy?¡± asked CJ after hopping off the bike.

    ¡°I¡¯ll be all right. I don¡¯t believe it¡¯s a concussion. Just got my bell rung. It was brave of you to intervene Mr.?¡± asked the father extending his hand for help getting back to his feet.

    ¡°CJ and we need to stick together if we¡¯re going to get through this. Guys like that won¡¯t hesitate to take advantage of a bad situation,¡± replied CJ.

    ¡°I¡¯m Redmond. That¡¯s my wife Cynthia and our two boys Ed and Riley,¡± said Redmond as he picked up his duffle bag while pointing to his family.

    The whole time they were talking the mugger didn¡¯t move. He was wearing a New York Giants jersey and a pair of jeans. Monty never said anything just hopping back over to where CJ was standing with Redmond. The kid¡¯s faces all lit up when the rabbit came back. CJ picked up Monty and put him back in the basket. Monty was acting strangely. He was more passive and unfocused. CJ warned the kids against petting the bunny due to it having a hard day.

    ¡°Is that your pet? It¡¯s a rather large specimen,¡± asked Cynthia.

    ¡°We¡¯re more like coworkers. Aren¡¯t we Monty?¡± said CJ, only now noticing that Monty hasn¡¯t said a word in a while.

    ¡°That¡¯s an odd answer to my wife¡¯s question. How about we move along before that guy wakes up?¡± asked Redmond, getting nods of ascent from the other two adults.

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    Redmond checked the contents of his bag before hefting it up. A small silver disc attached to a chord that bifurcated into two ear buds slipped out. Cynthia snatched it up quickly and shoved it back in the bag. CJ made a point to ignore the movements and turned his bike back to the ramp. Redmond and Cynthia shared a knowing glance before taking their children¡¯s hands. Up on the highway he could see Tommy waiving at him to hurry up.

    ¡°Hey, that¡¯s a girl¡¯s bike,¡± blurted one of the children.

    ¡°Don¡¯t be rude honey. It¡¯s a lovely bike Mr. CJ,¡± commented Cynthia.

    CJ and his new traveling companions meandered their way past all the cars. Only now noticing that several of them had their windows smashed. The groups assumptions were people going up the ramp had been scavenging for useful things they saw in the cars. CJ stopped at the top and waived Tommy over.

    ¡°Tommy this is Redmond and his family. Redmond, this is my recent acquaintance, Tommy. We¡¯re heading toward the pine barrens if you¡¯d be interested in traveling with us,¡± said CJ after making introductions.

    ¡°Nice to meet you. Can I talk to my friend here for just a second? Thanks,¡± asked Tommy before grabbing CJ by the arm and pulling him to the side of the road, ¡°What are you doing? They¡¯ll just slow us down. Its going to be hard enough to get there on two bikes. Also, what about Monty? How are you going to explain a talking rabbit?¡±

    ¡°First of all, do you have any food on you? Didn¡¯t think so. Water will become a problem in three days or so. Second, I don¡¯t have to explain a talking rabbit any more than all the monsters that have been attacking the last twenty four hours. Finally, I wasn¡¯t just going to stand by and let that family get robbed. Think about it. They¡¯re going to want to feed their kids. I¡¯d rather have four adults looking for food and water than just the two of us¡­ hang on a second. I know this trucking company. They provide wholesale food to the casino¡¯s restaurants. I¡¯ve seen them parked on the loading dock before,¡± said CJ as he quickly moved over the truck laying on its side.

    The logo on the rolling door said Panarese Wholesalers. The door was still closed with a padlock keeping it shut. CJ immediately went to work with the tools he stashed from the bike shop. Redmond walked over to see what he was doing while Cynthina conversed with Tommy. A few seconds later the lock popped, and CJ tried opening the door.

    ¡°So, are you some kind of tuxedo wearing thief?¡± asked Redmond.

    ¡°No. Help me roll this up,¡± replied CJ.

    The door was waited on the interior and took a considerable amount of effort from the two men to get halfway. Halfway was all they needed. Inside were tipped over trays and racks of various perishables. CJ stepped in and grabbed a baguette that went right into his inside pocket. Most of the jugs contained cooking oil or some other professional kitchen fluids. One of the trays dumped over contained muffins. CJ eagerly grabbed one of them and started munching.

    ¡°This is technically stealing,¡± said Redmond.

    ¡°Tell that to the cops that aren¡¯t coming,¡± shot back CJ.

    Redmond couldn¡¯t argue that point as he grabbed a few things for his family. That¡¯s when one of the groups passing by yelled out something about food. Soon after the rolling door was pushed all the way open as people pushed their way into the container. CJ and Redmond managed to extricate themselves from the rush of humanity.

    ¡°It¡¯s only been a day. I¡¯m surprised at how quickly things have broken down,¡± commented Redmond as they both walked back over to the others.

    ¡°I¡¯m still wrapping my head around magic screens, monsters, and people with powers. You see Tommy over there? Yesterday I saw him fix a broken wooden door just by touching it. Said something about being a carpenter. I¡¯ve never seen anything like it,¡± said CJ cradling a few muffins.

    ¡°My wife is more or less the same. I didn¡¯t see the message. I work the night shift, so I was asleep when everything went down. Every time she tries to explain things to me, I can¡¯t make out the words. She even tried writing it down, but I couldn¡¯t read them. It¡¯s made all of this even more frustrating,¡± remarked Redmond.

    ¡°What do you mean; more or less?¡± asked CJ.

    ¡°Well, my wife managed to repair my kid¡¯s ripped pants just by touching them. Said she¡¯s a tailor class. I didn¡¯t understand it at the time. Everything so confused me. We just need to get the boys someplace safe, and we can figure it all out from there,¡± answered Redmond as they arrived at the rest of their group.

    CJ handed out the food they recovered as they kept moving south. It wasn¡¯t long after they left that shots rang out near the mini food riot they created. They were all a good ten minutes down the road and decided to just keep going. Tommy winced as he moved his arm, and the bandage poked through his shirt sleeve. CJ didn¡¯t miss the analytical gaze Redmond shot at Tommy¡¯s arm confirming CJ¡¯s suspicions. That was indeed a stethoscope that fell out of the bag. His real concern was why they were trying to keep it a secret.

 Chapter Six: Abracadabra, bitch!

    After several hours of walking, they decided to take a break. The children were complaining about being tired so for the last hour they rode the recently acquired bicycles. Their parents held them up since the bikes were a tad larger than they were ready for. Some grumblings started when one boy got stuck with the pink bike. He was mollified by the fact that Monty was in the basket.

    ¡°Do we even know how to get there?¡± asked Tommy.

    ¡°Well, to be honest, no. I just figured I¡¯d follow the path of cars pushed out of the center of the road. My guess is that fire truck came through here. We¡¯ll either find the truck after it ran out of gas or another clue that points us in the right direction. Either way, it¡¯s better than being eaten by that flying snake,¡± responded CJ.

    ¡°Hey guys, can we take a break? The kids need to rest. I wouldn¡¯t mind sitting down for five minutes myself,¡± asked Cynthia.

    Tommy shot CJ a scowl. A look that all but said, I told you so. They hadn¡¯t seen anyone else since they got on the road. CJ didn¡¯t know where all the other people went off too, but it¡¯s been a while so there was anyone walking behind them. He turned back to the family and nodded his consent. They were between a black sedan and a more elaborately colored compact SUV. It was mostly lime green with orange trim.

    Walking down this two lane highway they could see thickly grown green leaf trees on either side of the road. A concrete divider split the turnpike into north and south. Each with two lanes for traffic. They were approaching one of the many hills along the path toward the Delaware water gap. There weren¡¯t many exits left this far south in New Jersey. No rest stops either. Just dirt road spaces for police cars to set up speed traps. The nearest one lead up to an overpass for local traffic but no on or off ramp. It was more like a utility road.

    ¡°We should probably take our breakup there. The sun will be at its zenith soon and it will give us good sight lines in either direction. Besides the number of cars out here are getting pretty scarce,¡± called out CJ.

    They all headed off the road onto the dirt path. Once they settled in at the top of the embankment, the kids both flopped down. Their mom took out two water bottles for them while Redmond walked over to CJ and Tommy.

    ¡°So, what¡¯s the plan?¡± asked Redmond.

    ¡°This is the plan. We look for those guys from last night. What did you think we were doing?¡± CJ asked back.

    ¡°I know, I know, but after that? What kind of people do you think they are? Will they be trustworthy?¡± fretted Redmond.

    ¡°Don¡¯t come apart on my bud. Have you noticed there are no planes in the sky? I haven¡¯t heard a single siren or even one of those old emergency snow day air horns. The cops aren¡¯t coming. If the government is still intact, we haven¡¯t heard anything about it. We¡¯re on our own. Our best bet is to find those guys and get some more answers. They were surprisingly more organized than anyone I¡¯ve seen since this all went down,¡± explained Tommy before the pain in his arm made him wince.

    ¡°Can I take a look at your arm? I have¡­ some medical training,¡± inquired Redmond.

    ¡°I guess so. All CJ did was clean and bandage it,¡± said Tommy.

    ¡°You¡¯re welcome,¡± said CJ smugly.

    Redmond unwrapped the gauze and peeked before his face twitched. He gestured for Tommy to follow him over to their duffle bag. CJ walked over to Cynthia and kids. Little Riley was trying to get Monty out of the basket while Ed sat on the ground looking miserable next to his mother. After lifting Monty out of the basket and placing him on the ground, Riley proceeded to chase the rabbit in circles. This knocked the kickstand out of position allowing the bike to crash to the ground.

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    ¡°Please stop running around!¡± shouted Cynthia with her hair sprouting between her fingers.

    CJ froze in place. As did Riley. Monty stood up on his hind legs and looked right at her in shock. Redmond headed across the small area they inhabited to put his arm around his wife.

    ¡°Uh¡­ hey kids. Want to see a magic trick?¡± asked CJ as he raised his palms in the air flaring his fingers.

    Both boys sat down in front of their parents and crisscrossed their legs. CJ slid a magic wand out of his right sleeve. It was the traditional wand with white tips. He waived it around before pointing it at them.

    ¡°Abracadabra,¡± he said before a bouquet of flowers sprouted from one end. The kids seemed mildly amused but that all changed when CJ pointed it to the side before the flowers burst into a ball of flames. They were annihilated by the blaze leaving only the wand in his hand. That earned him a round of applause from the kids.

    ¡°Alright youngsters, if you¡¯re good for your mommy and daddy I¡¯ll show you another trick later,¡± said CJ with a bow.

    The kids continued to hoot and holler. Then Monty hopped up and drop kicked CJ in the back of the leg. That forced CJ to stumble and turn towards Monty eyebrows furrowed. Monty¡¯s ears were both standing straight up, and the black rabbit was staring back the way they came. Tommy was closest to the overpass and CJ pointed to it then back at Monty. Tommy looked confused for a second but after CJ pointed to the rabbit it clicked.

    Tommy ran up the short distance to look back out over the highway. In the far distance he could see some people running. Then one of them abruptly disappeared. Tommy didn¡¯t see what it was before another fell out of sight between the cars.

    ¡°We gotta go. Now,¡± Tommy said pointing to the opposite side of the hill leading further south.

    ¡°What is it?¡± asked Redmond standing up with his wife.

    ¡°Can¡¯t see it from here but something is¡­ making people disappear,¡± replied Tommy editing what he was going to say on the fly.

    ¡°This feels like a kids on bikes moment, what do you think Redmond?¡± asked CJ.

    ¡°That¡¯s a fine idea. Also, that trick explains the tuxedo. Didn¡¯t know how to bring that up,¡± answered Redmond as he got one of his kids situated.

    Monty took off down the hill on his own with Tommy hot on his bunny heels. The parents decided to ride the bikes with the kids in their laps. Redmond that a bit more difficult seeing his bike was designed with a racer in mind. Cynthia had her own troubles.

    ¡°But it¡¯s a girl bike mom,¡± complained Ed squirming in Cynthia¡¯s lap.

    They didn¡¯t get more than five minutes up the long hill before the sounds of screaming could be heard behind them. Once the screaming stopped, they began to hear scratching noises. Those scratches were the precursors to loud banging against vehicles. CJ stopped running to look back only to see odd shapes slamming back and forth between parked cars. Halfway up the hill the number of cars was exceedingly rare. Less cover for those things to hide behind. That¡¯s when CJ got a good look. They looked like short haired rats. Only they were the size of great Danes with much sharper teeth. He knew at once they couldn¡¯t outrun them on open ground. He looked left and right. Over the divider was a Ford Bronco with its hood up. Whoever owned it during the event must have tried to fix it before abandoning it. He needed to buy the others some time.

    ¡°CJ, let¡¯s go,¡± huffed Tommy who was further up the hill.

    ¡°Keep going. I have an idea,¡± shouted CJ who immediately regretted it.

    One of the beasts poked its head up from sniffing at the ground at the sound of all shouting. By the time it saw CJ he had already vaulted over the concreate barrier. It picked up its pace as it galloped up the hill. CJ only had time to unscrew the oil cap off and stuff in his extra-long handkerchief. The knotted rope of multiple colors trailed over toward CJ¡¯s feet. His preparations were done just as the monster slammed down on the hood of the vehicle bending the rod holding it up. It was now V shaped obstruction keeping the hood from latching. Drool dripped from the monster¡¯s maw as several of his friends clambered on top of the vehicle ready to pounce on CJ. That¡¯s when he thrust his hand down toward the ground before speaking to his would be killers.

    ¡°Abracadabra, bitch!¡±

    The flint in his fireball gadget sparked as a jet of fuel spurted at the handkerchief rope. The material the handkerchief was made of was woven with flash paper. CJ knew the never ending handkerchief was an old gag, so he updated it for modern times. The multicolored line of knots went up in a cascading burst of flashes before it slipped through the cracked open hood. CJ expected a plume of fire to scare the creatures off. What he didn¡¯t know was over twenty four hours ago the original owner had flooded the engine trying to get it started again. This resulted in an actual explosion that blew CJ back and up the hill another fifty feet. Straight into a pickup truck¡¯s bed that was moving furniture. He slammed down between two sofas arranged sideways and strapped to the vehicle. Only problem was the coffee table between them. It was a hard landing with cushions on either side.

 Chapter Seven: Welcome to Tent City

    CJ¡¯s head throbbed like a subwoofer at a nightclub. He lifted his right hand to rub as his temples as he sat up. Opening his eyes, CJ realized he was on a cot in a tent. The tent was grey canvas, and the cot was very simple crossed bars holding up the fabric stretched across the frame. There was another cot on the opposite side of the tent, but it was empty. Near the flaps was a gallon jug of water and what looked like a tv tray with a first aid kit on it. CJ could hear people milling around outside talking. Just then the flap swished open and Jerry sauntered in.

    ¡°I don¡¯t fuckin believe it. CJ the magician. You survived this whole time and blew up that car? You know Skipper is running this little camp. He¡¯s gonna be so happy to see you. We¡¯ve got all new ways for you to pay off your debts,¡± chuckled Jerry.

    Jerry¡¯s dull green eyes bored holes through CJ. For CJ¡¯s part, he just sat there holding his head. Someone else was trying to push his way into the tent but Jerry was once again being an obstacle. Turned out to be Redmond with his duffle bag. CJ thought he heard the kids outside, but his attention turned back to the bird trying to peck its way out of his head.

    ¡°Oh good, you¡¯re awake. Sit back and let me look at you,¡± said Redmond before turning on a pen light and flashing it in CJ¡¯s eyes.

    ¡°Ow. Guess I can finally call you Doc,¡± CJ quipped.

    ¡°You can call me whatever you want you dumb ass. If you hadn¡¯t blown up that car those things would have gotten us, and Skipper¡¯s people wouldn¡¯t have found us. Now hold still. You have a concussion. I¡¯m shocked you weren¡¯t just a stain on the asphalt. God must have been looking out for you,¡± commented Redmond while checking CJ¡¯s wounds.

    It was only then that CJ noticed the bandage on his head and the fact that his hands were wrapped in gauze. He must have tried cover himself from the explosion. Redmond had him lay back down on the cot.

    ¡°You¡¯ll have to rest for a little longer. Remarkable rate of recovery you have CJ,¡± said Redmond.

    ¡°What about Tommy, Cynthia and the kids?¡± asked CJ.

    ¡°We¡¯re all fine and we found somewhere safe. Get some rest and we¡¯ll explain everything to you later,¡± replied Doc Redmond.

    ¡°Rest well, you¡¯re gonna need it. Tough to feed all these people without a working supply chain. Everybody must pitch in. Earn their keep. We¡¯ve got a special job for no phones like you,¡± sneered Jerry.

    ¡°No phones? What does that mean?¡± asked CJ.

    ¡°Don¡¯t worry about that now. You rest up. I¡¯ll tell Tommy you¡¯re okay and to come by and see you later. Sound good?¡± asked Redmond shooting a withering glance at Jerry.

    With that both Redmond and Jerry left CJ to his rest. His dreams made his sleep fitful. Flashes of red and orange fire combined with sharp teeth. Then racing through a forest of pines to see depression in the soft ground. The indentation was at least two yards deep with something CJ couldn¡¯t make out in the center. CJ was about to step forward when something dark with no eyes grabbed his feet and dragged him back into the trees.

    CJ bolted up in the cot with a start. He was soaked in sweet. Mouth drier than it had ever been. He moved toward the jug of water noticing it was now nighttime outside through the flap. There were moving lights from somewhere high above him. His attention went back to the water. He could barely lift the jug to pour the water into a paper cup on the table. So instead, he knelt and ended up splashing it all over his face and chest. After putting the jug down, he stepped outside.

    It looked like a walled compound. There was a large industrial building made of red brick in the center. It had three levels with the base being the widest. A second floor with office windows and top floor made of floor to ceiling glass. Looking at it again, it seemed to be more like an open area with no furnishings that looked down on the second floor. CJ would have to get closer to get a better look but the area outside of it between the walls and building was littered with makeshift tents. It was little more than a shanty town. There were tents erected from every manufacturer on the planet. Some were dome like military tents while others were meant for camping. People sat outside of their tents around small campfires. CJ didn¡¯t understand how he got here or where here even was.

    ¡°CJ!¡± yelled Tommy jogging up behind him.

    ¡°Tommy, where the fuck are we?¡± asked CJ wanting to start with that.

    ¡°Nice to see you too. We are at the South Jersey Pine Barren Reservoir. Apparently, this Skipper guy knew this place was here and set up shop after the wah wah wah.¡± Explained Tommy before whatever keeps CJ from knowing things kicked in.

    ¡°Stop, what you¡¯re saying doesn¡¯t translate. Reservoir got it. The walls are impressive. Where have you been? I saw Redmond earlier. Really confused about how I got here. He said something about them finding us. Can you explain that a little more?¡±

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    ¡°Sure. You held back to stop the hunting pack. That¡¯s what they were by the way. A pack of wah wah rats that roam the turnpike looking for food. According to the folks here, they showed up after the Skippers men started clearing a lane on the turnpike. Right, not what you asked. They were hunting the damn things to cull the numbers when they saw the fireball your explosion made. Once we flagged them down at the top of the hill, we came back to get you. Did you know Redmond¡¯s an actual ER doctor?¡±

    ¡°I kind of figured that one out myself. Didn¡¯t want to press him on it. How far from the highway are we? Is this place as safe as it looks?¡±

    ¡°It wouldn¡¯t stand up to that snake that was ripping your apartment building apart but there doesn¡¯t seem to be anything like that out here. Knock on wood,¡± Tommy said that last bit while rapping his knuckles against his head.

    ¡°And how long have we been here?¡±

    ¡°Right, about two days. You slept most of the first day. You look way better by the way. Can barely tell you had first degree burns on your hands and face. Are you hungry? Let¡¯s get something to eat and I¡¯ll tell you the rest,¡± Tommy replied while leading CJ away from the medical tent.

    They ended up walking past several different tented areas. Some folks were managing to create little cul-de-sacs to share fires instead of one for every new tent. Tommy managed to show off some of the work he¡¯d been doing the last couple of days. It seemed like the Skipper had given him a job. He was creating wooden gates and barriers with his Carpenters class.

    CJ listened intently noticing the people around him were not as enthusiastic about the situation as Tommy was. As Tommy continued to explain his work, CJ made a mental note that the barriers and gates were going up between the people in the tents and main structure for the reservoir.

    ¡°¡­ in about an hour. That¡¯s way faster than before and all it takes is a little wah wah. What do you think about that?¡±

    ¡°Oh, yea that¡¯s great.¡±

    ¡°Hey, did you zone out on me? Here we are. The mess hall. Check out these tables. I made them from the trees they cut down. Perfectly round. I didn¡¯t even have to use a sander. Check out how smooth the grain is.¡±

    ¡°Tommy, any idea why he has you creating a barrier between the building and the people?¡± CJ asked as they queued up behind some others.

    ¡°What do you mean? I¡¯m just putting in additional layers of protection. Earning my keep, as the Skipper likes to say. Oh, I get it. You¡¯re jealous. Because I can do real magic and your whole career is card tricks.¡±

    ¡°Woah, where is this coming from? Haven¡¯t I been on your side since this whole thing started? I¡¯m just looking around and making observations. That table is remarkable. Especially without any industrial grade equipment. Now that I¡¯ve finished stroking your ego, what¡¯s the deal with the barrier. From what I could see on our short walk there¡¯s only one gate all these people have to squeeze through if something terrible gets in beyond the walls. Maybe we should have this conversation in your tent.¡±

    ¡°Thank you. It is a really nice table. Also, I sleep in the building. Not tent city.  Look I¡¯m not in charge here. The boss says make a wooden palisade; I make a wooden palisade. Unless you¡¯ve forgotten, the world out there is filled with monsters now. The Skipper runs a tight ship, night patrols around the wall and two flood lights hit the tree line. You couldn¡¯t find a safer place right now. You should be thanking your lucky stars we made it here or you¡¯d be dead in the back of some abandoned pickup truck.¡±

    CJ just stared wide eyed at Tommy as they waited in line. He didn¡¯t realize how scared the guy must have been this whole time. From everything they¡¯d done up to now, CJ had been going with the flow. Losing two full days may have made him lose track of the gravity of their situation.

    ¡°Tommy, I¡¯m sorry. It¡¯s been a crazy week and it¡¯s not even Friday. I¡¯m starving and the world doesn¡¯t make sense anymore. I guess I¡¯m homeless now and Monty¡­ Where¡¯s Monty?¡±

    ¡°I haven¡¯t seen him since before the car bomb. He didn¡¯t show back up when we started running. Probably still out there.¡±

    ¡°I have to get out there and find him. Maybe he¡¯s still close to the highway.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m glad you feel that way No Phone, ball tap,¡± came Jerry¡¯s voice from behind CJ who then smacked his nuts when he spun to face him, ¡°Because the boss has a special job for you.¡±

    ¡°Ow! Fuck. What the hell man? I guess I could do a few shows a week. It¡¯ll take me some time to collect what I¡¯ve got left and create a half hours¡¯ worth of material. Should be good for moral,¡± said CJ cradling his nethers with one hand and fumbling around in his pockets with the other.

    ¡°The boss doesn¡¯t want to see your pathetic magic tricks. We have actual magic now. You see, we have an especially important job for No Phones like you,¡± snickered Jerry who was now joined by two other goons.

    ¡°Why do you keep saying no phones? What does that mean?¡± asked CJ.

    ¡°Your friend over there didn¡¯t tell you I see. Most of the people in these tents are No Phones. No access to the wah wah. There¡¯s a new pecking order between the haves and have nots. I know you¡¯re a no phone. I was the one who broke it. Considering there was no time for you to get a tablet or PC between that and the event. Welcome to tent city,¡± said Jerry with more venom than CJ had ever heard in someone¡¯s voice.

    <hr>

    ¡°Snap out of it No Phone. It¡¯s getting dark and I¡¯d like to make it the Reservoir before it¡¯s too late,¡± yelled Jerry before pushing CJ hard enough he almost fell over some tree roots.

    ¡°I¡¯m going, I¡¯m going. Fisher men treat their bait with more respect than you do,¡± quipped CJ.

    ¡°You¡¯ve been doing this for two weeks and you¡¯re the only one that keeps coming back alive. That should tell you how valuable you are to the organization. More people sign up every time you make it home. Only reason Skipper hasn¡¯t killed you yet,¡± said Jerry without the tiniest hint humor in his voice.

    ¡°What would you do with all your bullying time if he did?¡± CJ said under his breath.

    ¡°What¡¯d you say to me? You know that mouth is gonna get you in trouble¡­ Shut up. Did you hear that?¡± Jerry said abruptly as he raised his shot gun and started scanning the trees all around them.

    CJ squatted down to get out of the firing line in case something jumped out at them. He didn¡¯t hear anything, but Jerry¡¯s class was a Lookout. Sort of the rogue version of a scout. He¡¯s led many groups into the pine barrens and out to neighboring towns to scavenge. The woods grew eerily quiet and then there was the sound of deep clicking.

 Chapter Eight: Why does every solution for you involve kicking?

    ¡°Cicadas! You¡¯re on your own No Phone,¡± shrieked Jerry before he took off into the trees in the direction of the reservoir.

    ¡°Don¡¯t leave me. You¡¯re the one with the gun¡­ and he¡¯s gone,¡± whined CJ before getting his back to against a tree.

    The sound of cicadas singing was coming from his right. Instead of blindly chasing after Jerry through the woods, CJ took off in the opposite direction. It was a good thing too since a flood of buzzing shapes took down a tree in the direction Jerry ran. A few shotgun blasts rang out in the distance, but CJ didn¡¯t stop running. He absentmindedly wondered how big they were if they brought down a tree. The pine barrens were filled with pitch pines, but you¡¯d see the odd scarlet oak or southern red oak as well. All these trees were medium to large in trunk size. That¡¯s why when one of the cicadas landed on tree to CJ¡¯s right, he almost jumped out of his skin.

    It was big. Considering normal cicadas are about as big as a grown man¡¯s thumb, it was the size of those toy cars you sit toddlers in with the yellow roof. The wings had to be twice its length though. They buzzed in fits and spurts. It slowly turned on the tree trunk so that its wings were pointed up. It¡¯s bulbous head staring right at CJ. He froze in place hoping he was blending in the with the growing darkness of the forest. Two more wing buzzes and the cicada began to crawl around the tree away from CJ. He didn¡¯t know if it was the dark color of his now filthy Tux, the lack of hair on his head, or his panicked heart rate but CJ felt like that was supposed to be the end of him. Of course, that¡¯s when a bright flash lit up the sky.

    A streak of fire was blasting through the clouds straight toward the pine barrens. It was getting larger and larger making shadows all around him dance with its progression. The night was now lit up with a foreboding orange and red hue. Bright enough that CJ stood out amongst the trees. It was so bright he didn¡¯t see the cicada come back around the tree and notice him. Its wings buzzed right before it leapt off the tree at him. CJ still stood transfixed on the flaming ball plummeting to earth.

    Time slowed down as the cicada¡¯s movement reached CJ¡¯s periphery. It brought him down to the ground with its two headlight sized eyes wobbling around on either side of its head. Its mouth was very reminiscent of an old car front grill in the shape of V. While a normal cicada didn¡¯t have teeth, this monstrous variety did. They fanned out from each slit like fingers reaching out to grab a small object.

    CJ just about pissed himself when he felt one of his decks of cards. He snatched it with his right hand bending them slightly, so the middle of the pack budged. Then all fifty two sputtered out of his hand slapping against the monster¡¯s head. The wings abruptly stopped buzzing, and it began to grind its back legs together. It made the sound he heard earlier when Jerry took off. No sooner did that sound start then there was an impact that shook the ground. A plume of dust blasted between the trees of the forest. Pine needles fell everywhere as the top of trees swayed. This distracted the great bug enough that CJ crawled out from under it. Once it realized its prey was getting away, it refocused on dinner. It lumbered forward to recapture CJ before something struck it in the side flipping it onto its back.

    ¡°Get up and run dumbass!¡± yelled Monty.

    Monty had appeared from the forest and drop kicked the cicada. He scampered past CJ beckoning him to follow. CJ was completely floored by what just happened. He gathered his wits and trotted after Monty. Behind the both of them they could hear the cicada¡¯s song letting them know they were still in danger.

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    ¡°Monty, I¡¯ve been searching for you for days. Where did you go? Why didn¡¯t you stay with us?¡±

    ¡°Now¡¯s not the time. I¡¯ve got someone I want you to meet. It¡¯s taken him a long time to get here, and I almost got tired or waiting.¡±

    ¡°You know someone out in the Pine Barrens? I have so many questions, Monty.¡±

    ¡°He¡¯ll answer all of them. Shit, get down!¡± yelled Monty before executing a vertical leap that should have been impossible for a creature his size.

    Monty flipped over CJ¡¯s head and kicked a leaping cicada between the eyes before it could land on CJ. He landed on the ground looking at the now stunned bug in silent approval of his skill. Then Monty scampered off after CJ getting him to turn at certain points until CJ noticed they were heading toward a section of forest on fire.

    ¡°Is that a forest fire? We aren¡¯t going that way, are we?¡±

    ¡°You ask so many questions. It¡¯ll be fine Nancy. Nothing to worry about.¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t like your tone, Monty. What¡¯s with everyone mouthing off to me lately?¡±

    ¡°Cause you¡¯re a push over. You always have been. You were too scared to return me to the pet store even though you know I¡¯d never work in your act you hack.¡±

    ¡°Okay, that¡¯s just too far you little shit. I¡¯ll have you know I didn¡¯t return you because only monsters return pets to the pet store. I¡¯m no monster and furthermore¡­¡± said CJ but he didn¡¯t get a chance to finish.

    ¡°Shut up. We¡¯re here.¡±

    They arrived at a smoke filled section of the forest at the crest of a pit. There were several trees smoldering around them, but the fire didn¡¯t appear to be spreading. Whether it was just too cold, or the trees were well hydrated, CJ didn¡¯t know. The pit was almost perfectly circular. It even had impact rings all around it. At the center of it was a rod made of red wood with golden lettering written up and down it. The tip of it was capped in gold. Steams of smoke still came off the object.

    ¡°That¡¯s not a person. That an ornate stick in the ground. Why are we here again?¡± asked CJ.

    ¡°Because I called out to your familiar on my way here. We have a lot to discuss and not much time. Get down here and dig me out,¡± resonated an unfamiliar voice from the object.

    Monty had already begun sliding down the side of the crater. He made note of pointy or sharp sections for CJ to look out for. CJ just stood their mouth agape. Monty sighed before finding some loose rocks kicking his foot through them. The rocks shot up toward CJ forcing him to throw an arm over his face fore cover. That quick movement caused him to slip and tumble down the side of the crater.

    ¡°Why? Why does every solution for you involve kicking?¡± complained CJ.

    ¡°I am who I am. I thought you made your piece with that already. Now dig,¡± ordered Monty getting scowl from CJ.

    ¡°You¡¯re gonna help, aren¡¯t you?¡± asked CJ indignantly.

    ¡°No thumbs.¡± answered Monty Flatly.

    After thirty or so minutes of CJ digging out one side of the object, it finally came free of its upright position. It fell to the ground where CJ could see the golden writing was definitely of east Asian origin. As well as the other end was also tipped in gold. He got up after a minute and went over to lift the now obvious Bo staff out of the dirt. No sooner than his hand come within an inch of the weapon, two simian arms shot out from the six foot length of wood. The hands clamped firmly on either side of CJ¡¯s face and the world around him swirled into a blank white void.

    CJ stood and looked around him. Nothing but a flat white expanse. He called out for Monty who then showed up standing right next to him. CJ looked down at Monty whose eyes were fixated forward while he bowed his head. CJ followed the rabbits gaze to a mountain that wasn¡¯t there a second ago when he was looking around. There were stone steps leading up to a pagoda with red tiles at the top.

    ¡°What is happening right now?¡± asked CJ.

    ¡°We go to meet an original god of this planet. He has gifts for you,¡± answered Monty before he stood up and started hopping toward the stairs.

 Chapter Nine: Mana Mutations

    ¡°Get the Doc!¡± screamed a guard on top of the front gate.

    The hunters had returned from their excursion just before dusk. Tent city had people running back and forth to prepare for their return. When a call rang out for Doc Redmond, most people dropped what they were doing to find him. Redmond was treating a burn victim in his makeshift medical tent. He heard the cries for help and attempted to make his patient feel more comfortable before leaving. Grabbing up his first aid kit, which was starting to look very anemic by now, he headed out of the tent and toward the yelling.

    ¡°What happened to him?¡± asked Redmond as he reached the gates and found a very injured Jerry.

    Jerry had blood running down his right arm and a black eye. He was clutching his shotgun close to his chest. Skipper and the rest of the hunters were carrying him on a makeshift litter. Several others passed by the scene carrying beheaded and skinned animal corpses hung upside down tied to long poles.

    ¡°I want these gates locked. Someone tell the search lights to focus on the west side forest. If anyone hears a deep thrumming sound, I want to be alerted right away. Doc, do what you can for Jerry. You, tell Wendy she¡¯s got some meat for the stew tonight. Phil, get these no phones out of my way. I¡¯m going to have a smoke,¡± barked the Skipper as he made his way back to the main building.

    Skippers beard had grown in long now. He¡¯d taken to trimming it along his jaw line and braiding it from the chin down. It grew thick and black like the hair atop his head. That he cut at shoulder length. The amount of styling that man put his hair through made Redmond think he had a stylist living in the building.

    Redmond got a few others to help carry Jerry back to the medical tent. Once inside Jerry started back to lucidness. He tried to get up only to end up dumping himself on the ground. The others around him tried to help him back up but he just pushed their hands away.

    ¡°We are trying to help you, Jerry. What the hell happened out there?¡± asked Redmond trying to calm the man.

    ¡°Cicadas. Big as basset hounds. They got my no phone, and I had to fight past them. Shit, my arm,¡± babbled Jerry as he noticed his own injury.

    ¡°What do you mean ¡°got¡± Jerry? Who was with you? I¡¯ve got it just sit still,¡± prodded Redmond as he waived the others back.

    ¡°That fucking dead beat Thompson. You know him, the magician. He started crying and sucking his thumb in the fetal position when the monsters attacked. I told him to stay with me and I¡¯d protect him, then he ran off to get eaten. Then there was this comet in the sky that lit up the whole forest exposing my location to the bugs,¡± explained Jerry.

    Redmond didn¡¯t believe a word coming out of Jerry¡¯s mouth. He had personally witnessed Jerry verbally and sometimes physically abusing CJ on multiple occasions in the last several weeks. While Redmond didn¡¯t know their full history, he knew CJ as brave man that helped his family on more than one occasion. The idea that CJ would just panic and run off during an attack was comical.

    ¡°I¡¯ve got your wound sewn shut and I¡¯ve wrapped your arm in gauze. The swelling in your eye will heal on its own. If you could just sit over here for a bit and calm down. I need to see to this patient and I¡¯m currently out of cots,¡± said Redmond getting up and moving over to his burn patient.

    ¡°Is that a no phone? He can sit on the floor,¡± commented Jerry before tipping over the cot and dumping the patient on the ground.

    <hr>

    ¡°Wait up, Monty!¡± said CJ as he reached the first of the steps.

    ¡°Get your ass in gear. I told you to pack your sneakers, but you decided to take a nap. Patent leather shoes, ridiculous,¡± ridiculed Monty.

    They began to ascend the mini mountain sticking up in the middle of a white void. CJ looked around and noticed small patches of clouds lining the stairway up. The first one he passed had an image of the day his parent bought him his first magic kit. Inside it had the magic penny trick, the three cups and disappearing ball trick, as well as his first segmented rope illusion. CJ considered that was his first foray into stage magic.

    Ten minutes later he passed another cloud that held his parents wrecked sedan. It was the day after his horrible performance in the middle school talent show. The doves didn¡¯t want to fly and sleeves on his tuxedo jacket were too long for his smaller body. His parents told him he did great, but he knew they were just trying to make him feel better. Then they were gone the next day. A difficult time for a pre-teen CJ.

    Closer to the top he passed by random images of his grandmother chastising him for practicing his magic instead of going outside to play. Then school bullies smashing his card table at school during his connecting ring trick. Those same bullies giving him a bloody nose on the way home that day. While some of these scenes made CJ feel down there were still others with the opposite effect.

    CJ volunteered at old folks¡¯ homes putting shows and honing his craft. In his late teens practicing holding his breath in city pools while working to unlock handcuffs behind his back. Those days were some of his favorites as skills grew and his shows became more elaborate. Then there was Riley. She was another volunteer only she focused on soup kitchens and building homes for the homeless. They crossed paths many times. Once even going out on a disaster of a date.

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    While leaving the rained out picnic in a local park they were accosted by a man with a gun. CJ remembers trying to talk the man down instead of giving him his wallet. Turns out the gun wasn¡¯t loaded, but it was still heavy enough to leave a scar on her face. The man bashed Riley with the butt of the revolver and snatched her purse. CJ attempted to pursue but Riley had fallen clutching at her now bleeding face. The gun got her across the bridge of the nose, displacing it. He got her to the emergency room but since he wasn¡¯t immediate family they wouldn¡¯t let him in. That was the last time he saw her and one of CJ¡¯s biggest regrets.

    ¡°What¡¯s the point of all this memory lane shit? I was there for all of this,¡± CJ cried out.

    ¡°It¡¯s a reminder of who you are,¡± came a voice CJ didn¡¯t recognize.

    ¡°Monty was that you?¡± asked CJ.

    ¡°No dumb ass. It¡¯s the God we¡¯re here to see. Pick up the pace,¡± replied Monty as he hopped a little faster.

    ¡°Particularly ornery little shit right now. I¡¯m not gonna forget that dumb ass comment. See if I find you something to eat later,¡± grumbled CJ as he continued to walk.

    The next patch of mist was more of a montage. Just CJ practicing throwing knives and card tricks. Running on local high school tracks to increase his overall speed. Building his illusion box so he could saw an assistant in half. Buying Monty from the pet store. It dawned on him that tragedy only made him focus harder on getting better at his craft.

    Finally, the last few steps showed him saving Tommy and then saving the Redmonds. Unlocking the catering truck so others could eat. Blowing that car up so others could escape. Playing bait for weeks so others don¡¯t starve.

    ¡°Are we done with This is your life? What¡¯s actually¡­ holy shit!¡± CJ¡¯s complaining was cut off as he glimpsed the anthropomorphic monkey man dressed in East Asian armor.

    The pagoda was a very simple two story red tiled building. The exterior had a lazy river running around it filled with koi fish. There were two cherry blossom trees standing over a small patio area. That patio had four cylindrical cushions surrounding a table. Upon that table was a tea kettle and four small bowls.

    ¡°CJ Thompson, I¡¯m happy to introduce the animal kin god. The Monkey King, also known as Sun Wukong,¡± explained Monty who was now standing up on his hind legs and gesturing toward Sun Wukong.

    ¡°I am known by many names. Chu Han, Hanja, Katakana, to name a few. Let me take a look at you. Seems I¡¯ve miscalculated my landing. I was aiming for Asia, but Africa is not too far. A bit scrawny for a hero though,¡± commented Sun Wukong as he got up from his seated position to meet the two at the top of the stairs.

    ¡°Twice wrong then. This is the USA, North American continent,¡± said CJ before slapping his hands over his mouth when Sun Wukong¡¯s eyes narrowed at him.

    ¡°What he means to say, my lord, is that you have landed just in time. Right where you need to be,¡± said Monty with a hint of nervousness CJ had never heard before.

    ¡°Unstable portal. That explains why she beat me here. No matter, we have lots of work to do and very little time. Please join me at the table. I believe some tea will calm that racing heartbeat,¡± said Sun Wukong as he turned back to the seating area.

    CJ didn¡¯t feel like his heart rate was elevated. Sure, this was all very strange for him, but he thought he was handling it well then, he noticed Monty¡¯s spine relaxed a little after Sun Wukong invited them for tea. They both made their way over to the table and took their respective places at either side of the monkey king. Sun Wukong gently poured out tea into their bowls before pouring some for himself.

    ¡°You mentioned a her earlier. Who did you mean?¡± asked CJ.

    ¡°The Goddess of Fate. Don¡¯t you know? You have to know, it should have been the first announcement from your slate,¡± replied Sun Wukong.

    ¡°His slate doesn¡¯t work. He can¡¯t read it,¡± interjected Monty.

    ¡°Is this true? You better drink your tea then,¡± said Sun Wukong gesturing toward CJ¡¯s cup.

    CJ brought the cup to his lips and sipped at the same time everyone else did. Searing pain shot through his head before that strange window came into focus in front of him again. For a split second it looked like a regular chimpanzee was sitting next to him. No armor or regal bearing, just fur. Then his focus turned back to the window. Now he could read it clear as day.

    I have claimed this world as my own. The Goddess of Fate. Worship me and be rewarded.

    ¡°What is this? Goddess of Fate?¡± asked CJ as the sharp pain in his skull started to subside.

    ¡°Finally! Please go to your familiar tab. I need you to change some settings for me,¡± said an exuberant Monty.

    ¡°Tab, what tab? Hang on a second, I have a lot of little messages here,¡± replied CJ.

    ¡°I would recommend you wait until after you hear what I have to say. Several things actually,¡± commented Sun Wukong finishing his tea.

    CJ ignored them both and scrolled through some of the first messages.

    Warning: Your world has seen an unprecedented influx of mana. Mana is an integral part of the fabric of the universe. Since your world was depleted of mana for centuries, Mana Mutations may occur as indigenous life forms acclimate to a high mana environment.

    Warning: Mana fonts are overflowing. This will cause extreme environmental changes to this world.

    Message from the Goddess Fate: No doubt you have seen the warning messages. As I am a benevolent God, I offer you a deal. If you choose to skip this time of upheaval, I can remove you from the world for a decade. At that time, you will be returned to a world with more safe areas and heroes that have risen to defend the people. Unfortunately, you will be starting at level one and depending on where you return, that may prove¡­ problematic. But those of you who survive the first ten years will earn a rare title. Choose in the next twenty four hours. Y/N¡­ the time to choose has passed.

    In CJ¡¯s mind that made sense. It explained why there weren¡¯t more people around even with the monsters. He wondered how many people took the deal and how long they waited. A small part of him wishes he could have taken deal. It was a very small part.

    ¡°Why can I now see the messages?¡± asked CJ coming back to the conversation.

    ¡°Because I undid the sloppy hex Fate placed upon everyone. There is no reason you needed some device to give you access. Had I been a hair faster¡­ no reason to dwell on the past. On to other things. I need you CJ of Thompson. For reasons I won¡¯t go into now, my reach is limited. I need a Harbinger. Someone to take the gift I¡¯ve given you and pass it along to others. I assume you know other people who had your same condition?¡± asked Sun Wukong.

    ¡°You want me to go around and jailbreak people¡¯s slates?¡± questioned CJ, shocked.

    ¡°I want you to give it to those you deem worthy. If you consent to be my Harbinger, you¡¯ll have the ability to... how did you put it? Jailbreak people. That¡¯s the first gift I offer you today,¡± spoke Sun Wukong with a smile that didn¡¯t quite reach his simian eyes.

 Chapter Ten: No oneâ€™s ever gotten that card before.

    CJ sat there, mouth agape. He considered his current environment and the company he was in. At this very point he could see a game like screen straight out of his favorite rpgs. Well not exactly like them. His slate was more grey than blue, and it had subtle crack running diagonally through it. His inner child was playing hopscotch across his heart. He still had a stack of blinking messages. Just before he accessed the next one, a round and soft tea cake bounced off his forehead.

    ¡°Pay attention,¡± hissed Monty before sitting back up.

    ¡°As I was saying, if you would consent to being my harbinger of change, I can bestow you with boons that will give you an edge in all the conflicts to come. Make no mistake, we have a lot of work ahead of us. The goddess really botched the ascension of our planet. There should have been a slow increase to this planet¡¯s mana levels. Instead, it is like hundreds of volcanoes erupted primordial ooze all over the world. I¡¯m surprised there isn¡¯t a visible coating of mana all over everything. I doubt she will be attentive in this world and is probably using herself as a plug to hold back the worst of it. Amateur hour,¡± complained Sun Wukong.

    ¡°So, you¡¯re saying it¡¯s not supposed to be this bad. How do we fix it?¡± asked CJ.

    That smirk appeared on Sun Wukong¡¯s face again. CJ realized he¡¯d just given away any advantage he had in this negotiation. His instinct to save people, laid bare through his ascent up the stairs, and his willingness to go along with what was just said had sunk him.

    ¡°Firstly, do not access your slate until we are done talking. The gifts I have for you may¡­ alter some options and choices for you. With that said, I need you to shuffle these cards while we talk. It will help attuned them to you,¡± answered Sun Wukong before sliding a stack of octagonal shaped cards across the table toward CJ.

    CJ picked up the deck with curiosity painted across his face. They all had a picture of a monkey climbing hand over fist up a pole that looked exactly like the one CJ helped dig out. The outer edges of the cards were lined with gold. The deck was only slightly thicker than a standard deck of playing cards. CJ had spent some time as a dealer in the casino¡¯s when he needed to make rent. He never thought he¡¯d be shuffling for an old god. With that thought in mind he decided to make a show of it. He flipped the middle of the deck out and spun it around the side before collapsing the top and bottom of the deck back together. Then he rolled the middle section over the top all while maintain eye contact with Monty. The bunny seemed unimpressed.

    ¡°You know, I¡¯ve watched you practicing that at home. Try something new,¡± huffed Monty.

    ¡°Ooh, tough audience. You were saying?¡± CJ addressed the question back to Sun Wukong who was enraptured with the ease with which he shuffled.

    ¡°Right. What you are shuffling are your potential boons granted by me. You will be able to select three. Once done please put them face down on the table. Their faces won¡¯t become visible until after that,¡± muttered Sun Wukong who was now watching CJ flip groups of cards across his fingers and make some disappear.

    ¡°Stop it. This isn¡¯t an audition, and we need to wrap this up,¡± snapped Monty.

    ¡°You¡¯re familiar is correct. As we converse here in your mind space mutations are surrounding the crater. Time is slower out there than it is in here, but it isn¡¯t stopped. I¡¯m using the burning trees in conjunction with a mana lattice to ward off any predators. It will only last as long as the fires do,¡± commented Sun Wukong after tearing his attention away from the shuffling.

    ¡°Bottom line, you need to make you picks so we can get on with this,¡± grumbled Monty.

    ¡°Okay, okay. Don¡¯t be so pushy,¡± said CJ as he pulled three cards and lay them face down on the table.

    After that he handed Sun Wukong the deck back. He greedily grabbed it and attempted to mimic CJ¡¯s card tricks. This resulted in a shower of cards flying all around the three of them. As Sun Wukong attempted to grab them all out of the air, CJ could have sworn he noticed one of the cards he¡¯d chosen twitch a little. After the monkey king screeched his frustrations out like a chimpanzee at the elusive cards, he sat back down and gestured for CJ to take a look at his cards.

    Pull One: Unlocked Arcanum- This card allows the recipient access to all tiers of Arcanum. From tier one elemental magic to tier six temporal effects.

    ¡°Tiered magic? Can you explain a little about that?¡± asked CJ dumbfounded.

    ¡°Tier one is your basic earth fire wind and water spells. Tier two is the realm of the astral, so think psychic, charm, and illusions. Tier three is where deific power comes from. Tier four is dimensional. Tier five houses celestial and gravity based magics. Finally tier six handles time. I recommend avoiding the last two. Without proper training, they can cause more problems than they solve. All together they are considered the Tiers of Arcanum. An all too pompous nomenclature if you ask me,¡± answered Sun Wukong before gesturing for CJ to continue.

    This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it

    Pull Two: Kinetic Energy Converter- You can convert incoming Kinetic Energy into Mana Regen. The amount is dependent upon the volume of energy converted.

    ¡°So, like if I¡¯m falling out of a tree I can consume the energy as mana. I assume mana is what is used to fuel my Arcanum?¡± CJ asked hesitantly.

    ¡°I¡¯m actually not sure. No one¡¯s ever gotten that card before. Honestly didn¡¯t know it was in there,¡± answered Wukong now looking disinterested.

    Pull Three: Tireless- You have infinite stamina. Run Forest, Run.

    ¡°Holy crap, no fatigue!? That¡¯s amazing. Wait. Can I just run and refill my mana bar with the Kinetic converter?¡± asked CJ excitedly.

    ¡°Wow, no. Re-read the description of that boon,¡± answered Wukong sarcastically.

    ¡°Right, it says incoming not outgoing. Guess I¡¯ll have to play around with this,¡± said CJ sheepishly.

    ¡°Then you accept? Great. Start with the Harbinger¡¯s message and proceed through the rest of your prompts,¡± commanded Wukong as he got up to clear the table.

    Harbinger- As Sun Wukong¡¯s Harbinger you possess the ability to reconnect cracked slates. This is called Harbingers Grasp. Once connected there is no turning back.

    Please choose a class from the following options. Once chosen you will have access to that class¡¯s ability tree.

    Rogue

    Warrior

    Scout

    Templar of Fate

    Magician

    The last two options had a slight rainbow energy outlining the letters. CJ didn¡¯t deliberate long knowing Magician was really his only option considering the boons he received.

    Class: Magician- This class is an expert in unaspected magic. For example, a spell that doesn¡¯t require any one of the four elements to cast. You will be given a starting spell set and some abilities that match this potential. Unlocked Arcanum has been detected. Spells from all tiers of Arcanum are now viable to add to your spell list. Your starting spells can be found on your spell book tab. You currently have access to the following spells:

    Smoke screen- Common Spell/Air Magic

    Choking Hazard- Common Spell/Unaspected Magic

    Half-a-Bitch- Uncommon Spell/Unaspected Magic

    ¡°Wait, what?¡± exclaimed CJ before searching through his tabs to find his spell book.

    Half-a-Bitch- Uncommon Spell/Unaspected Magic: Costs 50 mana. Target is sliced in half by a blade of refined unaspected mana unless their will is stronger than the casters.

    ¡°Holy crap! Monty! I can cut someone in half with my mind,¡± CJ said with a little too much excitement.

    ¡°Oh Yea, how much does it cost?¡± asked Monty.

    ¡°Fifty mana,¡± replied CJ.

    ¡°And how much do you have?¡± asked Monty.

    ¡°Well¡­ I don¡¯t know. I haven¡¯t found that yet,¡± sighed CJ.

    ¡°It should be listed on your first tab along with your attributes. Maybe go through the rest of your prompts before you start jackin yourself off,¡± sneered Monty.

    ¡°Disgusting and hurtful,¡± mumbled CJ.

    You have reached level 3; you have two undistributed attribute points.

    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 12.8808%" width="40">

    <tbody>

    <tr>

    <td style="text-align: center; width: 54.1711%" width="79">

    Attribute

    </td>

    <td style="text-align: center; width: 45.8289%" width="65">

    Score

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td style="text-align: center; width: 54.1711%" width="79">

    Intelligence

    </td>

    <td style="text-align: center; width: 45.8289%" width="65">

    20

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td style="text-align: center; width: 54.1711%" width="79">

    Strength

    </td>

    <td style="text-align: center; width: 45.8289%" width="65">

    10

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td style="text-align: center; width: 54.1711%" width="79">

    Speed

    </td>

    <td style="text-align: center; width: 45.8289%" width="65">

    20

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td style="text-align: center; width: 54.1711%" width="79">

    Agility

    </td>

    <td style="text-align: center; width: 45.8289%" width="65">

    10

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td style="text-align: center; width: 54.1711%" width="79">

    Wisdom

    </td>

    <td style="text-align: center; width: 45.8289%" width="65">

    10

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td style="text-align: center; width: 54.1711%" width="79">

    Luck

    </td>

    <td style="text-align: center; width: 45.8289%" width="65">

    0

    </td>

    </tr>

    </tbody>

    </table>

    ¡°I have three attribute points to apply. Where should I put them?¡± CJ asked mostly to himself.

    ¡°Your Intelligence is going to be the major attribute for a Magician. The higher it is the stronger your spells will get. That score helps determine your will power. Smarter enemies will more easily be able to shrug off your spell effects,¡± explained Wukong who was now wearing a mortarboard and black robe.

    ¡°Intelligence it is. What about the abilities I get through the skill tree? I know, I know read the rest of your prompts,¡± said CJ.

    New skills acquired: Nothing Up My Sleeve and Hand is Quicker Than the Eye.

    Nothing Up My Sleeve- Passive, Dimensional storage limited to items that can fit up your sleeve.

    Hand is quicker than the eye- Card tricks, picking locks, picking pockets and sleight of hand are second nature to you. Upon use of this ability your hands are effectively invisible to others.

    ¡°Now that¡¯s cool. So, I can store anything as long as I can get it up my sleeve?¡± asked CJ as he looked around for anything small, he could jam into his sleeves.

    Wukong gave him a knowing nod of recognition. The god had cleaned up the table before CJ discovered his new ability. Monty was practically vibrating to say something.

    ¡°Game recognize game, Wukong. Monty, do you have something you want to say?¡± asked CJ.

    ¡°Would you please, for the love of all that is holy, go to your familiar tab!?¡± answered Monty through clenched buck teeth.

 Chapter Eleven: I just miss thumbs.

    CJ winced at the rigidity in Monty¡¯s spine. He could see the black furred rabbit desperately needed him to look at something. With that thought, CJ went looking for the familiar tab. It consisted of a few lines of text. The first was a percentage for current bond. It was only at twenty percent. CJ imagined it should be higher but then again, Monty was always kicking him and saying mean things a lot. Below that was a more interesting line.

    Health Regeneration is set to 80/20.

    ¡°Regeneration? Is that what you wanted me to fix?¡± asked CJ.

    ¡°Finally! If you could just balance that out, I¡¯d appreciate it,¡± spat out Monty.

    ¡°Sure thing, bud.¡±

    CJ adjusted the balance to fifty fifty and marveled as a look of pure relief passed over Monty¡¯s face. It was a rabbit¡¯s face, but his ears flopped down to either side of his head. Then his shoulders sank in a more relaxed position. CJ took note wondering why it was so heavily weighted to begin with.

    ¡°Hey, is this why I healed so quickly after the car bomb?¡±

    ¡°Probably.¡±

    Digging a little deeper into the tab, CJ found more information about Monty.

    Name: Monty Hall

    Species: Proto Hare

    While CJ wondered what a proto hare actually was, he noticed his bond level with Monty had increased by another five percent. That led his thoughts down another rabbit hole, pun intended, about Sun Wukong¡¯s relationship with Monty. Wukong was looking a little green around the gills, so CJ decided to close his slate for the moment.

    ¡°Everything alright?¡± he asked the monkey king.

    ¡°Time is running out and the fires around us are dying down. I have a quest for you. You will need to complete it before the next full moon. Not a lot of time I know. The corrupted mana that is spewing forth from the fonts needs to stop. The best way to do that is by clearing Bolster Dungeons. They are smaller dungeons meant to improve skills and abilities. The magic they use can fester and rot if not relieved. Once a dungeon turns rampant, then monsters can spill out into the real world. These monsters would be different than the naturally occurring kind you have encountered. For one, they would just keep coming until the dungeon was cleared. The monsters you have encountered so far can be culled until there are no more. Rampant monsters spawn no rewards for killing them. They can only be claimed from inside the boundaries of a dungeon. Here is the quest,¡± explained Sun Wukong.

    Holy Quest: Bolster Dungeons- Clear five bolster dungeons before the next full moon while educating the masses about them. 0 of 5 cleared. Rewards: Combat training from Sun Wukong.

    ¡°Wait, I get the training after? How am I supposed to clear the dungeons if I don¡¯t know how to fight?¡± asked CJ sounding a little worried.

    This novel''s true home is a different platform. Support the author by finding it there.

    ¡°You will have Monty with you and the spells you just received. They won¡¯t all be monster infested, remember the purpose of a bolster dungeon. Now I am out of time. You will be returned to your normal time and reality. Pick up my staff before you leave. I pray that you succeed,¡± spoke Sun Wukong who now more resembled a small chimpanzee than the armored monkey king from before.

    CJ hadn¡¯t noticed but the mountain steps he climbed to get to Sun Wukong¡¯s pagoda had shrunk down as well. There were only three steps remaining that led back to the white expanse he arrived in. Wukong gestured for him to leave. Only then did CJ realize the Monty had already gone. He hustled down the few remaining stairs and looked in both directions for Monty. Then his vision blurred before he was once again standing at the center of a crater in the middle of the New Jersey Pine Barrens.

    Monty shot passed him like a rocket planting both feet into a Cicada who was mid leap. They both came crashing down to the forest floor. For his part, Monty rolled back up to his feet ears flat to the back of his head. The fires around the crater were nothing but embers trailing wisps of smoke now. CJ wasn¡¯t idle as he tried to lift the monkey king¡¯s staff. It was incredibly heavy. The damn thing wouldn¡¯t budge. Then the golden script running up and down the shaft began to glow softly. The entire thing began to shrink, shifting from lacquered golden brown to more of a plastic matte black. The caps on either end shifted from gold, to silver, and finally to an eggshell color. By the time it was done it looked more like a magician¡¯s wand than an all mighty weapon of a god.

    ¡°Will you pick up Ruyi Jingu Bang already? We need to get out of here before we are swarmed,¡± hollered Monty.

    New Item: Ruyi Jingu Bang- Mythical grade. This item has been temporarily granted to CJ Thompson for the purposes of transport. This item transcends mortal limits; therefore, all abilities and enchantments of this item have been locked by its owner. Only Sun Wukong can unlock its power.

    CJ was baffled by the description of the staff. It was more like a wand now but still. That was as much time as he had to think about it before he heard more of that low rhythmic thrumming from the tree line. He slipped the wand in his right hand sleeve noticing no change in weight. His new passive Nothing up my sleeve was coming in handy already. The cracking of branches from the trees reached his ears next. They did not have an abundance of time, so CJ decided to give them a head start.

    He activated his new spell smokes screen for the first time. He felt his internal energy dip as he spent twenty of his newly accessed mana. A cloud of grey-black smoke billowed from under his tuxedo jacket. Within milliseconds the whole crater was shrouded with opaque smoke. Based on the spell description this will only last around three minutes. CJ took off in the direction Monty called out to him from finding he didn¡¯t have any trouble seeing through his own smoke.

    After ten minutes of running CJ wasn¡¯t even winded. It felt amazing after all those years of running on the track and pooping out after a few miles. Although the last month or so of running for his life didn¡¯t hurt either. CJ chuckled to himself thinking he could maintain this speed forever. That¡¯s of course when a tree branch smacking into his face flipped him ass over tea kettle.

    He¡¯d had his bell rung by that limb. Cursing himself for not watching where he was going. CJ couldn¡¯t see in the dark. He just wasn¡¯t getting tired. It appeared he needed to train with his newfound abilities. Monty was just standing over him on his hindlegs, arms crossed shaking his head left and right.

    ¡°You know, we¡¯re pretty far from the bugs now. You can probably slow down. Dumbass,¡± snickered Monty.

    ¡°What¡¯s your deal Monty? How did you know where to find Sun Wukong? Why did you know to bring me to him?¡± asked CJ rolling over to sit up.

    ¡°I¡¯m one of his followers. A lot of us have been trapped in an endless cycle of reincarnation since he left. My first name was Usagi. Back then I had a more humanoid body. I want that back and Sun Wukong promises to deliver it to me. Don¡¯t get me wrong, this form is near perfect. I just miss thumbs,¡± replied Monty.

 Chapter Twelve: Did you just pull that rabbit out of your ass?

    ¡°Outrageous. You¡¯re telling me there were anthropomorphic rabbits in the past. That¡¯s almost too hard to believe, yet I just created a smoke cloud from nothing while running away extra-large cicadas. Does this mean our myths and legends about werewolves and mermaids are true?¡± asked CJ like an excited twelve year old.

    ¡°Yes and no. The stuff you¡¯ve probably read about are more than likely half-truths. Most hybrids were protectors of significant locales or the offspring of demi-gods. This era pre-dates your current calendar system. Enough about the past. I want to talk about the future. Tell me about this quest,¡± answered Monty before changing the topic.

    ¡°Yeah, I don¡¯t fully understand it or the things I¡¯m capable of now. It said something about clearing five bolster dungeons.¡±

    ¡°Clever monkey. My memory is a bit foggy on specifics, but I seem to remember dungeons being an important part of managing the flow of mana. It¡¯s been so long. The good news is a bolster dungeon does just that, bolsters your abilities. Essentially training you to be better at whatever you do. The magic is Planar, tier four. Stuffs beyond me.¡±

    ¡°Right. He said the corrupted mana fonts could be repaired¡­ corrected by clearing dungeons. Don¡¯t know how to find them though and I¡¯ve only got thirty days.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s not a lot of time. Get your ass up. We need to get moving. Wait¡­ did you hear that?¡±

    Off in the distance came the sound of gunshots. They were very faint, but CJ could just make them out. He stood up. Looking around to get his bearings but only able to see twenty feet or so before it was just darkness in the forest. Traveling in almost pitch black conditions was not ideal. That¡¯s when a flare lit up the night to CJ¡¯s right. The sparkling red orb shot straight up trailing smoke as it reached its apex and began curving back down.

    ¡°Better than stumbling around in the dark, right?¡± asked CJ hesitantly.

    ¡°Let¡¯s just go ya ding bat. They may at least have some food,¡± answered Monty before hopping off in the direction of the flare.

    As they got closer, now moving at a more sedate pace, they could hear increasing gun fire. Someone was in a firefight. CJ reached the tree line and hunkered down. Below them was a small town. One of those towns you just drive through on your way to other places of more importance. The center of town had a traffic circle with no lights. One of those circles that just allows people to keep driving until they get to the turn they want to make. CJ always thought they were dumb. It relied on the honor system and the other person¡¯s willingness to get over so you could access the damn turn. More than once, he was forced go all the way around again because jerks wouldn¡¯t get out of the way. In the center was a small park with benches and a statue of an old general triumphantly riding his horse. The park had wedges of shrubs with walkways that crisscross through them.

    That¡¯s where normalcy ended. One of the buildings on the west side leading toward the circle was on fire. Smoke billowed up into the air and CJ could almost tell other buildings behind it were also burning. Without having firefighters anymore, this whole town was going to go up in flames. People seemed to be streaming down that road toward the circle. It looked like some of them were on fire. It was odd that twenty to thirty people were on the move, and they didn¡¯t appear to be in any hurry.

    ¡°Over there by that green van. They are the ones who need help,¡± said Monty before he started bounding down the hill.

    You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.

    ¡°Wait. I don¡¯t think we have the whole story here. Monty, fuck!¡± exclaimed CJ before crouch walking after him.

    Monty¡¯s instincts were right. As CJ got closer, he noticed bodies lying near the far side entrance to the park. They were all dressed in various styles of clothing. CJ and Monty slid down a hill and entered the side of town opposite the fire. This was closer to the van and the man standing atop it. It looked like he was posted up in a crouch position with the butt of a rifle firmly in his right shoulder and every now and then he shot across the park at the people escaping the fire. CJ and Monty put their backs against a nearby wall and made their way past some store fronts toward the green van. The van had words written on it; Trinchar Tree Service.

    ¡°Hey buddy, you fire off that flare?¡± asked CJ before the man spun and shot CJ right in the chest.

    The bullet took CJ off his feet, and he landed flat on his back. The passenger door opened and a young woman in her late twenties sprinted out with an axe raised high. She had curly brown hair and tan skin. The woman wore combat boots, dark jeans, and a grey tank top with a Puerto Rican flag pattern on the front. Her eyes met CJs, and she stopped just before the axe slammed into his chest.

    ¡°You speak English?¡± she asked.

    ¡°Elena, finish it off and get back in the van. Amor de dios,¡± yelled the man on top of the van before turning back to fire at the crowd.

    ¡°What the hell? Why did he shoot me?¡± asked a semi bruised CJ.

    CJ noticed immediately that he didn¡¯t have a hole in his chest. Aside from the slight bruising from hitting the ground, he was fine. He checked his slate really quick and his hp was still full. That¡¯s when he realized his mana had regenerated five points. It cost him twenty earlier to cast that smoke cloud and he now had eighty five points. CJ¡¯s mind raced and he remembered his boon from the monkey king. The kinetic energy conversion power. He wondered if this meant he was bullet proof. That couldn¡¯t be the case because he was still knocked off his feet. This wasn¡¯t something he was willing to just test for shits and giggles.

    ¡°I don¡¯t know if you noticed, but this is the end of the world. Did you come to help or just pick the bones? Answer me,¡± yelled the woman.

    ¡°Help, I came to see if I could help. Not enough of that is happening right now. Where¡¯s Monty?¡± asked CJ.

    ¡°You got someone else out here with you? Come out or I start taking chunks out of this discount prom DJ,¡± she to the mostly empty street around them.

    ¡°Why is everyone dunking on me lately? These threads were fine a couple of weeks ago. Don¡¯t worry, Monty is my rabbit. He should be around here somewhere,¡± CJ said attempting to sit up before the woman waggled the fire axe at him.

    ¡°Everything alright, ni?a?¡± asked the man on top of the van.

    ¡°I¡¯ve got this papa. Now get up slowly,¡± she said in a no nonsense tone.

    CJ got up slowly just as she asked. She looked him up and down before looking past him down the Street. Then she looked back at him frowning.

    ¡°You come from the barrens?¡± she asked.

    ¡°Yes.¡±

    ¡°You got someplace safe in there?¡±

    ¡°Yeah¡­ probably. Nowhere is really safe anymore but we¡¯ve got an encampment with walls a few miles from here. The reservoir.¡±

    ¡°Papa, there is a camp at the Pine Barrens Reservoir. What do you think?¡± she yelled over her shoulder while keeping her eyes on CJ.

    ¡°Any place is better than here right now. Did you get her started?¡± asked her father.

    ¡°No. There are mannequin parts stuck in the engine. It would take too long to fish them all out. We will have to leave her here. I was packing essentials before this animal lover in a tux showed up. Clean up the closest ones and come down,¡± replied the woman.

    ¡°Hi I¡¯m CJ. Nice to meet you,¡± he said rolling his eyes hoping to stop all the descriptions of his person.

    ¡°Take two steps back, CJ. You¡¯re going to show us this safe haven and if this is some kind of trap, I¡¯m swinging for your balls. Let¡¯s see if you can survive that. You got a bullet proof vest on under that collard shirt or something?¡± she asked now scrutinizing him more clearly.

    That¡¯s when Monty chose to show himself. He was acting like a normal rabbit and tentatively peeking around from behind CJ¡¯s right leg. The image was so bizarre that the woman broke out in peals of laughter.

    ¡°What are you some kind of magician? Did you just pull that rabbit out of your ass?¡± She could barely contain herself.

 Chapter Thirteen: I was a stage magician; three matinee shows weekly.

    ¡°We can¡¯t leave her here. She is part of the familia. I built this business from the ground up with the help of this van. I can¡¯t just leave her here,¡± lamented her father as he climbed down the side of the van.

    The man had a powerful build. Not like a body builder but someone that engaged in regular physical activity. There wasn¡¯t a hint of fat on him. He had black hair and wore faded denim jacket with a white t-shirt underneath. His pants were black with deep pockets on either side. They looked almost military. The boots he wore were better suited for hiking than combat. CJ assumed the man was in his early fifties.

    ¡°I know Papa but the worlds over. We need to survive now. How many monsters did you get?¡± she asked, trying to switch the subject.

    ¡°Can I recommend we get inside somewhere? I don¡¯t like being out on the street like this. There were a lot of those slow walking people coming from the fires,¡± interjected CJ getting a glare from the man.

    ¡°How are you even standing? I hit you center mass. You should be bleeding out if not dead already,¡± he responded leveling his rifle again.

    ¡°Papa, this is CJ. He came to help when he saw the signal flare. I think he¡¯s got body armor under that monkey suit. Oh right, that¡¯s Monty his rabbit. This is what I was laughing about. I don¡¯ think he speaks Spanish, so if you need to tell me something stick with this language,¡± she said that last part in a softer tone.

    CJ was baffled. She was clearly speaking English when she said that. People glanced back at their van, then she took off diving back inside. A few minutes later she emerged with two duffle bags packed to the seams.

    ¡°So, you have some encampment with other survivors? I warn you I was in the Marine Corp, try anything funny and I¡¯ll put you down. You look at my daughter cross eyed and I¡¯ll put you down. You fart in the wrong direction and¡­¡± he continued but CJ wasn¡¯t in the mood for anymore of this macho shit.

    ¡°And you¡¯ll put me down. Do you really think you¡¯re any more terrifying than everything else I¡¯ve had to endure for these past few weeks? Let me give you a little peek into the crap I¡¯ve had to deal with. A giant flying snake was smashing my apartment windows in to find food, I¡¯ve had to fight off saber-toothed chihuahuas with my bare hands, I blew up a car ten feet away from me covered in monsters, spent the next few weeks as bait to lure in enough food for others to eat before my protection detail bailed on me during a giant cicada attack, and now I¡¯m trying to help out two survivors who have already shot me but still refuse to tell me their names,¡± barked out a frustrated CJ before noticing the smoldering anger building up in the man¡¯s eyes.

    ¡°I¡¯m Elena Trinchar and this is my father Rubio Trinchar. Feel better now?¡± asked Elena as she grabbed her father by the shoulder and squeezed gently.

    ¡°Actually, yes. Thank you,¡± said CJ only now noticing that Monty was trying to get his attention by tugging on his pant leg.

    ¡°This guy is crazy, talking to me like that, as if we haven¡¯t had our problems,¡± Rubio said to Elena in that same tone again.

    ¡°I think it¡¯s been tough all around papa. Let¡¯s give this one guy a chance. We could always shoot him later,¡± Elena responded.

    ¡°The fuck you will. I¡¯ll leave you here right now if that¡¯s the case,¡± CJ said staring right at them.

    ¡°You can understand us?¡± asked a shocked Elena.

    ¡°Of course. The two of you are barely a yard away from speaking to each other. I¡¯m not def,¡± answered CJ.

    ¡°So, you can speak Spanish?¡± Elena asked, putting her right hand on her hip.

    ¡°Not a word.¡±

    ¡°But you can understand what I¡¯m saying?¡±

    ¡°Yes. Wait, what¡¯s happening?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m speaking Spanish right now.¡±

    ¡°No, you¡¯re not, you¡¯re speaking English¡­¡± CJ trailed off picking up the pieces of Elena¡¯s inquiry.

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    Rubio slowly raised his rifle again but not before Monty jumped up and kicked the back of CJ¡¯s leg. That caused CJ to drop to one knee. The benefits of this became apparent once he noticed someone moving around the Trinchar¡¯s van. Rubio noticed CJ squinting and spun around firing off two shots dropping the figure back into the darkness.

    ¡°Time to go,¡± he said before heading down the street the way CJ had come from.

    There was a silent agreement between CJ and Elena as they both fell in step behind Rubio. They didn¡¯t even get a block away before CJ had them stop and duck down a side street.

    ¡°You better have a good reason for making us stop,¡± warned Rubio.

    ¡°Listen,¡± answered CJ before pointing to his ears.

    There was a growing thrum in the air that CJ recognized as the giant cicada¡¯s song. He quickly explained what that sound was before turning toward a side door attached to wone of the buildings. It was locked but CJ had the cure for that. For the first time since gaining the ability, CJ used hand is quicker than the eye. The lock popped and they were all inside the door in a matter of seconds. It was dark inside, but they could smell a copper tang. Within the room were several pipes leading off in all directions. The floor was slick with some kind of liquid.

    ¡°Anyone remember what the sign out front said?¡± asked CJ.

    ¡°No, I wasn¡¯t looking checking as we passed,¡± answered Elena.

    ¡°Why would these big bugs track you so far? Surely there would be easier prey within the forest,¡± pondered Rubio.

    ¡°I¡¯m not sure but these mana mutations don¡¯t behave like the creatures they used to be. The corruption in the mana must change them on a fundamental level,¡± said CJ getting strange looks from the other two.

    ¡°What?¡± asked Elena as she flicked open a lighter.

    Now that the room was illuminated, they could see it was some kind of auto parts storeroom. There were racks of shelves stuffed with parts and mufflers hanging upright. This excited CJ because now he could grab some stuff load up his new inventory ability. He began shoving lengths of pipe up his sleeve and any other odd thing he could find. Rubio just shook his head and began searching the large room for threats. After grabbing some pens off a nearby desk, Elena grabbed his arm to stop his berserker clepto behavior.

    ¡°Hey, calm down. We have a minute to breathe. What were you saying about bugs? The words didn¡¯t make sense,¡± Elena explained.

    ¡°You don¡¯t have slates? The screens with the messages? That would make a lot of sense. I feel like I already knew that but it¡¯s more important that you confirm it,¡± answered CJ.

    ¡°No, we can¡¯t read that thing. Papa says god¡¯s punishing us because of what he did overseas. It¡¯s a sore subject. If you know anything about what¡¯s happening I¡¯d be happy to listen,¡± Elena said with a jarring shift in attitude.

    ¡°If so, then I have good news for you. I can fix those screens. It¡¯s not comfortable but you¡¯ll be able to read them and probably earn a class,¡± replied CJ before looking to see if there was any comprehension of his words. There was not.

    ¡°I can fix it. You may be able to do some amazing things afterwards. It has to be your choice though. I can¡¯t force it on you. I originally had a broken screen and couldn¡¯t understand people when they talked about all of this. It was like the words were just discordant sounds. Then it would drop back into actual language,¡± CJ explained getting a nod of comprehension from her.

    ¡°I¡¯m not sure about this¡­¡± she began before CJ cut her off.

    ¡°Absolutely not. I¡¯m not doing anything to you. Your dad already shot me once. I suggest we build up some more trust before we explore my ability to fix slates. Sound good? What¡¯s in the bags? They look heavy,¡± asked CJ.

    ¡°Survival equipment,¡± was all Elena said as Rubio came back from a row of shelves.

    ¡°There is an inner door. I suggest we barricade the one we came in through and try to find some place to wait out the night. CJ help me with this shelving unit,¡± ordered Rubio.

    In the end all three of them had to shift it since CJ wasn¡¯t very strong. No sooner did they finish than the first few bangs were heard against the door. They all quietly backed away from it and CJ used his ability to open the inner door. On the other side of the door a hallway led to the store front. To their immediate left was another door with a glass window. Inside was standard office. It had a desk with a pc on it. There was phone complete with multiple lines, some filing cabinets, and an offensive pinup girl poster. Elena immediately ripped that off the wall. Monty just hopped up on the rolling chair and curled up.

    ¡°Hallway is tight. It would make a good defensive position. Elena, can you please do an ammo count? CJ, I take it you¡¯re not much of a fighter?¡± asked Rubio.

    ¡°I was a stage magician. Three matinee shows weekly,¡± commented CJ who leaned up against a nearby wall.

    ¡°How have you survived this long? I assumed a guy like you would have been raptured with the rest of the people,¡± said Rubio.

    CJ assumed he meant the deal. On some instinctive level Rubio must have known what was going on even if his slate was broken. That¡¯s when CJ decided to lay it all on the line. He was pretty sure, between his regeneration and Kinetic Converter, he could survive an angry Marine with a gun if things went south. He might not like it, but he could always cut him in half if things got out of hand. But this father daughter duo were starting to grow on him. They were just trying to look out for each other in this crazy world and all of a sudden, this dirty tuxedo wearing black guy shows up talking about a safe place to go. He understood their reluctancy to trust him. CJ began a long explanation, from no phones to cracked slates and everything in between.

 Chapter Fourteen: I donâ€™t like the shooting part.

    ¡°So, you have real magic, you were gifted an ability to fix slates by some monkey god, and you have a quest to help fix corrupted mana. Did I get all that right?¡± asked an obviously skeptical Elena.

    ¡°I told you this guy was loco,¡± scoffed Rubio, not even looking up from cleaning his gun.

    ¡°I understand how this all sounds but weren¡¯t you just shooting at some slow moving people an hour ago? Is that so far from what I just said?¡± questioned CJ.

    ¡°They were mannequins. I don¡¯t know how they were moving but¡­¡± Rubio trailed off as Elena began speaking.

    ¡°Papa, let me handle this part. On the north side of town was a large storage warehouse. We thought we¡¯d put some walls around us and be safe for the night. When we opened the rolling door, they started rushing us. Rushing isn¡¯t really the right word because they don¡¯t exactly walk right. They don¡¯t have joints in the normal places. Most of them rotate their legs at the hip. It was a very stilted lumber. The coordination was off. I chopped up the first few before papa chucked an incendiary into the mass of them. The problem was other doors further down the warehouse burst open and more started pouring out. We ran back to the van and fought our way in. By the time we got it started we were surrounded by the damn things. We ended up having to drive over and through them. Before we knew it, we¡¯d crashed into the storefront where you found us. So, no your story is not as far fetch, but we¡¯ve seen nothing from you but a rabbit and your adept ability at B and E,¡± rattled off Elena while her father started pacing back and forth behind the desk.

    ¡°Come to think of it the mannequins were acting strange. Instead of pursuing us through the park, they went around the park with the statue like they were observing traffic laws. I expected them to flood over the park crushing the shrubs on the way to us. It was simple to pick them off as they rounded the curve. Even helped to slow them down as they stumble over each other. I didn¡¯t have time to wonder why that was as I was covering our six,¡± finished Rubio before peering across the hall through the window in the door.

    ¡°My spells¡­ aren¡¯t safe or flashy. I can make a smoke screen to hide in but I¡¯m pretty sure it¡¯d obscure your vision. I can make people choke and well, do you know that saw a person in half trick? Not the kind of thing you want to show off. Sort of a last resort thing, but Monty can talk. Monty say something to help support my case,¡± bade CJ as he looked at the rabbit wide eyed.

    For Monty¡¯s part he just sat in Elena¡¯s lap motion less. After a few awkward seconds, Monty rolled over on his back exposing his belly for Elena to rub. She obliged him. This infuriated CJ who lunged at Monty. For his efforts, CJ was met with Monty¡¯s scissoring kicks to his chin. As Monty landed on the floor of the office in an obvious fighters¡¯ stance, he lifted his right fore paw and gestured for CJ to bring it on. After CJ landed on his butt from the bunny¡¯s assault, he checked his mana. He was now back up to ninety five mana. It seems Monty¡¯s kicks packed as much punch as a bullet.

    CJ didn¡¯t think that was correct. He was kicked twice so maybe two and half each. The math for this magic stuff was starting to weird him out. It was then he realized that Elena once again erupted in laughter as her father pulled a nine millimeter and had it leveled at Monty.

    ¡°Dude, wouldn¡¯t it be easier to just talk. Normal bunnies don¡¯t stand like that. Admit it, I played you,¡± smirked CJ.

    Monty took a look at how he was standing. Upright on his hind legs, left foot planted behind him with his right paw outstretched and his left paw tucked in close to his chest. His ears plastered flat behind his head.

    ¡°Fine, you jerk. I¡¯m going to leave a present for you on your chest while you¡¯re sleeping,¡± spoke a defeated Monty.

    This was met with gasps from both Elena and Rubio. Elena even jumped up on the chair on which she was sitting. CJ slowly walked over to Rubio and eased the gun down and away from Monty. Rubio paid him no mind as he stared, mouth agape at the now irritated rabbit.

    ¡°Monty¡¯s a good person. I¡¯d have been dead ten times over without him,¡± CJ said, hoping to add a little sugar to the bitter look on Monty¡¯s face.

    He seemed to be placated for now. CJ then turned his head toward the window Rubio was looking out earlier. Across the hall was the entrance to the employee lounge. His stomach started to rumble, and CJ realized he hadn¡¯t eaten almost a day. He asked the others to wait here and went across the hall. Within he found a standard kitchenette with some dirty mugs in the sink. There was a refrigerator which CJ knew better than to open. To the left of the refrigerator was a palettes¡¯ worth bottled water. They were all still shrink wrapped. Next to that against the perpendicular wall stood a vending machine. The light inside was off and the keypad was dark. There was no ultra crisp bill that would feed through that dead dollar slot. Even with all the obvious signs that the vending machine was a soon to be relic of the past, there was still a small object inside giving off a slight glow to CJ¡¯s vision.

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    As CJ approached the machine, he heard the tell tale hopping of Monty entering the break room. CJ pointed at the stacks of bottled water without his eyes leaving the glowing object in the vending machine. He used his Hands are Quicker than the Eye ability to pop the pad lock on the latch. Then he opened the front of the vending machine. Inside was a bevy candy bars, potato chips, and varying selections of gum. He reached his arm deep into the back and extracted one of the wrapped pastries. It was oblong and came in a two pack. Once he had it in his grasp he received a prompt.

    New Item: Mobius Twinkie, Rare- as long as one bite of this twinkie remains, the entire pastry will regrow within twenty four hours.

    ¡°Holy shit! Monty, look at this,¡± said an excited CJ, holding it out to his familiar.

    ¡°Just what you need. A never ending supply of junk food. Heaven forbid you should eat a vegetable. You should take everything else in there while you¡¯re at it. I left to give those other two a chance to talk without us,¡± commented Monty as he finally got his teeth through shrink wrap.

    The next ten minutes was filled with CJ stuffing all the contents of the vending machine that would fit, up his sleeves. Then he made sure to snatch up all the bottles of water. He now had around seventeen hundred bottles of water. He figured they wouldn¡¯t go thirsty anytime soon. As he looked around at the four round tables and chairs that made up the bulk of the break room. He grew suspicious at the lack of a drink vending machine. There might be can or bottle in one of those he¡¯d never drink again.

    ¡°We should probably get back. I can hear what they are saying anywhere in this building. Didn¡¯t want them to know that. Also, we should check out that park in the morning. There is only one reason monsters would avoid a patch of land. Call it a hunch,¡± said Monty.

    ¡°Good, you¡¯re back. We¡¯ve decided. I will try your broken slate cure. To be fair, I¡¯m going to tell you up front. If something happens to me Elena will immediately shoot you in the head or balls. Her choice. Do you accept these terms?¡± asked Rubio.

    ¡°I don¡¯t like the shooting part. I¡¯m going to be honest about that. When it happened to me there was some pain as the process took hold. I haven¡¯t done it to anyone else yet and the threat of being shot is making me nervous,¡± said CJ with a smile on his face that didn¡¯t reach his eyes.

    ¡°Understood. If it helps us survive, I¡¯m willing to risk it for myself. I would not allow my daughter to undergo something so obviously experimental,¡± Rubio said flatly.

    ¡°How about we eat first?¡± asked CJ, before he started producing bottles of water and snacks.

    They marveled at CJ¡¯s ability. Elena and Rubio both inspected his arms to figure out how he was doing it before they all sat down to eat and drink. During this time Rubio continued to ask CJ what the process was like for him. CJ noticed that he only drank half the bottle of water before capping it and putting it away. CJ dropped six more bottles out of his right sleeve in front of Rubio while answering one of Elena¡¯s questions.

    ¡°Why does this Monkey King want you to do this? What¡¯s in it for him?¡± asked Elena.

    ¡°I¡¯ll let Monty answer that. Some of the details won¡¯t make sense if I say them because of your broken slates. I didn¡¯t have a problem when Monty told me things before mine was fixed. Side note, I think that¡¯s why I can understand you when you speak Spanish. The slate translates automatically,¡± finished CJ rubbing his chin in thought.

    ¡°Fine. That big blue wave of energy that swept across the planet a few weeks back. That was mana. This world hasn¡¯t had mana in a millennium. It was too much, too fast. That caused the fonts that release the mana to become corrupt. Dungeons clean and purify mana. Until we start clearing them, they¡¯ll just keep pumping out more and more corrupted mana,¡± explained Monty before tearing through a bag of potato chips.

    ¡°I understood everything he said. I mean the words, not the meaning,¡± commented Elena.

    ¡°Apparently not many people know about this and whoever is left is just trying to survive,¡± added CJ.

    ¡°Enough. Let¡¯s begin. Exhaustion is setting in and we should get rest when we can. CJ, I¡¯m ready,¡± said Rubio standing up and walking around the desk to stand before him.

    ¡°Here goes nothing,¡± said CJ as he stood up and put both hands on either side of Rubio¡¯s head.

    CJ summoned up the Harbingers Grasp from within him for the first time. It was strange sensation. Internally he felt the flow of his mana swell from within his chest. It then erupted out into both his arms toward Rubio¡¯s head. The experience was like ice cold water released from a fire hydrant. CJ¡¯s body began to glow with a twinkling blue energy before Rubio¡¯s eyes lit up with a shining azure light. The moment the process started Rubio¡¯s shoulders twitched as he resisted years of training designed to protect himself from harm. Elena¡¯s eyes went wide as her father¡¯s back stiffened, before his straining shoulders sagged. She was about to shoot CJ before Monty hopped up on the desk and shook his head no. Just like that it was all over. CJ released Rubio¡¯s head and sat back down in his chair.

    ¡°That¡­ huff huff. That¡¯s it. I¡¯m curious what class he picked,¡± panted CJ.

    ¡°That¡¯s simple. Rifleman,¡± said Rubio maintaining a thousand yard stare into nothing.

    ¡°It worked! Madre de Dios! It worked!¡± cheered Elena.

    ¡°He was right, it did sting. But now I can¡­ let¡¯s see here. I have the ability to transmute any metal into bullets using wah wah,¡± commented Rubio.

    ¡°That¡¯s it. I¡¯m done not understanding what you all are saying. My turn,¡± said Elena before stamping one foot.

 Chapter Fifteen: If you need to go, I suggest holding it until we get to the next rest stop.

    ¡°I¡¯m going to need a minute. Did you have multiple class choices, maybe one with a rainbow outline around the words, Rubio? Surprisingly, that takes a lot out of me. I need to check my messages really quick,¡± replied CJ to an impatient Elena.

    New Title Gained: Repairman- You have mended someone else¡¯s slate interface for the first time. While this title is equipped you will see a dark outline around the heads of people with malfunctioning slates.

    CJ was shocked to see the title message. So shocked he didn¡¯t maintain control over his face, drawing concerns from the others in the room. He managed to waive them off as he continued reading his prompts.

    As the first person in this world to acquire a non-combat title, you have earned an additional attribute point that can not be spent on a physical attribute.

    You have one unassigned, mental only, attribute point.

    Now that was the real kicker. The slate was dictating what he could use the point for. He would have to ask Monty later if that was normal. Based on what Wukong told him, he was definitely going to spend the point in Intelligence. That would bring him up to a twenty four. CJ hadn¡¯t experimented with most of his spells yet and making it harder to resist them sounded like a good idea.

    ¡°Yes, the Rifleman had a rainbow sheen to it. What does that mean?¡± asked Rubio.

    ¡°I¡¯m not sure. I think that makes them special somehow. Maybe Monty knows something about,¡± said CJ as he noticed Elena¡¯s crossed arms.

    ¡°Sorry, I just got a wah wah. Shit, you won¡¯t be able to understand me. I think I¡¯m ready to go again. Are you set?¡± asked CJ.

    ¡°Yeah, cabron. Let¡¯s do this,¡± replied Elena, obviously trying to psych herself up.

    CJ stood up and approached her while Rubio was still familiarizing himself with his own slate. Elena looked deep into CJ¡¯s eyes as he placed his hands on the sides of her head. Then CJ felt his mana react. That same feeling traveled up his arms and into his hands before plunging into Elena¡¯s mind. Only this time the sensation was slightly different. CJ¡¯s arms weren¡¯t as cold, and the rush of energy wasn¡¯t as violent. The power just poured into her as if from a pitcher into a half full glass of water. The violent nature of forcing a change like he felt with Rubio was completely absent. CJ released his hands with the slightest tingle of blue energy racing between his fingers.

    ¡°Did it work?¡± asked CJ, while still looking at the energy surging around his fingers.

    ¡°I believe it has. This is amazing. You said rainbow outlines, right?¡± she asked before getting a nod from CJ.

    ¡°What does it say? You may want to consider them all before you make a choice. I don¡¯t know if you can change it later,¡± commented CJ.

    ¡°I already picked one. Chainsaw Knight,¡± spoke Elena before a bright light emanated from inside one of the duffel bags she brought out of the van.

    Elena went over to it immediately and opened it. As the zipper pulled down the length of the bag the light started to dim. She pulled out a gas powered chainsaw with a gleaming silver blade. It was no longer than two feet long from the engine to the blade tip. More than enough to length to keep enemies from coming in close. She lifted the device as if it were weightless and shoved her arm through the cross bar before twirling it around. The grin on her face could be seen from space.

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    ¡°Uh¡­ that¡¯s definitely unique. Did it come with any cool abilities?¡± asked CJ.

    ¡°What? Oh right. My slate says I can power the saw with stamina points should I run out of fuel. It also says something about me naming it. Hang on I have another ability called Puerto Rico Chain Saw Massacre. Holy shit, it increases sharpness for ten minutes allowing me to cut through almost anything. I can only use it once per day though. I wonder why that is,¡± she pondered before sitting down to read the rest of her prompts.

    ¡°Probably an oh shit ability. Like you only use it when you have too. That class seems wild. I recommend you all get some sleep,¡± said Monty standing in the doorway.

    ¡°I will take watch. Elena and I will stay in here. You and the rabbit can take the break room,¡± suggested Rubio forcefully.

    ¡°But the break room doesn¡¯t have a door¡­ Okay. Come on Monty, I can take a hint,¡± said CJ in response.

    ¡°No, you can¡¯t. That¡¯s why he had to tell your dumb ass,¡± sneered Monty hopping his way back to the kitchen area.

    Monty decided to watch over CJ while he slept, telling him he¡¯d wake him up in four hours to take over. CJ slept the sleep of the dead. When Monty shook him awake, he yawned like he hadn¡¯t slept in years. Then he noticed a few pellets on his chest. He quickly flicked them off of himself before scrabbling up to his feet. He then looked around for the little asshole noticing he wasn¡¯t in the kitchen anymore. Not wanting to start the day with extra-large rabbit shit on his shirt, the went over to the sink hoping the water still worked. It did not. That meant he could use his bottled water or check the toilet tank in the employee bathroom further down the hall.

    CJ grabbed a few paper towels from the dispenser on the wall before deciding to empty out the dispenser entirely and shove the individual sheets into his sleeve. You never know when you¡¯ll need a paper towel, he thought to himself. Then he ventured down the hall. He could see rays of sunlight peeking through the storefront windows. It had to be just after dawn. Time was relatively meaningless this many weeks after the world went to shit. Upon opening the door, his nostrils were immediately assaulted by the stench of death. There was a dead body in the corner of this two stall bathroom with one urinal. On the back wall were steel rungs that lead up to a hatch in the ceiling. Between the urinal and the stalls was a headless corpse cradling a shotgun. To get to either of the toilets, CJ would have to cross over the body. With the sinks on his left and the first of two stalls on his right, he very carefully stepped over the body to enter the stall. Once there, he took the tank lid off to find what was left of the tank water.

    He dabbed one of his paper towels in the tank. That simple act made the water in the tank slosh enough that some grey crud caked up along the interior walls fell into the water. CJ having had enough of this excursion and running out of the breath he was holding, he noticed one of those large industrial toilet paper roll dispensers. He took the lid off carefully and found it was mostly full. Recalling the fact that back at the reservoir, TP was in short supply and was trading at highly marked up prices, he jammed the end of the roll into his left sleeve. It began to spin the roll at high speeds, but CJ was adamant not to take another breath while in here. He pulled the roll out of the dispenser and shoved his right arm through the center hole. Then he made a break for the door.

    With a wet paper towel in his left hand and an extra-large roll of spinning TP on his right arm, pulled the door shut tight before inhaling a wondrous breath of clean air. At that point he turned to his right to see Monty, Rubio, and Elena all standing in the hallway just after leaving the office.

    ¡°Morning. If you need to go, I suggest holding it until we get to the next rest stop,¡± explained CJ before the roll finished spinning leaving a cardboard tube on his arm.

    ¡°Clean yourself up. You¡¯re embarrassing me,¡± said Monty as he hopped past CJ.

    ¡°I¡¯m embarrassing you. You¡¯re the little bastard that¡­ never mind,¡± replied CJ as he hurriedly turned away from everyone to wipe the mess on his shirt.

 Chapter Sixteen: How is the stage magician the highest level of us all?

    Beyond the five rows of shelving that led to the glass windows of the storefront, Rubio could see more broken mannequin parts. Along with them he noticed some large cicada bodies lining the street. Periodically, they all could hear the buzzing of large insect wings as more cicada¡¯s arrived in town. Rubio leaned back behind a windshield wiper display end cap to address everyone else.

    ¡°Looks like the bugs and mannequins went to war last night. The street outside is a mess. I think it would be tactically foolish to go out the front door,¡± said Rubio to others behind the counter.

    ¡°That would explain why we didn¡¯t hear much banging after we left the backroom last night. They must have been fighting each other. Why do those bugs want you so bad?¡± asked Elena, a look of confusion on her face.

    ¡°I have no fucking clue. I escaped one of them with Monty¡¯s help and they chased me just before I found you. They¡¯re monsters, who knows what¡¯s up with them,¡± replied CJ wiping a hand over his bald head.

    ¡°If you had an analysis ability you could figure this stuff out. To get that, you¡¯ll need to grow stronger by leveling up. You¡¯ll get more class abilities that way. Skills will develop the more you use them. You can also find skill or ability books inside dungeons. They¡¯ll augment your current slate of abilities,¡± Monty said casually.

    ¡°Huh? What does the rabbit mean Elena? I do not understand,¡± asked a confused looking Rubio.

    ¡°I think he means the slate screen, papa. Monty are you saying that the slate screen can give us more abilities like CJ has?¡± queried Elena looking to Monty for confirmation and getting nod from the bunny.

    ¡°Seems I need to go into more detail. Everybody back to the break room. I¡¯m only supposed to have one human, now I gotta shepherd a whole gaggle of them¡­¡± mumbled Monty as turned back down the hall before trailing off.

    Monty got them all to sit around one of the break room tables before hopping up onto the table himself. He paced back and forth with one paw to his chin for a few minutes before he began to speak.

    ¡°Let¡¯s start with this. What level are you?¡± asked Monty.

    ¡°I¡¯m level two according to my slate,¡± answered Rubio.

    ¡°I¡¯m level one. Wait, why does my father have a higher level than me?¡± inquired Elena.

    ¡°He must have killed more monsters or completed more significant tasks since the return of mana. There are lots of ways to level up. The more you accomplish the more power you¡¯re granted by the slate. The more dangerous or harrowing the task, the better the chance of leveling. Go ahead CJ, tell them your level,¡± Monty said this last part gesturing to CJ.

    ¡°I¡¯m level three,¡± said CJ.

    ¡°How is the stage magician the highest level of us all? He barely did anything against yesterday,¡± complained Rubio.

    ¡°Green is a bad color on you Rubio,¡± sneered CJ.

    ¡°Ha ha, settle down boys. Does it have something to do with that king of monkeys you mentioned?¡± asked Elena.

    ¡°Yes and no. I¡¯ve been fighting for my life since this whole thing started. I¡¯ve killed a number of monsters and saved a lot of people. I even risked my life playing bait for a few weeks, so others had food to eat. Don¡¯t get me started on how gamey that stew turns out to be. None of it was fun. I kind of understand Monty¡¯s explanation. My class abilities are tailored toward things I did before the end of the world. I learned picking locks years ago for one of the tricks in my act. Now I have an innate ability to do so. Monty, you mentioned skills too. Can you tell us what the difference is? I don¡¯t seem to have a list of them on my slate,¡± replied CJ.

    ¡°Skills grow in level with use and may take on enhanced functions. Abilities don¡¯t have levels and only change through personal evolution. That¡¯s more complicated than we have time for right now,¡± said Monty.

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    ¡°What about the books and dungeons? I can hardly believe I¡¯m having this conversation. A month ago, I would have said you were all crazy, but the rabbit is the one explaining it, so maybe I¡¯m also crazy,¡± sighed Rubio.

    ¡°We now live in a crazy world. You know how one of your first slate messages mentioned corrupted mana fonts? Well, they are a problem that can be solved by clearing dungeons. Supposedly there are many different kinds of dungeons. Once cleared they will help cleanse the mana. At least that¡¯s how I understand it. Monty could clarify If I missed anything important,¡± added CJ.

    ¡°You are technically correct. Dungeons¡­¡± started Monty before being cut off by CJ.

    ¡°The best kind of correct,¡± said CJ.

    ¡°Do you mind not doing bits in the middle of my very important to life on this planet explanation about dungeons?¡± asked an angry Monty.

    ¡°Sorry.¡±

    ¡°As I was saying before being so rudely interrupted. Dungeons cleans mana after being cleared. They take in ambient corrupted mana and covert it to clean mana. By way of recreating their monsters, traps, rewards, etcetera. If dungeons aren¡¯t cleared regularly, regularly being relative to the size of the dungeon, they will turn rampant. A rampant dungeon belches forth excess monsters as a byproduct of too much corrupted mana. That can quickly turn a region or continent into a monster infested wasteland. Am I correct in assuming neither of you have a slate message about dungeons?¡± asked Monty, getting head shakes from the Trinchars, ¡°I see. This deity of fate is either incompetent or she doesn¡¯t care. That¡¯s bad news. I have a hunch that there is a dungeon in that park. CJ and I are going to clear it. You are welcome to join us if you like but we can¡¯t force you,¡± finished Monty.

    Elena and Rubio exchanged a long look. That¡¯s when the sound of glass breaking reached all their ears. It came from the front of the store. They could all hear the buzzing of wings accompanied by crashing. Rubio was the first to move. He had his rifle up in front of him as he cleared the corridor. Looking down the hall he noticed something crashing back and forth in the store. One of the cicadas was being smashed into the shelving units buy a cluster of mannequin arms. That cluster of arms was attached to a long interconnected mannequin torso. It looked like someone spent hours human centipedeing the broken parts that were all out in the street.

    ¡°We need to get out of here now!¡± yelled Rubio before kicking the door to the employee bathroom open.

    ¡°No. Not in there¡­ oh yea the ladder up. There is a ladder for roof access in there,¡± said CJ as he scrambled out of the break room.

    ¡°I know. I scouted this place while you were sleeping,¡± said Rubio as he leant over to snatch up the shotgun from the corpse before one handed racking the chamber.

    Rubio shot the latch for the roof access hatch before tossing the shotgun back to CJ who bobbled it in his hands before finally catching it upside down. Elena walked past him shaking her head before she immediately pinched her nose shut, chainsaw strapped to her back.

    ¡°CJ, store that for me while we climb out of here. Should fit up your sleeve,¡± ordered Rubio halfway up the ladder.

    CJ figured differing to the actual soldier in times like this was probably best for everyone. The butt of the shotgun barely fit through the cuff of his jacket before it disappeared entirely. That made CJ wonder if all he needed was a part of the object to fit through his sleeve. If that were the case, he could store tables and chairs as long as one of the legs fit up his sleeve. All kinds of things really. He was broken from his reverie as the corpse of a cicada flew past the doorway to the bathroom. CJ knew it was time to go so he snatched up Monty with one arm and struggled up the ladder.

    Up on the roof Rubio began taking shots at anything that crawled. There were only a few cicada¡¯s up here and one hell of a racket going on down at street level. Elena jogged over to the edge and noticed two blocks up the fire was still raging. This whole town was going to go up in flames. To her right was another store front. The gap of the alley was easily jump-able. She waived everyone over.

    ¡°Look we can jump to the next building and figure out how to get down from there. This building¡­¡± she was cut off as the roof buckled.

    The amalgamation in the store was smashing its way through the roof. It wasn¡¯t long before concrete and metal girders erupted from the roof exposing sunlight to the floor below. CJ tossed Monty over to Elena while Rubio picked off anything that tried to reach the second rooftop. Backing up to get a running start was CJ¡¯s mistake as the many limbed monstrosity crawled out of the hole in the roof to grab him up. Two shots were fired by Rubio taking off an equal number of limbs. CJ began to panic. This thing didn¡¯t have eyes. Just four individual mannequin heads facing four different directions. Smoke screen wouldn¡¯t help. It didn¡¯t have an esophagus so choking hazard wouldn¡¯t work. He did the only thing he could do. CJ cast Half-A-Bitch.

    The mana in his system sparked out of his outstretched hand as a blade of transparent force slid into the main torso the creature was balanced on. It was sliced cleanly in half with most of its bulk sliding back into the building, while the top half slumped onto the roof. CJ thought for a second it wasn¡¯t dead as pieces of it began to move but it turned out that whatever was keeping it all stitched together had dissipated. All the individual pieces detached from the greater whole and lie motionless.

 Chapter Seventeen: Hey Elena, I need you to punch CJ right in the face. Hard as you can.

    Back at the reservoir, Dr. Redmond finishes cleaning off his hands as he hears a familiar voice come from the flap of the medical tent. It was Tommy speaking to one of Skipper¡¯s men outside. Redmond dried off his hands and turns toward the entrance. He¡¯s been meaning to speak with Tommy about CJ¡¯s disappearance. Once outside of the tent, he notices Skipper¡¯s men are all wearing the same outfits. They look more official now than a random collection of militia men. Upon closer inspection Redmond realizes these are the padded shirts his wife Cynthia has been commissioned to make. As the security forces move on Redmond grabs Tommy¡¯s arm and pulls him to the side.

    ¡°Tommy, where have you been? Did you know Jerry came back injured last night without CJ?¡± asked Redmond in a half whisper.

    ¡°No. What happened? Shit. How long has he been out there? We haven¡¯t talked much in weeks, but I don¡¯t want anything bad to happen to him. He saved my ass on several different occasions. What are we gonna do? I can¡¯t go back out their man. I¡¯m not cut out for all that fighting. You know what? I¡¯ll ask Skipper to send out a search party. Crap, he doesn¡¯t come to the meetings anymore. Alright I¡¯ll go to Jerry and see if I can convince him to send some guys out,¡± rambled Tommy.

    ¡°I¡¯ve got bad news for you. Jerry said CJ got scared and ran off. He doesn¡¯t have any interest in finding him,¡± commented Redmond now that they were both back in the medical tent.

    ¡°That doesn¡¯t sound like CJ. He was first to fight when we didn¡¯t have any guns. Always had some kind of stage magic contraption to get us out of a jam. Something¡¯s off. Let me do some digging inside the compound. Maybe you didn¡¯t get the whole story. Shit! I forgot about Monty. Where has he been?¡± asked Tommy.

    ¡°You mean CJ¡¯s pet rabbit. Haven¡¯t seen him since the car explosion. I figured it scampered off somewhere,¡± said Redmond.

    ¡°You don¡¯t get it. Monty¡¯s not an ordinary rabbit. You know what, that¡¯s not my tea to spill. Let me poke around. I¡¯ll meet you back here tomorrow to let you know what I¡¯ve found out,¡± said Tommy as he turned to leave but Redmond grabbed his arm again.

    ¡°There¡¯s something else, Tommy. I didn¡¯t want to mention it until, I was sure. People are going missing. Right now, it¡¯s just a few strays on the outskirts of the camp. Tents have been removed and there is empty space not being filled in. Even with all the no phone refugees. Something sinister is happening and I don¡¯t like it,¡± spoke a concerned Redmond.

    ¡°I overheard the guards talking about missing people. When I was shoring up the eastern wall. I assumed it was the damn bugs flying over the wall like Jerry says. But if it isn¡¯t, we better have an escape plan ready. Man, I feel like a jerk. Last thing I said to CJ was he was jealous cause I had real magic powers. I don¡¯t know what I was thinking that day. Chronic foot in mouth disease. Time to step up. Keep your family safe Redmond. I¡¯ll figure out what¡¯s going on and meet you back here tomorrow. I¡¯m supposed to be working on the northern palisade today so if you need to find me that¡¯s where I¡¯ll be,¡± said Tommy nodding at Redmond before exiting the tent.

    <hr>

    CJ just stood there looking at the mess of mannequin parts strewn about the unstable roof. Up here the sun was warming his bald head as he absentmindedly heard the others encouraging him to jump over to them. In CJ¡¯s head, the image of the creature being sliced cleaning in half horizontally kept playing over and over. The tar fumes from the rooftop snapped CJ out of his stupor. He looked around and caught a glimpse of something shiny roll out of what was left of the monster. He walked over to the now motionless parts to find a small transparent ball no larger than a softball. It had swirling green and purple energy inside of it.

    ¡°Cabron! Jump across already. The bugs. Hurry man,¡± yelled Elena.

    ¡°Gimme a second,¡± CJ shot back as he stored the ball up his right sleeve.

    Turning, CJ sprinted to the edge of the building launching himself between the two buildings. He landed safely on the opposite roof with a stutter step before gaining his balance. Now the sounds of groaning metal could be heard from the damaged roof. It wasn¡¯t long before a full collapse began. Monty walked over to CJ slow clapping his front paws together.

    ¡°You finally used the big spell huh? How much mana do you have left?¡± asked Monty.

    ¡°Looks like forty points. Hang on. I have some notifications from my slate,¡± noticed CJ before his eyes unfocused to read them.

    Support the author by searching for the original publication of this novel.

    New Title: Who¡¯s the boss? - While this title is equipped you do 10% more damage to boss monsters.

    Warning- You may only equip one title at a time.

    New Item: Boss Monster Concentrate- This sphere represents the concentrated corrupted mana of a boss monster. Boss monsters are most often guardians of high quality items and gear. This concentrate can be used to upgrade a skill to the next level or evolve an existing ability. Once consumed the corrupted mana will be purified.

    That last message answered some questions and opened up a libraries worth more. Did it mean most monsters are the results of corrupted mana? Or would you only get boss monsters from corrupted mana? These questions fired all of CJ¡¯s neurons at once. He hadn¡¯t had any real time to consider the realities of his new world while running back and forth on the highway dodging that night¡¯s dinner. Was there just something fundamentally wrong with the mana that now permeates every inch of the planet. CJ had more questions now than ever before. He needed to talk to Wukong again. Maybe after he¡¯s cleared the five dungeons he could delve deeper into this mystery.

    ¡°There¡¯s an exterior ladder over here. I need help with the latch. It might be locked,¡± Rubio called out.

    CJ made his way over noting that going down to the street from that side of the building puts them even closer to the park. He was also wiling to bet they were on the roof of the building the van crashed into. This building had several store fronts under one roof. The world always looked different when you were up on the rooftops.

    ¡°What did you find in the corpse?¡± asked Monty softly.

    ¡°Boss Concentrate. Not sure I should mention it yet. I assume you already knew what it was?¡± questioned CJ.

    ¡°I had a hunch. Keep it under your hat for now. They may leave us now that their chances for survival have increased. Strange classes they chose. I¡¯m guessing you don¡¯t have another slice and dice in you. Normally your mana would regenerate on its own when not in combat. It¡¯s slow but it happens. Something is wrong with this integration. For now, it seems you¡¯ll have to be in the shit to get your mana back,¡± explained Monty as they made their way over to the Trinchars.

    ¡°Are you telling me I need to be attacked to regenerate my mana? That¡¯s insane,¡± asked CJ.

    ¡°How much mana did you get when I kicked you yesterday?¡± queried Monty.

    ¡°I don¡¯t know about five. That was a double kick so I¡¯m not really sure if I should be dividing it. It¡¯s a whole thing,¡± answered CJ.

    ¡°Well, you better figure it out. Once you run out of mana, you¡¯ll only have your bag of tricks left. You may have confused that cicada for a second with that fifty two pick up gag, but If I weren¡¯t there, you¡¯d be bug poop now. Seems like here and now is better than on the street with God knows what waiting for us. Hey Elena, I need you to punch CJ right in the face. Hard as you can,¡± said Monty before gesturing to CJ.

    ¡°Wait. Hang on. I didn¡¯t agree to this,¡± CJ said in protest.

    For Elena¡¯s part she just looked down at Monty to gauge if he was serious or not. Then looked back at a pleading CJ. Then back to Monty who just urged her to get on with it. Then Rubio punched CJ in the face. Only the punch didn¡¯t quite land with the force Rubio expected. The fist snapped out crossing the distance in an eye blink, but the momentum died right before it hit CJ¡¯s face with an almost imperceptible shimmer.

    ¡°How much was that worth?¡± asked Monty.

    CJ looked at his status screen to see he¡¯d earned another five points of mana. He racked his brains trying to figure out the formula. The bullet definitely had more kinetic energy than Rubio¡¯s fist, but the values were the same. Then he remembered that the bullet took him off his feet. Would he have gotten more if he absorbed all of the force? How could he even test it? Maybe now wasn¡¯t the best time to think about this since Rubio was staring wide eyed at CJ.

    ¡°Is this how you survived the bullet? Some magic trick. I should have floored you with that. I felt my hand brush up against something. Hey, my stamina has dropped below one hundred. Does this thing keep track of how tired I am?¡± asked Rubio all but forgetting the emergency ladder behind him.

    ¡°Yes. Your stamina will determine how long you can endure strenuous activity. I don¡¯t recommend fighting with your stamina at zero points,¡± explained Monty.

    ¡°What about these attributes? We didn¡¯t get into a conversation about them last night, but I think they¡¯re important,¡± inquired Elena.

    ¡°That¡¯s correct. The more points you put in an attribute the faster, stronger, smarter you get. I would recommend keeping a balance across all of them. Quirks start to rear their ugly heads once you are too far out of balance. For now, I¡¯d only increase the attributes that have direct impact on your ability sets. For example, CJ is heavily invested in Intelligence but he¡¯s as weak as a kitten. Baseline humans should be around ten points in everything,¡± answered Monty.

    ¡°I¡¯ve got a twelve in strength and agility,¡± preened Elena.

    ¡°I¡¯ve got a fifteen in strength. Everything else is a ten,¡± commented Rubio now that they were both looking at their slates.

    ¡°CJ, want to tell them your stats?¡± asked Monty with a grin.

    ¡°I¡¯m good. We were getting out of here, right?¡± CJ asked rhetorically as he made his way over to the ladder and picked the lock on the mechanism.

    ¡°Why don¡¯t you want to tell us?¡± asked Elena.

    ¡°Because one of you was really quick to punch me in the face,¡± sulked CJ.

    ¡°The rabbit said to do it, and Elena wasn¡¯t going to. I was eager to get this bus rolling. Are you gonna pout about it or man up. Why did you want us to punch him anyway?¡± asked Rubio.

    ¡°So, he could learn a lesson,¡± answered Monty as the sound of the metal ladder cah-chunked.

    ¡°What lesson?¡± asked Elena confused.

    ¡°That physical abuse gives me power. Let¡¯s go people,¡± said CJ as he began to climb down.

 Chapter Eighteen: You know I donâ€™t.

    CJ dropped down the last few feet to the alleyway below. Although he was still mad at Monty¡¯s less than stellar attempt to open his eyes about his ability, he did learn something. Not regenerating his base mana would be an issue he¡¯d have to solve with incoming attacks or find a way to regularly siphon kinetic energy. Maybe he could extend his ability around cover while they were being shot at or learn to block with his arms hoping the physics of the attack didn¡¯t overwhelm him. Did the bullet take him off his feet because of an instinct to protect himself or did it hit that hard? CJ shuttered at the thought of asking people to shoot him so he could assess the theory.

    The air in the town smelled like burning coals from the fire on the north end. CJ guessed it was around fifty degrees outside. The others made their way down the ladder and joined him. The sounds of fighting between the mannequins and cicadas had softened since the amalgamation was killed. The brick walls of this alley were dotted with old boxes and dumpsters for the respective businesses. Behind them was employee parking and ahead of them was main street. CJ crouched down and peeked around the corner out into the street.

    The Trinchar¡¯s van was now on their left. From this side CJ could see all the scratches and dents from their mad dash away from the warehouse. The back left tire was flat. That let CJ know they weren¡¯t going to fixt this and drive away. It would all have to be on foot.

    ¡°Hey Rubio, I never asked. What year is that van?¡± whispered CJ.

    ¡°It¡¯s an eighty nine. I kept it in great condition before all this went down. Got it real cheap,¡± Rubio proudly answered.

    ¡°Let me guess, roll up windows, no tape deck, and a mostly empty interior when you got it?¡± questioned CJ.

    ¡°Yes, that¡¯s about right. I had CB in it for a few years in the nineties, but I got rid of that,¡± replied Rubio.

    ¡°Manual transmission?¡±

    ¡°Yes. What¡¯s with the twenty questions all of a sudden?¡± Rubio spat.

    ¡°Building a profile. Anything with a circuit board in it went dead once this all started. I had the lights in my apartment on, but they were just a bulb, and wires connected to a switch. Something must have kept the power flowing even after most electronics went dead. Any vehicle old enough will probably still work but I doubt fuel supplies will last the year. People will have to siphon gas from wrecks. What were the roads like before you got down here?¡± asked CJ.

    ¡°Long stretches with nothing and then massive pile ups. We ended up using the shoulder for the worst of it. One bridge was completely blocked up and we had to cross using the opposite side. Normally that would be impossible but there was enough room to get around what cars were there. I see what you¡¯re getting at now. Vehicles like our van will soon be hot commodities. I have an idea. Wait here a second,¡± said Rubio before darting over to the van.

    He popped the hood while tossing mannequin parts to the side. Monty and Elena sidled up to CJ to see what was happening. All the while CJ didn¡¯t hear a peep from the monsters still roaming the area. He feared all the clanging Rubio was doing under the hood would attract the bugs. Then Rubio popped up with a round object in his hands. It had a few small tubes extended out of one end. He pocketed the object and jogged back over.

    ¡°I got it. Let¡¯s go,¡± said Rubio slinging his rifle around to the front of his torso again.

    ¡°Wait, what was all that about?¡± asked CJ.

    ¡°I pulled the distributor cap. Anyone who tries to take the van will have to give up immediately. Then we can come back for it later. I said it before, she¡¯s family,¡± Rubio explained.

    ¡°Papa, that was reckless. CJ how do we get back to the reservoir with those things in the way?¡± asked Elena.

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    ¡°Good question. We aren¡¯t going that way. At least not right now. Monty and I need to check out that park. Feel free to come with us or you can hold up in another building. If our guess is right, that park might be a Bolster dungeon. If that¡¯s the case, I need to try and clear it,¡± replied CJ before putting his back to the store front wall and slinking his way toward the park.

    Elena and Rubio shared a quick look before her father nodded at her. They both fell in line behind Monty and followed CJ deeper into the town.

    ¡°We¡¯re coming with you. I need to make up for that punch,¡± commented Rubio.

    ¡°Great. I don¡¯t know what will happen when we get there but it looks like we¡¯ll have to dash across the street to reach the entrance to the park. Stay hot on our heels or paws in my case,¡± said Monty as he followed along behind CJ.

    CJ made it a block closer to the park before he heard the rhythmic thrumming of the cicada song again. He gave up all pretext of sneaking at that point and just ran across the street. The other three following closely behind him. A shot barked out from Rubio¡¯s rifle as a cicada jumped off the roof the building they just broke away from. The bugs carcass crunched to the ground as they kept running.

    As CJ¡¯s right foot crossed the boundary between the asphalt of the road and the concrete of the sidewalk, he received a slate message that brought him up short. Unfortunately, everyone else was still running behind him. They all plowed right into him crossing the boundary as well. Reality swam in technicolor all around the four travelers. Once the psychedelic imagery solidified, CJ found himself and Monty standing amidst a copse of trees. It was now nighttime. The tree line ended before them in well-manicured topiaries. They were trimmed to resemble leafy balls on top of bark sticks. Some had one ball other multiples. CJ could only see them as plants because torches lit up along a wall deeper within. The only path through them led up to a wrought iron gate guarded by two disgusting looking slug monsters. The gate was part of a long rock wall that looped around a two story castle. Something big moved around in the single room on the second floor. CJ could just barely make it out through the window.

    The slugs had humanoid torsos at the top with droopy jowls around the mouths. They wore iron helmets with two holes in the top for their eye stalks. From the waste down they were typical slugs. They each held a spear in one hand as they stood sentinel. Monty grabbed CJ¡¯s pant leg and gestured for him to get down.

    ¡°What did the message say?¡±  asked Monty.

    ¡°The message? Oh, right the slate message. Gimme a second,¡± said CJ as he pulled it back up.

    Bolster dungeon: Queen¡¯s Gambit- Retrieve an item from the queen¡¯s bed chambers to complete the dungeon. The better you¡¯re rating the better the reward.

    Rank C: Successful item stolen. Class specific item.

    Rank B: Successful item stolen, and no alarm is raised. Class specific item and a new spell.

    Rank A: Successful item stolen, no alarm is raised, the queen must survive. Class specific item, a new spell, unlock Quest Pillar.

    Good Luck.

    CJ thought this was a very strange notification. The rankings were upside down to start with. Monty broke his ruminating by rapidly punching his leg. Good news was that gave him back another five mana.

    ¡°Share it with me you goon. Look at me and think share,¡± said Monty once he got CJ¡¯s attention.

    CJ did so. After a minute or two, Monty looked up at him. Shock was plastered across the rabbit¡¯s face. That made CJ¡¯s eyes open wide in alarm before Monty finally spoke again.

    ¡°We need to get the best rank in this challenge. We are going for Rank A. Unlocking that Quest Pillar will purify the corruption in this area. It¡¯s probably big enough to do the town. Do you know what that means?¡± asked Monty.

    ¡°You know I don¡¯t.¡±

    ¡°It means we can make this town a safe area. The barrier that keeps monsters from coming into the park would extend around the town. I guarantee no one else has done this yet. It¡¯s rare to see this offered in a Bolster dungeon if memory serves. Usually only offered in challenge dungeons and definitely in city dungeons. Too good an opportunity to pass up. Must have something to do with the broken integration. We¡¯ll have to ask Lord Wukong about it. What¡¯s your plan?¡± asked Monty finally calming a bit.

    ¡°I don¡¯t really have one. I just got here. We get over the wall somehow. Probably sneak around a bit. Be nice if we had some salt. Wait a minute. We grabbed that round box of salt from the kitchenette. We could use that,¡± replied CJ to Monty who just shook his head.

    ¡°That was maybe two cups of salt. It has that little metal lip to control the amount that comes out. Those slugs look to be standing at least six feet tall. That doesn¡¯t count the slug bits that trail out behind them. Not gonna cut it,¡± said Monty.

    ¡°Attacking them would probably fail the test. Where are the Trinchars? Let¡¯s look around and see if we can find them or spot these alarms the text told us about,¡± commented CJ as he began to circle away from the slug guards.

 Chapter Nineteen: Want to go for a ride?

    CJ and Monty skulked around through the shrubbery. It seemed every twenty feet or so was a torch up on the walls. Once they reached the corner where two walls met, CJ looked down the length of the wall to see if there was another entrance. The small globes of fire light did not illuminate anymore slug guards. Then Monty got his attention. It seemed there was a whole large enough for Monty to slip through to the other side of the wall. It was just after the sharp ninety degree turn of the corner.

    Squatting down, CJ peered through the hole. On the other side of the wall were two smaller dwellings. Each had thatched roofs with a single door in the front and windows along the sides. CJ looked to see if he could climb the wall here since the corner was between two of the torches. This spot was relatively dark but if he went ten yards in either direction he¡¯d be in the light. From here he could also look into the starry skies above. They were alien to him with large celestial bodies traveling across the sky. One was green with red dots while the other was conical and shimmering blue. Both objects were no bigger than his fist, giving CJ a concept of how far away they were in the cosmos. No farther than earths moon on a crystal clear night.

    ¡°Climb up here,¡± came the whispered voice of Monty from above him.

    Monty had found some rope and dropped it over the edge. CJ wasted no time. He clambered up the wall with the grace of a drunk elephant. Monty needed to put a paw over his face to muffle his laughter. Eventually a very cross looking CJ made it up to the top of the ten foot wall. He laid flat across the top face down. It was about a yard in width up here so his arms and legs sort of dangled over each side. CJ looked down over the edge to see two slug guards slowly patrolling the in perimeter of the main castle. Dotted around the exterior of the castle were several small homes that matched what he saw through the whole earlier. The smell out in the gardens area was pleasant but the interior was more rank than he was expecting. With the dim light he could make out something glimmering in a line along the roads. From up here he could see there was only one main gate with a road leading from the double doors of the castle toward it. It was a good thing they didn¡¯t go all the way around the walls only to end up back at the same gate they started with.

    CJ waited until the slug guards were out of sight around a corner before he dropped the ten feet down to the ground. There was some pain from the fall and his health points dropped by ten points leaving him with forty health. He¡¯d have to be more careful in the future. A full fifth of his health pool was gone. CJ crouched down rubbing his ankles before the rope he used to climb up dropped down on his head. Then Monty hopped from the wall to the roof of the nearest house before hopping down to ground level.

    ¡°Store that rope. It could come in handy,¡± ordered Monty while his ears stood straight up and rotated in different directions.

    ¡°What now? I¡¯m no cat burglar. I don¡¯t know how to do this,¡± whispered CJ.

    ¡°The bolster dungeon is designed to hone the skills you already have. Think about what you can do and apply it to the situation. I shouldn¡¯t have to explain this to you, we¡¯re already inside,¡± Monty shot back.

    CJ took Monty¡¯s words to heart. He was no fool. All his time training as an escape artist taught him a few things about breaking out. Could he apply the lessons learned in reverse to break in? It was put up or shut up time. There were two guards on the outside of the wall looking out. Two guards patrolling the inside wall near the castle. CJ needed to time his break in so that the interior guards were on the opposite side of the castle from both him and the exterior guards. That meant waiting for another circuit to gauge how long it took them to go all the way around. The castle itself was no bigger than a mansion. Maybe thirty six hundred square feet. There must be a staircase inside that lead up to the second floor where CJ would bet good money the queens chambers would be. He wasn¡¯t going to go through the front door so that meant a window on the first floor.

    As the last bit of rope slurped into his sleeve, CJ peered around looking for anything that resembled an alarm. Monty¡¯s ears than went flat to the back of his head as he hunched down. The patrol was coming back around. CJ clocked that at a little under five minutes. One of the guards had a lantern on a stick that bobbled as they slid. There was almost a sticky wet sound as they passed by the hut CJ and Monty were hiding behind. Now CJ new what the glimmering line was. The slug guards left a trail of slime in their wake. He made a mental note not to disturb the slime as he made his way over to the castle proper. They might get suspicious if a pair of shoe prints broke the glimmering remnants of their passage.

    ¡°That window. If we go now, they¡¯ll all be as far away as possible if we need to break the glass,¡± whispered CJ to Monty.

    Monty just nodded and they both slunk their way over to the castle wall. Every twenty yards was a large window with cross bracing that led up to an arched top. It looked like they opened out on a hinge set into the right side of the wall. There was a latch on the inside with a simple hook through a loop. The was the problem as well, it was on the inside. CJ took out a long flat piece of metal he got from the backroom of the auto parts store. At the time he thought it was strange to see slim-jim in there. They were typically used to break into cars, but it was the perfect tool for what he needed to do right now. As he applied the tool Monty darted off to his right without saying a word. That¡¯s when CJ¡¯s Hand is quicker than the eye ability kicked in. The hook popped out of the loop and the window swung open surprisingly fast. CJ needed to catch it with the flat of hand to keep it from banging against the wall. That earned him another five points of mana regeneration. He kept one hand on the window as he carefully slipped his left leg into the castle. There was a small table beneath the window with some trinkets on it. They clattered to the ground, but CJ was incredibly lucky that the floor was covered in a matted sticky carpet. That managed to muffle the sound. Monty raced back with something in his mouth. He jumped up onto CJ¡¯s right thigh before moving into the castle.

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    ¡°Quickly, they¡¯re right behind me,¡± said Monty after spitting a piece of metal that ended with a round ball onto the small table.

    CJ managed to quietly close the window and re-latch it before the rays of a bobbing lantern pierced the darkness. They both ducked down below the windowsill as the two oblivious guards passed by. Even latched there was a crack in the window, enough so CJ could hear the conversation the slug guards were having.

    ¡°We just need to keep patrolling until we get the all clear. Can you believe this is the last night we need to live under the tyranny of that hate filled bitch? I thought it would never end,¡± said slug guard one.

    ¡°She made me watch as my own brother was dropped into the salt mines. That bitch is getting what¡¯s coming to her. I only wish I could be there when the assassin drags the salt covered dagger across her throat,¡± replied slug guard two.

    CJ and Monty looked back at each other in shock. Then CJ turned his attention to the room they were in. It looked like a dining room only there were no chairs. Just a long table with fucked up trails of matted rug running back and forth. Monty almost wretched at the sight of it. There were paintings along the walls of slug people in crowns striking regal poses. A large, closed double door led out through the back and an open doorway led out into the foyer near the front door. CJ new time was running out. If simple guards knew about what was happening than whatever staff was here knew as well. That told CJ that the interior should be all but empty. He decided to try his luck. He jogged over to the open doorway. Monty was hot on his heals. The entry way was well lit with a ramp leading up. CJ almost facepalmed expecting slug people to have stairs. Of course it was ramp. The ramp switched back to grant access to the second floor. There were no servants in sight as CJ looked down at Monty.

    ¡°Want to go for a ride?¡± asked CJ.

    ¡°What do you mean?¡± Monty asked back before CJ grabbed Monty by the scruff of the neck before tossing him across the hall and up to the second floor.

    Monty landed with a dull thud. He then popped up and looked around. There was a banister that ran around the opening from the first up the ramp. Lanterns were lit up here but there were no guards in sight. Now that his fears were allayed, he began plotting to get CJ back for throwing him to the second story without warning. Then he realized that CJ was waiting for some kind of signal. Monty couldn¡¯t whistle in this form so instead he opted to waive a paw at CJ through the wooden poles of the banister.

    CJ noticed the rabbit paw and began to make his way up the ramp. Unfortunately, the ramp was also covered in slug slime. He slipped and face planted right into. He almost lost his breakfast as he slid all the way back down to the first floor. He could almost feel Monty¡¯s mocking laughter from upstairs. This time he grabbed the railing to make his way to the halfway point landing. It was like trying to walk up a frozen hillside. His patent leather shoes offering no purchase. Finally, he made it to the second floor and, but it was almost too late. CJ could see the door to the queens¡¯ chambers was slightly open and Monty was sprinting his way there.

    CJ flung the door wide to see a slug in a black trench coat that only covered his humanoid upper half wearing a balaclava over its face with the two eye stalks pointing out. The full room had an enormous bed with cloth draping each side of it. Even with size of the bed outstripping anything CJ had ever seen, there was still the extended length of a slug¡¯s tail draping over the edge to the floor. The assassin¡¯s eyes swiveled to see CJ in the doorway and Monty streaking through the air feet first in a corkscrew dropkick. It raised a dagger in its hand and was about to plunge it into the queen slug lying on the bed. Before he could CJ cast Choking Hazard for the first time. Small objects made of hardened mana flew from CJ¡¯s hand instantaneously lodging in the assassin¡¯s throat. He dropped the knife to the ground before reaching for his throat. Monty landed his attack center mass bouncing the slug man backwards into a wardrobe. The piece furniture cracked under the pressure and disgorged its contents. Dresses and jewelry spilled out all over the assassin tangling him up in finery. Monty looked back CJ now that they¡¯ve made a ton of noise. Then Monty smiled.

    Back when CJ was opening the window, Monty had spotted a bell on a pole with a string attached. He didn¡¯t have a lot of time, so he bounced off the wall to reach the bell itself. Then he reached under the bells skirt nudged the hammer off the hook that let it swing back and forth when pulled. The hammer fell to the floor with muffled thud. Monty jumped down and snatched it up in his teeth before hot footing back over to CJ as the slug guards were rounding the corner.

    ¡°Who disturbs my beauty sleep?!¡± screamed the queen in a deep throat-ed below usually reserved for the widest of Walmart shoppers.

    CJ snatched up the knife and threw it at the assassin who was trying to untangle himself from the dresses. It sunk deep into the lower part of the slug man as he started to shrivel up and die. Then he began to snatch up anything within in reach. Goblets, necklaces, frilly lace, anything really. Then the world spun back into technicolor before CJ and Monty appeared in a dark room with a spotlight illuminating a lone pedestal.

 Chapter Twenty: Like I care.

    Elena¡¯s eyes fluttered open to see she was seated in a ring of mushrooms. This ring was centered in a small clearing of trees. She looked around feverishly for the others. Her father was nowhere to be found. CJ and Monty were likewise absent. She clutched onto the handle of her chainsaw as she rose to her feet. The magician said this was some kind of testing ground. They were about to find out what this Latina was all about.

    There was some light flickering through the trees to her left, so she decided that would be a good place to start looking for the others. After years of working for her father¡¯s tree service business, she was no stranger to climbing. Only in this case she wished she still had her climbing gear. With her weapon strapped to her back she made her way up a particularly tall Elm tree. From her vantage point she could see a well-manicured garden filled with topiaries. Small trees and shrubbery cut in visually pleasing patterns. Beyond them was a wall surrounding a miniature castle. It¡¯s second floor seemed to be all one room while the ground floor was standard brown brick work. There was a gate that led into the town, but two guards were facing this way. They seemed odd to Elena. She checked the notification she received before waking up in the circle of mushrooms.

    The notification didn¡¯t say anything about keeping the guards alive. With that clarified she made her way down the tree and advanced on the front gate. The two guards had oddly shaped heads with eye stalks jutting out of their helmets. They each held a spear. As Elena got closer, she began to realize they were slug like from the waist down. That made her skin crawl. She pulled the cord on her trusty weapon; the noise shocked the two guards into action. They both lowered their spears and slithered forward. Elena dodged their clumsy stabs before burying her saw into the side of the slug on her left. Chucks of slimy meat flew in every direction as she was splattered with slug goop. The slug curdling screams of his partner broke something inside him and the second guard dropped his weapon. He slurped at sprint speeds into the woods and didn¡¯t look back.

    The first guard lay bisected at Elna¡¯s feet. His fluids staining the front of her clothes. She couldn¡¯t believe she just did that or how effective it was. She was shaken from her reverie by the ringing of a bell. Squatting down quickly, she snatched up the key ring the guard dropped. She made it to the gate just as several torches were lit in thatch roofed homes that dotted the interior of the walls. Elena managed to get the gate open and slip in to see a line of slug guards and townsfolk with pitch forks mustering to the right of her position. One of the townsfolk pointed in Elena¡¯s direction and a see of eye stalks swiveled to meet her gaze. There were too many to fight by herself. She quickly remembered the only way out was to steal something from the queens¡¯ chambers. She darted toward the main castle hoping to outrun her pursuers. The roads glistened with slug goo, but her combat boots found purchase in the moist soil below. Happy with her sure footedness, Elena barely noticed that no lanterns were lit in the castle despite the commotion outside. She reached the entrance to the castle to find that it was wedged open with a rock. With half town chasing her down, she didn¡¯t have time truly consider the lack of security here. She booted the door open wide, chainsaw buzzing the whole way.

    Once inside, she was laser focused on how to get upstairs. Fortunately for her there was a large ramp in the middle of the foyer that led to a landing for the second floor. It was slick with slug juice, but Elena just hugged the edges as she made her way up. Once she made it to the second floor, she could hear the unruly mob making their way to the front entrance. That was when Elena heard a bellowing scream from ahead of her. It almost sounded like livestock being slaughtered. She sprinted forward to an already open door to the queen¡¯s bed chambers. At the side of the ostentatious bed stood slug draped in a black cloak repeatedly stabbing down at prone slug on the bed. The slug on the bed was easily twice the size of any she¡¯d seen up until this point. The fabric hanging above the bed was splattered in its blood. While slug fluids began to pool at the foot of the bed.

    ¡°You¡¯re too late. She¡¯s dead. We are free!¡± exclaimed the assassin.

    ¡°Like I care,¡± replied Elena as she snatched a few gold coins from a bowl on the table next to the door.

    The world went black, and Elena found herself in a dark chamber that had one pedestal illuminated by a cone of light from the ceiling above.

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    <hr>

    Rubio stumbled backward after tripping over something. Last thing he remembered was covering their six as they ran across the street. There was a cicada jumping at them and he could have sworn it had a playing card wedged between two of its grasping mandibular facial features. He was positive it was an ace of spades. His training taught him to stay on mission and right now he was standing in a garden without his daughter looking at a list of objectives being shown to him by his slate. Elena was his number one priority, after that he¡¯d worry about the rules of this twisted new world. If he were lucky, maybe the whining magician would still be with her. At least the rabbit could fight. If he gets out of this place, he¡¯s really going to have to teach that boy how to defend himself. Although that magic stuff seemed pretty powerful.

    Rubio decided to get the lay of the land. He lay prone for a few minutes getting his bearing. To his left was a brick wall with several torches lit every few feet. To his right was a forest of trees. He needed to get to some higher ground to improve sightlines and make a plan. Rubio then noticed some motion coming from his twelve o¡¯clock. Two guards were lazily standing in front of a gate. He wouldn¡¯t have noticed them if one didn¡¯t just sneeze, ejecting fluid out in front of him, then causing his body to rock back and forth. Rubio brought up his rifle, stock firm into shoulder. The guards haven¡¯t seemed to notice him. The wall was going to be his only vantage point, but he would need find a spot between the lanterns. Rubio would go under the assumption that Elena was in the castle that jutted up above the wall. Rubio crawled out of the garden and made it to the wall where he pressed himself firmly against it. The wall was crumbling and obviously ill kept. He could make it over this thing with no issues at all. Now he just needed to find the right spot.

    Now that he was closer to the wall he got a good look at the guards. They were both facing out towards the road leading into the woods. They also had no legs. From the waist down it looked like they had slug bodies. Their heads were strange as well. They wore helmets with holes cut out so eye stalks could fit through. They had maws that extended forward with jowls on either side of their mouths. All together a nightmare of a creature that Rubio would be happy to shoot. Outside of their grotesque features, they were shit guards. Rubio had been standing under a torch light for the last minute and neither of them even looked down the length of the wall. At this point Rubio wondered if he shouldn¡¯t just climb the wall and douse one of these torches. He did just that.

    Unfortunately, on the other side of the wall there were small homes dotted here and there. The home just beneath the dangling left leg of Rubio had someone standing in front of it with a lamp lighters stick ready to rekindle the torch that just went out.

    ¡°Intruder! We have an intruder with legs!¡± yelled the lamp lighter.

    That warning earned the slug man a bullet. As a bell started to ring in the distance, Rubio swiveled and two pops later the guards at the gate went down. He dropped to the ground on the inside of the wall as lights began flickering on inside several of the little homes. Rubio decided to make a dash for the castle. As he came around the back of a home with no fire light, he found the bell that was ringing. Two slug guards were calling out to the towns folk to meet with them to repel invaders. Two shots later and the bell grew silent. That didn¡¯t stop the towns folk from grabbing whatever they could from their homes and racing into the night to defend the town. Rubio almost respected that level of unity. Getting to the doors from here would put him in the path of the gathering mob. Instead, Rubio noticed a rope attached to a winch on the second floor. Apparently, they were hanging some banners on the outer walls of the castle. Rubio slung his rifle over his shoulder, set fire to the house he was hiding behind, then sprinted for the rope. Maybe a raging fire would distract them long enough he could get up onto the second floor of the castle.

    As a tree surgeon he¡¯s spent the last two decades climbing up and down trees. Scaling a wall with rope assistance was child¡¯s play. He was halfway up when the mob finally noticed the house was on fire. They quickly broke up into a fire brigade foregoing their lynching mentality. No sooner did Rubio reach the second floor of the castle did he hear a bellow of pain in a feminine voice so deep it would shock Barry White. Rifle up, Rubio scrambled over to one of the large windows to look inside. He could see a slug person dressed in black furiously stabbing into a bed. Rubio took aim and fired. Two in the chest before bursting through the window and rolling up to his feet. The enormous slug woman on the bed was dead and the assassin was laying on the ground with a hand over his chest. He downed a red liquid from a vile in his left hand and the bullet wounds began to glow.

    Rubio took aim, this time targeting the assassins head before he realized this must be the queen¡¯s bedroom. He quickly grabbed a candelabra before his vision went black and resolved into a dark chamber with a pedestal in the center illuminated by a bright light.

 Chapter Twenty One: Some kind of Psychic affect.

    CJ looked to his right to find Monty standing next to him. The only real directions they could go in was straight toward the pedestal in front of them. As they got closer, they could see objects resting on the angled surface facing them. The spotlight above the pedestal revealed a Roman column shaft of ivory that led up to a slab of marble with a lip running along the lower end. The three items being presented were a crystal clear box with a thick ring inside, a piece of parchment wrapped around two ornate metal dowels, and a leather bound book emitting a blueish-white aura with the symbols of all four card suits adorning each corner.

    ¡°I thought the message said an item and a spell. What¡¯s with the book?¡± asked CJ.

    ¡°Look at the rating being projected above the dais. You¡¯ll find your answer there,¡± replied Monty in awe of everything he was seeing.

    Dungeon Rating: S

    For completing the hidden requirement ¡°Assassinate the Assassin¡±, your rating was upgraded and so to your rewards.

    Rank S: Successful item stolen, no alarm is raised, the queen must survive, assassinate the assassin. Rewards: Class specific item, a new spell, unlock Quest Pillar, rare class skill book.

    ¡°Oh, when we hit the slug with his own knife while he was choking. I get it. Let¡¯s see what we got,¡± said CJ as he walked over to his rewards and picked up the transparent ring box.

    New Item: Mana-Filament Thumb Ring- Rare / item. This thumb ring conceals a mana filament wire. When charged with a point of mana, this wire will glow faintly to the wielders vision. It can be used to cut any substance up to and including mundane steel. This enchanted item bypasses magical creature requirements.

    ¡°Why is it a thumb ring? Hey Monty, what are magical creature requirements?¡± asked CJ.

    ¡°Uh, it¡¯s a little early for this but there will be monsters that can only be hurt by magic or enchanted weapons. Rubio could shoot at them all day and they wouldn¡¯t feel a thing. Depending on the strength of the monster, you may have to use something higher up the Arcanum Tier to even dent them. This info is usually part of a dungeon boss¡¯s description or something deep within a highly concentrated corruption zone. Just move on to the next thing. I want to get out of here, the darkness surrounding us is creepy,¡± answered Monty.

    CJ placed the thumb ring on his right thumb. It was more bulbous than a ring normally was, it was silver on the outside with crisscrossing bands of white gold running through the middle. When CJ ran his finger around it, he felt a lip that he could pull on. He did so and the wire spooled out with an accompanying hiss sound. CJ was able to pull it his full arm length before it pulled taught. He could feel a coiled tug from inside the ring and when he let it go it zipped right back in like he released a tape measure.

    ¡°This is some close up garrote like shit. Only it¡¯ll take your damn head off if I put some mana into it. Seems weird to give it to a magician. Doesn¡¯t matter let¡¯s check out this obvious spell scroll,¡± he said before unfurling the parchment.

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    New Spell: Now you don¡¯t- Uncommon/ Psychic. Cost 10 mana per minute, persistent. This spell allows your presence to slip between observers conscious and subconscious mind. Not a true invisibility spell, you are just ignored and assumed to have always been part of the background of their lives. Just like car alarms, furnace rumbles, and noisy crickets. Interacting with a person will break the spell and it will continually drain mana while active.

    ¡°Okay now that¡¯s cool. This spell essentially lets me go unnoticed. Some kind of Psychic affect. Monty how is that different from magic again?¡± asked CJ realizing this spell may jump tiers of Arcanum.

    ¡°Psychic effects are tier two Arcanum. A little stronger than basic elemental magic. Their downside is that they don¡¯t really work on creatures without a brain. So, slime creatures and golems will just shrug off the effects, to name a few. What¡¯s the book man, the book?!¡± queried an annoyed Monty.

    New Skill Book: Trick Cards- Rare/ Skill. Cost 1 mana/card, you can infuse playing cards with unaspected mana causing diamond and spade suits to slice or stab. While hearts and clubs crush or bash. Higher levels of this skill can infuse elements into the cards. Would you like to learn Trick Cards? Y/N

    CJ chose yes. The ornate book in his hands broke apart into several multi-colored shafts of light before pouring into his eyes. Flashes of years perfecting his card tricks ran through his mind. He instinctively knew how many decks of cards he had on him in each of his various hidden pockets. He knew their suits and numbers without even touching them. Only now in his waking mind he knew that he could cut ropes with spade cards and hammer nails with the flick of a club card. The numbers indicated how much damage they could do, and the face cards were multiples of ten starting with the Jack at twenty. Typically, he¡¯d remove the Joker cards to cut down on the number of cards necessary to keep track of and now he knew that was a mistake. Using this skill, the Joker cards would compound the damage from all other cards in a suit used from the same deck. That would be one hundred and forty five health damage to whatever he struck with it as long as he exhausted the whole suit from the deck.

    CJ pondered how far he could throw a card now that he had stats. Throwing cards wasn¡¯t about his strength since they had very little weight. It was more about fines. No sooner did he pull a deck out than he could feel the distance a throw would lose its efficacy. It was just a little shy of thirty yards. He could work with that. Then he considered that the cards were an exhaustible resources. He¡¯d have to take a trip to the casinos at some point and stock up. Although most rest stops and gas stations near Atlantic City probably had their share of playing cards. He¡¯d need to keep his eyes open.

    ¡°What was it ya knob?¡± asked Monty impatiently tapping his foot.

    ¡°Oh yea. I got a skill called Trick Cards. It¡¯s really cool. Here I¡¯ll share the details with you,¡± explained CJ before he looked Monty in the eye to share his screen.

    ¡°You¡¯re right. You¡¯ll be a blast at parties just like before. The spell you just got is where it¡¯s at. I need you to¡­ crap I can¡¯t tell you. Let¡¯s just get out of here,¡± commented Monty, looking a little disappointed by something.

    ¡°What can¡¯t you tell me? It¡¯s just us in here,¡± questioned CJ.

    ¡°It¡¯s a bonded familiar thing you won¡¯t understand yet. We should find the others. I think I was in here with you because of our bond. I suspect the others were stuck in here alone. Let¡¯s go,¡± said Monty.

    No sooner did he say that, than the podium in front of them slowly spun into the ground. The world around them dissolved into that kaleidoscope of colors CJ had seen when they entered the bolster dungeon.

 Chapter Twenty Two: Madre de Dios

    CJ and Monty found themselves seated on the curb when the world dissolved back to normal. Turning his head left and right he found Elena seated to the left of him while Rubio was seated to the right. Rubio immediately stood up, looking down the sights of his rifle. He scanned the local area before stopping as he faced north. The fires were out and there were only disparate wisps of smoke coming from the buildings. Not only that, but the streets were swept clean of broken mannequin parts as well as bug corpses.

    ¡°Madre de Dios,¡± said Rubio as he lowered his weapon.

    ¡°What happened out here?¡± asked Elena as she took in the scene.

    They were all looking around the small town now. Noticing all the minor changes that have taken place since they entered the Bolster dungeon. Elena noticed how much cleaner the streets and buildings looked. She noticed how healthy the plant life in the little park seemed to be now. Small rose buds appeared staggered around the shrubbery. CJ noticed something altogether different. When he arrived in this town there was a tangible sense of claustrophobia. Now it felt like he could breathe easy for the first time in a day. The suffocating atmosphere seemed to have been lifted. Then he noticed the statue in the center of the park had changed. In its place stood a crystalline pillar with odd writing running diagonally around it. The characters were clear blue against the white tinged transparent crystal.

    ¡°That¡¯s probably the Quest Pillar. Let¡¯s go check it out Monty,¡± said CJ, but before he took five steps a trumpet sounded in his mind accompanied by a new golden slate notification.

    They must have all received it since Rubio and Elena stiffened at the same time.

    World Notice- The first safe zone has been erected in the small hamlet of Leaf¡¯s Bend, NJ. Congratulations to CJ Thompson for accomplishing this task months ahead of expectations. A safe zone repels corrupted mana and keeps mana mutations at bay. The first Quest Pillar has been installed at Leaf¡¯s Bend. Through this you will receive additional ways to gain levels and grow your personal power. Keep fighting to make the world safe for those who will return in nine years and ten months¡¯ time.

    ¡°Fuck!¡± screamed CJ, before clapping his hands on his head.

    ¡°What is it? This seems like good thing, no?¡± asked Elena.

    ¡°It had my name attached and the name of the town. Anyone in the local area who wants to be safe is going to travel here. They won¡¯t all be good people. We¡¯re going to have to fight to stay here. That message is literally a dinner bell being rung for any psychopaths running around out there. Shit!¡± swore CJ as he furiously paced back and forth.

    ¡°He¡¯s right. This safe zone has become the first place anyone in the local area is going to try to get to now. People who have been hunkered down for the last couple of weeks will see this as a chance to survive. Why did the slates announce it like that?¡± Rubio asked Monty.

    ¡°And why just CJ. We were all here too,¡± complained Elena getting a scathing look from CJ.

    ¡°Simple. What was your grade inside the dungeon?¡± asked Monty.

    ¡°I got a C. A chainsaw isn¡¯t meant for sneaking around. On the other hand, I got these cool football pads. They look a little smaller than they do on TV. Good news is they give me a twenty five percent damage reduction for all incoming damage. I thought that was a good deal,¡± explained Elena before really showing off the pads with a little twirl.

    ¡°Those are kickers pads. That¡¯s why they¡¯re smaller. I also got a C. I managed to climb the wall without incident. Once atop I got spotted by a slug man and had to improvise. I did get this scope for my rifle. The text says it allows scanning of anything. It¡¯ll tell me their health, mana, stamina, and general level info,¡± replied Rubio as he affixed his new scope to his rifle.

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    ¡°I bet it fits perfectly, right?¡± asked CJ with a thoughtful look while stroking his chin.

    ¡°Actually, yes. That¡¯s unlikely,¡± said Rubio catching up to CJ.

    ¡°What is it? What are you two saying?¡± asked a confused Elena.

    ¡°Come over to these park benches and I¡¯ll explain,¡± said CJ before sitting down.

    ¡°I bet your pads fit well too, Miha,¡± said Rubio as he walked over.

    ¡°Alright, now this is getting creepy. Come on we¡¯re all sitting. Out with it,¡± demanded Elena.

    CJ was quiet for another twenty seconds as he gathered his thoughts. The dungeon¡¯s message said they could earn class specific items. That means whatever gear the Trinchar¡¯s received were tied to their class choices. CJ figured the best way to explain what he was thinking was to do it with cards. He pulled out a deck and placed three cards on the bench¡¯s seat.

    ¡°Your class is Chainsaw Knight, right?¡± continued CJ before flipping over a Queen of hearts and pointing to Elena.

    ¡°Correct,¡± answered Elena.

    ¡°You chose Rifleman,¡± said CJ flipping over a King of spades before continuing, ¡°You see, our classes are like archetypes. I received this ring and a spell. I have a Magician class,¡± said CJ as he flipped a card over to reveal a Joker.

    ¡°This is very cute, can you get to the explanation already,¡± insisted Elena.

    ¡°I¡¯m surprised he didn¡¯t give himself the king,¡± commented Monty.

    ¡°You hush, as I was saying. Each of these pictures has specific items on the people that emphasize their roles. The King has his crown and a sword, the Queen holds a flower as well as wears a crown, and the Joker card has that dumb hat with the bells on it. The point being the dungeon gave you gear specific to your class. I don¡¯t think these items existed prior to the dungeon making them. We need to find more Bolster dungeons,¡± explained CJ getting nod of assent from Rubio.

    ¡°That doesn¡¯t explain why this place is a safe zone now. I¡¯m not dumb, I assume it has something to do with that pillar but what?¡± asked an increasingly frustrated Elena.

    ¡°I¡¯ll manage this one. The Quest Pillar is why this area is now clear of corrupted mana and monsters. It¡¯s insane that it was found in a Bolster dungeon. You typically only get them in Town or City dungeons. This mana integration isn¡¯t normal. CJ and I scored an S in the dungeon. We managed to sneak past the guards, disable the alarm bell and thwart the assassination attempt. At this point I think its clear we all had the same challenge. Slug men guarding a castle?¡± questioned Monty getting a round of nods from everyone.

    ¡°S rank huh. Thought the rankings only went up to A,¡± commented Rubio.

    ¡°We found out it was a hidden rank for killing the assassin,¡± CJ chimed in.

    ¡°I shot the assassin, and he just drank some Kool Aid and got back up,¡± said Rubio.

    ¡°Did you save the queen?¡± asked Monty.

    ¡°I was too late for that,¡± answered Rubio.

    ¡°We managed to distract the assassin before he stabbed down. I managed to make him choke which prevented him from fighting. He dropped his salt dagger, and I threw it at him in the confusion after Monty drop kicked him to next Tuesday. Hell of a hit, bud,¡± bragged CJ.

    ¡°That doesn¡¯t explain the S rating. You would have gotten the Quest Pillar with an A rating. The salt dagger makes senses since they were slug people. What aren¡¯t you telling us?¡± asked Elena shrewdly.

    ¡°You noticed that did you. Ok check this out,¡± said CJ before flicking a two of diamonds from his left hand cleanly severing a branch from a nearby bush.

    ¡°Get the fuck out of here. You cut things with your cards now? You¡¯re going to impress a lot of children with that,¡± scoffed Elena getting a chuckle from Monty.

    ¡°They are cumulative. The more cards of that suit I keep hitting something with, the more damage will accumulate. You¡¯ll see once we get in another jam,¡± huffed CJ.

    ¡°But if you lose the cards, you¡¯re effectively out of ammo. Right?¡± asked Rubio.

    ¡°Yes. Not everything is a finishing move. It¡¯s a skill so it should get better and better as I level it. Right Monty? I¡¯ve got at least ten decks on me right now. I¡¯ll need to find more at some point, and I have a good idea about where to look. I need a second folks, I¡¯ve still got some flashing notifications,¡± explained CJ.

    For being the first to create a safe zone you have earned two levels, a fifty point increase to your health, and a one hundred point increase to your mana determined by your chosen class.

    You have reached level five; you have two undistributed attribute points and one class point.

    At every fifth level you earn a plus ten to your total health and as a Magician, a plus twenty to your total mana.

    Your familiar bond has increased by 5%.

    ¡°Holy crap. My health and mana just skyrocketed from creating the safe zone!¡± exclaimed CJ.

    ¡°That¡¯s a big upgrade. You likely have more health and mana than any other human on the planet right now. I suggest saving your attribute bonuses until we have a chance to discuss it. For now, we need to check out the Quest Pillar. The quests it gives out should cover the surrounding areas,¡± commented Monty.

 Chapter Twenty Three: We have to go home and fight that damn flying snake.

    Back at the Reservoir, Tommy was taking a quick break before lunch. He wanted to follow up on the things he discussed with Doc Redmond. The only way to do that was to ask Skipper. He needed to avoid Jerry during his investigation. After discussing it with the doc, Tommy believes someone is lying. The problem with asking Skipper is he hasn¡¯t been around the last couple of days. Jerry comes out of his office giving orders to the scavengers and the meetings they used to hold about the state of this encampment have just stopped. They used to give out assignments in those meetings to make sure everyone was working toward their collective survival.

    As Tommy passed through the internal gate that separated the no phones from those with access to their slates, he noticed several more scavengers wearing those new uniforms. They all had a new symbol sewn into them of a flaming pitchfork. Once he noticed it on one of the men, he began to see that iconography all over the building. There were spray painted walls and even the numbers on the doors had small pitchforks hand drawn beside them.

    The interior walls were standard poured concrete like you¡¯d find in any other government building. The doors were basic lacquered wood with brass doorknobs. Typically, Skipper could be found upstairs in the old foreman¡¯s office. It was more humid inside the building due to the fact that the first floor was primarily the cistern that held the water. All the offices and converted living quarters circled the massive purification system. Tommy passed by an open door where he spotted Cynthia Redmond sewing away at a table.

    ¡°Hey Cynthia, have you seen Skipper?¡± asked Tommy hopefully.

    ¡°Not since the last meeting. He¡¯s got me pumping out these god-awful padded uniforms for the guards. Put that down honey, mommy will play with you a little later. How are things going outside?¡± asked a distracted Cynthia with two needles hanging from her lips.

    ¡°Not bad. I¡¯ve got most of the reinforced with wooden crossbeams. Seems like over kill to me. Good thing is my wood carving skill hit level three. Everything looks more standardized now,¡± preened Tommy.

    ¡°We really need to find someone with a teacher class. These children need to be in school,¡± joked Cynthia knowing full well everyone was just focused on survival right now.

    ¡°I know what you mean. Some of the no phone kids outside do nothing but run around causing mischief all day. On a side note, have you heard anything about missing¡­¡± Tommy trailed off as an unfamiliar golden notification bloomed in his vision.

    World Notice- The first safe zone has been erected in the small hamlet of Leaf¡¯s Bend, NJ. Congratulations to CJ Thompson for accomplishing this task months ahead of expectations. A safe zone repels corrupted mana and keeps mana mutations at bay. The first Quest Pillar has been installed at Leaf¡¯s Bend. Through this you will receive additional ways to gain levels and grow your personal power. Keep fighting to make the world safe for those who will return in nine years and ten months¡¯ time.

    ¡°Did you just¡­¡± mumbled Cynthia as a loud crash came from deeper within the facility.

    ¡°What the hell was that?¡± asked Tommy as multiple people ran down the hall past him in the direction of the foreman¡¯s office.

    Tommy joined the parade of people heading in that direction. He was brought up short when a crowd standing was just standing around the open door to the foreman¡¯s office. Tommy couldn¡¯t see into the door, but he could definitely hear what was being said.

    ¡°You told me that giant cicadas ate our best runner. You told me he was dead and now I have a slate notification with the name of a known no phone not only very much alive but completing a task I¡¯ve been failing at for ten days. Find him. I want that safe zone under our influence. CJ still owes me. Lean on him until he lets us take control of the territory. I¡¯ll be staying here now get out,¡± yelled an irate Skipper.

    If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.

    ¡°You got it boss. Leave it to me,¡± replied a terrified Jerry as the door to the office slammed shut in his face.

    Jerry¡¯s face looked like it was covered in suit. His hair was sticking up in the front and his new uniform was singed around the shoulders. He turned to the gathered people and pushed the thug nearest to him to give him space.

    ¡°Kowalski! Get you big ass over here. Find me a map of the area. The no phone was on foot and couldn¡¯t have gotten far. Meanwhile, does anyone know where the fuck Leaf¡¯s Bend is? Never heard of these bullshit little burgs,¡± barked Jerry as the biggest of Skippers goons sidled up to him.

    It looked to Tommy like Kowalski came up empty handed. Tommy has had several conversations with the big man in the past. He¡¯s a nice enough guy but his mental capacity peaked in high school. Tommy needed to find Redmond. CJ was alive and in a safe zone. Tommy¡¯s loyalties waivered. CJ saved his life numerous times, but Skipper offered safety in an increasingly dangerous world. Tommy didn¡¯t like the idea of CJ being out there all alone but what could he do? He wasn¡¯t a fighter. Who knew how many monsters were between him and CJ right now? That made Tommy consider how CJ had survived on his own long enough to¡­ Monty!

    <hr>

    CJ approached the gleaming crystalline pillar. He looked down at Monty before touching it. The bunny looked like he wanted to say something but then the rabbit looked away.

    ¡°What is it, Monty? You¡¯re acting kind of strange,¡± asked CJ.

    ¡°Things are going to get harder from now on. The quests these pillars give out will be dangerous. I think we¡¯ll need more than the Trinchar¡¯s to manage them. No offense but, you don¡¯t really have a way to fight back. Don¡¯t get me wrong, we should take the quests, but it would be better if you could finish your first one and train with you know who. My opinion,¡± answered Monty with his ears down while wringing his front paws.

    ¡°I¡¯m not a fighter Monty. We both know that. Most of the time you¡¯ve been incredibly happy to do the butt kicking for me. We¡¯re a team. Just look at the things we¡¯ve been able to do together already,¡± said CJ softly while kneeling down so Monty didn¡¯t have to look up at him.

    CJ had never known Monty to be so overly concerned about him. Maybe it was because their bond was growing now that he had access to his slate. He didn¡¯t know. Life or death situations were just part of his day to day since the apocalypse began. What did it say about CJ that he was acclimating so quickly?

    ¡°Did you say training? I¡¯d be more than happy to teach you how to shoot CJ. In fact, I owe you at least that much for everything you¡¯ve done for us,¡± commented Rubio as he walked up to the pillar.

    ¡°I may take you up on that offer. A lot of my spells and abilities are consume my mana. If I run out, I¡¯ll have to rely on something else. Lord knows there are plenty of guns in this country. If that¡¯s settled. Let¡¯s check out this pillar,¡± replied CJ before putting his hand flat to the crystal.

    Pending Quests

    Cicada Matriarch- Eliminate the Cicada Matriarch before the beginning of summer or the Pine Barrens will be overrun. Rewards: Class Ability, Rare. Accept Y/N

    Winged Serpent- Reclaim the town of Bass River Township from the winged serpent. Rewards: access to a Mystical Foundry. Accept Y/N

    Clear the Atlantic City Dungeon- There is a corrupted City Dungeon located at Atlantic City. Rewards: Variable depending upon performance. Accept Y/N

    Clear the Newark Airport Dungeon- There is a corrupted Town Dungeon located at Newark Airport. Rewards: Johnny¡¯s Appleseed. Accept Y/N

    Defend Leaf¡¯s Bend- There is a group of marauders intent on taking Leaf¡¯s Bend for their own. Defend the safe zone to maintain control. Rewards: Control of the safe zone, various gear, Active Party skill book. Accept Y/N

    ¡°Damn it. This is exactly what I was afraid of,¡± said CJ.

    ¡°Well, what did it say?¡± asked Rubio before putting his own hand on the pillar.

    CJ shared the prompts with both Monty and Elena while Rubio read them directly from the pillar. Rubio took his hand off the pillar before running his hand through his salt and pepper hair. He then looked for the tallest building that wasn¡¯t a burnt out husk.

    ¡°I didn¡¯t know you could share notifications. You have to teach me how to do that,¡± Elena said to CJ while she was still reading.

    ¡°I¡¯m going to get a bird¡¯s eye view. Hollar if you need me for something,¡± Rubio called out as he jogged toward the churches bell tower on the east side of town.

    CJ thought that was a brilliant choice since the bell tower overlooks the highway overpass. As this is one of the towns that most people just drive over, he¡¯d get a great view of anyone using the roads.

    ¡°Didn¡¯t you already complain about people invading here?¡± Monty asked confused.

    ¡°Not that, we¡¯re going to have to go home and fight that damn flying snake,¡± answered CJ.

 Chapter Twenty Four: We should try it with the saw next time.

    ¡°Let me touch that thing,¡± said Elena as she made her way over to the pillar.

    ¡°It¡¯s a pretty bland message. I think it¡¯s more like job board. Like something posted in a roadside in for people to solve problems in the area. Only this isn¡¯t¡¯ the Middle Ages. God, I¡¯m hungry. You hungry?¡± asked CJ before pulling out his Mobius Twinkie.

    ¡°I could eat,¡± replied Elena after fully reviewing the available quests.

    ¡°Mmm¡­ this is good. We¡¯re going to need some real food though. Here, just don¡¯t eat the last bite. Give it back to me before that. Got it?¡± queried CJ getting a nod in response from Elena.

    ¡°You got some weird last bite fetish or something? I¡¯m kidding, don¡¯t take offense. The last bite is yours¡­ wait a minute it grows back!¡± shrieked Elena as she read the item notification.

    ¡°It¡¯s cool right. Alright we have a bunch of buildings to scavenge. At least three cross streets are covered. Let¡¯s really define the boundaries. As I understand it, as long as we stay within area of influence, there shouldn¡¯t be any monsters,¡± stated CJ as he slowly spun in place.

    The sun was high in the sky letting CJ know it was high noon. No wonder he was hungry. It was effectively lunch time. He decided to start his scavenging at what looked like a corner store. During all the monster fighting he didn¡¯t really have a chance to look around. There was a corner store more in line with a farm store than a bodega. A hardware store across the street attached to an AC Moore paint store. He doubted there would be much use for paint right now. The hardware store on the other hand. There was bound to be some goodies in there. Abandoned vehicles littered the roads. He¡¯d have to pop their trunks to see what they were hiding.

    CJ began to get really excited at the prospect of hidden treasures scattered all around him. It wasn¡¯t until he pulled out his fifth set of tire iron, jack, and spare tire that he decided he was better off checking the buildings. He¡¯d suggested to Elena that she should raid the hardware store looking for spare chains for her saw. That got her moving quickly. In the half hour they were rummaging around in other people¡¯s belongings, Rubio stayed up in the clock tower. He periodically yelled down that there was nothing yet. The intervals between updates got longer and longer.

    ¡°Hey, you need some water? I could run a bottle up to you,¡± yelled CJ from the street.

    ¡°No thanks. There was some in the church¡¯s kitchen. I grabbed a couple on my way up. You know I always wondered when this country got so thirsty. Now I¡¯m glad. There¡¯s a ton of bottle potable water everywhere,¡± commented Rubio before he went back to his watch.

    ¡°CJ. Come over here and see this,¡± shouted Elena.

    CJ made his way over to the entrance of the hardware store. It was just north of the park on the opposite side of the street from the now ashen buildings. Once inside, CJ noticed most of the shelves were stripped bare and there was a pile in the middle of the floor of various goods. Elena was in the back furiously kicking at a door.

    ¡°Can you pick this lock? Damn thing won¡¯t budge,¡± said Elena.

    ¡°Sure. Gimme a second,¡± replied CJ before kneeling down and pulling the tools he needed from his sleeve.

    This knob lock was already set in the open position. There must be something latched on the other side of the door keeping it from opening. He looked up to see the hinges were on this side of the wall. He quickly pulled a flat head screwdriver and hammer from his sleeve. A few taps later and the door all but fell inwards.

    This book''s true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience.

    ¡°You sure you weren¡¯t a thief?¡± scoffed Elena who proceeded to yank the door open all the way.

    The back room had a desk set up against the wall to CJ¡¯s left. Deeper in was a rack comprised of no less than twenty propane tanks. A few BBQ grills were stacked up along the wall to his right and beyond that was a rolling door that must have led to a loading dock. The florescent lights above were dark and nothing inside moved. CJ turned back around to see the door was being held on with a latch and pad lock combination.

    ¡°Tough to pick that from opposite side. Now I¡¯ve been questioning how my storage ability works. This might be a good time to test it. Wanna explain while all the stuff was in was piled in the center of the room?¡± asked CJ as he looked around the office area.

    CJ found a mostly unused notebook and folded it to it slide past his wrist before it disappeared. He grinned wide at that. Before Elena answered his question, he started opening drawers and gasped at the discovery of a revolver in the bottom left one.

    ¡°I figured those things would come in useful and we could test that storage ability of yours. See, same page,¡± Elena said as she perused the rows of propane tanks.

    ¡°Any of them full?¡± asked CJ as he spun the revolver chamber finding there were only three bullets in it.

    ¡°I¡¯ve only seen five full tanks so far. Looks like the owner cycled the ones on the top as empties and the ones on the bottom to go into the store. Come here for a second, this one has a cap attached to a tongue that marries up to a rubber ring around the nozzle. See if you can store that,¡± suggested Elena while gesturing to one of the tanks.

    CJ didn¡¯t have a problem with that, but the abilities wording said limited to items that can fit up your sleeve. He refused to believe that as long as part of something fit up his sleeve it could be stored. That seemed like one hell of an abuse of power. No sooner did he think that, he placed the loose cap under his right wrist and the whole tank disappeared.

    ¡°Holy Shit!¡± screeched a shocked CJ.

    ¡°Oh my god it worked. How about that chair? Can you get the arm rest in your sleeve?¡± asked an excited Elena.

    ¡°Wait a second. Was the vague nature of the description something that could be exploited with every ability? Also, I don¡¯t want a rolling office chair with forty years of some dudes built up farts in it. Why don¡¯t we find something else? Like that BBQ over there,¡± responded CJ before flipping the BBQ over and putting one of the wheels in his sleeve.

    This time there was some resistance before space around the BBQ compressed and the thing visibly shrank. CJ felt a draw of fifty mana from his limited pool leaving him with only five. Then he received a new notification.

    New Spell Learned: Spatial Compression- Rare Spell/ Planar Magic: Cost 50 mana. Target must be a non-living object. Object is compressed in space down to fist size. The caster can release the spatial lock at will but will need to recast it once returned to normal size.

    ¡°Alright, its clear the system doesn¡¯t want me abusing my ability. It just forced me to pay for the compression that happens when I try to store objects larger than the opening of my cuff. Good news is I now have a spell that compresses objects. It is extremely expensive for a utility spell. I can¡¯t believe I¡¯m going to say this, but you¡¯ll have to hit me a few times. I don¡¯t have enough mana to help out if something goes wrong with the invaders. Shit. Monty was right. This is my life now,¡± said a dejected CJ.

    ¡°Are you sure? You got pretty butt hurt last time,¡± said a concerned Elena.

    ¡°I know. That was a different circumstance. Monty was trying to make a point, and he went about it in the shittiest way possible. But now I¡¯m ready. Let me get my hands up and you can start,¡± said CJ bracing himself.

    Elena proceeded to throw punches and kicks at CJ like he was a heavy bag. He thought she must have studied some form of martial arts before as the kicks seemed purposeful. The shining light that appeared just off of CJ¡¯s skin, became brighter as the hits kept coming. Once he got to thirty mana, he called a stop to it. None of the hits actually made it full force to his body but some skimmed him leaving small bruises no larger than his thumb. His health had ticked all the way up to seventy five from the damage he took in the bolster dungeon. That told him even with all the strikes she hit him with, he took little to no damage.

    ¡°Good. I have to stop. My stamina points almost bottomed out. It¡¯s slowly filling up now. That is an amazing power. We should try it with the saw next time,¡± smirked Elena giving CJ a wink after his eyes bugged out of his head.

 Chapter Twenty Five: Iâ€™d prefer to only kill monsters.

    No sooner did they stop than they heard Monty¡¯s voice calling for them from the front of the hardware store. CJ and Elena looked at each other before turning toward the door. They barely managed a single step before Monty was standing in the doorway to the backroom looking between the two of them. Elena was still catching her breath from the sparing session and CJ had a guilty look on his face.

    ¡°What were you two doing back here?¡± asked Monty ears standing straight up.

    ¡°Nothing,¡± said CJ much too quickly.

    ¡°Come outside. Rubio rang that bell but you two didn¡¯t come running,¡± explained Monty, eyes narrowing.

    ¡°I didn¡¯t know we established that as a signal. Why didn¡¯t anybody tell me?¡± asked CJ as Elena pushed past the both of them.

    Monty stood there staring up at CJ. CJ just sped past him to get outside. He knew what Monty was insinuating. Nonsense like that could rupture the groups already tenuous relationship. Right now, CJ needed the Trinchar¡¯s focused on the here and now. Once CJ stepped outside of the store, he could hear the bell softly ringing. Rubio must be gently rocking it, so it didn¡¯t sound like a dinner bell for baddies.

    ¡°And what were you doing while we were scavenging?¡± CJ asked Monty who hustled up alongside him.

    ¡°I was checking the boundaries of the protection. Just like you said. Looks like it goes out at least three blocks in all directions. Not sure how to convert that into measurements you humans use so I just picked blocks,¡± replied Monty with a huff.

    ¡°Three blocks. That¡¯s about point one five miles. Not exceptionally large but this isn¡¯t a big village. Should be fine. Rubio, we¡¯re all here. What did you see?¡± asked CJ once he got to the front of the church.

    ¡°I see something moving further up I-95. They are swerving between derelict vehicles. Looks like a lot of smaller vehicles. They¡¯d be almost upon us if it weren¡¯t for all cars dead on the road. I¡¯d say we have about twenty minutes before they get here at that pace. They may pick up speed if there is a long section of road without obstruction. What¡¯s the plan?¡± Rubio yelled down from the tower.

    ¡°Good question. First of all, everyone accept the Defend Leaf¡¯s Bend quest. No point in going through this and not getting rewarded for it. Secondly, I¡¯d like to talk to them first. There are few people left in the world and I¡¯d prefer to only kill monsters. Besides, we¡¯ll have to let people come here at some point. I don¡¯t want to spend the rest of my life defending this small area. We¡¯ll need more people,¡± said CJ looking for approval.

    ¡°You know if they are desperate, they¡¯re going to try and kill you,¡± said Elena, her arms folded across her chest.

    ¡°Even better. I¡¯m pretty low on mana. That¡¯s why I said I¡¯d like to talk to them. You two can lie in wait. If things pop off feel free to intervene,¡± explained CJ.

    CJ spent the next ten minutes explaining his plan. After that they all split up to prepare their portions as they waited for whoever was on their way to the little slice of safety they had recently claimed. It didn¡¯t take long. A minute shy of Rubio¡¯s estimate, Monty¡¯s ear¡¯s perked up and CJ, seated one of the park benches, began to shuffle a deck of cards.

    Eleven motorcycles revved their engines as they pulled off the highway driving down Main Street toward the park at the center of the traffic circle. They wore leather vests, chains, do rags and the one in the lead looked like he had human skull affixed to his full face helmet. This did not give CJ the warm and fuzzy¡¯s. They all rode in a circle around the park before the skull helmet pulled over in front of CJ. They drove a mix of old extended front wheel Harleys and newer bikes with no electronic parts. That made sense to CJ, since mana wouldn¡¯t necessarily meddle with combustion engines. Once all the bikes came to a stop behind skull helm, CJ notice one final detail that guaranteed what direction this discussion was going to go in. He prepared himself to regenerate his mana back up to full. There was a blonde woman tied to the rear seat of one of the bikes facing backwards. Her hands were tied to a metal bar jutting off the back. She looked to be in a bad way.

    Unauthorized tale usage: if you spot this story on Amazon, report the violation.

    CJ had his Repairman title equipped so while they were circling him, he noticed the majority of them were no phones. Only the skull helm guy and the guy riding with the captive woman didn¡¯t have the telltale darkness surrounding their heads. In CJ¡¯s mind that was good. It meant there was really only two threats out of the group.

    ¡°Welcome to Leaf¡¯s Bend. I trust you¡¯ve come to us looking for shelter in these trying times?¡± asked CJ as he stood up while flicking one card in a circle around the hand holding the deck. It landed right back on top.

    ¡°You Thompson?¡± asked Skull Helmet.

    ¡°Yup. So¡­,¡± CJ began before Skull Helmet whipped up a Beretta in his right hand and shot CJ in the head.

    The force of the shot was so powerful and so quick it sent CJ flipping backwards over the bench he was originally sitting on. Monty had been hiding behind that bench and fixed CJ with an I told you so look.

    ¡°Not yet. That was a good shot. I got twenty mana from that one. Don¡¯t ask me why, I don¡¯t know. They have a captive. I need to make a minor adjustment. Shouldn¡¯t affect your part. I gotta get back out there. Stick to the plan. I¡¯ve got this,¡± whispered CJ before casting Now you don¡¯t on himself.

    ¡°That was simple boys. Tobias, you find us a nice soft bed so I can break in our special treat there. The rest of you scavenge the area. This guy looked shifty. I don¡¯t believe he secured this place on his own for a second,¡± ordered Skull Helmet.

    ¡°I told you I knew where this place was Wells. I bought some bike parts from that auto supply place down the street. I did good,¡± replied Tobias.

    ¡°Yes, you did. Now do as I say. Murder always makes me horny¡­ Where did the body go?¡± Wells asked as he peered over the bench.

    CJ¡¯s cards were scattered all over the place after the head shot. He pulled another deck from his inner pocket and walked around Skull Helmet who the other gang member called Wells. Pulling a six of diamonds from the deck he aimed at the ropes tying the girl to the back of the bike before Tobias stood up and blocked his shot.

    ¡°What do you mean Wells, you flipped him ass over tea kettle behind the bench. Guy must weigh nothin,¡± replied Tobias as he walked over.

    ¡°The body ain¡¯t here. Everybody get back over here. We got trouble,¡± ordered Wells as he bent over to pick up one of the cards on the ground.

    As the gathered ruffians turned back to the park from their assignments a playing card sprouted from the bonds holding their captive. It sunk deep into metal bar after it sliced through the ropes. The woman was no fool, she began to sprint away on bare feet before CJ grabbed her arm ending his spell.

    ¡°Hang on we¡¯re going to get you out of this. Head to that hardware store when I say go. Now get behind and stay behind me,¡± said CJ inches from her face before stepping between her and the gathered men.

    They all raised various pistols and opened fire at CJ. He leaned into the fire ensuring that the woman trembling behind him was completely covered by his body. Then he cast smoke screen on himself obscuring himself and the woman from sight. That was Rubio¡¯s cue to open fire. Rifle shots rang out taking two gunmen in the head and dropping them to the ground. That left nine.

    ¡°Ambush! Take cover!¡± yelled Wells as he searched the roof tops to return fire.

    ¡°Check your aim. Don¡¯t shoot the girl you idiots!¡± shouted Tobias as he took a machete out from under his jacket.

    Most of the bikers were hunched down around their bikes to avoid the rifle fire. Rubio managed to clip two more, but they were glancing blows at best. CJ knew he needed to get the woman to safety. The smoke cloud lingered where he cast it as he burst out of it. He was gently holding her hand and sprinting for the entrance to the hardware store. A hail of bullets flew past him, and he spun the woman in front of him leaving his back exposed. Five more bullets hit home, and he pushed her the rest of the way through the door.

    ¡°This is my friend Elena. Anyone gets past me will have to deal with her. Okay?¡± huffed out CJ.

    The golden light around his skin was sparking now. The smoke cloud would last five minutes. That was plenty of time for them to circle around it for clear shots. His mana had regenerated up to one fifty out of his two twenty. It was unfortunate that this group of survivors had to prove that people could be monsters too. CJ firmed his resolve to do harm to other humans. He wasn¡¯t going to like this.

    Elena ushered the woman into the back room before pulling the ripcord on her chainsaw. She had her pads on and began to walk into the center of the store. CJ was supposed to be up at the front, but she couldn¡¯t see him anywhere. Two more bikers ran in through the doorway of the hardware store before drawing up short. Blood started to pour from a line in their necks rain off a mountain. Then they fell forward both heads rolling away from the bodies. This counted as an interaction as CJ dissolved into Elena¡¯s perception. He was standing on the right side of the doorway with his right palm flat against the door jam. His thumb was extended straight up and there was blood slowly dripping from empty air in the doorway. Elena heard a zipping sound as CJ pulled his hand off the wall.

    ¡°What the hell was that?¡± asked Elena shocked.

    ¡°An unfortunate circumstance of our new world. Wait here and watch over her if you would, I think they¡¯ve found your dads location. I¡¯m going to help,¡± answered CJ in a solemn tone.

 Chapter Twenty Six: What have we become?â€

    Out on the street there were bikers taking shots at the bell tower from behind parked cars. CJ immediately recast Now You Don¡¯t upon leaving the hardware store. He took it all in as he watched what was unfolding. Wells was trying to force the church door open, and Tobias was barking orders at the five others. Two of which crouch jogged up to either side of the door that Wells was working on. Tobias kept Rubio pinned down with alternating fire from his three goons. CJ knew this had to end soon but his reluctance to kill humans melted away from him once he saw the sorry state of that woman.

    First, he¡¯d have to give Rubio the chance to fight back. He cast choking hazard on all three of the goons firing up at the bell tower. That dropped his mana by another thirty points. With that and his expenditure in the hardware store, he was still sitting at ninety mana. As the small multicolored objects made of solidified mana entered the windpipes of the three bikers, all their guns dropped to the ground. They then began grasping at their own throats desperately trying to breath. Tobias noticed they had stopped and spun his head to the right looking at them. That was the same time the effect of Now You Don¡¯t was cancelled on CJ.

    ¡°I tried to do this the civilized way, but you insisted on proving me wrong with your barbarism. I¡¯m now a murder and I have all of you to thank,¡± said CJ in a monotone voice.

    ¡°Fuck you, darkie! I¡¯m going to gut your black ass,¡± screamed Tobias as he lifted his machete and ran full sprint at CJ.

    CJ cast smoke screen again engulfing the area around the cars in a thick grey and black smoke. Tobias took several blind swings bellowing like an injured howler monkey. CJ just kept his distance watching the man stumbling around in rage. Then he heard the cracking of wood as the church door gave way. That was enough of a distraction to CJ that he missed dodging the next swing from Tobias. CJ felt a thump on his head as more mana regeneration poured into his body. He hardly had time to enjoy it before Tobias tackled him to the ground.

    ¡°Got you now you son of a bitch. Originally, we thought we might have to fight off some more of those flaming pitchfork fucks. I¡¯ll happily carve you up instead,¡± said Tobias as he slowly brought his blade closer to CJ¡¯s neck.

    CJ started to freak out. This man was vastly stronger than he was. With what little kinetic energy was being used, he didn¡¯t think his barrier would help. In his panic he couldn¡¯t gather enough of his will power to cast another spell. That¡¯s when Tobias rolled off of him. CJ heard a thud and then there was no more movement. Gunfire erupted from inside the church. CJ scrabbled back to his feet and cleared his smoke spell. The splinters of the doors lay on the sidewalk. Wells and company were nowhere to be seen. CJ canceled his smoke cloud to see an unconscious Tobias lying on the ground bleeding from a head wound. The barefoot woman was standing over his body brandishing a 2X4 with some blood and hair on it. Elena was finishing off the three choking goons with her chainsaw.

    ¡°You said you were going to help. Go help,¡± complained Elena gesturing to the church with one hand while working the chainsaw blade out of one of her victims.

    ¡°Jesus Christ! What have we become?¡± stuttered CJ as he backed away from the grisly scene.

    One of the bikers came stumbling out of the church doors with bullet holes in his chest. He went down to one knee before Monty appeared to fly through the door catching him in the head with a spinning round house kick. It sent the dying man sprawling to the sidewalk outside. Blood fountained out of the man before passed spattering the brick exterior walls of the church. This was turning into charnel house and CJ¡¯s mind couldn¡¯t grasp it all.

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    ¡°Come fucking down here you sniper piece of shit!¡± yelled Wells at the back of the church.

    Inside the church, Monty was sprinting between the pews and distracting the lone biker who wasn¡¯t Wells. He kept taking shots and swearing at the large hare. CJ entered the church and flung three cards at the gunmen. They were the four, eight, and ten of diamonds. The first two scored lines across the man¡¯s arm but the ten sunk directly into his forehead. His eyes rolled into the back of his head, and he pulled the trigger twice more as he fell backwards. As CJ leaned on one of the nearby pews for support, he took another one of those hard shots center mass. His mana shot up by twenty points again only this time he barely swayed with the hit.

    ¡°Impossible. I know I killed you the first time and I hit you with another critical shot just now. What the fuck are you?¡± asked Wells while lining up another shot on CJ.

    CJ didn¡¯t give him a third opportunity, he dove behind a pew and started crawling. His mana was back up over one hundred. He decided to go ignored again. He stood up and noticed Wells overlooking him as he scanned the room. A plan started to form in CJ¡¯s head. He knelt down and took an object out of his storage. When he popped back up Wells was looking out of the church doors at Elena and the barefoot woman. He pulled a bottle from his bag and stuffed a rag in it real quick. As he went to light it the jack of diamonds cut the piece of cloth closest to his lighter away. That brought his attention back to CJ who now came forward in Wells sight as the effects of the spell were broken.

    ¡°How many of my people did you kill? I don¡¯t hear any fighting outside. Just that damn chainsaw engine. How many you piece of shit!? You think you¡¯re a hero don¡¯t you. You may be bullet proof, but I¡¯ll bet you burn really good. I¡¯d much rather hang you for what you¡¯ve done here today but my boys will understand,¡± rambled Wells as he and CJ circled each other finally switching positions in the church.

    CJ was shuffling his cards and maintaining eye contact with Wells. Every time Wells moved his lighter to the remnants of the rag, CJ would fling another card forcing him to duck or dodge. The helmet with the skull on it just stared at CJ for a moment.

    ¡°Throw your damn card if you think it¡¯ll get here before I throw this,¡± challenged Wells.

    ¡°That all depends.¡±

    ¡°On what?¡±

    ¡°On weather or not Rubio has the shot and Monty got out yet,¡± said CJ not taking his eyes off Wells.

    It was in that moment Wells realized he¡¯d been had. Playing chicken with the card dealer forced him to forget the whole reason he¡¯d come into the church to begin with, the sniper. Everything happened at once after that. A bunny shot through the church entryway to the outside. Wells lit and tossed the Molotov at CJ before dropping the lighter and speed drawing his Beretta to point it at the stairwell leading up. Rubio had his rifle braced against the curve of the stairwell aiming in Wells general direction. There was blood running down his right arm. Wells smiled under the biker helmet as he realized Rubio didn¡¯t have the shot, but the Molotov didn¡¯t burst. Wells fired at the stairwell at the same time Rubio fired. Wells dove backward noting CJ had one arm up at the exact angle of toss. Then Rubio¡¯s bullet struck, only he wasn¡¯t aiming for Wells. There was propane tank sitting in one of the pews.

    The tank exploded making Wells a sticky mess in the now burning interior of the church. Eight pews were blasted apart sending wooden shrapnel in all directions. CJ was flooded with mana before glow of his kinetic shield winked out. He was floored by the air compression and slammed into the wall on his side of the room. His mana was at full, and he had several pieces of wood shrapnel embedded in his body. The pain was excruciating. So much so he couldn¡¯t even begin to force his way out of the rubble. Soon after there was the sound of a loud crash followed by a deep bone reverberating bong as the ceiling gave way.

 Chapter Twenty Seven: Stop being an ass.

    ¡°He¡¯s under here!¡±

    ¡°Gods he¡¯s a mess.¡±

    ¡°I thought he couldn¡¯t be hurt. They shot him two dozen times and he kept running around like it was nothing.¡±

    ¡°Help me move this.¡±

    ¡°Careful, that¡¯s the only thing keeping his blood in.¡±

    CJ dipped in and out of consciousness for several hours. He felt himself being lifted up on a makeshift stretcher and paraded across the street. His mind must have been playing tricks on him since he thought he saw a coyote pacing back and forth down one of the alley ways they passed. The Trinchars and the new blonde woman managed to get him onto a bed in one of the nearby buildings. Rubio had a bandaged right arm but was otherwise whole. The two women seemed to be in better shape. The blonde woman was now dressed in pants, boots, and a NY Giants jersey. Her hair was pulled back and there was a smattering of blood on her hands. CJ caught a glimpse of Monty as he tried to convince everyone else of something. The words were jumbled in CJ¡¯s head as he let his mental fatigue take him off to dream land.

    His mind was finally calm. If he died from the explosion, at least it was good death. CJ managed to save that woman from what seemed to be a terrible fate. The Trinchar¡¯s would have a safe place to live, and Monty would be with people he could trust. Monty was a good rabbit, and CJ was happy he pulled him out of that pet shop.

    ¡°That decision likely saved your life,¡± came the voice of Sun Wukong.

    Suddenly CJ found himself in that white expanse again. Only this time there was no mountain pagoda. There was a round table with multiple tapestries hanging from nothing as a backdrop. Moving clockwise starting on CJ¡¯s left, the first tapestry depicted a coyote skulking behind a cactus somewhere in the bluffs of Arizona. At least that¡¯s what it looked like to CJ. The second was a massive spider hanging from a tree limb dangling over a pride of sleeping lions. The spider had a black carapace. Around its neck it wore a yellow and black necklace with a pyramid pattern. Next in line was an obvious Egyptian image of Set, the hyena god. CJ didn¡¯t know why they say hyena since it looked a lot like an aardvark. Not his religion, who was he to judge. Finally, there was a hanging tapestry with the image of a stag surrounded by runic symbols in green. Each was a work of art in its own right. The individual woven strands seemed to hum power. Then something different happened. Sun Wukong walked up to the table and bowed reverently.

    ¡°Enough with the theatrics monkey king. Your Harbinger is here now. Should we not begin?¡± asked the glowing image of the coyote.

    Each word sent a ripple of light through the tapestry before the voice cut off. The light wove its way around all the patterns and through to the top of the tapestry before winking out. This happened with every word. CJ stood there, dumbstruck by the majesty of the spectacle.

    ¡°I would like to go first, considering this one is of my tribe to begin with,¡± flashed the depiction of the spider.

    Those words shocked CJ back into the moment as his mind spun. What was he looking at? He thought mind racing to catch up to what he was seeing. The monkey king showed reverence to the images as he approached. He wondered if they were other gods and if he should do the same. Without a second thought he bowed in deference to the gathered tapestries.

    ¡°As you should, mortal. See that, they can learn. Now I would say I have just as much claim to him as my southern brother Anasi over here. Our continent is large, and our family lines spread wide,¡± commented the image of Set followed by excessive snickering.

    ¡°None of you may claim him. I have an accord with this one already. Don¡¯t pretend like you didn¡¯t hear Coyote call him my harbinger. I see your schemes. Now my Harbinger, named CJ for some reason, has already created a safe zone in this integration. That pure mana you are enjoying right now, that¡¯s because of his efforts. A little compensation is in order,¡± explained Sun Wukong.

    ¡°Don¡¯t make me laugh. Your harbinger is operating on my lands. Lands none of you wanted to help me protect from the colonizers. Since he was born here, I have decided to be lenient. I will only charge him with one hundred years under my banner,¡± spoke Coyote confidently.

    This was met with an uproar of disapproval from all the gathered deities. It took Wukong a full five minutes to calm down the attendees and bring order back to these proceedings.

    ¡°No, you will not indenture my Harbinger to your desert to clean rocks for a hundred years. That does not make sense considering all that needs doing. Sorry about this CJ. We¡¯ll just be a little longer in deliberations than I¡¯d hoped,¡± apologized Wukong.

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    ¡°What deliberations? Every one of you has been awoken early due to Wukong¡¯s plan. Our siblings in all our respective pantheons still sleep and you¡¯re squabbling over one barely empowered mortal. He¡¯s only cleared one Bolster dungeon. It practically burst into tears after killing a few humans, for Odin¡¯s sake. Summon me when we have made some real progress. I may crown my own Harbinger before that happens. My lands are in just as much danger. As soon as they return, the old grudges will be reborn. This one will not be able to stem the tide. Literally,¡± spoke the stag before it burst into flames that consumed it entirely.

    ¡°He¡¯s not a millennium person. Let him stretch his legs a little. Then maybe he¡¯ll come back with a clear head,¡± quipped Anasi.

    ¡°Perhaps we should reach out to Veles instead? He¡¯ll be happy to know Perun still sleeps,¡± asked Set.

    ¡°We¡¯ll be fine for now. We need five but Loki will come to his senses sooner rather than later,¡± answered Sun Wukong.

    ¡°Is this some kind of gathering of trickster gods?¡± asked CJ.

    The room went quiet with each tapestry gently swaying in a breeze that wasn¡¯t present before. CJ pulled on his collar and got ready to make a tough room comment before all the gathered deities started laughing. It was uproarious. Waves of energy brought about by the laughter buffeted CJ¡¯s form as he forced out of the meeting space and his popped open.

    ¡°Good. You¡¯re awake. I thought we might have lost you,¡± said Rubio seated to CJ¡¯s right.

    Groggily, CJ looked around the space. Apparently, they were in a mattress store. Different brand mattress from all manufacturers were set up wall to wall. They all had pillows and bedding of various designs. The windows to the street outside were largely intact. The most damage done was to the front door. It seemed the floor to ceiling window of a door was smashed apart. Right now, a mattress was propped up in the entryway to keep out the elements. Toward the back was register seated on a table. There was also two doors in the back. One led to an office with a bathroom and the other led to the back lot and loading dock. It smelled like air fresheners in here, the kind that just twist up with a chemical wax inside. The blonde woman hurried over with a cup of water. CJ shook his head and went to sit up when he noticed Monty was curled up in a ball on his chest. CJ wondered why he felt so warm but then he remembered the last time Monty did something on his chest and freaked out.

    ¡°What is it? Did something happen?¡± asked a startled Monty as CJ started quickly moving.

    Monty hopped off of him and landed on the bed to CJ¡¯s right next to Rubio. CJ made a motion to pull something out of his sleeve when he realized he wasn¡¯t wearing his tuxedo jacket. In fact, he didn¡¯t have his shirt on either. His chest was wrapped in makeshift bandages along with most of his right arm. The look of confusion on his face was evident so Rubio just started talking.

    ¡°We took off your clothes to treat your wounds. There was easily a foot of wood sticking out of you after the explosion. What happened to that barrier of yours?¡± asked Rubio.

    ¡°I don¡¯t know. I just had the weirdest dream. I¡¯m actually confused about that myself,¡± said CJ.

    ¡°I can tell you. First you gotta promise to stop blowing yourself up,¡± said an angry looking Monty.

    His ears were sticking straight up, and he was standing on his hind legs. His front paws were crossed against his chest in a mocking tableau of Elena¡¯s normal stance. Monty¡¯s bunny brows were in a v shape as he waited for a response.

    ¡°I promise to stop inadvertently blowing myself up,¡± complied CJ adding extra emphasis to inadvertently.

    ¡°I¡¯ll accept that for now. Look at your health and mana levels, then come back to this conversation,¡± ordered Monty.

    CJ did so. He noticed he had notifications waiting for him, but he set them to the side. His health was at eighty five out of one hundred ten. His mana was a shiny full two twenty. Before he refocused on the conversation, he checked the first of his notification.

    Quest Complete- Defend Leaf¡¯s Bend: There is a group of marauders intent on taking Leaf¡¯s Bend for their own. Defend the safe zone to maintain control. Rewards: Control of the safe zone, various gear, Active Party skill book.

    As soon as CJ read the notification a flash of light happened right in front of him. Then a small book dropped on his lap above the covers. CJ went to pick up the book, but Monty hopped over and stood on it.

    ¡°Uh uh. We aren¡¯t done yet. This is important and I need you to focus on it. Elena, if he gets distracted again you have my permission to crouch saw him,¡± chastised Monty as Elena walked over with CJ¡¯s clothes in hand.

    CJ didn¡¯t like the way Elena immediately understood what Monty meant. She put his clothes down at the foot of the bed and hefted up here chainsaw.

    ¡°Fucks sake, I¡¯m paying attention. I¡¯m paying attention,¡± CJ shrieked completely forgetting about the skill book reward.

    ¡°What is the result of your findings?¡± asked Monty.

    ¡°My mana is full up and my health is steadily ticking up. It¡¯s not at full yet,¡± said CJ quickly.

    ¡°Right. You¡¯ve been flirting with consciousness for two straight days. Drink that water,¡± ordered Monty.

    ¡°I still can¡¯t believe the rabbit can talk,¡± said the blonde woman.

    ¡°That¡¯s Jennifer. She helped out after you freed her. She¡¯s a no phone. I think you can do that Harbingers thing. She seems like decent people, but I digress. If you readjust the ration on our regeneration ability, you¡¯ll heal faster. You took real damage because of what?¡± asked Monty.

    ¡°I guess¡­ because my mana topped out. I remember seeing the ability working before the light cut out. Then I kind of just blacked out,¡± CJ said sheepishly.

    ¡°Got it in one. Your barrier only works as long as it has a jug to fill. Once the jug is full it just stops working. You are not superman. If you¡¯d been standing in the middle of the road soaking up bullets until you topped off, the next one would have sent you to the underworld. Got me? Stop being an ass,¡± said Monty in a huff before he jumped down to the floor and walked further into the store.

    ¡°That rabbit cares a great deal about you. He didn¡¯t leave your side once in the last two days. One of us was always here just in case you woke up, but Monty never left. You ought to do something nice for him once you¡¯re feeling better,¡± said Rubio before patting CJ on the shoulder and stepping away.

 Chapter Twenty Eight: Iâ€™ll put it on my to do list.

    CJ sat in silence. Monty¡¯s attitude notwithstanding, CJ was still dealing with killing actual people. His dream about the trickster gods would have to wait. His mind share was squarely on how to now cope with his life. There were no more courts of law, he wasn¡¯t worried about that. Rationalizing that they would have killed only gets him so far. He needed to talk to someone about this and Monty had stormed away. CJ lifted the cup to his lips and drank some more water. After putting the cup down, he scooched forward on the bed and grabbed his clothes. It looked like someone attempted to clean them. Cold water and soap could only get them so far. The real benefit was they were dry.

    CJ swung his legs over the side of the bed and winced with the spike of pain that shot through him. As he got dressed, he remembered his first quest. He still needed to find four more Bolster dungeons before the next full moon. So much madness has happened in such a short period of time. CJ slipped his arm through his tux jacket and felt whole again. Maybe that wasn¡¯t the right way to think about it. He felt a hole in his tux jacket. Just below his right pectoral muscle there was a hole. It was also where he kept a deck of cards inside the hidden pocket. He was now down to six decks including the one he lost in the explosion. He spun his wrist with a flourish and a bottle of water appeared in his palm. That¡¯s when CJ grinned ear to ear.

    ¡°Neat trick. How¡¯d you do it?¡± asked Jennifer from two mattresses away.

    CJ spun around to see the blonde woman looking at him. He fell back into showmanship mode and greeted her with a deep bow. That was followed by another shock of pain. After straightening up he walked around his makeshift hospital bed to shake her hand.

    ¡°Tada. Oof, still kind of hurts. Hello I¡¯m CJ. It¡¯s nice to meet you. Thank you for the assist during the fight. Might not have made it out if it wasn¡¯t for your wooden plank skills,¡± joked CJ.

    ¡°No, thank you. That was very brave of you to risk your life to save me. I still don¡¯t understand how a playing card could cut thick rope, but I¡¯ve decided to let that one go. I¡¯m Jennifer Salem. I was a CVS assistant pharmacist before the world went nuts,¡± she said while shaking his hand.

    ¡°It¡¯s been a while since I¡¯ve thought about prescription meds.¡±

    ¡°Well, I guess you¡¯re lucky I was here. I managed to scrounge together some antibiotics from various medicine cabinets in this town. I do know there is a Rite aid down the road a bit, but the rabbit says its outside of the safe zone. If it hasn¡¯t been raided already, there could be some lifesaving supplies in there we could use.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ll put it on my to do list.¡±

    ¡°So¡­ The others said you can fix what¡¯s wrong with me?¡±

    ¡°What do you mean?¡±

    ¡°The thing that prevents me from reading the message or understanding what some people are saying. That thing.¡±

    CJ paused and looked at her. She had short cropped blonde hair with two lengths of hair coming down on either side of her head just past her eyes. Jennifer couldn¡¯t be more than five foot four inches tall. The problem was CJ had only known her for a handful of minutes at best. Monty did give her the paws up, so to speak. Still, CJ decided to ask her a few questions first.

    ¡°We¡¯ll get to that. How did you get into all the small apartments above the shops?¡±

    ¡°Elena either kicked the door in or her dad found the keys in the stores somewhere. Elena is crazy strong.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s unfortunate. Now there are less secure areas. The wah wah are only safe from wah wah,¡± CJ started to explain before her eyes began to squint and she started shaking her head.

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    ¡°Sorry. That didn¡¯t make any sense to me. I know you were talking but like I said earlier, I can¡¯t understand it,¡± apologized Jennifer.

    ¡°No worries. To fix the issue I have to touch your head. It might sting a little as well. Do I have your permission?¡±

    ¡°Absolutely. The Trinchar¡¯s mentioned how you were able to help them. Do I need to swear an oath or something?¡± asked Jennifer as CJ stop still arms halfway toward her head.

    ¡°An oath?¡±

    ¡°Yeah, like the  Oath or something along those lines.¡±

    ¡°Do no harm isn¡¯t really the world we live in anymore.¡±

    ¡°Right but we should try our best be kind or at least give people the benefit of the doubt.¡±

    CJ smiled at that. That was exactly the kind of hope in these trying times this world needed. His decision to fix her slate was solidified in his mind in that instance. He reached for her temples and activated Harbingers Grasp. She jerked back a little before she settled in place where she was seated.

    ¡°Now. Can you read the message?¡± asked CJ starring at her unfocused pupils.

    ¡°Yes, but it¡¯s strange. Something about a goddess of fate. Oh, that must be where all the other people went. I was dead tired the morning all this happened, and my phone was on the cradle in the kitchen. Real nice, there was a time limit, and I didn¡¯t even know what it said,¡± rambled Jennifer.

    ¡°Yes, that is unfortunate. Now you asked earlier how I did the thing with the water bottle. My class is called Magician. It gave me a few abilities. One of which allows me to store objects up my sleeves. Now I was giving multiple different class choices. We all picked the one with the rainbow colored outlines. They seem to be unique choices. I don¡¯t know what options you¡¯ll be given but I suggest reading all of them before¡­¡± CJ never got to finish the sentence before Jennifer jumped up with overwhelming excitement.

    ¡°Yes! I picked Psychopharmacologist. It says I can make concoctions and pills to heal the mind and body. It also said something about mind altering substances. I just got a skill notification. I have level two in alchemy,¡± squealed Jennifer before doing a little dance at the side of the bed.

    ¡°What¡¯s all this racket?¡± asked Monty as he hopped from bed to bed.

    ¡°Apparently, Jennifer was also given a skill to go along with her class,¡± answered CJ.

    ¡°Really, she must have picked a craftsman¡¯s class. They usually come with skills. What¡¯d you pick Jenn?¡±

    ¡°Psychopharmacologist,¡± she said as she continued to review her newly acquired slate.

    ¡°That¡¯s a mouthful. Let¡¯s shorten it to Psycho for now,¡± snickered Monty who shortly joined by CJ.

    ¡°That¡¯s fine,¡± replied a barely attentive Jennifer.

    ¡°Hey CJ, what¡¯s this book doing here?¡± asked Elena from his original bedside.

    ¡°Oh, right the quest reward. Could have sworn we were supposed to get several things,¡± answered CJ as he walked back over.

    CJ picked up the book and got a new item notification.

    New Item: Active Party Skill book- The active party skill will impart knowledge of party member status like health and mana usage in your slate window. Party members can be designated by the party leader and the effect last until the party leader cancels it or falls unconscious. All members in a party will share a telepathic communication link. This skill does not level. Would you like to learn Active Party Skill? Y/N

    CJ felt that last part made it more of an ability and less of a skill, but it was plenty strong as is. This would definitely give them a leg up in team communication during wild fights like the one they just had. Even so he better explain it before using it on everyone. It most obviously links their slates in some way CJ didn¡¯t understand yet.

    ¡°So, this skill essentially links us all together. We can see our health and mana stats as well as communicate telepathically. I don¡¯t really understand it, but I figured I¡¯d tell you before just using it,¡± explained CJ now that Rubio had shown back up.

    ¡°Sounds like mission comms to me. I like it. Our coordination would outstrip any opponent. What¡¯s the limit?¡± asked Rubio.

    ¡°It doesn¡¯t say,¡± answered CJ.

    ¡°Is this going to be like the storage cheat? Worded just vaguely enough to invite abuse?¡± asked Elena with a quizzical look.

    ¡°How about I use the item first before we start thinking of ways to break?¡± asked CJ before he chose yes from his slate.

    The book broke apart into shafts of light before entering CJ¡¯s eyes. Within a few seconds CJ had an innate ability to use the skill. He added Rubio, Monty, Elena, and Jennifer to his active party. He could see all of their vital stats cascading down the left side of his vision. It wasn¡¯t intrusive at all. He needed to focus on it for it to be in full view. CJ had a thought, and the lettering of Jennifer¡¯s name changed to Psycho.

    ¡°You know what? I don¡¯t think I like that anymore,¡± protested Jennifer through peals of laughter from everyone gathered round.

 Chapter Twenty Nine: Holding the gun sideways is not cool.

    CJ stood in the bathroom of an abandoned apartment the Trinchar¡¯s were using. The door to this place was barely on its hinges but they told him it still had running water. Not hot water, CJ found out, but running water none the less. While he took a few minutes to bathe and address mother nature¡¯s call, he decided to review the rest of his waiting slate notifications.

    Skill level up. Trick Cards is now level two.

    Your familiar bond has increased to thirty five percent. You may now choose one of the following advancements for your partnership; Share Spells, Share Abilities, or Share Skills.

    Share Spells: Unlocks your spell book for your familiar to use as well as unlocking mana for your familiar.

    Share Abilities: Unlocks your list of abilities for your familiar to use as well as any unlocked passives.

    Share Skills: Unlocks your familiar¡¯s ability to use skills you know as well as gives you a fifty percent skill growth modifier.

    That was an awful lot to consider. CJ just stood in the cold water with his mouth open. Monty could do the some of the same things he could. But which one to choose. They all had their benefits. He should really speak to Monty about this before picking. Then he imagined Monty making playing cards rain on monsters as they came into range. The image of the rabbit¡¯s ears sticking straight up as he spun in the air flinging out cards amused CJ enough, he started chuckling in the shower. Monty did say to speak with him later regarding his new class point. As soon as CJ began thinking about that a new tab popped up on his slate.

    Class Progression: This tab allows the user to plot out their skill tree. Skills and abilities available from the skill tree will usually bifurcate depending on the choices they make. Once a class point is spent there is no going back so choose carefully. Class points are received at every fifth level.

    ¡°I guess that¡¯s what he wanted to talk to me about. It couldn¡¯t hurt for me to dig in a little bit before I talk to him,¡± said CJ aloud while toweling himself off.

    CJ reviewed the tab, and his eyes almost bugged out of his head. This tab didn¡¯t just resemble a grey slate piece of rock with writing chiseled into it. No, this one was as sea of stars and nebulas with three options that led deeper into the darkness of the universe. It all came to CJ¡¯s mind in a rush. The pin pricks of light in the distance, purple and green gas nebulas brighter than anyone had ever seen through a telescope, and the rings of detritus swirling into black holes. There were even moving lights in the distance traveling through empty darkness before colliding with an over saturated galaxy of objects. But foremost in his vision were three options with tracks of light leading in different directions into the cosmos before him.

    Tricks of the Trade: Gain additional skills centering on deception and distraction.

    Elemental Adaptation: Gain spells that draw from Tier One elemental magic beginning at the uncommon rarity.

    Greater Familiarity: Acquire abilities and passives that strengthen and empower your bond.

    ¡°Alright, talk to Monty it is,¡± choked CJ as he finished getting dressed.

    After checking over his face in the mirror, CJ noticed he didn¡¯t have a five o¡¯clock shadow. It¡¯s been weeks since the apocalypse began, and it didn¡¯t seem like his facial hair would grow in anymore. That was fine with him. Shaving was always more of an annoyance than anything else. He remembered a brief stretch earlier in his career when he grew in a goatee. At best it looked like thin lines around his mouth. Most of the people he worked with got a good chuckle at his attempt at facial hair. That was more than enough impetus for him to go back to a clean shaven look. Considering he started going bald in his early twenties, it just added another five minutes to his morning routine.

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    ¡°Are you done in there?¡± ask Jenn from outside of the bathroom.

    ¡°Be right out,¡± answered CJ.

    Upon exiting the bathroom, he noticed everyone had gathered in the small apartment. There was a bedroom off to CJ¡¯s right and the kitchen was straight ahead of him. There was a small table against the far wall under the window. It had two chairs on opposite ends. A refrigerator that wasn¡¯t running next to stove beneath some cabinetry. The floors were linoleum and recently swept. There was a counter that separated the kitchen from the living room space where there was a sofa seated in front of a flat screen television. To the left of the sofa was sliding door that opened out onto a balcony looking down on the road below. Jennifer and Elena were seated at the table. Monty was up on the dividing counter. Rubio was sprawled out on the sofa cleaning his rifle and periodically peering through his scope out into the town. It smelled of cleaning supplies leading CJ to believe something needed to be cleaned up after they took residence here.

    ¡°So, what¡¯s the plan?¡± asked Elena.

    ¡°Well. I¡¯m almost back up to full health now. Splitting our regen evenly leaves me healing slower than before. That¡¯s okay. I was thinking about a trip to the pharmacy Psycho mentioned. I also want to go back to the reservoir and get some of my friends. Something in the back of my head is telling me to go grab Redmond and his family. Are you getting that too, Monty?¡± asked CJ.

    ¡°Don¡¯t know why you think I would feel that. Do I think it¡¯s a good idea? Yeah, I do. I don¡¯t have some cockamamie sixth sense about it though. We need to go through your class point expenditure before we do anything else,¡± answered Monty.

    ¡°What is that?¡± asked Jennifer still pouting over her nick name.

    ¡°Something weird is going down in the direction of the CVS. I can¡¯t really tell from here, but I know I saw something moving when I was looking that way. Figured I should mention it. The scope only blipped level one something. It went by so fast that¡¯s all I caught,¡± said a distracted Rubio.

    ¡°You¡¯ll get a class point every five levels or so. Sometimes as rewards for completing a quest. They help grow your skills and abilities. You only get to spend the point once, so I urge you all to carefully consider your choices cause you¡¯ll be stuck with them,¡± Monty answered Jenn.

    ¡°There¡¯s also the matter of the other quests from the pillar. That cicada queen one seems kind of important,¡± added Elena.

    ¡°I wanted to talk about that too. That¡¯s kind of why I want to get the Redmond¡¯s and Tommy. We can¡¯t tackle all of these things and keep this place safe. Who knows when we¡¯ll get another roaming band of lunatics? Humanity is dwindling with every monster attack. Fighting each other is a zero sum game. It¡¯s going to be hard to get other people to understand that. My dad used to say the same thing when we would watch his favorite zombie show together. He¡¯d say you only get three things in a zombie apocalypse. Zombies, survivors, and deranged lunatics,¡± said CJ.

    ¡°What about a non-zombie apocalypse?¡± asked Jenn.

    ¡°It¡¯s probably the same. Maybe swap out the word zombies with monsters. Still fits,¡± replied Elena shrugging.

    ¡°Anyway, weren¡¯t we supposed to get some gear from the defense quest? All I saw was that skill book,¡± asked CJ.

    ¡°It meant all the guns, ammo, and bikes we have been gifted by our opposition. They were traveling around with boxes and boxes of ammo. Three of the bikes were just storing extra bullets. Speaking of which. No one is going anywhere until we have our first firearm safety lesson. Stamina and mana are limited resources. I think we should learn to use some weaponry. That way the monsters are dead before they have a chance to harm us or we pass out from overexerting ourselves,¡± said Rubio, pointed looking at Elena for that last part.

    ¡°That¡¯s a good idea. I vote for firearms training,¡± said CJ.

    ¡°I said firearm safety lesson. This is going to be a long day,¡± sighed Rubio.

    The next two hours were filled with instructions on how to clean a handgun. How to properly load a handgun. How to hold a handgun. Rubio yelled at them every time they put their fingers on the triggers. He tried to beat into them that they only needed to do that when they were ready to shoot. Never before then. After lining up some bottles on a park bench, Rubio had them fire over the hood of a car at various ranges. Not a single bottle was harmed.

    ¡°Alright. Can you tell me what you did wrong?¡± asked Rubio.

    ¡°I wasn¡¯t controlling my breathing,¡± answered CJ.

    ¡°I kept closing my eyes,¡± said Jenn.

    ¡°Holding the gun sideways is not cool,¡± said Elena.

 Chapter Thirty: That would be cool.

    Rubio dismissed his class for that day. The sun was high in sky and if they were going to venture out, they would want to do it in daytime. He then walked CJ over to the line of motorcycles just propped up around the park. Several of them had the keys in the ignitions.

    ¡°Which one do you want?¡± asked Rubio.

    ¡°I¡¯ve never ridden a motorcycle before. I would think it was dangerous to try and learn during the apocalypse. Then again, everything is dangerous now,¡± replied CJ.

    ¡°The good news is the road in town is pretty clear of cars. We have to make it to Atlantic City and Newark Airport at some point and I¡¯d rather not walk. Our van probably won¡¯t make it all the way to these locations. Both of which are in opposite directions. You¡¯ll need to travel at speed. Also, I¡¯d like to assess this communication ability. Does it have a range limitation? How does it work? Does it just pop your voice into my head, or can I hear you even though you¡¯re not next to me?¡± questioned Rubio.

    ¡°All good questions. Let me see. Give me a second¡­¡± said CJ before he cut off his own sentence.

    Message from CJ: Can you hear this?

    ¡°Oh, it just creates a message on my slate. Like texting,¡± commented Rubio.

    ¡°Now send one to me. Just look at my name in your slate screen and think the message,¡± said CJ.

    Message from Rubio: Did this work?

    ¡°Yes, it did. It will be complicated to read these while we are fighting. We should come up with a shorthand in case of emergencies. We can test its limits when we head out later. I¡¯ll have to learn how to ride a motorcycle now,¡± commented CJ with a worried look on his face.

    CJ soon found himself straddling an all-black Scout bobber Sixty. It had the word Indian silk screened on the fuel tank and a dual exhaust system. It was mostly just black and chrome with a headlight above the front wheel and two side view mirrors extended from the handles. The rest of the bikes were a mix of Harleys and some sport models. This one really spoke to him though.

    An hour several false starts later, CJ learned not to release the clutch right away. Balancing the bike was less cumbersome than he¡¯d imagined. Learning the neutral position for the shifter on his left side took a lot of getting used to. By the end of the hour, he was slowly rolling around the circle in the town square. At some point during the lesson Elena and Jenn showed up to pick their bikes as well. The amount of falling and giggling even cracked Rubio¡¯s stern exterior. CJ was more focused on the batteries that still worked. It really was only things with circuit boards that didn¡¯t work anymore. Basic current through a wire still functioned.

    ¡°CJ, can I borrow you for a second?¡± asked Monty.

    ¡°Sure, thing bud. I¡¯ll be back in a few and then we can get going,¡± said CJ as he walked over to Monty on the bench.

    ¡°We should go over your level increase. Share your slate with me,¡± said Monty.

    CJ did so. Monty took a long time going over CJ¡¯s attributes and his class options before saying anything else. It was long enough that CJ started to get worried. Then all of a sudden, his head snapped back to CJ, and he began to speak.

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    ¡°This is how I see it. You¡¯re overloaded with a twenty three Intelligence. You¡¯ll need balance it out with the two new points you got. Right now, you can think faster than your body can react. So, I¡¯d put those points into Agility. Agility governs your bodies dexterity; you know how you manipulate your limbs and such. Since you have a twenty speed, probably from all that running. The downside is you¡¯ll be clumsy until you balance that out. Your brain moves faster than your ability to coordinate. That¡¯s my recommendation anyway. Now you can do whatever you want with your class point at this stage. I would prefer you spend into Greater Familiarity but its your choice. I think you¡¯d do well with some more basic elemental spell power. The Tricks of the Trade category will help if you want to be sneaky but lately you¡¯ve just thrown yourself into battles anyway. Might be a waste. Depends on the abilities. Thoughts?¡± asked Monty finally.

    ¡°I have no problems with anything you¡¯ve said and increasing my Agility may help with the motorcycle riding. Seems like I¡¯ll be doing a lot of that. Can I go back to other trees once I get more class points?¡± queried CJ.

    ¡°You can but you wouldn¡¯t be focusing. Being a jack of all trades will get you killed. Now for our bond improvement. I¡¯m recommending share spells. That will give me access to my mana again. Skills won¡¯t work for me since I don¡¯t have mana yet. The only skill you have is trick cards and that works with infusion of mana. I¡¯m not interested in being a party leader so that choice is out. Abilities would be nice, but I don¡¯t wear clothes, so your storage ability won¡¯t work. I don¡¯t have thumbs, so Hand is Quicker than the eye is out. I¡¯m already benefiting from the familiar regen. So, spells is where I land,¡± said Monty.

    ¡°Spells it is. Now let¡¯s take a look at Greater Familiarity,¡± said CJ before diving into his class tab.

    CJ mentally selected that option. His mind followed the thread of energy leading off of those words deeper into the expanse of the skill tree. It led to three more options orbiting a small green moon.

    Familiar Sight- You can now see through your familiars¡¯ eyes. It requires you to concentrate with your eyes closed. Passive Ability.

    Familiar Locator- This ability allows you to use mana to ping the location of your familiar. After the ping you¡¯ll receive a direction to head in. Cost is five mana per ping.

    Familiar Empowerment- With the cost of twenty mana, you can force your familiar to grow double in size. This effect lasts five minutes per cast and grants damage reduction.

    ¡°I can see a use for all three of these. Which one do you want?¡± asked CJ as he looked down at Monty.

    ¡°Come on. You don¡¯t have to spend your first class point on me. What about the spells tree?¡± Monty questioned back.

    ¡°Well, my boon says I¡¯m not locked out of any type of magic. I assume I¡¯ll have other ways to get those spells. Like the one from the bolster dungeon. No worries, bud. The growth one would make you four feet tall, that way you can kick some really big things,¡± said CJ.

    ¡°That would be cool. Alright, pick the Empowerment ability. We can already communicate in party chat so I can just tell you what I¡¯m seeing or where I am,¡± said an excited Monty, his ears standing straight up.

    CJ did just that. He spent his class point on Familiar Empowerment and noticed a new thread of energy coming off of that ability straight down into the moon below. It revealed the next ability in the tree, Monstrous Empowerment. Instead of delving deeper he switched tabs to apply his two attribute points to Agility. His stats were still out of balance.

    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 8.60502%; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto" width="15">

    <tbody>

    <tr>

    <td style="width: 4.49198%" width="88">

    Attribute

    </td>

    <td style="width: 95.5615%" width="53">

    Score

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td style="width: 4.49198%" width="88">

    Intelligence

    </td>

    <td style="width: 95.5615%" width="53">

    23

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td style="width: 4.49198%" width="88">

    Strength

    </td>

    <td style="width: 95.5615%" width="53">

    10

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td style="width: 4.49198%" width="88">

    Speed

    </td>

    <td style="width: 95.5615%" width="53">

    20

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td style="width: 4.49198%" width="88">

    Agility

    </td>

    <td style="width: 95.5615%" width="53">

    12

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td style="width: 4.49198%" width="88">

    Wisdom

    </td>

    <td style="width: 95.5615%" width="53">

    10

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td style="width: 4.49198%" width="88">

    Luck

    </td>

    <td style="width: 95.5615%" width="53">

    0

    </td>

    </tr>

    </tbody>

    </table>

 Chapter Thirty One: So, youâ€™re carrying around an ignited Molotov in your magic inventory?

    ¡°Did you ever figure out the math on your Kinetic Barrier?¡± asked Monty.

    ¡°Nope. Haven¡¯t had a chance to sit down and game it out. The shot from Wells the other day seemed so random until he shot me again in the church. It was the same value. I think I¡¯m missing something,¡± replied CJ as Rubio strode up.

    ¡°I think I might have the answer you seek. Check out the description on Wells¡¯s Beretta,¡± said Rubio handing it over to CJ.

    Deadshot Beretta- This weapon strikes with critical damage every time its quick drawn from a holster. Damage is doubled for the first shot.

    ¡°Holy crap. Is this his gun?¡± asked CJ getting up to his feet.

    ¡°Yes. His helmet was special as well. I gave it to Elena for her protection. It lets her see in the dark as long as the visor is down. Makes me wonder where they got this stuff. I checked all the other weapons while you were asleep. None of them have a slate description,¡± answered Rubio as he stroked his chin.

    ¡°We should ask Jennifer. Maybe she knows something about¡­¡± CJ was cut off as Rubio began shaking his head vigorously.

    ¡°He¡¯s right. Don¡¯t ask her about where they came from. It¡¯s a really sore subject and she just breaks down crying when you do. That was the first thing Elena asked her after everything calmed down post-fight. She ended up comforting her for several hours. I suggest leaving well enough alone for now. She seems bubbly but I think that¡¯s a mask she¡¯s putting on,¡± added Monty.

    ¡°Gotcha. Not going to mention it. I wonder what else is out there just waiting to be found. Mana has done a real number on our world. Keep that handgun Rubio. Something tells me if someone gets in close to you, its power is better off in your hands,¡± commented CJ.

    ¡°Oh, I wasn¡¯t giving it to you. You can barely hit the broadside of a barn. I have another question actually. Why didn¡¯t cut Wells in half or make him choke like the others? Why the subterfuge and propane tank?¡± asked Rubio as he sat down on the other end of the bench.

    ¡°His helmet. The choking spell requires small objects of hardened mana to get caught in the throat. They actually fly into your mouth when I cast it. I don¡¯t think anyone but me can see them. The cutting spell¡­ It works based on will. I was struggling with killing humans. I still am If I¡¯m being honest. If he had even the slightest amount of willpower the spell would have failed, and I¡¯d be out another fifty mana. I guess in my mind an explosion was better than another murder. Fighting back has always been a last resort for me. I know, I know. This isn¡¯t the old world anymore and its dog-eat-cat out here. Just let me ease into it a bit,¡± answered a now more dejected CJ.

    ¡°Listen, I know you¡¯re not a soldier, but I have to know your willing to do what¡¯s necessary out in the world when traveling with my Elena. There won¡¯t be time for introspection when people are trying to kill you,¡± spoke Rubio in a stern yet fatherly voice.

    ¡°I did it in the hardware store. I can do it again. My heart just needs to catch up to my brain,¡± said CJ hoping that would placate the man.

    ¡°Last question. What happened to the Molotov?¡± asked Rubio.

    ¡°Oh that, yea well I tried something stupid there. I sort of activated my inventory power when it came in range. I could feel the heat from the explosion just before it disappeared. Kind of a hail Marry. I¡¯m concerned about taking it back out,¡± explained CJ with a sheepish grin.

    ¡°Dumbass,¡± said Monty.

    ¡°So, you¡¯re carrying around an ignited Molotov in your magic inventory? Please don¡¯t take that thing out anywhere near me,¡± commented Rubio.

    With that they all mounted their shiny knew motorcycles and headed east out of town. There were some rumblings about Rubio wanting to stay back so he could work on his van, but they all felt more comfortable having the only one of them who knew how to use a gun on the trip. The Pharmacy should only be ten minutes northeast of Leaf¡¯s Bend in the next town over.

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    There were fewer cars abandoned on the streets in these more rural areas. CJ couldn¡¯t image what a mess the roads would be like a major metropolitan area like Manhattan. CJ was at the front of their four bike crew with Jennifer and Elena behind on either side of him. Rubio assumed the rear. He was riding the extended wheel, Harley Davidson. They road past small houses with white picket fences reminiscent of days gone by. One even had a treehouse. Most of the doors were open or smashed in one side of the street. CJ couldn¡¯t tell if it was monsters or looters. They slowly turned left to head further north using the NJ Turnpike overpass as their guide to find the CVS.

    They all parked in the lot outside of the CVS. It was wide white walled building with a red sign above the door. The sign read CVS in neon red lettering. There was no light coming off the sign at this point. The lot had several cars in it, and this gave CJ an idea that he sent over party chat.

    Message from Party leader CJ: We should siphon the gas out of these cars.

    Message from Psycho: That¡¯s a great idea. Did anyone bring a hose? Please change my name back.

    Message from Monty: It¡¯s a good nickname. Very intimidating. Stop complaining.

    Message from Elena: I like it.

    Message from Psycho: I guess it does kind of sound tough.

    Message from Rubio: Please keep the chatter to a minimum. We are no longer in a safe zone. I will find a suitable hose. You four scout the CVS.

    Once the group split up CJ looked across the street. There was an old folk¡¯s home that looked pretty boarded up. The one thing that really stuck out to him was the white smoke coming from the kitchen exhaust on the roof. It made him wonder if someone was living in there. More so, alive in there. Then he looked down at the gravel outside of the pharmacy. There were signs that a great many people had walked through here. Some of the gravel spilled out onto the pavement of the street.

    New Skill learned: Tracking.

    Tracking- This skill allows you to follow the course or trail of (someone or something), typically in order to find them or note their location at various points.

    ¡°Hey, I just got a Tracking skill,¡± said CJ.

    ¡°You learned a new skill? Just like that?¡± asked Monty.

    ¡°Did you get a gun¡¯s skill earlier?¡± asked Jennifer.

    ¡°No,¡± answered CJ.

    ¡°Well, why did you get a tracking skill now?¡± asked Jennifer with her eyebrows furrowed.

    ¡°No idea. I don¡¯t know how any of this works. I noticed the obvious path of something or someone, many someone¡¯s moving through the loose gravel of the parking lot back out onto the street. Then I got a slate notification,¡± explained CJ looking more and more confused.

    ¡°What¡¯s with that look on your face?¡± questioned a fully helmeted Elena.

    ¡°Hmm¡­ now that I look again there are obvious footprints. All various sizes. Very strange. Where were they all going?¡± CJ asked himself.

    ¡°We didn¡¯t see an army of people on our way here. I think it¡¯s probably fine. Who knows how old this trail is? Let¡¯s get inside,¡± responded Elena.

    ¡°Strange, if they were here why didn¡¯t they scavenge the CVS. From what I can tell the doors have been unmolested. We should also check out that retirement home before we leave. Someone is in there,¡± said CJ before the smoke just stopped drifting off the roof.

    It took CJ no time at all to pop the lock on the sliding doors that led into the pharmacy. The interior of the CVS was lined with row after row snack foods, greeting cards, various make up, and over the counter cold meds. An entire wall was covered in refrigeration cases that hadn¡¯t been powered in months. Monty helped CJ stuff whatever snacks and food weren¡¯t expired into his sleeve as Elena and Jennifer scouted the rest of the store. After twenty minutes Elena came back towards the front.

    ¡°We need a hand with the locks on the cage separating the actual pharmacy from the rest of the store,¡± said Elena, as she waived at CJ and Monty.

    They all jogged toward the back where a small pile of various objects lay on the ground near the cage. This made CJ question the method by which they scavenge. There always seems to be a pile of crap he was expected to hoover up. First back at the hardware store and now here. Then a thought came to him as he noticed one of the squat baskets that were used for shopping back before the event. He was shaken from his thoughts by Elena tapping him on the shoulder.

    ¡°This is supposed to be a quick in and out, right? No spacing out,¡± said Elena.

    ¡°Right, right. Gimme a second,¡± replied CJ as he knelt down to work on the cage lock.

    This lock was more heavy duty and CJ needed to pull out some more sturdy implements to get the job done. A few minutes later the latch disengaged, and the cage rolled up. Jennifer jumped over the counter and started reading labels. She was shortly followed by Elena who stood behind her collecting everything she was handed.

    ¡°Just use this,¡± said CJ after handing over one of the baskets.

    Message from Rubio: You need to hurry up in there. I know what made that trail.

 Chapter Thirty Two: Iâ€™ve got this one.

    CJ turned toward the entrance of the door after placing a large cardboard box he¡¯d found on the counter. After instructing the ladies to fill it up, he and Monty headed toward the front of the store. Before they got to the doors, they noticed Rubio crouch walking his way into the store. He kept his back to the wall before slowly closing the glass sliding door behind him. Ever so gently easing it shut with his open palm flat to the glass.

    Message from Party Leader CJ: We were just coming back to you.

    Message from Rubio: Get down and keep quiet.

    Message from Elena: What¡¯s wrong papaito?

    Message from Rubio: Finish what you are doing quietly, then meet us in the front.

    Monty and CJ slumped against the wall where they met Rubio. He had his rifle stock casually resting against his bandaged right arm. He kept leaning over the corner and peering through the glass from his left side. He held his left hand up in front of CJ in a wait gesture. The sound of crunching gravel then came to CJ¡¯s ears. He looked down at Monty whose ears were sticking straight above his head. CJ had come to know that posture as Monty¡¯s heightened alert state. The crunching continued far longer than CJ anticipated. He now wanted to know what was out there. If someone was out there, they weren¡¯t very noisy. Just the constant staccato of grinding rock. After ten minutes of non-stop tension, the sound began to lessen.

    ¡°Alright, I think enough of them have passed that we can talk quietly,¡± gasped Rubio.

    ¡°Why not just message?¡± asked CJ trying to keep his voice down.

    ¡°Too much information and I didn¡¯t want to be distracted by it as soon as you all start your chattering. Now listen. It was a veritable army of skeletons. Some had strips of flesh still hanging from their bones, others were pristine white bone, they all had an eerie purple glow coming from their eye sockets. I noticed them when I was out looking for a hose. If you go right from the entrance here and turn down the street there is a mortuary with an enormous graveyard behind it. The wrought iron fence that surrounds the property was smashed through. Pieces of metal and a lot of dirt looked to be spilled into the street. That was enough for me turn around and come back but of course I spotted something large rolling slowly in the road a few blocks south of my position. I climbed a nearby fence before scrambling atop a backyard play set. I looked through my sights and was once again surprised by the changes to our world. It was a rolling ball of flesh. All colors and states of decay. Arms, legs, you name it stuck out at every angle. The worst part is its level ten and has a name. Flesh Roller,¡± explained Rubio becoming increasingly agitated as he spoke.

    ¡°Good god. Wait, what do the skeletons have to do with the meat ball?¡± asked CJ trying to break the tension.

    ¡°The skeletons are just marching behind it as it rolls. It¡¯s like some sick and twisted parade. The ball itself is roughly as large as my van. After I saw it had a name, I packed up shop and crossed over two more yards to get back here avoiding the street. I made it just before it started coming up this street,¡± answered Rubio before something else caught his attention.

    A light was flashing across the street. It was coming from the retirement home. Up on the roof, someone was reflecting sunlight with a mirror straight into the CVS doors. It would blink twice, then two longer flashes, then blink twice again. Rubio looked back at CJ just before Monty looked up at CJ.

    ¡°It¡¯s an SOS. Old school morse code. Dot Dot Dash Dash Dot Dot. They don¡¯t teach that in the army anymore. I used it to signal one of my assistants for emergencies back when I had a water tank illusion. I stopped doing that part of the show after a while. Tired of being soaked after every show,¡± explained CJ.

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    ¡°So, you were right. There is someone over there. Look, I think they can see us,¡± replied Rubio peering through the doors.

    Indeed, there was someone on the roof of the retirement home waiving them over to the building. There didn¡¯t appear to be any skeletons out in the parking lot now. Even still, Rubio, Monty, and CJ went to the back of the store to inform the others about what was happening.

    ¡°An army of skeletons. How big an army?¡± asked Elena preparing to start up her chainsaw.

    ¡°You intend to chop them down to size,¡± chuckled CJ before getting a look of disapproval from Monty.

    ¡°Too big. I think that flesh ball emptied out the graveyard. The name is really what¡¯s throwing me. Most of the time I just get a descriptive identifier and a level. Like skeleton level one or rabbit level five,¡± explained Rubio.

    ¡°Oh, you¡¯re level five Monty? That¡¯s very good,¡± said Jenn while scratching behind Monty¡¯s right ear.

    Instead of shrugging her off like CJ expected, Monty¡¯s back right foot started rapidly thumping the ground. CJ gave him a quizzical look. Monty¡¯s foot slowed before coming to a halt entirely. The rabbit¡¯s nose twitching left and right. CJ knew he caught him acting like a pet. He¡¯d make sure to rub it in his face later.

    ¡°So did the skeleton¡¯s just fuck off or do we have a fight on our hands?¡± asked Elena, standing ready to rev trusty chainsaw.

    ¡°No miha, I think we should head over to our mystery signaler. He might have more information that could prove useful,¡± replied Rubio.

    ¡°Why don¡¯t we just get on our bikes and head back to the safe zone?¡± asked Jenn.

    ¡°Simple. You tell her CJ, I¡¯m going to signal back,¡± commented Rubio before slinking his way back outside.

    ¡°Because if there is someone over there, they might need our help. We also need to find trustworthy people to bring back to the safe zone. Like I told Rubio this morning, I don¡¯t intend to stay there all the time just because it¡¯s safe. There are other people I need to get back too,¡± answered CJ before making his way over to the large box on the counter.

    Inside the box were various pieces of equipment, multiple pill bottles, some vats of chemical substances, and finally freeze-dried powders. CJ looked over the contents before Jenn tossed in one more thing making the sides of the box bulge.

    ¡°This will last a while, but we¡¯ll need to refill several things. That or come back here to get the rest. How long will it take you to stuff all this up your sleeves? Elena said it didn¡¯t matter how big it was,¡± prattled Jennifer with a head tilt that shifted her long blonde hair.

    CJ just reached out his right hand and cast Spatial compression. A grey light swirled around the box before it shuttered, shrank to half its size, then a third of its original size before plopping into CJ¡¯s outstretched hand. At that point, the whole thing disappeared like it was never there. Jenn¡¯s eyes were wide the whole time she watched the proceedings. Then Elena dropped an equally large box on the counter. She had come from the make-up and perfume aisle.

    ¡°This one too,¡± she said.

    ¡°I¡¯ve got this one,¡± said Monty as he hopped up on the counter.

    The same effect happened once Monty placed his front paw on the new box. Only this one shrank down even further so that it fit on Monty¡¯s upturned paw. CJ flourished his handkerchief over Monty¡¯s paw and when he removed it the little box was gone.

    ¡°Tada,¡± said CJ as both he and Monty took a bow.

    Within the next ten minutes they all were making their way across the street. CJ noted the tracks for the parade of horror had crossed through the CVS parking lot and continued down the road before they made a right turn and kept going. Rubio was already at the front door knocking on it. A slit in the door at eye level opened up. There were a pair of brown eyes surrounded by ebony skin looking through them.

    ¡°You the folks what broke into the CVS?¡± said the eyes.

    ¡°Yes, are you going to let us in or not?¡± countered Rubio.

    ¡°Hell no. Not without some insulin. Bring me some insulin, and I¡¯ll open this door,¡± replied the eyes.

    ¡°Who are you? There are monsters out here and you called us over here. What do you mean you won¡¯t open the door?¡± asked CJ as he pressed up against the wall.

    All the windows were boarded up from the inside and the entrance to the building had a heavy metal door. CJ could tell this was a later edition. There was no way people brought their elderly to leave behind what amounted to a speakeasy door.

    ¡°What you want my government name for? You with the census?¡± questioned the eyes.

    ¡°Paranoid one, isn¡¯t he. You want me to¡­¡± asked Elena gesturing with her chain saw.

    ¡°How about no. I know where the insulin is, I¡¯ll just run back across the street and get it. Be back in two shakes of Monty¡¯s tail,¡± said Jenn before taking off back across the street.

    New message from Party Leader CJ: Monty go with her.

    Monty didn¡¯t respond. He just turned and ran after Jenn making sure to shake his tail more than twice.

 Chapter Thirty Three: Fucking stairs.

    ¡°Is it really necessary for us to stay out here while we wait? I assume you saw us roll up on the bikes. So, lets try this another way. Hi, I¡¯m CJ Thompson. It¡¯s nice to meet you,¡± said CJ as he stepped around Rubio.

    ¡°Now that¡¯s a very polite introduction, but you ain¡¯t getting in here without the insulin. It¡¯s not like a flip a coin every time I open my door and hope it¡¯ll be ok. Shit,¡± replied the eyes behind the door.

    CJ took a beat to see where the man was coming from. He looked at the barricaded windows again. Slipping a fresh deck of cards out of his tuxedo jacket, he began shuffling it from hand to hand. He made the flowing cards arch between both hands before sliding the center of the deck our and flipping it on top.

    ¡°Whatcha doing with those cards, son? You about break out a card table and start dealing right on my stoop?¡± asked the eyes.

    ¡°Nope, shuffling helps me think. Were you cooking something up earlier? I noticed smoke puffing from your roof,¡± questioned CJ as he heard Jenn and Monty crossing the parking lot.

    ¡°Nah, just priming my new boiler. It still gets chilly at night and these old bones wanted some heat,¡± answered the man.

    ¡°You¡¯ve got a working hot water heater in there. Lap of luxury,¡± said Elena while keeping an eye further down the road.

    ¡°Okay, we¡¯re back. All they had was this box of twelve vials. I hope that helps,¡± commented Jenn.

    New Message from Rubio: CJ, you¡¯ve got his attention. What do you want to do here?

    New Message from Party Leader CJ: Let¡¯s get into his place and ask about what¡¯s been going on in this neighborhood. I have an idea.

    ¡°Alright. So, here¡¯s how I see this going down. We give you the insulin and then you slam the door in our faces. Not an ideal outcome. I¡¯ve told you my name already and I¡¯m sure you got the world notification that I was the one who opened the first safe zone. That¡¯s right safe. No army of marching skeletons, no monsters at all. The only problem is it doesn¡¯t reach further than three city blocks. I¡¯m looking to recruit people to come live there. So, here¡¯s my proposal. You let us into what appears to be a fortress in suburbia, and we can get to know each other better. You¡¯ll get the insulin either way. If we can¡¯t come to an agreement, we¡¯ll leave it right here on your doorstep and continue on our way,¡± explained CJ.

    New Message from Elena: What if he¡¯s a no phone?

    New Message from Party Leader CJ: He¡¯s not. Even through the eye slit I can tell he has full access to his slate.

    ¡°Why would I trust a random stranger who says he¡¯s the savior of mankind?¡± asked the man behind the door.

    ¡°You shouldn¡¯t. Not in our new reality. I¡¯ve had to come to grips with the concept that things will never be the same again. The only thing left is to save as many people as possible. I have a feeling its going to get a whole lot worse before it gets better. I¡¯d rather face the bad times with people I can trust. Wouldn¡¯t you?¡± asked CJ.

    ¡°All the people I trust died weeks ago,¡± replied the man, CJ noticed a hint of sadness in his eyes.

    ¡°You a gambling man? High card says we come in and chat. Low card says we leave the insulin and go our separate ways. What do you say?¡± challenged CJ holding the deck out in front of the door.

    ¡°I get to choose the card?¡± asked the man.

    ¡°Sure, if it makes you more comfortable.¡±

    ¡°Fifth from the bottom.¡±

    CJ held the deck out in front of the door. He dropped the bottom card to the ground. Then the second from the bottom, followed by the third and the fourth. Grasping the deck with his right hand from the top, CJ flipped the whole thing over to reveal the ten of hearts.

    ¡°My turn.¡±

    ¡°Ah, I¡¯ve known some card sharks in my time. I¡¯m going to pick your card as well. The top card.¡±

    CJ flipped the card on the top of the deck revealing the king of diamonds. There was a brief pause before the man behind the door began to chuckle. It was a full throated healthy laugh that broke the tension outside. Then the sound of metal disengaging and a cross bar being drawn away from the door.

    ¡°Come on in. Fair is fair.¡±

    Unauthorized reproduction: this story has been taken without approval. Report sightings.

    They all filed into the building. There were string lights running from room to room. On their immediate right was a common sitting room. It had multiple sofas and recliners all aligned in a U shape facing what was once a flat screen tv. It was now smashed, gutted, and on the floor. The hallway was wide enough for four people to walk down it. To the left was a desk marked reception. It had a wilted potted plant on it and a monitor with another broken screen. The man behind the door had salt and pepper curly hair. The hair on top of his head was longer than the sides showing he mostly kept it cropped short. His beard had grown in around his jaw and he was thicker than CJ imagined. He closed the door after they were all in, several locks engaging. Finally, he drew a metal rod across the doorway. That was when CJ noticed his right leg from the knee down was gone. In its place was an iron rod and an articulating foot complete with toes made from metal.

    ¡°Welcome to Southern Jersey Heavens retirement home for the elderly. I¡¯m Roger Cormier, thank you for the insulin little blonde woman. Much appreciated. I hope you understand my hesitation considering all that¡¯s going on in the world. That¡¯s a big rabbit. Now you were saying something about a place safe from monsters,¡± intimated Roger.

    ¡°May we sit?¡± asked CJ getting a nod from Roger.

    ¡°I don¡¯t have much to offer in terms of drinks. I wasn¡¯t expecting any company,¡± joked Roger with a wide smile that didn¡¯t quite reach his ears.

    ¡°No worries,¡± replied CJ as he passed out several cans of soda he just retrieved from the CVS.

    The cans just appeared in his hand as he distributed them amongst everyone that was there. With each can Rogers eyes shot open even wider. Then CJ produce a full bottle of water and offered it to Roger. He stepped toward CJ to take it, every other footfall landing with a clank. Each clank sending a shiver up Roger¡¯s spine. The wincing was noticeable by all.

    ¡°Apologies. I¡¯m still getting used to my new prosthetic,¡± said Roger.

    ¡°Roger why are you still here? Especially with that ball of death rolling through the streets. Also, how do you have power?¡± asked CJ after looking around more.

    ¡°That¡¯s a long story. Fuck it, I¡¯ll tell y¡¯all anyway¡­¡±

    <hr>

    Roger shook the cobwebs out of his head. He wondered what in the hell just happened to him. One minute he was checking the score for last night¡¯s game on his phone before it went blue and strange writing scrawled across his vision. It was still there. He read it again.

    I have claimed this world as my own. The Goddess of Fate. Worship me and be rewarded.

    ¡°What in the fuck does that mean?¡± he asked aloud.

    Roger stepped over to the dresser and picked up a picture frame. He looked at it with longing for a long while before placing it back down. Grabbing a pair of jeans, a clean shirt, and his boots, Roger got dressed. He stopped in his kitchen to see the timer on his coffee maker didn¡¯t go off. The steaming hot pot of coffee he was looking forward to did not exist. That was going to be a problem. If Roger liked anything it was his hot coffee. Looking around he noticed none of his electronics were on. There was no light on the microwave clock. He went over to the wall switch and flipped it. Nothing. He grabbed his phone to call the landlord only to realize the screen had cracked clean down the middle.

    ¡°How the hell did that happen?¡± he asked himself.

    A loud crack could be heard from outside. Making his way over to the window, Roger peered through his blinds. Had to be at least a five car pileup outside and some fool was waiving a handgun around. As his eyes darted back and forth up and down the street, he noticed many people running in various directions. As well as an annoying blinking in the lower part of his vision. He ignored that for now. Looking down from his third floor window, panic started to set in. Roger stilled himself. He needed to get to work.

    On the top shelf of his hall closet, Roger grabbed an old emergency crank radio. If this were a statewide situation, he¡¯d be able to pick up the emergency broadcast system on that. He began to crank the handle only to get static in return. Roger started cranking faster until there was a pop. Smoke began to lazily drift out of the device to sting his nostrils and he tossed onto the kitchen table. A slight glow emanated from the broken parts, but Roger just ignored it. Bang Bang. Shots were fired outside, and people began screaming. Back in his closet was a twelve gauge shotgun he kept for emergencies.

    ¡°Fuck if this doesn¡¯t fit the bill,¡± he said as he leapt for the weapon and began loading slugs.

    He grabbed a blue jacket emblazoned with a U.S. Navy Veteran patch, stuffed some extra shotgun shells in the pocket, and grabbed his ring of keys for the retirement home. He needed to double check the old folks. The one thing he didn¡¯t hear outside was sirens. Opening the door to his apartment he was greeted by his fellow neighbors standing in the hallway confused.

    ¡°Folks, go back inside. I¡¯m sure this will all be over soon,¡± he bellowed.

    ¡°Man fuck you! Its crazy outside. I saw some shit crawling the walls outside of old lady Johnson¡¯s apartment before I heard he start screaming. That shotgun you¡¯re carrying doesn¡¯t inspire confidence. I bet she¡¯s dead in her apartment right now. Right behind this door¡ª¡± the man didn¡¯t finish as the door smashed across the hall crushing him in the process.

    Roger cocked his shot gun and blind fired through the doorway. There was an unholy screech before they could all hear banging throughout old lady Johnson¡¯s apartment before the smashing of glass leading outside.

    ¡°What the fuck was that!¡± screamed several people.

    ¡°Everyone get back in your apartments. Lock your doors and close your windows. Do it now!¡± yelled Roger as he headed into the now ruined apartment.

    Mrs. Johnson''s place always smelled like warm cookies and cornbread. She was old enough that she still kept the plastic covers on all her furniture. That was a good thing too since Roger almost wretched. There was blood everywhere. There were pieces of Mrs. Johnson everywhere. Roger had to get the hell out of there. He headed for the staircase assuming the elevator wouldn¡¯t be working. After making it to the first floor he noticed all the apartment doors down here were all open. There were bloody drag marks all over. For a man in his early sixties, running was not a regular activity. The retirement home was only five blocks away.

    ¡°I can make it. Fucking stairs,¡± huffed Roger as he took off down the road.

 Chapter Thirty Four: Mana Forged

    Roger narrowly dodged what seemed to be black projectile stingers about as long as his middle finger. He pressed himself up against a Honda CRV and kept hearing the plinking of tiny arrows against the metal frame of the vehicle.

    ¡°Fuck off you little bastards!¡± he screamed before returning fire across the hood of the car.

    The pellet spray from his shotgun tore up whatever was shooting at him. It had black butterfly wings and oily dark hair matted to a round torso. Six protruding stingers sprouted from center mass on the next one preparing to strike but Roger cut it down with another blast. That seemed to be the end of them, and he might be able to make down the street to the CVS. From there it¡¯s a quick dash across the pavement to the retirement community.

    Today had been a nightmare. Unimaginable creatures were popping out of every dark corner. It made him think of the end of days. The book of revelations didn¡¯t mention any of these things. Also, where were all the people? He¡¯d been practically alone for blocks. This is a population center, there had to be more people about.

    ¡°Where the fuck are the cops? You were right Flav-a-Flav, nine one one is a joke,¡± Roger said before cocking his shotgun.

    Then that blinking light flashed more insistently in his vision. He decided to look at it before finally understanding where everyone else went. Apparently, there was a get out of hell free card he¡¯d been ignoring. The time lapse was almost up but he couldn¡¯t just cut and run without checking on the oldies. He¡¯d almost made it there, what¡¯s a few more minutes.

    Finally, he made it to the front door, and he took out his keys. As he looked for the right key the door just fell inwards right off its hinges. The keys got stuffed back into his jacket as the shotgun came back up. He put his back to the wall on his left and aimed down the hall. He spun right as he came up to the reception desk to see Mildred seated on one of the couches in the sitting area.

    ¡°Who is it? Is that you Roger? The damn tv isn¡¯t working and I want to watch my stories,¡± said Mildred in the way only the elderly who no longer give a fuck can.

    Mildred had her hair up in curlers and she wore a house dress that went down to her ankles. Next to her slipper clad feet by the couch was her walker with tennis ball coverings on the front stubs. Roger had never been so happy to see her.

    ¡°I¡¯ll take a look at it after I check on everyone Ms. Mildred. Have you seen the rest of the staff today?¡± asked Roger as he placed the shotgun on the reception desk.

    ¡°You¡¯re the first. Several of the other seniors just left. I tried to tell them the bus for the senior¡¯s center doesn¡¯t come until after lunch but if they want to stand outside in the cold that¡¯s their problem. I¡¯m too old to be their babysitter,¡± complained the old woman.

    ¡°You right, Ms. Mildred, you right,¡± said Roger as he stepped deeper into the building to check to see if anyone else is left.

    Further down the hallway he noticed signs of a struggle. Tipped over trays of food, clothing, and various nick knacks strewn about. Roger was brought up short when he passed by Gus Feldman¡¯s room. There was blood all over the bed. Multiple sets of footprints led out of the room. They were strange looking. Roger got down on one knee to inspect them only to see the toes were more pointy than normal. A scream came from the front of the building and Roger realized he¡¯d left his shotgun at reception like an idiot. He¡¯d fallen into complacency once he saw Mildred and now it would cost her life. He sprinted back down the hallway to the common room to a scene straight out of a seventy¡¯s horror movie.

    This novel''s true home is a different platform. Support the author by finding it there.

    The top half of Mildred was covered in a patchwork of flesh and limbs. The substance had flopped over her head like a disgusting blanket. Her curlers and clothes were just separated from her flesh and pushed aside. The top of her skull could be seen lolling over the back of the sofa as the undulating creature continued to move down the length of here body. Roger was snapped from his abject horror when ten flesh less skeletons came from the dining area in the back of the common room. They clacked their way across the floor to him at speed. Their eye sockets filled with an eerie purple light. Roger kicked the first one away from him as he turned to grab the shotgun off the desk.

    Bony hands grasped his body bringing him down to the floor. His fingertips grazed the barrel of the gun on his way down. It rolled off the desk and clattered to the floor to his left. The skeletons were struggling to lift him before they started to drag him back from the hallway. At this point he was rolled over onto his back and could see that Mildred was completely consumed. Her skeleton rose slowly off the couch as purple light flickered in the sockets that used to house her cataract hindered eyes. Roger spared the briefest of seconds to mourn her before pain lanced through his leg. That flesh thing had made it to his right leg.

    Out of either desperation or fear or an animalistic sense of self preservation, he broke the grip the skeletons had on him. It was just enough to lunge for the shotgun dragging the flesh monster with him. He grabbed it in his right hand, spun it around, but instead of lining up on the skeletons he aimed below his own knee and pulled the trigger. Blam!

    It wasn¡¯t clean but the shot split what was left of his right leg off from his body. The buckshot peppered the flesh blob, and it rolled over to reveal Mildred''s face trapped in a rictus scream. All the skeletons simultaneously grabbed that their own heads and slowly clacked their mandibles while shaking left and right. Roger turned this into an opportunity to get away. He crawled for the door trailing blood from his newly severed leg. It was below the knee but that wasn¡¯t helpful. If he could make it to the shed around the corner on the lawn. He could lock it from the inside. Maybe fashion a tourniquet. The pain was excruciating but he wasn¡¯t about to get ate up. The monsters were still performing that mockery of life tableau in the common room when he made it outside. He tried to climb up the wall to get on his good leg using the shotgun as a crutch. It wasn¡¯t long enough, and he end up rolling forward and to the right into the grass.

    From his vantage point, Roger could see the shed. He still had his key ring on him and the shed key was the most bulbous of the bunch. It had a blue rubber covering on the head. His vision started to swim. He was losing too much blood. Finally, he made it to the shed and jammed the key in the lock. The door swung open, and he pulled himself inside. As he closed the door the first of the skeletons stepped out of the retirement home and turned left.

    Roger grabbed a piece of nearby wood and bit down on it. He pulled off his belt and cinched it tight around his new stump. The wood barely muffled his scream before he blacked out. He came to sometime later. The pain was still blazing up and down his leg. He knew he needed to do something, or this was the end. Desperately he looked around the shed. The remnants of daylight were still peeking through the wooden slats. His eyes picked up a slight glow from several different items. The first was a small acetylene tank used in campfire lanterns or small blow torches. Next was the housing on the nearby lawnmower. The aluminum handle on a spade. Finally the thick rake he¡¯d budgeted for when he got hired. In his mind he could see how each individual piece could be combined to replace his missing limb. The idea was preposterous but if he didn¡¯t do something he was a dead man anyway.

    ¡°Time to sack up,¡± Roger said psyching himself up.

    He used the torch to cauterize the wound. The pain bringing the burly Black man to tears. Then he removed the lawnmower¡¯s housing, grabbed the rake and the aluminum handle of the spade. In his mind¡¯s eye he could see currents of energy flowing through each of the pieces and instinctively all he had to do was align them properly. Once the currents matched up in the proper order he received a slate message.

    Mana Forged Lower Limb Blueprint created.

 Chapter Thirty Five: Careful, heâ€™s a little unstable.

    ¡°I watched that fucking monster leave the building dragging the skeletons of its victims in a macabre parade behind it. Not once did it search around for me. It just headed off toward the graveyard. I barricaded myself in here when the coast was clear. After reinforcing the door with spare parts from the medical equipment here abouts, then my diabetes started acting up. I¡¯m sorry I was so crass when you first showed up. The world is insane now,¡± said Robert completing his story, a tear running down one cheek.

    ¡°Navy man. I¡¯m an Army Ranger myself,¡± interjected Rubio, receiving a curt nod from Robert.

    Jennifer was up in an instant to console him. Rubio shared a look with CJ and Elena. Roger collected himself. He thanked Jennifer for her comfort with a polite pat on her hand to let her know he¡¯d be all right. It seemed to CJ that Roger needed to get all that off his chest. His shoulders were more relaxed, and his eyes weren¡¯t as wild as before. More than anything else, it seemed he¡¯d been running on adrenaline and whatever he¡¯s got puffing smoke deeper into the building.

    ¡°This is exactly what I¡¯m talking about,¡± said CJ standing up abruptly, ¡°How many people like Roger are still out alone and wishing someone would help them. This is why we can¡¯t just turtle up in the safe zone. We need to go out and help others. I can feel it in my bones.¡±

    ¡°There¡¯s a difference between bravery and stupidity. You can¡¯t just throw yourself into every situation hoping you¡¯ll just save someone. I know it¡¯s worked for you recently, but you¡¯ve also almost died. I think you should take a step back and go at it a little slower. Don¡¯t get me wrong I agree with you, but you¡¯ll need to be clever than just running into every dangerous situation, cabron,¡± replied Elena.

    CJ just stared at her; confusion plastered on her face. If he hadn¡¯t showed up when they sent up a flare, the Trinchar¡¯s might never have gotten away from those corrupted mannequins. If he hadn¡¯t changed his plan on the fly when Jenn was tied to the back of that motorcycle she wouldn¡¯t be here now. Those were just recent examples; he could go back as far as helping Tommy in the parking garage as well as Doc Redmond¡¯s family. His way of doing things often costs him bodily harm but he could take. Especially now with his kinetic barrier. Then a thought occurred to CJ, the description on the boss monster concentrate said it could upgrade a skill or ability. What about boon? Could he use it to upgrade his Kinetic Barrier. It worked like an ability, just one granted by Wukong. He would have to ask Monty about that.

    Shots rang out from outside breaking CJ from his concentration. Roger moved everyone to the dining hall behind the common room. Inside were a line of tables against a wall. Above the tables were tubes running from the roof all converging behind a concave piece of glass roughly the size of a bowling ball. Beneath the glass was a large cog wheel setup that moved the ball left or right in front of the tubes.

    ¡°What the hell is that?¡± asked Elena.

    ¡°You can take the man out of the submarine, but you can¡¯t take the sub out of the man,¡± quipped Roger.

    ¡°I get it. You made some kind of periscope on the roof. How does it work?¡± asked CJ, fascinated.

    ¡°Well, the light refracts through mirrors in the tubes and returns an image here. As long as the ball is in front of a specific tube, it¡¯ll show whatever its pointed at.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s why the four tubes are labeled with N, S, E, and W.¡±

    ¡°Best I could do with the materials available.¡±

    ¡°Sounds just like the Navy,¡± said Rubio.

    ¡°Feel free to poke your head outside if you want, Army,¡± shot back Roger.

    As CJ got closer to the¡­ crystal ball. CJ gave up and referred to it as what it was. He could see the street outside in the front. There were three people with backpacks running down the street. One in a red jacket turned a corner and blind fired behind him. Then the flesh ball rolled into view at speed. It was rolling at good pace and didn¡¯t look like the bullets were doing any damage. The other two runners exchanged hand signals before they split off at the intersection. One wearing green fatigues and a holstered handgun sprinted left. The runner whose form was more feminine turned and burned to the right. The red jacket runner kept going straight. Then the ball of flesh bounced up into the air landing hard on the guy with a fleshy splat.

    If you spot this story on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

    ¡°This is it. I can finally kill that fucking thing. It takes a few minutes for it consume someone. If I go now, I can empty my shotgun into the damn thing,¡± said Roger eagerly standing up from the rolling stool he was seated on.

    ¡°Wait! Look,¡± said CJ his eyes glued to the crystal.

    The ball of flesh began to rock back and forth before slowly rolling forward. It rolled off of a gruesome scene. There was just some red flecked bones left grasping a handgun. The backpack was gone, the guy¡¯s clothes were gone, and the monster rolled around like it was drunk.

    ¡°Impossible. That was too fucking fast! I have to kill it. I can¡¯t let it keep doing this!¡± yelled Roger, his eyes wild.

    Roger took one more step on his metal leg and visibly winced again. Jenn was now shaking something in what looked like a repurposed perfume bottle. Roger had stopped moving to scratch at his leg. He was in obvious pain. Jenn approached him slowly.

    ¡°Can I take look? I was a pharmacist before this all happened. I have basic first aid training. I also think you might have an infection. You aren¡¯t alone anymore,¡± Jenn asked with uncertainty in her voice.

    New Message from Party Leader CJ: Careful Jenn, he¡¯s a little unstable.

    New Message from Psycho: I¡¯ve got this. Let me help.

    ¡°My fucking leg. Sorry, sure please take a look,¡± said Roger propping himself up on a nearby table.

    Jenn slowly rolled up his leg to reveal where Roger¡¯s burnt stump met the cold metal prosthetic. It was red and swollen. To Jenn¡¯s eyes it was absolutely infected. She lifted the perfume bottle and looked up at Roger. He nodded his approval. Roger sucked air in through his teeth when the solution hit is irritated skin.

    ¡°This is a powerful disinfectant. If you give me a few minutes I think I can make you some penicillin with the equipment we grabbed from the CVS,¡± she said before standing back up and grabbing the bag from the ground where she was previously sitting.

    CJ was still watching the crystal ball. The flesh monster had settled down near its latest victim. Not long after, the skeleton on the ground picked itself up. Its eyes were hollow before an eerie purple light began to shine from within. CJ cranked the handle that moved the crystal ball laterally, so it could see south of the building. A long line of skeletons clambered their way up the street toward the flesh ball.

    ¡°We should get you back to the safe zone. I know a doctor I can get to have a look at your leg. It won¡¯t be quick but it¡¯s better than being trapped in here,¡± offered CJ.

    ¡°I¡¯m not going anywhere until I stop that thing. It¡¯s twice as big as when it ate my leg. Left unchecked and it¡¯ll eat every survivor in NJ,¡± replied Roger emphatically.

    Roger spoke with a fanaticism that would broker no arguments. That left CJ with only one option. He¡¯d have to figure out how to kill this thing. That means figuring out why this neighborhood was its hunting grounds.

    ¡°Wait, who were those people? They didn¡¯t seem like the flesh monster surprised them. They even took off in opposite directions like they knew where they were going,¡± asked CJ.

    ¡°Probably members of the Crimson Knights. They were a local gang before the world went to shit. Mostly harmless harassment. They never took things too far. A week or two ago some of them knocked on the door demanding I give them food. I told them to fuck off¡­ shit that hurts. They took a few pot shots at the door, but it wouldn¡¯t budge, and they gave up. No idea why they didn¡¯t ransack the CVS you all did. Guess they aren¡¯t very smart. They are constantly fighting north of here with the Flaming Pitchforks. I assume you¡¯ve run into them already,¡± explained Roger.

    ¡°No, but this is the second time I¡¯ve heard that name. These crimson guys must have been out scavenging. Enough about them. Tell me everything you know about the monster,¡± said CJ pulling up a chair from a nearby cafeteria table.

    ¡°Not much else to tell. It roams the streets with its cadre of skeletons. Takes about an hour to make a full figure eight of its pattern. It crosses through the CVS parking lot followed by its victims, and I won¡¯t see it again for sixty minutes or so. Depending on whether or not it¡¯s found more prey. I know the route by heart now,¡± explained an increasingly agitated Robert.

    New Message from Monty: Ask about the figure eight.

    ¡°Why a figure eight pattern?¡± asked CJ quickly.

    ¡°What? Oh, that. It doesn¡¯t seem to want to enter two places. It always takes a wide birth around the mausoleum section in the back of the graveyard and the old, abandoned textiles factory. Like I said, I know it by heart. It just won¡¯t go near them. It turns at the exact same places every time. There isn¡¯t even a wall there, it just stops and curves around. I watched it push a fence down instead of just continuing down the road. Oddest thing, but it takes the same route every time,¡± replied Roger seemingly much calmer than before.

    New Message from Party Leader CJ: Bolster Dungeon.

    New Message from Rubio: Could it be two of them?

    New Message from Elena: Sure, sounds like it.

    New Message from Monty: I¡¯d bet my fur on it.

    New Message from Psycho: What are you guys talking about?

 Chapter Thirty Six: If only we had a car alarm.

    ¡°Roger, we¡¯re going to help you kill it,¡± said CJ standing up from the chair.

    ¡°Look, you all seem like decent folk. I don¡¯t think I could take it if you got ate up by that thing. Why don¡¯t you just let this old sailor handle it,¡± replied Roger before another spike of pain made him wince.

    ¡°I don¡¯t think you heard me. We¡¯re going to help you kill it. You managed to survive this long on your own with an obviously infected leg. That ability of yours is like something I¡¯ve never seen before and it¡¯s in the best interest of humanity that we keep you alive. Fuck, just the thought of a hot shower makes me want to take a bullet for you. Now we¡¯ve got some powers of our own. I just need you to answer a few questions. Got it?¡± asked CJ, as he began pacing back and forth.

    ¡°Well, if, you¡¯re sure. I¡¯d be glad to have some help, but I¡¯ve got the feeling you¡¯re not telling me something,¡± acquiesced Roger.

    ¡°Let¡¯s handle the roaming monster hoard and then we can talk about that afterwards,¡± interjected Rubio after sharing a look with CJ.

    ¡°What do you think was going on when the skeletons in your story all reached up grabbing their skulls?¡± asked CJ.

    ¡°At the time I was too horrified to think about it. While I fortified this place, it occurred to me that they were reacting the same way the monster did. It lifted up off of me after the shotgun blast. I¡¯m not sure what that means,¡± explained Roger.

    ¡°I think it might be weak to sound,¡± said Elena.

    ¡°I was thinking the same. He shot it almost point blank, yes, he was aiming for his leg, but the creature was on his leg. The story didn¡¯t say anything about blood splatter, but he intimated that there was a delay in reaction afterwards. I can¡¯t imagine you crawled at speed out of the building, but you were inside the shed before they came out looking for you. Any idea how long that was?¡± asked CJ.

    ¡°Not really. That¡¯s all still a blur in my mind,¡± answered Roger.

    ¡°If only we had a car alarm. Those always annoyed me,¡± said Jenn.

    ¡°Not a bad idea. If I had one of those, I could probably get it to work off of mana. Most of this place runs on mana now,¡± mused Roger.

    ¡°Jenn, you¡¯re a genius. I know I saw a luxury SUV one block over. It¡¯s bound to have an alarm,¡± Elena said before grabbing Jenn by the face and planting one on her lips.

    CJ just stared in shock. Jenn just blushed a little before clearing her throat. Rubio just cast his eyes back over to the crystal ball while Robert¡¯s left eyebrow lifted a little. Elena looked around at everyone before she crossed her arms over her chest.

    ¡°If anyone has a problem with it, they¡¯ll get the crotch saw. Am I clear?¡± Elena stated defiantly.

    ¡°Anyway, let¡¯s see about getting that car alarm. If we run into the monster, we keep our distance for now. I¡¯ll even try to cut it in half. Maybe solve the problem before it gets started. Sound good?¡± asked CJ getting nods of approval from everyone except Roger.

    ¡°What do you mean cut it in half?¡± asked Roger.

    ¡°Like I said, we¡¯ve got powers of our own. Now you said earlier that you have roof access. Rubio should be on overwatch while Elena, Jenn, Monty, and I go after the car alarm,¡± explained CJ.

    ¡°Actually, I¡¯d like to stay here and start cooking up some stuff. If you can drop the gear we took from the pharmacy, I think I can make something caustic that might hurt it. It won¡¯t be as strong as real acid, but I can combine some of these chemicals in a way that can harm flesh,¡± countered Jenn.

    CJ immediately summoned the compressed cubes from his inventory. Both the one he created, and the one Monty did. With the snap of the fingers on his right hand they popped back into normal space. There was now a basket of equipment on the floor as well the box Elena had brought over. Jenn immediately began rifling through the basket after dropping her backpack on the ground.If you discover this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.

    ¡°Roger, can you help me with this?¡± asked the blue eyed woman as she commandeered one of the tables in the dining room.

    ¡°Sounds like a plan. Let¡¯s go you two,¡± said CJ.

    ¡°Even the rabbit?¡± asked Roger over his shoulder while he arranged things on the table with Jenn.

    ¡°I¡¯ll be fine. Worry about yourself!¡± Monty shot back, receiving a gasp of surprise from Roger.

    Once the coast was clear, CJ and team were back out on the street. Elena had donned her new helmet again, adding to her air of menace. They kept close to walls and parked cars as the skulked down the mostly abandoned roads. As they passed the spot the flesh ball just had its last meal, CJ noticed an impression in the concrete. It was a round divot half as large as the ball was. That told him there was some serious weight behind the balls pounce attack.

    New Message from Rubio: All clear up here. Meha, what type of SUV was it?

    New Message from Elena: It was a white Escalade.

    New Message from Party Leader CJ: I never understood buying a white car. They always end up filthy.

    New Message from Rubio: Again, mission critical communication only.

    CJ spotted it first and pointed across the street. Just as he stepped around the sedan, he was crouched next to a bullet ricocheted off the asphalt in front of him. In an alley way on the other side of the target vehicle stood a man in fatigues with a large backpack on. His gun was pointed at CJ with wisp of smoke coming off the barrel.

    New Message from Party Leader CJ: Let me handle this Elena, you stay behind this car. If I can¡¯t talk my way out of this, I¡¯ll lure into the open and your dad can take the shot.

    New Message from Elena: Copy.

    ¡°Hey, buddy. Don¡¯t shoot. Not looking for a fight and I¡¯m not interested in meeting that monster ball,¡± said CJ as he stood up, hands raised.

    ¡°Gimme everything you¡¯re carrying, and you can go. I don¡¯t know what you¡¯re doing out here but it¡¯s getting late and I¡¯m not looking to die today,¡± said the man drawing a bead on CJ.

    ¡°Look I¡¯m not going to give you anything. All I¡¯ve got on me is this deck of cards, see,¡± said CJ flourishing a fresh deck of cards in his right hand.

    ¡°What the hell? How did you do that? You weren¡¯t holding anything a second ago. I¡¯ll fucking kill you man. Stay right where you are,¡± he said becoming more agitated.

    CJ was slowly taking mini steps forward. He was practically standing on the dashed yellow line in the middle of the street now. His mana was at one hundred and seventy right now and a few bullets wouldn¡¯t hurt him. The sound was his main concern. Not attracting that things attention was paramount to getting back to the retirement home alive.

    ¡°Look I just want to talk. I didn¡¯t know this was your hiding spot. I¡¯m just passing through this way,¡± said CJ.

    ¡°He¡¯s lying. He¡¯s got some woman wearing hockey pads holding a chainsaw on the other side of the car. Shoot him Phil!¡± came a woman¡¯s voice from behind the SUV.

    The woman that split off from the man with fatigues early during the chase had appeared. CJ didn¡¯t think this was a coincidence and they may have stumbled upon their rendezvous point.

    New Message from Elena: Now?

    New Message from Party Leader CJ: Not yet, give me a few more seconds.

    New Message from Elena: Monty¡¯s gone.

    ¡°Look I don¡¯t know what your plan is but shooting me dead in the street won¡¯t help anyone. Let¡¯s put the guns down and talk,¡± said CJ as he lowered his hands and began shuffling the cards.

    ¡°You¡¯re about to be playing fifty two pick up if you don¡¯t put your god damn hands back up,¡± said the one now known as Phil.

    ¡°Shoot him baby, then we can at least take a deck of cards back to Mason,¡± said the woman now sidling up to Phil in the alley.

    ¡°Nobody has to get¡ª¡± started CJ before being shot in the chest.

    This time CJ was ready for it. He leaned into the bullet absorbing all the kinetic energy. The bullet¡¯s momentum sort of died half an inch away from his chest. That earned him ten mana. He¡¯d have to ruminate on the math later because at the same time Monty kicked the gun out of Phil¡¯s hand appearing out of thin air. It spun end over end to the ground bouncing off the gray concrete curb and coming to a stop on the asphalt in front of the SUV¡¯s grill. CJ noticed the woman aiming at Monty, so he flung two cards at her. The first was the six-of-clubs. It flew directly into her chest with a thud. She lurched back like she¡¯d been punched. The second card was already in flight as Monty took out Phils legs. The king-of-clubs impacted her right shoulder spinning her to the ground. Everyone heard her shoulder crunch under the strength of the card.

    ¡°Stop, stop we surrender!¡± Phil cried out.

    Phil scrambled over to woman covering her with his body. That¡¯s when Elena appeared in the alleyway, full black helmet with a painted on skull, football kicker pads covering her shoulders and chest, waiving an active chainsaw above her head.

    New Message from Party leader CJ: Stop, they¡¯ve had enough.

 Chapter Thirty Seven: All good points.

    ¡°How about you tell me about this Mason guy? No one needs to die today. Give me some information and we¡¯ll let you go. Sound fair?¡± asked CJ, while being flanked by Elena and Monty.

    ¡°My fucking shoulder is dislocated. He did it with a God damn playing card. Shoot him!¡± screamed the woman.

    ¡°I already tried. He didn¡¯t even flinch. Let¡¯s cut our losses Susan. Live to fight another day,¡± replied Phil.

    New Message from Rubio: I¡¯m coming down. I do not have a target.

    New Message from Party Leader CJ: Don¡¯t. Stay put. We¡¯ve got this handled.

    ¡°Look, I¡¯ll tell you what you want to know. Mason is the leader of Humanities Saviors,¡± answered Phil.

    ¡°Never heard of them.¡±

    ¡°Then you haven¡¯t been very far North. We cover the Hudson between Newark and Totowa. If you want to survive, you join up.¡±

    ¡°What about the Crimson Knights?¡±

    ¡°After a brawl with the saviors, we were folded in. Mason won¡¯t have competing organizations in his territory. He needs all the bodies he can get now. His words.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m guessing you¡¯re not really a soldier even though you¡¯re wearing fatigues?¡±

    ¡°No, Mason says it gives an air of authority when we¡¯re out scavenging.¡±

    New Message from Party Leader CJ: These guys were with Humanities Saviors. Some new group claiming territory North of here. Elena, please extract the parts we need from the SUV while I finish our conversation here.

    New Message from Psycho: Robert says he¡¯s never heard of them. Now he¡¯s asking about how I knew what you all were doing.

    New Message from Party Leader CJ: Deflect that question for now.

    ¡°Okay, I think we¡¯ve calmed down here a bit. I suggest you exit through the other end of the alley. Street side is ours. We¡¯ve already made too much noise, and that flesh monster is bound to return. I¡¯m keeping your guns,¡± said CJ, as if these were facts and no longer a conversation.

    ¡°She¡¯s hurt, how are we supposed to make it back without weapons?¡± whined Phil.

    ¡°Should have thought about that before you shot me. Tell Mason that CJ Thompson sends his regards,¡± added CJ before activating his Smoke Screen spell.

    CJ knew at this level the smoke would last five full minutes. That was how long they had to get the alarm and horn components out of the vehicle. Elena had already smashed the window and popped the hood. She asked CJ for a screwdriver and an adjustable wrench. CJ spun his wrist, and both tools appeared in his right hand. Two to three minutes later she was still struggling with the housing over the horn.

    ¡°Step back,¡± said CJ, as soon as she did, he placed his hand on the frame of the car and cast Spatial Compression.

    The luxury SUV shrank in fits and spurts, blue and white light illuminating a small section of the street the vehicle used to occupy. It dropped into CJ¡¯s hand before it disappeared into his storage. He then turned to face in the direction of the retirement home just in time to see a cavalcade of white bones stumbling down the street in their direction. The alley way to their right was still shrouded in the smoke cloud spell. CJ hoped those two made an exit from the opposite end.

    ¡°CJ, about that kiss. We were going to tell you. I didn¡¯t want you to get the wrong idea and all¡ª¡± began Elena before she noticed the skeletons.

    ¡°I don¡¯t care about that. Live your best life. Speaking of which. We should probably go the long way around to avoid that,¡± said CJ pointing to the unaware skeletons.

    ¡°We can take them. Throw some cards. If anything gets close, I¡¯ll carve them up,¡± she replied.

    ¡°I actually agree with CJ this time. Let¡¯s avoid a fight if we don¡¯t have to. Besides, I don¡¯t see the meat ball anywhere. I don¡¯t want to get into a fierce melee and then it shows up. Your fighting style isn¡¯t very quiet,¡± added Monty.

    ¡°All good points. Let¡¯s slink around the block and come out behind them,¡± said CJ putting his back against a nearby chain link fence.The narrative has been illicitly obtained; should you discover it on Amazon, report the violation.

    They all managed to circumnavigate the small army of skeletons before coming around the corner to see the CVS parking lot again. Across the street was their destination. Monty ran under cars to scout out the dash to the door.

    New Message from Party Leader CJ: We managed to avoid the skeletons. Is it clear to approach.

    New Message from Rubio: Negative. I see Monty under a parked F150, but he¡¯s stopped. The Flesh Ball is rolling this way on your left.

    New Message from Psycho: Roger says that shouldn¡¯t be, its pattern should place it near the graveyard at this time of day. Rubio just said it¡¯s coming from the opposite direction.

    New Message from Party Leader CJ: Are the skeletons with it?

    New Message from Monty: It just turned in my direction. I think it knows I¡¯m here.

    New Message from Rubio: Skeletons are a block behind it. It¡¯s alone right now.

    ¡°Shit!¡± said CJ before he dashed out of cover and into the CVS parking lot, ¡°Over here you big dumb ball!¡±

    The rolling ball of viscera stopped rolling towards the truck Monty was hiding under and spun in place to face the screaming man in the parking lot. It rolled forward at an alarming speed before bouncing into the air. CJ didn¡¯t even flinch. He extended both of his hands to cast Half-A-Bitch. His left hand spun counterclockwise while his right spun clockwise. Blue mana light sparked between his fingers and as the monster was bearing down on him each palm passed the other. Right hand went up and his left hand down. Unaspected mana formed two flat blades that sunk into the monster splitting in half. Both halves plopped to the ground on either side of CJ.

    ¡°That was incredibly stupid!¡± yelled Monty from the other side of the road.

    ¡°What? It got the job done,¡± bragged CJ.

    ¡°Run you idiot!¡± screamed Monty.

    Both halves of the monster began moving independently. Instead of one Volkswagen sized ball of meat now there were two loveseat-sized domes. The one to CJ¡¯s left slurped its way toward him. CJ danced backward to avoid it. His deck of cards appeared in his hand. The one on the right lunged at him and CJ extended his right hand palm up. Flaming alcohol spiraled from his inventory coating flesh blob all over. Unfortunately, the heal of CJ¡¯s hand also lit up like a candles singeing the cuff of his sleeve. The last of the Molotov cocktails contents dripping to the ground with a hiss.

    ¡°I¡¯ve got your back,¡± said Elena as the rev of her chainsaw grew closer.

    ¡°No! Don¡¯t cut it. It just makes more of them,¡± chided CJ cradling his burned hand.

    Now the burning half was flailing back and forth in the dirt and gravel. Hands, feet, ears, and faces were roiling under the intense flames. Then suddenly it went still. The other half began making its way back to join up with its skeleton army. Shots rang out but were deflected off of garbage cans and derelict vehicles as the composite flesh monster wove between cover and the north side of the retirement home. Rubio couldn¡¯t get a clear shot at the thing, so he began shooting the skeletons from the rooftop. Skulls started blasting apart but the rest of the bodies continued to stumble forward. His rifle fell silent as he opted not to waste anymore ammo.

    New Message from Rubio: The thing is smart. It¡¯s keeping out of my line of sight. What about the burning one?

    New Message from CJ: It looks dead. It¡¯s not moving anymore, and the stench is atrocious.

    New Message from Psycho: Hurry up, Roberts going to open the door.

    The burnt up flesh of the monster started to curl in on itself as it blackened and charred. Monty, Elena, and CJ jogged across the street to the door of the retirement home. Once inside, CJ cleared some space in the sitting room and returned the SUV to its normal size. It took up most of the space but from in here, Elena would be able to work with the help of her dad. CJ managed to learn a valuable lesson today. Not everything can be cut in half.

    ¡°Why did you call its attention to yourself?¡± asked Jenn after everyone discussed the events outside.

    ¡°I didn¡¯t want it to get Monty. I just acted, didn¡¯t think about it. I¡¯d been wondering if I could cut it in half earlier. No idea it would become two monsters. That¡¯s on me,¡± replied CJ.

    ¡°And that¡¯s why Jenn has to put burn cream on your hand. We had a plan, why didn¡¯t you just stick to it?¡± asked Rubio shaking his head.

    ¡°That plan required Robert to make something electronic work with magic. That plan required us to lure the monster into a trap away from all the skeletons. We had half the plan in hand, so I took my shot,¡± explained CJ.

    ¡°What if next time its surrounded by those skeletons and we don¡¯t get our chance?¡± asked Elena, half hanging out of the SUV attempting to disconnect the parts she needs.

    ¡°Not everything is going to go according to plan. We found out it¡¯s weak to fire now. That¡¯s a bonus. Not magical fire, just your run of the mill alcohol fueled inferno,¡± answered CJ.

    ¡°And how hurt are you? How many points of health did you lose?¡± asked Jennifer.

    ¡°About twenty, but our regeneration is going to take care of that. Right Monty?¡± CJ said trying to deflect the conversation toward Monty. CJ¡¯s wrist mounted fuel container for his fireball trick was ruined after the expulsion of the Molotov from his inventory. He unlatched it and tossed it onto a nearby table. It slid to a stop right next to Roger.

    Monty was sitting on the stool in front of the crystal ball. He was rolling it back and forth using the provided crank handle. Turning his head left and right as the ball moved back and forth. His ears were flat to the back of his head and his tail was intermittently twitching.

    ¡°Monty, you okay over there?¡± asked CJ.

    ¡°I think we have a problem,¡± Monty said flatly.

    ¡°I still can¡¯t believe the damn rabbit can talk and fight,¡± commented Roger from the makeshift alchemy setup on the table. They had a rudimentary Bunson burner going for Jennifer who was heating up fluid in a vial while Roger fiddled with something in his hand.

    ¡°The thing is the entire building has been surrounded by skeletons. That¡¯s not the worst part, for some reason, they are all holding hands,¡± explained the rabbit.

 Chapter Thirty Eight: Earplugs, now!

    ¡°They¡¯ve never done that before,¡± commented Roger as he made his way to the crystal ball.

    ¡°Maybe what¡¯s left of the flesh ball wants to keep us in here?¡± postulated Rubio.

    ¡°More likely, it wants to know if we try to leave,¡± said CJ as he rubbed his sore wrist.

    Everyone but Jennifer crowded around the viewing orb. All the skeletons outside were indeed lined up hand in hand on all sides of this building. There were at least two rows of them standing stock still in front of the main entrance. CJ wondered how much of a threat they really were individually.

    ¡°I¡¯ve got bad news,¡± started Rubio, ¡°I blew off a few of their heads when I was up on the roof, and it made little difference. They could still move around although their coordination was off for the first few minutes. If it takes more than a headshot to put one down the problem is going to be time. Anyone on the ground is going to get overwhelmed. I think we need to cut the head off of the jagged bony snake,¡± said Rubio rubbing the stubble on his chin with his thumb and forefinger.

    ¡°Then we¡¯ll need bait to draw it out, a distraction for the skeletons to focus on, and someone to deliver true death to that thing,¡± explained CJ while he paced back and forth.

    ¡°I think young miss Jennifer can help with that last part,¡± said Roger.

    ¡°Right. So, I wasn¡¯t able to make anything that could dissolve bones, but this should be highly caustic to flesh. Do not get it on yourself,¡± cautioned Jenn, as she held out what looked like a spray cologne bottle.

    Roger immediately reached for the bottle with a determined and focused look on his face. CJ took a step toward them to intercede when Jenn gently put the bottle in Rogers hands.

    ¡°I¡¯m going to kill it. I assume you will all be helping me. Once that¡¯s done. I agree to return to this safe place with you. I trust there are no problems with that?¡± asked Roger rhetorically.

    ¡°Sure thing. If you need a distraction, you won¡¯t get a better one than me,¡± offered CJ.

    ¡°Got it!¡± exclaimed Elena holding up a hand sized silver rectangle and a black plastic conical box with an opening on one end.

    ¡°Great. Let me see those,¡± said Roger after slipping the cologne bottle into his right pocket.

    Roger brought the two objects back over to different table that was set up with several tools and implements. Some of which CJ had never seen before. He watched as Roger grabbed a flat looking wrench and cored out the silver metal box. Burnt fuses and cracked circuit boards fell to the ground. Roger then placed his hands on the plastic horn section and the remnants of the silver box. Blue light lines lit up across both objects. They began twisting and creating a pattern that Roger attempted to line up. Sweat was pouring from his forehead as his focus intensified.

    CJ was not idle during this process. He watched as lines of blue mana raged between both objects. It seemed to CJ that the differing materials Roger was trying to meld were causing him trouble. CJ¡¯s eyes widened as a connection point between the silvery metal and the dusky black plastic fused together. Once that happened many of the blue mana lines began to reorganize themselves. Sparks of white energy leapt between the lines as circles began appearing. One, then three spun around a central linkage. The blue mana center line shot additional segments into the circles around it. Two into the first circle, four into the second, then eight segments attached to the third and final circle.

    Roger gasped as he put down his latest creation. CJ walked over and put his hand on Roger¡¯s shoulder before giving it a reassuring squeeze.

    ¡°That looked intense. Is it always like that?¡± asked CJ.

    ¡°No¡­ I¡­ I forced it into its next design level. At its first level it would just honk with an expenditure of mana. At the second it would honk in a pattern. I received a notification that I could increase its capabilities further and I chose yes. It drained me of all my mana, but the third design level allows a significantly louder blast of sonic damage. Whoever uses this needs to make sure it¡¯s pointed away from any of us,¡± explained Roger.

    CJ picked up the item whose glow had finally faded.

    New Item: Blast Horn. Uncommon/ Mana Forged Item- The Blast Horn has three stages of use. For 10 Mana/ use it will emit a loud honking sound. For 20 mana /use it will honk in whatever pattern the user designates slightly louder. For 50 mana/use it will blast a cone of sonic air magic loud enough to shatter stone.

    ¡°So, was that what those circles represented? The design levels?¡± asked CJ.

    ¡°What circles?¡± asked Elena who standing on the other side of Roger while he worked, ¡°All I saw were flashing lights and then he was done,¡±

    ¡°You saw the circles? I thought only I could see them. While I¡¯m in the process all I can really see are the lines of connections between objects. Then a blueprint solidifies in my mind, and I go to work. Its crazy that you could see that. I should be able to make more of these quicker next time. If there ever is a next time. The blueprints sort of stay in my mind. I have a slate tab for them and everything. This slate shit is wild, man,¡± extoled Roger, as he stood up and stretched his back.

    ¡°Me too. I have an alchemy recipe tab. Once I created the flesh melter I got a notification that said a new recipe was added to my alchemy list. Isn¡¯t that neat?¡± added Jenn.If you spot this narrative on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

    ¡°Well for me, it¡¯s like when we went into that bolster dungeon. It reminded me of the kaleidoscope of colors we saw as we entered the challenge. Right?¡± CJ asked Rubio and Elena.

    ¡°No clue what you¡¯re talking about. It just went dark for me, and I showed up by myself,¡± said Elena.

    ¡°Same. Just darkness until I could see the slug town,¡± replied Rubio.

    ¡°What¡¯s a bolster dungeon?¡± asked Jennifer looking between the three of them.

    ¡°Long story short, they are pocket realms that evaluate your abilities and grant items or knowledge depending on how well you do. Like magic corn mazes or obstacle courses. We¡¯ve only cleared one so far. That¡¯s how we created that safe zone. Since I¡¯m coming clean on that, monster avoid dungeons. At least that¡¯s our working hypothesis. They instinctively navigate around them,¡± explained CJ.

    ¡°So, if I¡¯m picking up what you¡¯re putting down, there are two of these things in this town and my white whale has been cutting a figure eight of destruction around them?¡± asked Roger.

    CJ was surprised at how quick on the uptake Roger was in this moment. He¡¯d just created a slate recognized mana forged item a few moments ago. To CJ¡¯s eyes it looked like it took everything he had to make it, but he was following the thread of the conversation quite astutely.

    ¡°That¡¯s our working theory right now. Bolsters aren¡¯t¡¯ the only kinds of dungeons though. We should be careful in our assumptions. That could get you killed,¡± Monty chimed in joining the group.

    ¡°Let¡¯s put the dungeon talk on the back burner. We ready to do this thing. Every minute that monster draws breath is an insult to all the people it¡¯s eaten. It¡¯s long past time it gets what¡¯s coming to it,¡± Roger said adamantly.

    The group then huddled together for a planning session. There was some back and forth about roles and responsibilities, but they ended up with an idea they could all agree on. Jennifer managed to brew something she was calling health boosters. She handed out water bottles filled with a red-green liquid. The water bottles were only half full.

    New Item: Health Booster- upon consumption, health points will increase by 20.

    CJ stared at it realizing what they were. She just handed out health potions to everyone. For a second CJ wished he could store ninety-nine of them and never use them. He chuckled to himself drawing the eyes of all around him.

    ¡°Sorry, thinking of some video game humor,¡± he said.

    Some time later CJ, Monty, and Elena were braced against the door waiting for the signal. Shots rang out above their heads and the three of them pushed the door open. Roger was standing by to close and throw the bar across the door once they were out. All three of them heard the door cachunk behind them as they stepped into a line of stumbling headless skeletons. Elena activated Puerto Rico Chainsaw Massacre, and a shining glow enveloped the saw blade.

    New Message from Elena: Two minutes, that¡¯s how long I¡¯ll be able to keep this up before my stamina bar runs out.

    She waded into the second line of skeletons carving through corrupted reinforced bone like a hot knife through butter. Uneven pieces of bone were falling left and right of her as she scythed her way through to the third line of waiting skeletons. Outside of her range bullets rained down from the rooftop disorienting more targets and causing confusion amongst the ranks of the dead.

    CJ was following closely behind her. He had the chord from his thumb ring charged with mana and as skeletons filled in behind him, he would pull the mana filament wire across their forearm bones severing their grasping hand from the rest of the bodies. Then Monty would topple them into their brethren with a well-placed kick. Everything seemed to be going according to plan.

    ¡°We just need to get to the middle of the street, then it¡¯s a race to our bikes,¡± shouted CJ over all the clacking of bones and revving chainsaw noise.

    ¡°Shit!¡± Screamed Elena as one of the skeletons to her right got an arm on her shoulder pad. Elena then pulled the saw up in a diagonal arc from left to right expertly severing the arm of the offending skeleton.

    ¡°It¡¯s getting thick out here!¡± Hollard Monty as he bounced from rib cage to rib cage.

    ¡°Fine. Do it!¡± said CJ as he feverishly waved his arms like he was at a rave making sure to keep the deadly filament from reaching his own body.

    Monty¡¯s body began to smoke. It wasn¡¯t the smoke of CJ¡¯s smoke screen spell; this was more primal and earthy in nature. White and mana-blue light shined from between Monty¡¯s fur before he suddenly doubled in size. He was now just over four feet in length and about two feet wide at the shoulder. Each jump kick from Monty sent a relatively light skeleton flying. Bones clattered to the pavement and knocked others down like dominos in a trail running all the way around the corner.

    New Message from Rubio: Holy shit! Monty is kicking all their asses.

    What Monty may have lost in agility he more than made up for in mass. The crunching of bones could be heard all around CJ as the black furred wrecking ball did its thing. He did it well. Soon enough there was a cleared circle in the middle of the street surrounded by prone skeletons that looked like they all fell down at the end of a game of twister. The only problem was, they were all still getting back up.

    New Message from Rubio: Look at your 12 o¡¯clock. It¡¯s coming from the CVS parking lot.

    CJ was the first to see it. The meaty sludge was sliding under the abandoned cars on its way to them. It was too slow in this form. He surmised that the skeletons would be back on their feet before the meat got here. He was going to have to improvise again. In front of Elena were the remains of at least a dozen skeletons. All trying to right themselves and grasp at them. Monty¡¯s enlarged form was good for groups of enemies, but it was wasted attacking one skeleton at time as they all got up. The device wasn¡¯t going to be at full effectiveness at this range.

    ¡°Earplugs, now!¡± screamed CJ, as he sprinted with every bit of his twenty speed stepping on clumps of broken bones and absorbing the errant swipe of claws with his kinetic barrier. He made it outside the ring of bone and before the sludge of meat as it exited the underside of an Astrovan. The Blast Horn appeared in his left hand and quickly pumped fifty mana into it. BWAAM

    The windows on the Astrovan shattered in an explosion sound. The glass doors of the CVS also blasted inward as the rest of the windows in the building cracked and rained down razor sharp shards. The asphalt of the parking lot buckled and cracked. The monster itself reared up like a wave about to crash into the shore. CJ could see the remnants of faces within flesh, mouths open wide in horror. All the skeletons reached up to their heads as if they were in pain in a mock reflection of life. Then Roger was there. He must have started running the second he heard the sound. Brandishing a spear like lead pipe, Roger thrusted the sharp end into the flesh monster and poured the bottle of cologne down the pipe. It was still wailing from the sonic attack before it realized its insides were melting. Roger held it in place launching into a tirade of swearing fit for a sailor. The flesh monster writhed in place as acrid smoke began to billow out from it. The skeletons all stood still like statues for briefest of heart beats before they all dropped to the ground, motionless.

    While he watched the final death throes the flesh monster, a small tear could be seen running down Roger¡¯s cheek. None of this was as important to CJ as the blood that was running from his ears. He hadn¡¯t put his ear plugs in, and his health was down by half. Fumbling the health booster to his lips, he sighed as his ability to hear returned to him.

 Chapter Thirty Nine: Ooh, finally the dungeon talk.

    CJ flopped down on his ass; legs wide as he let the potion do its work. He spun his left hand counterclockwise before a bag of chips appeared. CJ split the bag open letting the pleasing aroma of processed potatoes, salt, and oil drift up his nose. Five feet from him, in the waning daylight, stood a man transfixed on his quarry. Roger had spent months cooped up in that building preparing for the day he could slay the beast. Now that it was here, he just stood over its rotting corpse, both hands grasping the object he used to extract his vengeance. The tip of his makeshift spear was still embedded within the blackening fleshy mess on the ground. The vile soup it was now made of was draining into a nearby sewer grate.

    Suddenly a sharp jagged crystal rolled away from the goop with a tingling sound. It rolled to a stop against Roger¡¯s metal foot. He was about to stomp down on it but was stopped by CJ calling out to him.

    ¡°Pick that up. I¡¯m pretty sure I know what that is and its valuable,¡± said CJ between bites of crisp snapping sounds.

    Roger stared at the crystalline object for a heartbeat before he reached down to grab it. His eyes popped wide open upon reading the description his slate gave him for the item. The two remained silent for a few short moments before Elena and Monty joined them. Monty was now sparking with mana colored lights as his form shrank back down to his normal size. Sweat was running down one of Elena¡¯s arms mixing with some dried blood from here various scratches during the fight with the skeletons.

    ¡°We should head back inside. If this is what this town is like during daylight, I¡¯d hate to see it at night,¡± suggested Elena.

    ¡°Agreed. I¡¯m sure everyone is hungry, and I¡¯ve got a lot of snacks. I¡¯m pretty sure people won¡¯t be passing that CVS anymore. We should probably clear it out of anything we missed. In the morning of course,¡± added CJ, before offering his bag of chips to the others.

    Only Elena took some chips. Monty shook his head, and Roger didn¡¯t acknowledge the offer. He just stood there, crystal in one hand and sharpened pipe in the other. Roger barely took a full breath before CJ put his hand on his right shoulder. There was sorrow in Roger¡¯s eyes mixed with hope. CJ gently turned the old sailor back towards the retirement home. Jenn was at the door peeking out at all the bones scattered around the street. They all went inside and closed the door behind them. Only then did CJ notice the bar that used slide across the door was missing. He surmised that Roger quickly converted the security bar into his flesh melting solution delivery spear.

    Rubio came downstairs to meet with everyone. CJ got a dazed Roger into one of the lounge chairs before gathering together with his people.

    ¡°He seems out of sorts,¡± said Rubio.

    ¡°Looks like he finally got what he wanted and hasn¡¯t thought much past that. We offered him a safe place to go but I don¡¯t think it him until he killed it that that is what happens next. He may have considered it all a fantasy until then,¡± commented CJ, before laying out some snacks and more bottles of water on one of the unused tables.

    ¡°But it¡¯s dead right? No more flesh eater?¡± asked Jenn, getting affirmative nods from everyone.

    ¡°That giant Monty spell was really cool. Could have used that back in the fight with the bikers,¡± said Elena.Unauthorized content usage: if you discover this narrative on Amazon, report the violation.

    ¡°And give them a bigger target? No thank you. It¡¯s actually one of CJ¡¯s class abilities,¡± said Monty.

    CJ noticed a hint of disappointed in that last comment. The rabbit was still wiping bone dust off of his whiskers with both paws. Then it occurred to CJ that it was a class ability and Monty didn¡¯t have access to those yet. He¡¯d have to activate it every time for him currently. Noticing he had a slate message waiting for him, CJ pulled it up and a smile crossed his face.

    You have reached level 6; you have one undistributed attribute point.

    ¡°Hey, did anyone else level in that fight?¡± asked CJ.

    ¡°Yea, I did. Level five, I¡¯ve got a class point now and my health and stamina improved,¡± replied Elena.

    ¡°No. I didn¡¯t get one either. I wasn¡¯t very instrumental in the fighting. Do you think that has something to do with it?¡± asked Rubio.

    ¡°Well, I didn¡¯t level but I did get a skill level in Alchemy. It came with a new recipe for a mana potion. I don¡¯t think I have the ingredients for it though. Has anyone seen a purple Persian shield plant? They are houseplants. The leaves have green outer edges and a center stalk, but the rest of the leaf material is a deep purple. The recipe calls for those leaves ground up. I have pretty much everything else,¡± added Jenn.

    ¡°How much mana does it give you?¡± asked CJ, now paying close attention to what she was saying.

    ¡°Not sure. Its dosage based. The health booster does twenty health points only because I needed to split it between everyone. There wasn¡¯t a full dose in each bottle. I also had to cut it with some children¡¯s cough syrup. I was thinking after I made it that it would be cool if we could just dry the ingredients and make it a powder. Then we could dump it into a water bottle and shake it up while we were on the go. Instant health booster!¡± said an exuberant Jenn, she was smiling now and a little over excited.

    ¡°If I can recover mana without taking a beating every time, that¡¯d be a game changer for me. Purple leaves you say, we should raid a Home Depot or Lowes. Hell, even a garden center. Just grab every bag of seeds we can find. Persian shield, Persian shield, Persian shield,¡± CJ began to mutter under his breath in an attempt to memorize the plants name.

    ¡°We should really talk about next steps. The dungeons,¡± said Rubio, grabbing everyone¡¯s attention.

    ¡°Ooh, finally the dungeon talk. I¡¯m so excited,¡± replied Jenn.

    ¡°Calm your tits, the first one we were in was relatively harmless. They won¡¯t be the same every time. We may get separated and you¡¯ll have to figure out how to exit on your own. We shouldn¡¯t take the bolster dungeons lightly. You should always challenge a town or city dungeon in a party. Never alone. City dungeons typically have multiple locations that need to be conquered to complete them. That¡¯s why they always have quest pillars like the one we unlocked back in Leaf¡¯s Bend. I can¡¯t stress this enough, that quest pillar should not have been a reward from a bolster dungeon. Now a bolster dungeon will most often reward you with a class specific item, spell, ability, or skill book. As long as you succeed in the basic challenge you should get something. No guarantee what that something is until you enter the dungeon,¡± explained Monty, after jumping up onto one of the chairs in the dining room.

    ¡°What about Challenge dungeons. I heard you mention those before,¡± asked CJ.

    ¡°Those are rarer. They usually grant access to something important. Grand schemes of the gods. They only want worthy people to get their hands on whatever the dungeon is protecting. This early into this integration. I doubt you¡¯ll run into one. Then again, nothing is what I would consider normal with this integration. The amount of corrupted mana is staggering,¡± answered Monty before seeming to get lost in thought.

    ¡°I propose we get some sleep and try to tackle the bolster dungeon we assume is at the back of the graveyard in the morning. If that goes well, we can try the other one. Sound like a plan?¡± CJ asked his gathered compatriots. He received nods of acceptance all around.

    Roger was deep in thought while they discussed things. He was only half listening. The crystal he had picked up from the dead monster said it was Boss Monster Concentrate. The remnants of that crystal drifted from the palm of his hand like ash coming off of burning wood. It floated to the ground before seeming to break apart into smaller and smaller particles. He kept staring at the notification in front of his eyes.

    Mana Forge has evolved into ManaTech.

 Chapter Forty: Please, I donâ€™t want to be a runner.

    ¡°Cynthia, how¡¯s it going inside the big building?¡± asked Doc Redmond, as his wife entered the triage tent.

    ¡°Not well honey. I really need to talk to you,¡± replied Cynthia, with a look of concern on her face.

    ¡°I¡¯ve got no patients right now, have a seat. What¡¯s wrong? There isn¡¯t¡¯ a problem with one of the kids is there?¡± prodded Redmond.

    ¡°No, they¡¯re fine. Ed and Riley just keep asking why their friend¡¯s parents are missing and I don¡¯t know what to tell them. Riley keeps asking about CJ and when he¡¯s coming back. We need to have a family talk with them. Besides that, it¡¯s getting¡­ intense inside. Tommy keeps getting sent out to make bigger fortifications and that big goon Kowalski keeps stealing glances at me. He¡¯s really creeping me out. Once you finish today, can you come with me to grab the kids from their lessons? Then we could all sit down and eat together,¡± finished Cynthia.

    Redmond has known his wife for over a decade. She¡¯s never spilled concerns out like a broken faucet before. He looked at here with love in his eyes mixed with concern. She seemed to be rattled about something, and it wasn¡¯t some lunkhead being creepy. She was an incredibly attractive woman and had learned to deal with that ages ago. There was something else behind her words. Cynthia wanted to get out of the main building and Redmond wanted to know why.

    ¡°Absolutely sweetheart. Maybe we can grab Tommy, and we can all eat together,¡± replied Redmond.

    Redmond put down the surgical tools he was cleaning and turned to his wife before something struck him. Cynthia said the kids were asking when CJ would be coming back. They¡¯d already broken the news to the kids that CJ was gone. Why did they think he was coming back?

    ¡°Honey why was Riley asking about CJ again? I thought we told them what happened already,¡± Redmond asked.

    ¡°Oh, you don¡¯t know? I would have thought Tommy or one of the others would have told you already. How do I do this so that you¡¯ll understand me? You know the messages we get right? Well, we all got one saying that CJ wah wah wah. Which means he¡¯s still alive,¡± Cynthia paused for a second noticing her husbands tell tale look that meant he didn¡¯t understand what she said, ¡°The important part is he¡¯s alive. I expect him to show up back here at some point. I¡¯m actually praying that he does,¡± explained Cynthia.

    ¡°Wait he¡¯s alive? That¡¯s great news. But I thought Jerry said he was dead. I had my suspicions but no way to prove he was lying. CJ just wasn¡¯t the kind of guy that runs when things get tough. Let¡¯s see if we can find Tommy. I want to ask him why he didn¡¯t come tell me,¡± said Redmond, as he finished his preparatory work and they both left the emergency tent.

    No sooner did they leave the tent than some guards dressed in Flaming Pitchfork uniforms came charging past. They held a screaming man under each arm as they dragged him toward the southern gates.

    ¡°No! Please, I don¡¯t want to be a runner. I¡¯ll eat half rations. Anything but that¡ª¡± his cries were cut off as they traveled through the gates and out into the Pine Barrens.

    ¡°Why a flaming pitchfork?¡± asked Redmond.

    ¡°That¡¯s what skipper wanted on his uniforms. It was a simple design, and I didn¡¯t push back. I¡¯ve got a couple for you with double padding. I can¡¯t really make more until they scavenge up some more materials,¡± answered Cynthia, before entwining her fingers with Redmond¡¯s.

    The couple walked a little deeper into the tent city that surrounded the main headquarters for the Flaming Pitchforks. The number of uniformed guardsmen was still dwarfed by the amount of no phone refugees. Twenty minutes later they made there way to a large wooden cage. It could have doubled for a log cabin if the supports were any closer. It was a simple cube shape with slats between the timbers.

    Tommy was instructing two younger men about proper placement, carving angles, and sanding techniques. His padded Flaming Pitchfork uniform was covered in a brown apron. Said apron was caked in wood shavings. The hair on the side of Tommy¡¯s head had started to grow back in over time but he was till mostly faux hawk. There were bags under his eyes, and he looked a little malnourished. After his last set of instructions, he noticed the Redmond¡¯s walking over and waiving.

    ¡°What brings you two up to the north gate?¡± asked Tommy, greeting them with a smile.

    ¡°Well Cynthia wanted to plan a family dinner tonight and we wanted to know if you¡¯d like to come?¡± asked Redmond.

    ¡°I¡¯d love to, but I need to finish this project for Skipper. We¡¯re almost there. A few more hours and we¡¯ll be able to seal the foundation,¡± responded Tommy, wilting a little at what he¡¯d just said.

    ¡°It¡¯s great news that CJ is still alive, isn¡¯t it?¡± asked Redmond, with one cocked eyebrow.

    ¡°Shit, I forgot to tell you. I¡¯ve been so busy. Yes, he¡¯s alive and he¡­ crap how do we tell him about the message thing? He did something really good, and I hope we can visit him. No one seems to know where Leaf¡¯s Bend is or how to get there,¡± responded Tommy.This story has been taken without authorization. Report any sightings.

    ¡°We could discuss all of this over a family dinner. It¡¯ll be good for your health. You¡¯re looking pretty pale bud,¡± said Redmond, only half joking.

    ¡°Go on Tommy, we can make the final preparations without you. Get yourself something to eat,¡± said one of the young workers.

    ¡°Are you sure? You¡¯ll plane the logs on the right side and everything on your own?¡± asked Tommy.

    ¡°Just go. We need a break from you too. Slave driver,¡± chuckled the other worker.

    ¡°Looks like I¡¯m all yours. What do you think the mess halls mak¡ª¡± Tommy started before the alarm bells began to ring.

    The bell rang in two short clangs. Ding Ding. People started to scatter to find cover. Tommy and Redmond¡¯s eyes snapped to the outer walls where guards were loading weapons. Shots fired out into dimming light from Redmond left side. Then a terrible thrumming could be heard from the trees.

    The next morning CJ woke up in a soft, vacant adjustable bed in one of the old folks¡¯ rooms. There were some old WWII soldier photos hanging on the wall as well as a folded American flag in a display case. Internally, he checked his slate messages. There wasn¡¯t anything new, but he still had an attribute point to distribute. He looked at his attribute tab and began thinking.

    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 13.4687%" width="30">

    <tbody>

    <tr>

    <td style="width: 53.4708%; text-align: center" width="85">

    Attribute

    </td>

    <td style="width: 46.534%; text-align: center" width="60">

    Score

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td style="width: 53.4708%; text-align: center" width="85">

    Intelligence

    </td>

    <td style="width: 46.534%; text-align: center" width="60">

    23

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td style="width: 53.4708%; text-align: center" width="85">

    Strength

    </td>

    <td style="width: 46.534%; text-align: center" width="60">

    10

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td style="width: 53.4708%; text-align: center" width="85">

    Speed

    </td>

    <td style="width: 46.534%; text-align: center" width="60">

    20

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td style="width: 53.4708%; text-align: center" width="85">

    Agility

    </td>

    <td style="width: 46.534%; text-align: center" width="60">

    12

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td style="width: 53.4708%; text-align: center" width="85">

    Wisdom

    </td>

    <td style="width: 46.534%; text-align: center" width="60">

    10

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td style="width: 53.4708%; text-align: center" width="85">

    Luck

    </td>

    <td style="width: 46.534%; text-align: center" width="60">

    0

    </td>

    </tr>

    </tbody>

    </table>

    He wanted to increase his Agility some more. At least until it was on par with his speed. That sprint across the bones yesterday was something special. He wanted to add some more maneuverability to that aspect of his attributes. At some point he¡¯d drop some into strength but between Elena and Monty, the bruiser role was pretty much covered. That made him think of his class skill trees again. At level ten he should be getting another class point. He¡¯s more likely to dip into the elemental spell section this time since both he and Monty could cast whatever spells he had. The cards and his ring gave him more combat options but blasting enemies with ice shards or maybe an earthquake to make them lose their footing sounded kind of nice.

    He hadn¡¯t navigated through that tree the first time, but he¡¯d plan to do it next time. For now, he¡¯d just put his new attribute point into Agility, bringing it up thirteen. Now he planned to dig through his inventory and reset his card decks. CJ had lost at least five decks of cards over the course of two days. At this rate he¡¯d run out of cards in no time. He hadn¡¯t even had a chance to try out a fully loaded Joker card yet. That was probably a good thing since it meant he had to fling out thirteen cards beforehand. That many attacks would probably be the signal of a drawn out fight.

    ¡°You awake yet, young blood?¡± asked Roger from the doorway.

    ¡°Yeah, I¡¯m just checking my slate. Making sure everything is updated. Going through my kit. Need anything?¡± CJ shot back.

    ¡°Well, I wanted to thank you. You gave an old man a chance to redeem himself. I¡­ I lost the light of life after that thing took my foot. I shudder thinking about how many times I thought about just ending it myself. Then I met you nice folks. You showed me that there are still good people in this fucked up apocalypse. My tour of duty begins again today. I¡¯d be happy to come with y¡¯all back to your safe zone. Consider me one of the team. All in. No regrets now,¡± said Roger, standing a little straighter and maybe a little more confident.

    ¡°We¡¯d love to have you. There are still survivors out there. Like those Humanity¡¯s Savior folks. I¡¯m sure they¡¯re all scared and just doing what they think is right. We need to find a way to reach people without everything being a god damned shoot out. We¡¯ve got several quests granted to us by this slate system. I don¡¯t know if I can add you to them or if you have to touch the Quest Pillar. We can figure all of that out later. As for the dungeons we plan to tackle today, it¡¯s up to you if you¡¯d like to join us. They are dangerous according to Monty, but no risk no reward these days,¡± said CJ, sitting up to have his feet dangle off the side of the bed.

    CJ looked down at his patten leather shoes and tsk¡¯d. They were completely scuffed up and the soles were wearing out. His eyes drifted over the previous inhabitants¡¯ belongings before they landed on an old shoeshine kit. Kicking off his shoes, he hopped over to the kit and opened the box. It had two telescoping shelves with different colored shine and mix of brushes.

    ¡°Captain Landry¡¯s shine box. He was a good man. I think he¡¯d want you to have it. Speaking of things you should have, here I fixed this for you,¡± Roger said before tossing over a small metal object with two straps hanging off of it from either side.

    CJ caught it in his right hand and rolled it in his palm. It was his old wrist mounted fireball gadget, but it was now slightly heavier, and Slate recognized.

    New Item: Flame Spitter- Uncommon Item/ Fire Attuned ManaTech- For the cost of 10 Mana, the wielder can fire off a flame dart that burns a target for their level in damage.

    ¡°ManaTech?¡± asked CJ, mouth agape.

    ¡°My Mana Forge skill upgraded to ManaTech thanks to that crystal you had me pick up. I couldn¡¯t believe it at first. The difference is a reduced mana cost for me to make a thing and a greater chance that I¡¯ll create something with one rarity level greater than I plan for. Originally, If I were making something without a blueprint, there was a higher chance it would fail. I can start from a partial idea now and can copy something I made, as long as I¡¯m holding the original, for half the cost. There are skill levels now too. Before it was just an ability, but it looks like there are levels to this game. It¡¯s time to teach this old dog new tricks,¡± Roger explained, with an ear to ear grin.

 Chapter Forty One: We canâ€™t all have a bizarre sleeve based storage power.

    ¡°Right now, this seems like a low level item, but it grows with my level. At higher levels this could be quite dangerous,¡± CJ said to his gathered compatriots before continuing, ¡°Roger says he can duplicate something he¡¯s made for half the cost. If we can get everyone equipped with one of these, we¡¯ll always have a fallback option to defend ourselves.¡±

    ¡°Unless we run out of mana,¡± added Elena.

    ¡°Or bullets, or anything else that has consumable resources. Just think if we could focus our fire all on the same target. Sure, these things would only do five to six points of damage per person, but all of us attacking one monster, that damage adds up quickly,¡± interjected Rubio.

    The discussion continued until CJ started pulling out water and food for everyone. Unfortunately, it was only prepackaged food you¡¯d get out of a vending machine before they hit the CVS. Now CJ had some small boxes of cereal they could pour some water over. It made for a less than satisfying breakfast. The Mobius Twinkie got passed around last like a special desert treat. CJ perked up before it made its way to Roger.

    ¡°Wait, tell him about the Twinkie,¡± he said.

    What about the Twinkie?¡± asked Roger.

    An hour later they were on the move to the first suspected location of a bolster dungeon. Roger opted out of the first trip in order to pack up his things in preparation to leave with them later. CJ had suggested filing a large box with whatever he wanted, and he could transport it all after shrinking it. Now they approached the entrance to the graveyard Rubio told them about the previous day.

    Half of the wrought iron fence lay in the street as multiple sets of skeleton tracks littered the area. The perimeter of the old folk¡¯s home was still littered with remains of the skeletons that ceased moving after the battle. In CJ¡¯s mind it created a grim sort of demarcation line around the building. Out here they could see a mortuary with a driveway that led behind the building as well as a half circle of pavement at the entrance. Dirt mounds spotted the landscape in the distance. They seem to only be found near knocked over head stones. This just confirmed to CJ where a majority of that skeleton army came from.

    ¡°Should we check the funeral home?¡± asked Jenn, notes of apprehension in her voice.

    ¡°Not yet. First, I want to follow these tracks to the area they walk around. That¡¯ll help us find the dungeon. Anybody disagree?¡± countered CJ, followed but a series of shaking heads.

    CJ then put his new tracking skill to work. It wasn¡¯t very difficult. A thanksgiving day¡¯s parade of tracks led around one of the many above ground mausoleums. What really unnerved CJ was the smell of rotten eggs coming from the entrance. Just inside the doorway was rusted metal gate.

    ¡°Alright. This is it. Let¡¯s not just pile in this time. Everyone check your gear. If we get separated again, do your best to complete whatever objective it gives us,¡± announced CJ as he approached the door.

    He thought for a moment about digging through his inventory to see if he¡¯d grabbed any masks from the pharmacy. As he let that thought go, he checked everyone¡¯s party status. The groups health, mana, and stamina bars were brought into focus in the top left of his vision. He was the only one without a stamina bar. A fact that Jenn complained about a lot.

    ¡°It¡¯s not fair. I get tired so quickly and he can just run around like a chicken with his head cut off,¡± whined Jenn, as she rechecked her gear. There were repurposed perfume bottles on a belt around her waist and she wore a child¡¯s unicorn backpack filled with other gear.

    ¡°Maybe if you didn¡¯t carry around a personal chemistry set, you wouldn¡¯t exhaust yourself,¡± quipped Monty, hopping his way next to CJ.If you discover this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.

    ¡°We can¡¯t all have a bizarre sleeve based storage power,¡± Jenn shot back, before sticking her tongue out at Monty. Monty¡¯s ears shot up in surprise at her antics and that just made Jenn giggle.

    ¡°Enough, we are out in the field. Eyes open, mouths shut,¡± ordered Rubio as he stacked up behind CJ.

    CJ stepped up to the gate and reached his hand out. He was greeted with a new notification.

    Bolster Dungeon: Keep Away- You must protect the stone tablet from the horde. The better your rating the better the reward.

    Rank C: Survive two waves. Reward-Class specific item.

    Rank B: Survive four waves. Reward-Class specific item, random item.

    Rank A: Survive four waves and defeat the horde¡¯s champion. Reward-Class specific item, random item, and a new title.

    A Party has been detected. Would you like to challenge the dungeon as a group? Y/N

    CJ backed away from the entrance. He turned toward everyone to everyone with a shit eating grin on his face.

    ¡°Is it better if we do it together, or do we get better shit if we do it separately?¡± Elena asked.

    ¡°The message didn¡¯t say,¡± answered CJ.

    ¡°I was hoping this would happen. Even better if it¡¯s a survive challenge. I highly recommend we tackle this as a party. Anyone disagree?¡± asked Monty, but the challenge in his eyes was on display for everyone to see.

    ¡°That settles it. Let¡¯s see how deep the rabbit hole goes,¡± said CJ before turning back to the mausoleum and placing his hand on the gate.

    The world spun into that familiar kaleidoscope of colors from the first dungeon. CJ and the others plopped into what looked like a castle tower. The walls were grey stone with various colored moss growing in every direction. There were six archways that opened out into the air above a square parapet wall. The wall surrounded a central keep and met up with this tower at two positions, north and east. The air here was frigid and as CJ looked out past the walls he noticed deep accumulations of snow in all directions. He began to rub his hands together as his breath became visible. In the center of this space was a plinth with one stone tablet on it.

    CJ walked up to the tablet and noticed it had various words etched into the stone. Most of which were completely foreign to him, except for one. That one word read Survive. There were racks on the walls filled with long rusted shields, sets of armor, swords, and pikes. The clouds in the sky were dim grey and thick. The type of clouds that could burst forth into a once in a century blizzard at any minute.

    ¡°We need to get fires going quickly. If this temperature drops anymore, we will be in real trouble,¡± said the experienced Rubio.

    CJ looked around the twenty by twenty foot space. There were no windows or metal bars to keep flying things from just swooping in there. The tablet was easily the size of a thick book. Beyond the pedestal was hatch with an iron ring on it. CJ went over and tried to lift it. There was a lot of huffing and puffing but no motion. Elena tapped him on the shoulder and shooed him to the side. With one arm holding her trusty chainsaw, she hoisted the trap door up with a grunt of effort. That¡¯s when they found out why it was so difficult. There was entire suit of armor welded to the underside of the hatch. Not the entire hatch but the gauntlets and helmet were melted to the metal framing of the hatch. Rubio and CJ had to pull the entire thing up through the hole just to look past it. It clanged to the floor exposing the skeletal remains within. Below were lit torch sconces and spiral set of stairs leading around a column of stone.

    ¡°Lit torches. That¡¯s a good sign, right?¡± asked CJ, with the slightest hint of hesitation in his voice.

    ¡°We¡¯re about to find out,¡± replied Rubio as he shouldered his rifle and dropped down into the stairwell.

    They all traveled down the lit staircase until they passed a door on the left side. It took some effort to push it open. CJ and Rubio put their shoulders against the door and heaved. Once they got it moving, they noticed snow was spilling around their feet. This door led out to the northern wall. There had to be at least ten inches of snow atop the wall itself. CJ couldn¡¯t imagine how deep the snow must be in the courtyard below. They decided to close the door and continue the rest of the way down the stairs.

    At the bottom of the stairs, they found more occupied sets of armor all in a pile leaning against the only way out. It took ten minutes of moving and clearing away the dead just to gain access in the small space. CJ noticed if you followed the curve of the column that has always been to their right side on the way down, there was an alcove under the stairs. Within it, he found what looked like an X symbol embedded within a ten pointed star. It glinted in the dim fire light that was given off by the torches. He picked it up before sharply inhaling.

    New Item: Examiners Star- This single use item will give the user any and all information regarding a person, place, or thing. It will be as if you always knew these details.

 Chapter Forty Two: They arenâ€™t moving very fast.

    ¡°Now that¡¯s something special,¡± CJ said under his breath, before slipping the item into storage.

    ¡°Everybody ready?¡± asked Rubio, as he reached for the cold steel ring that served as the door handle for the heavy wooden door.

    ¡°Wait. We should pile up the armor. After I¡¯ve got some mana back, we can probably take all this metal with us when we leave. I¡¯d bet Roger could do something with it,¡± stated CJ, with is thumb and forefinger stroking his chin in contemplation.

    ¡°Hang on. How low on mana are you?¡± asked Elena, fully facing CJ now.

    ¡°Less than fifty points. Plenty of mana for some card throwing. The dungeon description mentioned waves. I assume we¡¯ll have plenty of attackers. I¡¯ll be back up to full in no time,¡± answered CJ, nonchalantly.

    ¡°Really?¡± asked Monty, ¡°There are at least four waves and a boss. Mr. Trinchar, that gives me an idea. Remember when you said they were all shit with firearms?¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t see what that has to¡­ clever. Call me Rubio, Monty. We have no need for titles in the field, but your idea has some merit. Everyone take out your personal weapons. I expect this will be a target rich environment. We should reserve our costly skills and abilities for later waves. CJ, how much ammo did you take from the biker¡¯s stash?¡± asked Rubio.

    ¡°About half.¡±

    ¡°Great. Let¡¯s set up that landing with the snow door as a fallback position. You and Jenn go up and organize the ammunition as best you can. Elena, Monty, and I will check out the ground floor of this place and see if there is anything we can use for the fight. Once separated, please be sure to use the party chat to maintain communication. Nobody dies. Got it?¡± asked Rubio rhetorically.

    CJ and Jennifer started back up the stairs. This whole time CJ kept thinking how much warmer it was inside the tower than up top where they entered. The amount of snow covering everything outside was a good indication that it wasn¡¯t going to get much colder. Halfway back to the snow door, the flames on all the torches turned from a burnt orange to blue with flickering white edges.

    ¡°Pick up the pace. My instincts are telling me that¡¯s a bad sign,¡± said CJ.

    Down on the ground floor, Elena and Rubio finally managed to get the door open and a solid foot of snow covered everything. Outside in the frigid courtyard were knocked over wooden carriages with a healthy amount of ice covering them. At each corner of this square interior wall were lit sconces. What looked like stalls for horses but contained only snow to their immediate left. Further into the square was an erected gallows complete with a noose. The snow only made it halfway up the stage. Beyond that was a portcullis with the top left section bent inward toward the courtyard. The bars were made of thick iron. Something must have hit that with a tremendous amount of force. Rubio then looked to their right to find the doors to the keep were smashed in and snow moved freely through the doorway.

    Monty hopped up on the snow and it only slightly depressed. He looked back at Elena and Rubio before speaking.

    ¡°I¡¯ll go check out the keep. It¡¯ll take you two forever to get over there through all this and we didn¡¯t bring a dump truck with a snowplow on it. I¡¯ll come back as soon as I¡¯ve given it a once over,¡± explained Monty, before he started scurrying his way toward the keep.

    Rubio just nodded and dug into his slate to message the others but stopped once Elena tapped him on the shoulder. Her skull faced bikers helmet pointed its chin at the closest sconce on the wall. It wasn¡¯t long after that they got a message from CJ.

    New Message from Party Leader CJ: The torches up here just changed from normal fire to blue and white.

    New Message from Rubio: Same down here. Can you see over the wall?

    New Message from Party Leader CJ: No, we didn¡¯t open the door. Just dumped up a bunch of ammo. Jenn is arranging the boxes by caliber. I¡¯ll sprint up top and take a look.Royal Road is the home of this novel. Visit there to read the original and support the author.

    With that CJ took off running up the stairs. Not getting tired seemed like a godsend in this moment as he practically flew upwards. He started taking the stairs two at a time but had to stop before almost slipping on some ice as he rounded the corner near the top. Climbing up through the hatch was more a challenge than he would have liked.

    Maybe I¡¯ll spend some points in strength next level.

    Finally, he peeked out of the first arch to the west. Snow. Then he checked the northern facing arch, castle wall, courtyard, and more snow. He turned to the east and paused. What he saw was of course more snow, but this time there were lines in the snow. Lines from CJ¡¯s point of view. He was sure if he were closer, they would be furrows in deep snow. Eight to ten lines pointing directly at the castle. He quickly checked to the south and saw eight more lines.

    New Message from Party Leader CJ: I think we have incoming from the East and South.

    New Message from Rubio: You think?

    New Message from Party Leader CJ: Well, it looks like something is pushing its way through the snow. Like that tunneling cartoon rabbit. They aren¡¯t moving very fast.

    New Message from Rubio: Stay up there, I¡¯m coming to join you.

    New Message from Psycho: I¡¯m all done here. What should I do?

    New Message from Rubio: Stay put.

    Rubio said goodbye to his daughter and told her to wait for Monty. He made his way up to CJ and watched as his grey stamina bar started to drop to unsafe levels. He paused just passed Jennifer on the stairs to catch his breath. In that moment he thanked God that stamina regenerated faster than mana. He could feel the cold creeping into his bones, so he didn¡¯t want to linger for too long. Finally, he made back to the ceiling hatch that led to the tower¡¯s final level. Slinging his rifle over his back, he used the remains of the knight fused with the hatch to climb up.

    "Any change?¡± asked a winded Rubio.

    ¡°My toes are going to start falling off, but I don¡¯t think that¡¯s the change you mean. The lines got a little closer, but they didn¡¯t move very far,¡± quipped CJ.

    Rubio swung his rifle around and looked out toward the east. Through the scope he could see a lot closer than CJ. The lines in the snow were making steady progress toward them. Every now and then he noticed motion at the very edge where the snow met the empty space. He watched it more carefully until, he was sure.

    ¡°Some kind of claw. Whatever they are, they are digging their way toward us. If it wasn¡¯t for the snow they¡¯d have been here already,¡± said Rubio.

    ¡°Not using party chat for this conversation,¡± CJ said with a serious look on his face.

    ¡°No point until we know more. Monty went to check out the keep. There¡¯s about a foot of snow covering everything in the courtyard. Fighting out there for us would be suicide. Depending on what Monty finds, we may be better off just trying to hold this tower. We can bottle neck whatever they are in the stairwell. It¡¯ll be like shooting fish in a barrel. If we¡¯re lucky. There will only be sixteen targets,¡± explained Rubio.

    ¡°But this is only wave one. If the waves are exponential, we could be in trouble. Let¡¯s say the numbers double in wave two. That means wave four has sixty four enemies. We don¡¯t have enough ammunition for that,¡± expounded CJ.

    ¡°I was thinking about that earlier. We do have the armor of the dead soldiers. I could make more ammo but that just means we need to make every shot count. Also, how many decks do you have left?¡± asked Rubio, curiosity painted on his face.

    ¡°I¡¯m full up. There was a display of playing cards in the toy section at the CVS. One of the first things I stored,¡± answered CJ.

    ¡°I think you may end up using all of them if we can¡¯t figure out a better way. That means wading into the enemies so you can keep regenerating mana. Your power set is so strange. It would be more useful if you could hurl an explosive firebomb or something,¡± mused Rubio.

    That thought sparked something in CJ¡¯s mind. Would he have been able to do just that had he chosen the elemental tree for his class? What would those options have been? He now had his new flame spitter bracelet that Roger made for him but ten mana per use adds up. With his mana at its current low point, it was more cost efficient to focus on the cards.

    New Message from Monty: There is nothing in here. It¡¯s like someone came through and stole everything that wasn¡¯t nailed down. I can see the outlines on the walls and floor for where furniture and painting used to be.

    New Message from Rubio: If there is nothing in there, come on back. We have incoming.

    No sooner did Rubio send that message than all the torches changed color again. Now the fires were burning with a black flame that changed the light spectrum for the whole castle. It was like they were bathed in the rays of a giant black light. CJ was staring at the torches in contemplation when the back of his neck practically waived like a flag. Then he felt his mana churn as it shot through his right arm and bloomed in his hand. Multicolored fire coated his palm before it settled on the same spectrum as the torches in the courtyard.

    New Spell Learned: Polychrome Flames- Rare utility spell/Fire magic. Cost 5 mana. The caster can manifest flame in any color of the visible spectrum. The flames will give off heat, but they do no damage.

 Chapter Forty Three: Point that barrel down until you have a target.

    ¡°What the? How did? There wasn¡¯t even a prompt!¡± babbled a confused CJ.

    ¡°The warmth is nice, but the light is giving our position away. They¡¯ve sped up. Any chance you can stop doing that?¡± asked Rubio, now fully turned and facing CJ.

    ¡°It¡­ it just happened. I don¡¯t know why or even how. I was just looking at the lights in the courtyard and thinking about the magic inherent in how it changed color. It¡¯s the how that bothers me¡ª¡± CJ was abruptly cut off by a new slate notification. This one had a golden border and leapt to the forefront of his vision.

    New Class Ability Learned: Reverse Enchanting- This ability allows the user to convert any enchantment into a spell with the appropriate amount of study. The more basic the enchantment, the easier it will be to learn.

    CJ looked at the description. It made no mention of a cost associated with reverse engineering an enchantment. He guessed the time invested would have to count instead. Magic items weren¡¯t very prolific until a few days ago. CJ wasn¡¯t sure how much use he¡¯d get out of this but he¡¯s glad he had it. There would be a long conversation between him and Monty in the future. Would he be able to learn that super sharp enchantment that was on his thumb ring? Why hadn¡¯t he learned it already? Maybe it was more about the substance and less about spell empowering it, CJ didn¡¯t know. Once he was back in Leaf¡¯s Bend, he¡¯d spend some more time exploring his magic instead of running around using it by instinct.

    New Message from Monty: Why do we know a rainbow flame spell now?

    New Message from Party Leader CJ: Long story, we¡¯ll talk about it later.

    New Message from Psycho: Ooh I wanna see!

    New Message from Party Leader CJ: Then look at the Sconces and Torch lights.

    New Message from Rubio: Focus people. We have incoming. Firearms first, this should be good practice for you.

    CJ pulled a handgun from his inventory after dismissing the colored flame. The revolver he found in the back office of the hardware store appeared in his hand. It still only had three shots. He sifted through whatever ammunition he had left and found three more bullets that were compatible. CJ spun out the chamber and loaded it up. He flicked it back into place with the snap of his wrist and smiled. That reminded him of some old westerns.

    ¡°Point that barrel down until you have a target,¡± barked Rubio, before turning back to the archway and peering toward the east.

    The lines in the snow had indeed sped up. Now Rubio had a better line of sight at the closest digging creature. It looked like a large, curved talon driving into the snow before coming back up and driving back down. It forced its way forward digging as it went. From his vantage point it looked like one thick curve with a point scooping the snow down. His scope finally activated, giving the creature a name as it rose back up for another scoop: Domesticated Dodo/Level 4

    ¡°I don¡¯t even know how to describe what I¡¯m seeing. They are white Dodo birds the size of ostriches. No wonder we couldn¡¯t see them, they blend in with the snow. The description says Domesticated Dodo level four,¡± said Rubio, one eye closed and the other peering through the scope.

    ¡°Were they supposed to be that big? I heard they only stood about three feet or so based on the fossil records,¡± commented CJ.

    ¡°Not these. They are much bigger than that. I¡¯ll message the team about it,¡± said Rubio, before firing off the message.

    New Message from Rubio: Enemy assessment, large white Dodo¡¯s. Bigger than reported.

    New Message from Psycho: I thought they were extinct.

    New Message from Elena: Hey, Monty¡¯s not back yet and yea they were extinct. Doesn¡¯t look like it now.

    New Message from Monty: I found something. It didn¡¯t show up until the lights changed. I¡¯m coming back but we need to check on this after the fight.The author''s content has been appropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.

    No sooner did Monty send that than an ear piercing screech reverberated off the walls of the castle. The group of monsters to the east that had separate lines heading toward the walls began to converge. They all met like the point of an arrow before bounding up atop the snow and charging the walls. Once they got within ten feet of the walls their forms all appeared to glow against the black light. They didn¡¯t appear to expect that as they began pecking at each other skidding to a stop.

    New Message from Rubio: They¡¯ll be able to jump the wall no problem with all that snow. Monty get your ass back to the tower.

    Rubio quickly checked the north side of the keep finding the rows had gathered into a single point there as well. They were coordinating this attack and the change in light spectrum had surprised them.

    ¡°I bet you they are almost invisible in deep snow. Perfect camouflage for this weather. Like big dumb two legged polar bears with beaks. Why would they even want this tablet?¡± asked CJ, his mind racing to find what was hidden beneath these events.

    ¡°Doesn¡¯t matter. I can hit them from here but once they are below the tower, let¡¯s say five yards or so, my angles will be compromised. Go downstairs and help. Remember guns first, conserve magic powers for as long as you can,¡± ordered Rubio.

    CJ didn¡¯t argue he scrambled down the suit of armor and carefully ran down the stairs. He waited for his eyes to adjust to the different lighting of the interior of the tower. He passed by a door that was not there previously. Its outline was obvious under the black light. CJ was almost surprised they missed it on their first pass through. It had a door handle, and an insignia emblazoned on it. It matched the symbol on the Examiners Star. They were currently under attack and CJ pulled his attention away from the hidden door continuing down the stairs.

    ¡°Jenn, Rubio wants us to use guns. Are you ready?¡± asked CJ as he hit the landing at speed.

    ¡°I am. I put the boxes of bullets against that wall. Are they really Dodos?¡± questioned Jenn.

    ¡°I mean from what I could tell from all the way up there and when they hit the black light line, yea. We have to kill them; you get that right? I mean you can¡¯t cuddle them or anything,¡± replied CJ, with one eyebrow raised.

    ¡°I know, I know. It¡¯s just I¡¯ve never seen one before,¡± said Jenn, a hint of sadness in her voice.

    ¡°Okay, I¡¯ll let Elena handle this. I¡¯m going to go down and help. Message if something happens,¡± said CJ, before waiving goodbye to Jenn and continuing down the stairs.

    On the ground floor Elena stood patiently by the door waiting for Monty. She had a 9mm pistol in her right hand and her left hand on the door peering out into the courtyard. CJ decided it would be best to announce himself to prevent any accidents.

    ¡°I¡¯m here. What do you see?¡± asked CJ.

    ¡°Shhh,¡± replied Elena.

    Deacon crept around her. This ground floor was maybe twenty by twenty feet. Enough to protect a sizeable detachment of Knights. He leaned his head out and noticed eight shapes in the northern section of the courtyard. They stood a good five feet tall. Their beaks were thick protrusions of bone with a razor sharp point at the apex of the downward curve. Their necks were heavily muscled, most likely from swinging around those massive beaks. The feathers across their bodies were fluffy and eggshell white. Every other minute or so they would lift that dangerous scoop into the air and bury it in the snow below them. CJ didn¡¯t know what they were looking for until a familiar head popped out of the snow behind the eight creatures.

    Monty had been digging tunnels through the snow the whole time since leaving the keep proper. He was now harassing the monsters that had made it to the courtyard before he got back to the tower. Every plunge of a beak was met with nothing but snow and a collapsing tunnel. All eight creatures were completely preoccupied with finding this annoying rabbit. Monty knew he couldn¡¯t help when it came to gun play. His idea was to keep there attention away from the tower door and provide plenty of targets.

    New Message from Monty: You can start shooting at any time now.

    Bang! Barked Rubio¡¯s rifle dropping one of the birds to the snow. Its thick pearlescent talons scrabbled at the snow before stilling as it succumbed to its head wound. Blood sprayed and changed the color of the snow to red. The rest of the birds started to panic and run in all directions. As they came into range of the tower door, Elena and CJ opened fire. CJ tried to remember what Rubio taught them, controlling his breath and squeezing the trigger instead of pulling it. The revolver bucked in hands, but he managed to hit a bird center mass. It squawked and flailed around before dying. Elena¡¯s shot was more accurate. She managed to punch a hole through one of their necks. That one flopped to the ground dead.

    This was the gory scene for the next minute or so as the panicked birds attacked each other and one managed to jump back over the wall racing off into the distance. Rubio was more methodical. The eight that were coming from the east were only four by the time they crested the wall.

    This was not a well-organized assault, and CJ¡¯s gears were turning. If they didn¡¯t have firearms, they¡¯d have to engage each one of them in close combat or at least their bizarre version of close combat. It most likely would have been tougher. As the last dodo bled out into the snow, CJ marveled at how little ammo they spent in the process. He hoped that each wave would be just more of the same, but something was still nagging at him in the back of his mind. The description called them domesticated.

 Chapter Forty Four: When did they become my people?

    All the torches and lanterns flickered back to normal orange and red color. The keep was no longer bathed in black light, and they all could now get a good look at the corpses sinking into the snow. The birds had patches of grey from wing to tail on their underbelly¡¯s. The talons were almost a foot long each. That would have been terrible for anyone to get raked with. Monty began jumping up and down on each corpse as their still warm bodies melted the snow around them. It wouldn¡¯t be long before the frigid temperatures iced over the remains.

    ¡°That was easier than I thought it would be,¡± commented Elena as she reloaded her weapon before continuing, ¡°Let¡¯s hope its just more of those dumb birds. We were able to bottle neck them pretty easily.¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t think it¡¯ll be that easy. My concern stems from the name of the creatures. Rubio said they were called Domesticated Dodos. That means someone or something did the domestication. Let¡¯s be real, for what would Dodo¡¯s need a tablet?¡± asked CJ.

    New Message from Psycho: Can I come down there? I¡¯m cold.

    New Message from Rubio: I¡¯m on my way down so you might as well join me.

    Shortly thereafter they all gathered on the bottom floor. Monty stood in the center of the group. He stood on his hind legs before holding up both front paws. Between his paws a blazing red fire sprouted heating the ground floor of the tower. The heat reached a comfortable temperature, and Monty held the flame above one paw while everyone talked.

    CJ was amazed considering the freezing temperatures outside, that Monty was able to beat back any of the cold in this dungeon. If he had to guess it was almost forty five degrees in here. He¡¯d take it. With all the holes in his tux, he¡¯s surprised he wasn¡¯t frozen already.

    ¡°What did we learn?¡± asked Rubio during the disassembly of his rifle, he began clearing the chamber before speaking some more, ¡°I¡¯ll start. They dug up some trenches through the snow giving any more waves a clearer path to get to us. Without a new snow fall, they might as well be roads right to us. We should use this time wisely. Service your weapons, reload, discuss amongst yourselves what we know about the enemy.¡±

    ¡°I think I can help with that.¡± Monty said pulling his eyes away from the flame, ¡°During the black light attack, I found a mural in the main keep. It was revealed on one of the walls. You really have to see it.¡±

    ¡°I also found a door that could only be detected under that same light. It¡¯s halfway up between the wall landing and the top of the tower. I meant to go back there but we just got so busy,¡± added CJ.

    ¡°The lights gone. You don¡¯t want to return to the door while we are in the middle of the fight, do you?¡± asked Jenn.

    ¡°Of course not. But Monty is demonstrating a handy spell we just learned. I think we can use that to access the door without the lanterns going all hot topic.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m assuming the torch lights are going to tell us when waves are about to start. Regular fire for rest, white fire for get ready, and black light for the start. Same for everyone else right?¡± asked Elena, getting nods of approval from everyone but her father.

    ¡°What if the torches just go out? Or a different color you haven¡¯t seen? Remember this is a dungeon.¡± Injected Rubio.

    ¡°Rubio has a point. I think we should check out both things, we don¡¯t know how long we have. Since Monty and I can both use the spell, we can split up into two teams.¡±Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.

    ¡°How do we get across the foot deep snows?¡± asked Jenn.

    ¡°I¡¯ve got you covered. I sunk the bodies into the snow as best I could. That should give us some solid ground to move across from here to the keep. It¡¯s not ideal but neither is trudging the forty yards through all that snow. At least you¡¯ll have something solid to walk on,¡± added Monty.

    ¡°Here are the teams. Since I know, Rubio is going to go back up to his sniper¡¯s nest, I¡¯ll take him. The rest of you head over to the keep and look at this mural Monty is talking about. If the fire light changes, we all meet back in the tower. Rubio can get us on party chat if he sees anything. No bell this time,¡± snickered CJ but that earned him a glare from Rubio.

    The teams split up after a quick snack break provided by CJ. Jenn was complaining about slippery corpse hopscotch and Monty was muttering something about doing favors. Elena was strangely quiet since their discussion. CJ believed he would have a talk with her later. These were dark times, and he wanted to keep his people¡¯s morale up.

    ¡°My people. When did they become my people?¡±

    CJ asked himself that question as he took step after step following Rubio. Before he knew it, he¡¯d reached the landing with the wall door and all the backup ammo. Rubio needed a breather to let his stamina bar refill. It seemed silly to set this as the fallback position after seeing the first wave enemies. CJ had no idea whether or not they¡¯d even think to climb the stairs. The gears of his mind clinked with every turn. What were these bolster dungeons? He was told they cleanse corrupted mana, but he didn¡¯t know how. Just that he needed to clear them. The Monkey King and Monty never mentioned anything about quest pillars before they found the one in Leaf¡¯s Bend. CJ felt like he was missing some crucial piece of the puzzle.

    ¡°I¡¯m going to keep going. Catch up when you can, okay.¡±

    CJ left Rubio behind and picked up the pace a little. His curiosity was getting the better of him and he knew it. Lifting his right palm, he triggered the five mana necessary to cast Polychrome Flames. The mana was drawn from his chest in a rush. It flooded unseen channels through his right arm before red and orange flames bloomed in his palm. The heat from the fire was pleasant as he continued up the stairwell. Once he reached the location, he assumed was the same spot, he concentrated on the flames. The colors began to cycle from red, to orange, to blue, to white, green quickly appeared and vanished before purple arrived. Finally, the black flames coated his hand as a door was drawn on the wall to his left.

    It started slowly at first. A line of blue-white light revealed itself about six feet up from the floor. It traced its way along the grey stone wall before curving at either end. Then it shot down to the ground from both sides. At the very center of the curved top of the door a new line appeared and began winding down to the center of the door. The pentagram symbol that matched the Examiners Star etched its way into the stone.

    CJ stepped forward and pushed on the door. At first, he thought it wouldn¡¯t give way before trickles of silt cascaded from the seams of the entrance. It then began to slide smoothly open with less and less effort on CJ¡¯s part. The room within this hidden door was a complete surprise. It was no bigger than a broom closet. At the center of the room was a pedestal much like the one in the tower above. Only laid atop angled flat surface was a book. It was blue with the exterior of the pages a shining gold. There was something written on it in a language CJ didn¡¯t understand. Whatever the slate did for him with Spanish either wasn¡¯t working or didn¡¯t affect written languages. The walls of the room were almost bare. The only exception was some garment hanging on a peg in the corner.

    There was a small desk with no drawers. That wasn¡¯t exactly correct. The holes the drawers went into were there, but the shelving itself was missing. CJ could see clear to the back wall behind the piece of furniture. On the opposite side was a painting of a beautiful meadow. The sun was shining in the painting over lush grass and tall fern trees. A little brown haired girl was frolicking in an all-white dress through the grass. From the tree line, CJ could see a pair of menacing red eyes staring at her.

    The red eyes were a little unnerving, so CJ pulled his attention away from the painting and back to the book. There was a silken strip of yellow fabric threaded through the book, lolling out of the bottom. The pedestal had dust covering most of its surface except for the immediate area around the book itself. CJ stepped closer to the book before coming up short. He stood up straight and spoke aloud.

    ¡°Klatu, Verada, Nikto.¡±

 Chapter Forty Five: Magician. Two shows nightly.

    CJ giggled at his own antics. It¡¯d been weeks since he¡¯d seen a movie or even experienced the slightest bit of joy. He was surprised at how well he¡¯d been holding himself together with all the constant danger and revelations about the apocalypse swirling around him. Then he remembered what he was supposed to be doing out here. He needed to clear five bolster dungeons before the next full moon. Checking the current phase of the moon had to creep further up his priority list. Knowing how much more time he¡¯d have would be imperative. His ability to jailbreak peoples slates, needs more attention. Is that all he could do with it? In the last few minutes, he¡¯d just increased the number of questions he needed to ask Sun Wukong.

    The combat training he was promised at the end of this quest was becoming less and less necessary. He had a crew of people he could rely on, and Monty was taking on more of the physical work. Wasn¡¯t CJ more of a caster anyway? Shouldn¡¯t he be strategizing from the back row? CJ took a quick look at his mana points and noticed he had twenty out of two hundred and twenty points. Back line probably wasn¡¯t going to be his role. The Kinetic Energy Converter would see to that. Perhaps he should develop a hybrid magic tank role.

    ¡°Are you just going to stand there staring off into nothing?¡± asked a strange voice from within the room.

    ¡°What the fuck?!¡± exclaimed CJ as he spun around pulling his mana filament wire, ¡°Who¡¯s in here with me?¡±

    CJ¡¯s asshole clenched shut once he realized the door had shut behind him. It made absolutely no sound at all. He couldn¡¯t even see the seams. His Polychrome flames had gone out due to his lack of concentration. Then a yellow light, not unlike sunlight began emanating from the book on the pedestal.

    ¡°Skittish one. Look I¡¯ve been laying on this thing for a long time and I¡¯d prefer it if we could get out of here before the demon in the painting realizes what¡¯s up.¡±

    The voice was coming from the book itself. CJ¡¯s mouth was slack jawed as he just stood there staring at it.

    ¡°You¡¯re a talking book. Wait, demon?¡± asked CJ before turning toward the painting again.

    The perspective in the painting had changed. At the very bottom of the canvas the grassy field gave way to shrubbery and fallen branches. The bulk of the image was just the tree line now and the red eyes were staring daggers at CJ from far too close.

    ¡°Let me help. Pick me up, grab the Examiners robe, and get us both the hell out of here with that flame spell of yours. Sound like a plan. Good.¡±

    ¡°Right, out is what I want,¡± he said grabbing the book and stuffing the robe into his inventory before casting the Polychrome Flame spell again. He felt the five mana leave his chest and flames bloomed around his hand again. Concentrating he switched between the spectrums of light until the seams in the door started to appear. As the magic worked and the door drew itself in the stone, CJ peeked back at the painting. It now showed large razor sharp claws bursting from the trees grasping for the edges of the frame. Adrenaline raced through CJ noting that the entire forest in the painting was now on fire.

    With the book tucked under his left arm, CJ wrenched the door open with his right. He could fee the heat from the burning forest begin to fill the chamber. Smoke billowed from the painting into the room. As soon as he stepped back into the tower stairwell all those sensations stopped. The door swung shut and CJ¡¯s vision was bombarded with slate notifications.

    Hidden Dungeon Quest Complete: The story of High Examiner Liber- Find the magic book containing the story of High Examiner Liber. Do not release the trapped demon. Rewards; Living Story book and High Examiners Robes. Support creative writers by reading their stories on Royal Road, not stolen versions.

    New Item: Living Story Book, Legendary- This book lived the story contained within. Any stories it tells will be projected in a ten-by-ten yard area around it. It can learn new stories if its fed books and mana. Cost is determined by the size of the book fed.

    New Item: High Examiners Robe, Rare- This garment can absorb and take the form of any other clothing, at that clothing¡¯s expense. Once absorbed, the High Examiners Robe will take on both the properties and its appearance. The person wearing these robes experiences double their mana regeneration.

    CJ gasped at how much colder it was out in the stairwell. His Polychrome spell was still going but the heat coming from it wasn¡¯t enough for the whole stairwell. He looked down at the book gauging whether or not it would fit up his sleeve. It was as thick as a websters dictionary. That was not going to fit. He¡¯d have to carry it for now.

    ¡°Should I just call you book, or do you have a name?¡±

    ¡°My name is Liber. You may refer to me as such, what pray tell is your nom de plume?¡±

    ¡°Pen name, no I have a real name. Its CJ.¡±

    ¡°That is just two letters in what is currently known as English. But you get what you pay for I suppose.¡±

    CJ noted the snark in the books voice and absolutely understood why it was locked behind a secret door. Then he suddenly got an avalanche of messages from his party chat. They were asking where he was. Then a series of messages about the torch light changing. All of that culminated in messages about incoming enemies and bang-bang-bang.

    Gunfire echoed off the walls in the hallway. CJ was closer to Rubio then the ground floor teams. He skipped down to the last few messages in the chain.

    New Message from Monty: They are coming over the walls.

    New Message from Rubio: I¡¯ll do what I can, but CJ was right, there are thirty two of them and I can¡¯t cover every approach.

    New Message from Psycho: Hopefully, CJ is at the fallback position; several Dodo¡¯s made it into the tower first floor. We couldn¡¯t pick them off from the keep. Elena is running out of stamina but the bodies she has pilled up are preventing a bum¡¯s rush on us.

    New Message from Party Leader CJ: Fuck, I¡¯m here. I¡¯m on my way.

    CJ sprinted down the stairs looping his left pinky into the Mana Filament Ring¡¯s pull tab. This way he could keep moving and do damage while holding the book if he needed to.

    ¡°What exactly is your plan?¡±

    ¡°My friends are in trouble, and I missed the beginning of the second wave somehow.¡±

    ¡°I can answer that. The Examiners office exists in a separate pocket of time. The high examiner felt that gave him a more ever youthful appearance. He more often than not just missed important appointments. That¡¯s why he moved out of that office.¡±

    ¡°Thanks for the history lesson but I really need to pay attention no--¡± CJ stopped speaking as a large beak snapped out around the curve of the stairs smashing into gray-blue wall. Chips of stone shot out in CJ¡¯s direction but at this point he¡¯s learned to lean into incoming projectiles. He managed to earn a paltry five mana regen for his trouble before ducking down and stretching out his mana wire. It slid easily through the flesh of the bird who even now lunged its beak toward him. Its head was separated cleanly from its neck and tumbled down the stairs behind the bird. CJ slid on one of the steps and slammed his left shoulder into the wall. From this vantage point he could see the fall back position landing. Two Dodo¡¯s were trying to eat their ammunition.

    CJ retracted the wire back into the ring and pulled a deck of cards. He leaned Liber against the stair and wall, so he wasn¡¯t forced to one hand the action. Holding the deck in his left hand he began throwing with his right. The nine of clubs was flung down the hall connecting with the flank of one of the birds. It screeched out in pain as its companion looked around confused. The Queen of clubs cracked into the beak of the screaming. Its head was split open and it hit the ground with a thud thanks to that whopping thirty damage in one shot.

    CJ snuck a peek at his mana levels. The cards cost him a single mana each if he wanted them to do damage, just like every cut with his ring. His mana was now at seventeen points considering the shrapnel absorption from earlier. The confused bird got its shit together and charged up the stairs. Ineffective vestigial wings flapping the whole way. Two cards flung out stopping it in motion as it slid into four sections. The king and queen of diamonds sliced right through it for a combined seventy points of slicing damage. Two more mana down.

    ¡°That is an odd style of combat. I don¡¯t think in my millennium of consciousness I¡¯ve ever seen anything like it. Are you not a mage?¡±

    ¡°Magician. Two shows nightly.¡± he said with a thumb jutting at his chest.

 Chapter Forty Six: Theatrics

    CJ picked the book up off the floor. He stopped for a minute to hoover up some additional ammo into his inventory before making his way toward the ground floor. The whole time being wary that one of those birds could pop up around the next bend. To his shock, there were no more combatants in the stairwell.

    ¡°So, I¡¯m assuming the keep is under attack again. Those Lykin never seem to give up on that tablet.¡±

    ¡°Wait, I thought these birds were called Domesticated Dodos?¡±

    ¡°Not the birds, their masters.¡±

    ¡°Shit. Does Lykin mean what I think it means?¡±

    ¡°If you think it means wolf human hybrids, then you¡¯d be correct.¡±

    ¡°Liber, are you saying we are about to be attacked by wolf men?¡±

    ¡°I assumed you came prepared for the kin. Six to seven feet tall, covered in white or brown fur, razor sharp claws and teeth, is any of this striking home young man?¡±

    ¡°Extra shit.¡± CJ spat, before pulling that robe he found out of his inventory as he reached the bottom floor, ¡°I need to message my team.¡±

    CJ slipped his arms through the sleeves of the robe. It was dark grey almost brown. It had a hood that lolled open behind CJ and a sheet of leather that covered his chest. That leather piece also had buckles to tighten the robe across his ribs. When all was said and done it looked more like cloth and leather armor than a court officials robe. CJ did notice the sleeves yawned open rather wide. Almost like a Franciscan monks robes. Definitely a wide enough opening to store a particularly chatty book.

    ¡°Sorry about this but if I¡¯m going to fight Lykin, I¡¯m going to need both hands.¡±

    ¡°Oh? Are we on waves three and four already? If so, I should probably mention¡ª¡± Liber wasn¡¯t able to finish as he slipped up CJ¡¯s left sleeve.

    New Message from Party Leader CJ: Heads up, I just learned that the Wolf-man is in charge of these birds. I just hit the bottom floor of the tower.

    New Message from Monty: It¡¯s about damn time. There should be at the very least five more of the birds in the courtyard. They haven¡¯t been able to get past all the dead bodies and Elena is having a breather.

    New Message from Rubio: The flames colors changed rapidly this time. I don¡¯t suppose any of you know what that means.

    CJ peered through the open doorway out into the courtyard. There were indeed five more dodo¡¯s strolling about. Two of them were wandering aimlessly while the other three kept pecking at the dead and dismembered corpse barrier the others had erected at the entrance to the keep proper. Every now and then one of their beaks smacked into the meat wall and it shifted a little. Just enough to let CJ know that it wouldn¡¯t hold out for long.

    New Message from Party Leader CJ: I¡¯m going to confront the birds. I found an item that¡¯ll help me regenerate mana faster. Then I¡¯ll take out all the remaining birds.

    New Message from Psycho: I used some of that flesh melter solution I brewed up the other day at the beginning of the fight. Watch out for brown and red puddles.

    New Message from Party Leader CJ: Good to know.

    CJ made sure his revolver was fully loaded. This was going to be some close quarter work. That should cut back on his horrible aim. Perhaps more points in agility will help with that as well. It¡¯s time to make the donuts.A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

    He stepped out into the cold trampled snow, gray clouds overhead and flipped his new hood up. Say what you will about the fashion of this strange land, the hood was keeping his bald head nice and warm. The two wandering birds spotted his dark clothing against the snowy white backdrop. They charged CJ with reckless abandon. The first beak strike was aimed at CJ¡¯s chest. As the momentum was ripped from the bird during the mana conversion process it slipped in the snow and ice and went skidding into the nearby stone wall at speed. There was crunch sound that CJ barely noticed as his mana level jumped up by forty points. That told CJ that a single strike from these bird¡¯s beaks did twenty damage. While deep in his distracted thoughts, the second bird leapt at him with a double talon swipe. Both talons struck home and dragged sharp lines down the front of CJ. He wasn¡¯t positioned to tank the attack and went spinning across the snow and ice. He managed to get sixty mana from that attack alone. Each swipe must have been fifteen points of damage. In a straight up brawl with thirty plus of these things they¡¯d all be torn to shreds, including him.

    Finally skidding to a stop on his back, he looked up to see the bird was in pursuit. CJ was lying in the horse stall area. To his right was a wooden support and to his left was an iced over hay bail complete with pitchfork. He opted to use the wooden support to stand up. The ground around him was coated in ice. There wasn¡¯t going to be any running or dodging. It was time he leaned on something he knew much better: Theatrics.

    CJ cast Polychrome Flame on his new hood and cycled the color to blue-white. The dodo attempted to skid to a halt, but its momentum was going to carry it toward CJ anyway. Running and dodging were off the table but jumping, he could still do that. As the dungeon monster slid under his now airborne feet, CJ pointed his revolver at center mass and pulled the trigger, twice. Both bullets blasted into the bird staining the nearby ice and snow crimson. It twitched its legs a few times before going still. CJ landed on the ground and immediately slipped on the blood and viscera falling prone again. The flame on his head started to slowly melt the ice around him allowing the old stench of the long untended stables to waft into his nostrils. His motivation to stand up doubled in a heartbeat.

    No longer hearing the other birds probing the corpses of their fallen brethren, CJ decided to cancel the flaming hood and use Now you Don¡¯t. The familiar feeling of the psychic shroud that covered him was comfort as he noticed all three of the remaining monsters were trotting his way. Likely drawn by the gunshots.

    New Message from Rubio: If you can get them closer to the busted front gate, I might have a shot from up here. Otherwise, I can come down and help you.

    New Message from Party Leader CJ: Front gate. Got it. I could handle this myself if it wasn¡¯t for the damn ice. On my way.

    CJ knew what he was going to have to do. He was never any good at ice skating, but they wouldn¡¯t notice him right now if was waiving sparklers and dressed like a clown. He launched himself across the courtyard as the three other monsters piled into the stables, squawking, and twitching their heads left and right trying to spot their prey hiding. CJ brought his hands to his sides and tried to Frozone himself around the courtyard. His shoes were almost useless in this terrain, and he made a mental note to do something about that once they all got out of here. He tried to slow his momentum down as he reached the area by the gate. Lucky for him there was an overturned wagon half sticking out of the snow. CJ grabbed it with his left hand and swung around the back side facing away from the stables. Now to get their attention. He turned to the gates and cast Polychrome Flames again. This time he coated the bent metal with orange and green flame. There was a sharp squawk of alarm followed by the stomping of oversized bird talons.

    CJ knew they would need a little more convincing to charge full steam at him, so he slid out into the open and stood in front of the flames. This plan was twofold. Part one was to get the birds into optimal firing position for Rubio. The second part was because it was fucking cold out here and CJ wanted the warmth of the flames.

    All three birds charged at CJ noting the strange flames behind him countering the black light glow of all the other white coloring around. The head of the pack took a bullet to the back of the head from Rubio¡¯s rifle. It slapped into the ice and slid to a stop against the overturned wagon. The next bird clenched its claws into the ice arresting its forward momentum and Rubio¡¯s next shot buried deep in the snow. That was when CJ lifted his revolver and put two bullets into it. It flopped to the ground pumping blood from what CJ could only assume was ruptured artery. The third bird made it to CJ and hauled back to deliver a pecking for the ages. CJ calmly leapt toward the bird whose eyes popped open in shock. Its prey had just offered itself willingly. The serrated beak swung down slicing from CJ¡¯s left shoulder to his right hip. That managed to spin him around the bird. CJ planted the revolver in his right hand just above where the beak meets the feathery skull between the bird¡¯s eyes at the point of the one eighty degree turn. Blam!

    ¡°Smile you son of a bitch!¡±

 Chapter Forty Seven: Ahem. If I may continue

    Two waves cleared. If you¡¯d like to exit the dungeon, please step through the waiting portal.

    A blue shimmering arch sprung into existence in the center of the courtyard. Steam rose from the ice and snow at its base as it hummed to life. The center was cool deep blue light. The outer layers became bright and brighter until the light was a pale white.

    CJ made his way over to the keep proper to help extricate his party from within. The torch lights all settled back to regular orange and red flames. As soon as CJ approached the wall of bodies, they toppled into a pile extending toward the center of the courtyard. A blood drenched Elena leapt forth to land in the snow. Her combat boots finding purchase in the semi-melted mixture of ice, snow, blood and viscera. Next Monty scuttled over the mound, ears straight up listening for any signs of monsters. Finally, Jennifer slid on her but down the corpses, pink backpack bouncing the whole way. She cradled her handgun to her chest as her feet hit the softening ground below.

    ¡°Glad to see you all made it out alright,¡± quipped CJ.

    ¡°Fuck. Now I have to climb back into the keep,¡± complained Monty before turning back toward the building.

    ¡°Are we leaving? I think we should take the W,¡± whined Jennifer.

    ¡°I¡¯ll leave that up to the rest of you. I¡¯m fine either way. A C ranking won¡¯t be so bad this time. Seems like a pretty difficult dungeon if you ask me. Let¡¯s find out what Rubio wants to do,¡± replied CJ.

    ¡°He¡¯ll want to stay and get an A rank. He doesn¡¯t show it, but it bothered him that we did so poorly in the first bolster dungeon. Can we have this conversation inside the tower? It¡¯s cold as a witch¡¯s tit out here,¡± chimed in Elena.

    They all moved into the tower and closed the door. A few minutes later Rubio came huffing and puffing down the stairs to join them. Seems the Trinchars figured out a private chat channel. CJ made a mental note to ask them how they do that later.

    ¡°We did well with the notable exceptions of CJ¡¯s disappearance and you three getting caught outside the tower. The speed with which the fire light changed colors for wave two is a bit alarming. I don¡¯t blame anyone who wants to leave now. I would say I think we can handle two more waves. As long as we do it smartly,¡± explained Rubio, his arms folded across his chest and leaning against the far wall.

    ¡°Speaking of which, what happened to you?¡± asked Jenn.

    ¡°I found that door I was telling you all about and inside was a book, the robes I¡¯m wearing now, and apparently, a demon possessed painting.¡±

    ¡°Did the demon have red eyes and live in a forest?¡± asked Monty, now standing on his hind legs.

    ¡°Yes¡­ why do you know that? What did you guys find?¡± CJ asked back.

    Monty looked at Elena and Jenn. They all nodded at each other before Monty began to speak.

    ¡°The mural or wall painting or whatever we revealed with the black light showed a scene of wolves stalking out of a forest. Only they were all walking on two legs and carrying weapons. At the front of the pack was a much larger wolf man with four arms, dark fur and red eyes. The red eyes stood out considering everything else glowed with that black light in a hotel room shine.¡±

    CJ immediately pulled out Liber who seemed to be continuing right where it left off before being stored away.

    ¡°¡ªthat the Lykin like to climb the tower. Oh hello, I don¡¯t believe we¡¯ve met. I¡¯m Liber. My friend here just liberated me from my confinement. I¡¯d love to tell you the story of my rescue by this grand hero¡ª¡± began Liber before being cut off by CJ.

    ¡°Now¡¯s not a good time for a story. We¡¯ve just completed the first two waves. Can you tell us what¡¯s coming in waves three and four?¡± asked CJ.

    ¡°Certainly, rudeness notwithstanding. If I recall correctly, and I always do, the next two waves should be based on chapters nine and ten of the High Examiners Adventures at the Northern Keep. That¡¯s when¡­ forgive me, it¡¯s been a while. Please place me on the ground.¡±

    CJ did just that at the same time his new robes began to shift around his body before he received a new notification.The narrative has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the infringement.

    Outfit absorption complete.

    New robe appearance available: Tuxedo.

    CJ¡¯s robes settled around his body in a pristine version of his tuxedo. All pockets and hidden pockets accounted for. Even the items he stashed away within the jacket were found whole. His card decks were still all right where they should be. Internally he sighed with relief. CJ¡¯s biggest fear was the robe would think they were part of the outfit.

    ¡°I guess you¡¯ll be telling us about that at some point?¡± asked Monty before the book on floor flipped open and they were all suddenly surrounded by bright lights.

    Once the light settled down, they found themselves outside of the keep. There was no snow in sight, but they were standing toe to toe with heavily muscled and furry wolf men. Some wore tight leather jerkins around their torso¡¯s while others were bare chested. They were all looking up at the walls of the keep that were now manned by soldiers in full armor. Behind them were bowmen aiming down range at the Lykin.

    Rubio lifted his rifle in the blink of an eye and aimed at the nearest wolf man standing over Elena. He set his feet and prepared to lean into the shot when CJ gently put his hand on the barrel and pushed it down every so lightly.

    ¡°It¡¯s the book. It¡¯s telling a story that we can all see. If you haven¡¯t noticed, it¡¯s still cold as a mother fucker in here. Monty, please raise the temperature a bit.¡± CJ said in a very quiet voice so not to alarm Rubio.

    ¡°Ahem. If I may continue,¡± sneered Liber.

    The scene around them played out with arrows pelting into Lykin as they rushed the walls. Those wearing armor and brandishing weapons were ordering the bare-chested soldiers to climb. Atop the walls became a battlefield where each would give as good as they got. The scene then shifted to the very same staircase they were in right now. A man whose face darkened into a raging storm cloud pounded each step dragging a regal cloak behind him while his crown slid left and right on his head. He was followed by six armored warriors in dark plate mail. Each of the soldiers¡¯ breastplates bared the mark of the Examiners symbol.

    Once they reached the wall landing the king needed to stop and catch his breath. The armored soldiers stood stoically awaiting orders. Then the wall door crashed open with a Lykin clawing at an archer. To the archer¡¯s credit he pulled his hip knife and was repeatedly plunging it into the ribs and abdomen of the beast man. They both crumpled to the ground in a heap. The king ordered the soldiers with him to hold this location. Two of them darted out of the door to secure the exterior. Two more tossed the archer and Lykin back out through the door and shut it. Having rested enough, the king began his march back up the tower. Finally, they reached a hatch in the ceiling, and he ordered one of his men to open it.

    Atop the tower stood the High Examiner. He was six foot four if he was an inch. His dark robes swirled around his body as he changed an incantation above a very familiar looking tablet.

    New Message from Party Leader CJ: Wish I had some popcorn. Oh wait, I do.

    ¡°When Salazar!? When will this all be over?¡± screamed the king loud enough he shook the stained glass windows surrounding the landing.

    ¡°Now,¡± replied the High Examiner before every window shattered outward launching shards of glass into the enemies climbing the tower as well as down into the gathered Lykin below. A bone chilling cold settled in around the keep as the clouds above gathered and started to swirl blotting out the sun. The entire fortress was soon blanketed in heavy falling snow.

    The Lykin lines broke as the massive spell churned in the sky. A funnel of grey clouds and ice shards lanced into the ground outside of the walls. In its wake stood frozen bodies of Lykin. Solidly covered head to toe in ice. It all happened in an instant, but the king¡¯s forces were also caught up in the powerful working. Soldiers fell from the walls shattering to pieces as their freshly frozen bodies met the ground below.

    ¡°Stop this! You¡¯re killing our own now!¡± hollered the king as he clutched the back of the High Examiners robes. Moving around to the front of him, the king could see the high examiners eyes were glowing an eerie red light as the tablet in front of him hummed with arcane power.

    The king pulled a blade from beneath his cloak and thrust it into the High Examiners gullet. He spit up blood and his arms broke away from the working to clutch the shaft of metal protruding from his stomach. The examiner¡¯s red eyes now turned to the king who gasped in horror. One swift backhand from the possessed High Examiner sent the king careening out the south side window out into the storm.

    The red in the High Examiner¡¯s eyes began to flicker as he came back to himself. Once he realized the devastation he wrought, the only thing to do was make sure the demon didn¡¯t get free. This spell would never end now that it had been channeled through the tablet. The only thing he could do is ensure as many survived as possible. Clutching his wound he pounded on the hatch door. It was immediately opened by one of his soldiers. He ordered them to retreat down the stairs and hold the door to the tower closed for as long as they could. Ice was starting to form inside the tower stairwell now. He believed he¡¯d have enough time to get to his office and prepare a contingency. Speaking the words that would reveal the hidden door, he pushed it open watching his life leak out on the floor, but this wasn¡¯t enough for the demon who came raging back into the forefront of the High Examiners mind. Before he lost control of himself again, he turned the picture frame of his beloved daughter over and drew a devil¡¯s trap on it. He empowered it with the last of his mana and red energy poured from his eyes into the painting. Gasping for breath with the world going dark at the edges of his vision, he crawled over to his lectern.

    ¡°Liber, tell this story. Ensure no one ever takes the tablet from this place. It will bring the storm wherever it goes.¡±

 Chapter Forty Eight: I work with what I have.

    The pages within Liber began slowing their rapid flapping as the images of the past began to dissolve back into reality. The book slapped shut and the golden strip that was Liber¡¯s bookmark and tongue lolled out from between the pages.

    ¡°So, you see, it was a tragedy all along.¡±

    ¡°Brutal,¡± commented Elena, ¡°How can we use this to our advantage?¡±

    ¡°Well, we know the original demon that caused this mess is locked away in the painting,¡± explained CJ, ¡°Lykin seem rather dangerous but not possess you and fuck up some ritual dangerous. What do you think Rubio?¡±

    ¡°Numbers. It¡¯s all about their numbers. Pretty clear that a single person trying to complete all these waves would be impossible. Someone attempting this on their own would have fallen in the first wave. Without knowing if we can actually die in here,¡± Rubio looked over at Monty who gave him a noncommittal shrug, ¡°I¡¯d call this place a death trap that we should leave right now.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯ll give us a ranking of C. Liber, how many Lykin will be in these waves?¡± asked CJ.

    ¡°Unknown. You are currently writing that story now. I only have pages that read up until the end of this sentence.¡±

    ¡°This is the most fascinating book ever,¡± added Jenn kneeling down to pick up Liber before continuing, ¡°Can I carry him?¡±

    ¡°Only if you have room in your school bag,¡± quipped Monty before dodging a kick from Jenn.

    Everyone took a minute to giggle at their antics. CJ was lost in thought. A C rank wasn¡¯t great, but he wondered if that would count as a clear for quest. It was a successful result after all. As Jenn and Monty poked fun at each other he had another thought.

    ¡°Jenn, your health boosters. The description says health points will increase by twenty point. It doesn¡¯t say we are healed by twenty points. I took mine after the fight with the flesh ball. My health points did heal up twenty points. What happens if you take it when at max health?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m not sure. I modified the original recipe a little when I cut it with cough syrup, flaming Moe¡¯s style, that¡¯s when it became a health booster instead of a health potion. I was so excited that it worked I never thought twice about it. Monty stop, we¡¯re doing something else now.¡±

    Monty huffed at her and hopped back over to stand at CJ¡¯s side. The orange flame hovering between his ears flickered a bit making the shadows dance in the hall.

    ¡°Do you have a spare booster? I¡¯m at full health right now.¡±

    ¡°Excuse me for just a moment, shouldn¡¯t you¡ª¡± Liber was cut off as Jenn put him in her bag before pulling out what looked like a capri sun pouch and handed it over to CJ who raised one eyebrow at her before taking it.

    ¡°I work with what I have.¡±

    CJ downed the contents noting his health points stayed at one hundred and ten points before the whole bar began to flash. The red bar began pulsing red faintly before a plus symbol followed twenty appeared above it.

    ¡°Weird. It didn¡¯t increase the total but added a notation that I have an additional twenty points in reserve. No slate message though.¡±

    ¡°It might be an incomplete recipe. I¡¯m new at the magic portion of chemistry.¡±

    ¡°Probably will remain there until you fully metabolize the potion. Its not permanent so it¡¯s not a permanent effect so it¡¯s not going to change your total. I¡¯m just guessing considering my Alchemy knowledge is centuries out of date,¡± added Monty.Help support creative writers by finding and reading their stories on the original site.

    ¡°The book was saying something before you stuffed him in the bag Jenn, perhaps you should find out wat it was. I can still here his muffled voice,¡± said Rubio before reloading his now fully serviced weapon.

    Jenn lifted Liber out of her bag before all the torch lights switched to blue-white again.

    ¡°I was trying to tell you the portal was about to expire.¡±

    The next few minutes were a flurry of motion. Rubio and CJ pounded up the stairs back to the top of the tower. Jenn took Liber up to the wall landing to prepare there while Monty and Elena began stacking suits of armor in front of the door.

    New Message from Party Leader CJ: Just like the first wave. This time we hold the tower and try not to get separated.

    New Message from Rubio: The cramped halls give us the advantage. We should use them. Jenn, no gas unless everyone is already past your position.

    New Message from Party Leader CJ: What gas?

    New Message from Psycho: You were missing when I used my caustic gas bomb last wave. I got like five of the birds with it.

    New Message from Rubio: And it will be more deadly in an enclosed space. Now get ready.

    CJ knew that gas option was going to be crucial. He also couldn¡¯t believe they¡¯d talked their way into two more waves. This dungeon was not playing. He and Rubio finally reached the hatch up as the first howls rang through the air.

    Out in the snow shapes were sprinting towards the walls from every direction. They used the pre-made paths from the birds to get close enough to leap at the walls. Their fur was white with brown patches occasionally. Some wore leather jerkins across their torso¡¯s while others were completely naked. CJ counted ten moving bodies from up here. Nine after Rubio got set up.

    New Message from Rubio: Jenn get ready. It looks like they plan to charge the wall door. They also looked confused about how their brothers head exploded.

    New Message from Psycho: I don¡¯t know if I want to do this alone.

    New Message from Party Leader CJ: I¡¯m on my way down Jenn. Monty and Elena, see if you can lure them toward your door with some gunfire.

    ¡°Can you leave some of that fire up here? My aim gets thrown off once my hands get too cold.¡±

    CJ nodded and placed his hand on the hatch. He pulled up on it and the handle broke off. CJ held the handle in his hand for a long second before casting Polychrome Flames on it and sliding it closer to Rubio.

    ¡°Thanks, I¡­ is that the handle to the hatch!?¡± asked a shocked Rubio.

    ¡°It just came off. Help me wedge it open or something. If we get it open it has to stay open now,¡± complained CJ as he shoved his fingers at the seam trying to find purchase. Then he swore and cast spatial compression on the hatch itself. It shrunk down and dropped into the passage below. He hopped down and tossed it back up.

    ¡°I can cancel the spell at any time. Just message me if you need it shut, fucking waste of fifty mana,¡± raged CJ as tore ass down the stairs.

    As he jogged, he heard the pounding of Lykin at the door below him. Then a high pitched shriek of terror bounced off the walls of the stairwell. CJ poured on the speed missing a step and hitting an ice patch. That caused him to tumble down the steps like a wagon wheel. He came around the corner to see Jenn backed up to the wall as a clawed arm reached through a breach in the door. It was swiping left and right but was a good three feet away from her. CJ¡¯s roll was uncontrollable, and he slammed into the left arm that was clawing at her. It arrested his momentum and earned him a cool forty points of mana regen. The arm, however, was snapped back at the elbow joint. There was a whimpering howl from the other side of the door as bone and sinew jutted from the ruined joint. Blood sprayed from compound fracture.

    CJ¡¯s vision was spinning, and he noticed he¡¯d taken twenty points of health damage from smashing his body into the stairs over and over again. Then the plus twenty notation disappeared, and his health bar filled back up. It acted like a reserve quantity. He¡¯d have to tell everyone about that later.

    Meanwhile, the Lykin outside tore their compatriot from the door leaving its arm on this side. Jenn checked on CJ before a new arm started clawing at the hole. This time it worked on widening the hole instead of clawing at the interior. Jenn slid CJ back against the wall at the same time he pointed his wobbly revolver at the door. The torch light hadn¡¯t changed to black light at all. It was still blue-white.

    ¡°We have to do something!¡± screamed Jenn.

    ¡°I feel like I just got off the damn tilt-a-whirl. Give me a second or you know, shoot the fucking thing!¡±

    ¡°I dropped my gun at the door when the first arm came through.¡±

    ¡°Use mine.¡±

    ¡°Oh right! Duh.¡±

    Jenn took CJ¡¯s revolver and fired two shots through the hole. One bullet sunk deep into the Lykin''s shoulder joint. It pulled out the arm howling only to be replaced by another. Now CJ¡¯s head was finally clearing. He choked down his urge to vomit as he pulled a deck of cards. Focus now returning to his vision, he threw two mana invested cards. A Jack of diamonds and a nine of diamonds. Twenty nine damage total stabbed into the Lykin. Blood began to stain its white fur as it was unceremoniously flung from the wall. In the brief instant the gap was uncovered, CJ noticed it had begun snowing outside.

 Chapter Forty Nine: Big Monty only lasts five minutes.

    ¡°I¡¯ve got an idea, but I need to throw this through the whole,¡± said Jenn as she held out a round bottle with a cork stopper before continuing, ¡°It¡¯ll create a confusion mist in a three yard area. I wasn¡¯t able to get the volumetric fog to stay concentrated enough in higher doses for the full effect. At least that¡¯s what the prompt said on the failures.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ve got something that might work. The cards will take too long.¡±

    CJ pulled the mana filament from his ring and approached the door. Instantly another arm swiped in, claws outstretched towards CJ¡¯s throat. If the hole in the door were a centimeter wider, the Lykin could easily rip out his larynx. CJ charged the wire with an investment of mana watching the soft glow suffuse the razor thin strip of chord. On the next swipe at him, the wire interposed itself between CJ and the arm. There was a slight reverberation in the air as the Lykin¡¯s arm plopped to the ground. A delayed howl from outside was overshadowed by something slamming into the door. Hard.

    Looking through the hole, CJ noticed there were three blood splattered wolf men standing on the wall. They just pushed the one with blood spurting from his cleanly cut stump back over the wall toward the outside. The two others were conversing in yaps and growls before they turned back to the door. They positioned their bodies equally across the walk space on top of wall and squared their shoulders. Each a few paces distant from each other.

    ¡°Throw it now!¡± cried CJ as he spun away from the door.

    The bulbous bottle was hurled through the door catching the first Lykin in the chest and bursting. Yellow fog burst around its body, and it began to cough. Arms flailing, it backhanded smacked the one running behind it. That interrupted its charge and they both fell to the ground in a heap. Then the biting and clawing began in earnest. Each one spent the next minute trying to tear the other one apart. CJ just watched, mouth agape, as the two wolf men killed each other.

    New Message from Monty: We could use a little help down here. This door is heavy but there are enough of them outside to make a difference.

    New Message from Rubio: I don¡¯t have target acquisition on anymore incoming. This might be it for this wave.

    New Message from Party Leader CJ: I¡¯m on my way down. If you don¡¯t think you can hold the door, start making your way up to the fallback position. Monty, if they get through, choke out the first two.

    With that CJ took his revolver back and began reloading the cylinder. Jenn did the same and focused her attention on the hole in the door. Ready to shoot anything that would try to make its way in.

    Halfway down to the ground floor, CJ heard a loud crash and the igniting of Elena¡¯s chainsaw. He picked up the pace, pointing the barrel of his gun at the ground like Rubio taught them. Shooting Elena in the back while trying to mount a rescue would not be a good look.

    CJ rounded a corner and witnessed a horror movie. Four Lykin had bashed the door open and now stood inside the tower hacking and wheezing while clutching at their throats. This is the first time CJ had gotten a good look at the enemy. They stood well over six feet in height, covered head to toe in fur, and the claws on each hand were razor sharp. The fur was modeled in whites and browns. Two of them had golden loops in one ear while one had longer chin hair that was braided.

    Elena in her full helmeted regalia stood on the fifth stair up reading herself to leap at the first Lykin that stopped choking. CJ just fired at them from above her. Four rapid fire shots. One went wide and ricocheted off the stone wall and into the head of the Lykin furthest back. It unfortunately gasped for air and raised its head at the wrong moment. The back of its head exploded before the body slumped to the ground. Two other shots hit the leading Lykin center mass. Each coughing gasp from Monty¡¯s spell was now accompanied by gouts of blood. It just sagged slowly to the ground drowning in its own bodily fluids. The final shot just embedded itself in the stone of the wall behind the targets. Then the spell ended and the two remaining Lykin charged the stairs.Stolen story; please report.

    CJ had one bullet left but decided to pull the mana wire instead while stepping up next to Elena. The surprise element came when the two Lykin slammed their claws into the walls at either side of the stairwell and launched themselves past the two defenders. CJ turned to his right hoping to clip the wolf with the wire, but Elena slammed her saw into the back and spine of the one on her left. She pressed it up against the wall as chunks and giblets of the monster started flying in all directions.

    CJ¡¯s speed attribute was currently at twenty, but his agility was only thirteen. He wasn¡¯t coordinated enough to catch his target as it passed by. It landed square on Monty and for a brief moment pure terror was painted across the rabbit¡¯s face. This was all happening incredibly fast. CJ was still in mid turn, partially facing the wall on his right as his right foot was lifting off the stair so he could turn fully. The only thing he could think to do was trigger Familiar Empowerment mentally. He dumped twenty mana into that ability as the Lykin¡¯s jaws were about to clamp down on Monty¡¯s head. The mana swelled Monty¡¯s form and the now four foot tall hare rose up into the air with a picture perfect inside crescent kick. Monty¡¯s now much bigger right foot connected with the Lykins jaw. Monty must have put a lot of force behind it coupled with the Lykin being in mid because the kick slammed its head off the right wall. It rebounded and fell backward right into the waiting and charged mana filament wire CJ was just now stretching out in front of himself.

    As soon as that Lykin fell to the ground in two halves, the torch light all settled back to standard orange and red flames. Rubio sent out a message for everyone to gather at the wall landing. Once there, everyone began reloading in silence.

    ¡°The next wave is going to be much worse. I suggest we just trap the ground level with some of Jenn¡¯s mixtures and handle everything from here up.¡±

    ¡°If there were more of us downstairs, I bet we could hold the door shut. Maybe with big Monty,¡± theorized Elena.

    ¡°Big Monty only lasts five minutes. It¡¯s also mana intensive. I think your dad¡¯s suggestion is a good one. My big problem is that wall move they pulled. I didn¡¯t anticipate they could easily climb the interior walls and get passed us. For them, fighting us is optional. They just need the tablet.¡±

    ¡°If that was their tactic inside the tower, they may just use it from the outside if getting in is too much trouble. I suggest we hold nothing back in the next wave. If we can get through that the portal may appear again and we can take the B rank. I¡¯m fine with that,¡± stated Rubio.

    ¡°We¡¯re so close now. We have plenty of ammunition. We just need to make the shots count. I also have another idea but it¡¯s risky,¡± said CJ before all the torch lights switched directly to black light.

    Jenn came running up the stairs tossing various bottles over her shoulder. There was a glowing green cloud behind her that looked unpleasant. Shots were being fired from the top of the tower in rapid succession. Elena and CJ kept firing through the hole in the door that led out to the wall, hitting the Lykin center mass as they approached. Rubio had stopped messaging their numbers once they exceeded twenty five.

    ¡°Several Lykin are in the tower now. They are unhappy about the amount of flesh falling off their bodies. What the hell did you spray down there Jenn?¡± asked Monty his ears sticking straight up and slowly rotating away from each other.

    ¡°A little bit of everything really. Not sure what it will do but it won¡¯t do anything good.¡±

    The Lykin were keeping clear of the door now, not giving the defenders any clear shots. Up the stairs lumbered a half melted Lykin. It¡¯s muscle and sinew were exposed on the right side of its body and a pathetic mewling was coming from its slack jaw. CJ just shot it to put it out of its misery.

    ¡°Remind me never to piss you off,¡± said CJ before calling out, ¡°Reloading.¡±

    ¡°I second that,¡± added Monty.

    ¡°Me three,¡± coughed Elena.

    ¡°Aww, you guys are terrified of me. That¡¯s so sweet,¡± joked Jenn.

 Chapter Fifty: We have a problem.

    BANG!

    CJ dropped another desiccated and melting Lykin as it crawled out of the chemical spill below and up the stairs. It was visually coughing out its own innards. Inwardly, he hoped Jenn didn¡¯t memorize the substances nor the quantities she used to produce that horrible slow death.

    New Message from Rubio: They are climbing the tower. I¡¯m going to need a hand up here.

    ¡°Do we abandon this position?¡± asked Jenn.

    ¡°Monty and I will go. If things get hairy, you two start a slow retreat up toward us.¡±

    ¡°Gotcha.¡±

    With that CJ and Monty started sprinting up the stairs. Elena messaged back to her father that they were on their way. Before CJ could reach the hidden door all the torches just winked out. It was abruptly followed by a deep bone rattling howl from outside.

    New Message from Party Leader CJ: No windows in this section. Can anyone see what¡¯s happening?

    New Message from Psycho: Nothing on the wall and we haven¡¯t seen another Lykin in a while.

    New Message from Rubio: I can see it. I think it¡¯s their leader. Madre de Dios.

    Between shots fired straight down the side of the tower, Rubio witnessed the arrival of a different kind of Lykin. Outside the main gate to the courtyard stood Lykin half again as big as the others. It was covered in black and red fur, heavily muscled, and had four arms. Two normal arms and two semi-transparent red arms that arced over its shoulders from behind. It approached the bent and warped main gate sending it crashing a quarter of the way into the courtyard with one lunging kick. Clearly showing it hadn¡¯t skipped leg day. As it stepped through the now meaningless entryway, each of the red arms passed over the stone and ice. The ice melted at the slightest touch and scorch marks were left behind. Then it picked up speed as it howled again.

    There was an avalanche of dead Lykin bodies that led up to the wall section with the broken door to the tower. It ran full speed in that direction. The foot or more of snow that began accumulating with the return of snowfall barely slowed the ten foot tall creature. As it got closer, Rubio could see it wore padded leg armor and multiple chains crisscrossed its torso. Once it reached the base of the freezing corpses of its pack, it tilted its head up toward the tower. That was when Rubio got a good look at its head. It had two sets of eyes. One pair of normal lupine eyes. Just behind and a little further up the skull were two glowing red eyes. He messaged all this detail to everyone else before lining up his shot.

    CJ made it to the top of the stairs and moved to climb through the hatch but was interrupted by Monty bounding off his back and sailing through the hole. Blood poured down over CJ as he reached up to get a hand hold. The ice coupled with the gore granted him on purchase. Then a Lykin arm shot down through the whole and hauled CJ up. In a split second he took in the state of the tower. Monty had cleaved a Lykin in half with the Half a Bitch spell. The body had split down the middle and fallen to either side of Rubio as he concentrated on aiming at the boss monster. Now Monty was struggling with another in a cloud of smoke on the opposite side of the tower. The one that grabbed CJ stood above the hatch growling its frustration and pointing at the plinth in the center of the space with its other arm. A plinth that just held a large tome with a golden strip of satin lolling out from between its pages.

    CJ looked at the book then looked back at Lykin before tilting his head slightly to the side and throwing his hands up in the universal sign of, no clue, palms open. The Lykin was wearing a leather jerkin, so CJ knew it was one of the less feral version. It wasn¡¯t getting the answers it was looking for, so the wolf man made to throw CJ from the tower. Then it lost its head as CJ pulled the looped mana filament wire taught. While it was growling and gesturing, he¡¯d whipped the barely visible wire around its head and looped it once. Powered it with mana and pulled it through fur, then skin, muscle tissue, and finally the bone of its cervical column with one sharp tug. The force of the creatures own pumping blood forced the head to fly off in a spray of gore.

    Shots rang out from Rubio¡¯s rifle a millisecond later. Brass flew out of the chamber and rolled along the ground as he reloaded to shoot again. Then he stopped firing all together. He slung his rifle over his shoulder before unclipping the holster for his side arm making the quick draw handgun more easily accessible.

    ¡°We have a problem,¡± He said turning from the view down to the wall, ¡°My shots registered no effect, and that creature has a name. It¡¯s called Red Fang.¡±

    ¡°A little help¡± came Monty¡¯s voice frantically.

    Two more Lykin had climbed the tower only to enter Monty¡¯s smoke cloud. He¡¯d managed to drop kick the original one back out into the blizzard but was now diving and dodging blind swipes from two more.

    ¡°Drop the smoke,¡± Rubio said calmly.

    As the smoke dissipated, Rubio pulled his side arm putting two shots into the chest of the first Lykin and blowing the head clean off the second. Monty just looked pleased as he kicked the headless body back out of the tower.

    ¡°Now I¡¯m not so sure if your plan worked the way you wanted it too. They definitely weren¡¯t interested in me even when I promised them a good story,¡± said Liber in an attempt to break the silence.

    Earlier in the wave CJ had swapped out the tablet with sapient book just in case they pulled the old climbing the tower bit from the story. He wouldn¡¯t have been able to do it at all if it weren¡¯t for the extra wide sleeves of the Examiners Robe. The end of those cuffs yawned a good foot and half.

    ¡°You need to see this thing. Monty and I will keep watch for more climbers,¡± said Rubio.

    CJ looked over the edge of the tower from one of the old window¡¯s archways. There was nothing there.

    New Message from Elena: It just smashed its way through the wall. Bullets do nothing to it.

    New Message from Psycho: I¡¯m going to try¡ª

    Jenn¡¯s message cut off abruptly and sounds of screaming could be heard coming from deep below the hatch. Then the only thing they could hear up in the tower was the blowing winds of the storm outside. Rubio sprinted to the hatch screaming.The tale has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

    ¡°Elena! Ni?a! Papi is coming!¡±

    ¡°No wait! It would be better to fight it out here rather than in the confines of the and he¡¯s gone.¡±

    CJ checked on his party through the slate interface. Psycho¡¯s details were greyed out. Elena¡¯s were too. Rubio¡¯s were fine although his stamina bar was flashing. Monty began pacing back and forth before deciding to jump down the hatch. It was like a starter pistol went off in CJ¡¯s mind at that point. He hadn¡¯t released the demon from the painting according to the hidden quest notification. This thing was just a supped up monster. They¡¯d been killing monsters all day. He began to jog toward the exit before baseball sliding into the hatch and down.

    ¡°Hello. If I hadn¡¯t said it earlier, I can¡¯t move of my own accord. Anyone? Well at least this room has a view.¡±

    New Message from Party Leader CJ: Slow down, you¡¯ll need your stamina to fight.

    CJ didn¡¯t believe for a second that Rubio would bother to read the message. This time he was being careful on his mad rush down. He avoided the frozen step he¡¯d fallen on before. Turning the bend, he saw Rubio pulling his sidearm, firing, and placing it back in the holster. He was attempting to use the quick draw enchantment to fight the wolf, and it was working. While it wasn¡¯t penetrating its hide, it did stagger the beast preventing it from moving forward. CJ immediately began casting half-a-bitch only to see the red arms tear the blades of unaspected mana apart in midair. The fifty mana barely fled CJ¡¯s body before the spell became useless. Monty was nowhere to be found.

    ¡°Do something!¡± yelled Rubio.

    CJ fell back into his old patterns. A deck of cards popped into his hands and he began investing them with mana. He shuffled then cut the deck putting more than half it back in his pocket. All the while Rubio continued backing up the stairs. Then CJ crushed his Examiners Star token while focusing on Red Fang.

    Red Fang- Last of the Demon Wolf pack bloodline. His strength exceeds all others making him pack alpha by default. At a young age Red Fang¡¯s demon blood was very apparent. The red arms that signified his connection to his ancestry claimed the lives of all challengers adding to his bulk and cunning. Most enemies see his size and assume the threat is physical, unfortunately for them it¡¯s his intellect that wins him the day. His demon arms are often the downfall of those that come in contact with them. They burn on a spiritual level using Tier 3 Infernal power. That link allows Red Fang¡¯s flesh to ignore mundane weaponry. 200/200 HP, 100/100 Mana, 200/200 Stamina.

    That was it. The arms were using a higher tier of arcanum than his unaspected mana spell. That must be how he ripped it apart. That was when smoke billowed up around the monster, it swiped in all directions trying to clear out the smoke while Monty sprinted free of the morass.

    ¡°Run you idiots! We need a better plan than this.¡±

    A red clawed arm slammed down in the spot Monty had just occupied. The claws dug ragged furrows in the stone steps before pulling half a foot of stone free and dragging it back into the obscuring smoke. Monty sped past the others, up the stairs and around the corner. Rubio gritted his teeth before he spun around taking steps two at a time.

    CJ waited for the beast to emerge from the smoke. It grasped out at the walls, finding purchase before launching itself forward. He knew there was no out running this monstrosity. Card after card flew from his hand in rapid succession. The monster was so big CJ could take sprinkler system approach to how he was dealing the cards. Diamond suits one through ten, all invested with mana struck true doing a total of fifty five points of damage. That dropped its health down to 145. All that damage added up on a creature that large. Five points of damage done from a card most creatures could shrug off. The cumulative effect of multiple cards enraged the monster. Glowing red blood seeped from the wounds where the cards sliced into its flesh. It tried to wipe the cards off its chest with the swipe of one of its normal arms only to have the mana infused cards give it more superficial cuts.

    That gave CJ a new idea. He turned and burned hoping to draw the boss monster further up the tower. Unfortunately, it had other plans. It reached out grabbing CJ¡¯s right foot with a red arm. The already beat to shit shoe practically burst into flames and disintegrated around CJ¡¯s foot. He screamed as his thread bare sock began melting into his cooking flesh. The health bar in his slate vision began dropping as the monster lifted him in the air with his burning foot. Then two more hands grabbed him around the waist, digging its claws into his abdomen. His health was now at sixty of one ten. If CJ didn¡¯t do something fast, he was goner. Then he was spun right side up and pressed into the nearby wall. Right where the hidden door was. The dungeon boss couldn¡¯t know that could he? That¡¯s when the next surprise came. It spoke.

    ¡°Open it, or I tear you limb from limb,¡± it growled just behind CJ¡¯s head.

    It knew. CJ didn¡¯t know how, but it knew about the door. There was no torch light in here. The door was only revealed by black light. The room itself existed in a different space time. Could he not just smash through the wall like it did downstairs? It must have noticed CJ¡¯s hesitation because it pushed his face into the wall harder for emphasis.

    ¡°Okay, okay. I need to be able to cast the flame spell to get the door open. I can¡¯t concentrate while your claws are digging out my guts. Put me down.¡±

    ¡°No sudden moves. If I don¡¯t see a door in the next few seconds, I¡¯ll paint the wall with your blood and go hunting rabbits.¡±

    New Message from Monty: I¡¯m coming back. Your hp is almost gone.

    New Message from Party Leader CJ: he¡¯s trying to get me to open the hidden door. I have a plan but I¡¯m going need you to be really sneaky. I just need him distracted for one moment. Get down here and get ready to make some black light.

    CJ was unceremoniously dropped on his ass. He sucked in a full breath for the first time in minutes. CJ didn¡¯t even realize how much pressure his torso was under. Once again making a mental note that grab attacks ignore his kinetic barrier. All four of the things¡¯ arms were hovering around him, poised to strike for the smallest infraction. Lifting his right hand slowly, he began concentrating on the Polychrome Flame spell. Knowing full well that the door takes a few minutes to draw itself into existence once the black light permeates the area, he only had one chance to use his now full loaded joker card.

    New Message from Monty: I¡¯m here.

    New Message from Party Leader CJ: Cast the black light on my right hand.

    New Message from Monty: Got it.

    ¡°I smell dinner nearby. Are you planning some form of trickery? I¡¯ll end your life before you do anything but make light.¡±

    Fire sprung to life along CJ¡¯s outstretched right hand. Even as his regeneration began fixing the wounds in his torso. First it started as regular orange-red flame. Then it moved to white-blue. Finally, it landed on the purple of black light. The magic door began its etching process. White lines creating the outline of the door ever so slowly.

    ¡°Yes. I¡¯m coming father.¡±

    Then Monty slammed into the back of the creature¡¯s right knee like a spinning furry cannonball. Forcing it to fall forward into the wall. It attempted to brace itself against the fall with all four arms. Instinctively, CJ rolled backward between the beast¡¯s legs, coming up to his feet and wincing at the pain of his right foot.

    New Message from Party Leader CJ: Cut the spell.

    The light went out, but the monster¡¯s face was too close to the wall. The lines that were drawing the door winked out leaving his eyes to adjust to the darkness again. That was all CJ needed. His left hand that had been palming the joker flicked out tossing the card a short distance. It flipped end over end in what felt like a never ending moment for him. All Red Fang had to do was spin around and smush CJ into the opposite wall. It would be a quick and bloody death. The face of the card slapped flat against Red Fang¡¯s back and a chuckle came from the monster as it slowly turned to face CJ and Monty who was now revealed from the spell for interacting.

    Of course, that¡¯s when the jingling of small bells rang through the mind of the great beast. It got louder and louder until Red Fang had his hands pressed against his ears. Maw snarling and drool coating his upper chest as blood began running from every orifice.

    CJ had backed up flat to the wall at this point watching the monstrous wolf man freak out. He looked down at Monty who looked back up at him confused. Then Red Fangs entire body exploded with the reverberating ringing of bells and cackling laughter.

 Chapter Fifty One: Keep your cotton tail on.

    The world around CJ dissolved like sap running down a tree. It felt twenty degrees warmer immediately. He then found himself standing in a remarkably familiar dark space. A space with one source of light pouring over a pedestal that held two objects. CJ got closer to inspect the two items on the table dimly noting the lack of one shoe. The first item was a wooden box with a glass top. Inside were three spell scrolls. One was an earthy green color, another was deep blue, and the third was bright white. Next to the scroll container sat a ring box covered in blue velvet.

    ¡°Can we get out of here already?¡±

    ¡°Keep your cotton tail on.¡±

    CJ lifted the hinged glass top of the scroll container and touched the green tinted paper scroll immediately receiving a prompt.

    New Spell: Earth Fist- Common Spell/ Earth Mana: Cost 10 mana. An earthen fist rises from the ground and attacks or grabs a target. Damage from attacks are equal to your level. Lasts until destroyed or dispelled. Would you like to learn Earth Fist? Y/N

    CJ mentally chose yes, adding this spell to the spell book tab in his slate. He then noticed several blinking slate notifications in the lower right of his vision. While he was distracted with that, the scroll container blurred and was replaced by a large tome with a long piece of golden satin that ran through the pages.

    ¡°My word. I thought I¡¯d be left on top of the tower forever. Idly immobile for eternity while my magic kept me in pristine condition. Forever. Goodness me, it seems we are reunited.¡±

    ¡°Liber? I¡­ but¡­ Where did my scrolls go!?¡±

    ¡°You took too long. We¡¯re still in the dungeon until you accept all the rewards. Now pick up the damn ring box and let¡¯s get out of here,¡± complained Monty growing more agitated by the second.

    CJ stored the ring box without opening it. Then he picked up Liber as an afterthought. Kicking himself for leaving the magic book up in the tower to begin with. He might have had both the book and the scrolls if he¡¯d just grabbed it on the way down. Now he just hoped his hunch from earlier, when he checked everyone¡¯s party status, would be right on the money.

    The world ran like peeling paint before that kaleidoscope effect hit CJ. He knew in that moment they were about to be ejected back into the real world. The sun was positioned above the eastern sky letting CJ know they¡¯d only been in the dungeon for the better part of the morning. It felt like much longer with all the fighting. He looked to his left and his right to find all of his party members accounted for. Elena looked a little worse for wear, but Jenn was already feeding her a red liquid from a discarded water bottle. CJ looked at his party interface to see all statuses were the proper color now.

    ¡°Holy shit! We can¡¯t die in the bolster dungeons!¡± exclaimed CJ pumping his fist.

    ¡°It sure as hell felt like death,¡± coughed Elena, ¡°Did you know Monty? You little bastard.¡±

    ¡°Of course I did, but if I told you that you¡¯d take dumber and dumber risks. This way you learn what the dungeon is trying to teach you. The pain helps you remember.¡±

    ¡°You let me feel like I lost my ni?a! You could have told me. Cabron!¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m not the one who shot down the hole and charged a demon wolf dungeon boss. Exactly when could I have told you?¡±

    ¡°Not the point and you know it.¡±This book is hosted on another platform. Read the official version and support the author''s work.

    ¡°Listen, you¡¯re mad at me right now but what rank did you get in the dungeon?¡±

    ¡°A.¡±

    ¡°Right, the three of us got an A and I bet the two ladies got a B rank.¡±

    ¡°I did get a B rank. I got this cool rare sprayer. It¡¯ll refill whatever substance I put into the canister for fifty mana. Let¡¯s say I want to load up that flesh melter solution. I can have an always ready supply and when I run out, boom it fills up with the expenditure of a little mana. Not too shabby. I also got this necklace. It¡¯s okay, I guess. Keeps my hands sterile, but its always functioning. I don¡¯t have to pay a mana cost or anything,¡± explained Jenn as she propped Elena¡¯s head up on her lap.

    ¡°I got an overcharge chain for my saw. Once installed it should increase the rpms of the saw blade. Effectively making it cut faster. Oh, and a foraging skill book. I already used it. I know how to forage now. Picked up two skills today. Not bad,¡± added Elena as color started to return to her complexion.

    ¡°Two skills? What was the other one?¡± asked CJ.

    ¡°Haven¡¯t you checked your slate messages yet? I assumed we got it.¡±

    CJ stopped what he was doing and put Liber on the ground. Then he sat down next him. He then proceeded to take out his Mobius Twinkie and made himself comfortable. Monty continued to argue with Rubio over the ethics of not telling people they were in danger or not. CJ put it out of his mind. That conversation could be handled later. Now it was time for some new prompts.

    New Title earned: Dungeon Diver- While this title is active, you¡¯ll have a twenty percent greater chance of spotting hidden details in dungeons.

    New Skill Learned: Firearms-You are now proficient with pistols and rifles. Maintenance and reloads will fail less often. Level this skill further to add more variations.

    Skill level Up: Firearms is now level 2.

    Skill Level Up: Trick Cards is now level 3.

    You have reached level 7; you have one undistributed attribute point.

    Quest Update: Bolster Dungeons- Clear five bolster dungeons before the next full moon while educating the masses about them. 2 of 5 cleared.

    CJ was pleased with his results although he thought it would be a good idea to get moving. There was another bolster dungeon in this area. If he could clear that quickly, they could grab Roger and head back to Leaf¡¯s Bend. Secretly CJ hoped it wouldn¡¯t be another survive challenge. He did not like wave based tower defense.

    ¡°Hey, we should probably get going. We have another dungeon and a trip back to Leaf¡¯s Bend. Wait a tick. Rubio, did you get anything?¡± asked CJ as he knelt down to pick Liber back up.

    ¡°A special clip for the rifle. Any bullet fired from the clip will count as enchanted but do half damage than normal. It should help with monsters that resist regular weapons like Red Fang or the Flesh Ball. The other thing was a stone that multiplies itself until it fills a space. Not sure how useful that will be. Here you take it.¡±

    CJ caught it in his free hand after storing away the twinkie. It looked like a simple gray blue rock. Very reminiscent of the stones the keep was made from. It was slightly polished on one side with a rougher opposite side.

    New Item: Volumetric Stone- Single Use Item. Once activated, this stone will replicate until it fills up any space it finds itself in.

    CJ found this item remarkably interesting. He stored it in his inventory for later inspection. Intending to use this stone as the test bed for his new class ability Reverse Enchanting. If he could make a spell out of that enchantment, even a lesser version of it, it would be pretty frustrating for his enemies.

    ¡°About the next dungeon. You kids go without me. I think I¡¯ll go check on Roger. Maybe take a break,¡± said Rubio as he turned to start making his way back to the retirement home.

    ¡°Wait, Rubio¡ª¡± CJ was cut off by Elena who shook her head.

    ¡°Let him blow off some steam. I¡¯m surprised you weren¡¯t more worried about us. Not a very confidence boosting look for a leader,¡± said Elena.

    ¡°I was worried until I realized you didn¡¯t drop out of the party interface. Your details were just greyed out. I assume when you are dropped from the party you¡¯d leave the interface. Otherwise, people who died while in a party would always have grey bars and a name in everyone else slate view. I took that to mean you weren¡¯t dead, just unreachable. Does that make sense?¡±

    ¡°Well try it now. Drop one of us from the party and see what happens.¡±

    CJ did so. He dropped Elena from the party. Her name and details disappeared from the interface. The four gathered compatriots looked at each other nodding sagely.

    ¡°What happened?¡± asked Elena but the others just kept nodding at each other.

    Every time she talked CJ, Monty, and Jenn just kept nodding. Until Elena got fed up and stormed away leaving CJ and Monty giggling while Jenn chased after her to calm her down.

 Chapter Fifty Two: We got our asses kicked by a rabbit and a stage magician.

    Several hours north on foot from the retirement home, two people limp past a roving war band of goblins. They stuck to the shadows and kept as quiet as possible even though the woman still felt the pain of her dislocated shoulder. Their goal was in sight. The Newark Public Library was now the seat of power for Mason¡¯s Humanities Saviors. Susan and Phil cleared the check point that had been set up two blocks from sprawling skyscrapers of downtown Newark.

    ¡°No luck on your scavenging run? Pathetic,¡± spat a guard dressed in army fatigues.

    ¡°I see Al isn¡¯t with you. You two love birds lose him or something?¡± asked another.

    ¡°We need to see Mason. Send a runner, Susan is hurt,¡± said Phil shrugging off the guard¡¯s indignation.

    ¡°Jimmy! Run and get the doc. As for Mason, you¡¯ll have to go to the library if you want to see him. He¡¯s been preaching all morning. We lost some people in a skirmish with a group claiming to be the federal government. They¡¯re hold up at the airport. Won¡¯t let anyone in.¡±

    A young man barely in his teens ran off through the streets.

    ¡°We just came from that way. Didn¡¯t see anyone but we traveled past it, not through it.¡±

    ¡°Lucky you, they shoot the first person to approach before warning off anyone else. Really harsh shit. Mason¡¯s sure he can talk them down and have them join us but I¡¯m on the fence.¡±

    Shortly thereafter Jimmy returned with an older man in a white coat. He took Susan off to the side before asking her some questions. Then he waived his hands over her shoulder before a white and gold light sunk into her arm. She rolled her shoulder and gave the healer a thumbs up. Nodding to her from inside the blockade the two continued toward the library.

    It seemed Mason had expanded ever further since they left. Clearing and claiming more of the surrounding buildings in an attempt to return folks back to normalcy. Phil knew normal wasn¡¯t coming back but he wanted live, so he¡¯ll join up until this new gang falls apart too.

    ¡°What are you going to say to him?¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t know Sue; we got our asses kicked by a rabbit and a stage magician who¡¯s only back up was some reject from the Texas Chainsaw Massacre. That¡¯ll go over really well. I¡¯ll think of something.¡±

    ¡°I say you convince him to give us some more guys and march back down there. We¡¯ll see how smug that card throwing street performer is when he¡¯s drowning in bullets.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s just it. I shot him. I know I did. It was like it didn¡¯t phase him. Never seen anything like it.¡±

    Upon reaching the guards at the double doors to the library, they exchanged greetings and were let in. Painted mosaics and roman columns ringed the main hall. You could see clear up to the second floor. Walls were adorned with rows and rows of bookshelves. The center area that used to house front desk and check out, was now replaced with folding chairs in a horseshoe shape. At the center of the shoe was a simple stone bench someone brought in from outside. It wasn¡¯t marble but more like poured concrete.If you spot this narrative on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

    Atop the bench, leaning forward with elbows on knees and hands clasped, sat Mason. He was a man in his late forties. Olive skin with salt and pepper hair. His eyes stood out the most. The pupils were orange. His style of dress could have been taken from any of the paintings in the alcoves around. He wore white toga, black socks, and Birkenstocks. There were three piles of ash on the floor in front of him and almost every seat was filled. Men, women, and children of all ages hanging on his every word as he proselytized.

    Phil and Susan waited in the back for Mason to wrap up whatever lesson he was trying to impart. They knew better. As part of the scavengers, they¡¯ve seen what has become of this world. No honeyed words from Mason will change what¡¯s happening out there with the Mana Mutations. Finally, he wrapped up and people started to disperse. A woman wearing her hair in a bun and a pants suit strolled up to Mason with a clip board before he beckoned them over.

    ¡°This is Phil and Susan, they came in with the Crimson Knights and have been scavenging south of here,¡± she said to Mason before stepping back and to the side.

    ¡°I understand you wanted to see me. I trust you¡¯re finding you place within the saviors?¡±

    ¡°Yes, we¡¯re doing well. With the exception that we just lost one of our team.¡±

    ¡°Sit down. Tell me about it. Ranging south, correct? Was it the goblin warbands?¡±

    ¡°No sir. We were scavenging our old stomping grounds. Figuring we¡¯d be more familiar with the area. We ran into some kind of ball of flesh. Bullets did nothing to it, so we opted to run. Al didn¡¯t make it.¡±

    ¡°Tell him about the magician.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m getting to that Susan.¡±

    ¡°What magician?¡± asked Mason, finally standing up from bench.

    Phil had always been in awe of how tall Mason was. He easily towered over him, standing at least six foot five inches.

    ¡°They came out of nowhere, stole our guns and dislocated her shoulder. I got in the guy¡¯s face, and he decided to back down, but not before giving us a message for you.¡±

    ¡°Go on.¡±

    ¡°He said to tell Mason, that CJ Thompson sends his regards. I dunno, some kind of threat if you ask me. If you give me a crew a guys we can go back and¡­ make an example of him if you want,¡± stuttered Phil.

    ¡°Did you just say CJ Thompson?¡± Mason asked pointedly before placing his hands on Phil¡¯s shoulders.

    ¡°Yea, he said that was his name before¡­ backing into a cloud of smoke,¡± stammered Phil.

    ¡°I know you¡¯re lying about most of what you told me, while also sprinkling in some half-truths, and I¡¯m willing to forgive you. But the one thing you haven¡¯t lied about was his name. I want to hear everything. From the cross streets to how many cars were parked nearby. If you took a shit on your way there, I want to know how many times you had to wipe. Everything, you hear me!¡± Mason¡¯s voice was becoming agitated now.

    Gone was the composed reverend addressing his flock. Now the true face of this faction had shown up. His arms started glow a golden light and the meeting hall showed bright sunlight provided by Mason himself.

    ¡°Sir, you need to calm yourself. The light of truth is not needed. I¡¯m sure these two will tell us everything. Right?¡± said Mason¡¯s attach¨¦.

    The light in the chamber subsided as Mason drew it back into himself. Composing himself he sat back down on the bench. The woman with the clipboard handed him a bottle of water and two aspirin.

    ¡°You two can¡¯t see the wah wah wah can you?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, your voice is doing that thing again.¡±

    ¡°No phones. That¡¯s why they don¡¯t know sir.¡±

    ¡°Right. Not a fan of that slang myself. CJ Thompson is the first person in the world to create an actual safe space. Safe from the monsters we need round the clock vigilance to protect two full city blocks. Now start at the beginning and leave no detail, no matter how small, out.¡±

    An hour later Mason stood in front of his people outside of the library. Two empty military troop transports were lined up along either side of the road.

    ¡°That is why we need to find this CJ Thompson. He knows how to make our world safe again. Thanks to Phil and Susan here, we now have a lead on the fabled town of Leaf¡¯s Bend. I need volunteers willing to brave the wilds of South Jersey in search of CJ Thompson. To find him and bring him back here so we can all be safe again.¡±

 Chapter Fifty Three: Neat.

    CJ caught his breath from all the laughing and looked down at Monty. His front paws were hovering over his bunny belly as his own chuckling started to die down. CJ began rubbing his chin with his thumb and forefinger.

    ¡°I know that look. What decision is your dumb ass fretting over now?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ve got another attribute point from reaching level seven. I want to put it into Agility but I¡¯m not strong. One of those Lykin just hoisted me into the air like a doll. I get this feeling that one on one fights will not go my way. If I put some points into Strength, I might be able to break peoples grips or lift heavier things. Stuff like that.¡±

    ¡°Oh, so this a serious Slate related conversation. Let me ask you this, why did you initially want to put it into Agility?¡±

    ¡°During the fight on the stairs, one of them just hopped around me and I couldn¡¯t coordinate myself well enough to take advantage of an opportunity.¡±

    ¡°There. You just said it. You were already in a fight, Strength, or no Strength. You adapted to using that mana wire without any formal training. Combat really isn¡¯t what your class is geared toward. You just happen to have a power set that forces you to engage just to replenish your mana. No wonder Wukong dangled combat training out in front of you like a carrot. He must know something we don¡¯t. I suggest we keep going. Maybe he¡¯ll explain more once his quest is complete.¡±

    ¡°What about the attribute point?¡±

    ¡°I say go with your first instincts. Elena is creeping up on twenty points in Strength as it stands. I think brute force is covered for the time being.¡±

    CJ took Monty¡¯s words to heart. He dropped his latest attribute point into Agility. Bringing his total Agility up to fourteen. He felt slightly more balanced as he walked but other than that, no real changes. Jenn waived them toward the exit to the graveyard. It didn¡¯t take CJ very many steps to realize his shoe was still gone. Just a few taters of patent leather clung to his ankle.

    ¡°So, what does it do?¡± asked Monty while pointing to the ring box CJ had just pulled from his storage. ¡°I mean we didn¡¯t really have the time to check it back in the dungeon.¡±

    ¡°Right. Let¡¯s a¡­ pop it open and see.¡±

    CJ opened the ring box to reveal a plain looking silver band. He plucked it from the box, slipping the casing into his sleeve for later use, before reading the Slate message he¡¯d just received.

    New Item: Ring of Refurbishment- Once per day this ring can repair any item that fits into one foot cube to its original pristine form. Larger items require multiple uses.

    ¡°Neat.¡±

    ¡°What is it?¡± asked Monty, before kicking CJ in the shin, ¡°I can see the description just because you read it. You still have to tell me.¡±

    ¡°Ow, hold your horses. It fixes objects. Only works once a day though.¡±

    ¡°Once a day items are fairly good. They don¡¯t take any of your power. Too bad it¡¯s only once though. How big an object?¡±

    ¡°A one foot cube of space.¡±

    ¡°Not very big, Sure your used to that though.¡±

    ¡°If my shlong were one cubic foot, I¡¯d be shouting from the rooftops. Mostly because I¡¯d be a horribly deformed monster. Speaking of which, you feel the difference in the mana out here? It was cleaner inside the dungeon. I feel like I¡¯m walking through fog out here. Do we just get used to it after a while?¡±A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.

    ¡°It¡¯s the corrupted mana.,¡± Monty began before stopping, ¡°Hang on the other two should here this, I don¡¯t like repeating myself.¡±

    CJ and Monty caught up with Jenn and Elena. The two ladies were just casually talking on the sidewalk outside the broken gates of the cemetery. CJ thought the attitudes of his teammates were too casual, considering monsters could pop out at any time. Then he reconsidered given the events of the last couple of hours. They could probably use some down time, but another dungeon was only three blocks west of their current position. He wondered if it was too harsh asking them to challenge another one so soon.

    ¡°So, we hitting this other dungeon or what?¡± asked Elena, as she hoisted her trusty chainsaw over her shoulder.

    ¡°If you two are up for it yea. The sooner we are done here the sooner we can head back to town.¡±

    ¡°I think Roger said it was west of the retirement home,¡± said Jenn after swinging her bag in front of her chest, ¡°I hope I¡¯m remember that right. If so, we should stop back there so I can refill my bag. I used pretty much everything during that last attack.¡±

    ¡°Agreed. Everyone needs to be at full readiness. We should check our ammo supply as well. Let¡¯s jog a little if everyone¡¯s stamina is back up.¡±

    They took off down the street headed back to Roger¡¯s place. Halfway there, CJ stopped everyone and looked at a small three story apartment building. There couldn¡¯t be more than two apartments per floor, but it didn¡¯t look like anyone had picked it over yet. The door was still shut and none of the windows were blown out.

    ¡°Give me ten minutes and go without me if I don¡¯t come out right away.¡± He spoke.

    ¡°What are you doing now?¡± asked Jenn.

    ¡°I¡¯m going shopping.¡±

    In no time at all, CJ had the front door open. The walls were lined with green wallpaper with a floral pattern in the hallway. That pattern reached halfway down the wall until it met wood paneling that covered the rest of the wall to the floor. In the back was staircase leading up and a door on either side of the hall. His hunch was right. To units per floor. He moved to the first door on his left, using Hand is quicker than the eye, popped the lock and stepped in. The furniture was white and brown floral pattern and festive drapery adorned each window. The carpets were fluffy, and doilies were strewn about the coffee table.

    ¡°Nope. Old ladies house.¡±

    CJ ducked back out into the hall and popped open the second door. In here the living room was covered in fisher price toys and a playpen. This apartment belonged to a young family. It was a long shot, but CJ skulked into the back bedroom away from the sitting area. There was one closet next to the bed. He took a look at the family photo in a picture frame on the single dresser and swore. It was two women cradling a toddler. There were no photos of the kid at any older age. CJ kicked a slinky dog toy on his way out.

    ¡°What the hell?¡± asked Monty hopping up the stairs after CJ, ¡°What was wrong with that one?¡±

    ¡°Nothing wrong. They made a beautiful family, but that apartment wouldn¡¯t have what I¡¯ve been looking for.¡±

    At the top of the stairs CJ tried the next door on the right side of the hall.

    Jackpot.

    There was a single two seater sofa in the sitting area facing a fifty inch flat screen with a crack running down the center. The entertainment unit was the focal point of the room with multiple video game boxes and a stack of 4k movies. There were no pictures on the wall unless you count a framed Giants jersey. CJ did not. He made a bee line for the back bedroom before holding his nose and choking. Apparently, this tenet was a state trooper. Unfortunately, he opted for early retirement via service pistol express. His body was splayed onto the bed, but his brains dripped from the walls and ceiling.

    CJ wished he had a spell to filter air. He took off his only shoe and tried to fit it on the deceased mans foot. It slid onto it almost perfectly. CJ then thought better about taking it back.

    ¡°Consider it a retirement gift. Thank you for your service.¡±

    Gagging after he was done disrespecting the dead, CJ made it over to the closet. Monty hopped into the bedroom and spun around quickly, racing back toward the hallway. Closet doors flung wide; CJ found what he was looking for. Apparently, this trooper not only had a pair of lightly worn combat boots but was a bit of a sneaker head. He had three glass cases behind his hanging shirts all with a different pair of Air Jordan¡¯s inside. Deacon grabbed the pair he coveted most in his youth. A pair of black Airforce Ones. As he touched them, he received a Slate prompt.

    New Item: Black Air Force One¡¯s- These sneakers allow the wearer to step without making a sound. All footfalls landing on any surface while wearing these are reduced to zero decibels of sound.

    ¡°Fucking sweet... ugh¡­ I gotta get out of here.¡±

 Chapter Fifty Four: Fuck it.

    CJ kept from retching as he stumbled back into the hallway. He was till in his socked feet at this point. Making over to the stairs he took a seat to equip his new kicks. They were incredibly comfortable considering he had spent the last few months in discount dress shoes. Then he thought about the boots and the other sets of sneakers in there. How lucky could he be to find someone who¡¯s shoe size was relatively the same?

    Fuck it.

    CJ converted his clothing back into the High Examiner¡¯s robes. He pulled one long sleeve over his face and nose before jogging back into that apartment. Sweeping his right sleeve with the extended openings through the closet he stored away several sets of clothes as well as the specialty footwear. Then he sprinted out the door again.

    ¡°How can you stand it?¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s pretty bad. I¡¯m not happy about it but I now have some more options for shoes and clothes now that my old ones are gone.¡±

    ¡°No, I mean how can you stand being so dumb?¡± Began Monty as CJ started down the stairs wincing at what was about to be another classic Monty rant. ¡°Why not just rob a shoe store? No one is going to stop you. In fact, there is probably a warehouse full of shoes somewhere. But I get it, you needed that sweet smell of carrion go along with your new clothes.¡±

    Monty had a point. CJ was going to have to launder the clothes he took before letting the robes absorb them. He also had a point about just breaking into stores and shops. Ever since the bike shop, he¡¯d fallen back on the old way of thinking about other people¡¯s property. He even thought of the pharmacy as some nameless corporation and not some mom and pop store front. No one was around anymore, and he hasn¡¯t yet found the limit of his storage ability. It might be time to stop driving past every storefront and start gearing up.

    Fifteen minutes after CJ began his burglary of a small apartment building, he and Monty emerged into noon day light. The girls had ventured on without them, but it was alright considering they knew where they were going.

    New Message from Party Leader CJ: We just finished. Did everyone make it back to the retirement home?

    New Message from Psycho: We¡¯re all good. Loaded for bear and we¡¯ve got better directions than west.

    New Message from Monty: Be right there. Ask Roger if he got his washing machine prepared. Fearless leader grabbed himself some corpse rot smelling clothes.

    ¡°Traitor!¡±

    ¡°If the corpse stink fits.¡±

    They quickly caught up with the others at Roger¡¯s. Elena and Jenn met them outside the door. CJ had stopped in the pharmacy parking lot to examine their bikes. He didn¡¯t have the mana to try and store all of them. Especially considering they were about to hit another dungeon. Should he attempt to use the boss monster core to enhance his kinetic barrier? The prompt didn¡¯t say anything about boons, but something deep inside him told him it was possible. The only problem was how? Talking to Wukong was his only choice. Wasting something like that would be criminal. He mentally commanded his robes to change back to his tuxedo. Then he crossed the street to speak with the others.

    ¡°¡­three apartments before he found something. God, it wreaked in there,¡± finished Monty.

    ¡°I¡¯ll bet. Hey, Roger says he can work on the washing machine if you want but he mostly scraped it for parts.¡± Said Elena.

    ¡°We¡¯ve got intact ones back at Leaf¡¯s Bend.¡± Answered CJ while reloading his revolver. ¡°They just need to be powered. He can work on that. Where¡¯s Rubio?¡±If you spot this narrative on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

    ¡°He¡¯s going to sit this one out,¡± said Elena as she began walking toward their destination. ¡°I don¡¯t want to talk about it, let¡¯s just get going.¡±

    The group took a left at the end of the block as they headed toward the second dungeon location. CJ stepped on every loose piece of stone, crinkled paper, and errant twig to see if it would make a sound. Nothing. The sneakers worked as advertised. CJ did wonder why the description specifically called out zero decibels. That is the limit of human hearing. He wondered if animals or even monsters might still be able to hear his footfalls.

    ¡°I know what you¡¯re doing and it¡¯s freaking me out. Stop it.¡± Complained Monty.

    ¡°I had to evaluate them.¡± Replied CJ while kicking an empty aluminum can soundlessly into the distance.

    ¡°Pipe down. We¡¯re leaving the area we cleared. Who knows what kind of monsters have moved in.¡±

    CJ knew Elena was right. It was time to get serious. That¡¯s when CJ¡¯s new tracking skill kicked. A well worn path of skeletal feet could be seen breaking through a picket fence. It was attached to a two story home, with blue siding, and white shutters on its windows. The door was slightly ajar with bloody hand prints marring its surface. The trail led around the house to the left and into an open parking lot.

    It was this lot that the macabre parade cut through to avoid the textiles factory that loomed to their right. There were cracks in the pavement here and there. Small patches of weeds were growing up as mother nature reclaimed the land. Subsequently, corrupted mana also wanted piece. There were pods littered all over the most direct path into the abandoned building. The pods were green with veins of deep purple and their leaves had a yellow and pink coloration running along the edges.

    ¡°I count fifteen of those obvious plant monsters between us and the entrance,¡± explained CJ as he stopped to survey the three story building with most of its windows broken out. ¡°We can shoot at them from here or attempt to get closer. You know what I¡¯d choose.¡±

    ¡°You think I carry this chainsaw around for my health? Well technically I kill monsters with it and that¡¯s good for my health, but you know what I¡¯m saying.¡±

    ¡°We could try to get in the building by going around and climbing in a window,¡± added Jenn as she filled her knew enchanted sprayer with a mix of ingredients before standing back up. ¡°You know, avoid the fight all together. It doesn¡¯t seem like they move much.¡±

    ¡°Best plan I¡¯ve heard yet.¡± Interjected Monty.

    New Message from Party Leader CJ: Alright battle protocol. All conversations in party chat until we¡¯re sure we are safe again.

    New Message from Psycho: Okay, are we circling around?

    New Message from Elena: Yes. I can carve my way through those things, if necessary, later.

    New Message from Monty: Do you all hear that? Sounds like vehicles. They are still a ways off. Definitely more than one.

    New Message from Rubio: We¡¯ll keep you posted if anyone rolls through town. Stay focused on your mission.

    New Message from Party Leader CJ: Thanks.

    With that, they circled around to the west of the parking lot pods. As they grew closer to the large building, they could see a fire escape that led to the third floor. The ladder was down making for an easy ascent. Vines could be seen hanging from the interior walls through a first floor window. That solidified their decision to go up the ladder instead of just hopping through the first floor window.

    Once they reached the second floor landing, they peaked through one of the remaining intact glass windows. It was mostly green in color with some hexagonal metal fencing running through it. The inside showed an office with a desk and a nicely upholstered chair. There was a cracked pc monitor on the desk and piles of paperwork. Beyond the desk there was two expensive looking sofas on either side of a coffee table. It looked like people were having meetings in this room. No plants in sight.

    New Message from Party Leader CJ: I say we go in from here.

    New Message from Elena: I second that.

    CJ attempted to lift the wide window to no avail. Elena pushed him aside and levered her right hand into the metal handle. She heaved one handed using her legs to add force. Something in the interior popped off the window and shot across the room with the sound of ringing metal. As the window slid open with multiple groans of the wood, both CJ and Jenn aimed their weapons through the portal.

    Nothing came running and no roars were heard. CJ took a second to wonder just how many attribute points Elena had stuffed into Strength. She had to be pushing twenty points by now.

    New Message from Party Leader CJ: How many points did you put into Strength?

    New Message from Elena: Never ask a lady how she distributes her points.

    New Message from Psycho: Winky emoji. This thing needs emoji¡¯s.

 Chapter Fifty Five: We should probably run.

    CJ stepped past the desk aiming his revolver ahead of him. Jenn took the left side of the desk as Monty hopped up on it. His ears were rotating away from each other telling CJ he was listening for movement other than their own. Behind the black furred bunny, Elena pulled the window closed with a thud.

    Passing the seating area, CJ eyed the contents of the coffee table. There was a silver cylinder with a push top coffee decanter sitting next to a sleeve of mugs. They even had the to go tops stacked next to them. It all went into CJ¡¯s inventory. They wouldn¡¯t be using anymore considering no one had been here since the COVID outbreak in 2020. CJ remembered those times as very lean. No need for a stage show when people couldn¡¯t leave their houses. His mind snapped back to the task at hand as Jenn gently pulled the door to this office open.

    Just outside the office was a bullpen of desks. At least eight rows deep and two wide. CJ assumed this was a combination of human resources and finance by the names on the office doors that lined the east and west walls. Definitely the corporate portion of this business. They quickly made their way past the rows of cubicles toward the exit sign on the opposite wall. Once that door was open it revealed a metal staircase that led down to the shop floor. There were huge industrial machines that ran the length of the factory. Enormous rolls of fabrics were fed into the machines and anything from clothing to rugs would come out the other end. Some of these rolls had been knocked over and lay on the ground partially un-spooled.

    New Message from Party Leader CJ: I don¡¯t think that fell over on its own. Keep your eyes peeled.

    New Message from Monty: It¡¯s a little darker in here than it was in the offices. Less sun facing windows.

    Monty was right, CJ also noticed the way the shadows danced between the lanes of machinery. There was an operator station ten feet from the bottom of the stairs facing one of the hulking machines. It had tape outlines for various tools on the table and a cork board that sat perpendicular behind it. A quick glance told CJ he didn¡¯t know what those tools were for, so he decided to leave them be. The floors here were poured concrete with rubber mats equally spaced between workstations. There were power lines hung from the ceilings attached to every machine with additional lines dropping down to various sections for shop floor employees.

    New Message from Party Leader CJ: Anyone see those vines or something that looks like a Dungeon entrance?

    New Message from Elena: This is a large building; we may have to search it.

    New Message from Party Leader CJ: You two take the north section, Monty and I will go south from here and loop around back to you.

    CJ noticed nods of ascent before gesturing to the rabbit and turning south. Unsurprisingly to CJ, once he curved around another machine, he found the vines he was looking for. That meant the front entrance to this place was further down that path.

    ¡°Any idea what those plants are?¡± he asked Monty in hushed tones, ¡°Besides being obvious mana mutations.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m not familiar with them from a distance. Also, I¡¯m a rabbit not a botanist.¡±

    ¡°You can cast magic, you can talk, and you know how Slates work. You passed rabbit six fights ago.¡±

    That must have been enough noise to rouse the plant monster. Vines began to contract and stretch out questing around the machine it was lazily draped over. The tip of the vine had pink petaled flowers growing from it. The petals began to slowly flap open and closed.Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on the original website.

    ¡°Back up, might be some kind of pollen attack,¡± said CJ before lifting his Flame Spitter bracelet. ¡°Time to try this out.¡±

    He pushed ten mana into the device and watched as a dart of red flame shot from his wrist. It flew the twenty five yards between them before impacting the question vine hard enough to smack it into the metal machinery behind it. It would only do seven points of damage, so CJ didn¡¯t expect much. Color him surprised when the vine sprouted spines along its length before shaking violently. There was something secreting from the barbs that dripped steadily pattering to the floor. This specific mutation did the monster no favors as the flame darts diminishing embers ignited the fluid. Flames began to run up and down the length of the plant causing it enough damage to start flailing.

    The flailing only spread the fluid further and wider causing the machine it rested on to catch fire as well. The lubrication that had begun to dry out within the apparatus started to boil and overheat. Now smoke began billowing from both the plant and the machinery.

    ¡°We should probably run,¡± said CJ only to look back and see Monty scampering back the way they came.

    The smoke grew thinner as the old sprinkler system kicked on. CJ said a silent prayer to whoever was listening for the advent of analog pluming. Heat sensing solder melted, and the water poured out.

    New Message from Psycho: Why am I all wet now?

    New Message from Party Leader CJ: We ran into a little trouble with a vine. Good to know the sprinklers still work though.

    New Message from Elena: Quit dicking around, we found the Dungeon entrance.

    A few minutes of jogging later, Monty and CJ caught up to the rest of the party. They were standing by the loading bay doors looking at the back of an abandoned sixteen wheeler. The trailer was rolled up and an unnatural darkness obscured the view inside.

    ¡°Yea that¡¯s definitely it.¡±

    ¡°Should we go in?¡± asked Jenn as she secured her gear.

    ¡°Gimme a second. I think I see some vending machines in that break room over there.¡±

    ¡°Your snack lust is just going to slow us down.¡± Snapped Monty before swatting at CJ.

    ¡°You¡¯ll thank me when you¡¯re hungry.¡±

    ¡°Ooh, I¡¯ll come with. That¡¯ll give me a chance to mix up some more boosters. As long as the water is still running that is.¡±

    Jenn and CJ jogged across the loading dock area to a small break room. It had drink vending machine, one of those over engineered ones that had an arm that navigated toward your selection before grabbing it and depositing it in the chute for retrieval. There was also a snack machine that had a top row of full sized sandwiches. They were all moldy and spoiled of course but the prepackaged goods in the rows below were ripe for the taking.

    ¡°Fuck yea,¡± said CJ after taking a bite of a snickers bar and shifting his clothes back to the wide mouthed sleeves of his robe, ¡°This is the shit right here. Snickers bars are second only Kit Kat in my mind. You find one of these machines with Kit Kat in it, you tell me right away.¡±

    ¡°You know, there¡¯s probably a big warehouse of candy somewhere in Hershey, Pennsylvania. Sort of like your Shang ra la. I¡¯m more partial to European chocolate anyway.¡±

    ¡°To each their own. We can¡¯t all have taken summer abroad.¡±

    ¡°How did you know I did that?¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re a college educated white woman. Lucky guess.¡±

    ¡°So, I¡¯m just a stereotype to you?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m not falling for that. That¡¯s not the same color as last time. Looks more red. Did you change the formula?¡±

    ¡°Well, instead of cutting it with cough syrup, this time I¡¯m mixing in diluted liquid ibuprofen. My slate tells me it should work with a ninety-five percent success. It¡¯ll also add a muscle soothing effect for any aches and pains we might have from all the fighting.¡±

    ¡°God damn. That sounds like a useful skill.¡±

    ¡°I know.¡±

    There was little discussion after that, as Jenn focused on mixing her brews and CJ concentrated on looting. Ten minutes later they were all standing before the darkness of the shipping container.

    ¡°I guess I¡¯ll go first,¡± said CJ before stepping off the dock and into the back of the trailer.

    Bolster dungeon: Kept in Suspense- reach the other end of the bridge.

    Rank C: Cross the bridge. 1 Class point.

    Rank B: Support the entrenched defenders and cross the bridge. 1 Class point and a common item.

    Rank A: Stabilize bridge so the people can escape, support the entrenched defenders, and cross the bridge. 1 Class point, common item, Legendary Item.

    A Party has been detected. Would you like to challenge the dungeon as a group? Y/N

 Chapter Fifty Six: Cluck You

    As CJ and his team entered the dungeon, little did they know they were being watched. In the eight bay of the loading dock sat a brown furred coyote. It licked its left front paw before dragging it over its ear and snout. Its ears perked up just before turning its lupine head slightly to the left.

    Cascading down an exposed I-beam¡¯s interior was a river of spiders of all species. They flowed over iron rivets and the remnants of construction welding to pool together into one large black chitinous arachnid that hung ten feet above the coyote.

    ¡°Did they enter another dungeon so soon?¡± asked the spider but the coyote just nodded, ¡°It seems too soon. Don¡¯t these mortals need rest?¡±

    ¡°He¡¯s uniquely driven. I¡¯m not sure what motivates this one. The stars are filled with uncertainty.¡± Began the coyote as it turned fully toward its spindly companion, ¡°The rest of the humans are still cowering behind their walls as the corruption claims more and more of the land.¡±

    ¡°My continent housed some of the more aggressive species still roaming the earth. Once the mana mutations began, they made short work of the local human defenders.¡± Clacked the mandibles of the spider, ¡°How fares your tribe Coyote?¡±

    ¡°Anansi, once again you don¡¯t listen. I mentioned they were cowering already. If something is not done soon the ancient enemy will wake from its slumber and the humans will stand no chance.¡±

    ¡°But they are still alive. That is my point. If they still exist than the Harbinger may yet reach them.¡± Explained Anansi as it began to disperse into smaller batches of spiders. ¡°I will step in should he successfully clear this dungeon. Time is not on our side.¡±

    The world dissolved into a fresh kaleidoscope of colors around CJ. He felt a strange pull toward the energies that made up the pattern. Almost as if he could reach out and take hold of it. Then he popped out next to Monty, Elena, and Jenn. They were standing in the center of a toll booth lane. In front of and behind them were cars lined up bumper to bumper. Eight lanes of highway going east and west. The honking of horns permeated the soundscape. Directly ahead of them was a large suspension bridge. It was funneling the traffic between upper and lower levels. There was a plaque hanging from the toll booth that read; Bayonne bound NY 440.

    ¡°Is this the Bayonne bridge? Jersey bound? How did we get across the river?¡± asked Jenn, her blonde hair flipping left to right with every high speed twist of her neck as she tried to get her bearings.

    ¡°Can¡¯t be.¡± Said CJ as he checked the ammo in his revolver. Spinning the cylinder before flicking it shut. ¡°The Bayonne doesn¡¯t have two levels. This bridge has an upper and lower level.¡±

    ¡°Shit. My dad has gone grey in the chat. Doesn¡¯t look like we can communicate to the outside from a dungeon.¡±

    ¡°Good to know.¡±

    CJ took a second to change his title to Dungeon Diver. He assumed the bonus to finding hidden details might come in handy. He stepped around the sedan in front of him as he ventured forward.

    ¡°Alright the goal here is to reach the other side of the bridge. Let¡¯s get going. I don¡¯t know about you but one class point sounds rather good for doing the bare minimum. We should take the win.¡±If you spot this story on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

    ¡°What about the Legendary item? They don¡¯t grow on trees you know,¡± injected Monty as he hopped up on the trunk of the next car in line. ¡°If we don¡¯t get it someone else will.¡±

    ¡°Sounds like a lot of work and I¡¯d really like to get back to town. I was hoping we could just sprint it and avoid the whole stabilization aspect. Any of you a bridge engineer?¡± CJ asked.

    ¡°Hey! Get off my car!¡± clucked a chicken man hybrid driving the car Monty was standing on.

    ¡°My bad.¡± Replied Monty before hopping back down.

    New Message from Psycho: Chicken people?

    New Message from Party Leader CJ: Chicken people.

    New Message from Elena: Can we just get on with this?

    CJ and the others opted for the upper level. They passed dump trucks, moving vans, and convertibles. Some even had yellow fluffy chicks in the backseats chirping away. Luckily, it was a bright sunny day on the Bayonne bridge. At the top of the incline, they noticed the actual problem.

    There were wasps dive bombing some chicken cops. They weren¡¯t ordinary wasps of course. They would stand at least three feet tall on the ground. Child sized wasps. The chicken cops were taking pot shots at them from behind a yellow and black stripped barricade. They even had a black swat van parked across two lanes of traffic. Every now and then a new wasp would pop up from the crack between the east and west bound sections of the bridge.

    ¡°This looks like a full cluster fuck to me.¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t you mean fuster cluck?¡± chuckled Jenn before getting groans from the chicken man driver of a nearby cement mixer.

    ¡°Everyone¡¯s a critic.¡±

    ¡°Let¡¯s find out what¡¯s going on,¡± said CJ before splitting the group to either side of the lane they were currently in. ¡°Get up to the cops and make our way past them.¡±

    The team past a good fifty more vehicles before finally being addressed by one of the chicken men in uniform.

    ¡°Please step back. We¡¯re doing our best to clear the pests, you¡¯ll be on your way soon.¡±

    CJ looked past the bored officer to see that not only have they shot down a dozen or more of the wasps, but several officers were also down and being dragged back to the barricade. Between the corpses and the other side of the bridge was a gaping chasm. It was like someone plucked a section of the bridge right out. Then CJ swore audibly. He looked up to see a crane was holding up the section for both east and west bound lanes.

    Moreover, the upper bridge and lower bridge sections had been lifted out. An impossible feat if it wasn¡¯t a dungeon. There was just air in-between the two sections of bridge. The lower section, which should have been below CJ and his team, was hovering forty feet above him. There was nothing connecting the top and bottom parts. It just shouldn¡¯t be.

    ¡°That¡¯s some impossible dungeon fuckery right there.¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t you mean¡ª¡±

    ¡°No Jenn. Don¡¯t you dare say it.¡±

    New Message from Elena: So, you¡¯re telling me we have to get that section to drop back down?

    New Message from Party Leader CJ: It¡¯s worse than that. I¡¯m betting we have to work with the cops, do whatever it is their dumb asses need, to get the crane operator on the opposite side to drop the middle section or we can¡¯t get across.

    ¡°Officer, you sure there¡¯s nothing we can do to help out here?¡± asked Elena before the bridge bucked beneath their feet.

    ¡°Everyone hang on. It¡¯s an earthquake!¡± yelled a chicken man wearing a police issue hat and parka.

    The bridge swayed side to side from the suspension cables. An entire squad car fell through the gap in bridge past the lower level and into the bay below. What stood out to CJ was the other side of the bridge was swaying in the opposite direction. He heard the twanging of metal cabling as the lateral movement began to exceed tolerance levels.

    Of course, that¡¯s when the wasps decided to make another appearance. Ten of the buggers flew up through the breach and began targeting chicken cops. Monty launched himself off the barricade toward one of the wasps. To the wasp¡¯s credit, it tilted its head in surprise as the rabbit flying round house kicked it in the skull. It careened off the side of the bridge in an uncontrolled tailspin.

    New Message from Party Leader CJ: Engage.

 Chapter Fifty Seven: I can work with this.

    CJ raced forward past the chicken cop preventing his team from advancing. The cop to his credit flared its wingspan only troubling CJ more. At the end of their wings was a five feathered hand. He didn¡¯t understand how they held their weapons or put on their cloths with such a floppy appendage.

    Dodging around the wing, CJ slid low under the yellow barricade while Monty hopped right over it. To his right was the black armored swat vehicle and from this side he could see multiple stingers denting in the metal plating. Briefly a mana blue sheen spread over the vehicle before disappearing. Directly on CJ¡¯s left were a few parked cop cars with their lights strobing. Even more wasps were flying up through the hole now. CJ shot at the first two, nailing them center mass. There was an explosion of chitinous gore from each target. Then the stingers began landing all around CJ.

    Upon closer inspection the wasps fired out corkscrewing stingers from their lower thorax. Then to make matters worse, a new one grew back in a mater of seconds ready to be used again. Unfortunately for the wasps, several seconds in a battle is like a lifetime. CJ got off two more shots striking true on each moving target. Then Jenn appeared to his left side.

    She pointed her new sprayer up and arced a gout of greenish pink fluid at the oncoming swarm. The fluid gunked up their legs and wings. Forcing them to land or fall back into the two car length wide chasm. Several of them fell to the asphalt. Most of them aimed for CJ on their way down.

    ¡°Get the fuck out of my way!¡± screeched Elena before bonking the chicken cop right on the head with her free hand. It dropped to the ground before cowering at her feet. ¡°I said move.¡±

    That was all the time CJ had for the events happening behind him. The wasps were almost upon him. CJ got up to one knee before trying out his new spell. He cast Earth Fist for the first time. Loose gravel and pavement swirled together solidifying with brown earthy colors. Around CJ¡¯s right wrist sprung up a circle of brown mana. Within the circle were small sigils in a writing CJ had never seen before but understood instinctively. It linked the motion of the four foot tall hand of earth with his movements.

    The hand struck out with a fist crushing the first crawling wasp on its way to CJ. He then flexed the fingers on his right hand watching the earthen hand do the same. Two more grounded wasps were incoming as six more flew up from the lower level. They all took shots at CJ. Two of which struck home. He took a stinger to his right shoulder and another scrapped across his skull skidding off of his kinetic barrier. Falling to the ground in a heap he noticed his mana regen had reached seventy two points after the cost of the earthen hand.

    I can work with this; he thought before bringing the hand up in a defensive position. It was just in time too as the grounded wasps were upon him. The first climbed over the fist in an attempt to clap its mandibles around CJ¡¯s head. It received his last bullet to the dome for its troubles. Another came around to the right side before Elena buried her chainsaw in it.

    ¡°Get up, unless you like fighting from the ground.¡±

    There were steadily mounting dead wasp carcasses in a semi-circle all around them. Elena¡¯s timely intervention gave CJ the time to reload. Jenn continued to spray down their opponents keeping their air superiority to a minimum.You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.

    New Message from Party Leader CJ: Monty, do you think you could make it across the gap if Elena tossed you?

    New Message from Monty: Not over your dead body.

    New Message from CJ: We need that crane to lower this section of the bridge down.

    New Message from Psycho: Why don¡¯t we ask the chickens to do it?

    New Message from Party Leader CJ: Brilliant!

    CJ patted Elena on the shoulder and nodded at him. She took his position behind the earth hand as CJ mantled the barricade heading back toward the chicken cops. They were all huddled together behind riot shields trying to avoid any flying stingers. CJ rolled his eyes noting there haven¡¯t been any shot in the last few minutes.

    ¡°Hey, are you guys in radio communication with that crane operator,¡± he pointed to the machine holding up the missing pieces of the bridge. ¡°Or do you have another officer on that side of the bridge?¡±

    ¡°Yes, but orders were to keep that section aloft, so the hive didn¡¯t spread to the other side of the bridge.¡±

    ¡°What hive?¡± asked Deacon before slapping his own forehead. ¡°there¡¯s a wasp nest hanging from under this part of the bridge above the lower level isn¡¯t there?¡±

    All the cops began nodding their beaks up and down in affirmation. One then pointed over the lane divider that separated east from westbound traffic. Looking down CJ could see a massive hive that bridged across the divide. He felt like an idiot for not realizing where the wasps were coming from earlier. He looked down at it realizing his little flame dart device was not going to do the trick. He quickly scanned all the backed up vehicles. There was tow truck with a winch, several commuters, a mass transit bus, before his eyes landed on flat bed truck hauling compressed acetylene canisters.

    Too big.

    If he were to use that, it¡¯d not only kill most of the people in these cars but likely blow the bridge apart. Failing two of the dungeons¡¯ objectives. Then he turned back to the fight at the gap. There were no wasps flying up anymore and those that were crawling around on the asphalt were being handled by Elena.

    New Message from Party Leader CJ: We need to clear the nest hanging from below our feet.

    New Message from Elena: Of course there¡¯s a nest. Can we just drop it in the bay?

    That was a good question. CJ didn¡¯t know what would happen if they just detached it from the underside of the upper level. He decided to ask the chicken cops some more questions.

    ¡°Did you get the cars on the lower level out from under the nest?¡±

    ¡°We did that first thing. Swat was ready to detach the nest when we got attacked. If you four hadn¡¯t shown up, we probably would have been overwhelmed by that last wave of enemies. Who are you guys? You special forces or something?¡± clucked the one wearing an official hat.

    ¡°Yes,¡± answered CJ liking the sound of that, ¡°We¡¯re special forces sent here to finish this. If my team can get the nest detached, can your people lower that damn section of bridge?¡±

    ¡°If you can end this, we¡¯ll wrap that section of bridge in a bow and name it after you. What do you need from us?¡± asked the chicken cop in charge.

    That gleam ran across the swat vehicle again just after the cop asked him that. Then CJ smacked his forehead for a second time. His title, Dungeon Diver, had been trying to tell him there was something hidden in the armored vehicle.

    ¡°Open this door.¡±

    The armored vehicle door swung wide revealing hanging sets of body armor, black AR-15s, boxes of full clips, and what CJ was hoping for hanging from pegs against the far diamond plated steel wall. A 37mm drum grenade launcher. Gleaming black aluminum and steel construction, all-purpose war machine. CJ smiled ear to ear as he began slipping fully loaded clips into his shirt sleeves.

    New Message from Psycho: All quiet up here, what¡¯s going on?

    New Message from Party Leader CJ: I found some new toys. The kind that go boom.

    New Message from Monty: He¡¯s looking at hella guns and pulling on himself.

    New Message from Elena: I knew it.

    New Message from Party Leader CJ: What the fuck?! You knew what?

    New Message from Elena: Just like a man to punch the clown while the women do all the work.

 Chapter Fifty Eight: Like a worm on a big fuckin hook.

    CJ called his compatriots into the now revealed interior of the swat vehicle. Elena picked up the body armor and with a disappointed head shake, placed it back on the peg. Jenn on the other hand dropped her bag and shouldered her way into the sleek black form fitting chest piece. Standing in his Examiners Robe appearance, CJ continued to stuff his sleeves full of assault rifles and ammunition. The first one he picked up made him smile.

    New Item: AR-15 Assault Rifle- This rifle boasts a high rate of fire for a mundane ranged weapon. To successfully wield this requires at least level 1 in the firearms skill. Aiming and maintenance penalties will be applied to those without.

    Knowing that getting this into Rubio¡¯s hands would make a major impact to their combat ability just made CJ¡¯s shit eating grin even wider. He received another notification once he made his way to the body armor.

    New Item: Ballistic Body Armor- This armor downgrades lethal bullet wounds to only regular damage. Any non-ballistic mundane damage is reduced by half while worn.

    Reading between the lines, he understood that this body armor was great for shoot outs and good against blades or bludgeoning. There was no benefit against magics. In his opinion that was fine. He didn¡¯t really want to reduce his incoming damage anyway. That was how he refilled his mana after all. The real benefit is these items were slate active. They received notifications and description from their slates. That meant they were part of the overarching system that governed the world now. CJ hoped that meant he could remove them from the dungeon just like his robes and that tablet. The tablet¡­ CJ had almost forgotten about it. Would that work outside of its scripted event?

    ¡°Wake up!¡± said Monty jumping up to a nearby shelf to slap CJ with his front paw. ¡°You pick the worst times to zone out. What¡¯s the plan here? Are we just looting or are we actually going to try and get out of here?¡±

    ¡°Sorry.¡± Replied CJ rubbing his cheek. ¡°We dislodge the nest below us with the grenade launcher. Once that threat is over the chicken cops will radio the crane operator to lower the bridge. Traffic gets moving and we make it to the other side.¡±

    ¡°You make it sound so easy. You know the dungeon boss is going to show up at some point to stop us.¡± Scoffed Elena.

    ¡°I¡¯m counting on it.¡±

    CJ and his team kitted out with new weapons and gear, spill out onto the bridge from inside the Swat vehicle. Horns were honking incessantly in the background as the sun began to set against the New York skyline behind them. An ominous slow buzzing hum was coming from below them.

    CJ ran over to the tow trucks winch and clipped it to his belt, while Monty hopped up into his arms.

    ¡°Now just lower me slowly. I¡¯m relying on you to get us out of there in a heartbeat. I¡¯ll be vulnerable once the nest starts to tilt,¡± explained CJ as he put his right foot atop the lane divider.

    ¡°Hey! You can¡¯t use my winch. I¡¯ve got a¡­¡± began the chicken tow truck driver before Elena in her skull helmet stepped up to the door.

    She wrenched the driver¡¯s side door open and yanked the chicken man out of the cabin. His eyes were wide as feathers flew everywhere as he sprawled out on the asphalt. He was wearing dirty overalls and the feathers on top of his head were sparse. Elena pulled the chord on her chainsaw and revved the engine. The driver was apoplectic. He stood up looking back at the chicken cops gathered behind the barricades actively ignoring what was happening. Pulling a large wrench from his back pocket he squared up to Elena only to take a spinning Wasp stinger to the chest. Blood spurted everywhere as the chicken man died.

    Elena spun around before launching herself into the air by planting a foot on the steps up to the driver¡¯s seat. She swung her chainsaw at the wasp carving through its midsection as its next stinger was emerging from the socket.

    Meanwhile, CJ and Monty cast now you don¡¯t on themselves as they were lowered down to the top of the wasp nest. Once they were halfway there, they heard the rat-a-tat of assault rifle fire. Wasps were now emerging from all sides of the nest and swarming the upper levels of the bridge. Elena must be shooting covering fire for Jenn since the winch hadn¡¯t stopped moving yet.If you spot this tale on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

    New Message from Party Leader CJ: Do you see those gunky support strands attaching the nest to the both sides of the upper level?

    New Message from Monty: Yea.

    New Message from Party Leader CJ: We need to detach them. That should drop the nest into the bay.

    CJ¡¯s feet touched down the sticky roof of the hive. He felt a shudder from below him in the form of vibrating buzzing. There were five strands of wood-pulped wasp spit adhering the nest to the split bridge above them. The color was a dingy yellowish brown. The good news was they were plastered to the underside of the asphalt bridge.

    New Message from Monty: Earth Fist?

    New Message from Party Leader CJ: Earth Fist.

    They both cast the spell on two separate connections. The fists grew out from the underside of the bridge and grabbed at the support strands. They were too big to rip out all at once, but the hands began mimicking CJ and Monty¡¯s hand movements. They were grasping at the tethers and tearing out material. The nest itself began to sway from the changes in weight distribution. The first strand snapped shaking the whole nest before a few wasps crawled out onto the nest to see what was happening.

    Three of them climbed up from different edges. They began inspecting the strands before the second one snapped. The nest itself shuddered and dropped a few feet. CJ now noticed a gap between where his feet were touching and the roof of the nest. It was about six inches, and he¡¯d have to stretch to touch the top again. The first of the three wasp inspectors began to flitter up to repair the damage. CJ quickly recast the earth fist targeting the next support in line while Monty used his current cast of the earth fist to bat away the wasp trying to repair the support he¡¯d already broken.

    CJ hadn¡¯t accounted for wasps trying to repair the damage, so he needed to think quickly. He slowly placed Monty up on his head, the bunny focusing on his metaphysical hand and too busy to protest. While they remained ignored, CJ could do a lot of things. Once he started shooting, he¡¯d probably get swarmed. He wasn¡¯t going to be able to fire an assault rifle while maintaining spell integrity. He needed to get creative. The third of the five supports snapped, and the wasps went wild flying in all directions. The nest below them shook violently and something big bellowed from below him. There were two supports left, and the nest was swinging back and forth.

    One of the three wasps landed on the metal line above him and began crafting a new support from it to the west bound section of the bridge. CJ was out of time. He pulled his revolver and aimed below him. He fired two shots into the nest below him creating a three foot wide hole. That got all the wasp¡¯s attention and Monty began to fidget on his head.

    New Message from Party Leader CJ: Monty, they¡¯ll notice me and not you. Jenn, we need you pull us up and Elena, we need covering fire.

    A huge wasp eye looked up at CJ from the the hole he just made followed by an enraged screech. CJ began to swing the cable he was attached to trying to avoid the incoming spinning stingers. He failed. Two of them struck him center mass netting him a cool eighty points of mana regen. That brought him up to a hundred and forty two points of mana. It was now or never. He activated and dropped his Volumetric stone. The rock doubled itself twice before plummeting into the hive through the hole he¡¯d made. If all went to plan it would continue to duplicate itself until the hive was full of rocks. Subsequently increasing the weight snapping the remaining supports. It worked.

    The final two supports snapped, and the nest fell into the bay in a matter of moments. Two of the remaining wasps dive bombed CJ. The one above him shot straight down and the other one not being held by Monty¡¯s earth fist, was coming at him like a missile. Before either could attack the dangling CJ, a roar erupted from below them. The two wasps broke their mad charge and flew off in different directions.

    The nest now floating in the bay and was slowly being swept out sea, cracked open. A gargantuan Wasp with an ovipositor attached to its abdomen crawled out of the floating wreck. Four Transparent wings whipped out to either side of the monster before they began to beat a steady rhythm. Its carapace was mostly black with tiger stripes. Easily the size of a Double Decker bus, it lifted into the air.

    CJ shuddered as it turned its insectile head flicked toward him. Automatic fire could still be heard topside as he and Monty dangled from the line. They were firing at the remaining wasps. With a jerk on the line, CJ began to rise up. It wasn¡¯t fast enough. He prepared to cast Half-a-Bitch on the incoming dungeon boss but didn¡¯t get the chance. The monster¡¯s maw opened wide in an attempt to swallow CJ whole from below.

    Thoom

    A black smoking sphere shot down past CJ into the monster¡¯s open mouth. There was a gulping sound before the whole thing blew apart in a shower of gore and bug parts. CJ was covered head to toe in the mess as what was left of the creature splashed into the bay below.

    New Message from Elena: I¡¯m keeping this thing.

 Chapter Fifty Nine: Many legged thing.

    Monty jumped the last few feet back up to the road while CJ got reeled in with the winch. Jenn helped CJ up and over the concrete divider. All the while CJ kept asking himself why there was such a huge gap between the east and westbound sides of the bridge. The road actually splits and bows out like a big letter O. He guessed it was more dungeon magic fuckery. Now he needed to check on everyone and get that hanging section of bridge back down so they could continue to the other side.

    ¡°Did anyone talk to the cops?¡± CJ asked, his hands on his knees and secretly praying he didn¡¯t have to do that again, ¡°I¡¯d really like to get this show on the road.¡±

    ¡°Elena is talking to them now. The conversation seems more animated than I¡¯d like¡­¡± Jenn trailed off pointing in the direction of the police barricade.

    ¡°We got rid of your damn wasp nest, now bring down that section of bridge like you promised,¡± yelled Elena with almost visible waves of heat coming off her.

    ¡°Like I just told you, the crane operator says the armature bent during the bridge swaying. Unless he fixes it, the crane will be locked in position,¡± clucked the chicken cop gesturing across the gap at the crane.

    CJ caught the tail end of the conversation as he jogged over. He looked across the gap noticing the lower level of the bridge that had been suspended in midair was much closer than before. He¡¯d go as far as to think it was a jumpable distance for them if they started from the concrete divider. If that was the case, they might be able to scramble across the hanging pavement and get to the other side.

    ¡°Why is it lower than before?¡± asked CJ.

    ¡°When the crane arm bent, the separated section dipped lower. I¡¯m not a civic engineer. Don¡¯t ask me why.¡±

    New Message from Party Leader CJ: I think we are supposed to hop across and help the crane operator. That or just bail on the rest of this. If we can get to the other side of this bridge that¡¯ll end the dungeon.

    New Message from Psycho: But then we¡¯ll only get a B grade. It seems simple enough to help the crane operator.

    New Message from Elena: I don¡¯t know anything about fixing cranes.

    New Message from Party Leader CJ: I¡¯ve got an item that can repair things but only a one square foot cube. If the damage can fit inside that box, we should be good.

    No sooner did CJ send that message then they heard the groaning of metal bending under too much stress. The hanging section shuddered and dropped another foot closer. At the same time Monty was standing on the concrete and rebar divider. Brown sigils spun around his right forepaw before an amalgamation of grey concrete and cobalt colored asphalt bled together into a fist that grabbed the lower section of the hanging road.

    New Message from Monty: Move your asses. This spell won¡¯t last forever.

    The team did so. Elena scrabbled her way over the earthen arm up onto the precarious road. Jenn then followed her who gingerly tight rope walked up the arm. Both of her arms held out in a line for balance. Finally, CJ crawled up the arm avoiding looking down. He worried that he may be developing a fear of heights after his last stunt on this bridge.

    Once standing firm on the lower section of the bridge, CJ looked left and right. The fact that nothing was holding it parallel to the upper section messed with his sense of gravity. They jogged over to the other side noting the drop was a little steeper here compared to the way they got up her.

    ¡°Here, let me.¡± CJ said before casting Earth Fist. It grew out of the road up here and reached down toward the upper level on the east bound side. ¡°Shit, that¡¯s as far as it¡¯ll go. We may have to jump from the end of the hand.

    CJ flexed open the fingers on that hand and the earth fist mimicked it. That just granted them a few more inches. Then a separate hand reached up from the road on the other side before clasping its fingers up to the second knuckle. A makeshift gangplank was created from the road surface to the hanging portion. CJ looked down at his side and Monty had cast the spell again. The bunny looked up at him and smirked derisively.

    ¡°Yes, I¡¯m better at this than you are. Can we go now?¡±

    ¡°You smug little bastard. When I get my hands on you¡ª¡± CJ was cut off by another shutter and the piece of road they were standing on shook. The sound of stone cracking could be heard from the plank of earth they¡¯d created.

    ¡°Go, Go, Go!¡±

    This time they all sprinted across the anchored spells before the center broke from the strain and sheering pressures of the moving piece of bridge. They all huffed their elation out as the two spells broke apart. Pieces of concrete fracturing and falling no longer taking the form of clasped hands.

    ¡°I¡¯m done with this dungeon. Let¡¯s just leave,¡± gasped out Elena as she stared past the oncoming traffic that was standing still waiting for the bridge to be fixed. ¡°All we have to do is walk to the end now.¡±Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.

    Jenn was about to agree before she noticed CJ was climbing the ladder up to the cab where he found the crane operator.

    CJ opened the door to find an anthropomorphic chicken wearing a yellow hard hat and safety vest. He had jeans and work boots on as well. It all clashed with the beak, waddle, and white feathers that littered almost every inch of the cab. The operators¡¯ eyes were wild and looked like he was having some kind of fit.

    ¡°What is wrong with you? I¡¯m here to help fix the crane.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯ve got about five minutes to do something. This has been hanging here for hours and its only supposed to be up to let ships pass under. Another shimmy of this bridge and the arm¡¯s gonna snap. That¡¯ll cause the raised section to fall uncontrollably. It could bring down the whole bridge if it lands wrong. You see that section up there, it¡¯s not supposed to bed that way. I can¡¯t get up there to fix it. I¡¯m afraid of heights. That¡¯s why I work the crane. No climbing.¡±

    ¡°Fuck me!¡± cried CJ as he crawled out onto the arm and began scaling it.

    New Message from Elena: What the hell are you doing?

    New Message from Party Leader CJ: If this thing falls it¡¯ll destroy the whole bridge. We¡¯d never make to the toll plaza in time. Not with all these cars in the way.

    CJ made it halfway up before he was hit with an intense feeling of vertigo. He clasp his arms around the metal rungs and held on for dear life. His teeth even began chattering.

    ¡°Don¡¯t look down. Just keep going. Shit its magic, how close to I have to actually be?¡±

    He pulled his left hand free and pointed his Ring of Refurbishment at the point the metal began to indent into itself. A translucent box about one foot cubed appeared in his vision. CJ attempted to overlay the box on the bent portion. Then he felt the bridge begin to shimmy. If the arm bent anymore, it would be wider than the targeting box. He had to do it now. Triggering the ring he saw a spiral of clock faces sink into the affected cube.

    The hands on the clocks were spinning counterclockwise as the metal began to right itself into its original position. The spell ended and CJ could no longer feel any mana in the ring. The charge for today had been expended.

    As soon as crane operator saw what was happening, he cheered from cab waving his hard hat back and forth.

    ¡°Tada.¡± CJ said to himself as he slowly climbed back down.

    The separated portion of the bridge was lowered in place without anything else going wrong. Traffic started moving slowly as the chicken cops opened one lane at a time. Mostly to get people moving while all the equipment was being packed away.

    CJ and the team received nods of approval from the police on the opposite side of the now whole bridge. Then they picked up the pace before every lane became a dance with death. Once on the Bayone side of the bridge the world began to swirl in that kaleidoscopic way CJ had become accustomed too.

    Then the colors stopped moving and the party interface all went gray except for his health and mana bar. CJ found himself standing next to a strange looking tree. The branches were all spindly with truly little of a canopy on top. It stretched out to cover a large area, but it could be described, at best, as anemic.

    ¡°Where the fuck?¡±

    ¡°So, you¡¯ve completed the third of five bolster dungeons. Very good. You may end up completing his quest before the full moon.¡± Said a voice in heavily accented English.

    CJ spun around looking for whomever was talking but found nothing. Then an army of spiders began crawling up the tree trunk next to him. There were so many and in such variety that his mammalian brain began to fritz out. He looked at the grass lands around him to see they swarmed with spiders of all sizes.

    ¡°No need to worry. You are no danger from my children. In fact, I think you¡¯ll all get along rather well after what I have to say.¡±

    The voice sounded like it was coming from all directions the first time but this time it was coming from just above him. He very slowly looked up. Bulbous spheroids of spider¡¯s eggs rolled together into a shape. The shape coalesced into a man with pitch black skin sitting in the tree wearing jeans and flip flops. He had no shirt on, but his hair was braided and tied together behind his head. Although the braids appeared to have segmented joints.

    ¡°You see, nothing to worry about.¡±

    ¡°Alright, fine. I had dreamt about something like this but there was a huge spider hanging from a tree above a pride of lions. I suppose this is better than the alternative.¡±

    ¡°Quite right. Where are my manners, I have not introduced myself yet. I am Anansi, purveyor of stories and wisdom, a compatriot of your Wukong. We are in a bit of an alliance right now. Much to be done about the corrupted mana. Right now, you are the front runner. Do you understand why he asked you to clear these dungeons?¡±

    ¡°As I understand it, the dungeons can purify the corrupted mana. The sooner we do that the better,¡± answered CJ as he continued to see the tree fill up with more arachnids than it could truly contain. ¡°What I want to know is, why didn¡¯t the goddess of fate tell anyone?¡±

    ¡°That is a good question.¡± Answered Anansi as one of his braid reached around his face holding an apple. He waived it back and the braid retreated. ¡°I believe she just doesn¡¯t know. She may have come from somewhere that was mana rich, and the corruption was only seen in monsters, or she hasn¡¯t been a god for exceptionally long. Small g. Only time will tell. I suggest you ask your patron about her Harbinger; he may know more than he¡¯s told you.¡±

    ¡°Then that brings to my main question. Why am I here?¡±

    ¡°Back to business I see. Very well, I pulled you here while you were in-between dimensions.¡± CJ opened his mouth to say something, but Anansi kept talking, ¡°You¡¯ll learn more about that later in your adventures. For now, I come bearing gifts. I will mark you before we finish talking. Do not fret, my mark will give you power and aid you. Things will become¡­ what is the English word for it. Troublesome. That¡¯s it. In the future. You have yet to truly explore your Harbingers abilities. A bare handful of awakened slates but to your credit there have been very few people you¡¯ve come in contact with that you haven¡¯t killed.¡±

    ¡°Excuse me? It¡¯s the god damned apocalypse out there. It¡¯s not like I haven¡¯t tried.¡±

    ¡°I meant no offense. Just stating facts. You¡¯ve done well with very little combat training. The guns seem to help out quite a bit, but I wonder how well you¡¯ll do when they are no longer as effective.¡±

    ¡°You mean against monsters that require enchantment to be damaged?¡±

    ¡°That and some other things. Your class leans heavily into trickery but don¡¯t forgo magics that will make you powerful. That is my advice. Your friends need you so I will not keep you longer. Accept my mark and go with my blessings,¡± said Anansi as CJ received a new Slate message.

    Deific Mark Received: The Mark of Anansi- This mark grants you the following benefits: Cytotoxic Transference, access to the Arachnid Web Works, Call of the Swarm.

 Chapter Sixty: Touche.

    The iconography of a spider with red bands across its abdomen etched itself into CJ¡¯s right shoulder. No larger than a half dollar coin. For the briefest of moments CJ thought he would scream. Then it all passed like it never happened. His shoulder felt fine, and he had new notifications from his slate.

    New Deific Ability: Cytotoxic Transference- You may inject a necrotic poison to any damage done twice a day. This ability is granted by the Mark of Anansi and remains as long as your standing with the god is favorable.

    New Deific Ability: Call of the Swarm- You may call upon Anansi¡¯s children to swarm any target once per day. This ability is granted by the Mark of Anansi and remains as long as your standing with the god is favorable.

    You have been granted access to the Arachnid Web Works. This is an information gathering network of spiders across the world. It allows you to speak with any arachnid and you will be viewed as kin by them.

    ¡°Fuck yea! I don¡¯t have to be afraid of spiders anymore.¡±

    ¡°I am glad you are happy. There is a great deal of work yet to do and you must convince your kind to do it. Africa is on the brink of collapse. Our mutations are the extreme of the extreme. Time grows short. Return to your reward chamber at the end of the bolster dungeon. The bunny is worried about you.¡±

    With that CJ was thrust forward toward the tree of crawling spiders. He had just enough time to cross his arms in front of his face before the world around him spun back into that kaleidoscopic tunnel he was used to.

    On the other side of the tunnel was a dark room with a spotlight over a single pedestal. Within sat a bored looking Monty. His black furred ears perked up and the pink flesh within turned toward the arriving CJ. Monty hopped over to him scowling.

    ¡°I¡¯ve been waiting here for like ten minutes. Where the fuck were you?¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re not going to believe this. I just met Anansi. The Anansi from African folklore.¡±

    ¡°You did?¡± shock plastered across Monty¡¯s face. ¡°What did he say? Are you alright?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m fine.¡± Replied CJ as he began to pace back and forth, ¡°He gave his mark and warned me that things are looking bleak in Africa. Not sure why I should care about that, but he seemed pretty concerned about it.¡±

    ¡°What did Anansi say exactly?¡± questioned Monty, his ears flopping down around his head.

    ¡°That the mutations in Africa were the extreme of the extreme. Not one hundred percent on what that means.¡±

    ¡°Shit,¡± replied Monty, as he began to pace back and forth himself. ¡°We need to get more humans to clear dungeons faster. If the mutations are that bad in Africa it¡¯s because the corrupted mana is creating nastier and more lethal mutations. This is happening much faster than it should. We need to talk to Sun Wukong. To do that, we need to clear two more bolster dungeons. There¡¯s not enough time for all this. Let¡¯s get out of here and talk to the others. Figure out a plan.¡±

    That said, Monty bounded back toward the pedestal with CJ in tow. Once CJ approached the table, he looked down to see it had two boxes on it. The first was box of thirty count revolver ammo. He sucked his teeth before swiping the box and adding it to his inventory.

    ¡°Must be the common item reward.¡±

    The second box had a golden sheen but looked like it was made from wood. The individual grain lines could be seen in the gold colored planks. There was even some knots here and there. CJ lifted the lid of the four by eight inch box to see a brown seed nestled into a bed of hay.Royal Road is the home of this novel. Visit there to read the original and support the author.

    New Item Acquired: Johnny¡¯s Apple Seed- Legendary Item/ Earth Magic. Once planted this seed will grow a one acre apple orchard in a matter of minutes. The apples it produces will grow in all seasons. Whoever consumes one of these apples will be cleansed of any disease. The seeds from the apples produced are non-viable and cannot germinate.

    ¡°Holy Shit balls!¡± shrieked CJ as he quickly closed and stuffed the box into his inventory.

    ¡°What was it?¡± asked Monty has he quickly jumped up to look before the box disappeared, ¡°It was legendary right? What does it do?¡±

    ¡°Grows a whole apple orchard. It¡¯s amazing. I wonder how long I¡¯d have to study it to make spell out of it.¡±

    ¡°Is it permanent or temporary?¡±

    ¡°Permanent.¡±

    ¡°Longer than you have. Legendary magical effects are some of the toughest and most complex spells.¡±

    ¡°Fuck knuckles. Let¡¯s get out of ¨C¡± CJ never finished as they were roughly ejected from Dungeons¡¯ treasure room.

    <hr>

    ¡°Where the hell are they?¡± asked Elena as she sawed through another vine.

    The party was disbanded, and she didn¡¯t understand what was happening. She and Jenn exited the dungeon like normal. Just like last time they only got the two rewards. The class point and the common item. Elena received a can of oil for her chainsaw while Jenn was sporting her newly acquired plague doctor mask. She even let Elena read the prompt after she got it.

    New Item Acquired: Plague Doctors Mask- This is a common plague doctors beaked mask. It will filter some toxins from the air but is otherwise unremarkable.

    Elena had to admit it gave Jenn a creepy mad scientist vibe. Jenn was ecstatic about it though. She went on and on about how she could work with more toxic concoctions now. Every now and then Elena wondered if CJ was right to nickname her psycho.

    None of that mattered once vines and plant pods started blooming into the loading bay.

    ¡°Buy me some time. I can fill my sprayer with weed killer. Should make short work of them,¡± called Jenn as she swung her backpack around to her front.

    ¡°I¡¯ll make short work of these damn things. You can have what¡¯s left,¡± replied Elena as she shouldered a nearby dumpster to close off the loading bay door that led deeper into the building.

    All it took was one slam from Elena attribute enhanced strength to send the heavy slab of metal sliding across the concrete. It left deep furrows in the ground before stopping in front of the double doors. It didn¡¯t quite cover the whole entrance, but the plants would have to snake around the obstacle now. All the while Elena carved through sap spurting vines.

    The pods on the other side of the dumpster began to slam into it. They were lucky it wasn¡¯t on wheels, or it might have slid far out of the way to make the effort to get it there pointless. Every time the plant gained an inch of space Elena was there to boot the obstacle back into position.

    ¡°I¡¯m ready, back up sweet cheeks,¡± spoke Jenn as she put one foot up on the metal lip of the dumpster and began spraying a yellow foaming liquid around the edges touching the door. ¡°This is going to stink pretty bad in a minute.¡±

    Elena decided to take her girlfriend¡¯s council and back up to the rear of the truck that housed the dungeon entrance. She heard a sharp snap from behind her. She spun to see an ever grinning CJ and an extremely excited Monty exiting the trailer.

    ¡°Where the fuck were you?¡±

    ¡°Why does everyone keep asking me that?¡±

    ¡°Because you decided to have a chit chat with another god while they¡­ gardened?¡± Monty chimed in looking around.

    ¡°For some reason the plant monster grew out in this direction.¡± Elena commented with a scowl on her face directed at CJ, ¡°Any idea why that would happen? Wait, did he say God?¡±

    ¡°You know we just came out of the dungeon right. Wasn¡¯t me¡­ why is the party disbanded?¡± asked CJ as he added all three of his contemporaries to the party again. ¡°Shit, your dad¡¯s not here. I can¡¯t add him if I can¡¯t see him. Let¡¯s beat feet. Come on we¡¯ll squeeze past the truck on the opposite side of this trailer.¡±

    New Message from Psycho: I¡¯ve almost got this. No new plants¡­ Shit never mind. Everybody, run!

    Jenn spun around and baseball slid off the loading dock past the tires meant to cushion the concrete from the trucks backing into it. Then the makeshift barricade bounced out of the way of the door as a green and orange pod split down the center forced its way through the double doors. The seam began to separate pouring sap and viscous fluids. It had to be as large as an elephant is wide. Jagged sharp teeth could be seen within as new vines sprouted from behind it dragging it onto the docks.

    New Message from CJ: Outside. Now! No need to fight if we can just leave.

    New Message from Elena: I could hit it with the grenade launcher.

    New Message from Monty: Do you still have that? Who let her have the explosives?

    New Message from Elena: I didn¡¯t hear you complaining when you were hanging off the bridge ready to be wasp food.

    New Message from Monty: Touch¨¦.

 Chapter Sixty One: Mostly Whole.

    ¡°It looks like they are searching for something,¡± explained Rubio from atop the roof, ¡°Down by where CJ grabbed the SUV.¡±

    ¡°Have you been able to make contact with them?¡± asked Roger poking his head through the roof access hatch.

    ¡°No. The power CJ used disappeared. I¡¯m starting to think I should have gone with them.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m sure they¡¯ll be fine. They took out that fuckin skeleton army didn¡¯t they.¡±

    ¡°Right, I just hope my Miha is okay. Still if these people have access to military troop carriers that still work, why did they come here?¡± Rubio pondered aloud.

    ¡°I¡¯m almost done with my latest project. We should be good to go when they come back.¡±

    ¡°Copy. Oh shit, there¡¯s a group of three of them coming up this way on foot. Make sure the doors locked tight.¡±

    Roger didn¡¯t need to be told twice. He slid down the metal sides of the ladder and landed with the clank of metal on the janitor¡¯s closet floor. His stump was fully healed now, and his movement speed had increased. No longer did he suffer from the throbbing pain of his self-inflicted wound. Rounding the corner to the hallway, Roger made a bee line to the front door.

    Yesterday after the battle he repurposed the rod he used to use to secure the door into more of a lever assisted locking mechanism. When he pulled it to the right four shafts of metal braced themselves into steel facets on the receiving side of the door frame. If he pulled to the left, the mechanism disengaged. I found the upgraded design more appealing.

    He felt the door was secure enough for now. Voices began to carry over the wind as the three looters crossed the street and entered the CVS. For now, their attention wasn¡¯t on the retirement community.

    ¡°Back to work I suppose,¡± Roger commented to himself as he sparked up his arc welder.

    <hr>

    CJ and his team made their way past a ransacked Wendy¡¯s franchise on their way around the textiles factory. All the windows were smashed out of the burger joint, tables and chairs strewn around the parking lot, and a spray painted flaming pitchfork adorned the solid white wall next to the driver through window.

    At the end of the block there was a city bus turned over. Glass shards were strewn all over the road. They all assumed a position with their backs against the underside of the bus. CJ¡¯s eyes were wide as he searched the parking lot of the factory. It seemed like the plant had gone through a growth period while they were in the dungeon. Those pods were everywhere now.

    ¡°You think that plant will grow large enough to take over this section of town?¡± asked Jenn.

    ¡°It¡¯s not really our problem. From the sun¡¯s position it¡¯s just past two pm. If we want to make it back to Leaf¡¯s Bend before nightfall, we need to put a little hustle in our step,¡± replied CJ focusing on the street that led back to the old folk¡¯s home, ¡°The legendary item will be extremely useful but I gotta plant it. Long story.¡±

    ¡°Oh, I¡¯ve got to see that thing,¡± she replied.

    ¡°Shh¡­you hear that?¡± asked Monty.

    ¡°You know we don¡¯t, that¡¯s your whole job,¡± quipped CJ.

    ¡°That¡¯s a lot of people moving around. It¡¯s coming from the direction of the Rogers house.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s not good. Come on, we¡¯ve got another disaster to manage.¡±

    CJ took off at jog closely followed by Monty.

    New Message from Party Leader CJ: You two hang back a step. Monty and I are going to go unnoticed so we can pick up the speed.

    The ladies didn¡¯t respond, they just slowed their pursuit. Immediately after the message Monty and CJ both cast Now you Don¡¯t on themselves. They picked up the pace to a full run at that point knowing that anyone they ran across would just ignore them as if they¡¯d been there the whole time. The downside was Rubio or Roger would do the same.

    They emerged onto the street west of the retirement home. There was no one around initially so they jogged over to the corner. Monty grabbed CJ¡¯s pant leg, and he was brought to a stop. The CVS had lights moving around inside it. Not flashlights or candles more like those chemical glow sticks. Not very bright but if you held them up to an object or something you could get a good look.If you spot this tale on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

    CJ leaned against the wall and just watched for a few seconds. They weren¡¯t really taking anything, and they didn¡¯t have bags. They seemed to just be searching aimlessly. Two of them left the entrance and stepped outside into the sunlight. They both had a capitol H, and a capitol S spray painted on what looked like hunks of metal. CJ walked across the street paying the spell cost for a few more minutes. As he got closer to them, he could see that the metal reminded him of a water heater. Like they broke up an old water heater and fashioned some body armor out of it. Pretty resourceful after he thought about it for a second. Then the two started speaking.

    ¡°I don¡¯t think he¡¯s still here. In fact, the whole story is preposterous. A magician throwing cards and a kung fu rabbit. This is a wild goose chase if you ask me.¡± Said thug one.

    ¡°Mason seemed to think it was important. What¡¯d he say the guy¡¯s name was? PJ tom Collins?¡± replied thug two.

    ¡°Nah man, CJ Thompson.¡±

    New Message from Party Leader CJ: They¡¯re here looking for me! Humanities Saviors, I mean. They¡¯ve got a dumb H and S on their makeshift body armor.

    New Message from Psycho: What? Why?

    New Message from Elena: We¡¯re in place, do you want me to light them up with the launcher?

    New Message from Party Leader CJ: NO! I¡¯m standing right next to them. Also, you¡¯ll kill our bikes.

    New Message from Psycho: I¡¯m surprised they¡¯re all in one piece after that sound blast.

    New Message from Monty: Focus humans. What¡¯s the play here?

    New Message from Party Leader CJ: It doesn¡¯t seem like they¡¯ll stick around. They¡¯re iffy about whether or not I¡¯m still in the area.

    New Message from Elena: Okay, but we can¡¯t just walk into Roger¡¯s place with these three hanging about.

    New Message from Party Leader CJ: Right.

    An idea sparked CJ¡¯s mind. He looked up to the roof. Low and behold there was a glint of glass poking over the roof¡¯s edge. Rubio was out and keeping an eye on these interlopers. CJ was of two minds. He could try and add Rubio to the party, but he didn¡¯t know if that would break his spell. It would technically be considered interacting with someone who couldn¡¯t see him. The next few words from the thugs made his choice for him.

    ¡°Man, why does Mason even want to talk to this guy again?¡± Thug one said while sliding the ammo clip in and out of his baretta. Then he mockingly spoke, ¡°I thought the sun god was going to take care of everything.¡±

    ¡°We¡¯re no phones. They said it¡¯s something we couldn¡¯t understand,¡± answered Thug two.

    New Message from Party Leader CJ: I¡¯m going to talk to them. It seems like this Mason character got my message.

    New Message from Elena: Do you mean that old gangster movie line about regards?

    New Message from Party Leader CJ: No. The mercy I showed his people.

    With that, CJ leaned against the wall of the fa?ade of the CVS, struck a relaxed pose with his arms folded concealing a few palmed cards. Then he eyed the shining glass up on the roof across the street and sent a party invite to Rubio.

    ¡°Steve, bring your ass out here. We¡¯re going to meet up with the others. He ain¡¯t here.¡± Said thug one.

    ¡°I wouldn¡¯t be too sure about that,¡± replied CJ from two feet behind the man.

    Both thugs jumped out of their skins. The second thug dropped his weapon as the first one backed up. The clip from thug one¡¯s gun just slid right out, clattering to the ground. CJ just shook his head.

    ¡°Where the hell did you come from?¡± asked thug two as he dove for his gun.

    ¡°Not important. You said Mason was looking for me? Why?¡±

    ¡°Steve, get your ass out here. We found him. Bald wearing a tux¡­ It¡¯s not as raggedy as Sue and Phil said but it¡¯s definitely him. Don¡¯t you move a fuckin muscle,¡± ordered Thug one pointing his pistol with one bullet in the chamber at CJ while his free hand quested on the ground for the fallen clip.

    ¡°I¡¯m not gonna attack you guys. I just want to talk. Didn¡¯t I send your team back to you in mostly whole condition? I¡¯m not a bad guy.¡±

    ¡°Orders are to take you back to see Mason.¡± Said Thug one with more confidence in his voice once the third man came out, shotgun leveled at CJ¡¯s chest. ¡°We can do this the easy way or the hard way. Maybe we¡¯ll bring you to Mason mostly whole.¡±

    New Message from Rubio: I¡¯ve got him in my sights. Your call.

    New Message from Party Leader CJ: These guys are clowns. Let me try to resolve this.

    New Message from Rubio: Right but there are two troop carries further south, and a fight will bring the lot of them.

    New Message from Pary Leader CJ: Just make sure Roger is ready to open the door while I have these three occupied.

    ¡°You can shoot me all day and it wouldn¡¯t matter. I need to warn you.¡±

    As CJ said these words, he felt his mana stir inside him. It was something he¡¯d have to delve into at another time, but it was enough of a sensation that his face dimmed into something more sinister which caused the three men to take another step back.

    ¡°Sorry, upset stomach. We as humans need to clear dungeons. It¡¯s the only way to fix what¡¯s happening to our world. I know for a fact that there is a town dungeon where Newark Liberty Airport used to be.¡±

    ¡°You mean the where the government has everything walled off? Sure, tell me another one.¡± Replied thug one.

    ¡°That¡¯s an interesting bit of news. Thanks for that. Bottom line wah wah wah.¡±

    ¡°We don¡¯t know what you¡¯re saying weirdo. I say we kneecap him and drag his ass back to Mason,¡± thug three said before cocking his pump action shotgun.

    New Message from Monty: They don¡¯t understand system stuff like mana and corruption. Dungeon seemed to make it through though. Wonder what that¡¯s about?

    New Message from Party Leader CJ: You two make it inside?

    New Message from Elena: Affirmative.

    That was all the time CJ had for messaging as thug number three shot at his leg. As a reaction, Monty cast smoke screen standing in the midst of the three men. They all began coughing and yelling. Shots fired randomly inside the smoke cloud. After taking the blast to his right leg, CJ was forced to fall and faceplant. He was now on the ground covering his head from the gunfire.

    New Message from CJ: Okay, that didn¡¯t work. Monty, phase two.

 Chapter Sixty Two: Growing into the job.

    Deep within a nest dug by its servants, the Cicada Queen¡¯s legs fluttered over a pulsating mass of genetic fluid. She stood a solid ten feet tall when not squatting and working in her nest. Six spindly legs rose up to sharp joints before curving back toward her chitinous bulk. Her wings edges were sharp as steel. The queen¡¯s heavy marbled black thorax waived back and forth as her excitement mounted.

    That¡¯s where the similarities to her kin stopped. Where her head should be sat a sleek humanoid torso that only mimicked the features of a mammalian female. Instead of smooth skin the torso was covered in rough jagged chitinous plates. Four arms jutted from the single shoulder socket. One facing in front of her while the other two pointed straight back. The same sharp edges that adorned her leg joints could be found on her elbows. Each hand was a pointed vicious four fingered claw. Her buzzed with small flexing proboscises all moving independently. Above that were her two multifaceted eyes set deep in her skull just below a crown of antennae.

    ¡°Awake my knight.¡± She said manipulating the sack with her front claws. ¡°It is time to show the humans that this forest is ours and they are merely cattle.¡±

    The fluid sack writhed and oozed with cloudy liquid. Within was the shadow of a mostly humanoid form. Her excitement was overflowing now. Soon she would unleash her newly designed brood. They would bring more food back to the hive. More meat for consumption and further enhancements to their form. The small woodland forest creatures yielded poor results in the past. The large bovine creatures gave her the genetic tools to increase their size. It was the humans, the sprayers and the stompers, that afforded such enormous potential. Their genome was so varied and malleable. They would eat them all to become this world¡¯s new apex predators.

    A tearing sound could now be heard from below the queen that brought her back from her deep reverie. The sack split as her newest creation pulled itself into this world. The hands were claws just like hers, but the carapace was tinted green. The wings uncurled from its back and stopped behind its knees. The eyes had grown smaller in size compared to its brethren.

    She leaned in closer to inspect flicking the chest with one of her fingers. A dull thump came from it. The hollow resonance was deep telling her the outer armor was thicker than she imagined. It had a pair of antennae curved out from above its forehead. The skull itself sloped to a point just behind the jaw line making it easily turn its head left and right without scuttling around like its forebears. The legs were thick and multi-jointed.

    ¡°Why do you still hold that in your mouth? You¡¯ve left your old form behind,¡± she asked gesturing to a folded piece of trash wedged into one of its mandibles.

    Her improved servant rolled its shoulders and performed a few squats in place. It reached its right hand up to the side of its face before cupping its chin in thought. It worked its jaw for the first time before things inside its mouth started clicking in sequence. Then its mouth started buzzing.

    ¡°I want the brown human to know I¡¯ve carried this shame all this time before I eat him.¡±

    <hr>

    CJ rolled twice before getting up to his feet. He gestured at the bikes receiving a nod in acknowledgement from Monty. The three men inside the smoke cloud continued to yell at each other and fire randomly.Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings.

    ¡°Okay, I¡¯ll shrink Elena and Jenn¡¯s bikes,¡± CJ pointed as he continued, ¡°You get Rubio¡¯s.¡±

    ¡°What about your bike?¡± Monty whispered as shouts and running feet could be heard further south of their position.

    ¡°Just do it.¡±

    CJ cast Spatial Compression in quick succession bringing his overall mana levels down to fifty two. After his right leg took that shotgun blast, he¡¯d earned another sixty mana. That told him close range shotguns did at least thirty damage. For his plan to work he would have to switch his active title to Repair Man. He quickly stored away the two bikes before Monty hopped over with the third. After storing that away he pulled something else from his inventory just before someone emerged from the smoke cloud.

    Thug Two finally managed to roll out of the smoke. He was bleeding from a bullet wound in his side but instead of looking around decided to lean up against the wall of the CVS to collect himself. The wound wasn¡¯t gushing blood, but his makeshift body armor had a hole in it.

    New Message from Rubio: You sure you don¡¯t want backup? Elena is right by the door on standby.

    New Message from Party Leader CJ: I¡¯ve got an idea. No reason for another firefight. Remember, there aren¡¯t many of us left.

    CJ looked at the Boss Monster Concentrate in his hand before reading the prompt one more time.

    Boss Monster Concentrate-This sphere represents the concentrated corrupted mana of a boss monster. Boss monsters are most often guardians of high quality items and gear. This can be used to upgrade a skill to the next level or evolve an existing ability. Once consumed the corrupted mana will be purified.

    Would you like to use this now Y/N?

    CJ chose yes. A list of abilities appeared in his vision, and he quickly found the one he was looking for, Harbingers Grasp. He applied the concentrate to Harbingers Grasp before straddling his bike.

    Ability Evolution, Harbingers Grasp has evolved into Harbingers Proclamation.

    Evolved Ability: Harbingers Proclamation- Cost 20 mana. You speak a verbal warning to anyone within the sound of your voice that will resonate with the target¡¯s mana reforging their pathways and reconnecting their cracked slates. The effect of Harbingers Grasp are still available for zero mana cost.

    ¡°Holy fuck, that¡¯s exactly what I needed,¡± CJ couldn¡¯t believe his good luck. He turned the motorcycle over and revved the engine to draw as much attention to himself as possible. The other two goons stumbled out of the cloud in the direction of the sound. Shortly after one of the troop carriers pulled into the parking lot. Ten more people filed out, all in mismatched gear. Some were holding clubs or pipes, while others had handguns.

    ¡°Listen to me, the world is on the brink of collapse. Humans need to clear dungeons scattered around to purify the abundance of corrupted mana.¡±

    CJ felt his internal mana swell with his words. The people that came out of the truck were no phones. The dark outlines around their heads made it very clear to him that their slates were malfunctioning. He applied the twenty mana cost to his words. The air vibrated around him as the blue light of mana lit up in the eyes of all those whose slates had just been repaired.

    The sound of weapons clattering to the ground could be heard throughout the parking lot. They were all clutching at their heads or staring blankly into the distance. CJ knew this meant they were reading their messages for the first time. He w

    Secret Quest Complete: Truest Repair Man- You have mended the slates of at least fifteen people without dying. Rewards; 5 attribute points.

    ¡°Abracadabra, mother fuckers.¡±

    ¡°What¡­ what does this mean? What¡¯s a Gunmen?¡± asked one of the HS goons.

    ¡°Is this why we couldn¡¯t understand what people were saying? Goddess of what?¡± asked another.

    Ten peoples confusion made him realize that it wasn¡¯t enough to connect them, someone needed to tell them how to use them. Was this going to be his role? Did he have to baby step everyone he connected through this? It was a good thing he was no longer alone.

    New Message from Party Leader CJ: Hey, everyone get out here. We have some new Slate users to integrate. Bring Liber with you.

 Chapter Sixty Three: Capital Idea.

    ¡°Hang out right here. I¡¯m gonna get my crew to help everyone. Just be patient,¡± was all CJ said as he broke into a light jog toward the retirement home, ¡°Monty, stay hidden as long as you can. That¡¯s just one group of confused people and we haven¡¯t seen the other truck yet.¡±

    Elena and Rubio were the first two out of the door. They were quickly followed by Jenn who was coaxing Roger out of the building. CJ noticed that Roger was a little too apprehensive. Good thing he had a present for him.

    Transforming his clothes into the High Examiners robe, CJ reached into his sleeve and produced one of the bullet proof vests they took from the chicken dungeon. He handed it to Rubio as he passed him. To Rubio¡¯s credit, he quickly slipped it onto himself without breaking stride. Rubio did side eye CJ¡¯s outfit though.

    ¡°Roger, we just need to explain to these people how to use their slates. They never had them before. Here, I grabbed a bunch of these from the last dungeon. I assume you¡¯ve been trained with it?¡± CJ asked while getting the older gentlemen to focus on the AR-15 in his hands.

    ¡°Where did you get¡­ right the dungeon. Look I¡¯ve got a big problem coming out here. I don¡¯t know these fuckers and what if shit pops off?¡± replied Roger.

    ¡°I also got a bunch of these.¡± CJ handed Roger another one of the vests, ¡°Never leave good loot just lying around. That¡¯s what I always say.¡±

    ¡°Uh¡­ thanks man. Good lookin out.¡±

    ¡°Okay, people we just need to explain what the slates they now see are and then we hit the road. It looks to be almost three and I¡¯d like to get back to the safe zone before dark.¡±

    CJ spun around directing traffic as some of the Humanities Saviors began to hoot and holler. Then a red beam lit up on the wall of the pharmacy they were all standing around. The red dot it made moved back and forth in a figure eight pattern. Then the guy pointing his hand at it, created a fist. Stones chipped off the wall plinking to the ground.

    ¡°I¡¯ve got some kind of targeted force power. I¡¯m a damn space wizard!¡± he whooped.

    As CJ approached and tried to calm everyone he noticed several people clutching their recovered weapons. They were eyeing CJ¡¯s crew very cautiously. That made him do a double take. He spun around to look at his team.

    Elena was rocking football pads, a skull bikers¡¯ helmet, and she had a chainsaw slung over her shoulder with a rocket launcher strapped to her back. Jenn¡¯s blonde hair was sticking out from the straps of her plague doctor¡¯s mask while she carried an old school pesticide sprayer. Over her chest was a bullet proof vest she, Rubio, and now Roger were all rocking. The only difference was Rubio carried a kitted out rifle and Roger held an AR-15 like he knew how to use it.

    Then CJ looked down at himself. Now clad in the High Examiners robes he could be confused for death himself. He had a bald head and a very thin frame. As long as they could look past the Black skin and all. He decided to cut the tension by reverting his outfit back to the tuxedo.

    ¡°Sorry about that, out here we come loaded for bear. Jenn, if you will. Please place Liber on the ground. I¡¯d like him to remember this.¡±

    Jenn took Liber out of her backpack. She had a strap on the end of the sprayer and slung it over her shoulder while holding him. Then she gently placed him down onto the gravel of the parking lot.This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

    ¡°Heavens, this is a larger audience. Greetings, my name is Liber, and I will be your erstwhile historian for today.¡± Said the book.

    ¡°Alright, just record or write or whatever what¡¯s about to happen.¡± CJ shrugged rubbing his hand across his forehead with his other hand on his hip, ¡°I¡¯d like your assistance going forward since I think I¡¯m going to be doing a lot of this.¡±

    ¡°Capital idea. Delighted to be of service and not shoved in a bag.¡±

    ¡°Listen up.¡± CJ addressed the gathered HS people. ¡°Your slates have been repaired. You can now read the messages and build yourself up. You have attributes, levels, and classes. The classes give you powers like the space wizard over there. Depending on the power, it will draw from your mana or stamina. They should be bars you can see in your vision if you focus. I suggest reading all available information your slate gives you but be aware your focus on the slate can be noticed by people around you. Any questions?¡±

    ¡°What should I pick for my class?¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t understand any of this?¡±

    ¡°Aren¡¯t we supposed to catch that mother fucker? Why are we listing to this?¡±

    ¡°My ability says it uses my health to heal others. How do I change that?

    The questions came rapidly, and CJ decided to divide and conquer. He directed anyone with attribute score questions to talk to Elena. Anyone with ability questions to speak with Jenn. Those with general navigation questions to speak with Rubio. He hoped he could wrap this up quickly by breaking them into groups.

    His group was shared with Roger. Once one group was finished they switched off trying to answer as many questions as they could. Some things they just didn¡¯t know.

    New Message from Monty: I hear the other vehicle moving around. You might want to wrap this up.

    ¡°Alright that¡¯s it we need to be moving on.¡± CJ interrupted all the breakouts, ¡°Remember to get your people to start clearing dungeons. You know you¡¯ve found one when a monsters avoid a specific area. They just won¡¯t go near it. That¡¯s the only way to save all of us. Not just some of us. All the humans that are left.¡±

    ¡°But won¡¯t the people who took the deal be coming back at the end of the decade?¡± asked a guy he just accepted the Shadow Stalker class.

    ¡°There needs to be something for them to come back too. If we all get wiped out they¡¯ll be returning to a place infested with monsters. How long do you think they¡¯ll last then? So, in summation, we¡¯re leaving. You¡¯re welcome. Clear dungeons.¡±

    New Message from Rubio: Can¡¯t leave yet. Rogers got a surprise for you. We have to go back in.

    CJ then waived goodbye to the gathered and now less confused members of Humanities Saviors. Driving his idling motorcycle back over to the entrance of the retirement home. Roger opened the door to usher everyone in. Monty sprinted from one of the bushes into the now open doorway. Jenn carried Liber with her and the Trinchars followed. CJ had to turn his bike off, reluctantly, before going inside.

    ¡°We need to make this quick. What¡¯s so important that we came¡­¡± CJ¡¯s words died in his mouth as he beheld the now tricked out Escalade.

    Roger had added metal plating to each side and built a serrated ram on the front grill. There were a bunch of broken electronics and various forms of bedding stuffed into the back of the vehicle. It looked like he was ready to go on a road trip.

    ¡°If I knew you were bringing back AR-15¡¯s I would have made the firing slots larger. Right now, you can only get a handgun through there.¡± Explained Roger with the biggest shit eating grin CJ had ever seen.

    ¡°This is amazing.¡± Marveled CJ as he walked around the upgraded vehicle. ¡°Is there enough gas in the tank to make it an hour or so south with all this weight?¡±

    ¡°Shit, gasoline is the power source of the past. This baby¡¯s powered by mana now. It took me five tries to get a working concept. It¡¯s not as efficient as I can make it, but she¡¯ll run. She¡¯ll fuckin run.¡±

    ¡°How do you intend on getting it out of here?¡± asked CJ.

    ¡°Same way you brought it in. Go ahead, shrink it down.¡±

    CJ looked at his pathetic mana pool. He only had thirty two mana left after ensuring everyone¡¯s bikes would be okay. He looked over at Monty who just shook his head. Then he looked back at everyone and sighed.

    ¡°You¡¯re gonna have to hit me.¡±

    Just then, the other truck pulled into the parking lot. CJ ran over to the viewing ports that Roger had set up only to see the space was now empty. When he looked back, Roger just shrugged.

    ¡°I packed it for the move.¡±

 Chapter Sixty Four: Seaworld.

    ¡°Come on, we¡¯ll spy on them from the roof.¡± Rubio noted while tightening the straps on his new ballistics vest. ¡°Won¡¯t be long before they decide to just come over here anyway.¡±

    CJ took three steps in the direction Rubio was headed in before stopping dead in his tracks. Dangling right in front of his face from a single piece of webbing was a little brown house spider. It lifted its front left leg and waived it at CJ.

    ¡°Go ahead up, just send a party message.¡± He spoke while grabbing a nearby chair and sliding it over. He then slapped himself on the forehead before sending Roger a party invite. ¡°I¡¯ve got something else to do. Rogers in the party now, can you guys get him up to speed?¡±

    ¡°You done barking out orders now? I¡¯ve got a message from the network.¡± Said the spider with the deepest smoker¡¯s voice CJ had ever heard.

    ¡°Uh¡­yea. Go ahead I guess.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯ve got cicadas incoming.¡± It said before dropping down on CJ¡¯s shoulder. ¡°They¡¯ve increased in number and ferocity. We¡¯ve made note of a new commander class mutation. It¡¯s approaching Boss Monster levels of danger. Got it?¡±

    CJ marveled at how clear the communication between him and the spider was. It was effortless on his part. His mind raced at the possibility of using this to get the drop on his foes or gain intel on locations. That was it. Dungeons. He could use the Web Works to scout out bolster dungeons for him. With this he could have a monopoly on that information. Hell, he could tell others where to go to clear them and not have to do it all himself. CJ really needed to get back to Leaf¡¯s Bend. There was planning to be done.

    ¡°You listening to me?¡± said the spider waiving both front limbs now.

    ¡°Right, sorry. Got lost in thought there for a second. I can send messages through you, right? Make requests?¡±

    ¡°Within reason.¡± Shrugged the spider. ¡°We all have our own territory. It¡¯s the webs that carry the messages. You¡¯re awfully calm for someone who just received a dire warning.¡±

    ¡°Par for the course these days.¡± CJ split his attention and sent a message to the group about the incoming cicadas. ¡°I have a few requests I¡¯d like the network to look into. First of all, I¡¯d like information regarding the group known as the Humanities Saviors based in Newark¡ª¡± he got cut off by the spiders¡¯ immediate response.

    ¡°What a shit hole. I hated that place before all the goblins moved in. Darkness and human waste just breeds those things.¡±

    ¡°How colorful. Anyway, I¡¯d like their base scouted. I¡¯m sure I¡¯ll have to come back up this way at some point. Secondly, Dungeons. I want to know where they are, as many as can be found. Especially bolster dungeons.¡±

    ¡°Is that it?¡± asked the spider as it paced side to side listening to CJ. ¡°Tell me about all the dungeons and spy on Newark, NJ?¡±

    ¡°What¡¯s with the attitude?¡± CJ didn¡¯t appreciate this little spider¡¯s tone. ¡°Did I say something wrong?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m a Jersey spider. We all have attitude. If you¡¯re done, judging me, I¡¯m going to go back to eating flies and not talking to humans. We¡¯ll be in touch. Friggin giants and their demands¡­¡±

    With that the little spider climbed back up a web line CJ hadn¡¯t even seen before. Since he had a minute to himself, he decided to spend those attribute points and look into his new class option. That should cheer him up.

    You have five unspent attribute points.

    Taking a look at his slate, CJ could see that his Agility was at fourteen, Strength and Wisdom were still at the base ten, and his other attributes were twenty and up. If he dumped all five points into Agility it would be close to twenty. Then his next level up he could balance that stat out. He wondered how much better he¡¯d be able to aim his gun with a twenty in Agility. With that settled he applied all five points to Agility.You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.

    CJ could feel his limbs get lighter. The time it took signals to go from his brain to his fingers were shortened. He felt more limber. Deciding to test his new limits, he planted both hands on the seat of his chair and attempted to lift his waist and legs straight out. Having never tried this feat of gymnastics before, he overcompensated how much effort to put into it.

    His legs shot out almost at a 180 degree angle and his hips lifted above the back of the seat. For a brief instant he thought he might tip forward and faceplant on the ground. Fortunately for him, his abdominal muscles took over steading his balance. The smile that spread across his face only faltered when he noticed Monty standing behind the chair.

    ¡°Don¡¯t you dare!¡±

    The black furred bunny who had saved CJ¡¯s life on multiple occasions, nose twitching, decided it would be funny to kick the metal legs of the chair out from under CJ. This action resulted in his bonded owner somersaulting forward and landing on the floor feet flat, knees bent at a forty five degree angle, with both arms wrapped around his shins. His chin rested atop his knees.

    ¡°Now that was impressive,¡± Jenn stood leaning against one of the dinning room tables, ¡°If Monty had a bucket of fish, we would have a great act for Sea world.¡±

    CJ stood up straight and composed himself. Behind him he could hear the snickering of both the rabbit and his chemist. He figured the best revenge would be digging through his class tree to find something truly epic to have them drool over. A fight was coming, and he¡¯d need an edge.

    Grabbing his chair back, he dove into his class tab on his slate. Once again transfixed by the paths and options, he focused on the three lanes he¡¯d seen before. Tricks of the trade, Elemental Adaptation, and Familiarity. This time he opened up Tricks of the trade. Blue mana raced down a line to that node opening it up further. He was surprised to see a sub menu of three more options.

    Escape Artistry- Powers and abilities that lend to a great escape.

    Illusions- Baffle the minds of others with fantastic sights and sounds.

    Mentalist-Delve into Tier Two Psychic abilities and spells.

    CJ wanted to peruse them all, but he had limited time and only one class point. Why they only gave class points out at every fifth level was baffling to him. He¡¯d have to press Monty on it later but for now he opened the tree for Escape Artistry. Within were only two options that branched off into opposite directions.

    Flashportation- Uncommon Ability/ Tier Four Planer: Cost 10 mana for thirty yards of omnidirectional movement. Every ten yards after that is an additional mana cost. You explode into a flash of light that can temporarily blind enemies as you slip between dimensions to a location of your choosing.

    ¡°Holy fuck knuckles, that¡¯s good.¡±

    CJ almost spent his point right then and there but decided to at least look at the second option.

    The Second Dimension- Uncommon Ability/ Tier Four Planer: Cost 15 mana for twenty seconds. Flatten your personal dimensional space allowing you to squeeze through the tightest of gaps in the third dimension.

    CJ felt this was a no brainier. While being able to slip through bars or between impossibly tight cracks in walls, being able to just teleport to the other side of the obstacles was preferable. He spent his newly acquired class point on Flashportation.

    ¡°Are you done yet? We need a plan.¡± Asked Monty.

    ¡°Let¡¯s find out what they are doing from Rubio. Bottom line, we¡¯re leaving.¡±

    New Message from Party Leader CJ: Rubio, what¡¯s the situation.

    New Message from Rubio: I can¡¯t really hear them, but they are arguing with some guy in glasses about what to do.  Several of them are displaying their new abilities and pointing back to this building. You may have disrupted their unit cohesion.

    New Message from Party Leader CJ: Fine, I¡¯ll go out there and get the ball rolling on this cluster fuck. Robert, can you figure out a way to get the Escalade out of here?

    New Message from Roger: This thing is trippy. Way ahead of you, young blood. Just give the signal and we¡¯ll be riding in style.

    With that CJ stood up noticing he had another slate message he just hadn¡¯t gotten to yet.

    Your Familiar Bond has increased by 10%. You will receive your next bond improvement choice at fifty percent.

    CJ switched over to his familiar tab and noted their bond was now at forty percent. Just ten percent more to go and he could select whether Monty could use his abilities or his skills. Now that he had Flashportation, the choice was pretty clear. Another thought occurred to him, the powers he got from Anansi¡¯s mark showed up under his abilities. Would Monty be able to use those too? CJ was excited to find out but first, he¡¯d have to deal with the wolves at the gates.

 Chapter Sixty Five: Mr. Thompson.

    CJ needed to both warn the people outside about the threat and get his people moving. Did he really need to warn them? He could just leave and have them slow down the bugs. That would be too cruel, especially after connecting a bunch of their slates. With that decided, CJ strode out the front door while the rest of the team continued to help with Roger¡¯s preparations.

    He heard the locking mechanism on the door thunk shut. Turning, he manifested his motorcycle key in his right hand. Before he could start it, the man in glasses began to jog toward him. Closely followed by two familiar looking members of the saviors. Susan and Phil had arrived.

    ¡°Stop right there. You need to come with us right now.¡± Demanded the man in glasses.

    CJ used a heartbeat to take in this man¡¯s measure. He had black hair slicked back, horn-rimmed glasses colored a dark blue, and he wore a dark blue suit over a faded grey t-shirt. It was obvious the suit was given to him since the shoulders didn¡¯t quite fit his slender frame.

    ¡°Actually, my team and I are getting the fuck out of dodge.¡± CJ replied as he started the bike. ¡°We¡¯ve been here too long, and the monsters are coming. There is an imminent threat of a cicada swarm targeting this location.¡±

    ¡°How could you know that?¡± asked the flustered man before pushing his glasses up with one finger. ¡°It doesn¡¯t matter. My name is Emil. I¡¯m here to escort you back to meet Mason and formally apologize for our people¡¯s behavior. Your team should just come with us. Everyone can fit in the truck and¡­ Do you hear that strange sound?¡±

    CJ did indeed hear that familiar thrumming that preceded a Cicada attack. While Emil was prattling, CJ gave his team a ten second count down over party chat. They were now at three.

    ¡°Cicada¡¯s, don¡¯t say I didn¡¯t warn you.¡±

    ¡°But we have questions.¡± Shouted Emil as CJ rolled forward off the lawn and onto the street proper, ¡°Like how do you create a safe space? What¡¯s this about dungeons and how is it you can change a no phone into a slate user!?¡±

    ¡°Another time perhaps. If I were you, I¡¯d run!¡±

    ¡°You can¡¯t turn down Mason. He¡¯s going to save us¡ª¡± Emil was cut off as the front wall of the retirement homes tv room burst up like a garage door on steroids.

    Roger had rigged the wall itself to hinge up and out with two hydraulic pistons on either end of the wall. If that wasn¡¯t shocking enough for Emil, an armored Escalade came barreling out of the building. Packed to the gills with gear and people. Emil must have imagined the fluffy white tail of a rabbit waving at him through the passenger window. Its tires were screeching as it made a sharp right turn driving down the street after CJ. Once the vehicle was clear the wall just retracted back down to the building seamlessly.

    ¡°After them!¡± Emil cried sprinting back across the street. ¡°We won¡¯t go back empty handed.¡±

    CJ could honestly say he missed the feeling of moving at high speeds. He was fast, he knew that, but there was still a difference between running at top speed and riding a motorcycle. That feeling of joy lasted just long enough for the first cicada to land on the road in front of him.

    New Message from Party Leader CJ: Just dodged a huge bug. They were dog sized before, but they seem to have gotten into the steroids. They are easily the size of big jungle cats now, if that one is any indication. Check your fire if you¡¯re behind me.

    New Message from Rubio: Copy.

    With that CJ pulled back on his speed. Hitting one of these things at sixty might max out his mana. He could use some more points but not at these speeds.This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

    There was a loud crack just before a cicada corpse hit the road not thirty feet in front of him. Bug guts and pieces of carapace flew up into the air. CJ knew instinctively that shot came from Rubio. Then a flatbed truck that was parked on the side of the road flipped over. He angled the bike to swerve around the cab end and jerked it back to center. At the cut back around the outside of the truck something grabbed him from behind. His bike launched out from underneath him skidding across the pavement. Then he was bodily slammed into the windshield of the upside down truck. His mana level skyrocketed to one hundred points from thirty two.

    CJ faked a wince and slowly opened his eyes to see a six foot five inch tall humanoid Cicada. Its carapace was tinged green with grey spots. The two antennae above its forehead twitched in anticipation. The four insectile wings growing from its back buzzed as it reached back with its left arm, claws outstretched, prepared to swipe at CJ¡¯s jugular.

    This whole time CJ had been batting at the arm holding him pressed to the ruined truck. He couldn¡¯t budge it an inch. It held him like a vice. His revolver appeared in his right hand and CJ pulled the trigger three times. He heard more than saw the bullets plink to the ground at his feet. The brute didn¡¯t even flinch. That was when he noticed something peculiar. He chanced a glance up at the creature as bullets ricocheted around them. It had a folded ace of spades card wedged in its mouth hinge.

    ¡°Yes, now you realize I am your doom.¡± It said in a buzzing clipped voice.

    New Message from Roger: Do it now!

    CJ straight up noped out. He activated Flashportation for the first time. Blinding light erupted from around his body. The monster hissed covering its eyes and backing up. Just in time for Roger to hit it full on with the Escalade. The monster was launched down the street, through a parked van, which crumpled in around it. CJ appeared on top of the wrecked truck as the Escalade slid to a stop.

    ¡°Need a ride?¡± asked Roger smiling ear to ear.

    The smile died out once the sound of tearing metal could be heard from the now crushed van. The cicada monster was trying to force its way back out and onto the street. It seemed to be having a hard time though as its strength met unyielding steel without its full range of motion. Several lesser bugs landed around the van pulling at bent metal bands trying to widen the hole.

    ¡°Yea, I¡¯ll¡­ I¡¯ll take that ride thank you very much.¡±

    ¡°No room inside. I installed some straps, and hand holds on the roof though.¡±

    New Message from Rubio: Good thing we were following you. This is still an active combat. Please keep all communication in the message system.

    CJ hopped from the top of the truck to the roof of the Escalade. He strapped his left wrist down onto a nearby hand hold and kept his revolver in his right hand. To his right were packed boxes also affixed to the roof of the vehicle. Then he stomped on the roof once.

    New Message from Party Leader CJ: Go, go, go.

    Roger peeled away going down a side street. All the while rhythmic thrumming cold be heard. CJ could swear he heard inhuman screaming coming from behind them. He wasn¡¯t taking any more chances. One quick cast of Now You Don¡¯t should see him to the turnpike exit with a minimal loss of mana.

    <hr>

    Emil fumed while sitting on the passenger side of the military transport. They finally got on the road after these tiger sized bugs dropped out of nowhere around them. He may have been a bit eccentric, but this Thompson was correct. They had been attacked. There was good news though. They weren¡¯t the only ones.

    Now they were following a trail of cicada corpses through the streets. Several of them needed to get out and move a turned over flat bed truck out of the way. Another delay, but as long as they could keep following this trail, they¡¯d find their quarry sooner or later.

    ¡°Sir, you should come see this.¡± Said one of the no phone soldiers.

    ¡°What is it now? It¡¯s getting dark and we are nowhere near the safety of our sanctuary.¡± Emil complained as he stepped down from the cab before pushing his glasses up his face. ¡°I see.¡±

    Thompson¡¯s motorcycle lay in a twisted heap. It looked like someone put the bike in a trash compactor. He didn¡¯t notice any human remains anywhere, but these bugs wouldn¡¯t be strong enough to do this. There were dead cicada corpses strewn around. Also, that armored vehicle his team had was nowhere in sight. What Emil did find interesting was the completely gutted former Astro Van. It was basically two bucket seats and a broken axle now. The damage to the motorcycle seemed¡­ personal. There were even grooves on the bent metal that looked like hand prints.

    ¡°Someone get a good vantage point. I want to know what direction they went in after this fight. They couldn¡¯t have gone far by the looks of the damage.¡± Barked Emil kneeling down to inspect what was left of the motorcycle. ¡°What have you gotten yourself into, Mr. Thompson?¡±

 Chapter Sixty Six: Semantics.

    They were moving southbound at a speed on the NJ Turnpike now. The abandoned vehicle obstacle courses really only amass closer to more populated areas. There were large stretches of highway that ran through nothing but trees and undeveloped land. Once they got closer to Leaf¡¯s Bend they¡¯d have to slow down. For now, Roger was taking advantage of the empty lanes of pavement.

    The sun was setting on CJ¡¯s right side as he looked over the collection of junk strapped to the vehicle. It gave an eerie orange glow through the trees. As he paid attention to the dancing shadows he thought he saw movement. The tops of trees began to bend away from each other forty or so yards ahead of them.

    New Message from Party Leader CJ: Eyes Right!

    New Message from Rubio: I see it. Roger, drive faster.

    New Message from Roger: What is it? Not much more speed considering all the weight she¡¯s hauling.

    New Message from Party Leader CJ: Rubio, what does your scope say?

    With that Rubio detached his scope from his rifle and peered through it. A sharp inhale passed his lips as he read the description out loud. The inside of the Escalade became a cacophony of people all talking at once. Some shrieks were mixed in as well.

    New Message from Party Leader CJ: All I can hear out here is wind. What the hell is going on?

    New Message from Monty: Rubio said it¡¯s an Alligator Rex, Level 15. It¡¯s huge.

    New Message from Elena: CJ, we¡¯re only thirty minutes out away from town. That thing is only going to get bigger, isn¡¯t it?

    New Message from Psycho: I don¡¯t think we can fight it, from what Rubio said we¡¯d need C4 to take it down. A few grenades aren¡¯t¡¯ going to do it.

    New Message from Rubio: It looks to be the size of a burger franchise. It¡¯s currently humping a copse of trees. I don¡¯t know what that¡¯s about and I¡¯d rather not find out.

    New Message from Party Leader CJ: Fighting it right now is off the table. We¡¯re all exhausted and prone to mistakes. Keep guiding Roger back to town.

    CJ was starting to feel the chill of the early evening air. He converted his clothes back to the High Examiners Robes. This gave him a hood to use and covered more of his body with fabric. It also added to the drag on his person up here. The loose cuffs and flowing robes snapping in the wind. His left wrist began to chafe against the strap but his regeneration quickly dealt with it. He was tempted to cast Polychrome Flames on his hands for that extra bit of heat, but he didn¡¯t want to draw any more attention to their position. All he needed to do was tough it out a little further.

    About twenty minutes later CJ spied the big green sign that marked the freeway exit for Leaf¡¯s Bend. He thought quickly about what it meant to have a sign pointing the way to their protected environment and made a snap decision.

    New Message from Party Leader CJ: Monty, Earth fist that sign down. I¡¯ll take the right side.

    He received no response as he prepared the spell. He sent his revolver back to his inventory to free up his right hand. Brown runes accompanied by tiny falling leaves spun around his right wrist as a dirt and stone hand rose up out of the ground on the right side of the highway sign. It grabbed onto the metal support structure and twisted. This caused the supports to bend and fold. A mirrored fist appeared on the opposite side and began bashing at the support. The opposing forces spun the sign ninety degrees before it toppled over due to its own weight and faulty foundation. The two fists were summarily dispelled as the Escalade slowed upon approach of the off ramp.Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

    There weren¡¯t as many cars as CJ and Tommy¡¯s escape after they ran into Doc Redmond¡¯s family. Even still there were a few sedan sized obstacles that needed to be navigated. That reminded CJ that he still needed to go back and retrieve them. He had a safe place for them now and a collection of people he could trust. It was high time for a return trip back to Skippers Reservoir. He was fairly sure he knew the way back. If not he¡¯d just ask Monty.

    As CJ crossed the border from the corrupt mana environment to the purified mana zone that protected their little town, he felt lighter. Almost as if the corrupted mana constantly weighed them down spiritually. They pulled into the center of town and parked right in front of the gutted hardware store. CJ finally hopped down off the roof, rolling his left wrist as his regen repaired the damage. The rest of the team filed out one by one.

    New Message from Rubio: Now don¡¯t run off in all directions thinking we¡¯re safe. We need to sweep the area to make sure no one else found this place while we were gone. Rogers with me, we¡¯ll take the north end of town toward the mannequin factory. Elena and Jenn take the south end. CJ and Monty take the east side and track back to the highway exit. We will all meet back here in fifteen minutes. Got it?

    New Message from Elena: Roger.

    New Message from Roger: Yes?

    New Message from Psycho: Roger.

    New Message from Roger: Come on, not funny. Wait your message name is Psycho?

    New Message from Monty: Roger.

    New Message from Roger: Not you too.

    New Message from Party Leader CJ: Copy that.

    New Message from Roger: Finally.

    New Message from Rubio: Cut the shit.

    They all took off toward their assignments. CJ and Monty sweeping the buildings they knew lay inside the zone of protections. CJ breathed in deep breaths enjoying the feeling. Outside the purified zone it always felt like he wasn¡¯t getting a full breath every time. Something he could address with Monty right now.

    ¡°Hey, what¡¯s the deal with the oppressive nature of corrupted mana?¡± he said as he cast Polychrome Flames on a nearby streetlight. White light bloomed from the flames and illuminated the surrounding area. ¡°It feels like someone is sitting on my chest the whole time. It¡¯s not like it stops me from doing anything, it¡¯s just noticeable.¡±

    ¡°That is the nature of corrupted mana.¡± Monty replied as he hopped up on the hood of a nearby Nissan adopting an upright pose as he began to lecture. ¡°The corruption seeps into you over time. Often it takes a long time, and it tries to force your regular mana out. That¡¯s the slight pressure you¡¯re feeling. Under most circumstances, there won¡¯t be enough corrupt mana in one area to truly harm you. If you find yourself in a high density corrupted zone, I suggest you finish your business and leave. You would only really find that at the base of this world¡¯s mana fonts since they are all corrupted or deep within a rampant dungeon. You wouldn¡¯t want to be there since that¡¯s where the worst monsters would be. Higher levels and extremely deadly. That¡¯s why it¡¯s so important that we keep clearing dungeons.¡±

    ¡°About that. I used the boss monster concentrate on my Harbingers Grasp. It evolved into Harbingers Proclamation.¡±

    ¡°Share your slate with me.¡± The bunny frowned as his whiskers twitched. Then his eyes lit up again as his attention switched back over to CJ. ¡°That was a smart move. If any of those guys you unlocked back in the parking lot end up clearing dungeons, it¡¯ll be a great help. That ability was granted to you by Sun Wukong. I¡¯m a little surprised the Boss Monster Concentrate worked on it.¡±

    ¡°It was a good test case. I have plans to improve some of my other abilities as well.¡±

    ¡°Be careful. Some things weren¡¯t meant to evolve. You could make an ability more powerful but give it an unintended flaw. Like if you tried to improve your playing card ability and it forced you to always have the cards on you or it doesn¡¯t work. You don¡¯t know what the new rules would be.¡±

    ¡°Noted.¡±

    None of that mattered to CJ. He fully intended to try and evolve one of his boons, but not until after a few more rounds of testing. The mana inside of him churned along with his thoughts. He knew he could do it, all he had to do is figure out how. As they passed the next small home that didn¡¯t look disturbed since the last time they were here, he asked Monty another question.

    ¡°If I wanted to go back to for Tommy and the rest, do you think you could find the reservoir?¡± he asked expecting some push back with respect to everything else that was going on. ¡°We should really bring them here.¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t know what took you so long. We¡¯ve gained much more power and leveled up since the last time we were in that forest. Tommy¡¯s a little ass wipe but Doc Redmond¡¯s family was alright. We should definitely save them.¡±

    ¡°What took me so long? You were with me the whole time and you didn¡¯t say anything!¡±

    ¡°Semantics.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s not the proper use of the word semantics.¡±

    Monty just hopped off the car giggling as he scurried across the street to check the next house.

    New Message from Elena: CJ, you¡¯re going to want to see this. Come to the south end of the barrier.

 Chapter Sixty Seven: Saul and Marty

    ¡°We¡¯ll talk more about the corrupted mana later,¡± He pulled out his revolver and checked the rest of his gear before sprinting back the way they had come. ¡°Elena didn¡¯t mention what was wrong, so you go unnoticed while I make a big target of myself. Got it?¡±

    Monty just nodded ears twitching forward before he cast Now you Don¡¯t, dropping from CJ¡¯s perceptions. The town was largely the way they left it. CJ passed an inoperable streetlamp and decided to copy his trick from before. Every other lamp received a halo of Polychromatic Flames. Anyone observing from a far would see a line of white light heading toward the center of town.

    Finally reaching the town square where the quest pillar was, CJ noticed Roger and Rubio slowly walking back. He waived them over and they met up near the bench where CJ took his tumble in the scuffle with the bikers. He thought this would be a good opportunity to drop the motorcycles in his inventory and dispel the Spatial Compression. The three motorcycles popped back into normal space; kick stands akimbo.

    ¡°What do you think is up?¡± Roger asked before marveling at CJ¡¯s display of magical prowess, ¡°Wait, you have even more bikes here? Can I have one?¡±

    ¡°There were eleven originally. Pick one or two for all I care.¡±

    New Message from Rubio: Roger, I know you¡¯re new to this but I¡¯m trying to drill operational discipline into these kids. A little help would be nice.

    New Message from Roger: You right, my bad. CJ thanks for the motorcycle. I¡¯ll look into which one later. Let¡¯s find out what the ladies found.

    New Message from Party Leader CJ: Shit, that¡¯s on me too. Let¡¯s go.

    CJ lit up one of the streetlights over the small park in the center of town as the sun finally set and twilight descended on Leaf¡¯s Bend. The three men moved quickly south of the park. Quickly was a bit of a misnomer as Roger didn¡¯t move all that fast. There was a slight clanking with every other step.

    Soon enough they came up on Elena and Jenn standing between two parked cars looking out at the invisible edge of the boundary. CJ assumed they knew where the edge was due to how the mana felt. Although he¡¯s felt more distinctly than anyone else. He brought his mind back on task noticing the short school bus with curtains drawn in all the windows. At the steering wheel sat a confused looking string bean of man with long hair and a tie die t-shirt. There was a man in a suit complaining to the driver and gesturing toward the two ladies in the road. CJ looked over at his companions and realized Elena had her grenade launcher pointed at them, her index finger pressed to the side of weapon and not on the trigger.

    New Message from Elena: So, this is what we wanted you to see. It¡¯s been five minutes, and the guy keeps berating the driver.

    New Message from Party Leader CJ: The driver is scared shitless. Put that rocket launcher away. Do these guys look like a threat to you?

    CJ pushed past Elena earning himself a slap to the back of the head for his rudeness. That slap earned CJ twenty mana. That means her basic hand to hand attack did ten points of damage. He almost stopped to complain, before thinking better of it. That paid for almost all those Polychrome casts. Ignoring it, he continued forward. Holding his hands up, CJ made his revolver disappear as he approached the bus.

    The bus itself became more suspect as it wasn¡¯t yellow like normal. It was green and had an image of a genie trailing smoke from its lower half coming out of a water bong painted on the side of it. The genie¡¯s eyes were blood shot. The oppressive feeling hit him once he stepped over the boundary. CJ internally shook his head before smiling wide once he reached the accordion doors. He looked through the glass to see the man in the suit staring back at him.

    The man in the suit wore a silver necklace with an oblong pendant about an inch long. CJ noticed the writing on it was Hebrew. Having performed at many a Bar Mitzvah, it was a familiar script, but he didn¡¯t know the language. Other than that, he had a beard that couldn¡¯t have been more than month long and he wore a kippah on his head.

    The author''s content has been appropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.

    ¡°Hello. My name is CJ Thompson. Who are you?¡± he said in order to get the ball rolling.

    The doors swung open and the man in the suit lunged at CJ. CJ made no attempt to dodge. His assailant pulled his left arm around behind CJ forcing him to face his friends and blocking any shot at the man in the suit. From within the bus there were small yelps and screams. As if other passengers were dissatisfied with what was happening.

    New Message from Party Leader CJ: Everybody stay cool. I¡¯ve got this. He can¡¯t hurt me. There are other people on the bus besides him and the driver. Let¡¯s try to diffuse this situation.

    ¡°You tell your people to drop their weapons, or I¡¯ll break your arm.¡± Whispered the man in an Israeli accent.

    ¡°I¡¯m not going to do that.¡± CJ sucked his teeth as the man applied some more pressure to his arm. ¡°We can all talk like adults. I¡¯m sure whatever happened to you and your people was bad. Can I offer you a bag of chips? There aren¡¯t enough left of us to start murdering each other in the streets.¡±

    That seemed to give the man pause. Maybe it was the parallels between what they were all experiencing and what the Jewish people have face for centuries that stayed his hand, but the pressure lessened on CJ¡¯s arm. That was when the driver decided to speak up.

    ¡°Saul, come on man, you said you weren¡¯t going to hurt anybody. Just ask him if this is Leaf¡¯s Bend.¡±

    CJ almost doubled over with laughter. The driver couldn¡¯t be a more stereotypical stoner. He had no idea how a guy like that could have survived in the apocalypse. CJ¡¯s title was still set to Repair Man, and he could see that Saul and the driver were both connected to their slates. No magical warning was going to help him with this one. That said if they were connected to their slates that would explain their survivability.

    ¡°Yes, this is Leaf¡¯s Bend. Had you pulled up a little farther you would have felt the difference between the corrupt mana zone and a purified mana zone. If your friend here would let me go, we might proceed with more civility. Chip offer still stands.¡±

    ¡°Now you listen to me, nobody want¡¯s your chips. I know a fortified¡ª¡± Saul was cut off by the driver.

    ¡°I do. I¡¯m famished man.¡±

    ¡°For the love of God, would you shut up Marty!¡±

    CJ produced a bag of chips in his right hand before flinging it through the open door of the bus. Marty snatched it out of the air and the bag was open before his ass hit the driver¡¯s seat again. A young lady stepped into view reaching for the chips. Marty almost pulled the bag away before deciding better of it. CJ used all this commotion as a distraction before triggering Flashportation.

    Saul quickly covered his eyes with his right hand after he could no longer feel CJ. His left hand quested around him as he took three quick steps back. CJ landed on the roof of the bus. He watched Saul stumble around for a bit while blind before he swung himself down and into the bus itself. This elicited a startled yelp from Marty who was wiping crumbs off his shirt at the time. The young woman who was also eating the chips darted back into the bus.

    The inside of the bus smelled, predictably, like the stickiest of the icky. The rear of the bus had a long couch propped up against the back and the sides had plush seating. All the standard school bus seating looked to have been ripped out long ago. The good news was there didn¡¯t appear to be a bed or kitchen area. That told CJ this was a recreational vehicle and not someone¡¯s home. It was further reinforced by the menu of prices hanging from the wall behind the driver detailing the differences between Sativa and Indica strains. There was a whole gaggle of people in here. Some looked like family units and others were strangers to each other. All were no phones. He noticed someone tuck a little deeper in the back before CJ¡¯s attention was drawn back to the driver.

    ¡°Hey man, how did you do that? Saul¡¯s gonna be pissed.¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t worry, he¡¯ll be fine in a minute. That dude is angry. Water?¡± CJ offered, before producing several water bottles. He even pulled out a handkerchief and placed a new one behind it after each bottle disappeared into someone¡¯s grasp.

    ¡°Dude, that¡¯s super cool of you. You wouldn¡¯t have any beers would ya?¡± asked Marty as he crushed up the now empty bag of chips.

    Behind them Saul was stamping his feet as he rubbed his eyes. His head locked onto CJ leaning against the dash casually chatting with Marty as his eyes finally cleared. He made a bee line for the door as CJ swiftly kicked the handle for the accordion door slamming it shut in his face.

    ¡°Man, he¡¯s gonna be super pissed now.¡± Snickered Marty.

    ¡°You open this door immediately!¡± said an irate Saul, as he began ranting he looked through the glass watching people drinking from water bottles and wolfing down snack foods, ¡°I¡¯m responsible for these people and I won¡¯t have you¡­ handing out food and water.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ll open it, but you have to promise to be cool. Can you be cool?¡±

    New Message from Monty: I¡¯m running low on mana, and no one is looking at me. I¡¯m going to drop the spell. Also, I can hear more vehicles coming from the way we came.

    Saul seemed to deflate at those words. Standing before the door he straightened out his blazer and smoothed his sleeves. He then looked up and met CJ¡¯s eyes before nodding once. The door opened and CJ stepped out of the bus, hands at his sides.

    ¡°Let¡¯s try this again. Hello, I¡¯m CJ Thompson. Welcome to Leaf¡¯s Bend.¡±

 Chapter Sixty Eight: It is the end of the world after all.

    New Message from Rubio: I see lights up on the highway. I don¡¯t think they are headlights. The color is yellow. Maybe candlelight? That street you came down is all lit up now. Might as well be a landing strip, cabron.

    CJ twitched a little bit realizing he lit all those streetlights with Polychrome Flames. With a mental flick of a switch, he dispelled the magic. This thrust that street into total darkness. Then he targeted a mailbox and a fire hydrant nearby causing the flames to shift into a less bright white spectrum. All of this happened in the blink of an eye as Saul began his mea culpa.

    ¡°I feel I should apologize for my rash behavior.¡± He began as he took a step back from the door to give CJ some more space. ¡°We have had a terrible few weeks since this all began. Atlantic city is a veritable war zone. We have all been on edge. If it weren¡¯t for me and the young Marty there, many of these people would have died. They cannot see the slates, you see. I assume from your theatrics you have a magic based class?¡±

    ¡°You would be correct. How about we discuss things somewhere more secure? You have stopped outside the safe barrier. I would like you to come into town proper and avail yourself of our hospitality. How does that sound?¡±

    ¡°My actions may have seemed rash, and I don¡¯t deserve the civility you are currently showing me. Thank you for your offer of hospitality.¡±

    A wall of text assaulted both CJ¡¯s and Saul¡¯s slates as the bus moved into the protection of the Quest Pillar. CJ wanted to read them in order but couldn¡¯t catch the first one as the next moved it further down the slate. So, he began where he could see.

    You have offered Hospitality to Saul Isaacs and his companions. While under your protection they are prohibited from acting against your forces in any malicious manner. You must provide adequate shelter and board during their stay. This is a contract bound in mana. If either party should break said contract a ten percent curse will be levied against Health, Mana, and Stamina.

    New Class Ability Learned: Fey Lineage- This ability allows the user to create two way mana bound contracts. There are several staple contracts that have been used throughout legend, but this class ability allows for the creation of new ones by tapping into unaspected mana. Be warned, once a contract is agreed to it will be upheld by mana itself. The higher the stakes, the bigger the penalties. This class ability is only available to magic using classes and settlement owners.

    Your settlement has grown beyond ten residents. The next zone of safety increase happens at twenty five.

    CJ almost fell back on his ass he could feel the edge of the safe zone jump another block away from the center of town. Now most of Leaf¡¯s Bend would be protected from the horrors out in the corrupted mana zones. He also noticed the back of the bus was covered from top to bottom in dents. Some of which still contained what did the damage to begin with. They looked like blunted and razor sharp casino chips.

    ¡°What just happened? Contract? Why does the air feel so different now?¡± Saul said as he spun in a small circle while watching the bus move further into town.

    ¡°It seems we chose our words poorly.¡± Muttered CJ while rubbing the side of his head. ¡°Come on, we¡¯ll get your people set up in the mattress store for now. We¡¯ve got running water in there at least.¡±

    Ten minutes later, all the people had exited the bus and set up in the mattress store. Some of the children were bouncing up and down on a few mattresses in the back as their parents tried to burn off their nervous energy.

    ¡°Looks like those vehicles on the road missed the exit. Good thing you took down the sign.¡± Commented Rubio as he passed CJ and Saul speaking at the salespersons¡¯ desk.

    ¡°Thanks Rubio.¡± He said before turning his attention back to Saul, ¡°So it looks like I¡¯ve invited you to stay. Now I need to discuss something particularly important with you. What do you know about Dungeons?¡±

    The narrative has been illicitly obtained; should you discover it on Amazon, report the violation.

    ¡°So, you do know. That was the biggest issue back in Atlantic City. The whole place turned into a dungeon. It was like trying to get out of Falluja back in the nineties. All the slots and table games came to life. It was a massacre after the world went to shit.¡± Saul responded with a faraway look in his eyes.

    ¡°Corrupted City Dungeon. Minor correction. We actually have a quest to clear it. We¡¯ve been clearing multiple bolster dungeons for the last week. They evaluate your abilities and reward you with gear or class points, various ways to make you stronger. Hasn¡¯t been the same twice. They¡¯re also dungeon created items inside that are slate active. Meaning they are parts of this slate system we all use now.¡±

    ¡°Wait, I don¡¯t understand. Dungeon equipment? We barely escaped with our lives with whatever we could find. Mostly trash. There were some pawn shops where we got actual weapons, but they wouldn¡¯t put down any of the monsters. It was like they couldn¡¯t be hurt. A lot of good people died.¡± Lamented Saul.

    ¡°Some monsters require enchanted weapons to be hurt or some kind of magic. Don¡¯t get me started on Arcanum. It¡¯s a conversation all its own. I should introduce you to Monty. Hey Monty,¡± CJ called out and the black furred bunny bounded his way into the mattress store.

    Monty¡¯s arrival was met with gasps and some shrieks. Some of the new people assumed it was another monster who had come to hurt them. Others were delighted to see such a big cotton tailed rabbit.

    ¡°What¡¯s up, dork?¡± said Monty eliciting another round of gasps.

    ¡°Mommy! That bunny talks!¡± came from one of the children.

    ¡°Saul, this is Monty. Monty this is Saul. He¡¯s the de facto leader of these new people. It appears they¡¯ll be staying for a while. Better to get you acquainted now.¡±

    ¡°Nice to¡­ meet you.¡± Stuttered Saul.

    ¡°Unpucker that O ring, friend.¡± Monty started before looking Saul up and down. ¡°You¡¯re going to wish you met me sooner by the time I¡¯m done talking to you. Also, CJ, you need to check the chat. Rogers got hella questions about the quest pillar.¡±

    ¡°Actually, I have some question about that too.¡± Saul chimed in.

    ¡°You know what, CJ, have Jenn come in here with Liber. That¡¯ll make things nice and quick.¡±

    ¡°You think they¡¯re ready for Liber?¡± asked CJ in jest.

    ¡°Just get me the damn book. I¡¯ll manage everything else like usual.¡±

    CJ left Monty to explain more things. He realized he did a really shitty job of explaining anything to Saul. Marty was nowhere in sight, and he wondered why. Assuming that the breakdown of information would be good for both of them. Then his focus was brought back to his party chat.

    New Message from Elena: These people have been through the ringer. Hey Craig, there¡¯s a woman here that wants to talk to you.

    New Message from Psycho: I think we should call him Jack instead.

    CJ¡¯s blood ran cold. Who could possibly have told them what his initials stand for? Who was left in this world that even knew? He picked up the pace to get outside where he saw Elena and Jenn speaking to a woman on the park bench. She had red hair and several freckles spanning from cheek to cheek across the bridge of her nose. Finally, there was a scar on her face. A remarkably familiar scar.

    ¡°Riley? Is that you?¡±

    ¡°Um¡­ I¡­ Yes.¡± She said while nervously rubbing her hands.

    ¡°We¡¯ll leave you two to get reacquainted.¡± Smirked Elena as she grabbed Jenn¡¯s hand and hauled her away.

    CJ didn¡¯t know what to think. I felt for sure she would be dead. That disastrous date was almost ten years ago. She didn¡¯t look a day older. Rile decided to get up and pace back and forth in front of the bench while CJ stood there mouth agape.

    ¡°I didn¡¯t know¡­ how to approach you. I didn¡¯t even realize it was you until I saw the handkerchief trick with the water bottles. Saul and Marty just kept saying we were going someplace safe. I didn¡¯t like how we left things. You abandoning me at the hospital and me spitefully not calling you back. I was hurt physically and emotionally.¡±

    It all just poured out of her. Weeks of stressful living and years of misplaced anger toward him. CJ just let her speak until she was finished. Then and only then would he correct her misunderstanding. She stopped talking for a moment to take a breath before continuing.

    ¡°So that¡¯s how I got here and here you are. I wasn¡¯t going to just keep hiding in a small crowd of people. That wasn¡¯t going to work. I figure now everything is said and out in the open.¡± She finished.

    ¡°So¡­ I¡¯m glad you¡¯re okay. This place is safe from the monsters, but humans can come and go as they please. They won¡¯t always be the nicest people. I¡¯ll start with that.¡± Began CJ as he pulled a small box from his inventory. He opened it quickly and then shut it. ¡°I do have a point of clarification though. The hospital wouldn¡¯t let me in to see you because I wasn¡¯t immediate family. I attempted to make further contact with you but as you said, my calls went unanswered. You may not have known that little bit of information. So, I apologize for the incident itself. Not your decade of misplaced anger. With that said, I hope we can wipe the slate clean. It is the end of the world after all.¡±

 Chapter Sixty Nine: Nice.

    CJ¡¯s response must have shaken Riley to her core. She began to openly cry into her hands on the park bench. Taking in great gulps of air before expelling it in stuttered sobs. CJ produced a handkerchief from his sleeve and handed it to her. He knew consoling her would be the right idea but the way things had been going lately, a crying woman was low on his priority list.

    It was just after six in the evening now and it would take him hours to get to the Redmond¡¯s and Tommy. It would be better to get a good night¡¯s sleep and start in the morning. Leaving Riley here to lament her own choices didn¡¯t sit well with him, so he called in a favor.

    New Message from Party Leader CJ: Jenn, I¡¯ve got a crying woman out here. If you come to console her, I¡¯ll change your party chat name.

    New Message from Psycho: Deal.

    New Message from Monty: How dare you?

    New Message from Elena: Hey! I like that nickname.

    New Message from Rubio: Children, please keep the chat to important¡­ never mind.

    New Message from Roger: Ya¡¯ll done did it this time.

    Jenn ran over to the park bench and Riley wrapped her arms around her. She continued to cry into her shoulder as CJ cast Now you Don¡¯t. Successfully slipping away from the two while making his way back to the mattress store. Within the store people started to relax. Of the eleven people that were crammed into that bus, three distinct groups appeared. There was a family of five. It contained two parents, two children, and what looked like an uncle. Right now, the uncle was keeping the kids busy while the parents were discussing things with Saul. The kids were easily under ten years old. Monty was over with the two other groups. Two guys and a woman and an elderly couple. The conversation he was having was quite animated. CJ decided to make his presence known to Monty¡¯s group.

    ¡°Like I already said. Your slates are broken.¡± Monty wiped a paw front to back over his head and ears in frustration. ¡°You can¡¯t read these messages unless you let CJ fix it. Then you¡¯ll get powers depending on whatever class you pick. Otherwise, you¡¯ll just be getting in the way all the time.¡±

    ¡°My little brother isn¡¯t going to become some child soldier in the magic man¡¯s army because his talking bunny said so. Where the hell is the government? Why isn¡¯t there an elected official in charge? I want to speak to someone in charge.¡± Screeched the shrill woman.

    Now that CJ was closer he could see the woman talking and one of the younger men looked similar. They both had chestnut brown hair and were of a similar stature. The man trying to calm the woman was obviously her husband. He seemed used to her ranting. The elderly couple were just sitting on the bed listening to the conversation with wrapped attention.

    ¡°I¡¯ll do it. I¡¯m surprised I¡¯ve lived long enough to see the end of the world. This way they can see the process and can make an informed decision. Anything is better than fighting those Flaming Pitchfork pricks for scraps of food with just a cane.¡± Said the old man before patting his wife¡¯s hand and standing up. ¡°If I can help protect people before I go, all the better.¡±

    The man had a slight hunch to his back but also a challenge in his eye. CJ recognized it as courage. A deep resonating courage. The kind most people who¡¯ve experienced losing everything and finding a way back seemed to develop. That man was worth the effort. His wife had a gnarled right hand that looked painful but was probably an arthritis affected limb. With that, CJ dispelled his mental cloaking and became part of the foreground standing right next to Monty.

    ¡°That kind of sentiment I can get behind. Now I¡¯ll have to touch you, and I¡¯m told the process stings.¡± Said the magician as everyone gasped at their sudden awareness of him. ¡°You¡¯ll be given a choice of classes to choose from, should you see one surrounded by a rainbow glow, I¡¯m told those are rarer.¡±

    He placed his hands on the side of the old man¡¯s head and activated Harbingers Grasp. Mana spun up CJ¡¯s arms before pouring into the old man¡¯s head. He flinched just enough that CJ noticed it, but it wasn¡¯t apparent to those around them. This old man had guts as well as resolve. As the mana past through his arms and into the target, it mixed with the old man¡¯s mana reserves before repairing his slate. Then the mana returned back to CJ. All of this happened in microseconds.

    This story has been taken without authorization. Report any sightings.

    The elderly man sat back down on the bed. He was slightly panting and had a thousand yard stare. His left hand quested out for his wives before he sucked in a long breath.

    ¡°They didn¡¯t abandon us, Hana. They took some kind of deal. They¡¯re¡­ safe.¡± He said as a tear began to roll down his cheek. The old man stiffened up again. ¡°Thank you, young man. I¡¯m Leonard Fitzroy and my wife Hana. You didn¡¯t realize this, but you just answered a question that¡¯s been bothering us for weeks. We were on vacation in Atlantic City with our children and grandchildren. Until suddenly they just disappeared one morning. We thought they left us, and we couldn¡¯t understand it. Now I know. We taught them well Hana. They prioritized the grandkids.¡±

    They held each other for a moment before Hana asked to be connected to her slate as well. CJ did so. His heart lurched once she read the initial prompts from the Goddess Fate and realized the same thing Leonard did. These poor folks were terrified and confused for so long. Not for themselves, they just wanted to know what happened to their family.

    As CJ watched the old couple he noticed Leonard¡¯s back was slightly straighter and His wife¡¯s right hand which was slightly misshapen from arthritis began to straighten out. He wondered if that was the mana coursing through their bodies in a more heightened state now or did the slate system need them in fighting shape. Something he would have to ask Wukong the next time he sees him.

    ¡°So, it does work. They have access now?¡± asked the younger of the siblings in an overly excited voice.

    ¡°Calm yourself Theo.¡± His sister said, ¡°No one is giving magical powers without my say so.¡±

    ¡°Anette! It¡¯s the end of the world. Mom and dad are gone. This is my chance to help instead of hiding behind Saul and Marty all the time.¡± Theo replied.

    ¡°Theo! Don¡¯t talk back to me in front of strangers.¡±

    ¡°All right. Enough of that. I¡¯m done changing lives for right now.¡± CJ announced turning to address to the rest of the store. ¡°I need to talk to my team outside right now. The rest of you get comfortable for the night.¡±

    Ten minutes later they all gathered outside in the street before the circular park. They made sure Riley joined the rest of traveling people. CJ was sitting on the bench now and taking a much needed bite out of the twinkie. Once Roger made it over to the group CJ began talking.

    ¡°We need to have at least two of us on watch at night. We can alternate four hour shifts if necessary. Tomorrow I¡¯m going to get my people from the Reservoir. I¡¯ll take volunteers but at least some of us should stay here. I don¡¯t know how these people will react to the quest pillar in the daylight. I don¡¯t know if the bolster dungeon is still active for new people or just closed to us. Roger and Jenn may be the ones we can test that on. I can¡¯t see the door anymore. I can¡¯t tell if magic I¡¯m feeling from the park is the quest pillar or a dormant dungeon entrance.¡±

    CJ took that small box out of his inventory and passed it around to everyone. Once they all read the prompt, they gave it back to CJ.

    ¡°I was thinking of planting it in the park, but I¡¯m going to wait until morning and after we test the dungeon entrance thing.¡± He said before stowing it back into his inventory. ¡°No point in creating grove of apple trees that you have to clear a dungeon to get. Even if it¡¯s only one time.¡±

    ¡°Are we going to talk about that bug thing? It seemed pretty pissed off.¡± Said Roger.

    ¡°That¡¯s exactly what I¡¯m worried about. On my way here before I met the Trinchars, Monty had to save me from a dog sized cicada.¡± CJ looked over at Monty who had his rabbit head tilted to the side in contemplation. ¡°I used the children¡¯s trick fifty two pick up to distract it, just as Monty knocked it off of me. The thing that grabbed me had one of my cards lodged in its mouth. Freakiest shit I¡¯ve ever seen.¡±

    ¡°Was it an ace?¡± asked Rubio.

    ¡°Yea, Ace of Spades. How did you know that?¡±

    ¡°Because the dog sized cicada that jumped at me just before we all fell into the dungeon the first time, had an ace of spades in its mouth. It certainly wasn¡¯t humanoid though.¡± He replied.

    ¡°Not a good sign. Monty, how is that possible?¡± asked CJ.

    ¡°Sounds like additional mana mutation. But that would mean they have a boss monster that can produce higher grade minions.¡± Monty paced back and forth stroking his bunny chin with his paw.  ¡°It¡¯s focus on you is more troublesome. You¡¯re the only one that can make a no phone into a slate active person. It¡¯s just too soon for monsters to evolve this rapidly. They¡¯d have to have a substantial amount of corrupted mana to evolve a level of sentience this early. They should be mindless beasts.¡±

    ¡°I think you should check your quests tab.¡± Elena blurted out after palming her face.

    CJ did just that. Right there in one of the first quests he got from the pillar.

    Quest: Cicada Matriarch- Eliminate the Cicada Matriarch before the beginning of summer or the Pine Barrens will be overrun. Rewards: Class Ability, Rare. Accept Y/N

 Chapter Seventy: Banshee.

    CJ and his team discussed the situation well into twilight before retiring for the evening. Roger and Rubio took watch that night since they weren¡¯t involved in clearing the second dungeon. CJ unlocked the door of the apartment above the one bar in town.

    It was sparsely decorated with a dart board on the inside of the door and a single bed up against the wall. The attached bathroom was nice, and CJ would have to get Roger and Rubio to hook him up with some hot water. The walls were that tacky wood paneling you¡¯d find in someone¡¯s basement along with cases of pro ball memorabilia. For now, he gave himself a quick whores bath before turning back to the bed. Only he found a dark haired furball curled up on his new pillow. CJ was too tired to take the bait. He flopped down on the bed then drifted off to sleep.

    The next morning, CJ gathered everyone of the new people out by the park in the center of town. Saul joined him with Liber tucked under his arm. Roger and Rubio were getting some shut eye now that everyone else was awake. That left Monty, Elena, and Jenn to stand up there with them. Saul stepped forward and addressed his people.

    ¡°Leonard, Hanna, and I learned a lot from this book last night. It teaches the basics about what our world has turned into. It also records our stories.¡± Saul held up the tome that was Liber and bookmark tongue waived at them. ¡°Some of this will sound like nonsense for those of you who aren¡¯t yet connected. Our host can fix that. We leave the choice up to you. CJ and his people have offered a place for us to be relatively safe. I say relatively because nowhere is safe anymore. That choice is also yours. I can tell you I¡¯m tired of running. I¡¯m tired of being scared and I¡¯d like to stop waking up shaking from the things I¡¯ve seen. I intend to stay.¡±

    ¡°What about the rest of the survivors back in Atlantic City?¡± someone asked.

    ¡°We ran because we couldn¡¯t help them. Should you go back, I fail to see how that situation changes.¡±

    ¡°We¡¯ve found help now. Can¡¯t you help?¡± asked the young man from last nigh who¡¯s sister wouldn¡¯t allow CJ to connect his slate.

    ¡°I can and will be going to Atlantic City. The dungeon there is corrupted. We have a quest to clear it, but I need to retrieve some friends of mine from the Reservoir in the Pine Barrens.¡± CJ raised a hand to hold off any protests before continuing. ¡°There is also an infestation of giant cicadas in the Pine Barrens that needs dealing with before it gets too large. This too is a quest we have. Some of you are making the what the hell did he just say face. If you¡¯d allow me to connect you to your slates, you could understand more of what I¡¯m saying. I can¡¯t be in three places at once. We need to save as many people as possible.¡±

    Murmurs began rumbling through the gathered people. Of course, that was when the door to the bus accordioned open to reveal a haggard looking Marty. He sauntered over to the wall of the one of the main street shops and planted his left palm on it before working his belt with the other hand. Groans could then be heard from everyone as he relieved himself against the wall.

    ¡°Meshuggeneh! Marty! Stop that at once.¡± Hollered Saul as he stomped toward the stoner. ¡°There is a working bathroom in the store!¡±

    CJ covered his mouth to hold back his laughter, but it didn¡¯t help much since Monty was in hysterics on the ground. Elena just shook her head while Jenn helped to refocus the gathered people.

    ¡°Leonard and Hana, would you be willing to tell the people what classes you took?¡± asked CJ after he got ahold of himself.

    ¡°Certainly. There were three choices for me. Fighter, Gunmen, and Chef. I worked in a kitchen for many years after I got out of the Airforce. I understand a chow line.¡± The old man began standing straighter than anyone had seen since meeting him. ¡°I accepted the Chef class considering in my old age, it would be harder to give back just by fighting. My thing says I can make food that aids in training as well as create new recipes of my own that when combined correctly, will do a combination of things. It seemed like the right choice. I also feel better than I have in years.¡±

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    ¡°I accepted a class called Ten Pins. I was a professional bowler for many years. My slate?¡± Hana asked getting a nod from CJ, ¡°Says I have telekinetic over objects less than five pounds and I can do damage with an ability that multiplies with every ricochet. This would have come in very handy against those damn slot machines.¡±

    CJ marveled at the gulf between their classes. He wasn¡¯t the only one as the gathered crowd started to pepper them with questions. All of that came to a grinding halt as soon as they began discussing the specifics of their abilities and the no phones only heard wah wah. Some people were still on the fence, though CJ knew how to tip them over.

    New Message from Party Leader CJ: I¡¯m going to do it now. Try to hold them back since we don¡¯t know if the dungeon will activate when breached by a no phone.

    He walked into the park and pulled out Johnny¡¯s Appleseed. CJ took one last look at the description while everyone else was still distracted.

    Johnny¡¯s Apple Seed- Legendary Item/ Earth Magic. Once planted this seed will grow a one acre apple orchard in a matter of minutes. The apples it produces will grow in all seasons. Whoever consumes one of these apples will be cleansed of any disease. The seeds from the apples produced are non-viable and cannot germinate.

    A trowel appeared in CJ¡¯s hand from his inventory. He began to dig into the dirt at his feet until he was at least a foot below the surface. Then he upended the box and allowed the seed to fall into the hole. Quickly packing the dirt back on top of it, he spun around and faced the gathered few.

    ¡°I found an item in one of our dungeon runs. It should provide renewable substance for us but its just the beginning.¡± CJ felt a surge of mana from the grounds behind him. He combined his years of stagecraft with the feeling of welling mana behind him before continuing. ¡°Behold the fruits of our labors.¡±

    New Message from Elena: Tell me you did not just say that.

    A green and brown glow emanated from the park at his back. Thick and gnarled shafts of wood burst from the ground all around the park. Each one sprouted new limbs and leaves began budding. That was when the individual branches began to intertwine between trees, forming an orchard that looked like it was holding hands. Shining points of red began dotting the full acre of explosive plant life. Until the trees were laden with ripe crimson apples. One of them dropped from the tree and rolled over bouncing against CJ¡¯s black Airforce Ones.

    CJ bent down and picked it up. He flicked his right hand producing a seven of spades. Pumping mana into the card he cleanly sliced it in half before making the card disappear. He held it open for everyone to see. It was juicy and the flesh inside was pearl white. Taking a bite out of one half, he tossed the other half into the crowd. Seeing as it was the first fresh fruit they¡¯d seen in weeks; it was given to the children to take a bite first. The joy on their faces as they tasted something so sweet was infectious. Hana, to her credit started tossing apples from the orchard telekinetically.

    In the next hour, CJ connected everyone that was there. Including the children who read a message stating they wouldn¡¯t get a class choice until they reached thirteen summers. In CJ¡¯s mind, that was simply fine. Children shouldn¡¯t be a part of the struggle that¡¯s currently happening. Both of their parents accepted a class called Guardian. It gave them abilities that dealt with shielding.

    The biggest surprise was young man now known as Theo. His class choice was a rare one. It was called Challenger. It was a combat focused class that let him steal abilities from enemies as long as he challenged them first. CJ was completely baffled by it and his big sister was irate.

    ¡°Absolutely not. Choose again, right now.¡± She complained.

    ¡°Why should I? Didn¡¯t you get a combat class?¡± Theo shot back.

    ¡°It doesn¡¯t matter; you can¡¯t change it. You can¡¯t change it, right?¡± CJ asked Monty who shook his head left to right.

    ¡°I demand you do something about this!¡± screeched Anette.

    ¡°Remind me again, what class did you take?¡± asked CJ.

    ¡°I don¡¯t see how that¡¯s relevant¡ª¡± she began before being interrupted by Theo.

    ¡°Banshee.¡± Theo answered for her. ¡°She took the banshee class so she could yell even louder.¡±

    ¡°Theo!¡± she shrieked.

    ¡°Mrs¡­ I don¡¯t think I ever got your name.¡± started CJ.

    ¡°Anette Watson.¡±

    ¡°Mrs. Watson, we¡¯ll do our best to keep him safe. I don¡¯t have any plans to make him fight anything, but he should start training with Mr. Trinchar. At the very least it will help him defend himself. Shit¡¯s dangerous out here.¡±

    ¡°Self-defense¡­ I suppose that¡¯s fine. I¡¯ll be damned if he¡¯s going to go out on quests or whatever until he¡¯s an adult.¡± Anette said stamping her foot.

 Chapter Seventy One: Volunteers.

    Once CJ was freed from the family drama, he called a meeting between Saul, Roger, and Rubio Trinchar. The four men followed him into the bar below the apartment that CJ had taken for his own. Monty decided to tag along considering the children were tiring him out with all the running. The three men sat on bar stools while CJ went around behind the bar.

    ¡°Look, I¡¯m leaving today.¡± He held up a hand to forestall any complaints. ¡°Rubio, you¡¯ve been here since the beginning so I¡¯m comfortable leaving you in charge. I¡¯d like Roger to focus on doing the same thing he did to the town that he did to the old folk¡¯s home. We need to fortify this position against other humans. The boundary should keep out monsters but that¡¯s all. We need to control who comes and goes. Anyone disagree?¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re right. I don¡¯t like that you¡¯re leaving but you¡¯re right.¡± Replied Rubio before continuing. ¡°Have you already talked to the others?¡±

    ¡°No. I¡¯m going to ask for volunteers though. I don¡¯t know the state of my old refugee camp and my relationship with their leadership was neutral at best.¡± CJ answered wiping his hand over his bald head.

    ¡°He borrowed money from them before the world ended.¡± Added Monty before jumping up onto the bar. ¡°They treated him little better than bait.¡±

    ¡°If that¡¯s true, why are you going back?¡± asked Roger as he gestured for a glass.

    Instinctively, CJ grabbed a glass and produced a twenty ounce bottle of soda he got out of the textile factory¡¯s vending machine. Roger cracked it open and poured some into the glass before taking a big swig.

    ¡°I¡¯ve got some friends back there and one of them is a doctor. We¡¯re going to need a doctor if people are going to try settling here.¡± Explained CJ.

    ¡°He¡¯s also a no phone. I¡¯m betting CJ intends to fix his slate.¡± Monty started before he gestured for a glass himself. ¡°Maybe he¡¯ll get a healing class or something. You¡¯re so transparent. How were you ever a good magician?¡±

    CJ poured a glass of water from a water bottle he produced from his inventory. Monty leaned in to clasp it between both paws, nose twitching making his whiskers bounce, before CJ snatched it up and began drinking from it. Monty¡¯s ears dropped down around his head, but his eyes were hard as diamonds.

    ¡°Ah that was good.¡± Said CJ before emitting a loud belch.

    That was when Monty dove at him, tackling him to the ground behind the bar. Monty began to jump up and down on CJ¡¯s head as he was sprawled out on the ground.

    ¡°Give. Me. Another. Glass. Of. Water.¡± Monty said each word upon landing.

    ¡°Are you serious right now? Is this how your leadership acts?¡± asked an incredulous Saul. ¡°Why am I here? I have no intention of volunteering for this mission.¡±

    ¡°Alright, alright. Get off me!¡± said CJ stumbling back to his feet. He straightened his tux jacket before he continued. ¡°Saul, you kept your people alive under harsh conditions. How?¡±

    ¡°Well, cards on the table, I used to be an agent for Mossad before moving to the US. I had various survival training and can manage myself in a fight.¡± Answered Saul.

    ¡°Do you think you can train others?¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t see why not. The real question is would you trust me to do so after how we met?¡±

    This story originates from a different website. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

    ¡°Don¡¯t worry about that. I was in no danger, but I find some misdirection helps in tense situations. It really did feel like you could snap my arm though.¡±

    ¡°That would be Krav Maga. It¡¯s probably why I got the class Sensei. It gives me bonuses to train others in martial skills. My levels increase faster while training others as well.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s great.¡± Rubio chimed in gesturing to Saul. ¡°I was never much of hand to hand guy. I¡¯d love to learn some of that. I can teach firearms. I taught most of us.¡±

    ¡°Look, I think we should teach those who¡¯d like to learn.¡± CJ started as he poured out water for everyone including Monty. ¡°There¡¯s not going to be absolute safety anymore. Those days are over. Firstly, I think we should block up the roads into town with all the derelict vehicles. That might prevent industrious gangs from just riding into the center of town. It¡¯s a stop gap until Roger can come up with something better. There¡¯s an old auto parts store on the west side of town. The roofs caved in for¡­reasons. But you should be able to find a lot of material to work with there, Roger.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ll check it out and see what I can come up with before you get back.¡± Added Roger as he stroked his chin. ¡°I have some ideas to fortify some of the living spaces. If you find any blueprints while you¡¯re out there, they¡¯ll help tons. Firstly, I¡¯m going to get showers and stuff up and running with the combination of a mana boiler idea I had and standard plumbing. Should cut back on the cost of making things from scratch.¡±

    ¡°What about food?¡± Saul brought up after putting his glass down. ¡°We need to feed these people and apples will only go so far. I don¡¯t care how good Leonard¡¯s Chef class is, there are only so many things he can do with apples.¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t have that worked out yet. We¡¯ll have to start a garden or something.¡± Replied CJ.

    ¡°What about the big box stores? Surely we can raid one of those that hasn¡¯t been hit yet.¡± Roger added as he looked at the skeptical faces around him. ¡°Look I know they would be the first places hit but I¡¯m talking Costco and Sam¡¯s Club. Big box stores with a capital B. No way are they all cleaned out with the few people we¡¯ve seen rampaging through whatever¡¯s left. All those people that took the deal are gone for now. Shit, there might be huge tracks of land left un-plundered.¡±

    They all took a minute to think about that. CJ thought most people would look for others to hold up with and wait for things to blow over. Especially the no phones. They wouldn¡¯t have any idea what was going on unless someone told them.

    ¡°An online retailers fulfillment center.¡± Rubio started excitedly. ¡°That would have everything we could ever want. Since no one is getting deliveries anymore, all that stuff is just sitting in their warehouses. Sure, any fresh produce is long since spoiled, but canned goods and prepacked stuff should still be there.¡±

    They planned and plotted for another thirty minutes before the four men broke off to go their separate ways. Monty and CJ started toward the west end of town before being stopped by Elena.

    ¡°So, you¡¯re going to take volunteers, but you aren¡¯t going to ask us? How does that work exactly?¡± she asked.

    CJ stood still. It was almost as if he could thunder clouds roiling around her head. He¡¯d anticipated slipping away with Monty and coming back with those he could liberate from Skippers clutches. All this time CJ knew there would be a little retribution when showing up on their doorstep again. While he trusted Elena and by extension Jenn, he didn¡¯t want to involve them in his personal matters. They¡¯d helped enough and could probably use the rest. His next words would have to be carefully thought out.

    ¡°I¡­ uh¡­¡±

    ¡°Jenn!¡± Elena called out, ¡°he was gonna leave us behind this time and was too much of a coward to say anything.¡±

    ¡°Fuck!¡± cringed CJ.

    Jenn came running up with a full backpack and being followed by a very jittery looking Marty.

    ¡°I found him.¡± Jenn said as they finally caught up. ¡°Are we ready to go?¡±

    ¡°Wait, Marty, you¡¯re coming with?¡± asked CJ dumbfounded.

    ¡°Well,¡± Marty began as he scratched the back of his head in embarrassment. ¡°Saul told me you could really use my help and If I was just gonna piss on stuff in town, I might as well piss on stuff in the woods.¡±

    ¡°Are you any good in a fight? There¡¯s definitely going to be some fighting.¡±

    ¡°Saul told me he wouldn¡¯t want to go into a life or death struggle with anyone else.¡± Elena added while gesturing toward Marty who only seemed to get more bashful. ¡°Something about him being a real terror when the shit hits fan.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s not like that. My class abilities¡­ are just really strong.¡±

    CJ looked him up and down. He just looked like your average stoner. If the world hadn¡¯t ended, CJ was sure was his rat¡¯s nest of white guy dreadlocks would be under one of those colorful Jamaican hats.

    ¡°Really?¡± CJ asked. ¡°What class did you pick?¡±

    Marty drew in a deep breath before answering.

    ¡°Budzerker. It sounded funny at the time.¡±

 Chapter Seventy Two: An unexpected guest.

    New Message from Marty: This is some freaky mental communication you cats have.

    New Message from Party Leader CJ: Try to keep the chatter to a minimum, bud. It can be distracting.

    They were all now traveling through the pine barrens, following after Monty who assured CJ he could find the reservoir. Before heading our CJ managed to store a couple bushels of apples just in case. Their disease healing properties might come in handy based on his last recollections of the refugee camp of no phones. CJ¡¯s thoughts raced, focused primarily on how Tommy and the Redmond¡¯s were doing. He hoped telling them he had a safe place would be good news. That was coupled with the fear of confronting Jerry.

    Was it fear or excitement? The mob thug was once intimidating but CJ had lived through much worse in the last month. He would even go as far as to say he was ready for him. Between his actual magic and his deadly arsenal, CJ believed he was more than ready for Jerry¡¯s gun skills. Even so, the ingrained fear that had sunk into his bones over the years due to that man¡¯s abuse was hard to shake off.

    Before they met up with CJ, Elena and Jenn said their goodbyes. Jenn left a case of health boosters she made overnight with Rubio. Elena promised her dad to bring everyone home safe. She hoped she could keep that promise.

    ¡°So, Marty, you any good with a gun?¡± asked Elena clearly fishing for info on their new traveling partner. ¡°If so, I¡¯m sure CJ has a spare he¡¯s picked up somewhere and stuffed into his little clepto cave.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯d never touch a gun. Horrible things. Like holding death in your hands. You do bring up a good point though. How do you do that trick?¡± Marty asked eyeballing CJ as they tromped through the underbrush. ¡°I¡¯ve seen you pull stuff out of thin air no less than ten times.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s a class ability I¡¯ve learned abuse.¡± Began CJ before ducking under a low hanging branch. If you notice the descriptions you get from your Slate, it often leave out minor details. The description I got for my storage ability didn¡¯t say I had a limit, just that it must fit up my sleeve. After realizing that, I figured if I had bigger sleeves, I could store bigger things.¡±

    ¡°So, what happened next?¡±

    ¡°I started shoving anything I could find that would fit in there.¡± He replied wincing at Jenn¡¯s sharp laugh.

    ¡°Like a metaphysical prison wallet?¡± she tittered.

    Marty started chuckling at that before Elena stepped between him and Jenn, forcing Marty to turn his attention back to CJ.

    ¡°So, like, your sleeves aren¡¯t that wide.¡± Marty said pointing at CJ¡¯s arm before continuing. ¡°Seems like a pretty fair limitation to me.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s where the bigger sleeves thing comes in. I managed to find an enchanted robe that has yawning cuffs. Could probably fit a bike through those cuffs.¡± Commented CJ before stroking his chin in contemplation as he stepped over a log encrusted with mushrooms. ¡°When I tried to abuse it by putting a piece of something much too large to fit, I ended up getting a new spell that compresses space around an object. It was most likely the system correcting itself. I did find that kind of odd.¡±

    ¡°So, you¡¯re saying the Slate is self-correcting? I hope it corrects what¡¯s wrong with my abilities.¡±

    CJ had the hook in him good and deep now. He looked back over his shoulder at Elena whose helmeted head just nodded once.

    Stolen story; please report.

    ¡°Why don¡¯t you tell me about it? Maybe I can help.¡±

    ¡°That would be awesome. You see¡­ My ability is only really active when I smoke up. Like it doesn¡¯t do anything unless I can get lit. I know, that sounds bodacious right?¡± Marty shrugged seeming to deflate from what would be dream for him. ¡°But I lose the high and enter a state of exceptional agro. It¡¯s a real downer man.¡±

    ¡°What do you mean sate of exceptional agro? Should we be worried?¡±

    ¡°Nah, I took care of all those people with Saul fighting on my flanks. That dude knows how to kick some ass, let me tell you. Why isn¡¯t he here again?

    ¡°Focus up bud. You were complaining about your power.¡± CJ said rolling his wrist in a gesture for Marty to continue.

    ¡°Oh right. So, it consumes my inebriation to power my battle form. Don¡¯t get me wrong, it¡¯s super effective but I can¡¯t get lifted anymore. It¡¯s just sober or the hulk.¡±

    ¡°Bummer.¡± Said Jenn just as they all heard a twig snap in the forest around them.

    They all stopped moving and just listened to the forest around them for a second. The team had been traveling for a good two hours at this point and the sun was moving through the trees canopy a plodding rate. Here and there you could see sun beams punching through to the forest floor. When they started out CJ decided to take the lead as his shoes allowed him to travel without making noise. That helped with those behind him as he could crunch the foliage and make no sound. Then they would follow his path considering any noise had already been canceled.

    The fact that they heard sound around them meant they weren¡¯t alone.

    New Message from Party Leader CJ: Everyone eyes open. Monty are you picking anything up?

    New Message from Monty: I hear heavy breathing behind us. It¡¯s not monster breathing though.

    With a tilt of CJ¡¯s head, Elena stepped carefully behind Jenn who¡¯d been the last in their column. She scanned the area behind them from under her helmet. After noticing a branch suddenly bob up and down she drew her pistol. Carefully aiming at the tree before calling out.

    ¡°Whoever you are, come out right now or I start putting holes in that tree!¡±

    There was no sign of movement as they all stared at the location Elena was aiming at. Her finger rested on the side of the gun and was slowly moving toward the trigger guard as she shouted out again.

    ¡°I¡¯ll count to three. One, two,¡­¡±

    Hands shot out from around the tree. Lifted up into the air palms wide as Theo emerged. Chestnut hair ripped jeans and smirk on his face. The kid must have been trailing them for a while since they were several our out from Leaf¡¯s bend.

    ¡°I almost shot you kid! What the hell?¡± complained Elena.

    ¡°No, what are you doing here little dude?¡± Marty said as he meandered his way over to the young man.  ¡°You were supposed to stay safe back there with your sister.¡±

    ¡°I can help you now, and she¡¯d have never let me come.¡± Said the defiant teenager. ¡°Besides, I can¡¯t use my abilities unless there¡¯s someone I can defeat. I can¡¯t defeat people back in town just to steal their powers. That¡¯s fucked up.¡±

    ¡°First, language.¡± Said CJ getting a death stare from the kid. ¡°Secondly, we¡¯d lose too much time going back to town to drop him off. We¡¯ll have to take him with us. I know, I know I hate it too, but if things go my way we¡¯ll have a new force of slate active people to help protect him. Thoughts.¡±

    New Message from Jenn: We have to bring him back. It¡¯s not a game out here. Thanks for the name change by the way.

    New Message from Elena: We could take him back and catch up with you. I¡¯m pretty sure I can follow our path back.

    New Message from Monty: Are you 100% sure? If not you¡¯d be putting him in even more danger than if he came with us.

    New Message from Marty: I¡¯ll protect him. CJ is right, we can¡¯t go back, and Monty is right. We can¡¯t split up. I¡¯ve done it before. I can do it again.

    New Message from Party Leader CJ: Are you positive? It can get pretty grisly traveling with us.

    New Message from Marty: The kids been through some shit and that was before his Slate worked. We¡¯re good here.

    ¡°Fine.¡± Began CJ before producing another one of the bullet proof vests he got from the chicken dungeon. ¡°But you¡¯re to wear this at all times. No exceptions. Am I understood?¡±

    CJ handed the vest over to the young man who looked at it with awe in his eyes. He then shrugged himself into it. His awkward gangly limbs thrusting through the arm holes. Jenn stepped over to him to help tighten it around his thin torso.

    ¡°Do I get a gun too?¡±

    ¡°No chance in hell.¡± CJ shot back. ¡°You need Mr. Trinchar¡¯s training and approval before any of us are going to let you near a firearm. Liable to shoot us all in the back.¡±

    ¡°What¡¯s this message? Party chat?¡±

    New Message from Party Leader CJ: Welcome to the party pal.

 Chapter Seventy Three: The Flaming Pitchforks

    CJ dodged under another lunge from the big Cicada. He pulled mana filament wire taught as it buzzed around the tree, diving at him once more. Its pincers flared out expecting to sink into some nice flesh before they met the barest of resistance. CJ felt the weight of the creature as the wire almost imperceptibly flared with his mana. The two halves of the bug flopped to either side of CJ, still twitching. He released the tab in his left hand and allowed the wire to retract back into his right thumb ring. Then he turned back to his companions holding his index finger up to his lips.

    New Message from Theo: That was awesome!

    New Message from Elena: He¡¯s just showing off. Next one¡¯s mine.

    New Message from Party Leader CJ: Pay attention, we don¡¯t know if that thing set off some kind of bug alarm.

    CJ squatted in the grass and small brush. He¡¯d gotten some bug ichor on him as he cut it in half. After a good few minutes of wiping off his clothes he looked up to see Monty. The bunny was standing between two bushes. He kept trying to walk forward and then immediately hopped back.

    ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡± CJ whispered, knowing full well he should use the party chat.

    New Message from Monty: You need to see this. It shouldn¡¯t be here, but it is.

    With that CJ, stood up and waived at the others to stay down. He crept over to Monty¡¯s position and just waited for the contemplative rabbit to say something.

    ¡°Just step forward, you¡¯ll see.¡±

    He did so immediately receiving a shocking prompt. It spun his mind off in random directions as he crossed his own arms and tried to think of the implications.

    Warning: You are entering a high density zone of corrupt mana. Evey hour spent within the zone will cost one health point. Damage greater than your total health will result in random mutation to the point you will no longer be classified as- Human.

    ¡°Does that mean what I think it means?¡± CJ asked Monty.

    ¡°It means there is a corrupted mana font within this forest. It¡¯s corrupted bad enough the Slates need to warn us.¡±

    ¡°Why were you stepping in and out of the warning area?¡±

    ¡°I wanted to see if this was a hard edge or a curve. Good news, it¡¯s a curve.¡±

    ¡°What does that mean? This time take me through your whole thought process, so we don¡¯t have to go back and forth.¡±

    ¡°Well forgive me for trying to teach the big man something. The curve means we are at the very outer edges of it. So far out in fact it¡¯s not the full boundary.¡± Monty began explaining really slowly like he was talking to a child, before moving off in a direction behind CJ. ¡°That¡¯s good because we want to go this way. It will take us away from the highly corrupted mana that will kill us if we spend too much time in it. You and I would most likely be fine with our regeneration. The others, not so much.¡±

    ¡°So, what¡¯s the problem?¡± Asked CJ, he then beckoned for the others to start following again. ¡°Let¡¯s just go the way you pointed that leads away.¡±

    Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.

    ¡°The bug you just killed came from the corrupted zone. That is a good indicator that the nest is in there.¡± Monty then performed his characteristic wiping his paw over the top of his head and back down over his ears before they shot back up. ¡°With that much corrupted mana, they¡¯d just keep evolving into different forms. Imagine an army of those things Roger hit with the Escalade.¡±

    ¡°Fuck!¡± complained CJ before the sound of rhythmic thrumming could be heard. ¡°Crap, another one.¡±

    As CJ crouched down in preparation to slice up another bug, the Cicada landed on the trunk of a nearby tree. The tree itself had moss aggressively covering its truck and the oversized insect didn¡¯t manage to gain purchase efficiently. CJ turned in that direction ready to dodge just before Elena sped forward, chainsaw raised. She slammed into the bug with the flat of the blade and engine portion of the chainsaw. These Cicada¡¯s were about the size of dogs, and she splattered it against the tree with a meaty crunch. Her weapon of choice coupled with her strength forcing all the innards to burst forth from the creature.

    New Message from Elena: See, you can be stealthy with a chainsaw.

    New Message from Party Leader CJ: Well-done. Let¡¯s get moving.

    New Message from Marty: How strong is she? That was crazy.

    New Message from Party Leader CJ: Wait till you see the crotch saw.

    New Message from Jenn: Hey, no giving away secret techniques.

    New Message from Marty: Gods no! I didn¡¯t want to know that existed, never mind seeing it.

    New Message from Elena: Mind your P¡¯s and Q¡¯s and it won¡¯t be an issue.

    New Message from Marty: Message received.

    New Message from Party Leader CJ: Shit, Rubio was right. Too much chatter.

    They all continued to follow Monty. No more monstrous incidents occurred over the next hour. Until they reached a point where the trees had been marred by gunfire and corpses lay strewn around. There were Cicada bodies all dried out and filled with bullet holes. The human bodies were another matter. Some had bullet holes in them while others looked like they were burnt badly. Several of bodies all wore the same uniform.

    Upon recognizing the insignia on the uniforms, Marty hauled off and kicked one before spitting on the corpse. The look on Theo¡¯s face was pure unadulterated hatred as he looked down at the bodies.

    ¡°What¡¯s that all about?¡± asked CJ turning toward the pair.

    ¡°Fucking Flaming Pitchfork assholes!¡± exclaimed Marty, hands balled into fists. ¡°That¡¯s what. These guys led several raids on the survivors around Atlantic City. How have you not run into them this whole time?¡±

    CJ looked over at Elena and Jenn. Elena just shrugged and began collecting any dropped firearms before checking them for ammo. Jenn just shook her head.

    CJ was getting a bad feeling. He could almost recognize the area they were in now and the Reservoir wasn¡¯t far off. Stepping around the bodies, he wondered if Tommy and Redmond were alright. Even going as far as thinking these guys may have tried to raid Skippers little oasis in the apocalypse. Looking down he noticed one of the body¡¯s uniforms was mostly intact. Some singe marks on the back but CJ could work with that. Might come in handy for infiltration someday. He pulled the shirt off the man before getting a slate notification.

    New Item: Flaming Pitchfork Padded Shirt/ Uncommon Cloth Armor- This uniform was crafted by Cynthia Redmond and affords the wearer the following bonuses: 5% reduction from Blunt, Slashing, and Piercing damage.

    ¡°Fuck.¡± Said CJ as he stood there holding the shirt.

    Everyone in the party slowly turned their heads and looked at him. Monty looked over at him with confusion. Elena and Jenn stopped divvying up spare ammo from the fallen. Marty and Theo just watched waiting to hear what CJ had to say.

    CJ didn¡¯t know the best way to break it to everyone that they were going to the Flaming Pitchfork stronghold. He didn¡¯t understand. They didn¡¯t have uniforms when he was with them, and they weren¡¯t called the Flaming Pitchforks. Where did they even get that name? He decided to explain everything he had just learned to the team. Just not right in the middle of a battlefield.

    ¡°I¡¯ll tell you everything, let¡¯s just get away from here first.¡± Gesturing to the party to follow him off of the trail. ¡°It¡¯s almost noon so let¡¯s find a shady spot to eat, sit down, and talk.¡±

 Chapter Seventy Four: Funny, no one ever asks that.

    ¡°You were originally a Flaming Pitchfork!¡± shouted Theo.

    They all had moved off the well worn trail and into the Pine Barrens. After finding a clearing less than a mile away from the grisly scene, CJ pulled out a few bag chairs from his inventory. To do so he had to revert his clothes back into the High Examiners Robes. Theo and Marty having seen that for the first time, gasped.

    Monty could be seen behind CJ pacing back and forth. CJ was making a spectacle of himself like always, but Monty was in deep contemplation. Everyone they¡¯d met so far had complained about this group. Jenn mentioned them from her travels with the bikers. Roger complained about them engaging in gang warfare in his neighborhood. Now the group from Atlantic City had mentioned them several times as competition over resources and flat out raiding. Monty was concerned about CJ¡¯s penchant for trying to save everyone. He would need to keep a close eye on him. The bunny didn¡¯t think the doc¡¯s wife would willingly be a party to all this. The conversation picked up and Monty¡¯s attention was brought back to the team.

    ¡°Please sit.¡± CJ said before waiving at the unfolded chairs. ¡°It¡¯s a short story and it ends long before I ever heard the name Flaming Pitchforks.¡±

    ¡°This better be good.¡± Started Theo vibrating with seething rage. He¡¯d declined to sit down. ¡°Those assholes killed so many people with their attacks on us. We had to relocate more than once because of them. That¡¯s no small feat when everything is trying to kill you.¡±

    ¡°Like I started to say, I wasn¡¯t with them longer than two months.¡± CJ started producing warm soda cans and small bags of chips to hand out to everyone. ¡°We met up with a group of survivors as were on the run. My friend Tommy, Doc Redmond and his family, along with myself and Monty. They had a safe place with walls and fresh water. Yes they went out scavenging, but they also hunted for food. I, reluctantly, was bait in one of their hunting plans. We would draw in these giant rat monsters into a box canyon made of tractor trailers. You know what, the details aren¡¯t important. They were helping to feed the¡­gotta be over a hundred no phones in the tent city alone.¡±

    CJ then went into a detailed explanation of the compound when he last left it. The wooden walls pushing further out and the no mans land created by cutting down the trees. How within the walls, a great tent-city surrounded the central government brick work building. He¡¯d never been inside the building, but it had at least three floors visible from ground level. CJ assumed the top section of the building couldn¡¯t be more than unfurnished attic space with that large glass roof.

    ¡°So, they weren¡¯t raiding when you were there. That doesn¡¯t change much of anything.¡± Replied Jenn munching on some pretzels.

    ¡°Right, I still need to get there and bring my friends to safety.¡± CJ rubbed his chin in contemplation before saying his next words. ¡°I¡¯m going to try and activate as many no phones as possible for the trip back.¡±

    ¡°You want to integrate those animals with our people? No fucking way!¡± yelled Theo.

    ¡°Calm the fuck down.¡± Said CJ stepping into Theo¡¯s personal space. He gazed directly into the kids¡¯ eyes in a wordless challenge. Once Theo finally flinched and turned his head away from CJ, he continued. ¡°We need cool heads if we are going to pull this off. Now sit down and listen.¡±

    Theo finally swallowed his pride and sat in one of the chairs. Marty reached over to console the teenager before Theo shook his shoulder out from the man¡¯s grip.

    ¡°CJ, you¡¯ve got a spider crawling up your robes. Eww.¡± Cringed Jenn.

    CJ¡¯s immediate instinct was to swat at it before he heard a small voice yell up to him.

    ¡°Little help?¡± Said the spider.

    It looked like a daddy-long-legs. It had a slight green tinge to its carapace. The smell of fresh grass and the sunlight peeking through the canopy above reminded CJ he was out in the wilds. With his left hand, he reached down and watched as the spider jumped from his leg to his palm. Then he brought it up to his shoulder receiving an eww from Jenn.

    Royal Road is the home of this novel. Visit there to read the original and support the author.

    ¡°I have an ability that lets me communicate with spiders. It¡¯s something I¡¯ll get into at another time. You have a message for me?¡± asked CJ.

    ¡°You¡¯re CJ the magician right? Good. The Webworks is going wild looking for you. I¡¯m gonna get a big bonus for finding you.¡± said the spider as it bobbed up and down on its legs.

    ¡°Yes, I¡¯m CJ. What¡¯s your name?¡±

    ¡°Funny, no one ever asks that.¡±

    ¡°How many humans do you regularly talk to?¡±

    ¡°None.¡± Replied the Spider.

    There was an odd heartbeat of silence before CJ decided to continue.

    ¡°So, no name? Okay, do you have a message for me?¡±

    ¡°Right, first question. You can call me Sue. I¡¯ve got bad news and worse news. I¡¯m supposed to tell you there are two Bolster dungeons nearby but you¡¯re not gonna like where they are or what you¡¯ll have to do to get to them.¡±

    ¡°I never do. Please continue.¡±

    ¡°So, the first one is in some human building not far from here. It¡¯s surrounded by death and destruction. I wouldn¡¯t recommend going that way. We think the Cicada¡¯s consider it their hunting grounds.¡±

    ¡°Great, and the second?¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s the worst news, its sitting on top of a corrupted mana font in a high density zone. You¡¯ll get mutated before you ever find it or eaten by the Cicadas. They built their nest on top of it.¡±

    CJ quickly translated for the spider since the others couldn¡¯t understand what it was saying. Frowns could be seen across their faces as CJ gave them more details before Elena chimed in with a question.

    ¡°I thought mana mutations couldn¡¯t go near Bolster Dungeons. Something kept them away, like the mannequins and the flesh ball. How is the nest built on top of it?¡± she asked.

    ¡°I assume you heard Elena¡¯s question?¡±

    ¡°Yea I heard it.¡±

    Another moment passed before CJ realized this was going to be a thing with the spider named Sue.

    ¡°Can you answer it?¡±

    ¡°Oh, right. The dungeon is underground. Far enough away they could build on top of it. One of our scouts went deep into the nest and came back¡­wrong. Too bad to, those Cicadas are tasty. Can feed a colony of funnel web spiders for weeks.¡±

    ¡°Wait, what was wrong with the scout?¡±

    ¡°He had two extra legs. He started at eight. Wife won¡¯t even talk to him anymore. Good thing too, she was gonna eat him.¡±

    ¡°How quaint.¡±

    CJ exchanged a few more words with Sue who saluted before CJ put her on the limb of a nearby tree to go spread his message. Then he turned back to his party that had broken out into murmurs about what was going to happen next. He would have to revise his plan. With his back turned to everyone he took off his robes before putting on the Flaming Pitchfork uniform.

    ¡°Oh no. I know what he¡¯s going to do.¡± Said Monty, his ears perking straight up.

    As CJ pulled his robe back up, he could almost feel the magic inherent working its way around the shirt. The next slate message he received surprised him.

    Notice: High Examiners Robe is attempting to merge with a high quality garment with bonuses. Once complete, the High Examiners Robe will have gained any and all bonuses. This will be applied to all guises and the original item will be consumed. Do you wish to continue? Yes/ No

    CJ chose yes. Excited to get the damage reduction and wondering if he should have worn one of his ballistic vests. He¡¯d have to test whether or not that effect occurs before or after his Kinetic Energy Converter. Not willing to test it right now he turned back to his team.

    ¡°Sorry for the wait, with the information we just got, I¡¯ll have to modify my plan.¡± He said.

    ¡°Which is?¡± asked Marty leaning forward in his lawn chair.

    ¡°Monty and I sneak into the Reservoir. Meet up with my people and get the lay of the land. The rest of you hide out in the woods as back up. Now that my robes can mimic their uniform, even if my spell that hides me drops, they¡¯ll still have to look twice to figure out its me. Even then, I¡¯ve been missing for a while. They should know I¡¯m alive since there was a world message from the Slates that had my name in it.¡±

    ¡°So that was you.¡± Stated Marty getting eye rolls from everyone around.

    ¡°Yes Marty, that was about me. From what Sue said, there very well might be a Bolster Dungeon within the Reservoir. If so I need to clear it before we leave.¡± CJ shook his head thinking about the weeks he spent there with a dungeon just within reach. ¡°That means we¡¯ll have to at least subdue any resistance in camp. I¡¯m pretty sure I can make us some instant soldiers. They¡¯ll be pretty low level and will need direction. Should have brought Liber with us. His whole job is to get no phones up to speed so I don¡¯t have too. They weren¡¯t going to make it back to town without me doing this anyway.¡±

    ¡°Let¡¯s say you disarm all the guards, and you get to have the run of the place. How will you keep them from revolting after you disappear into the dungeon?¡± Elena asked clearly not liking this plan.

    ¡°Good point. Perhaps we can convince their liberated slave labor force to keep them honest...¡± CJ trailed off considering how much anarchy he was about to unleash. ¡°Let me talk to Redmond first. Get the lay of the land and I can message you with details afterward.¡±

    CJ didn¡¯t like how many holes were already in his plan. Without current intelligence, he wasn¡¯t going to be able to craft a foolproof plan.

 Chapter Seventy Five: Acolyte of Caduceus

    ¡°What are we going to do? The boys are still in there.¡± pleaded Cynthia Redmond to her husband as she clung to his right arm.

    Outside of the makeshift first aid area, the tent city surrounding the inner wall of the Reservoir was in shambles. Tents were knocked over, dead bodies of Flaming Pitchfork guards littered the streets, and the entrance to the main building was locked up tight. Several giant cicada corpses joined the fallen guards. They could still hear the tell tale rhythmic thrumming of the bugs that still flittered around the campus.

    ¡°We need to find Tommy. If anyone can get that door open its him.¡± stated Doc Redmond clasping his wife¡¯s hand. ¡°He built the damn thing for Christ¡¯s sake.¡±

    Both parents peeked out from the flaps of the triage tent. It was a miracle that it¡¯d gone untouched this whole time. After two straight days of cicada attacks, this encampment was looking just as shabby as it began. Gunfire rang out from atop the main building and bug corpses splatted to the ground.

    ¡°I think he was trying to repair the Eastern wall after that last attack.¡± She whispered up to him.

    Just then, a cicada the size of a mountain lion landed not six feet away from the tent flap. It buzzed and hopped on the ground spinning in a circle. Redmond pushed his wife back further into the tent before lifting a scalpel. One of them was going to make it to their boys, it didn¡¯t have to be him. The doctor crouched down real low next to the tent flap, internally praying that the mutation wouldn¡¯t poke its insectile head in. He lifted the scalpel hoping he could bring it down in a swift slice blinding half of the creatures¡¯ eyes. Skittering could be heard outside of the tent. Redmond held a breath as his muscles tensed in preparation to strike. He hauled his right arm back grasping the handle in a white knuckle grip before he heard a loud thud and the crunching of carapace. Mustering up what little courage he had left, Redmond peeked through the tent flap.

    There was a large hand made of earth pressing down atop a squashed cicada. Its internal fluids were pouring out around the hand onto the loose gravel around it. As he watched the hand disintegrated into dark earth and the same gravel before settling back down into the ground.

    ¡°What is it? Why are you making that face?¡± whispered Cynthia as she pulled on her blonde hair nervously.

    ¡°The bug is dead. It¡¯s been crushed. I don¡¯t under¡ª¡± Redmond was cut off as the tent flap opened and closed suddenly. His attention was on his wife, and he missed the opportunity to strike at the person now standing before him.

    CJ stood there in a pristine looking Flaming Pitchfork uniform. He seemed healthy and whole with a wide smile on his face that reached ear to ear. The flap opened again, and a black furred rabbit scampered inside. It was obviously Monty, CJ¡¯s pet, but it was a little larger than Redmond had remembered. Not by much but definitely larger.

    ¡°Tada!¡± said CJ holding his arms out wide.

    ¡°CJ?!¡± coughed Redmond.

    ¡°Oh my god! You¡¯re alive!¡± shrieked Cynthia under her breath as she pumped her arms in excitement. ¡°I know I saw the message, but I still couldn¡¯t believe it. How?¡±

    ¡°Long story and from the looks of this place it doesn¡¯t look like I¡¯ll have the time. Where is everyone else? Where¡¯s Tommy?¡± CJ asked as he turned his head left and right noticing some no phones huddled in corners.

    The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.

    ¡°We think he may be on the east side of the camp. He was restoring the walls after the last attack.¡± Answered Redmond still in shock and looking at CJ up and down.

    ¡°East side. Monty can you scout it? I¡¯m going to get us set up here and let the others know what¡¯s happening.¡± Said CJ aloud deciding to rip the band aid off.

    Monty looked up at CJ and quirked one eyebrow as if to say, are you sure? CJ just replied with a curt nod.

    ¡°Sure thing, I¡¯ll let you know what I find.¡± Monty answered aloud before casting ¡°Now You Don¡¯t¡± and disappearing from everyone¡¯s perception.

    CJ almost felt the gathered fifteen or so people¡¯s assholes pucker upon hearing the two foot tall rabbit talk. Cynthia almost fell back into a support pole holding the tent roof up before Redmond caught her.

    ¡°How¡­what?¡± stuttered Redmond, looking back to CJ.

    ¡°Do you trust me Redmond?¡± retorted CJ.

    ¡°Strange time to ask this but yes. Why?¡± replied the doctor.

    ¡°This is going to sting a little, but you will understand everything, including your wife¡¯s words about the wah wah after I¡¯m done.¡± CJ answered looking directly into Redmond¡¯s eyes as he approached. There was an unspoken bond of camaraderie exchanged between them.

    CJ reached up to Redmond¡¯s head with both hands extended. He didn¡¯t try anything stage worthy or attempt to distract others. Keeping his eyes firmly locked on Redmond¡¯s, his hands contacted either side of his head. Guiding his mana through his arms with much more control than ever before after doing this with so many people back at Leaf¡¯s Bend, his mana touched Redmond¡¯s. The doctor winced for the briefest of seconds before his eyes shot open. CJ released the man¡¯s head as he was obviously reading his slate for the first time.

    ¡°What did you do to him?¡± implored Cynthia as she spun Redmond around looking into his face.

    ¡°I connected him to his slate for the first time.¡± CJ replied arms folded with a look of self-satisfaction on his face. ¡°All he needs to do is pick a class, I¡¯d recommend whatever is highlighted in rainbow colors. They seem to be the rarest.¡±

    New Message from Theo: You need the cavalry? We heard gunfire.

    New Message from Party Leader CJ: Sit tight, the situation here is fluid. Looks like they¡¯ve been hit hard by the cicadas and haven¡¯t recovered yet. We must have just missed the last attack. Had to kill one as soon as I entered.

    ¡°You all look hungry.¡±

    CJ then began producing candy bars and bags of chips. He started lining them up on the table before making a line of bottled water just behind the line of snacks. Several of the cowering people scrambled forward to grab at the food and for the first time CJ thought the situation was even worse than he believed.

    Cynthia brought her husband over to a nearby cot and sat him down. She spoke some words to him as tears rolled down his cheeks. Then she got up and walked back over to CJ with a stern look on her face.

    ¡°You didn¡¯t prepare him for the goddess¡¯s message.¡± She spat with fury in her voice. ¡°He just had the weight of the past few months dropped on him like a ton of bricks. I don¡¯t think anyone who didn¡¯t know about her offer to take people away from this will understand after living this way. I expected more compassion from you.¡±

    CJ¡¯s jaw practically hit the floor. The old couple back in town were grateful to know their family was safe and didn¡¯t abandon them. He was wholly taken aback by what Cynthia just said. Never in his wildest dreams did he consider after months of struggle that getting access to your Slate would be so soul crushing. His jaw snapped shut and he hung his head in shame. Then a golden glow rippled through Redmond¡¯s body and shot up to his feet. Cynthia spun back around and stared at her husband alongside CJ.

    ¡°I had a class choice ringed in gold.¡± Said Redmond in an otherworldly tone, ¡°I selected Acolyte of Caduceus. It was only available to me because I took they Hippocratic Oath. How are you able to do this?¡±

    ¡°Part of that long story. If I may ask, what abilities did you get?¡±

    ¡°Healing. I¡¯m a walking medical miracle if I¡¯m reading this right.¡±

    ¡°Good. This is going to get worse before it gets better.¡± CJ commented before looking over the gathered people in the tent. ¡°Where are the boys?¡±

    ¡°The Skippers men closed and locked the main building during the last attack.¡± Said a flustered Cynthia before steeling herself. ¡°They haven¡¯t come out in days. All the children are still inside.¡±

    ¡°I guess we¡¯re going in then. Anyone else want an upgrade?¡± CJ asked gesturing toward the now noticeably more confident and determined looking Doctor.